Category Archives: Animism

Nature poetry and worship

Posted on May 12, 2013 by John D.

  In a Japan Times article on Beauty in Japan today, one of my favourite writers on Japan, Michael Hoffman, puts forward some interesting thoughts about early Japanese poetry and the attitudes to nature that it reflects. ********************************************* In the … Continue reading →

Posted in Animism, Poetry | 1 Comment

Whaling

Posted on April 10, 2013 by John D.

Green Shinto is vehemently opposed to whaling on the grounds of cruelty.  Moreover, there’s a nasty ‘stink’ about every aspect of the Japanese whaling industry.  The downright deceit.  The hidden political subsidies.  The ties to the yakuza.  The nationalist subterfuge.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Animism, Green issues, Japanese culture | 3 Comments

Awesome Alan Watts

Posted on April 10, 2013 by John D.

There was a recent Alan Watts podcast that was so good that I had to make a transcript.  It’s from a series called Images of God (no. 1) and concerns the importance of Wonder, which lies at the heart of … Continue reading →

Posted in Animism, Rocks | Leave a comment

The heart of the sun

Posted on April 6, 2013 by John D.

  Articles in the Huffington Post on the sun suggest that ancient personifications may have had a point.  Not only does it have a magnetic ‘heartbeat’, but it has angry spells with unfortunate consequences for creatures living on earth. **************************************************************************** … Continue reading →

Posted in Animism | Leave a comment

Cherry, cheri-, cherish

Posted on April 4, 2013 by John D.

  The cherry blossom by my house are in full bloom at the moment, a reminder of the joys of spring.  Celebrating the yearly round is an important part of pagan traditions, which signifies our connection with the seasonal cycle … Continue reading →

Posted in Animism, Festivals, Japanese culture, Rites and celebrations | 3 Comments

Mountain worship (Fuji)

Posted on March 27, 2013 by John D.

  Jesus gave a sermon on the mount.  Buddhists seek them out for monasteries.  The ancients of the Far East used to worship them.  What is it about mountains and spirituality? The obvious answer is that they make you high.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Animism, Mountains, World Heritage | Leave a comment

Vernal equinox

Posted on March 21, 2013 by John D.

The spring equinox is celebrated in Japan with Shunbun no hi, a national holiday.  It was established in 1948 as a day for the admiration of nature and the love of living things.  Prior to 1948, the vernal equinox was … Continue reading →

Posted in Animism, Paganism, Rites and celebrations | Leave a comment

Koya’s Shinto shrines

Posted on March 20, 2013 by John D.

    Mt Koya, or more affectionately Koyasan, is widely known for its temple complex.  But not so many people realise how important a part Shinto shrines play there.  Indeed, as a World Heritage site there are two temples, two … Continue reading →

Posted in Animism, Shrine visits, Syncretism, World Heritage | Leave a comment

The ecology of theology

Posted on March 17, 2013 by John D.

One of the attractions of Shinto for Westerners – perhaps ‘the’ attraction, indeed – is the sense of a divine creation.  We do not need to yearn for Eden: we’re already living in it!  Shinto is not much interested in … Continue reading →

Posted in Animism, Green issues, International | 3 Comments

Hindu link

Posted on March 17, 2013 by John D.

Green Shinto friend Anuradha Gupta has started an excellent blog introducing Hinduism, from which it is clear how much it shares with Shnto.  Indeed, as A.J. Dickinson pointed out, there may even have been direct links through the early trading … Continue reading →

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Posted in Animism, International | 5 Comments