Pagan Shrines Project

Religious shrine’s were used extensively in our Pagan past. One definition of a shrine is a niche or enclosure containing a religious statue or other object. Since we do not have Pagan temples these days and they would be very costly to build, creating shrines in our communities is another approach to creating Pagan worship spaces for all to use. Making shrines is a very human activity. Notice how people will create impromptu shrines at the sites of accidents or to remember someone who has been killed. Pagan shrines can also be set up for such situations, however, we can create shrines for a variety of reasons.

This public shrine project will set up shrines around the city of Pueblo to various Pagan deities for community use. Using these sites, by giving offerings or prayers or doing ritual, will build up spiritual energy at the shrine locations and enhance the energy of Pueblo itself. As these sites are set up, I encourage you to make use of them. Votive offerings were made at shrines and sanctuaries in the ancient world and I hope you will consider making such offerings when our shrines are created. Votive offerings are a ‘vow’ or promise to a deity, either in expectation of assistance in the future or as a thanks offering for assistance already received. Offerings could be specific to the deity, flowers, candles that you lite safely and extinguish when finished, food specific to the deity or anything else that works for you. Always think of safety for animals, people and the environment when leaving offerings.

If you have ideas for specific deities for a shrine OR for the purpose of shrines, such as grieving, childbirth, employment, creativity, safety, healing, or any other issue, let me know. (sococommin@gmail.com) If anyone would like to help me create these or assist in dedicating them, let me know. I will always let folks know about dedications and hope many of you can join in. This project will commence in June of 2023.

Last year, I went to a talk by Katrina Messenger at one of Cherry Hill Seminary's Coming to the Center talks. She talked about creating rituals around Washington DC to "energetically reconnect the boundary stones and give the city good boundaries." (http://www.connectdc.org/content/beginnings-connect-dc) If you have any interest in developing something similar for Pueblo, let me know. This idea could dovetail with shrines.

When I create a site, I will post its location and prayers on the Pueblo facebook pages as well as my own website. On my website, all the sites will be listed for your convenience. (https://www.sococommin.net/clearinghouse).