Stag looks like a Maiden

Sun and Moon, Male and Female, God and Goddess.

Since time unmemorable the creators have been given shape by the mind of humans in an attempt to better relate to the unknowable.

In most cases a new Pagan practitioner is first introduced to the goddess. This is a produce of the time and circumstance. To the modern Neo-Pagan she tends to be more relatable as she is given to be associated with matters of love and support and recovery. These things are more in line with a city dwelling Wiccan.

Her counter part The god is in the theological context equally important, but seems to have less practical applications in spells and rituals directly related to modern living. Few suburban witches feel the need to invoke a hunter Avatar or praise their kills in a proper fashion.

Still in larger and more traditional covens their double roles are filled by both a High Priest and High Priestess. If not in the day to day at the very least during High Holidays and rituals. And there representatives are accordingly Male for god and female for goddess.

But the question If the energies of the Lord and lady are separate distinct and different as say water and fire energies. Does the gender of the earthly avatar matter to anyone besides the assembled spell casters?

Certainly we know that any person male or female might have a natural bent toward one of the four basic magical elements Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. Sometimes these are a byproduct of astrological signs or merely the personality traits that grate special insight in to the nature of the elemental essence.

If energy is neutral and god and goddess energy is present in both genders, Then does it naturally follow that some people would be more talented in god or goddess energy regardless of the own earthly sex?

If a man can be the best conduit of goddess energy why them is he restricted from filling the role of the goddess in rituals. It would seem a simple task for a group of people that on a regular bases picture things in their minds that are transformative and to the lay person crazy. That they could differentiate enough to let the best person fit the role.

As many a god/goddess (especially in the Hindu religion) change gender it would seem the our creators should be capable of the same.

Our we stereotyping our gods and limiting our experiences because of biases?

Pagan Pride and prejudice, Do we hold our selves back?

 

In darkness you paint us, but we will not hide. We're the light of the country in which you abide, we're fearless and strong, the protectors of life hidden in the shadows,we conquer all strife.

We come from the Old Ones, our lineage secure. We rise from the ashes, we always endure. It's time you remember that we were here first. We healed your sick, yet suffered your worst.

From time immemorial we've woven our lore cunning folk, healers, benandanti-there's more. We're black and we're white, we're brown and yellow. We're women and children, and mighty fine fellows.
  We're Her hidden children, the angels of light, our task is to teach and to help set things right. We conjure and cast, and whisper and pray so you can enjoy your freedom each day.

 We've long been your army, protecting your back when you are in trouble, in the secret we act. The Mother is watching- She hasn't missed much. She's gathered Her magick and given the touch to Witches and Pagans and Druids and such.

The times are a'changing and one thing is clear the Lord and the Lady have now reappeared. Two pillars, three points, four quarters extend five is the number of magickal blend. By moon and by sun, by earth and by stars realize this day that the power is ours!

Found this poem in a book by  Silver Raven Wolf The ultimate Book of Shadows for the new generation Solitary Witch.

One of the common things about the Wiccan way is the belief in secrecy. It is part of the five principals in some variations “To be silent”. Other paths require vowels of silence and degrees of initiation, before you are privy to the deep mysteries.

In the old days being too loud and proud came with its very own lynch mob. It was a matter of survival. Things have changed slowly since Gerald Gardner throw off the veil and helped fuel the modern Wiccan movement back in the 1950s.

 On 2001-MAR-15, the United States awarded tax exempt status to different forms of Wicca, and recently in the news in Memphis’s channel 3 reported on the opening of a Wiccan church.

Still negative misconceptions prevail, Questions like “Do you worship Satan?” or statements like “You’re going to hell.” Are generally enough to force most believers to hold there tongues on the subject. Besides isn’t half the fun the secret?

Well if you ask me no.

While having a secret may seem like fun, the fact of the matter is when things are kept private rumors abound and falsehoods are born.

 The stone wall riots fueled the gay rights movement and now the united state sits bordered by two countries that recognize same sex marriage, and could be on the verge its self with the first president ever publicly endorsing it.  

All thought many lobbyist and rights groups rallied for the cause the grass root effort that made it possibly is what is important here. To get the majority to support a minority view you have to demystify it. Allow them to see it as normal and just another facet of life. To this end Harvey Milk asked homosexuals to come out.

It is never fun to be the one standing in the face of opposition; to look hate in the eye and proclaim your wrong and I don’t care that you out number me.

But a popular quote about Wicca comes to mind “She changes everything she touches. And everything she touches changes” As wiccans we are called to do many things. Heal, guide, and teach. To change things for the better because we have the gift, that gift comes with a price.

So I will leave this article off with another quote this one by the aforementioned Harvey Milk.

“Brothers and sisters,... You must come out. Come out... to your parents... I know that it is hard and will hurt them but think about how they will hurt you in the voting booth! Come out to your relatives... come out to your friends... if indeed they are your friends. Come out to your neighbors... to your fellow workers... to the people who work where you eat and shop... come out only to the people you know, and who know you. Not to anyone else. But once and for all, break down the myths, destroy the lies and distortions. For your sake. For their sake. For the sake of the youngsters who are becoming scared.”

Are you a Witch or are you just Mental?

  Focusing crystals, crystal balls, scrying mirrors bowls and pendants. Divination is a large part of the modern Wiccan craft, and for the most part it seems that the naturally sensitive, the mediums the automatic writers, psychometric and precognitive are highly attracted to the occult.

  This poses the question is spell casting “the act of affecting the world with focus energy rituals” and Psychic phenomenon “receiving information by the power of ones mind” tied together or separate but similar. Are you a Witch or are you just mental? Can you have one without the other? Can you have both? Can one lend its self to the other improving your future seeing abilities through spiritual exorcise?

  In gypsy culture it is believe that every woman has the gift of sight and is a born healer. In the Native American view those bless with insight were cast in to the roles of medicine men. The common belief in “Two Spirits” a person possessing two soul both male and female was used to explain gender transcendence and homosexuality in the Native tribes. Believing these people were blessed with the ability to see the world from two perspectives they were considered holy and the most venerated of medicine persons. This belief was so pervasive that sexual relations with a two spirit were culturally considered a blessing that would protect you in a coming battle.

One tribe even sent there Two Spirit as a representative to the White House.

Now this was a combination of nature and nurture where a path was set out for someone reflecting a perceived gift. But in modern Wicca this line has blurred to the point of vanishing. Unlike other religions the craft has very few set Dogma and few rules.

Would structure benefit those seeking enlighten or is the cost of independent spiritual responsibility to important to install that level of change?

This is one of the few subjects that I have no clear opinion on. All I can say is that many witches are Psychic and many Psychics’s become witches. The cross over is unclear as are the benefits.

This is also one of the few articles I would ask for and appreciate some feed back comments on.            

Mirco country Mass effect!!!

The text book definition of politics is the art of applying the application of power. And it is an unfortunate by product that religions produce power. It does this many different ways the most obvious is that it holds in tandem the path to your personal salvation.

    Many requirements many also be asked in return for enlightenment and spiritual comfort. Donations of money, act to show fidelity to the religion, and of course promotion of its tenets above all others in hopes of attracting converts. So it is intrinsic to their very natures that even the most benevolent religious organizations possess power.

  This Power can vary in scale for simple social power over followers to monetary and community influences.

This creates a control factor in which your behavior can be modified, rewarded or punished for good and bad actions in the eyes of your church.

Often times a parishioner fears more the displeasure of his Pastor, Father, High Priestess more so then he would the wrath of his deity.     

And the sad fact is it creates a classicist situation one where your spiritual guide becomes your boss instead of your help.

This is an authority we give our spiritual leaders.

A lot has been said about the separation of church and state. The Desire to keep faith and politics separate however is it possible to keep an innately powerful politic force separate?

  Once any organization has a substantial enough following they begin to effect change. This is true with any organization from the P.T.A to bicker gangs.

The Roman Catholic Church is in my opinion the most glaring example of these principals in action.

 When the pope decrees the Churches view on a subject he is not just a man in a white dress but the earthly voice of the will of the god of that faith and masses upon masses of followers fall in line with what he say for many reasons of their own. Be it trust, fear, or upbringing.

But let us examine for a second some of the actions of the popes.

More recently in our history John Paul II was celebrated as an inclusive pope making attempts to reach out to the worlds Gay and lesbian population. As a result the church had a trickle down effect in which we saw the rise of openly gay Fathers and bishops and some churches with a non judgmental view of its homosexual believers. This increase followed directly after some of the statements made on the subject by John Paul.

However after his death newly elected Pope Benedict countered John Paul’s movements in this direction by publicly condemning Homosexuality.

It would appear as though the earthly voice of god was contradicting its self. (and we all know there are no contradictions in the Catholic faith *Chough chough*)

And this is just one of the far reaching actions in the history of the institution. Lets not forget Pope innocents children’s crusade in which where shipped off weapons in hand to fight for the holy lands against the Muslims.

None of these poor souls ever made it to the front lines, they made one port where caroled by pirates and smugglers and were then sold into slavery.

Other examples are the inquisition where over the history of it more then 9 million women were put to death on witchcraft charges, and the silence and compliance with the genocidal acts of Hitler during the holocaust.

Now I know this might seem like an attack on the Catholic Church but the truth of the matter is no other religious institution has reached the high of power and prevalence as that of the Vatican micro country. With over 80% of the world population being some variety of Catholic the fact that its leader are so human so foul able and so contradictory is not just troubling its down right terrifying.

Imagine for a moment that the holy roman church was in alignment with the beliefs of the radical Muslim Jihadist. No I know it’s a fearful thought but after all they follow the same god as one another separated by slim margins on who delivered the message.

Know knowing that the last pope’s inclusive statements were dismissed and countermanded by his predecessor. You can se how just about any view point can but held by their leader and then given over to the masses. And if the church did hold the beliefs that infidels must die (Like it did in the inquisition and crusades) then it to could Declare the United States an enemy and we would be facing a global power.

For these reasons it is important to depower your Spiritual leaders see them for who they are. Human flawed and no better then anyone else, they have only the power their followers afford them. And regardless any person that hands off their salvation and places it squarely in the hands of another mortal man no matter the color of his clothing or the collar on his shirt is reckless and irresponsible.

While it is very easy to put your salvation on someone else’s door step in the end it is always you that has to face the out come of you actions. We owe it to ourselves to be responsible for our spirits, to do the hard work and to ask the hard questions not of another man, woman or book, but to ourselves.

You can be supported in your faith without being lead. You can be guided without being controlled, if you simply have the courage to face your god by yourself and be responsible for you own spirit.

After all its you soul.

               

Are we Leagion?

  A sweet innocent looking girl vomits split pea soup in a fire hose like manner, attempting to quiet the angry Latin words of a Catholic priest holding tight to his crucifix and tighter to his faith. As both are under attack for this vile abomination dragged up from the pits of hell and given life in the flash of the foolish mortal that strayed far enough from god’s path to fall prey to the temptations of the adversary.

Like many people this scene from the popular movie is one that stays with you. Regardless of your views on faith and the church, in 1973 when The Exorcist premiered in theaters it had a profound effect on the general masses inspiring a generation to “satanic panic” as it was later coined.

With its new found popularity in the media the fallen host’s of heaven were given a fame they likely wouldn’t have any other way.

The questions about them barely scratch the surface of people’s fascinations with them. But the church has a few nice neat answers in response to the out poring of public interest and fear.

Q: What is a demon?

CA: A demons are fallen angels that join with Lucifer in defiance of god, and for this crime were cast in to hell where they serve the lord of lies in tempting mortal men away from the path of Jesus.

Q: Can a demon inhabit your body and take you over? 

CA: Possessions While rare according to the church, can and does still happen. What qualifies you as genuinely possessed changes from one denomination to another. Great acts of evil and exploration of the Occult, or pagan religions are reputed to be the gate way most commonly used by demons to enter a good person.

Malevolent spirits are not a Christian only concept. The Middle East has had tales of the Iferet, there is also the yin and yang spirits of Shinto, the Babylonian Daemon or strange spirit, Celtic Unseelie fey and many many others.

In most religions there is a flip side to the glorious and all loving benefactor. This is true in almost every religion that has a divine structure, or ordered and ranked to their heaven.

In general when more the one religion agrees or has the same intrinsic view of a subject I tend to believe that there is a thread of truth that though the details vary on in the middle of lay some truth. But on this one I am not so sure and here is why.

The concept that evil has a face is a self comforting notion. The quintessential “devil made me do it” response in which a person places responsibility for their darker impulses on some unseen force outside of their control, is a covenant way to absolve yourself of a bad behavior that you might other wise have no way of processing.

Because it so easy to point the finger at what ever vile boogie man you like, we over look another concept shared by many faiths. The duality of man. good and evil existing in one person in equal parts. We of course would like to believe that we are all good or at least marginally better then are darker self. But to give over to the concept that nothing bad done is truly are fault because some silent menace is really to blame: To is both spiritually stunting and a copout.

Own your darkness and shame the devil.    

It was the best of times. It was the end of times

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  As we pass the eight month in the year 2012, I feel the need to talk about the many way humanity is worried about being obliterated from the face of our planet. From evangelical radio host to the Mayan and Egyptian calendars to the revelations of John in the New Testament, 2012 and twelve is a worry some year for any one fearing divine retribution.

When ever the is a congruence of events on more then one religious fronts it causes people to worry, even more so when those are doomsday prophecy’s for millennia ago.

  So as the year draws to a close what are the chances the humanity is at its end and some wrathful creator is going to call a game over on those made in his own image or some uncaring universe is going to unleash a natural disaster as of yet unseen by man?   

The answer is at least from my view point is: actually very slim.

To spite the general masses spouting apocalypse now ever few years there really isn’t an historical evidence to say that this year is any more prolific or destine for cosmic event then any other.

The Egyptian calendar has no death of humanity warning it simply ends and a lot of scholars say the reason for this is simply that they ran out of space while labeling out astrological event on sand stone tombs.

The Mayan’s? surely their calendar was more of a warning. Actually again no. there are a few things to consider with the Mayans. The first is that like the Egyptians they were attempting to predict the extended future through astrologic prediction. They appear to claim that the nature of the world will change in the year 2012 in the twelfth month but not that it will end. And again I would seriously hesitate to accept the predictions of a culture that didn’t even foresee their own end as the entire culture vanished from the face of the planet and though they left a nifty calendar to scare future generation the didn’t bother to leave a note saying where they went.

  And the last is Bible now I could go over the entire book section by section and at some future point I just might, but right now I will only point out a few things.

 Now I will refrain a little from my normal roast of the bible and all its content, but I will say this the revelations of john are a dream he had and though he was and apostle of Christ there is nothing else to lend credence to his dream of the end. It was not passed to him by the voice of god or told to him by angels out side of his dreaming head. Also you have to know that over the centuries the bible has been used to warn of the end of times an uncountable number of times and the radio host I mentioned at the beginning of this article has actually predicted then end four times and then claimed he was mistaken and had to go back to the drawing board.

So I will simply leave it with this excerpt from the bible

Matthew: 24:36 "However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.”

If not even the baby Jesus knows I would even try to compete.