One of the things about being a writer is that (in theory) one becomes aware of the fact that labels are important; people think of names and terms in little bits, not in tangled string balls. Occasionally, a writer will switch labels on some subject just because they are sick and tired of confusing people.
One of the labels I sometimes wonder about is "Golden Dawn." Or to be more exact, I wonder where the limits are of the term "Golden Dawn" lay. I also wonder about the terms "RR et AC" and "RC."
The root of this confusion lies in the fact that a reformation happened, but the reformers continued using the name despite the fact that non-reformers were still using the name. It has made the terms as useful as "Christianity," "wicca," and "magic," especially if you are concerned with being accurate with the way you are using them.
I generally tend to *sigh* before trying to figure out a way to point out the weirdness of the way I think of the terms. And yesterday, events made it just that much harder to be able to make sure people know what I mean when I say "Golden Dawn."
Unfortunately, I have yet to find a better term for the system that I am working. By goddess, I am looking forward to that day, just so that I can be free of the nonsense of having to spend an hour saying "We do this like side A, but this like side B, and this like side C, etc. etc." when I use the term "Golden Dawn."
Bottom-line, one should not need a score-card to figure out what someone is talking about unless you are talking sports or test scores.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Can I wrack you with a rolled-up newspaper
There appears to be a discussion brewing on the blogosphere about whether or not it is proper to drop an "evolution" bomb on people who are annoy you...or endangering you...or are endangering others.
Now, I have weighed in on this issue before, and just want to remind everyone of my own personal opinion---which may or may not be the opinion of my lineage depending upon on how you define lineage.
My answer is simple annoyance---leave them alone; endangerment---send in the flaming butterflies.
For the person who does not understand that last part: one of the people in a lodge that I used to belong to designed a binding spell using butterfly imagery to bind someone who was endangering others (think possible criminal violence). The binding had an end clause that stated more or less that the binding would stop when the person evolved into a higher lifeform.
Now, the debate that brewing is orbiting around the fact that none of us are enlightened enourgh to be making this type of decision. There is only one small problem with adapting that stance---magicians and witches are hunted down like rabid dogs by people who believe that they know what the Messiah would do.
I have dealt with lots of people, and read about a ton more people, who believe that they know how the rest of us should be living our lives. They are the radical branches of their religions. And the problem with them is that they believe that it is ok to cause anyone not living up to their strict standards harm; it is ok to harrass them, cause them to lose jobs, imprison them, even stone them to death---all in the name of religion.
The difference between them and those of us who send in flaming butterflies is that they will only accept one result (one that says they are absolutely right) and we play the lottery.
It is the lottery of spiritual evolution. We do not know what the higher states of spiritual evolution looks like. Even if you think you know the Messiah, and what he/she/it would do, there is a chance you are wrong. Those of us who drop evolution bombs on people are taking a big chance---we may not like what spiritual evolution actually looks like.
And if that is true, then the punishment will fit the crime.
Now, I have weighed in on this issue before, and just want to remind everyone of my own personal opinion---which may or may not be the opinion of my lineage depending upon on how you define lineage.
My answer is simple annoyance---leave them alone; endangerment---send in the flaming butterflies.
For the person who does not understand that last part: one of the people in a lodge that I used to belong to designed a binding spell using butterfly imagery to bind someone who was endangering others (think possible criminal violence). The binding had an end clause that stated more or less that the binding would stop when the person evolved into a higher lifeform.
Now, the debate that brewing is orbiting around the fact that none of us are enlightened enourgh to be making this type of decision. There is only one small problem with adapting that stance---magicians and witches are hunted down like rabid dogs by people who believe that they know what the Messiah would do.
I have dealt with lots of people, and read about a ton more people, who believe that they know how the rest of us should be living our lives. They are the radical branches of their religions. And the problem with them is that they believe that it is ok to cause anyone not living up to their strict standards harm; it is ok to harrass them, cause them to lose jobs, imprison them, even stone them to death---all in the name of religion.
The difference between them and those of us who send in flaming butterflies is that they will only accept one result (one that says they are absolutely right) and we play the lottery.
It is the lottery of spiritual evolution. We do not know what the higher states of spiritual evolution looks like. Even if you think you know the Messiah, and what he/she/it would do, there is a chance you are wrong. Those of us who drop evolution bombs on people are taking a big chance---we may not like what spiritual evolution actually looks like.
And if that is true, then the punishment will fit the crime.
Seriously?!
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| Oh yes, I am siriusly deranged. |
Sometimes, I read the comments left to some of my blog posts and I find myself saying, "Seriously?!"
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
My attittude to lineage
One of the things that I occasionally get curious about is my own lineage. The question tends to come up when I stumble across something that supposely only those with "real" lineages are supposed to be exposed to---something that I already know despite my less-than-golden lineage.
The last time this happened, I was leafing though Mather's Last Secret. And I was like, "Oh, that is where that traces to...gee, I wonder where Hathor Temple got the information from."
This curiosity is always momentary. Within an hour, I had moved onto bigger and better concerns. Quite honestly, my lineage is not important to me.
I think that this is a reaction to dealing with some people who claimed super-great lineages, but were in the running for most abusive occult leader ever. If lineage means that one gets to be an a**-hat, then I would prefer to lineage-less. It was also the same attitude that Hathor Temple had---which is a whole another story for another day.
The last time this happened, I was leafing though Mather's Last Secret. And I was like, "Oh, that is where that traces to...gee, I wonder where Hathor Temple got the information from."
This curiosity is always momentary. Within an hour, I had moved onto bigger and better concerns. Quite honestly, my lineage is not important to me.
I think that this is a reaction to dealing with some people who claimed super-great lineages, but were in the running for most abusive occult leader ever. If lineage means that one gets to be an a**-hat, then I would prefer to lineage-less. It was also the same attitude that Hathor Temple had---which is a whole another story for another day.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Qlippothic Color Scale
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| Colors of death, decay and things that go bump in the night. |
Recently, I have been taking part in an online conversation about whether there is a color scale for the Qlippoth; and if so, what would the basis of that color scale be. My personal gut reaction is that it would not just be various shades of black or a mixture of the Prince (Vav) and Princess (Heh final) color scales. No, it would be based on things that disgust and make one sick to one's stomach (unless you are into necromancy and zombies---no judgment here, hehe). Rotten meat, slime, the inside of the dead organs, things like that. The photo here is a part of a page (page 28) from Drawing and Painting the Undead by Keith Thompson; this particular chart shows the Color Spectrum of Death. I believe that this little chart illustrates what I am talking about. If it does not, feel free to visit your local funeral home or city morgue.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Remains of the Undesirables (Open Full Moon follow-up)
For those who attended the June Hearthstone Community Church's Open Full Moon Ritual, where I told three slightly warped myths, and for those who could not attend (but are still curious): Here is a picture of the remains of the "undesirables," those things that we did not want to have in our lives anymore. (Information for those who did not attend:) We gathered a little note from everyone stating something that they did not want in their lives, and placed the notes in a shoebox coffin and duct-taped it shut. The shoebox was burned in the possession of the other lodge members that weekend (because it wrong to burn things in a church that has already suffered a major fire). We discovered that duct tape burns faster than paper and cardboard---a helpful tip that I might use for magical effect in the future (I do a lot of fire sacrifice magic). The reason for the photo being posted so late is simply that it has been sitting in the camera for days on end.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Most important Neophyte skill
One of the most important things I have ever learned is the ability to say the following:
I don't know.
It is a skill that I think that many Neophytes forget to learn because they are too busy trying to prove that they know something.
All the best leaders and occultists I know, as well as the best writers and college students, all possess the ego strength and the wisdom to be able to say that statement. It takes more ego strength and wisdom to say, "I don't know" than it does to attempt to bluff your way though something that you have no clue about.
My personal opinion is that the occult community would be a much better place if we had more leaders and teachers willingly to admit their ignorance. And not only as a show of their (oh so false) humility either.
Then again, maybe I am the only person in the world who respect people who can say that statement truthfully.
I don't know.
It is a skill that I think that many Neophytes forget to learn because they are too busy trying to prove that they know something.
All the best leaders and occultists I know, as well as the best writers and college students, all possess the ego strength and the wisdom to be able to say that statement. It takes more ego strength and wisdom to say, "I don't know" than it does to attempt to bluff your way though something that you have no clue about.
My personal opinion is that the occult community would be a much better place if we had more leaders and teachers willingly to admit their ignorance. And not only as a show of their (oh so false) humility either.
Then again, maybe I am the only person in the world who respect people who can say that statement truthfully.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Nothing says Dad like beer
Nothing says "Dad" like beer. Well, not really...but I imagine most people associate their dad with beer. In my case, I associate my father with old neon beer signs; and the fact that despite the family myth saying that he was a drunk, he didn't actually touch a drop the last decade of his life. Of course, a friend of mine pointed out that everybody's dad seemed to collect old neon beer signs at one point. I would write more, but a storm is happening and that last lightning strike was really close. Happy Father's Day!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Minor business accomplishments today
Today, I finally got around to setting up a blog page for my wife's business---Celtic Soul Jewelry and Pottery. I also set up a Facebook fanpage for it. She does not need them yet, but one thing I have learned---it is better to set up your pages before you need them (it is nice when the spiders can find them). So if you are interested in following the developments, including photos of her latest work, of my wife's business, check out the new blog. Besides, setting up the new web presences, I also took about three hundred photos (about one gigabyte) today; I think maybe a dozen are usable. It was a bad lighting day. Hopefully, tomorrow is better for photography.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
The public speaks out on the publication of Inner Order material
Today in the digest version of the messages on the Magical Working Group yahoo forum, there was the final results of a poll on secrecy and how people felt about the publication of Inner Order material.
(Warning---this was an online poll, done on a Yahoo forum, a forum that focuses on helping people study and use the Cicero's Self-Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition book---other forums and polls will show different results. If you know of other polls that have been done, share links with me, so that I can present a wider sample of results---thanks.)
The poll was created in September 2009, and just closed today (or yesterday). A total of 32 people voted (I presume that I was one of them...but I don't remember if I did this one or not---it does not matter, everyone knows my opinion on the subject if they are a regular reader of my writing.)
The question was:
"Some people have questioned the motivations for publishing Inner Order material, such as in the cases of Crowley and Regardie. Do you see this as defending the Golden Dawn tradition by releasing further information that would be of value to Orders and students which do not have typical access to these and further remaining documents?"
The possible answers (and the number of votes---percentage is how Yahoo sees it) were:
"Absolutely NOT!" (None, zero, not a single vote.)
"Keep them private" (Two votes, 6%)
"I think it [to] be of value, but only to responsible Temples and members" (Six votes, 18 %)
"As long as its NOT for personal motivations, not making money, and any personal notoriety" (Twenty-four votes, 75%)
Ok, before anyone points it out---yes, the answers are worded funny. I personally would have included another answer, or at least, tried to---Yahoo is not the world's best poll taking device. The third answer does not define who a "member" is, and the fourth answer probably does not fit the reason Aleister Crowley published.
Nevertheless, the fact that the majority of people voted in favor (sort-of) for publication says something. I am not sure what it says, but it says something. Of course, as a writer and business manager, I tend to look at it as a market problem---Are people actually buying the product? And would it be more beneficial to the bottom line to hoard the information?
I know that you have your own opinion---you are welcome to share it in the comment section; but please remember that I moderate the comments, not everything gets approved (flames and spam gets toosed into the round pixel file). Also remember that it can take me up to forty-eight hours to get back to the computer to check for comments---after all, I have a novel that I am working on.
(Warning---this was an online poll, done on a Yahoo forum, a forum that focuses on helping people study and use the Cicero's Self-Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition book---other forums and polls will show different results. If you know of other polls that have been done, share links with me, so that I can present a wider sample of results---thanks.)
The poll was created in September 2009, and just closed today (or yesterday). A total of 32 people voted (I presume that I was one of them...but I don't remember if I did this one or not---it does not matter, everyone knows my opinion on the subject if they are a regular reader of my writing.)
The question was:
"Some people have questioned the motivations for publishing Inner Order material, such as in the cases of Crowley and Regardie. Do you see this as defending the Golden Dawn tradition by releasing further information that would be of value to Orders and students which do not have typical access to these and further remaining documents?"
The possible answers (and the number of votes---percentage is how Yahoo sees it) were:
"Absolutely NOT!" (None, zero, not a single vote.)
"Keep them private" (Two votes, 6%)
"I think it [to] be of value, but only to responsible Temples and members" (Six votes, 18 %)
"As long as its NOT for personal motivations, not making money, and any personal notoriety" (Twenty-four votes, 75%)
Ok, before anyone points it out---yes, the answers are worded funny. I personally would have included another answer, or at least, tried to---Yahoo is not the world's best poll taking device. The third answer does not define who a "member" is, and the fourth answer probably does not fit the reason Aleister Crowley published.
Nevertheless, the fact that the majority of people voted in favor (sort-of) for publication says something. I am not sure what it says, but it says something. Of course, as a writer and business manager, I tend to look at it as a market problem---Are people actually buying the product? And would it be more beneficial to the bottom line to hoard the information?
I know that you have your own opinion---you are welcome to share it in the comment section; but please remember that I moderate the comments, not everything gets approved (flames and spam gets toosed into the round pixel file). Also remember that it can take me up to forty-eight hours to get back to the computer to check for comments---after all, I have a novel that I am working on.
Monday, June 13, 2011
And now a word from our sponsor
The regular readers of my blogs will notice that I have changed the advertising layout. Adsense (AdChoices) is getting a lower space in the sidebar, and the prime plot of pixel space is being given to my primary sponsor---my wife. As most of my regular readers know she is currently branching out in making handmade ceramic jewelry pieces, which are being crafted into items for her Etsy shop---Celtic Soul Jewelry. This is also a secret advertisement for myself, for the photographs that she is using for her online shop (including this beautiful shot) are being taken by me.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Next big project
Someone asked what my next big project is going to be after I finish tonight's Open Full Moon ritual. And I thought I would post the answer here for everyone who is curious.
After the OFM tonight, I am going to be focused on fixing the Three Officer version of the Neophyte Ritual---for those who just want the script (no commentary) and just want an e-version of it, I am going to be putting up a version on SmashWords---hopefully soon.
I am also working on an urban fantasy novel---starring a cab-driving troll, as well as a collection of (hopefully) comedic observations about Wicca (working title: A Pack of Wiccan Lies---a title that needs to be changed because no one outside of myself likes it).
Besides all this, I am reading several books on alchemy, and taking a lot of pictures of my wife's jewelery. The latter project is actually the "trump" project that threatens to prevent the successful completation of anything else, including the project that I should be most focused on---for it must be given top priority, despite its low priority for both my own personal development and business (I might blog about why it is the trump project later on).
After the OFM tonight, I am going to be focused on fixing the Three Officer version of the Neophyte Ritual---for those who just want the script (no commentary) and just want an e-version of it, I am going to be putting up a version on SmashWords---hopefully soon.
I am also working on an urban fantasy novel---starring a cab-driving troll, as well as a collection of (hopefully) comedic observations about Wicca (working title: A Pack of Wiccan Lies---a title that needs to be changed because no one outside of myself likes it).
Besides all this, I am reading several books on alchemy, and taking a lot of pictures of my wife's jewelery. The latter project is actually the "trump" project that threatens to prevent the successful completation of anything else, including the project that I should be most focused on---for it must be given top priority, despite its low priority for both my own personal development and business (I might blog about why it is the trump project later on).
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Upcoming Events and a new blog to follow
Tonight, I am going to be doing the final research for Friday's Open Full Moon ritual. That and watching So You Think That You Can Dance? Yes, I watch TV; it is so sad how I chose to spend my time.
My wife is getting ready for a Psychic Fair that happening at Spiritways on Saturday, June 11th. She will be selling her jewelry---as if you didn't already know. The Psychic Fair is actually both Saturday and Sunday. 10 am to 7 pm Saturday/ Noon to 4 pm Sunday. Spiritways is located at 3301 E. Colfax, Denver Colorado.
And for those who are not aware of this yet, Tabatha Cicero is doing a new blog and has posted an entry on Westcott's Enochian Tablets. This brings up the number of blogs that I am following up to 185. Recently, Tabatha also did an article on Westcott's Enochian Tablets for Hermetic Virtue Magazine---and there will be an upcoming book on this subject (I forget who is publishing the book).
My wife is getting ready for a Psychic Fair that happening at Spiritways on Saturday, June 11th. She will be selling her jewelry---as if you didn't already know. The Psychic Fair is actually both Saturday and Sunday. 10 am to 7 pm Saturday/ Noon to 4 pm Sunday. Spiritways is located at 3301 E. Colfax, Denver Colorado.
And for those who are not aware of this yet, Tabatha Cicero is doing a new blog and has posted an entry on Westcott's Enochian Tablets. This brings up the number of blogs that I am following up to 185. Recently, Tabatha also did an article on Westcott's Enochian Tablets for Hermetic Virtue Magazine---and there will be an upcoming book on this subject (I forget who is publishing the book).
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
I do my own artwork
I do my own artwork and photography. That needs to be understood if the the following statement is going to make any type of sense. I don't care if you think it is a waste of time or not. One of the recent comments that was tossed about in the flurry of the latest Epic of Hurt Feelings is that someone was wasting a whole bunch of their time playing around with photoshop. I was disappointed to learn that the photoshopped images were actually being farmed out (outsourced)---being done by an internet artist---and not being done by one of the people involved in the ruckus. *sigh* Does it change the humor level of the images? No. But it did seem like an enjoyable way to vent. And I am equally disappointed by the person who thought that someone should be doing "Work" rather than playing around with photoshop. Playing around with photoshop is work (I also edit all my own artwork and photos---hence why they look like they were done by a six-year old). I do not like the implication that art and photography and photoshop are not proper activities for an Adept to engage in. It is part of my skill set (it might end up being my "earn-the-rent" job). What next? It is a waste of time to pet my cat or make love to my wife? It is a slippery slope when you start deciding what is proper for an Adept to do in their spare time---one cannot be in circle all the time (literally, not figuratively). Even if one does not like the use of photoshopped images, one should not say that the activity of making them is complete waste of time---there would be less murders in the world if more people were busy using photoshop instead (or curses, or drunken and disorderly, or fill-in-the-blank). That is my dime of wisdom for the day.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Last minute ritual changes
Talked to one of my helpers for Friday's Open Full Moon ritual. We were debating if we should flip the first story with the second story of the ritual. Hmmm, I am not sure. And honestly, I will not know until the last moment what we will decide.
What?! You say that your rituals are actually planned and mapped out better.
Good for you.
But for Friday's ritual, I can't make certain decisions before the very last moment.
Why? you ask.
Simple, Friday's OFM is about Storytelling and Interaction with the Audience. Without a time machine, the best I can do is wait to see the mood of my audience before making certain last minute changes in the ritual.
In many ways, it reminds me of running a restaurant. You can do all the prep you want, but you cannot premake certain items---you must wait until someone orders them to know how many you actually needed.
Oh, sure you can make the items---it is just that fresh cooked food is better than premade food sitting in a steam table. I presume that I am not the only one that feels this way.
And in the case of this ritual, certain decisions are actually going to be based on Audience Responses. As I said, I do not have a time machine. So here is to the last minute decisions that I am going to make. Hopefully, none of them get me called a Bad Monkey!
What?! You say that your rituals are actually planned and mapped out better.
Good for you.
But for Friday's ritual, I can't make certain decisions before the very last moment.
Why? you ask.
Simple, Friday's OFM is about Storytelling and Interaction with the Audience. Without a time machine, the best I can do is wait to see the mood of my audience before making certain last minute changes in the ritual.
In many ways, it reminds me of running a restaurant. You can do all the prep you want, but you cannot premake certain items---you must wait until someone orders them to know how many you actually needed.
Oh, sure you can make the items---it is just that fresh cooked food is better than premade food sitting in a steam table. I presume that I am not the only one that feels this way.
And in the case of this ritual, certain decisions are actually going to be based on Audience Responses. As I said, I do not have a time machine. So here is to the last minute decisions that I am going to make. Hopefully, none of them get me called a Bad Monkey!
QoD Ronald Hutton
Actually, this should be quotes of the day, but it would just be confusing to have a label like that. Yes, I am guilty of reading the latest piece by Ronald Hutton, Writing the History of Witchcraft: A Personal View, that was just published in the latest issue of The Pomegrante. Three months ago, I wouldn't have been bothered to read this, being more of the "What shiny pieces does your tradition have that are not bolted down properly" type of magical worker than the type of pagan/Wiccan that is concerned about what academic historians say about my religion and other interests. Heck, three months ago, I didn't even know who Hutton was. But hey, everyone else is going to be talking about this in the morning, so I better read the article.
For those who just want my conclusion on whether Ronald Hutton should be trusted, just skip to the end, for I discovered that I was biased and not in the way that I am supposed to be as a Golden Dawn authority. I am going to have to turn in my union card---the (human) Third Order is so going to expel me from the tradition for this bias--the real Secret Chiefs (the cats) will agree, just because they are tired of members showing up at the house and disturbing their naps.
Pages numbers are the same as the journal---remember I use MLA style (###) on my blog because footnoting is such a pain to do on blogger.
"[The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Pagan Witchcraft] was not a general history of Paganism, ancient or modern, in Britain or anywhere else. It did not treat of the history of witchcraft outside Britain, except in as much as that affected British developments. It was certainly not intended to attack the foundational claims of Wicca, because in Britain confidence in those claims had already collapsed" (240).
By the time, I joined the Wiccan community in the early 1980s, the foundational story/myth was pretty much ignored, at least in the circles that I traveled in. Occasionally, I still run into someone that believes that the witch-hunts actually was being conducted to purge the remains of a pagan religion---I tend to humor them. Also on occasion, I run into someone that claims to be fam-trad---I really humor them---they tend to be teenagers! Of course, this is America; everyone in America is delusional, more or less. As for the European community, may I remind you that I am not in Europe and that American Wicca comes from Britian, or at least the branch I belong to does. If things are different in Europe, fine and well, but my membership is American---British descent.
"By characterizing witchcraft as a good Pagan religion, persecuted by Christianity, it made nonsense of the fact that ancient European Pagans had tried and executed people, sometimes on a huge scale, for the same crimes (esstentially, attempting to harm others by magical means) as those alleged against early modern witches, only lacking the element of Satanism" (241).
Yeah, that was a bad PR move.
"Triumph was therefore written not to demolish a belief system but to fill a vacuum created by the collapse of one. Both in professional terms and those of my standing among Pagans, it would have been far better for me had I been able to rescue the old orthodoxy instead. To prove the existence of an early modern Pagan witch religion, after all, would have been a sensational coup among historians, while to prove its endurance to the present day would have endeared me to all modern Pagan witches. I simply found the task impossible, and indeed it became more so as my research for the book went on" (241).
I feel like taking him at his word about the purpose of his book. And as a fellow scholar (humor me), I so understand the Holy Grail of academic research---every scholar wishes to pull off a coup.
"[Modern Paganism's] goddess and god were not the deities of a few cranks, drawing on long-distant ancient images, but deity-forms who had manifested themselves to some of the greatest of all British poest, novelists, and scholars. Its beliefs and rites reflected some of the deepest needs of the modern British soul, and it was not a phemomenon marginal to society in general but drew on impulses which were central to it" (241).
Ok, I will admit to being stupid. I see nothing wrong with this statement. Someone please explain why I am supposed to be upset with this man and his work.
"[My] work re-evaluated generally beloved writers such as John Keats, Percy Shelley, Robert Browning, Algernon Swinburne, Charlotte Bronte, Rider Haggard, Kenneth Grahame, and D. H. Lawrence, among many others, and entitled Pagans today legitimately to claim them as forebears" (242).
The Literature major, that is me, just gave this girlish rock star sighting scream. Hutton is giving my goal as a History/Literature double major a boost, some evidence to argue with the heads of my programs that my eventual academic goal is a real academic goal. Again, I really need someone to explain to me why I am supposed to hate this man.
On that note, I am going to hit "publish post" and leave it to those people who are smarter than I am and less invested in this issue to decide if the rest of us should listen to the man. I am the wrong person to do so; after all, I am the man (without knowing of Hutton) who walked into college planning on tracing symbols that informed modern occult thought though literary references from ancient times to the present. My planned focus as a scholar says that I should be defending the man's research. Yes, I will admit that I am biased in this case.
Cue the people who are smarter and less invested than I am to weigh if Ronald Hutton needs to be burned for his heresy.
For those who just want my conclusion on whether Ronald Hutton should be trusted, just skip to the end, for I discovered that I was biased and not in the way that I am supposed to be as a Golden Dawn authority. I am going to have to turn in my union card---the (human) Third Order is so going to expel me from the tradition for this bias--the real Secret Chiefs (the cats) will agree, just because they are tired of members showing up at the house and disturbing their naps.
Pages numbers are the same as the journal---remember I use MLA style (###) on my blog because footnoting is such a pain to do on blogger.
"[The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Pagan Witchcraft] was not a general history of Paganism, ancient or modern, in Britain or anywhere else. It did not treat of the history of witchcraft outside Britain, except in as much as that affected British developments. It was certainly not intended to attack the foundational claims of Wicca, because in Britain confidence in those claims had already collapsed" (240).
By the time, I joined the Wiccan community in the early 1980s, the foundational story/myth was pretty much ignored, at least in the circles that I traveled in. Occasionally, I still run into someone that believes that the witch-hunts actually was being conducted to purge the remains of a pagan religion---I tend to humor them. Also on occasion, I run into someone that claims to be fam-trad---I really humor them---they tend to be teenagers! Of course, this is America; everyone in America is delusional, more or less. As for the European community, may I remind you that I am not in Europe and that American Wicca comes from Britian, or at least the branch I belong to does. If things are different in Europe, fine and well, but my membership is American---British descent.
"By characterizing witchcraft as a good Pagan religion, persecuted by Christianity, it made nonsense of the fact that ancient European Pagans had tried and executed people, sometimes on a huge scale, for the same crimes (esstentially, attempting to harm others by magical means) as those alleged against early modern witches, only lacking the element of Satanism" (241).
Yeah, that was a bad PR move.
"Triumph was therefore written not to demolish a belief system but to fill a vacuum created by the collapse of one. Both in professional terms and those of my standing among Pagans, it would have been far better for me had I been able to rescue the old orthodoxy instead. To prove the existence of an early modern Pagan witch religion, after all, would have been a sensational coup among historians, while to prove its endurance to the present day would have endeared me to all modern Pagan witches. I simply found the task impossible, and indeed it became more so as my research for the book went on" (241).
I feel like taking him at his word about the purpose of his book. And as a fellow scholar (humor me), I so understand the Holy Grail of academic research---every scholar wishes to pull off a coup.
"[Modern Paganism's] goddess and god were not the deities of a few cranks, drawing on long-distant ancient images, but deity-forms who had manifested themselves to some of the greatest of all British poest, novelists, and scholars. Its beliefs and rites reflected some of the deepest needs of the modern British soul, and it was not a phemomenon marginal to society in general but drew on impulses which were central to it" (241).
Ok, I will admit to being stupid. I see nothing wrong with this statement. Someone please explain why I am supposed to be upset with this man and his work.
"[My] work re-evaluated generally beloved writers such as John Keats, Percy Shelley, Robert Browning, Algernon Swinburne, Charlotte Bronte, Rider Haggard, Kenneth Grahame, and D. H. Lawrence, among many others, and entitled Pagans today legitimately to claim them as forebears" (242).
The Literature major, that is me, just gave this girlish rock star sighting scream. Hutton is giving my goal as a History/Literature double major a boost, some evidence to argue with the heads of my programs that my eventual academic goal is a real academic goal. Again, I really need someone to explain to me why I am supposed to hate this man.
On that note, I am going to hit "publish post" and leave it to those people who are smarter than I am and less invested in this issue to decide if the rest of us should listen to the man. I am the wrong person to do so; after all, I am the man (without knowing of Hutton) who walked into college planning on tracing symbols that informed modern occult thought though literary references from ancient times to the present. My planned focus as a scholar says that I should be defending the man's research. Yes, I will admit that I am biased in this case.
Cue the people who are smarter and less invested than I am to weigh if Ronald Hutton needs to be burned for his heresy.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Why I dont use Opening by Watchtower more often
Jason Miller, over on his blog, just asked why all the ritual outlines we see tend to start with LBRP or LBRH, and not the Opening by Watchtower, when doing practical magic in the Golden Dawn/Modern Magick context.
(For the sure-to-stumble-upon-this-post newbie: LBRP---Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram; LBRH---Lesser Ritual of the Hexagram; Modern Magick is the title of a book by Donald Michael Kraig, which has became the core textbook for a lot of people.)
I am not sure that I have a good answer for him. For that matter, I am not sure if I am in the context that he is talking about. I presume that I am. If not, *shrugs*.
So here is my personal answer, I generally skip the LBRP and LBRH in my own workspace; it is used for lodge and ritual related work mainly, so I only occasionally have to clean up after a non-ritual use. But I teach that if your ritual room is used for something else, then one really should do the Lesser Rituals of Banishment.
(The use of the room by the cats do not count...though occasionally I do wonder what they are doing with the simple Enochian Chess set.)
And most of my rituals start with the proper Opening of the Grade that I am working in. The kicker is that the Opening by Watchtower is not part of any of the Golden Dawn Openings that my Order uses. Therefore, I do not spend a lot of time working with it. (There is Enochian in the Openings, but not this particular ritual.)
As for the greater Golden Dawn/Ritual Magick community not using the Opening by Watchtower more often, I would venture the guess that they are taking their cue from what they see other people doing. Given the fact that most are learning from reading books and other material, it is natural for them to think of this as the proper way of doing things. If you see a hundred outlines saying that the Lesser Rituals of the Pentagram and Hexagram is the proper way to start, and only one that says otherwise, you tend to go with the majority opinion.
I learned practical magic by observing actual people doing the work, therefore I picked up a different set of habits. Of course, one wonders how the people who showed me Our Arte and Craft overlooked the fact that most of the Regardie examples start off with the Lesser Rituals of Banishment. Then again, one wonders how the Modern Magick community have ignored Kraig's examples. I know the answer to the former, but not the latter.
If you have a better answer than mine, please hop over to Jason Miller's blog and tell it to him.
(For the sure-to-stumble-upon-this-post newbie: LBRP---Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram; LBRH---Lesser Ritual of the Hexagram; Modern Magick is the title of a book by Donald Michael Kraig, which has became the core textbook for a lot of people.)
I am not sure that I have a good answer for him. For that matter, I am not sure if I am in the context that he is talking about. I presume that I am. If not, *shrugs*.
So here is my personal answer, I generally skip the LBRP and LBRH in my own workspace; it is used for lodge and ritual related work mainly, so I only occasionally have to clean up after a non-ritual use. But I teach that if your ritual room is used for something else, then one really should do the Lesser Rituals of Banishment.
(The use of the room by the cats do not count...though occasionally I do wonder what they are doing with the simple Enochian Chess set.)
And most of my rituals start with the proper Opening of the Grade that I am working in. The kicker is that the Opening by Watchtower is not part of any of the Golden Dawn Openings that my Order uses. Therefore, I do not spend a lot of time working with it. (There is Enochian in the Openings, but not this particular ritual.)
As for the greater Golden Dawn/Ritual Magick community not using the Opening by Watchtower more often, I would venture the guess that they are taking their cue from what they see other people doing. Given the fact that most are learning from reading books and other material, it is natural for them to think of this as the proper way of doing things. If you see a hundred outlines saying that the Lesser Rituals of the Pentagram and Hexagram is the proper way to start, and only one that says otherwise, you tend to go with the majority opinion.
I learned practical magic by observing actual people doing the work, therefore I picked up a different set of habits. Of course, one wonders how the people who showed me Our Arte and Craft overlooked the fact that most of the Regardie examples start off with the Lesser Rituals of Banishment. Then again, one wonders how the Modern Magick community have ignored Kraig's examples. I know the answer to the former, but not the latter.
If you have a better answer than mine, please hop over to Jason Miller's blog and tell it to him.
MTGN Queen of Ignorance
This is one of those times that I can tell that I am more interested in the concept than actually getting the art right. Believe it or not, this was originally meant to be a picture of Sarah Palin. Yes, once again, I am poking fun at politicans. Of course, if Palin decides to run for President in 2012 and wins, I will be shot or imprisoned; after all, according to Sarah Palin, freedom of the press is all about saying nice things about Christians, Republicans, and our reptilian Overlords. The media picks on her too much, and the blogosphere laughs whenever she says something---we take her quotes out of context all the time. It is so sad. For instance, the flavor quote on this card is an actual Sarah Palin tweet: "'Refudiate,' 'misunderestimate,' 'wee-wee'd up.' English is a living language. Shakespeare liked to coin new words too. Got to celebrate it." Instead of admitting that she is as great of a writer as Shakespeare (William is rolling over in his grave), we crown her the Queen of Ignorance. And that is just wrong. Of course, if Palin had the brains to play Magic the Gathering, she would realize that the mechanics of this card are mocking her also. Queen of Ignorance is a 5/5 legend, which costs three green mana to cost. When the Queen of Ignorance enters play, all green creatures that the player controls must be buried; at least, one green creature must die for her to materialize. All blue spells cost an additional blue mana to cast. Queen of Ignorance can be tapped to bury a target green creature. And just like the real Palin, everytime the Queen of Ignorance is tapped, she deals one damage to her controlling player. Yes, I think that Palin will close all the libraries, kill all the animals, set fire to all the forests, and generally hurt the Republican Party everytime she opens her mouth.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Once a Witch Always a Witch
After I came out of the broom closet, my mom occasionally would be heard to mutter, "Once a witch, always a witch." She picked up that saying from her sister, a Gardnerian Wiccan. While my mom thought that I was a Satanist (probably still does), she never tried to save my soul by getting me to convert to Christianity. I have to give her points for that.
And today, I have to take points away from the Catholic Church.
The Catholic Church has issued a book though the Catholic Truth Society telling its members how to talk to and convert Wiccans: Wicca and Witchcraft---Understanding the Dangers.
"To marginalised and spiritually hungry generations the growing spiritual phenomena of Wicca and witchcraft have proved attractive, with much to offer: power, supernatural abilities and socially acceptable agendas such as eco-activism and feminism. This booklet examines their origins, history, beliefs and practices, and then explains Catholic teaching’s cogent assessment of them. Furthermore it explores why young people are attracted to Wicca, and describes ways in which it is possible to bring witches and wiccans to Christ and his Church."
And it is written by a former Wiccan, Elizabeth Dodd. Oy Vey, as my Jewish friends would say.
Of course, a bigger Oy Vey comes from the fact that the book is the result of fears that movies like Harry Potter are encouraging witchcraft. Really? Gee, they are going to be highly disappointed when they join, ain't they?
Every generation has its "And Product X is driving kids to dabble in witchcraft." In my day, it was the role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons. D&D is not nearly as dangerous of a game as Monopoly. (Think about it---what is the one lesson you learn from Monopoly?)
Ironically, my mother muttering is closer to the truth. Some people are just born witches, and are going to embrace Wicca or other non-traditional religious practices as soon as they stumble over them. And stuck with them, despite outside pressure.
(Though it should be noted that in my case, I had no idea what a witch was the first time I used it to describe myself. Maybe I picked up the word from my aunt, though I never remember her using it around me. Someday, I really should ask the Wiccan community if they want me as a member.)
Some interesting ideas in the book:
70% of Wiccans are young women. I am not sure where she gets that figure from---it seems a little off to me. Maybe I am hanging around with too many old crones---who will hit me with brooms the next time they see me.
Aleister Crowley supported Wicca. No, no, no. He didn't. Wicca was not even around yet when he was alive. How can you support something that doesn't exist yet. (And yes, I know both responses---and they are besides my point.)
Points to start the conversion process---Wiccans' concern for the envirnoment and the fact that Wiccans are on a genuine spiritual quest. Hmmm, and the Catholic Church claims not to be a big business.
I wish them luck in their conversion process, but I doubt that they will be converting any of my friends. But at least, they are not recommending burning us at the stake---today, that is.
And today, I have to take points away from the Catholic Church.
The Catholic Church has issued a book though the Catholic Truth Society telling its members how to talk to and convert Wiccans: Wicca and Witchcraft---Understanding the Dangers.
"To marginalised and spiritually hungry generations the growing spiritual phenomena of Wicca and witchcraft have proved attractive, with much to offer: power, supernatural abilities and socially acceptable agendas such as eco-activism and feminism. This booklet examines their origins, history, beliefs and practices, and then explains Catholic teaching’s cogent assessment of them. Furthermore it explores why young people are attracted to Wicca, and describes ways in which it is possible to bring witches and wiccans to Christ and his Church."
And it is written by a former Wiccan, Elizabeth Dodd. Oy Vey, as my Jewish friends would say.
Of course, a bigger Oy Vey comes from the fact that the book is the result of fears that movies like Harry Potter are encouraging witchcraft. Really? Gee, they are going to be highly disappointed when they join, ain't they?
Every generation has its "And Product X is driving kids to dabble in witchcraft." In my day, it was the role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons. D&D is not nearly as dangerous of a game as Monopoly. (Think about it---what is the one lesson you learn from Monopoly?)
Ironically, my mother muttering is closer to the truth. Some people are just born witches, and are going to embrace Wicca or other non-traditional religious practices as soon as they stumble over them. And stuck with them, despite outside pressure.
(Though it should be noted that in my case, I had no idea what a witch was the first time I used it to describe myself. Maybe I picked up the word from my aunt, though I never remember her using it around me. Someday, I really should ask the Wiccan community if they want me as a member.)
Some interesting ideas in the book:
70% of Wiccans are young women. I am not sure where she gets that figure from---it seems a little off to me. Maybe I am hanging around with too many old crones---who will hit me with brooms the next time they see me.
Aleister Crowley supported Wicca. No, no, no. He didn't. Wicca was not even around yet when he was alive. How can you support something that doesn't exist yet. (And yes, I know both responses---and they are besides my point.)
Points to start the conversion process---Wiccans' concern for the envirnoment and the fact that Wiccans are on a genuine spiritual quest. Hmmm, and the Catholic Church claims not to be a big business.
I wish them luck in their conversion process, but I doubt that they will be converting any of my friends. But at least, they are not recommending burning us at the stake---today, that is.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Details for the June 10th 2011 Open Full Moon Ritual
My advertising copy for the June 10th 2011 Hearthstone Community Church Open Full Moon Ritual.
Bast Temple's most notorious member, Morgan Drake Eckstein, is leading the June 10th OFM. It is story time as Morgan tells myths to the children (both kid kids and adult kids). The ritual focuses on something you want (desire), something you would like to get rid of, and some talent you wished you had.
Hearthstone Community Church Open Full Moon Rituals are held upstairs at the First Unitarian Church at 14th and Lafaytte, Denver Colorado. The second floor is accessible though the elevator in the back. Doors open at 7 pm, with the ritual starting at 7:30 pm (community announcements occur just before the ritual starts).
Hearthstone OFMs are children and beginner friendly unless otherwise noted. The June 10th OFM is definitely children and beginner friendly. The biggest danger is that you might get picked on during the middle of a fairy tale, but remember you can always hackle Morgan back. After all, he is used to being hackled.
Suggested donation (not required, so don't sweat it if you can't afford it) is five dollars. Donations go towards offsetting the cost of the renting the room.
Bast Temple's most notorious member, Morgan Drake Eckstein, is leading the June 10th OFM. It is story time as Morgan tells myths to the children (both kid kids and adult kids). The ritual focuses on something you want (desire), something you would like to get rid of, and some talent you wished you had.
Hearthstone Community Church Open Full Moon Rituals are held upstairs at the First Unitarian Church at 14th and Lafaytte, Denver Colorado. The second floor is accessible though the elevator in the back. Doors open at 7 pm, with the ritual starting at 7:30 pm (community announcements occur just before the ritual starts).
Hearthstone OFMs are children and beginner friendly unless otherwise noted. The June 10th OFM is definitely children and beginner friendly. The biggest danger is that you might get picked on during the middle of a fairy tale, but remember you can always hackle Morgan back. After all, he is used to being hackled.
Suggested donation (not required, so don't sweat it if you can't afford it) is five dollars. Donations go towards offsetting the cost of the renting the room.
Celtic Soul Jewelry photo day
Decided to spend the day photographing pictures of the jewelry that my wife is making for her online Etsy shop: Celtic Soul Jewelry. She caught me in the right mood, and I had uploaded three articles that I wrote to internet the night before, so I decided that today was as good as a day as any to fix the bad set of photos that previously been uploaded to Etsy. How bad were they? You didn't see me give a link to them, did you? My professional standards kicked in, and you know how I get---I refuse to give links to sites that I consider eye-sores. I think the primary problem was that the lighting and backgrounds for the pieces were bad. So today, the seven pieces that she had already up on Etsy got new photos. I am still not happy with the thumbnails; I need to actually figure out the best way to do this project for that site. Nevertheless, I am much happier with the new photos. And hopefully, it was a slow news day on the internet, and I didn't miss anything of importance today. Tomorrow, I got to write a newsletter column and a blurb for the June 10th Hearthstone Community Church Open Full Moon Ritual which I am leading (hello boys and girls, it is story time). Oh, if you are curious, all three pendants seen in this photo are available in the Etsy shop: Celtic Soul Jewelry.
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