[stylist] Harry Potter and Celtic tradition

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

Eve,

Yes, I'm aware, having written a rather lengthy paper on it consisting
of a lot of research. I believe I did refer to Celtic pagan traditions,
though I did primarily use the term Celtic without adding pagan as many
associate Celtic with pagan, and in light of the context of the post, I
thought it clear. I focused on English, Welsh and Irish Celtic customs,
but you can't really discuss the Celts without touching on the Gaulish
Celts as well as the Scandinavians. And most western civilization is
mixed and has integrated throughout history so that separating Celtic
traditions, which have origins throughout Europe, from other uniquely
cultural traditions becomes tricky. And once you cross over to America,
it's all so intermingled that most no longer have unique, specific
identities.

And as for offending people... I seem to do that by sneezing. Coming
from a very Christian background, I know how passionate people are about
religion, and history itself proves the intensity of such fierce
passions, but if we can't have an intelligent, academic discussions
about traditions found in western culture including religion, well...
I've never feared this spark of passion. Regardless of belief, to tap
into the past, to recognize where you come from and what you believe, I
don't see these as necessarily wrong and contradictory to any religious
belief.

And I could have made much more controversial comments like that
passages of the Egyptian Book of the Dead are similar and at times
exactly like passages from the New Testament of the Bible or that
religions being practiced long before Christianity shared concepts like
virgin births or that the old traditions of animal and human sacrifice
stand for the same reasoning, or similar at least, as the great
sacrifice of Christ, though of course the main difference being Christ
was a one time for all time sacrifice. I'm not suggesting anything by
these comments or making implications about what I believe one way or
another, but I think it important we understand the world and history
and know the context of other religions in order to better understand
our own.

And now perhaps I've entered enemy territory. Sorry.

Bridgit
Message: 14
Date: Thu, 2 May 2013 08:12:42 -0700
From: Eve Sanchez <3rdeyeonly at gmail.com>
To: "Writer's Division Mailing List" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [stylist] Harry Potter
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Bridget  I give you much kudos for your insight, but be aware that what
you are referring to as Celtic traditions is actually Pagan traditions.
Some Celtic, some Norse, some other traditions as well. For example, the
Goddess Ostara has many pronunciations and spellings of her name Oestre
among them and that last is pronounced Easter. Oestre is actually the
Norse name. There is of course differing opinions on this, but I believe
it is the same Goddess by different names. I recently learned of an
Islamic Goddess with the same history and though I can not remember how
to spell her name, I know it is again pronounced Easter. I could look
that up if you are interested. Again, thank you so much for recognizing
the histories of these traditions. Even if not precise, you are on the
right track. We had probably better end this so that it does not cross a
line into religious discussion that will offend someone though. :) Just
saying. TThere are those you know, who would be quite outraged by what
you had just brought up, truth or not. Blessed Be. Eve