3 Pagan Mistakes and How to Avoid Them - with Lora O'Brien at the Irish Pagan School

[@taramaiorella7639]

Thank you so much for this Lora. I've only taken 1 free class and now a paid class with lots of reading and investigating my own direction to take. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither will a path that you choose. Thank you for paving the way for all of us to be able to find our way.

[@greendragonpublishing]

I try to learn better and do better every day... and I know I always have more to learn!

[@-RONNIE]

I really do hope this reaches the people who are making the mistakes you were referencing in this video. This way they can correct it and learn from it.

[@Greg747LI]

Maith thú, a Lora! Thank you for a thoughtful post. Of late, I've had mixed emotions about my OBOD membership. They seem like lovely people, but their pan-Celtic/Welsh reconstructionism just feels, well, 'too' English'...if that's even a thing. I feel so much more at home and at peace with the land, the language, and the history of Ireland - it's native mythology intricately connected with nature and the changing seasons (even though my ancestors came to America in the 1840's and 50's). My biggest Pagan mistake? Jumping down the throats of those who mispronounce Bealtaine and Samhain...I know I should be considerate, but hot-damn, after the tenth, 20th time... I guess it's not my place to 'correct' anyone. Yet I can't deal with the BS answer that 'the English have said it this way for three hundred years'. I do think it's time I learned more about Irish Paganism from Irish Pagans...OBOD and ADF are lovely, for sure, ach tá mé ag foghlaim Gaeilge agus ba mhaith liom ag úsáid níos mó

[@visionplant]

A lot of pagans don't believe in literal magic and "energy"

[@tricelandry8152]

I have to say, i've made the three of them at some point, even though I always say is due to my youthful mind (lol) there is really no excuse, i simply didn't care at the time. As you say Lora, Listen, Learn and grow, i like to think that is what i've been doing and stil do. I can read and learn about many practices and cultures, but ultimatly, when I practice my own path, it has to be consistent with my roots, my territory, etc.. Thank you for the video, a bit of modesty always comes handy.

[@karenstump1136]

Lot's to digest here Lora. Thanks for your very concise information, keeping it real, and as always, providing resources.

[@ronofthesea5953]

More important is the long term process of freeing ones self of all this Abrahamic programming we are plagued with from birth.

[@kaygiddens776]

I want to shout this from the mountain tops and let it resound about the world. Thank you for saying what needs to be said but do often isn't, or if its addressed its not done in a positive way.

[@caitlingermain3419]

Thank you so much for all of the content you produce. It has been a staple in my journey and I appreciate your knowledge and patience in explaining things.

[@greenlilith]

Thankyou Lora once again for tour clear I sights. Is it ok to share this link to aome pagan groups online. Naturally you will be credited for the work. Thanks

[@rodrigo-_]

Idk if this video is old or not but, im not irish nor i think i have irish ascendants, but, can i practice Irish paganism?

[@IrishPaganSchool]

Hi there. One doesn't need to be Irish or have Irish ancestry to explore Irish Paganism. One does need to work from a place of appreciation with the living culture of Ireland and avoid speaking over native voices wherever possible. Once any person comes in respect and is willing to learn and grow then they are more than welcome to engage with our teaching.

[@Tom-pb7yi]

​@@IrishPaganSchoolWhat do you mean by explore and engage? By engage, do you mean practice? Or, because I am an American, am I limited to the Abrahamic religions? I am asking with complete respect and sincerity. I do not want to appropriate any culture.

[@samowens7766]

So I don't find myself in much disagreement with you on this. Though I take some issue with the concept of cultural appropriation, as an Irish-American and a practicing Pagan. I personally have no real interest outside of academic interest in Helenic or hoodoo paganism, or a grand plethora of others, that said while in Ireland I have been told I wasn't Irish and wasn't a Pagan, despite clear family ties, because I wasn't born on the ilse. And I have always felt deeply connected to what are my Gods and my culture. And I would never try to gate keep from another and presume there back ground or up bringing for that matter as one can be raised within or adjacent to a culture that isn't necessarily there birth culture. I think we should all strive for respect and condemn disrespect. For instance i have worn traditional Native American clothing a number of times and prefer my moccasins to my boots. But that is only culturally specific clothing it isn't sacred its just stuff. On that same note I have never worn a headdress nor would I those are sacred and meaningful and not to be treated as a simple article of clothing. I feel like you're kinda meaning as much. But cultural appropriation is maybe not the best term imo.

[@IrishPaganSchool]

From the perspective of people whose culture is being appropriated, it is absolutely the best term 👍🏻 and with all due respect, that is not your decision to make.