Kemetics Vs. the World.

[Firaza]

I'm not sure how much I'm allowed to say about it at this point since it is still in development and hasn't been announced, but a new interfaith kemetic online community IS coming. I am not sure what the ETA on it is, only that it will be "soon."

 
I support the "please keep us updated!" sentiment.

[Devo]

Devo, you aren't necessarily "screwed".  This isn't hopeless, or impossible.

I've been at war with myself over this for a long, long time. I've had a calling to be a priest of some sort, I think, for quite a while. I try to ignore it. It comes back. Even if I get it out of my mind, it always returns full force some time later ;_;

I know there are books out there. Resources I could use. But I think I will always feel inadequate in this. I've had many people tell me that I am suited to be a priest (of Set specifically), but I look at them, and tell them they are wrong, and try to ignore it. I guess I worry that I'm doing it wrong. That I'm calling myself a priest, without any real validation like a temple would give you. Or something.

It's hard to explain.

So many days, I worry that the itch will never be scratched in the capacity or way that I feel it should be. I just keep hoping that in the future, the right paths will open themselves to me, and I'll be able to figure out what it is that my... gut/god want me to be doing

-Devo

[veggiewolf]

I've steadily noticed it on this website, but this isn't the only place I've seen it happen. What I'm talking about is the fact that, community-wise, Kemetics don't seem to be as close as everyone else. I mean, every time I log in, there's a bunch of new posts in the Flamekeeping  and the Neo-Druidry SIGs. However, I rarely see new posts in the Kemetic SIG unless it's one of us having a generalized opinion-needed question.

I was just wondering if (A) you noticed this and (B) why you think that is?

The thing about FlameKeeping that one needs to keep in mind is that it started being discussed on TC.  The only active community is on TC - and I'd actually expect more activity in the SIG based on that fact.

Personally, I think most of us who follow Kemetic paths tend to be solitary in practice. I don't know if its inherent in our natures (as I feel is the case with myself) or if it is merely because we are so far-flung. Recently, I read something about how, aside from Celtic-based paganism, Kemetic is the next largest group out there. I don't see it or feel it, to be honest.

I was just curious what your take on it is.

Darkhawk raised some interesting points to which I will add my two cents: most of the Kemetic "communities" are very priest-heavy and intense.  There's little to nothing for the average person to find on a Kemetic path that would appeal to the "average churchgoing type".  We have no laity, we have little-to-no community outreach, and the set-up of the temples with which I am familiar expect, for the most part, more commitment than the average church or synagogue requires of its membership.  This is not a bad thing, necessarily, but I believe it adds to the lack of a community sense.

If we, as Kemetics (recon- or not) want a larger community where things can be discussed, it is up to us to build one that supports everyone...not just a priestly class.  We need to make non-priestly Kemeticism normal so that everyone ends up with resources to consult.

*steps down from soapbox*

[Helmsman_of_Inepu]

I'm not sure how much I'm allowed to say about it at this point since it is still in development and hasn't been announced, but a new interfaith kemetic online community IS coming. I am not sure what the ETA on it is, only that it will be "soon."

(riotous laughter)...

Yeah, if we can get more than two people to agree if they think it should be a temple, a seminary, a study group, or a kaffeeklatsch.

One thing that seems very promising is a "no bashing" attitude.

[Nehet]

I'd love to see this kind of conversation be normal.

Elaborating a bit:

What I'm trying to say is that ups and downs of ritual practice are normal, human reactions.

There seems to be a lot of emphasis on the mystical experience in the Pagan community.  On one hand, that's a good thing.  It means those experiences are not pathologized. On the other hand,  some people don't seem to know what to do when they get "dead air time" from their Gods.  People talk about feeling the Gods' presence or hearing them "speak" to them (usually not literally, but more through dreams or thoughts that seem to come from external sources).  

Personally, when these things lessened in frequency, I thought the Gods were mad at me, or I was doing something wrong.  If you're not feeling called to priesthood, you can't just take a break when that happens.  It's easy to feel intimidated or overwhelmed if you don't have community support.  

Priesthood is put on this ridiculous pedistal and yet there is very little support for people who have that calling unless they want to join HoN (which isn't for everybody).  The books are there but that doesn't mean it's easy to do this solo, which is the only option for some people.  

I actually do see this as problematic.   Perhaps it would help if the whole vocation was de-mystified.  It hurts to see other people on a pedistal, and it hurts to fall from a pedistal if you're on it.   I don't want people to feel like they have to be priests and I don't want people who want to be priests to feel too intimidated to do it.  Right now there is too much pressure on everybody and we end up with a bunch of people just not practicing.  

Perhaps, for now, online community and instruction is the answer.  I'd love to see some kind of non-denominational support network that gives people a place to hang out, vent and get quality information.

[Zeno]

I've steadily noticed it on this website, but this isn't the only place I've seen it happen. What I'm talking about is the fact that, community-wise, Kemetics don't seem to be as close as everyone else. I mean, every time I log in, there's a bunch of new posts in the Flamekeeping  and the Neo-Druidry SIGs. However, I rarely see new posts in the Kemetic SIG unless it's one of us having a generalized opinion-needed question.

I was just wondering if (A) you noticed this and (B) why you think that is?

Personally, I think most of us who follow Kemetic paths tend to be solitary in practice. I don't know if its inherent in our natures (as I feel is the case with myself) or if it is merely because we are so far-flung. Recently, I read something about how, aside from Celtic-based paganism, Kemetic is the next largest group out there. I don't see it or feel it, to be honest.

I was just curious what your take on it is.

I myself am pretty much a solitary pagan. While I do enjoy hanging out with and talking with other pagans, for the most part, I practice alone. I do this because, at least I'd like to think, my spiritual beliefs are my own, and unique. While I worship Egyptian Gods, and do believe in many Egyptian spiritual concepts, I believe in a lot that most reconstructionist and orthodox groups don't like or believe in.

I do, however need to post here more often because you guys are cool .

[Bezenwepwy]

Yeah, if we can get more than two people to agree if they think it should be a temple, a seminary, a study group, or a kaffeeklatsch.

 
Actually, the interfaith community I am refering to here is something entirely different from my Sacred Barque concept.

[Bezenwepwy]

Actually, the interfaith community I am refering to here is something entirely different from my Sacred Barque concept.

.... and is going to be exactly this pretty much:

Perhaps, for now, online community and instruction is the answer.  I'd love to see some kind of non-denominational support network that gives people a place to hang out, vent and get quality information.

If anybody is interested in helping establish this kind of community, please PM me and I will get you in touch with the people actually spear-heading the development of the skin and bones. Moderators, contributors, and group representatives are needed.

[veggiewolf]

...

I actually do see this as problematic.   Perhaps it would help if the whole vocation was de-mystified.  It hurts to see other people on a pedistal, and it hurts to fall from a pedistal if you're on it.   I don't want people to feel like they have to be priests and I don't want people who want to be priests to feel too intimidated to do it.  Right now there is too much pressure on everybody and we end up with a bunch of people just not practicing.  

Perhaps, for now, online community and instruction is the answer.  I'd love to see some kind of non-denominational support network that gives people a place to hang out, vent and get quality information.

This, exactly.

[Devo]

I actually do see this as problematic.   Perhaps it would help if the whole vocation was de-mystified.  It hurts to see other people on a pedistal, and it hurts to fall from a pedistal if you're on it.   I don't want people to feel like they have to be priests and I don't want people who want to be priests to feel too intimidated to do it.  Right now there is too much pressure on everybody and we end up with a bunch of people just not practicing.  

Perhaps, for now, online community and instruction is the answer.  I'd love to see some kind of non-denominational support network that gives people a place to hang out, vent and get quality information.

I agree with this. Whole heartedly. I, too, went through the phase where Set would come and go, when some mornings I was really so tired, that I could barely get anything done. I went through the ups and downs. For nearly a year. I only stopped because Set derailed me, and I Needed to take a break to figure out what he wanted. Hopefully, this time around, I'll be able to continue.

But I also agree that more information needs to be out there. I would love to be able to discuss openly with Kemetics, and not have to worry about stepping on toes, or offending people. To be able to get nitty gritty with the practice, and actually take something from the conversation.

And I'd love to have some sort of... curriculum, or plan as to how to go about setting things up, some days. I feel competent as a private practicer, but not as a priest. For me, there is a difference.

-Devo

[Darkhawk]

Priesthood is put on this ridiculous pedistal and yet there is very little support for people who have that calling unless they want to join HoN (which isn't for everybody).  The books are there but that doesn't mean it's easy to do this solo, which is the only option for some people.  

 
One thing that I think would be worth doing - for those who have a priesthood calling - is doing some serious gnawing on what that priesthood calling actually means in functional practice.  Because the ancient models of priesthood just aren't available to us anymore (and even HON, which is trying to use them as a basis, has changed them immensely).

Part of the issue with the priestly path in Kemetic practice is that it's fairly poorly defined, while simultaneously having TONS OF STUFF to dig through.  "Here, we have these high, formal rituals!" (which require tons of materials and these four assistant priests to perform); "Here, we have these treatments for an open statue!" (and if you're working alone, you don't get sick days from this job).

Priesthood is necessarily different now, and I really don't know how different it has to be to produce functional results.  I know what results come of my fucked-up stuff (which is not anything resembling recon-oriented priesthood), but that's me and my crap, not something people who are oriented towards recon-type priesthood can use for anything.

[Bastemhet]

Perhaps, for now, online community and instruction is the answer.  I'd love to see some kind of non-denominational support network that gives people a place to hang out, vent and get quality information.

 
Why does this SIG not work for that?

[veggiewolf]

Why does this SIG not work for that?

I was just going to ask that.  Is there any reason we couldn't be using this SIG for that purpose?

[Devo]

One thing that I think would be worth doing - for those who have a priesthood calling - is doing some serious gnawing on what that priesthood calling actually means in functional practice.  Because the ancient models of priesthood just aren't available to us anymore (and even HON, which is trying to use them as a basis, has changed them immensely).

 
I think everything you mentioned is all valid points. I think it goes hand in hand with what Nehet said about de-mystifying priesthood. Even KO's priesthood is mystical. We know nothing about what they do, or what it required of them, etc. And I can't get a straight answer about things (such as- since you can't perform state rites when on menses, what happens to the statue during those days? What happens when a shrine closes? etc etc).

Too bad there are very few people with adequate knowledge to talk about such things. And the people that do know the information aren't really talking (in general).

-Devo

[Firaza]

One thing that I think would be worth doing - for those who have a priesthood calling - is doing some serious gnawing on what that priesthood calling actually means in functional practice.  Because the ancient models of priesthood just aren't available to us anymore (and even HON, which is trying to use them as a basis, has changed them immensely).

 
Yes, absolutely. Anything that could better apply Kemeticism to the modern world would be a huge help, particularly for those just beginning their paths.