The Informed Pagan

The Informed Pagan is a collaborative Pagan community that can be used as a resource for learning more about the various religions and practices that fall under the Pagan umbrella. A place where one can ask any question and expect thoughtful, honest answers, based not only on collective experiences, but currently available scholarly research.

Founded by a group of Pagans from various paths, we are dedicated towards promoting responsibility and integrity within the Pagan Community, through knowledge and awareness. Paganism is a very broad topic, and there is a ton of misinformation that has been perpetuated over the years, and unfortunately, very little has been done to stop it.

Most of us started out, as many do, rather “fluffy”, not knowing what we were doing, and often trusting what we thought were reliable resources, only to find that we’d been misled. The misleading wasn’t always done intentionally, but it was clear that there was a serious lack of genuinely reliable resources for those who were seeking a Pagan path. In talking about how far we had come and how embarrassed we were at some of the things we had once said and written (and yes we have ALL been there), we felt strongly that more guidance should be available for Pagans of all types. Talking about this wasn’t enough, and we decided we needed to take action. Which brings us here, to TIP.

The Informed Pagan is for anyone who needs a bit of help navigating the world of Paganism. If you are unsure of what you should be doing, which authors are reliable, or even what you believe, just ask. ALL QUESTIONS ARE WELCOME!! We have the knowledge and experience

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19th February 2017

Anonymous asked: In your words, what does it mean to be a maenad?

delphicsacrifice:

To be a maenad is to be alive, to taste every breath on your tongue and recognize the taste of him. It’s movement, vibrant and holy, because you know the only true way to say his name is to dance it. Stomping out Δ ι ό ν υ σ ο ς with your feet, shaking BACCHUS in your hips. It’s looking at God and saying “Have me.” and “Change me”, because he will tear you out of yourself and put a maenad behind your eyes, if you let him. Self will lose her importance; you will become a movement, a dance, a holy cry, a piece of his puzzle, a vessel for praise. It’s trying your damnedest to become even the smallest mirror for Dionysos, even if you will never reflect all of him, not by miles and miles. It’s realizing you can never thank him well enough, but trying anyway. It’s an endeavor of holiness and purity, and by the same token, it is embracing your humanity. Feel every cell, every sharp pang of fear, overflowing of joy, quiver, panic, come.
It’s catharsis, in every sense of the word, be it ancient or modern. It’s falling on your knees because you are so small in his presence. It’s standing on your feet because he has made you so fearsome. It’s drumbeats, screams, manic laughter, trust, adoration….what can I say, Anon? It’s something I’m still learning. It is the only way I ever want to be.

Tagged: maenad dionysos bacchus dionysus greek gods hellenic polytheism