What five things do you believe in?

Written by thehouseofvines

There has been a lot of ethical discourse here since my return, but what are your values, O readers? Give us at least five virtues and vices to reflect upon, be they your own personal ones or those shaped by your religion and ancestral traditions (if there’s even a difference.) And while we have this conversation, do not behave disrespectfully toward your fellow guests or I will escort you out of the House of Vines.

17 thoughts on “What five things do you believe in?”

  1. In no particular order, mine are:
    Virtues: compassion, sovereignty, integrity, respect for many paths, devotion.
    Vices: over-giving, self-doubt, intensity, guardedness, perfectionism.

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    1. Oh, these are really good and line up with mine to a large degree.

      I suspect I know what you mean, but I’d like to know more about how you see over-giving as a vice. I definitely see giving to the wrong people (i.e. outsiders) as one, but suspect that’s something different.

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      1. I mean over-giving in the sense that I learned to give from survival and fear early on. It isn’t the same as giving from the heart or from hospitality. It was a compulsion to give in order to be received, accepted, or even loved, but it erased me and my needs. When I say it is a vice of mine, I mean it is something I’ve had to actively unlearn so my giving is sovereign and comes from conscious choice, from a place of fullness and not from old wounds or early conditioning that taught me I only existed when I was being used by others.

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  2. Well, I wrote a series of posts.
    Here they are. with some citing from the posts, themselves.:

    Romanitas: Being a Roman

    Romanitas: The Character of Being a Roman

    Romanitas is the culmination of moral character that ancient Romans and modern Roman Polytheists aspire to. To achieve romanitas, a person needs to follow the private and public virtues of Roman Polytheism. Therefore, this quality can be thought of as “Romaness.”

    Cicero wrote, “Cling fast to (virtues), I beg you men of Rome, it is a heritage that your ancestors bequeathed you. All else is false and doubtful, ephemeral and changeful; only virtue stands firmly fixed; its roots run deep, it can never be shaken by any violence, never moved from its place.”

    Roman ethics for divining

    Divination: Roman Ethics

    Since I am a Roman Polytheist, I follow the Roman Public and Private Virtues. These virtues are the ideals that Romans aspire to in their lives. According to Cicero, the four “Cardinal Virtues” contain the rest. “Prudence” (Prudentia) includes “Patience” (Patientia) and “Forethought” (Providentia), as important values to follow. “Courage (Virtus) has “Tenacity (Firmitas) and “Duty” (Pietas). Meanwhile, “Justice” (Iustitia) has “Mercy” (Clementia), “Equity” (Aequitas) and “Good Faith” (Fides). Finally, “Temperance” (Temperantia) includes “Dignity” (Dignitas), “Responsibility” (Gravitas), “Truthfulness” (Veritas) and “Nobility” (Nobilitas).

    More Divining with Roman virtues

    Divining with Roman Virtues: Mental Illness

    I wrote a series on the Magical Resistance which still holds.

    Lessons from the Magic Resistance: Ethics

    My Personal View: I believe that Hughes and others of the Magic Resistance have determined that the appropriate morality for Pagans should be Liberal and Progressive. My reaction to this is alarm, since any difference of opinion is regarded as “evil.” I regard their ethics to be problematic since they are veering into ideology, instead of seeing the moral complexity of the situation.

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    2. Well, no I haven’t a clue as to how to go about doing a book. Plus I am hesitant because of my brain injury since I do not know how involved it is and with deadlines, etc.

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      1. Oh no, I was thinking self-publishing. Just put together the material you want, and have someone like Dver (who is super talented, and cheap) get it publication-ready.

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  3. FYI: Anomalous Thracian and his snakes are lost in a fire.
    From his wife:
    My spouse, Theanos Thrax, was a beloved member of many communities and is sorely missed. Many knew Theanos by the online name of “Anomalous Thracian”, who worked tirelessly to provide, protect, and defend meaning, integrity, and dignity. Theanos’s words have touched many, and for as many words that Theanos wrote, the work of being an activist for human rights and identity is not over.

    Report of his death:
    Resident, 60 snakes die in morning house fire (Nov. 11)
    https://www.wcvb.com/article/fire-atkinston-street-methuen-massachusetts/69379307

    Liked by 1 person

    1. He was not a good man. We know this from direct experience. You want to know why the pan-polytheist movement exploded: it was because of him and I guarantee you’re going to start hearing women come out and talk about what he did to them now that they can no longer fear reprisal. Also, THIS was the Ifa “Elder” who made up the initiation that damaged my head until Odin was able to fix it. I”m sorry about the snakes though and for any grief his poor wife is suffering.

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  4. moral courage, piety before the Gods/reverence, humility, hospitality (it’s a Heathen thing), modesty, self control, and generosity (big Heathen thing again)…good question.

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  5. You may recognize these from Angeles Arrien’s “Four Fold Way”

    To Show Up

    To Pay Attention to What Has Meaning and Purpose

    To Speak the Truth Without Judgement or Blame

    To Be Open to Outcome, Not Attached to Outcome

    My fifth virtue: To be Mindful of Duty and Obligation

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