(This essay was also posted on WitchVox, Edited as I have had a changing life since I wrote this..)

I am not the normal pagan writer, as this is in fact my second essay. I am a quiet person, and I tend to keep to myself. But I have been reading about all the many traditions out there, and I thought I would talk about my own, since I don’t get much opportunity to do so in person. I don’t meet many other pagans of any kind, and I’m grateful for websites such as these. So, here’s my tradition:

There are many traditions out there, so many claiming this, that, and the other. But there are those like me: private, non public pagans who keep to themselves. I live in the “broom closet,” as I hear so often, but I suppose it’s all a matter of perspective. I don’t hide my beliefs; I just don’t consider it anyone’s business to know my beliefs. If you ask, then I will tell you, but otherwise I consider it private. My tradition isn’t what you’d find in any book or in any circle that I’ve come across yet. My tradition is American based as I am an American, modern (because I’m a modern practitioner, hence why I call my tradition modern), and I honor my traditions the best I can in this changing world. I study constantly to understand my matron and patron; and to learn about the ways of the ancestors; and I try to keep evolving in my way as it unfolds over the years. I don’t have any lineage that I’m aware of, nor any claims to fame – I’m just me. I call and revere the Gaulish gods, French traditions, and I’ve spent many a time in the deep historic lands of France. I grew up in Louisiana, spending so much time in and around the French quarter, and the traditions I grew up around are second-nature to me. I live out in the country, I grow my own herbs and vegetables, and I once helped raise livestock; and I am moving as I travel with the Army, but I will still continue to honor as best as I can wherever I go.

I honor Nantosuelta as my matron; she is a goddess of many depths, and facets. Her name is “Sun-Warmed Valley,” and I’ve heard her also called “She who makes the valley bloom,” a raven goddess; and I honor her as the sun and earth goddess. She’s a domestic and hearth goddess, of the home and land, peace and war, fate and prophecy – she is an important lady. My patron is Sucellos – the hammer god. When I hear the thunder, and when it rains I thank him for the replenishment. Also, I honor him at the full moon, as I consider the moon the community clock of sorts, and who better to honor than the tribal (community) God Sucellos? They are both patrons of brewing, and I call them the All-Mother and the All-Father. There are many facets to both of them, but I think it’s too long for a mere essay such as this. I don’t hold the same views as many others, I view the sun as feminine and the moon as masculine; and I live by a way of honor, strength, and humility, and not by a law of sorts. Different yes, but it’s what I am.

There are other gods and goddesses I honor. I have lived off the land, and I still remember the blessings they bestowed. As a metalworker, I have Bergusia and Ucuetis – more than mere bronze-workers, but my patrons of metallurgy and metalworking. I honor them in February. When I feel the winds I think of Dexsiua (She of the Right Winds), and Vintius. When I travel, I carry prayers to Setona, and when I lived on the coast, I gave honor to Nehalennia. When I’m ill or on the day I honor her, Sivelia is the goddess of healing. Before I cut or alter a tree, I make an offering to the spirits or deity of the said tree beforehand. It’s not a fast-paced life, but it’s a life I love to live. As I go on with my career in the military, I will honor Rudianus and Cathubodua to keep me sharp and alert. One can never be too careful in any occupation in the armed forces.

My calendar has fourteen holidays, to honor the year and the deities I hold near and dear throughout the year. I don’t claim it’s an ancient tradition, nor is it exactly what the ancestors practiced, but I honor them as best as I can and I am proud to do so. On November eve I honor the ancestors – and I set up a tree every Noel and celebrate the twelve nights on the New Year’s edge. The solstices and equinoxes are the major holidays to me, with many in-between. I don’t have a mythology surrounding the turning of the seasons; as the changing leaves, the dropping and rising of the temperature is dramatic enough for me. I have brought in my own harvest in September, distilled my own beverages, and planted my seeds for the next growing season by hand. It gives a new meaning to the “Thanksgiving” or harvest feast when I cook it.

I don’t know what you call my tradition, as I never gave it a name. I knew what is was, and still is, I know who’s who, and I know what’s what. I don’t bother with titles, surnames, lengthy descriptions; I just go my own way, in my own way. When I am asked what the name of my beliefs is, I simply say, “Pagan,” because of the word’s generic nature. I don’t mind explaining it; I just don’t know what terms to use as I don’t meet other pagans often. Most of the time, no one asks. I’m still learning all the many variations of traditions in the pagan community; it seems there are new ones everyday. I think there are things still left to learn and you’d be amazed with whom you’d learn it from if you keep the eyes open. I love to sit with others of different beliefs and discuss things, as one view can be seen in so many forms and so many viewpoints.