How many of us have started our Spiritual paths on
alternative pathways only to find that after a short period of searching and
looking at various forms of witchcraft, paganism, magickal practices, etc… we
now have found ourselves completely adrift; like a small piece of cork just
bobbing along in the currents of life and magick?
When I first started searching for my way, I read every book
I could find, joined a couple different groups, and even became a Healing Minister
in the ULC (Universal Life Church) so that I could legally perform marriages,
and other religious rites. I never fully engaged in my minister ship, mainly
because I really just enjoyed giving the occasionally services, in the local
metaphysical church I was attending. I
was not really sure of the path I wanted to follow and spent most of my time
drifting from one alternative path to another.
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| Reiki |
During this time I also became a Reiki master, and though I
am able to use this healing modality effectively, I normally do not practice
Reiki other than to send Reiki energy to people from a distance.
After about three years of this drifting around, I returned
to witchcraft as a more dominant focus. The problem with that was there were
sooooo many books and people “out there” claiming their path was the only path.
What they forgot to mention in these books, lectures and random conversations
was… their path is the only path for them….
I am also a student of Anthropology and find that much of
what people claim are ancient practices, simply are not. There are many things
we do not understand about the pagan or magickal practices of our
ancestors. Sure there are written
records in some cases, very detailed records, but I wonder….
I have practices and
personal connections and understandings of divinity and my spiritual practices
where there are no words, known to man; that can adequately describe my
experiences. The artifacts that might or might not be found hundreds or
thousands of years after I’m gone will likely be misinterpreted. I’m sure they
would be…. Many of the trappings of my workings are common objects or could be
understood completely differently than my intentions, especially when viewed
through the eyes of someone who has not lived in my lifetime nor experienced my
world.
I guess what I’m trying to say is what most of us think is
the way things were, probably weren’t…
This is where things get muddled for me… I have a strong
desire to “know” and “understand” the past and how my ancestors related to the
divine. I also know that until they invent a time machine that can take me to
the past, I can only make educated guesses at best. I have also found that a
connection to the Divine is ever changing. My understanding of any particular
expression of Divinity is, by default, filtered through my place on the human
time line, the events and people who have shaped my understanding of the world,
and my own ability and willingness to make the connection.
After all my studying and making connections with Divinity,
I still find myself feeling like that piece of cork bobbing along the currents.
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| art on cave walls at chauve |
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| Paleolithic art |
I’m beginning to
think and feel this is just the beginning of the shift in how humans relate to
the Divine. I know my understanding is changing and solidifying. As I research
aspects of Divinity that were possibly revered by my Slavic ancestors, I am
finding that the beliefs and practices I have may have roots in that ancient
connection to the past. I also found
this to be true when I was researching the practices of my ancestors who hail
from the British Isles and other northern European ancestors, such as the
ancient Germanic tribes.
Most of all I’ve found a much deeper connection in what
may
be the Paleolithic peoples. That energy is a much more primal and personal
energy and is where I go for my deepest connections and understanding of
divinity.
Have a Wicked Good Day!
Molly
