In 2010, with a small group of other young Pagans and polytheists, I created the Otherfaith. The tradition was intended to be technology and urban friendly, with a focus on the house spirits and fairies our group was learning about. Eventually we came to know the Gods that make up the Otherfaith pantheon: the Four+ Gods. These new (or, as Morgan Daimler describes them, liminal) Gods are Whom the Other People give devotion to.
I wrote about the Otherfaith from 2011-onwards, across various online platforms. This included old defunct Blogger sites, Tumblr, various free webhosting sites, the older Otherfaith WordPress site, and a Patheos Pagan blog.
Here, on the current Otherfaith blog, I’ve been a lot quieter. A big reason why is that I don’t wish to be misunderstood. A competent writer knows that if one’s readers are consistently misinterpreting one’s work, well, the problem likely lies with the author (excluding bad faith readings, of course). But if fear paralyzes me I can’t serve the Gods in the way I know best: telling Their stories, Their truths.
May you take this in the spirit it is written, and may it find those it is meant for.
Though the Otherfaith is not Wiccan, I find this quote to be quite useful when reading all manner of religious and spiritual texts:
Any book about Wicca can only be the personal view of the individual priestess or priest who writes it. It will contain truth and error, good bits, excellent bits and bad bits.
Vivanne Crowley
For All Posts
Everything about the Otherfaith is in-process. All religions are, in some fashion, but the Otherfaith is hardly a decade old and very much a work-in-process. Consider nothing finished. Consider that information may be updated or changed as I, or other members of the Otherfaith, learn more about the Gods and spirits. Devotion changes as we practice more.
Unless something is specified as having been decided by the (current) community, consider what is written as my own perspective and thoughts even when I do not explicitly say so.
For Instructional Posts
Instructional posts, such as those relating to devotional activities and rituals, are written as recommendations and ideas, not mandatory practices. If you hate a particular practice or devotion, scrap it. Adapt what you like. Tinker and experiment. And if you so desire, share your experiences – either on your own blog, in the forums, or where ever you prefer. Explore. Let the Gods and your heart lead you.
For Informational Posts
Posts on the structure of the Otherfaith otherworld, Gods and spirits, spirit body, and related topics should, as noted above, be treated as my own personal experiences and perceptions. I will give warnings if I feel a specific area or spirit is dangerous, but be mindful that my positive interactions with a spirit do not necessarily mean they are friendly on the whole.
If you have questions unanswered in the FAQs or just wish to discuss, you can message me at aine@otherfaith.info or post in the forums. The Otherfaith Discord server can be joined through this link. I can also be found elsewhere online under the name I use here: ‘Aine Llewellyn’.
This post was first published 19 January 2020, but was backdated to 2016 for formatting purposes.