Ever notice there is an energy around the blog world that seems to be contagious, and suddenly everyone is writing about the same thing? Yes I guess we are connected! And not only through a wireless internet feed!
Lately I have started realizing not only how so very tired I am of the argument over what is the "authentic, real, original , ancient," way to practice (insert tradition of Paganism here ) but also how ridiculous this argument is. I truly do not understand why some people feel they need to announce that they possess the real knowledge or practice the real whatever, because (insert anything here, from lineage, to education, to certificate, to initiation....) I mean, I have to hope, if there were such a thing as a real, authentic, older-than-dirt Pagan, this person would be way too spiritually evolved to walk around boasting about it. Wouldn't he/she have better things to do? I mean, have you seen what a mess the world is lately? Geez.
I do not know of any ancestral roots that I have in Witchcraft or any kind of folk magic or Paganism. As far as I know, my family, on both sides were Roman Catholic. I don't know much about my genealogy past my grandparents. My stumbling upon this thing called paganism was completely by accident, and yet, it happened at a time when I absolutely needed it. But that is not the end of the story. From then on, I learned. I studied, I read, and most of all I practiced. Along the way I adjusted a bit of this, rejected a bit of that and added anything that resonated with me. And so, in the process I did not limit myself by any particular tradition - not that there's anything wrong with that, just that I never found one way that was a good fit. And since I don't have a family tradition of Paganism, I didn't feel I had to abide by any ancestral traditions. I stumbled onto my spiritual path and then I continued to travel it, picking up a bit of the local customs here and there. And the result was and is beautiful, and magical and mine.
And, the truth is this IS the tradition. Learning through others. And because we are unique humans, we can't help but throw our own individual styles into the mix, and so when we teach someone else, it is a slightly different practice than the one we were taught. And so on and so on. Our practices evolve and change and we beg, borrow and steal traditions because we are intrigued by them. I'll admit, I am a magic junkie and if you tell me of a cool way to do such and such, I sure as hell am going to give it a try. And if I like it and it works for me, I'm going to tell someone else. And you know what? I'm not the only one who does this - we all do. And you know what else? That's how it is supposed to be.
So I do what I do. And I don't get into arguments about what is "right" or "wrong." And the thing is there are no true authentic paths. Every religion or belief system has been/ is colored to a certain degree, by other religions/belief systems, somewhere along the way, whether it be due to the influence of waring tribes of people, the relocation of slaves, or secret societies/ceremonial magic, or now, just the normal migration and immigration of many cultures, the everyday mingling with those of other faiths and our ability to communicate easily via the internet. You would think that we would discover, as those that study Shamanism have, that despite the many miles between us, the language and culture barriers, we all have very similar beliefs. And yet, some of us get hung up on the details. Some want their ways to be the right ones. The oldest ones. The true ones.
I don't know if there is a pure spiritual path, one not colored by any other. And if there is, I doubt it is as interesting, as rich as one that incorporates the ways of other cultures, combining and blending the magic, recognizing its amazing similarities and experimenting, mixing, sifting, stirrirng, watching what comes of these unique ingredients - and delighting in the results. For me, the more "mixed up" a tradition, the more interesting. I have my limits, as some of you know, but that's only in regards to mixing well established and contrary belief systems on purpose hence abiding by the rules of neither. But - enough of that or I'll get into trouble.
So. I know that a few people in blogland are also tiring of this "pissing contest." I am not, by any stretch of the imagination, the only one.
I just wish we could all get along. I mean, think of all the cool things we could share..
© Aine O’Brien - Please do not use without permission
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16 comments:
Well said, Aine. I stay out of this stupidity myself... my goodness, there is just way too much bickering when there should be solidarity. I don't have a traditional witchcraft or pagan background, and it doesn't take long to realise that most of us don't. Some are lucky to have some knowledge passed down through the generations, but that's a minority. I even have some doubts over Gardner his 'ancient' wicca. (I say show me the book!)
Why can't we all just learn from each other, accept different paths, enjoy the diversity paganism allows and all play nicely.
Amen to that! Thank you! Finally some realistic thoughts about this. I am so tired myself of all these discussions about "I do the real thing and you don't" and "you have to have witch blood". Why do some have to be so jaundiced about things. I thought the whole idea of paganism was that it's supposed to be open for individual growth and that sharing is caring.
And, let's face it, the diversity makes things exciting, if everybody did the exact same thing (boring!), how would we learn new things and grow further?
As Lyn said, more solidarity!
Blessed be!
Very well said! I love your use of the phrase "pissing contest"! It is so completely apt!
I, too, am tired of the one-upsmanship. We should all be well beyond such silliness...
Blessed be!
true that. ~)O(~
Truly, yours is not the only post I've read about this today!
Aine, well-said. I am not sure why it is so important for some pagans to feel their practice is more real than any of the rest of us. It is such a diverse world, this pagan path. As a Wiccan, I find myself a target of so many complaints, patronizing remarks, and pissiness; every week there is a kind of bash the wiccan rant somewhere. I am a solitary practitioner of Wicca, with most of the foundation of my path based on the writings of Scott Cunningham. This goes well beyond the early practice of Wicca, based on Gardner and a couple of others. It is so much more a personal, service=oriented, Old Ways witchcraft. All the "rules" pagans seem to like to complain about in Wicca, really, are not applicable in a solitary practice. I try never to take any of this personally, but enough already. Most religions all had their start somewhere, with birthing pains, changes and evolving as the world changed. Let's all just let each do their thing and stop worrying about what everyone else is doing, just as you are saying, Aine. Blessed Be.
I was totally ranting about this the other day in my blog. I want to throw things when I hear people go on about the whole "if you aren't a trad trained this or that you're wrong" or the "if you don't do it my way you're wrong"
the gods speak to us all in a way that works for us all. Who are we to say that something is more "true" or "right".
bah! people!
I completely understand and agree with your sentiments. And I think it's part of human nature, because it's there in most religions I can think of - you know, there are 'holier than thou' people in all traditions. I tend to think it's a sign of insecurity.
I think many people out there looking for their way are still searching for some kind of confirmation or "approval". Sometimes it is scary if "everybody is right" or "nobody is wrong", because then we do not have any authority to whom we can turn with our questions and insecurities.
I always think it is kind of funny if someone claims they are descendants from (insert famous witch/magician), because even if that is the case, this "magical blood" has been diluted to a point even beyond homeopathy over the centuries. And it does not make anyone a better (or more important) witch.
Lyn, yes. If we could just stop believing that older is better, this would be resolved. It's like the children's argument "I called it first!" We do need more solidarity for sure.
Elana - true enough. When I was little, I saw a lot of people nod off during Mass. Now I know why - same thing time and time again. I hope there is never a "standard" way of practicing Paganism.
Aimee, it is silly to say the least!And a sign of insecurity as Mostly Motley said!
Robin, My first pagan practice was Wicca and it saved my life. Back then Wicca was infused with the energy of Women's empowerment, something I really needed. I never practiced Gardnerian Wicca as quite frankly, as a newbie, it scared me, but practiced in a similar way you described, with my dogeared and stained copy of "Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Herbs" close by at all times.
Wicca has changed so much since the beginning, and in my opinion, for the better. I don't hear too many people reciting the rules any more. Perhaps that was more important in the beginning because (a) people might get interested in Witchcraft for the wrong reasons as there wasn't as much good information available back then and (b) most of us did not have a mentor to explain the consequences of all actions? I'm glad that you walk your own path without paying attention to those that criticize or condescend.
Cin, that is so true. I listen to the gods/spirits in my work all the time, often adjusting my practice and "recipes" accordingly. The individual unique practice probably is the traditional way..
True, Diandra. If that were the case we'd all be expected to just "know" what to do and for many people, especially those new to the path, that would be hard.
But what I see happening now is also very discouraging. If every time a less confident person or a newcomer hears that something he/she thought was right, was actually wrong, it tends to discourage them, made them feel inadequate. That's what bothers me. Those who claim to be more in the know might want to kindly offer to share rather than boast.
I totally agree with you. Those who say they're "spiritual" or authentic because they worship a certain way are no better than religious dogmatic people who say our way or else...It's esp. sad to me in the wiccan/pagan path when everyone is pointing fingers at each other. I think part of that is youth (although I may be wrong) and part fear, that they're the ones who really aren't being true to themselves. You always hit the nail on the head, Aine!
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Aine, I agree with everything you have said! I was brought up Greek Catholic and now, I call myself a witch, not Wiccan or Pagan. Wrong, right, I don't know, but I am happy. But, a lot of the books I have read, do follow more on the Wiccan path. I have always collected stones and mediated with them, from a young age and my mom has always called me a witch, in a good way. She thinks it's great the path I have chosen and wants to learn all about it. She is a Buddhist now and so is my brother. If we all can't talk, share and listen to one another, without pointing fingers and saying this is wrong, than in my eyes, there is nothing. I know when I where my pentacle charm around my neck, I get so many people looking at me, and I wonder why? Have a great day and thanks again for another wonderful post!
I could not agree more. I remember talking about a specific blogger/author that I liked and was basically told that what she did was not really the craft and I should steer clear. I enjoy a hodge podge of things gleaned gleaned from other people and even other religions. Thanks for the great post, Aine!
Well said. There is a reason why I am Hermit Witch, and this is it! Every time I interact in person with the pagan community I wind up getting so frustrated by all the bickering. From what I've seen it's usually those who know the least who make the most grandiose claims, those who only scratch the surface of their own traditions who want to vilify the traditions of others. I always wind up wanting to tell them to get their heads out from whatever orifice they have inserted them and grow up, and that doesn't usually go down very well :) so I've learnt to steer cleer and keep my own counsel. I am what I am. I do what I do. I have learnt what I have learnt from all sorts of places and it works for me. I am happy with what I do and I am happy that what others do works for them. It's not hard, is it?
In a Swedish forum at this very moment a huge discussion is going on about who has the right to call themself 'witch' and who doesn't *sigh* It's like kindergarten: "You can't be princess 'cos I said I was princess first" or something like that. It's ashame, I hope they don't scare the newcommers away.
BB everyone!
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