Rede

Week 35 - the letter "R"

These Eight words the Rede fulfill:   "An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will"...

Doreen Valiente is credited with the first public recording of the Rede (also called the Wiccan Rede, the Pagan Rede, and many other names) as the eight word couplet when she presented a speech in 1964.  Ten years later, Earth Religion News magazine published the "long" version of twenty-six lines.  Since then, many others have claimed they were the inspiration for the Rede, wrote it, suggested it, etc.  It has been rewritten and published using different words, different phrases, and other alterations.  However, the eight final words are there, always, in some manner.  To many, those words are the key.

The interpretation of the Rede varies.  Some people view it as advice while some see it as a rule or commandment.  It is also used as a method for evaluating the morality of a decision before taking action.  The Rede is ambiguous because each individual can interpret as they wish, skewing it to fit into whatever the current situation or mindset involves.  The word "harm" is very subjective as well. 

Does the Rede grant a free pass to do whatever you want?  Is it a rule?  Is it advice?

I am a Grey Witch so my view of the Rede is different.  So here is what it means for me:

• I do not abide by the Wiccan Rede because it isn't logical to me.  I do use it as a guide, knowing that even the best of intentions can result in disaster which can and will harm.    
• If I need to defend or protect those I love, I will do so with whatever means I possess.  This may include taking a proactive approach and making the first move.
• I may refuse to heal or help if I view the outcome of doing so to be that for which I do not want to be responsible.
• There are multiple sides to every situation.  I am able to see how something the majority views as evil or bad may have acceptable motivation.  I may not agree but can see it and know it is not my place to judge others.
• I embrace the dark and the light and know that one cannot exist without the other. 

I also take Karma seriously.  I know that what I put out there will come back to me as a consequence or a lesson.  I may have to make the first strike in certain situations and I will do so, knowing full well the potential reactions.  There are instances when it is worth the potential pain if it means keeping me and mine safe.  I am responsible for myself and what I do, or do not do, is my choice and I accept whatever it is that may come from my choices.

From Wiki:

There have been a number of published interpretations of how one should determine what constitutes 'harming none'. Silver Ravenwolf, for instance, believes that although acting to restrain a wrong-doer is in a sense harming them, failure to act against them could allow greater harm; this must be carefully weighed up, and preferably a course of action can be found that minimizes harm to all parties.

A few people observe a modern revised Rede with the words "an it cause harm, do as you must" appended.

I like the appended version.  There is still a great deal of interpretation that you need to gut check with yourself.  What is something you "must" do, address, etc.  And "harm" is still up for debate.

I know that I am a good person and that my morality and ethics are my own and would correspond with most people in the world.   I do what is right for me and the situation.  I weigh the pros and the cons and act in a manner that is good with my soul, my brain, and my heart. 

Final Quiet thoughts

More Quiet thoughts

Quiet thoughts

Quiet

Week 34 - the letter "Q" again

Some of the moments that I feel most connected to the universe and all that it contains are times when all is quiet.  Truly, completely quiet.  By this, I mean all you can hear are natural sounds - the wind in the trees, the rush of blood through your body, the beat of your heart, a dog in the distance.  And you mind, it's as quiet as possible.  In those moments, how can you not feel connected to each and every plant, animal, human being...everything that exists in this world and maybe even in the next?

While it is an annoyance (especially in the summer when the air conditioning and fans aren't working), there are moments when we have lost power in our neighborhood.  The quiet is so amazing.  You forget how many sounds are just there - the hum of the refrigerator, the heating/cooling units, even a light bulb.  You don't notice these everyday sounds overly much on a day-to-day basis but when they are gone, it's almost as though the quiet is too loud.  But in those moments, you are really able to hear and listen to the world around you and everything your soul is trying to say.  You can truly hear your heart and your mind and there is immense beauty in being able to truly and completely do that.

Some people are extremely uncomfortable being quiet or having things quiet.  I'm the type of person who is comfortable with being quiet and remaining in quiet locations.  I'm perfectly fine keeping company with my thoughts and whatever random sounds just happen to make themselves known.  While I can be chatty, I don't need to have constant sounds or words surrounding me.  Of course I do have moments when I need noise (generally as a distraction), but the quiet times are such blessings.

In my studies of the Feri tradition, there is something called "sitting practice."  It is taking the time to be mindful of yourself and all that is around you.  It is similar to mediation but also different, although I don't really know how to explain those differences but feel and know they are two different things in my interpretation and practice.  I am able to immerse myself in the quiet when I do my sitting practice. 

I think it is important that everyone embraces the quiet.  There is so much to learn and to feel when you just let your own body and the natural world take focus on what you hear.  It has provided me many moments of clarity and deep spiritual connection. 

Questions

Week 33 - the letter "Q"

I recently had a new friend, and someone who is in the early stages of discovering their Pagan path, ask me a series of questions.  These questions were well thought out, different than the standard questions I usually get asked, and made me actually think.  I loved it. 

The questions made me rely on my years of study and experience to dig for the answers.  The questions weren't so much those that require an answer that is factual but more so ones of opinions and educated thoughts. 

It made me think of all the questions I've had over the years.  Early on, I rarely had the opportunity to ask a person I knew personally and in-person/real life.  I would have to search books, and later, the internet.  There was little consistency, in fact, many times the answers were contradictions.  I had to experiment, often with less than favorable results, and rely a great deal on my instincts. I learned a great deal and definitely built upon my own version of Paganism, but oh how I would have loved a second opinion.

Everyone has questions and, if they are lucky, they are able to find answers that work for them and support their personal belief system, ethics, and morals.  It's how life works.  Sometimes we don't pose questions to other people because we think the question is "silly" or "stupid".  We may fear that we will appear naive or just plain dumb.  There really are no stupid questions and, most likely, someone else has wondered the same thing.

So ask questions, utilize your community, provide answers whenever you can.  Sharing our experiences and wisdom brings us closer to one and other and strengthens the bonds of the community.

The questions my friend asked prompted me to consider the need of open question and answer sessions within my personal Pagan community.  These could be round-table discussions when anyone and everyone chimes in with their thought and answers or it could be with one or two "answer" people.  The round-table discussion would be the most ideal, and would probably transform into that format anyway.  Questions could be anonymous or not. 

Everyone could benefit from these sessions.  It's time to start making it happen.

Pagan Standard Time

Week 32 - the letter "P" again

Pagan Standard Time.  You've heard of it, right?  It's this time system that many Pagans use and results in people showing up late, rituals not starting on time, and just a general clusterfuck.  Well, I hate it.

It is annoying and disrespectful.  Events are scheduled for a reason.  Start times are not just suggestions.  But we often accept it.  Heck, we even joke about it and laugh about it with our peers. 

Well, I'm done.  I will no longer run and/or function on Pagan Standard Time.  This includes actual Pagan events and non-Pagan events that Pagans are attending.  I'm taking a stand in my Pagan community and in my personal life.  I will not accept Pagan Standard Time as a reason or an excuse for tardiness. 

When I schedule events, I will have a gathering time and a start time.  The start time will be when the event begins.  This might be a class, or a ritual, or a meeting.  The gathering time is to chat and visit.  Consider the gathering time as the start and when your life is still ruled by Pagan Standard Time, you might be on time for the guts of the event.

If you let me know that you are running late, I appreciate it but I will still start on time.  If you call or text me at the start time, I probably will not answer and/or respond.  If it is a ritual, you may be asked to wait until it is done before joining.  If you enter a class or meeting late, do so causing the least amount of disruption as possible.  Don't ask or expect us to start over to accommodate your late arrival.  Also, I don't really need to know why you are late, and if you want to tell me, do so later. 

Many non-Pagans view Pagans as scatter-brained, lazy, hippie-like, flaky, or flighty.  Adopting our own "time" does nothing but feeds in to the negative assumptions.  I want to present a positive Pagan view to the mundane world.  That is why I'm involved with the Pagan Pride Project, Inc. and am in charge of Kearney Area Pagan Pride Day.  I am sick of the stereotypes and judgements and the ignorance.  Pagans need to show the world that we just have a different belief system and many more things in common than not in common. 

So, let's get it together and stop using Pagan Standard Time.  Let's treat those organizing events, meetings, classes, etc. with respect by making it a priority to show up on time.  Plan ahead, get organized, show the Pagan leaders and organizers that you are viewing what they do as important and that you are grateful.

Krauss quote

Pantheism via Einstein

Pantheism thoughts, part 2

Pantheism in charts

Pantheism thoughts

Pantheism

Week 31 - the letter "P"

I've never felt a true connection with any one God or Goddess, and it certainly is not for lack of trying.  When I am leading group rituals within one of my groups, we tend to follow a Wiccan-style format where we honor a generic God and Goddess and call them as such - God and Goddess, Lord and Lady, etc.  Because balance is a major key for me, the male and female aspects make the most sense but still do not feel right.

While I have been working on defining my spirituality/religious beliefs for a while, I've been focusing on it since the start of the year.  I'm not deity-driven.  One aspect that has caught my attention is Pantheism. 

According to the World Pantheist Movement, these are their basic concepts:

• Reverence for Nature and the wider Universe.
• Active respect and care for the rights of all humans and other living beings.
• Celebration or our lives in our bodies on this beautiful earth as a joy and a privilege.
• Strong naturalism, without belief in supernatural realms, afterlives, beings or forces.
• Respect for reason, evidence and the scientific method as our best ways of understanding nature and the Universe.
• Promotion of religious tolerance, freedom of religion and complete separation of state and religion.

For the most part, those basic concepts resonate with me.  The "without belief in supernatural realms, afterlives, beings or forces" concept is the main one that isn't quite me but I haven't really explored it fully.  But, I do believe in reincarnation so that disbelief in an afterlife doesn't work for me.  But I'm eclectic and modify concepts - with respect - to create my own personal vision. 

The idea that everything and everyone is divine and interconnected is something I can really get behind.  We are equal and we are divine.  I am accountable only to myself.  My thoughts on Karma also fit nicely into the Pantheistic point-of-view.  I do not live my life with the intention of being rewarded once I die and I do not believe that asking for forgiveness for the things I do can be remedied so I can move on to "heaven" or someplace similar.  I am responsible for all of my actions - good, bad, foolish, etc.  I know there are consequences, and I evaluate those potential consequences as part of my decision-making process...so that is the Grey in me.  Animism, according to some sources, goes hand-in-hand with Pantheism so that's yet another check in the "pro" column in my book.

I found a Pantheist calendar that celebrates the 8 Sabbats and a host of other holidays such as Martin Luther King day as a time to focus on anti-discrimination, Hiroshima day to focus on peace, and World AIDS day.  The holidays include birthdays of people key in the Pantheism movement, days that focus on nature, the universe, and the environment.  There is honoring of humanitarians and aspects that represent facets of our being and special roles we may hold.  The holiday make sense to me and I see why they are celebrated in Pantheism.  The full moons and principle meteor showers are also noted as important days of recognition.

The idea of celebrating and honoring the things, moments, and people we cherish is sensible because those are the things that shape us, and inspire us, and hold deep in our hearts for all time.  I really like the idea of regularly celebrating life and our own journey.

I plan to explore Pantheism more but feel that it will take a prominent place in my belief system.