How to develop a practice as a pantheist?

[NiDara]

I'm looking for some advice on how any of the pantheists on the forum worship/celebrate their faith. I find myself wanting to borrow the Wiccan Wheel of the Year, but not much else from that particular path.

I've read various books on naturalistic pantheism (I consider myself dualist instead), as well as Dianne Sylvan's The Circle Within, but I'm still stumped on how to come up with my own personal rituals and practices.

To me, the universe has a collective soul, akin to a gigantic interconnected web that is at least somewhat aware. I do believe in separate gods and goddesses that live inside the whole of the universe, but function autonomously. Beyond basic things like taking a walk in nature, or maybe setting up an altar, how do you come up with meaningful practices?

[Fier]

I'm looking for some advice on how any of the pantheists on the forum worship/celebrate their faith. I find myself wanting to borrow the Wiccan Wheel of the Year, but not much else from that particular path.

I mark the solstices and equinoxes myself. They speak to me since they are the beginnings of the seasons, and I live in an area that has very diverse seasons that affect how the people live. The cross-quarter days don't do anything for me. (With the exception of Halloween.)

To me, the universe has a collective soul, akin to a gigantic interconnected web that is at least somewhat aware. I do believe in separate gods and goddesses that live inside the whole of the universe, but function autonomously.

Sounds like you may want to look into FlameKeeping. FK is a spiritual philosophy that gives pantheists a base on which to build practices. We have a FK SIG here on the forum: http://www.ecauldron.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?55-FlameKeeping-SIG

I think developing a practice as a pantheist can be really tricky because aside from there being no set structure, the philosophy is so huge. EVERYTHING is sacred, so where do you start? I think you can break it down into three main areas: personally, locally, and globally. The main point of FlameKeeping is to make the Universe a better place, so that's where I start. What can I do to improve myself? My community? The world?

Pick an issue that's dear to you and act on it, or choose something that interests you and learn about it. Let's say, for example, you really love rivers. Make a practice of learning about the ecosystem and watershed of your local river. Go walk along it's banks and learn the names of the plants that grow there and see what animals call it home. Sit beside it and see if you can connect to it's spirit. Pick up trash you find or organize a river clean up.

Or maybe you don't like being outdoors and your passion is children. Volunteer at an after school program or donate clothes and food to a shelter. My point is, the Universe is a huge place. It's okay for your practice to focus on just a small part of it.

[Aiwelin]

I'm looking for some advice on how any of the pantheists on the forum worship/celebrate their faith. I find myself wanting to borrow the Wiccan Wheel of the Year, but not much else from that particular path.

 
I started out my Pagan journey as a Wiccan with a hard polytheism bent, and gradually realized that I was a pantheist - so I feel your pain!  There's a lot less structure out there for pantheists.  I took some basic elements of my Wiccan practice, like the Wheel of the Year, and have strung it together with a lot of orthopraxy (rituals that are about how you do it not what you believe.  Looking at various secular magick practices was helpful for me (I've borrowed a lot from the Golden Dawn and Thelema), as well as a daily meditation and physical exercise (I personally do yoga, but I think any form can be helpful in the right mindset).  I also have a set of prayer beads that I made myself, and I use my own chants with them while meditating.  

Between those things, I've built a pretty structured daily practice; which is supplemented by actually getting out into nature to commune with it in a more 'real' and unstructured way - I'm working on a garden this year, getting started composting,  and have been making a point of taking more nature walks with a spiritual mindset.  Honestly, my time spent out-of-doors doing mundane things with a spiritual mind is my most calming, spiritual time.  If you plan those sorts of things or make a commitment to do them daily, you'll become attuned to the earth and its cycles in a way that most people are completely unaware of.

[benvarry]

Beyond basic things like taking a walk in nature, or maybe setting up an altar, how do you come up with meaningful practices?

 
My "beliefs" are very closely aligned with naturalistic pantheism, but I've started incorporating various Neopagan practices into my path and I'm finding it very rewarding.  You can still cast spells, read tarot cards, etc., even if you don't actually think they "work," because you'll find the experience of doing these things is very powerful in and of itself.  Paganism, for me, is about the real-time participatory experience.  While naturalistic pantheism explains my beliefs, Neopaganism explains my practices.

[paganpantheist]

I'm looking for some advice on how any of the pantheists on the forum worship/celebrate their faith. I find myself wanting to borrow the Wiccan Wheel of the Year, but not much else from that particular path.

I've read various books on naturalistic pantheism (I consider myself dualist instead), as well as Dianne Sylvan's The Circle Within, but I'm still stumped on how to come up with my own personal rituals and practices.

To me, the universe has a collective soul, akin to a gigantic interconnected web that is at least somewhat aware. I do believe in separate gods and goddesses that live inside the whole of the universe, but function autonomously. Beyond basic things like taking a walk in nature, or maybe setting up an altar, how do you come up with meaningful practices?

 
I started out with Wicca and am now working on creating my own path as a Pantheist. For instance, I use the Wheel of the Year, but the solstices and equinoxes are my most important days (because they are determined by Nature). The agricultural quarters are significant in my activities as a gardener. Imbolg is associated with the plow in some older cultures and is a good time to start working the garden and preparing it for Spring planting. Beltane is when they haying season begins in my area. Winter gardens need to be plotted out and started by Lughnasadh. By Samhain, all Winter crops need to be planted. (Here, in Central Texas, we can garden year round.) To me, it makes sense to develop a practice that isn't just religious, but is a part of how you live your life. I don't perform rituals- my life is my ritual.
     I ran across a post awhile back you might find helpful too. (I'm working it into my own path) It's a suggested path for Humanists and Pantheists. You can find that here: https://naturalpantheist.wordpress.com/practices-the-path/