Jun 05 2009
Paganism: Idealized versus Actual
Going back to past discussions about ‘fluffy pagans’ and reconstructionism, I’m thinking of paganism in a more removed, academic way. While it’s completely impossible for me (or most people) to be objective about religion, it’s interesting to note that some make an extreme point to convey accuracy in ritual.
Recently, I spoke to a Catholic friend. While we have many religious differences, we both agree that the character of our traditions somehow feel more valid simply because they are old. Something as simple as thanking a deity for food or communion of any sort seems to feel more comfortable since it has been done for thousands of years.
Some questions:
What do you think? Do you strive for accuracy in pagan or non-pagan ritual? Why or why not?
Is something valid or worth respecting simply because it is old?
What do you do when you want to conduct a particular ritual, but lack historical record of actual similar rituals?
Merrymeet all I can say is that Paganism is not some Religion that Man can stick to in a Spiritual Realm, because there is no Law there that was set down from above or below on The Planet Surface, with The Goddess, and God Pan. So How is that The cerimonies, of Prayer, Chanting, Incantations that are used primarily for Casting Spells, to take care of a Problem is regarded as Science, or Craft for that matter. I am really glad that You are here on Today.com Merrymeet, because there needs to be more definition of What Magic, and Paganism really is.
As for Myself, I Know by experience, and The Teachings that I have refreshed through My Self-Hypnosis Retrieval of My Previouse Lives where I learned What Magic, and Wizards Know in Science, and Math. That is Why Witches are called Wise. Look it up in the Dictionary, and if It says anything else, it is drawn from the Christian Theologins, who are fashioning the Dictionary according to their Fears, and Beleifs in Jesus, and Human Sacrifices on the Cross that They really do worship. For that Cross Symbol is Whorn around the Neck of Every devout Christian, and it They say that it is not a Symbol of Their Faith, then They are telling a Lie, and are from the Father of The lie, the Devil Whom I know is apart of The Triad of The Source of All Evil.
Now getting back to the Books, The Book of Shadows is a recipe book that Witches [Wise People] write in to hold onto their Wise Choices of Old Recipes to solve The Crafting Problems for their Clients who hire them to do so. The Word Shadow in the Dictionary means Spirit. So it is no different that The Christians Bible [Book].