Exceptions to the Rules

I attended a Virtual Fire rite last night, where we gave thanks to the Kindred for whatever--I gave thanks for seership, divine mentoring, and patience from Them to me and me to Them. Each of us were able to invite certain deities we were thankful for, and Artemis and Ceres took control of me for a moment to type in Their names and what Their gifts to humankind: Wild and Domestic Harvests.  But before Them a deity who's not part of the PIE (Proto-Indo-European cultures) came through.  

The pagan cultures that ADF Druidry focus on are Proto-Indo-European.  That doesn't mean that you personally can't honor entities outside of the PIE, but They can't be part of the rites.  Now what people do in private is their own thing, but in public or group, you're technically not supposed to.

Like ADF is against animal sacrifice and I think bloodletting, as well.  Well, I haven't done animal sacrifice since I stopped hunting and fishing many years ago.  But when I do bloodletting, I'm not doing it at my ADF altar using the COoR.  It would be disrespectful to the spirits and people--even privately, personally.  What others do is what others do.  But I won't.  ADF is just one part of my spiritual life, and I do have entities in my life who require a blood sacrifice.  I do often work blood magik, too.  I've been working with blood for a long time, and I'm not just going to stop because these druids are against it.  I don't mix the two.

Yes, ADF has some rules against some things that probably a large chunk of the general pagan community feels is taboo, too, and against including entities outside of the PIE.

Well, an African Goddess of Storms and Chaos felt differently about that last part.  

Part of the rite was also a "bookend" to the beginning of Hurricane season, when the leader does a yearly ritual for protection and makes a sigil.  At the end of hurricane season, she gives gratitude for the protection and returns the sigil with waters collected from the hurricanes.  

First this entities name was just a whisper, then a SHOUT in my psychic face to be mentioned.  If I didn't, She might have made me.  Uncaring about ADF rules or human category boxes.  

I said, "There's one here who's not part of the PIE, nor is She one of mine.  Oya, Goddess of Storms and Chaos, demands to be invited and given praise."  Actually, I do think Oya took partial control, because the words were a little out of order, and not due just to my own dyslexia.

No one argued.  Respect was given and She was one of many names mentioned in last night's rite.  I was glad, but then this group is pretty relaxed.  If an entity shows up, they're going to accept Them to the rite.

Would you tell a God "no you're not invited because you're not part of the PIE club?"  Not me, fuck that.  I ain't gettin smacked for hubris!  If a god wants to be present, They gon be present.

I've only encountered Oya a couple of times in my life.  A whirlwind of dancing twirling chaos.  A storm of energy.  She rarely says anything to me, and usually only shows up when She wants to be recognized and honored.

I usually take it as maybe She's part of one of the attendees lives...or will be.  Even if its mine.  Or maybe something was Her and Her alone's doing.  Or maybe...who the hell knows with these entities?  

I'm not one to tell a deity no, I can't mention you, this isn't that kind of rite.  Especially a Chaos Entity (technically the gods in general are chaotic and can certain create a lot of upheaval in our lives--some more than others).

I have told entities who wanted to speak during rites no, because either I wasn't doing the omen, it wasn't the right time, or those in attendance weren't prepared.  I didn't want to be rude to everyone.  The Gods can be pushy as hell about that kind of thing.  So far, I haven't had any take control over me and completely disrupt everything--as has happened in the past.  They may wait Their turn, and mention Themselves during the invites or gratitude parts, like Artemis and Ceres did last night.  

Last night wasn't the time to tell a Storm Goddess no.  

- Dedicant and Hearth Keeper, Foxlyn