This is a list of 9 virtues important to my Pagan Path as a Druid. Are there other virtues that you would add to this list or take away from it?
What virtues does your religion encourage you to live by?
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Wisdom:
Is more than just being smart or intelligent. It is the ultimate culmination of experience, knowledge and sound judgement. Experience being what one gains by performing an action, right or wrong; knowledge, the banking of this experience for later usage, and when one uses both experience and knowledge together in their affairs, they are executing with wisdom.
In ancient Greece, Philosophy, meant a "lover of wisdom", therefore it also entails the ability to use and apply critical thinking, reason, discourse and ethics, in a benevolent fashion. It requires a sense of intellectual humility, proportion and ability to introspect. As a certain prayer for serenity also notes, there is wisdom in learning to accept things as they are, and only changing those things that are within your power to control.
Piety:
Stemming from the latin word pius/pietas, meaning devout and/or dutiful. It is with this devotion and duty that we show the utmost and dedicated observance of, respect for, and service to the Gods, Ancestors and Spirits of the land; through Worship, Ritual, and Sacrifices made in their honor.
Celebrating the cycles and rhythms of nature, through the keeping of the eight High Feast Days, we ground our devotion within the Earth's patterns. This keying in to the patterns of nature allows for an extension of devotion and duty to the spirits of flora and fauna native to ones locale.
Devotion and duty to ones Ancestors is to not only to honor their memory when they have passed, but to honor and respect ones living Ancestors, as well such as ones Grandparents and Parents, as well as any other close filial ties. It is through these daily pious interactions that we bring the Gods to the forefront of our lives.
Vision:
To be able to think about, plan, and strive towards the future utilizing the foresight of one's minds eye. To use the same to call forth the Past. At the same time one must not lose sight of the present moment as it unfolds around us. To be able to see things from many angles and perspectives is the hallmark of true vision.
It often must be tempered by wisdom, or else it runs the chance of turning into fantasy, not grounded in reality. It allows us to see where we are, how we got there through good and ill, and where we can go in the future. Clear inner vision unlocks our creativity and true potential, giving us the aspiration to bring them to life. While clear outer vision enables us to appreciate the minute details and immense beauty of the world around us.
Courage:
There are two main types of courage, physical and moral. Physical courage is bravery in the face of adversity and hardship, for the sake of a worthy goal. To display confidence in ones actions. While moral courage is to act rightly and justly, even when faced with opposition, or personal loss. Courage does not mean to be unafraid, but to face that fear head on without wavering. To still show strength of resolve even in the face of uncertainty or defeat.
When one is courageous, one does not overthink their situation, but acts as wisdom and vision guides them. The stories and myths of our Gods are filled with examples of Courage to emulate, such as Tyr placing his hand in the mouth of the great wolf Fenrir, to ensure he was bound until Ragnarok, knowingly losing his hand in the process.
Integrity:
Integrity at it's very root, is to do the right or correct thing or action, when no one is looking, even when it is not in a persons own best interest. To practice and live good morals daily. A person who sticks by and lives by their stated morals, principles, beliefs and standards.
An integrous person will first harm no one, and will be able to extol these nine virtues listed here. To keep their oaths and promises, as one's word is their bond.
A person with high integrity will strive to be honest in all their affairs, as lies serve no one but the speaker. To speak and act with an honest heart and mind, while still being mindful of anothers emotions, so as not to be hurtful.
Perseverance:
Perseverance to me means, to strive for one's goals, and attempt to achieve them despite what events may unfold during the journey. To push through in an arduous task, even if failure is the known and expected result. To press on, on ones path until it's final result, pushing through any discouragement hurtled onto the road ahead.
To show a calm steadfastness in daily life. While also approaching situations with an open mind, acknowledging that anything can turn out right or wrong. A person does not have to be the smartest, the richest or the most well connected person to succeed -- as long as they can persevere when pursuing their goals, they will gain much. Without the ability to persevere through adversity, we would get nowhere, succumbing to every set back.
Hospitality:
Hospitality is to be kind to the guests that are in one's home. To give them a warm welcome, and safe harbor. This includes extending that warmth to the Gods and Spirits of one's tradition, and their Ancestors. Showing them that they are welcome in your home and heart.
To demonstrate hospitality, a person should also recognize that they are not just the host in life, and that they are both guest and host at different times depending on circumstances and location. And as we are all guests on this home we call Earth, it is also imperitive that one be hospitable to the life around them, extending a hand or defense where needed. Knowing that we are dependent upon the hospitality of the Earth in return.
Moderation:
In it's most basic form, this often refers to not overindulging in drugs or alcohol, and to stay of strong, sound, mind and body. But we can look at moderation in additional ways. It is often good to act in moderate ways, so as not to react to strong emotions in the moment. To speak, write, and interact with the world moderately, leaving little trace behind.
To live within moderate means, by not succumbing to excessive worldly materialism. Focusing only on what one needs, to successfully take care of themselves and their family, to help their kin and community as needed.
The religiously moderate will not succumb to zealotry or fanaticism; striving to maintain a balance and equality among all viewpoints. This of course does not mean accepting all viewpoints as valid, but giving them space at the campfire nonetheless.
Fertility:
Fertility to me means one has the ability to produce things. Whether that is conceiving children, or giving birth to works of creation such as arts or crafts.
It is the ability to sow seeds of thought in the present, nurturing them to grow, so that over time one can harvest the reward of completing a goal or project. Maintaining this ebb and flow of sowing ideas, growing goals, and harvesting lessons or rewards, brings our fertile and creative minds to the foreground.
By focusing on cultivating a fertile mind and life, one will be able to see and appreciate all of the created beauty that surrounds us every day. One will also become mindfully aware of how the fertility of the Earth, and her creative cycles as seasons, that sustain us all.
What virtues does your religion encourage you to live by?
-----------
Wisdom:
Is more than just being smart or intelligent. It is the ultimate culmination of experience, knowledge and sound judgement. Experience being what one gains by performing an action, right or wrong; knowledge, the banking of this experience for later usage, and when one uses both experience and knowledge together in their affairs, they are executing with wisdom.
In ancient Greece, Philosophy, meant a "lover of wisdom", therefore it also entails the ability to use and apply critical thinking, reason, discourse and ethics, in a benevolent fashion. It requires a sense of intellectual humility, proportion and ability to introspect. As a certain prayer for serenity also notes, there is wisdom in learning to accept things as they are, and only changing those things that are within your power to control.
Piety:
Stemming from the latin word pius/pietas, meaning devout and/or dutiful. It is with this devotion and duty that we show the utmost and dedicated observance of, respect for, and service to the Gods, Ancestors and Spirits of the land; through Worship, Ritual, and Sacrifices made in their honor.
Celebrating the cycles and rhythms of nature, through the keeping of the eight High Feast Days, we ground our devotion within the Earth's patterns. This keying in to the patterns of nature allows for an extension of devotion and duty to the spirits of flora and fauna native to ones locale.
Devotion and duty to ones Ancestors is to not only to honor their memory when they have passed, but to honor and respect ones living Ancestors, as well such as ones Grandparents and Parents, as well as any other close filial ties. It is through these daily pious interactions that we bring the Gods to the forefront of our lives.
Vision:
To be able to think about, plan, and strive towards the future utilizing the foresight of one's minds eye. To use the same to call forth the Past. At the same time one must not lose sight of the present moment as it unfolds around us. To be able to see things from many angles and perspectives is the hallmark of true vision.
It often must be tempered by wisdom, or else it runs the chance of turning into fantasy, not grounded in reality. It allows us to see where we are, how we got there through good and ill, and where we can go in the future. Clear inner vision unlocks our creativity and true potential, giving us the aspiration to bring them to life. While clear outer vision enables us to appreciate the minute details and immense beauty of the world around us.
Courage:
There are two main types of courage, physical and moral. Physical courage is bravery in the face of adversity and hardship, for the sake of a worthy goal. To display confidence in ones actions. While moral courage is to act rightly and justly, even when faced with opposition, or personal loss. Courage does not mean to be unafraid, but to face that fear head on without wavering. To still show strength of resolve even in the face of uncertainty or defeat.
When one is courageous, one does not overthink their situation, but acts as wisdom and vision guides them. The stories and myths of our Gods are filled with examples of Courage to emulate, such as Tyr placing his hand in the mouth of the great wolf Fenrir, to ensure he was bound until Ragnarok, knowingly losing his hand in the process.
Integrity:
Integrity at it's very root, is to do the right or correct thing or action, when no one is looking, even when it is not in a persons own best interest. To practice and live good morals daily. A person who sticks by and lives by their stated morals, principles, beliefs and standards.
An integrous person will first harm no one, and will be able to extol these nine virtues listed here. To keep their oaths and promises, as one's word is their bond.
A person with high integrity will strive to be honest in all their affairs, as lies serve no one but the speaker. To speak and act with an honest heart and mind, while still being mindful of anothers emotions, so as not to be hurtful.
Perseverance:
Perseverance to me means, to strive for one's goals, and attempt to achieve them despite what events may unfold during the journey. To push through in an arduous task, even if failure is the known and expected result. To press on, on ones path until it's final result, pushing through any discouragement hurtled onto the road ahead.
To show a calm steadfastness in daily life. While also approaching situations with an open mind, acknowledging that anything can turn out right or wrong. A person does not have to be the smartest, the richest or the most well connected person to succeed -- as long as they can persevere when pursuing their goals, they will gain much. Without the ability to persevere through adversity, we would get nowhere, succumbing to every set back.
Hospitality:
Hospitality is to be kind to the guests that are in one's home. To give them a warm welcome, and safe harbor. This includes extending that warmth to the Gods and Spirits of one's tradition, and their Ancestors. Showing them that they are welcome in your home and heart.
To demonstrate hospitality, a person should also recognize that they are not just the host in life, and that they are both guest and host at different times depending on circumstances and location. And as we are all guests on this home we call Earth, it is also imperitive that one be hospitable to the life around them, extending a hand or defense where needed. Knowing that we are dependent upon the hospitality of the Earth in return.
Moderation:
In it's most basic form, this often refers to not overindulging in drugs or alcohol, and to stay of strong, sound, mind and body. But we can look at moderation in additional ways. It is often good to act in moderate ways, so as not to react to strong emotions in the moment. To speak, write, and interact with the world moderately, leaving little trace behind.
To live within moderate means, by not succumbing to excessive worldly materialism. Focusing only on what one needs, to successfully take care of themselves and their family, to help their kin and community as needed.
The religiously moderate will not succumb to zealotry or fanaticism; striving to maintain a balance and equality among all viewpoints. This of course does not mean accepting all viewpoints as valid, but giving them space at the campfire nonetheless.
Fertility:
Fertility to me means one has the ability to produce things. Whether that is conceiving children, or giving birth to works of creation such as arts or crafts.
It is the ability to sow seeds of thought in the present, nurturing them to grow, so that over time one can harvest the reward of completing a goal or project. Maintaining this ebb and flow of sowing ideas, growing goals, and harvesting lessons or rewards, brings our fertile and creative minds to the foreground.
By focusing on cultivating a fertile mind and life, one will be able to see and appreciate all of the created beauty that surrounds us every day. One will also become mindfully aware of how the fertility of the Earth, and her creative cycles as seasons, that sustain us all.