AboutLabyrinth Expertise I can answer all questions regarding natural spirituality and being a pagan. Being Wicca, Golden Dawn, Shamanist, whatever...is like saying you're Lutheran or Baptist. They are all forms of paganism and all based on natural spirituality. I am Romani (gypsy) and part Lakota (American Indian) and I was raised in natural spiritualism. I am a life path counselor for my group, a ritualist, and a spell weaver. Most of my work consists of guiding people on how to find spiritual peace in a very chaotic material world. Ask me anything.
Experience Romani and Lakota by blood and raised in the old traditions.
High Priestess - Rainbow Moon Clan.
Ordained Christian Minister
Education/Credentials BA Education
BA English
MFA Creative Writing
Expert: Labyrinth Date: 6/20/2008 Subject: A lot going on
Question I was particularly interested in help on finding more information for my husband on gypsies. He is mostly Hungarian and his family brags about their gypsy heritage, however his grandfather was adopted; therefore that is all he knows but yearns to know more.
I also have a question based on my own fear; I recently learned that a co-worker of mine has committed suicide. I am having trouble overcoming the feelings of guilt that I am experiencing, however it is a guilt due to the other feelings that I have. I find myself disappointed, because he was young and he did not utilize the resources he has available to him (mainly myself and a number of co-workers whom I know would have sat down and talked with him). I am finding that disappointment is overpowering all other feelings that I should express to find closure (and so I feel guilty). I am wanting to forgive and make peace with his spirit, so that in his next life he may find strength in that, but how do I go about that considering that I really didn't know him incredibly well?
*I would just like to add that I am (and he was also) a massage therapist, and we both have [had] good knowledge of the energetic realm. The main difference is that I consider myself Pagan in origin and he Christian (in case that influences your answer.)
Answer I, also, have had a friend commit suicide this year. I understand how confusing that situation can be. There are a few very important aspects of life and death to remember in this situation.
It doesn't matter who is pagan and who is Christian...the realities of the universe are the same...it is only perspective that varies.
Guilt is a very, very, negative energy. You must try to find balance and rid yourself of it. It is not good for your clients who you are trying to heal. Now, I know its not just that easy to say it and be rid of it...but we are not responsible for people who commit suicide.
As a pagan, you know that there is no hell to be banished to and no eternity to burn for your sins. There is only the spirit realm, where he will heal and have counsel with older spirits and when he's ready, he will be reborn and try again. It is too bad that he couldn't finish this lifetime. For some reason he didn't feel strong enough to face the challenges this lifetime gave him. Friends and family can be there for support but ultimately we are all responsible for our own decisions.
As a Christian, he would even have had the threat of hell on his mind and felt even with that, it was still justified for him. Luckily, we know he's not in that much trouble, eh??
I also understand your compulsion for closure and desire to ritual in some way for peace...
It doesn't matter that you do not know him well. You can always ritual for peace and healing in the world, for him and anyone who feels as he did. Ritual that all people who are under that much pressure find solace. Pray that his soul rests in the other plane and finds strength to continue his journey.
Forgive yourself...no one else can.
As for your husband's heritage...the Romany history is primarily oral. There is some, but not much, out there to read. I know my family's story. If you have any questions specific to Rom beliefs, I can try to answer them...I can't know anything specifically about his family. I can say that adoption INTO gypsy families is very common...and adoption OUT of gypsy families is unheard of. We do not give up our children. I can't tell which you are suggesting in your paragraph here.
