Astrology, etc. (ritual, beliefs, experience, atheist, pagans)

[michel]

I have studied, and believe in, Astrology, the Tarot, Numerology, Palmistry (in fact they are all interwoven), as well as divining (pendulum and rod). I also heal (spiritual healing), and do Reiki, tried reflexology, and aromatherapy, and another 'pressure point' manipulation technique I got from an old book in French.


Whenever I mention any of these, I can imediately sense the 'bad vibes' from both theists and atheists. To the theists, I feel I am immediately pigeon holed as messing with subjects I shouldn't touch, and atheists just dismiss the whole thing as bunkum.

What do you all think ? do you believe in these, practice them yourselves ? Do you feel the need to 'keep it quiet' because of reactions from others?

[Buttons*]

I believe that some people are in touch with their 6th sense, however it comes out. I dont see anything wrong with astrology, numerology, tarot, or anything of the sort. (although, if you ask FFH, he'll more than likley say that you're probably posessed by a demon... go figure) I dont believe that anyone has to stay quiet about anything unless they want to be.

I woudln't be ashamed if i could tap into my 6th sense.

[Ori]

My Auntie does spiritual healing, but it doesn't always have an effect on others.

[Mike182]

i practise most of what you mentioned mich, and i must admit it is a heck of a lot better practising either on my own or in a group of other pagans

i don't make a point of telling people what i practise, but if people ask, i don't tell them to buzz off .......... much

like at work, were not supposed to have chain round our neck, so i wear mine under my shirt, and my pentegram fell out - a college saw it and asked me what it meant, i told him, and he looked a little taken aback, but after talking to him some more about it, he at least understood that it was my faith

i feel very uncomfortable talking about it to my family though, they think "its just a stage"

[jeffrey]

When I lived in S. California back in the early 70's, I worked for a water drilling company, they swore my water witches. They where about 90% accurate compared to geologists, who where less then 20% accurate.

I know Rebecca also believes in most of what you stated above, also, michel.

[maggie2]

Hi Michel,

I know what you mean about how Christians shy away from that kind of thing and athiests just think it's bunk. Personally, I do numerology and sometimes tarot. I have nothing against astrology, just find that numerology and tarot work better for me.

I am on a spiritual journey and consider myself 'spiritual but not religious'. I take my beliefs from many different faiths and have really created a spiritual concept that works for me. As I learn and grow so does my ideas about the nature of the Source of Life (God to most people). I find that many people can't grasp the idea that your beliefs can and do change over time as you change and grow yourself. Have you had that experience too?

[Shadow Wolf]

I am studing Astrology, and I practive Reiki, Tarot, and Skrying. I do some other things, but those are my main ones. I was told once that since Reiki is not dependant upon god, then it is a demon that is giving me the power, to which to me, makes absoletly no since. Why would something that is "purely evil" want to heal something?

[Cynic]

Originally Posted by michel

I have studied, and believe in, Astrology, the Tarot, Numerology, Palmistry (in fact they are all interwoven), as well as divining (pendulum and rod). I also heal (spiritual healing), and do Reiki, tried reflexology, and aromatherapy, and another 'pressure point' manipulation technique I got from an old book in French.


Whenever I mention any of these, I can imediately sense the 'bad vibes' from both theists and atheists. To the theists, I feel I am immediately pigeon holed as messing with subjects I shouldn't touch, and atheists just dismiss the whole thing as bunkum.

What do you all think ? do you believe in these, practice them yourselves ? Do you feel the need to 'keep it quiet' because of reactions from others?

I used to dabble with Tarot cards. When I did, I started having premonitions, and the events of the forewarnings always ended up happening. It was strange, and not a fun thing. I started doing readings for people, and was told that I was accurate (in the 70-80% range) I predicted things for my family, in which my predictions came true. I also started developing my own interpretations of the cards. But, then I stopped messing with tarot because of the premonition thing. Now, I don't take such things too seriously. I just find some of it interesting and entertaining. I might dabble with it again for fun in the future.

[Evenstar]

Oh Michel, I understand what your saying.... I have been labeled "Evil" by a loving Christian in here .

We are who we are.

[MidnightBlue]

Originally Posted by michel

I have studied, and believe in, Astrology, the Tarot, Numerology, Palmistry (in fact they are all interwoven), as well as divining (pendulum and rod). I also heal (spiritual healing), and do Reiki, tried reflexology, and aromatherapy, and another 'pressure point' manipulation technique I got from an old book in French.

Whenever I mention any of these, I can imediately sense the 'bad vibes' from both theists and atheists. To the theists, I feel I am immediately pigeon holed as messing with subjects I shouldn't touch, and atheists just dismiss the whole thing as bunkum.

What do you all think ? do you believe in these, practice them yourselves ? Do you feel the need to 'keep it quiet' because of reactions from others?

I used to cast astrology charts, and I've dabbled with Tarot cards for twenty years. My main problem with both is that they're very time-consuming. It takes a lot of time to cast a proper chart, and it takes a long time to gain deep knowledge of Tarot cards.

Both work, if done properly. There's no scientific explanation that I know of for why they work, so I can understand why people are skeptical. Nevertheless, they work, for people who are willing to put the time in to learning each discipline. Tarot in particular is can be a spiritual practice all on its own, and I've always meant to find more time for it.

I don't mention my interest in that kind of thing very often, for the reasons you mention. Some people think you're a superstitious fool, and others think you're consorting with demons.

The way I look at it, there's nothing magical about Tarot cards in themselves. They're just a tool for examining what you already know on some level. We all perceive things we don't really think about, and some people are more perceptive than others. The cards help you tap into perceptions that may be subconscious. It's a way of making clear what you already "know." Still, it's uncanny sometimes how just the right cards seem to fall in just the right p