What deity has the most influence in your life? Do you not pray to a specific deity? If so, explain your beliefs.

I would say that I have no Patron deities, though that is not to say that I don't have particular deities that influence my life more than others, or that I feel closer too than others. I say I have no patron/s simply for the fact I've made oaths to no particular God or Goddess.

The closest I have is Freyja and Thor, however my relationships with them are new and my personal understanding of both of them hazy. I don't take any oaths lightly, and though I feel an impression of "You're Mine" from Freyja, I'm weary of promising her anything I cannot 100% back up. I hear she is a hard taskmaster, and I don't make oaths I can't keep. For now I'm content learning, I have no sense of need to have a God/dess labeled as my Patron. They obviously feel the same, so I'm content with that at present.

Yes, I'm one of those.

I'm one of those Pagans, affectionately labeled 'Book-Pagans', those will read and read and read even more about a particular subject, ritual, deity, etc and never actually do anything. I haven't meditated for over 6 months, and it's never been a regular practice like I have wanted it to be. I always seem to have a excuse that prevents me from doing anything for the Solstice or Equinox. I experience something that finally opens up a direction in the way of Deity, and I spend all my time reading, instead of figuring out how to establish a relationship with them and learn directly from them. I'm tired of not acting on my interests. If I'm interested, it seems silly not to take the interest further.

So, I've decided to start dipping my toes into the world of Non-Book-Pagans and actually doing something 'active' in regards to my spirituality. I really have no idea where to start, but I guess regular meditation is always a decent starting point. Perhaps if I can quiet my mind, I might even be able to listen to the Gods and get their guidance. Seems logical, doesn't it? -_-

Wishing everyone a Happy Solstice! Be it Summer, or Winter.

I don't have plans tonight. I have no privacy, nor any peace. I shall leave a little offering to the wights before bed and keep the dogs inside overnight so the do not eat it. I shall light a candle tomorrow morning to welcome back the Sun, I'm looking forward to the longer days ahead.

I picked up some paints and craft supplies today to start work on one of my Freyja masks. I decided to start on the Warrior/Valkyrie one first, since I'm going to wear that one to my birthday gathering next month. The other mask will show her softer side.

I laid down the first few coats of base paint on the half-mask today. I think it will need a few more layers before the original design is covered properly. I have some copper and gold metallic paints to give the mask a coppery-helm feeling with some gold details. I'm going to make some wing-clips and mount them on bobby pins for my hair as soon as I can find the perfect feathers. I bought some inner-shatter glass beads to string off the edges of the mask that really sparkle in amber and orange.

The second mask will be white, simple with little rosettes and ribbons in pale orange and red on the sides, iridescent glitter on the cheeks of the mask and gold paint around the eyes and gold "tears".

The two masks will sit on the altar I'm building for her. I bought two gorgeous little orange votive holders that have broken mirror pieces and little jeweled leaves on them today for Her. They look gorgeous all lit up.

Now that the pentacle has been approved to be placed on Veteran memorials, do you feel that other symbols of different pagan faiths (the druid sigil, thor’s hammer, etc) are as equally important to fight for?

 If it's important to you, go ahead. I think that any symbol a person feels is important to them should have place on Veteran memorials, or any headstone for that matter. I don't think they should limit it.
I'm not really familiar with the Australian military memorials, but from what I've seen (which is limited to two memorials I've been too), it's entirely non-religious anyway. I'm not connected to the military, so it's not a personal issue for me. As far as I know, I could have "Go fuck yourself" etched into my tomb stone when I die, as long as I pay for it to be written, same goes for symbols. The more words, the more details, the more money it costs.

I think it should be open to the individual to decide exactly what they want, regardless of whether it's military or not.