Monday, August 27, 2007

 

Modern Wicca and Paganism

Wicca and Paganism are the religions of the future and not of the past. This essay will serve as an introduction to a modern variety of both. I realize many Wiccans and Pagans will have their own versions but some standard will arise and I believe that standard will be closely reflected by the points in this essay.

The thoughtful person recognizes life has not come out of the void. There must be a higher Creator/Intelligence that has fashioned our universe. This ultimate Deity is beyond human comprehension and equally beyond human reach. Like the Freemasons we can call this First Source the Grand Architect of the Universe and leave it at that. There is no more to say except it has nothing to do with the Practice of Modern Wicca or Paganism.

Likewise we recognize through modern science the basic building block of all matter is the photon and its reciprocal electricity. The Grand Architect of the Universe created the universe out of light and electricity. Science tells us that matter and energy are interchangeable. The photon expands outward in all directions until it can go no further. Then it collapses inward upon itself and returns back toward the point of its origin as an electrical pulse. This is vibratory motion and duality in action.

Modern Wicca and Paganism are not in conflict with modern science, psychology or electronics. Instead they propose a view of reality that embraces them all in harmony with magickal practice, religious practice and nature.

For the Wiccan and Pagan the photon/electricity is the first expression of male and female energy. The outward expansive energy is called male energy and the inward embracing energy is called female energy. Thus both Wicca and Paganism share a common understanding of the absolute duality within creation. In union the male and female create a cycle that is complete and stable.

At the cosmic and planetary level the sun and the stars as givers of light are seen as male. Outer space, the galactic center and the earth and moon are seen as female. These are physical manifestations of male and female energies and Symbols of a Great God and Goddess.

Paganism holds the vital life force within all living things as sacred. One might consider the practice of Paganism to be the worship of the life force in all living things. There is a circle of life and a balance to nature that must be maintained. To live in harmony with nature’s cycles is to live a pagan life.

Wicca contains Paganism within it. But Wicca is much more because Wicca is about the human race and the survival of humanity into the future. The human race is a single organism and we all share a common collective soul. We are all part of each other. To hurt someone else is to hurt yourself in the largest sense.

The religion of Modern Wicca is the worship of the human Collective and the guiding intelligence of the human race embodied as God and Goddess. When we say the Goddess we mean the Collective feminine guiding intelligence of the human race. When we say the God we mean the Collective masculine guiding intelligence of the human race. Together they form the collective soul of humanity. Since we are all a part of them, they may at times speak through us. This is an important part of the Wiccan religion.

What is the difference between a religion and a personality cult? A true religion offers spiritual and mystical experience along with the development of the individual soul and its powers. Each person is allowed to grow spiritually. Each person is expected to find their own path and develop the “Christ” within their own heart. They are expected to listen to the still small voice of their conscience as the “God/dess of their heart.

A personality cult does not allow this. Only the founder of the personality cult has exclusive right to spiritual and mystical experience. Others can not do what this divine person has done. Sadly Christianity once was a true religion. Christians were told to pick up their own crosses and walk the same path as Jesus. They were told they could do the same miracles and have the same experiences. Christians were told to become “Christs”.

Today Christianity has degenerated into a personality cult where one is told to “cling to the cross” and have faith in the power of Jesus to save them. They are not encouraged to have mystical experiences or follow the inner voice of their conscience. External authority does the thinking for them. The literal interpretation of symbolic literature assures those in power remain there. Believers will get their reward after they have died.

Both Modern Wicca and Paganism are profoundly religious and offer internal guidance with mystical and magickal experience. Both deal with the reality of living a right life in the present moment. The concept of reincarnation ensures that all karma and unresolved issues must someday be confronted. There is no escape from cause and effect. We must create heaven on earth or live in a hell of our own creation. This is a responsible position and teaches the need to deal honestly with life.

The development of the individual soul and its powers is an important part of Modern Wicca. This is done through hard work and the generation of physical, sexual, emotional, mental and spiritual energy on a daily basis. The work is cumulative and the development of the soul is certain.

Each individual soul has a male and a female aspect to be developed. Physical genetics only allows XY chromosomes to generate male energy and XX chromosomes to generate female energy. The development of each individual soul requires both male and female energy. We get the needed opposite sex energy from our love relationships with others.

The sharing of male and female energy can be physical and sexual or it can be non-physical as in platonic friendships. The Great Rite of Wicca is a symbolic enactment of this sharing. Wicca is about love and male/female relationships and the development of the soul and its powers through this sharing.

In love relationships something is created within each person and it grows as the energy is exchanged. This is the great secret. This is the great balance of male and female that exists in all things. This is duality.

Comments:
Hi,

I find your blog interesting - I thank you for it. For sharing the information - for the work you put in - and just because I liked reading it.

I love learning about lots of different faiths, values systems, cultures and finding the threads that hold us all together... Sadly, one of the common threads that seem to run through the fabric of humanity is our tendency to dismiss beliefs and values that differ from our own, either with too little respect, too little information or too little attention to accuracy and understanding - it's a trap for us all - me included.
That said, I respectfully draw to your attention that I find error with your remarks about Christianity. I wonder if you're referring more to the 'fundamentalist' or to a particular, personal experience?

I wonder this because, while I am non-practising in any organised religion, I am fairly well-versed in my studies of the precepts and tenets of many different faiths, having grown up in a christian family, but having, over twenty or so years, sought to understand spirituality in all of its diversity as best I can.

I'd like to point out a couple of things, not to convert or convince, (I'm no wowser, I assure you)but just in order to share my experience for comparison with your remarks.

In your post, you say that
A true religion offers spiritual and mystical experience along with the development of the individual soul and its powers. Each person is allowed to grow spiritually. Each person is expected to find their own path and develop the “Christ” within their own heart. They are expected to listen to the still small voice of their conscience as the “God/dess of their heart."

That resonated with me as consistent with the spiritual guidance I recieved from both Anglican and Catholic sources....
In fact - "Primacy of Conscience" is the very cornerstone of the Catholic faith - something I learned about at the age of about ten. It is the lights of one's own conscience that is paramount in the spiritual life of a responsible Catholic.
It's interesting - because it seems to be that this important fact seems to be lost or unknown to those that have some issue with Christianity - and sadly, to many who seek to practice it (but let's not blame the theology on the imperfect manner in which it's human followers pursue it, right?)

Your remark that:
Sadly Christianity once was a true religion. Christians were told to pick up their own crosses and walk the same path as Jesus. They were told they could do the same miracles and have the same experiences. Christians were told to become “Christs”.

The thing is that, in my personal experience, that is STILL true. Not a thing of the past!
- It's not in the 'abridged for little children' version of the bible stories, (one must crawl before walking, after all) but it's still very much there. There are practitioners of the Christian faith that struggle to 'wrap their heads and hearts around it' and those for whom mysticism holds little attraction, but it is nonetheless still an enormously present and current part of the faith.

Another of your remarks:
Today Christianity has degenerated into a personality cult where one is told to “cling to the cross” and have faith in the power of Jesus to save them. They are not encouraged to have mystical experiences or follow the inner voice of their conscience. External authority does the thinking for them. The literal interpretation of symbolic literature assures those in power remain there. Believers will get their reward after they have died.

Hmmm this is the bit that got me wondering whether it might emanate from a 'fundamentalist' experience. I have heard them described (in fun, albeit unkindly) as 'god botherers' This stuff you've written here doesn't ring true at all in my own experience of normal Christianity - Primacy of Conscience is absolutely PARAMOUNT, mystical experiences are variously celebrated, written about, shared or simply and privately treated - as the individual chooses... it's not entirely rare, and is certainly not discouraged - it's a great blessing!
As for the literal interpretations of symbolic literature -- there will always be those (in any faith) who, by reason of immaturity, poor instruction/guidance, political agenda or reasons unknown, inflict this sad 'bastardization' onto others - but please, please - you seem to be a thinking, feeling, spiritual person of goodwill - please don't 'lump' all Christians of all denominations in with them!

There are many different Christian Churches, (the first to exist being Catholic) ALL of them have fallible humans running their organisations, with various levels of politics, sincerity - all the traits of humanity in all its imperfections and struggles. I just try not to mix up the ideology with the politics of man-made organisations - if I didn't, I might accidentally genuflect to the head of a body corporate! (hee hee)

Just as it is untrue to say that every Muslim is a terrorist, similarly not every Christian is a fundamentalist, not every person who falls foul of the law is fundamentally bad, and not every church administrator is a powermonger. Some are, sure, but the logic of generalization and misunderstanding can lead to bigotry - and bigots I declare - (winking) are the only people against whom I hold prejudice! ;)

Again, I enjoyed reading your blog - I hope I haven't offended - I just wanted to have my two cents worth - I'd like to call it 'sharing'

I hope we might continue the dialogue on a different topic another day, if you're willing!

I have lots of questions about Wicca! I promise to 'read up' on it more, so my questions might lead to lively and interesting discussion!

Best Regards!

:)
mi2centsworth@gmail.com
 
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