1) What is the most difficult thing, for you, about being dual-tradition?
It actually is not that difficult in general, I think in part because the two faiths are fairly different and because the way I interact with the two communities is very different. It's kind of surprising how my practice of each has evolved without blending.
I'd have to say that, really, the hardest part of being dual-faith is explaining it to others.
2) What are your favorite aspects about each of your traditions?
Gosh, that's a hard one! I'm tempted to say "the gods" for both and leave it at that--but I'll skip over that for now.
Heathenry has a strong and thriving real-world community--real people practicing some variant of the same faith--and that is inspiring. There is also a wonderful diversity--although some of these diverse types of heathenry are convinced that their own variety is The Only One :)--which I think is fantastic. Acceptance of diversity encourages growth. The fact that in many cases heathens who hold quite different views can work together on what is important to both.
Also, a great deal of work has already been done--research accomplished, prayers and liturgy written--so that a new person coming in can easily get started, instead of reading a bit and being afraid to "do something" for fear of doing it wrong. (Yeah, that happens with some folks anyway--but it doesn't have to!) And thirty years of Asatru practice has helped to form a recognizable group identity--which is not entirely a good thing but it's not all bad either.
Hellenic reconstructionism is newer, but the sheer volume of available information is likely to help it develop comparatively quickly. In some ways it is actually a disadvantage to have so much detailed information, but overall it is a good thing. There are a lot of good people involved, and while there has been some splitting I think (diversity = good, remember? :)) that it's a very good thing for a number of options to exist.
I also like the people--I hope that in another 10 years or so there may be the numbers to meet in person more regularly, but in the mean time folks seem to make good use of the internet.
3) What's your favorite book of all time, for any reason?
Life and Loves of a She-Devil by Fay Weldon is my favorite work of fiction. I reread it every so often and it's always thought-provoking.
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branchandroot
Re: I wanna play!
Date: 2004-08-20 05:23 pm (UTC)It actually is not that difficult in general, I think in part because the two faiths are fairly different and because the way I interact with the two communities is very different. It's kind of surprising how my practice of each has evolved without blending.
I'd have to say that, really, the hardest part of being dual-faith is explaining it to others.
2) What are your favorite aspects about each of your traditions?
Gosh, that's a hard one! I'm tempted to say "the gods" for both and leave it at that--but I'll skip over that for now.
Heathenry has a strong and thriving real-world community--real people practicing some variant of the same faith--and that is inspiring. There is also a wonderful diversity--although some of these diverse types of heathenry are convinced that their own variety is The Only One :)--which I think is fantastic. Acceptance of diversity encourages growth. The fact that in many cases heathens who hold quite different views can work together on what is important to both.
Also, a great deal of work has already been done--research accomplished, prayers and liturgy written--so that a new person coming in can easily get started, instead of reading a bit and being afraid to "do something" for fear of doing it wrong. (Yeah, that happens with some folks anyway--but it doesn't have to!) And thirty years of Asatru practice has helped to form a recognizable group identity--which is not entirely a good thing but it's not all bad either.
Hellenic reconstructionism is newer, but the sheer volume of available information is likely to help it develop comparatively quickly. In some ways it is actually a disadvantage to have so much detailed information, but overall it is a good thing. There are a lot of good people involved, and while there has been some splitting I think (diversity = good, remember? :)) that it's a very good thing for a number of options to exist.
I also like the people--I hope that in another 10 years or so there may be the numbers to meet in person more regularly, but in the mean time folks seem to make good use of the internet.
3) What's your favorite book of all time, for any reason?
Life and Loves of a She-Devil by Fay Weldon is my favorite work of fiction. I reread it every so often and it's always thought-provoking.