Paganism, as an ancient and diverse spiritual practice, encompasses a wide range of beliefs and rituals. One such aspect of paganism that may be lesser-known is the connection between paganism and hair. In various pagan traditions, hair is often seen as a symbol of personal power and connection to the divine. It is believed to hold energy and spiritual significance, making it an essential part of one's spiritual journey. Paganism for hair focuses on cultivating a deep understanding and connection with one's own hair as a means of spiritual growth. One common practice that is often associated with paganism for hair is hair weaving.
One common practice that is often associated with paganism for hair is hair weaving. This is the act of braiding or intertwining strands of hair with the intent of creating a spiritual bond or connection. Hair weaving can symbolize the weaving together of different energies or aspects of oneself, promoting balance and harmony.
A ‘defining feature of masculine men’ — soldier’s Norse pagan faith earns beard waiver
A soldier serving in Afghanistan with the Nevada Army Guard has been granted a religious accommodation to grow a beard in accordance with a Norse pagan faith that traces its origins to Scandinavia. Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Hopper, a 34-year-old Alabama native and member of the Nevada Army Guard’s 3665th Ordnance Company, was granted the waiver following a lengthy review process that concluded with the Army’s acknowledgement of his sincerity as a heathen.
Hopper’s exemption is the latest example of the military’s effort — most notably the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force — to acknowledge the diverse religious practices represented in its ranks. The first such accommodation came in 2017 following years of beard-exemption requests and legal pressure from Sikh soldiers seeking to preserve religious traditions while wearing a U.S. uniform. Then, in November 2018, Staff Sgt. Abdul Rahman Gaitan became the first Muslim airman to be granted the exemption in observance of the tenets of his faith. Because the 2017 directive is technically applicable to all religions, final judgement is often left to individual leadership to discern authentic exemption request from insincere.
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Further blurring the beard waiver criteria is that while Norse paganism encourages the growth of a beard, or “skegg,” the religion doesn’t require it. The Open Halls Project, an advocacy group for heathens serving in the military, sought to clarify any existing confusion in a 2017 post about beard exemptions. “There is no religious requirement for beards in Heathenry,” the post read. “Sikhs are allowed to wear beards and turbans because it actually is a religious requirement of their faith that they do so. Kesh, or ‘uncut hair’ is one of the five religious requirements of baptized Sikhs. We, as Heathens, have no such religious requirement with regards to hair.” No matter the religious requirements, the Army interpreted Hopper’s request as genuine.
“My personal faith is deeply tied to the modern warrior lifestyle that I have been able to live during my military career,” said Hopper, adding that the beard has never hindered his ability to put mission first. “In short, it is honoring the pillars of heathenism, our ancestors and ancient gods and way of life.” Hopper, like service members who have sought exemptions before, was advised to meet with a chaplain to present his case. Chaplains cannot officially approve or deny requests, but recommendations based on perceived sincerity can be made on the service member’s behalf. “The chaplain corps will work with any military member to aid them in a genuine pursuit of an accommodation,” Joint Force State Chaplain Maj. Donald Crandell said. “However, we are not actively promoting a trend in this direction or seeking to normalize it.”
But a trend, as minimal as it may be, has certainly been stirring among the rank-and-file. The already-growing list of religious exemption requests inflated earlier this year when Spc. John Hoskins applied for a beard exemption as part of his proclaimed devotion to the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster — a faith also known as “Pastafarianism.”
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The importance of one’s hair or beard can never be understated.
“This request is based on my deeply and sincerely held belief in the Pastafarian faith,” Hoskins wrote in his request to the Army. “It is my personally held belief that growing a beard will bring me closer to my God and bring me into his favor.” This time the Army declined, but only after Hoskins’ request made it all the way to the desk of a deputy chief of staff.
“The Army takes pride in sustaining a culture where all personnel are treated with dignity and respect and not discriminated against based on race, color, religion, gender and national origin,” Cathy Brown Vandermaarel, an Army spokeswoman, told Army Times when asked about the decision to deny Hoskins’ request. “While we cannot speak to the specifics of any particular case, religious accommodation can be disapproved if it is determined that the request is not based on a sincerely held religious belief or if the accommodation would create a specific hazard that cannot be reasonably mitigated.” In Afghanistan, meanwhile, Hopper keeps his waiver on him at all times in case any superiors question the facial feature he refers to as a “sacred and defining feature of masculine men.” Regulations specify a beard can be no longer than 2 inches in length. “Once I present my memorandum for record and cite all of the applicable regulations and directives, the focus on the beard tends to go away, for the most part,” he said in the release. “I see it as a phase very similar to when the Army authorized the wear of black socks during the fitness test. It is something new and authorized, and you will always encounter people who do not like change. “That is just life.”
Observation Post is the Military Times one-stop shop for all things off-duty. Stories may reflect author observations.
First, let’s keep in mind that Paganism is an umbrella term covering a wide variety of religious paths and beliefs, so there’s no one set of rules, and no all-encompassing, universal set of guidelines. Even within specific sets of practices, such as Wicca or Druidry, there is a significant amount of variation from one group to the next, so if a High Priestess were to say you had to have long hair to be part of “our religion,” what she really is saying is “her specific group.” Perhaps the goddess of her group’s tradition prefers followers who do not cut their hair, but that doesn’t mean that every Pagan goddess makes the same demands.
Additionally, certain pagan traditions believe that hair acts as a natural antenna, allowing individuals to attune themselves to spiritual energies and vibrations. By keeping hair long and uncut, practitioners aim to enhance their ability to receive and transmit spiritual messages. In some pagan rituals, hair is used as an offering or a means of connecting with deity. For example, practitioners may choose to burn a lock of hair as an offering to the gods or goddesses they worship. This practice is believed to facilitate a deeper connection and communication with the divine. Furthermore, the care and maintenance of one's hair are often viewed as sacred acts within pagan practices. Taking the time to cleanse, condition, and style hair with intention and reverence can serve as a form of meditation and self-care. It is seen as a way to honor and nurture oneself, allowing for a deeper connection to one's spiritual path. It is important to note that paganism is a diverse and multifaceted belief system, and not all traditions or individuals within paganism may ascribe to these practices or beliefs regarding hair. Like any spiritual practice, paganism for hair can vary greatly depending on individual beliefs and experiences. In conclusion, paganism for hair explores the spiritual significance of hair in various pagan traditions. From hair weaving to using hair as an offering, the practice of paganism for hair emphasizes the importance of cultivating a deep connection with one's hair as a means of spiritual growth and self-discovery..
Reviews for "Finding Your Pagan Hair Spirit Animal: A Guide to Animal-inspired Hairstyles"
1. Jenny - 1/5
I found "Paganism for Hair" to be a highly disappointing and misleading read. The title led me to believe that the book would offer insightful information about Pagan rituals and beliefs related to hair, but instead, it was filled with superficial information about hair care products and techniques. There was very little content connecting Paganism to the topic at hand. Overall, I felt like I wasted my time reading this book, as it failed to deliver what it promised.
2. Mike - 2/5
As someone interested in Paganism, I was intrigued by the concept of "Paganism for Hair." However, I found the book to be lacking in substance and depth. It barely scratched the surface of Paganism and mainly focused on hair-related topics like hairstyles, hair products, and natural remedies. While the author did briefly mention some connections between hair and spirituality, I expected a more in-depth exploration of the topic. Unfortunately, I am left feeling unsatisfied and disappointed with this book.
3. Sarah - 1/5
"Paganism for Hair" was nothing more than a promotional tool for hair care products and brands. The author seemed more interested in advertising various products than actually providing meaningful content about Paganism. The few references to Paganism felt forced and were poorly explained. Overall, this book felt like a ploy to sell products rather than an informative read about the spiritual aspects of hair in Pagan traditions. I would not recommend it to anyone seeking genuine knowledge on the topic.
4. David - 2/5
While "Paganism for Hair" had an intriguing concept, I was disappointed by its execution. The book failed to dive deep into the subject matter and mostly offered generic hair care tips and suggestions. The connection to Paganism felt superficial and lacked spiritual depth. Additionally, the writing style was unengaging, making it difficult to stay interested in the book. I was left wanting more substance and meaningful content, which this book failed to provide adequately.
5. Emily - 1/5
"Paganism for Hair" was a complete letdown. I was hoping to learn about the spiritual significance of hair in various Pagan traditions, but the book barely touched upon that aspect. Instead, it focused on mundane hair care routines, which I could easily find on any beauty blog. I was left feeling misled by the title and disappointed by the lack of genuine exploration of Pagan beliefs. This book missed the mark completely and failed to provide insightful or meaningful content.