Question #9: Describe the intention and function of the Three Kindreds Invocations, and
give a short description of each of the Kindreds. (minimum 100 words for each of the Three
Kindreds)
Our Kindreds are not omnipresent nor omniscient. They do not constantly wait with bated breath for us to speak to them, so sometimes we have to get their attention. The reason for the invocation is to first get their attention, and then to provide them with an invitation to join us as participants of our rite, or as guests by our fire. Ancestors:The ancestors provide our personal base for who we are in this world. They are also a base for our spiritual work. They continue a connection to us in our blood, DNA, and in habits passed down through generations which we conveniently call culture. As we work with our ancestors, we can develop a closer relationship to who we truly are. That discovery can help an individual to be more authentic in how they relate to the other two worlds. We can also help to act as memory keepers of the ways of old. The ancestors have a vested interest in their descendants. As we act to remember them, we feed them. We give them a connection to this middle world and just like the trunk of the tree, we give the ancestors a connection to the upper world as well. As the trunk of a tree dies without connection to the roots, we wither without a connection to those roots that produced who we are. So by honoring them we also feed ourselves, and we create a connection to the power of knowing.
Nature Spirits: The middle world is where we humans exist, but we are not alone. We share this space with the nature spirits. In my experience, Nature Spirits are the ultimate idea of a species. Nature Spirits are the combination of all the dead of a single species into a singular spirit form, kind of like an over soul. The Native Kansa, here in Kansas, often prayed to Elk, Coyote, Rabbit, and others. These were the local nature spirits that the corresponding animals were in tune with, as well as a small part of, just as I am part of the human spirit, even though I am not the total, but instead a small part of that whole. Nature spirits seem to be not just of the animal variety. They can also be the spirits of rocks, mountains, boulders, trees, grasses, and any form of creation that might be met with here in the middle world. This would also include weather such as thunder, clouds, and winds. It is the essence of the thing that we look to as its spirit. In many ways it is the instinct that is inherent in a species. It is that pure essence that binds and animates an individual to itself, it is simply the divine forces of nature. Nature spirits are not as powerful Gods, nor as weak as the fleshy things, much like the spirits of our ancestors. Although there are points where Gods and nature spirits do overlap. I would point to the spirit of fire as an example. In many pantheons, Fire is indeed considered a God. The thing that seems to divide the Nature Sprits from the Gods is that nature spirits do not move from a singular place or from the animal it is formed of. One would most likely not come across a polar bear spirit in the desert of Arizona. The human spirit is all over the world, because humans are, but the Spirit of the River is only found there where the river flows.
Deities: The Gods do not seem to be limited to physical space, the way nature spirits seem to be. Different Gods can reach beyond the bounds of the land they originated in, to find new followers. I personally have experienced this with Athena. They are very powerful primal forces that are not always kind or good, but who do seem to be rather value neutral. They are happy to help sometimes, and other time content to stay out of it. They do seem to appreciate our offerings and by creating a relationship with them, we can often count on their help, even if that help doesn’t come in a form we like at times.
give a short description of each of the Kindreds. (minimum 100 words for each of the Three
Kindreds)
Our Kindreds are not omnipresent nor omniscient. They do not constantly wait with bated breath for us to speak to them, so sometimes we have to get their attention. The reason for the invocation is to first get their attention, and then to provide them with an invitation to join us as participants of our rite, or as guests by our fire. Ancestors:The ancestors provide our personal base for who we are in this world. They are also a base for our spiritual work. They continue a connection to us in our blood, DNA, and in habits passed down through generations which we conveniently call culture. As we work with our ancestors, we can develop a closer relationship to who we truly are. That discovery can help an individual to be more authentic in how they relate to the other two worlds. We can also help to act as memory keepers of the ways of old. The ancestors have a vested interest in their descendants. As we act to remember them, we feed them. We give them a connection to this middle world and just like the trunk of the tree, we give the ancestors a connection to the upper world as well. As the trunk of a tree dies without connection to the roots, we wither without a connection to those roots that produced who we are. So by honoring them we also feed ourselves, and we create a connection to the power of knowing.
Nature Spirits: The middle world is where we humans exist, but we are not alone. We share this space with the nature spirits. In my experience, Nature Spirits are the ultimate idea of a species. Nature Spirits are the combination of all the dead of a single species into a singular spirit form, kind of like an over soul. The Native Kansa, here in Kansas, often prayed to Elk, Coyote, Rabbit, and others. These were the local nature spirits that the corresponding animals were in tune with, as well as a small part of, just as I am part of the human spirit, even though I am not the total, but instead a small part of that whole. Nature spirits seem to be not just of the animal variety. They can also be the spirits of rocks, mountains, boulders, trees, grasses, and any form of creation that might be met with here in the middle world. This would also include weather such as thunder, clouds, and winds. It is the essence of the thing that we look to as its spirit. In many ways it is the instinct that is inherent in a species. It is that pure essence that binds and animates an individual to itself, it is simply the divine forces of nature. Nature spirits are not as powerful Gods, nor as weak as the fleshy things, much like the spirits of our ancestors. Although there are points where Gods and nature spirits do overlap. I would point to the spirit of fire as an example. In many pantheons, Fire is indeed considered a God. The thing that seems to divide the Nature Sprits from the Gods is that nature spirits do not move from a singular place or from the animal it is formed of. One would most likely not come across a polar bear spirit in the desert of Arizona. The human spirit is all over the world, because humans are, but the Spirit of the River is only found there where the river flows.
Deities: The Gods do not seem to be limited to physical space, the way nature spirits seem to be. Different Gods can reach beyond the bounds of the land they originated in, to find new followers. I personally have experienced this with Athena. They are very powerful primal forces that are not always kind or good, but who do seem to be rather value neutral. They are happy to help sometimes, and other time content to stay out of it. They do seem to appreciate our offerings and by creating a relationship with them, we can often count on their help, even if that help doesn’t come in a form we like at times.
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