An Afterlife?

[Aesiryth]

Hello again,

What is the afterlife to you? What do you think it will be like, if anything? I struggle with this a lot. I go back and forward between nothing at all and some sort of astral plain. I also view the world as one big cycle. We see cycles happening all the time in nature (life cycle, water cycle, cell cycle, etc.) so it would make sense for us, humans, to be in some sort of cycle, right? We all have energy within us and energy gets recycled, it doesn't disappear or anything. So my idea is that when we die, our energy gets recycled some how.

But again, that's just my idea and I would love to see other peoples opinions on this subject. Thanks!

-Aesiryth

[Appius Grey]

This is a fascinating topic, Aesiryth! I think you are on the right track when you observe cycles in the natural world and get the impression that perhaps our own personal existence is cyclical. One need not even be a Pagan of any sort to see it. I recall one of the eastern Church fathers, St. Athanasius of Alexandria, argued for the resurrection of the body by asking his readers to simply observe the leaves on trees change colours and fall to the ground and then witness new green leaves appear on the same trees; for him the cosmos demonstrated the law that life never truly ceases but is renewed. I respectfully disagree with old Athanasius though about this implying resurrection. The same tree constantly experiences a cycle of withering and blooming leaves! Reincarnation unlike resurrection is constant!

Currently I believe that the Witches and all people who enjoy the Lady and the Lord in this life will continue on after death into Avalon to recuperate from their latest incarnation, reunite with family and friends, reflect on their opportunity for betterment, and of course see the Queen and King. But what about all others who never take the opportunity to enjoy Them? Do they spend any time in Avalon? At the moment I am not sure. However I am a bit inclined to believe there is the Underworld for them. Not a place of torment though but another place of rest, reflection, and comfort before returning to this world.

[Aesiryth]

Interesting background about St. Athanasius. I like your belief on the afterlife, it is definitely something to consider. I also agree with you in the fact that it would be more of a reincarnation than a resurrection.

[SnowCat]

For all we know, what we're experiencing now, could be the afterlife.

Snow

[Aesiryth]

For all we know, what we're experiencing now, could be the afterlife.

Snow

Good point, Snow. I kind of hope it isn't though. It wouldn't be an afterlife I would want to be in.

[SpiritTalker]

I'm kinda hoping for an eternal pub where we can all hang out with the gods, but that's probably not it either. Intellectually I lean towards a resting place immediately after this life, a place to sort out and evaluate before getting in line for the next round. to me it's life, after life, after life until the consciousness learns Oneness with All and moves into that realm for those lessons. but I'm not giving up on the pub either.

[Lord_of_Nightmares]

I believe in multiple other worlds. I tend to think we also may reincarnate.

[Aesiryth]

A pub would be amazing haha.

I also believe in multiple words, Lady_Lilith...well more like plains of existence. Sort of like parallel dimensions and how each dimension is a sheet of paper on top of another which creates reality. Maybe death is a way for the conscious to move from one plain to another? Who knows.

[Amaranth3]

My belief is that we outline what it is we wish to do and once that's been accomplished, no matter how many lifetimes it takes, than our soul/energy reunites with the Universe.

[Aesiryth]

My belief is that we outline what it is we wish to do and once that's been accomplished, no matter how many lifetimes it takes, than our soul/energy reunites with the Universe.

Very interesting. What do you think happens when we reach that point to which we reunite with the Universe?