On Nature and 'White Light" Addicts

Here's my beef. I look at Pagans and Wiccans and observe that many (but not all) are as deluded and backward minded as the most extreme religious fundamentalists. There are scads of books, sayings, axioms and prayers about embracing Nature as our warm, fuzzy 'mommy' and how much we L-O-V-E Her. That is all good and well. I love nature too. Without nature where would we be? NOWHERE, that's where! We are not merely a product of nature, ie. the goddess, we ARE nature. That is to say, we are an inseparable part of the whole. This is one reason why we must preserve and protect her at all cost.

So what's the problem here? Well, in true extremist fashion, many of us choose what facets of "Mother Nature" that fit our own personal biases but do not care to accept the totality of this particular goddess. For example, to listen to some Pagans or to some health nuts, for that matter, all that is 'natural' is good, right and far superior to anything man-made. For instance, Apples= good, healthy, keeps the doctor away, right? Granted, apples are great, but you know what else is natural? Snake venom. Not so healthy. How about anthrax or some of those exotic flesh eating organisms? Ever see a pride of lions rip Bambi into bloody shreds and taters? Ever hear of a little town called Pompeii? The entire population was incinerated and/or suffocated when the volcano erupted. And let's not forget those exhilarating 100 foot tall tsunami waves that snuff out hundreds of thousands of lives in the blink of an eye. Yep, all natural. Mother nature has many faces but some people only want to see the smiling, benevolent one! To me that looks a lot like disrespect for the goddess, not the contrary.

Then there are what I call the 'white light' addicts.  Don't get me wrong people.  I'm a huge fan of white light. In fact, let's all give a collective thumbs up for white light!  Yayy!! Are we clear now?  No misunderstandings?  Good.  Having said that, these 'white light addicts are not unlike people who imagine that white equals good, black equals evil, night and darkness is for Devil worshipers while daytime is the domain of the righteous. Thoughts are subjectively categorized as either "positive" or "negative" - once again, positive being equated with goodness and negative, badness. The arbitrary "rule of three" or harsher "rule of ten" is sometimes tossed into the mix by people who love to fish a handy rule out of their witch's magick pouch and - woah! - its enough to scare you into giving up thinking altogether!

To the 'white lighters' anything that isn't good, soft, kindly, loving, merciful and angelic is beneath them and surely evidence of an immature spirituality. For anyone who is enamored of the fluffy-white-winged angels a la Biblical tales, I suggest you run a tally of angel stories. You will make an interesting discovery. The angels were pretty bad-ass and very often used as spirit HIT MEN! Who was it that killed the first-born of the Egyptians in the time of Moses? An angel. Who was it that killed 185,000 soldiers of king Sennacherib's army- while they were sleeping? An angel. Who was it that suggested to God that he become "a deceptive spirit" and go down to earth on a secret mission? (wrong, it wasn't Satan or a demon) It was an angel in good standing. (btw, God approved his mission of deceit.) And let us not forget the most famous case of angel gone bad - the Devil himself! Kind of puts a new light on your fluffy-bunny angel oracle cards, eh?  

To those white light loving folks who look down their noses at the rest of us, I respectful say; despite your pretensions, you are no better than anyone else - not even a little bit. If your world view suits you best then I'm happy for you.  On the other hand, looking down on people with a different world view is neither evolved nor 'enlightened.'  My advice? Get over yourselves.  Here's a thought; why not see a wider, more complete version of reality? One that isn't drawn in stark black and white, good and bad lines. You may have noticed the world is set in colors, not black and white.  Why not embrace Nature as She is and not how you would make Her? Why not refrain from standing in judgment of your fellowman and, instead, accept the fact that we ALL have a part to play in this extravaganza called life?

Dawn of the 'OLDE AGE'

From the movie "The Craft"

The brighter the light of the so-called "New Age" gets, the clearer it becomes that we are at the re-birth of the 'Olde Age.' I couldn't be happier! Let the world return to the days of magick, sorcery, wizards, witches, cunning-folk, dragons, beastly familiars, mysterious spirit entities and worship of the olde gods.

These days the average enchanter bears little resemblance to her counterpart of ancient times. Technological advances have transformed the world in fantastical ways. I embrace the very new as easily as the very olde. And why not? There is a sort of 'magick' happening every time we use our cell phones. Let us use ALL technologies at hand to sculpt our lives into the masterpiece of our choice.

You would think that the lords of science would have vanquished the olde ways long before this 21st century ever saw the light of day. But, alas! The magickal, mystical aspects of life have more adherents today than ever before! As far as I am concerned, THAT is as good a "Good News" as anything the Christians can offer. On that score, as a former devout Christian minister, I can say without equivocation that a Pagan or Gnostic path is best for me.  My path does not generate an irrational guilt that must then be forgiven and atoned for. Secondly, my relationship with SPIRIT (insert whatever word for the Supreme Being you prefer) is intimate and direct. It does not require an intercessor.

So let the 'olde ways,' hold sway!  Let the demons and angelic demigods, the miracle workers and the wise mage walk the ancient wooded paths once again.  May midnight magick and primordial fires light the inky night and words of incantations and chanted prayers fill the wee morning hours.  The age of enlightenment has indeed arrived and you and I may jump for joy for the modern days show clear the way to our truest nature. We are divine beings but playing the part and sporting the garb of mortal folk.  All hail the dawn of the 'Olde Age!' 

Where Are The PAGAN Grimoires?

Google "Grimoires" and you get the usual results that invariably include the Key of Solomon, The Arbatel of Magick, The Lemegeton and many others after that style.  Have you noticed that they almost always use Christian and Jewish symbolism and iconography?  Even when you add the word 'pagan' to your search, you will be hard pressed to find an ancient Grimoire that is not stuffed full of prayers and supplications to Jesus, Adonay, Elohim, Arch angels and more heavenly hosts than you ever knew existed!  I'm sorry but these texts just don't say 'pagan' to me at all.  I understand that the further back in time you go the scarcer people capable of authoring Grimoires or books of shadows become but, surely there must be SOME purely pagan texts available!  I wonder if the scarcity of ancient and exclusively pagan texts is the reason so many people gravitate toward Egyptian magick, for example.  The Egyptians left much writing about their mystical traditions.

Evoking Eternity by EA Koetting

There is one notable exception.  Its author is a young man by the name of E.A. Koetting.  He has written several books that do not follow in the tradition of most other Grimoires and Books of Shadow.  Evoking Eternity is one case in point. Mr Koetting is definitely not everyone's cup of tea since his path follows a dark route.  Anyone who knows me also knows my belief is that both light and dark magicks make the world go round.

There is much talk of the witch's Book of Shadows, the burning times and how these individuals kept their book secret but, where are these texts?  Were they destroyed by relatives after the witch's death or buried with them?  Why are there so few surviving records?  To listen to neo-pagans you would think a BOS was standard equipment for any self-respecting witch, wizard or magician.  To the contrary, its beginning to look like witches writing a BOS was not a common practice at all.  Honestly, I would be delighted to be proven wrong on this point.  How lovely it would be to know that we today are following in the foot steps of the witchy folk of days gone by!  Be that as it may, I suppose the proliferation of modern books of shadows and Grimoires will be the legacy, the 'ancient texts'  of centuries to come.
 
Does anyone know of ancient Grimoires, magickal texts and tomes that are NOT steeped in the mythology of Christianity and Judaism?  Let me know! 

The SKULL as a Symbol

There is hardly a graphic icon that symbolizes death and mortality more than the human skull.  A dead body eventually reveals the bony structure hidden beneath rotting flesh.  This is horrifying to humans on a visceral level.  The skull's morbid associations are rather easy to understand.  What seems odd to me is that so few see the skull as a symbol of anything other than death and decay.
For me the image of the skull is a reminder that there is something hidden at our core.  In a way the skull is evidence of the secret, unseen person - the real you- and as such suggests our spiritual nature hidden behind a facade of flesh.  Because it is the hard structure upon which our muscles, tendons and skin are attached it symbolizes (for me) inner strength.  The bones remain long after all other body parts are gone so it is a fit representation of the inner self, the true self that survives death. 
There are alternative perspectives.  Here's an article that offers diverse cultural views: Death's Head Symbol.   While you're at it check out another link that suggests other ways to think about skulls: Skull symbolism.
In my own magickal workings the skull carries a very positive meaning.  It embodies the center of the mind and, therefore, the seat of spiritual power and consciousness.  Adorned with the symbols I inscribed on it, the skull engenders the qualities of the various spirits and deities that are significant to me.

Canadian Minister of Defense on Alien Life

This is an interesting video that circulated on facebook recently (May, 2013.)  This is a respected man courageously speaking out on the 'truth that is out there,' the truth that Aliens are alive and living on and around earth.

Working With POWER

As a veteran of many coven rituals, workings, sabbats, esbats, etc., my main issue with them as magickal workings was that most times we were just going through the motions. Yeah, this one calls the corners, that one invokes the God/Goddess and so on. For people who are sensitive to subtle energies and who want to intensify the power play at their rituals, your garden variety Sabbat or Esbat can be pretty lackluster events. I like to feel the power move, surge, peak and ebb. 
These days my work is usually solo but here's a few suggestions for more dynamic magick work.

1. TAKE YOUR TIME!  Practitioners tend to run through their ritual script, each one reading their parts, and there is seldom sufficient time allowed for really feeling the inner workings of the rite. If you invoke a spirit, the god or goddess, take time to feel his/her presence, to see it appear in your mind's eye. Use your inner senses to experience what's going on a visceral level.  I'm not suggesting you shouldn't use notes or read passages from paper.  Just be aware that you will get so much more out of your rituals if your goal from the start is to sense, feel direct and absorb the energies swirling around this event. Don't rush it!
2. Typically, there is a wide range of skill and experience in any group. That sort of diverse 'family style' activity is a wonderful thing.  Having said that, even spiritually younger ones should be made aware that any sort of witchcraft will only be effective to the degree that flowing energy is at work. Anyone, regardless of age and experience, can contribute powerfully to a magickal working.  We are born magickal creatures.  It is our nature to be powerful co-creators.
3. Wands, robes and other accoutrements can be wonderful tools if they are empowered, directed or asked for their cooperation. Never lose sight of what's going on behind the scenes. At its core magick is all about affecting energy with energy.
4. Use the ways and magickal means that work best for YOU!  Fitting into someone else' mold is not what you  were born to do.  You bring something unique to this planet.  What is that special thing?  Granted, you may not yet know what that is.  But one thing is for sure; you won't find it by becoming a cheap imitation of someone else.  In the realm of magicians it is important to know yourself and your craft well enough to make the greatest use of your individuality.

I used to teach a class that listed specific techniques to identify your own personal power symbols, colors, correspondences and belief systems.  The objective was to show the apprentice how to create a magickal systems that is in harmony with their own unique "power grid."  I encourage every student of the occult and the magickal arts to carefully consider the teachings and methods of other more experienced practitioners but do not lose yourself in the process.  there IS a path that fits you best.  A good teacher will help you find yourself.

May you work with POWER - whatever you' re doing - and find the best path back to who you are!