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Becoming a Pagan
This pursuit of finding one’s own dharma drew me
to examine the pre-Christian traditions of Europe, notably the
Celtic traditions from which my Irish ancestors derived. I don’t
see any contradiction between their traditions and Hinduism.
Fortunately, the core of their traditions has survived the
many centuries of oppression and is flowering anew. With time and
help from other native traditions, they may yet reclaim their full
glory and splendor.
Starting in 1996 I came into a
contact with Celtic groups and began to discuss issues of history
and religion with them. Most of them honor Hinduism and feel a
kinship with it. They are looking to Hindu India as a new
model of resurgent paganism in the world. They are discovering in
the Hindu tradition for what has been lost in their own
traditions.
In contact with my Celtic
friends and by their advice this year (1999) I reclaimed my Irish
family line for the Celtic religion and its Vedic connections. While
I am not specifically doing Celtic practices, I have added a Celtic
slant on my Hindu practices. One can see Lord Shiva in the Celtic
God Cernunos, who is also the Lord of the Animals. The Celtic Green
Man shows the Purusha or Divine Spirit in nature, which in plants is
the Vedic God Soma. In time I hope to incorporate a greater
understanding the Celtic ways into my work and into my
communion with nature.
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