Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Heathen Dawn · 10-20-2002, 10:44 AM

This is a call for advice...

When I lived at my parents' house, I had a natural park near me, in which I stayed to do nature rituals and other activities of natural, secular pagan communion.

About two weeks ago I went to live in an appartment of my own... at long last! It has for the most part been a change for the better, clearing my head from parental nagging and other things that I'm getting too old for (I'm 24).

One thing, however, wasn't a change for the better: I no longer have a natural park near me. I've got a small garden at my appartment, but it's too minuscule for the total immersion in nature I need.

The one place, the only place quite near home where there are lots of trees and plants and a serene environment to practise natural communion is a cemetry. What I ask is whether it's advisable at all. You probably know by now I have a fear of death, and I wonder if staying in a cemetry at night might not enhance this fear. In fact, I wonder if this could be considered a mentally healthy practice at all.

I need the secluded natural environment for performing nature rituals... it's essential for my emotional satisfaction. What I wonder is if doing it in a graveyard (my only choice now) would actually backfire and plunge me into further depression. What do you think?

Thanks for your listening and tolerance.

Perchance · 10-20-2002, 10:48 AM

HD,

I think that using a graveyard might backfire on you, but only you can really say for certain. You've indicated in the past that you have a great fear of death being the end, but does that extend to the visible symbols of death (i.e., headstones?) I can't recall your saying anything about that one way or the other.

Be aware that some graveyards have laws about entering them after dark. A Wiccan sutdent I knew in undergrad nearly got arrested for doing a Samhain ritual in a nearby cemetary after midnight.

I would check to be sure that it isn't illegal, first.

-Perchance.

Heathen Dawn · 10-20-2002, 10:57 AM

Maybe I'd better try it out one night to check both points (whether it raises my fear of death and whether it's legal).

But if it doesn't work, what option do I have? There's no other natural setting near me, and I only visit my parents once a week.

I can't be cut away from nature like this

pz · 10-20-2002, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Heathen Dawn:
<strong>
I can't be cut away from nature like this

</strong>

Get a potted plant or a goldfish. Watch ants on the sidewalk. Leave fruit out on the counter and watch the Drosophila flourish. Learn to appreciate the fact that nature is everywhere.

Get out to that graveyard and get over the fact that dead people are buried there. You can't simultaneously complain that you've got to get back to nature, and whimper that you're terrified of death -- nature is a seething mass of fecund decay. If you don't see that, you've been contemplating a prissified, sterile version of the real thing.

sakrilege · 10-20-2002, 11:55 AM

Zoos are another option. Cemetaries are often private property and as Perchance stated, may be illegal to be in after closing. Urban parks often also close at dusk.

Susan

[ October 20, 2002: Message edited by: sakrilege ]</p>

Yellow3 · 10-20-2002, 12:41 PM

Yeah, but zoos aren't normally open at night anyway, and when they are it's hardly a private affair. Usually one of their fundraising things or special events - something liable to bring crowds.

My best suggestion is to make yourself a small potted water garden if you have anyplace with enough sun; outside is best, on a fire escape or back balcony. Maybe keep other potted plants around it. If you have time and money I'd personally vote for dwarf papyrus, a handful of goldfish, and one of the smaller species of bamboo.

- Jen

Manta · 10-20-2002, 01:15 PM

There are also many audio sources for nature sounds. Yes, it might be a poor substitute, but at least you may have some comfort in it.

I was just telling a friend that it's days like today (gorgeous and a bit crisp outside) that I miss living in the country.

-K

dostf · 10-20-2002, 02:34 PM

Heathen Dawn;

-While there are certainly worse things you might be doing with your time other than "nature rituals', i suggest nature is what it is, and is indifferent to your efforts.
- try "communing" with a human being that also can return your "efforts" with love and kindness-------we all need this far more than "nature" does.

Be seeing you...

Sushi X · 10-20-2002, 06:22 PM

dostf, don't diss HD's rituals. I HD wants to do them, that's her buisness.

Maverick · 10-20-2002, 07:19 PM

HD,

I doubt that many of the regulars in this forum perform "natural rituals" as you are describing them, so I am going to move this thread to Non-Abrahamic religions. Hopefully someone there will have further suggestions for you.

Maverick - SL&S Moderator

10-20-2002, 10:44 AM	#1
Heathen Dawn Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 4,656	Nature Rituals in a Graveyard This is a call for advice... When I lived at my parents' house, I had a natural park near me, in which I stayed to do nature rituals and other activities of natural, secular pagan communion. About two weeks ago I went to live in an appartment of my own... at long last! It has for the most part been a change for the better, clearing my head from parental nagging and other things that I'm getting too old for (I'm 24). One thing, however, wasn't a change for the better: I no longer have a natural park near me. I've got a small garden at my appartment, but it's too minuscule for the total immersion in nature I need. The one place, the only place quite near home where there are lots of trees and plants and a serene environment to practise natural communion is a cemetry. What I ask is whether it's advisable at all. You probably know by now I have a fear of death, and I wonder if staying in a cemetry at night might not enhance this fear. In fact, I wonder if this could be considered a mentally healthy practice at all. I need the secluded natural environment for performing nature rituals... it's essential for my emotional satisfaction. What I wonder is if doing it in a graveyard (my only choice now) would actually backfire and plunge me into further depression. What do you think? Thanks for your listening and tolerance.

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10-20-2002, 10:48 AM	#2
Perchance Veteran Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,059	HD, I think that using a graveyard might backfire on you, but only you can really say for certain. You've indicated in the past that you have a great fear of death being the end, but does that extend to the visible symbols of death (i.e., headstones?) I can't recall your saying anything about that one way or the other. Be aware that some graveyards have laws about entering them after dark. A Wiccan sutdent I knew in undergrad nearly got arrested for doing a Samhain ritual in a nearby cemetary after midnight. I would check to be sure that it isn't illegal, first. -Perchance.

10-20-2002, 10:57 AM	#3
Heathen Dawn Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 4,656	Maybe I'd better try it out one night to check both points (whether it raises my fear of death and whether it's legal). But if it doesn't work, what option do I have? There's no other natural setting near me, and I only visit my parents once a week. I can't be cut away from nature like this

10-20-2002, 11:55 AM	#5
sakrilege Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Cleveland, OH, USA Folding@Home Godless Team Posts: 6,211	Zoos are another option. Cemetaries are often private property and as Perchance stated, may be illegal to be in after closing. Urban parks often also close at dusk. Susan [ October 20, 2002: Message edited by: sakrilege ]</p>

10-20-2002, 12:41 PM	#6
Yellow3 Regular Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Riverside, CA, USA Posts: 212	Yeah, but zoos aren't normally open at night anyway, and when they are it's hardly a private affair. Usually one of their fundraising things or special events - something liable to bring crowds. My best suggestion is to make yourself a small potted water garden if you have anyplace with enough sun; outside is best, on a fire escape or back balcony. Maybe keep other potted plants around it. If you have time and money I'd personally vote for dwarf papyrus, a handful of goldfish, and one of the smaller species of bamboo. - Jen

10-20-2002, 01:15 PM	#7
Manta Regular Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: St Somewhere Posts: 352	There are also many audio sources for nature sounds. Yes, it might be a poor substitute, but at least you may have some comfort in it. I was just telling a friend that it's days like today (gorgeous and a bit crisp outside) that I miss living in the country. -K

10-20-2002, 02:34 PM	#8
dostf Regular Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: toronto canada Posts: 498	Heathen Dawn; -While there are certainly worse things you might be doing with your time other than "nature rituals', i suggest nature is what it is, and is indifferent to your efforts. - try "communing" with a human being that also can return your "efforts" with love and kindness-------we all need this far more than "nature" does. Be seeing you...

10-20-2002, 06:22 PM	#9
Sushi X Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Washington DC Posts: 86	dostf, don't diss HD's rituals. I HD wants to do them, that's her buisness.

10-20-2002, 07:19 PM	#10
Maverick Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin Posts: 6,367	HD, I doubt that many of the regulars in this forum perform "natural rituals" as you are describing them, so I am going to move this thread to Non-Abrahamic religions. Hopefully someone there will have further suggestions for you. Maverick - SL&S Moderator

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