The More the Merrier? It’s not Only an Inaccuracy; it’s an All Out Farce!
Author: Pallas
I’m not entirely sure when it began, but I can tell you I am more than aware of its great effect on me at this point. I would love to believe that this perspective is merely the result of some overlooked detail or misinterpreted lesson somewhere. But I don’t believe it’s that simple. No, I may have to concede that this position is rather the result of a final acceptance or firmer grasp of those same lessons I once questioned.
It still feels too early in the journey to accept this but I can find no alternative. It is not for lack of trying. I have walked, talked, sat, stood, danced and droned (or droned at) on and on amongst circles, rites, rituals and prayer groups, all the while adhering to the idea that more that just energy is the reason we gather. Many times, these events have been sources of joy and knowledge and sometimes they have been unfortunate reminders that not everyone is drawn to these rites and ways in Perfect Love and Perfect Trust.
The years passed have proved that the fewer, friendlier hearts have forged smaller, but no less potent circles. This has been an immense relief in the face of those typical and oft expected periods of hardship, doubt and darkness. More so, they have proven firm foundation as the community at large began to deteriorate into an almost unrecognizable mess of bizarre merchants and pompous characters, each more intent on passing off their wares or promoting their own myth than sharing any wisdom either might afford.
Far be it from me to run, pin in hand, at anyone’s claims of power or insight. But I will not accept a community that offers more story than substance and/or more merchandise than magic! Enough already! These folks who spend more time memorizing their price lists and family trees over their roles in the ritual have spoiled the gatherings.
The rise and reform of our worship — those concepts and principals that defy any one definition or dogma — are universal. But our implementation of them as our own is still very new; yet we allow them to be too easily and quickly twisted and distorted into foreign models that are often depicted as ‘individual interpretations’ when in fact they are concealed self-serving methodologies that restrict and submit members to newly invented absolute truths. The freedom and open nature of our ideology has allowed such practices and their authors to discard the roots and resources of the past to better validate and sanction these new watered down traditions that seem to promote an even greater divide amongst the community.
The most common means used by this sort sets out a unique name for the path, fills it with unfamiliar rites, titles, and liturgy; that completely disconnects it from any semblance of its former practice-all the while sanctifying itself and its stories of origin, authenticity and authority above all others. To preserve these invented standards, the participants who qualify for these mysteries are instructed to neglect or out right ignore the ways of others, especially any of those circles, covens or groups that advocate open dialogue concerning their authorities and the proposed practices.
While independent experience and interpretation are valuable assets, we must accept that too much emphasis on eclecticism is a sure route to discord. With no respect for custom or moderation, any gathering results in a vast collection of so called masters and high clergypersons with no interest in growth or communion-only recognition and praise. It’s maddening! While I do not ask or expect for conformity or mindless participation from those drawn by the path’s liberty-I do believe some collaboration is in order for us to find any semblance of permanence or continued viability. Otherwise this immoderate forum of spiritual beliefs and experiences is like to become further distorted and ultimately lost to a culture and society that turns to it for structure and discipline.
But even as I write this the cries for my judgment and criticism are sounding off somewhere. This too has become the common practice, discredit, dismiss and despise any contrary opinion that dare call the liberal nature of today’s spiritual community into question. Ha! I could care less. I call no title, lineage nor affiliation to legitimize my position. The sources I rely on for the sake of this rant are my own personal experiences and my own reasoning. In fact, these words are more an outcry FOR my brothers and sisters rather than directed AT any of them.
I have so found little consistency and synchronicity amongst the countless groups that now name themselves as our own. Many of them show no sign of any of our earlier philosophies or methods. They make no mention of Elders or pioneers whose names go hand in hand with the very reason our philosophies and practices continue to persist! I cite this only because though names alone may not yield much pertinence, acknowledgment and respect for the works and efforts of those persons are critical for our continued progress. Yes, history in any form is subjective, but the lessons gleamed from it are precious and vital to our works. Instead of recognizing this practicality, many would refute and undermine any wisdom or merit we might take from it. Willingly and blindly accepting such a proposition is self-deluding and self-destructive.
Truly, the underlying concept of any spiritual form is liberation-but structure and discipline are necessary tools to navigate oneself to such a purpose. Once again, I do not demand conformity! Rather I offer and suggest a renewed effort towards compromise and collaboration. Without some measure of this, all we can expect to raise is a ruckus. A rising, diverse and uncontrolled horde of energies that, with no medium or model, are more like to conflict and disperse than anything else. You all know of what I write! Anyone who has bothered to go this far knows the difference of such experiences. We know, energy-like music, like fluid, like breath-requires some pattern and consistency with which to take shape and perform.
Despite these commonplace and obvious facts, I have found the community at large continues to abandon any efforts to coalesce or collaborate. Indeed, even public rituals are littered with superficial cooperation and eventual patronization and criticism. Much of which is born on an overflowing abundance of information and so called ‘secrets’ that are now bestowed by downloads and virtual initiations rather than mentors or self-discovery. The technological world now imposes more authority on magic and its practitioners than the Natural world. What sense is this?
Now every website offers THE Book of Shadows, a list of initiations and titles along with ‘great power and intuition’ after a simple 6-12 week course at a ‘nominal’ fee. Never mind Nature, simply refresh your browser for your next enlightening experience and level of ascension. You are three clicks away from attaining your title as Third Level High Priest of Atlantis (by way of Avalon, of course) . Multiply this by any figure and we arrive at a collection of people-each claiming and declaring some grand esteem and authority over the next-able to stand in the circle but completely unable to commune with the others present there.
There we go.
Well, here I am. Mantle, cloak and divine lineage rejected. Cut off from a large majority of my own community, aside from a handful of other pilgrims who found one another along the path. Neither grandiose towards nor dismissive of the others, but definitely cynical and disenfranchised. I’m left questioning, with so many scrambling to erect their own traditions and serve their own agendas: what real intention can there be to grow, share and restore the Lady, the Lord and the Land?
Witches Of The Craft® 