Harm None?

The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch, circa 1504

I think the major issue with most "codes/laws" presented by religions is that they are often only observed superficially and/or however it suits the agenda of the believer and/or organization.  No matter how divinely inspired, humankind is imperfect and prone to misinterpret. It's also easy to pass the buck over to the "next life" versus taking responsibility now in the one that matters most - THIS ONE.

And that most people fail to see that it is our actions that speak for us, not our beliefs.  You can say you believe anything, but if your actions display something altogether different, then your beliefs are meaningless.

This has been a particularly heavy New Moon. I have been contemplating the murder of a beautiful spirit, who just a month ago was such a bright face in my Tribal Fest workshop, the unending waves of sensational media attention on circumstantial fluff while more serious issues lay at hand, the relentless flow of politics that dehumanize most of the population instead of focusing on improving quality of life for all, the massacre of innocent people in their sacred spaces because they looked or believed differently, and so forth.  Really, it's everyday news everywhere, but it shouldn't be.

Last week I finished reading "Jitterbug Perfume" and it crushed my heart reading within it the fictional event of an innocent black man being killed on the street by two white cops- pulled from the headlines of the early 80's (it was published in 1984)...and here we are in 2015 and what has changed in 30 years?

All I can see at the root of all of this suffering is one thing.  It's not some manufactured construct or scapegoat with the face of evil. It's the inability to feel empathy and respect for each other as human beings, regardless of creed, gender, color, sexuality, etc.

It is not just about the sanctity of life itself and preventing killing - (It is an imperfect world, everything feeds on life...) - it is the lack of respect for quality of life that is at the heart of most human-inflicted tragedy.  It's easy to dismiss the suffering of the less-fortunate as "they didn't work hard enough" or "they did something to deserve it" or "they are different from me" - but the line separating "us" and "them" is a haphazard game of chance.

Hate isn't expressed only through killing, but through other less obviously"violent" words and actions.  Harm is done through ignorant speech, labels, and slurs, by voting to deny others clean water, air, nourishing food, affordable housing, access to education and healthcare, by failing to see we're all in this together, by excusing actions in this life for the next, by turning away from those in need when you can make a difference, and by blaming the victims. Every day, so much food and water goes to waste, safe and affordable housing is lost to progress and profit, hardworking people battle to make enough money to live, while the system pushes against them to make less to get what they need.

Hate is passed down over generations because people are taught there aren't enough resources to go around, that someone else is to blame for their problems, and that violence is the only agency to gain or maintain power. That anyone who looks or thinks differently is a threat. That if you're "owed" something, then you take what you want, that things matter more than people, that everything on this planet was made for your own use. That God meant love these neighbors, but not THOSE neighbors. That God will forgive you no matter what you do if you just say you're sorry, or exalt you because of what you did in his/her name.

It becomes problematic for everyone when someone places more value on the next life, than making this life better, now.  The modern concepts of heaven and hell were (and are) used to control people, keep them inline, to not question the system, and to fill the banks of churches.  It essentially removes any and all responsibility a human has for their actions - that some divine entity made them do it, that you can do anything, be forgiven,and get into heaven when you die.

The problem doesn't sit only with Judeo-Christian concepts.  If one interprets"Harm None, Do What Thou Wilt" to mean you can do whatever you want as long as it doesn't inflict what you consider to be harm, it's rather empty.  Harm, as we can see, is not such a cut and dry concept. Likewise using the "Threefold Law of Return" as a precise system of doling out punishment and reward is far too basic.  In reality, every action we do has a positive and negative reaction - and I don't mean good vs. evil, but a real scientific gain/loss equation.  Nor is getting rewards or avoiding consequences isn't a healthy means of living responsibly either.

Yes, ALL of these concepts are merely guidelines, created with the hopes of constructing a better humanity.  Again, no matter what divine origin they can be attributed to, they're only as good as the people teaching and practicing them.

Within the Modern Tradition of Witchcraft, we have several keys to apply to practicing:
-Know Thyself - be aware of your strengths and your weaknesses (mentally, spiritually, physically)
-Accept Responsibility - acknowledging both known and unknown consequences for your actions
-Maintain Balance - not just about focusing on moderation, but understanding extremes and working with them

These keys may sound easy, but it does take a great deal of critical thought, consideration, understanding, and dedication to follow them. After all, we're only human. But we also capable of great things and our imperfections shouldn't to be used as an excuse, but rather as a means to become better. We can use these keys to challenge our own prejudices and ingrained stereotypes, to break the molds of system designed to control and separate us, to question ourselves when we find ourselves reacting negatively to others because they are different from us...and in the end, create a better now, here on earth.

I think if we all can examine ourselves, our beliefs, and our reactions more closely, taking time to consider how they affect us and everyone around us, we can truly start building a better humanity.  When we find ourselves being hateful to others, especially because of what they may represent to us, if we take the time to ask ourselves WHY, we can start to undo the cycle.  If we teach our children to be responsible, considerate, capable of both critical thought and empathy, we are building a better now.  And if we can see beyond our own needs (and wants, and the difference between those) to what others may need, we can strengthen society.  Hope may seem like a fragile thing in this world, but a little goes a long way to change the now.

The Age of Secrets

There are two seemingly separate topics I want to write about, but I keep finding that they are entangled and intertwined like vines....Age and Secrets.

When I was much younger and finding my way on the path, I felt that surely that there were secrets to be uncovered, protected by the initiated and handed out to the worthy.  That if I found the right mystery tradition or gatekeeper, all the knowledge would be revealed.  Also, somewhat related to those secrets, I would experience real anxiety thinking about the burning of the library in Alexandria, or the knowledge lost with the countless possible cunning folk killed during centuries of witchhunts.

Now? I believe that there are no secrets, only revelations. That isn't to say there aren't any mysteries and that all of the answers are out there in plain sight...but rather we learn things as we're ready to receive them...and that no one person or path has all of the answers. And that knowledge is never really lost - it always finds its way out again.

Growing up, we tend to think of our parents as infallible, and that they must know all of the things. But as we become adults ourselves, we realize that they are human, just like us.  That means they can be equally wrong as they are right, depending upon their experiences and choices.

The same is true regarding an "elder" of any path or tradition - they are not all-knowing or always-right.  But it is important  - with both ones' parents as with elders - to give respect where it is deserved. And a true elder (as with a good parent) fosters relationships that allow respect to flow in both directions.

What does that mean and look like?

In both dance and Witchcraft classes, I often talk about the stages of growth I've identified below:
-the neophyte/beginner: eager to learn everything, freely admits they know nothing
-the acolyte/beginner-mediate: staunchly dedicated to what they're learning, full of fervor for their new-found passion, and quite vocal about everyone/thing else being wrong
-the practitioner/intermediate: a swinging pendulum of confidence and insecurity - trying to prove they know things while secretly worried they will be found out for not knowing.
-the elder/advanced: has forgotten more things than they count, are still avid learners open to new ideas, and aren't afraid to say they don't know.

I have been blessed to have worked with several wonderful mentors along my path up until this point, and what sets those individuals aside from other would-be instructors/teachers/elders is that they were (and are) just as willing to seek advice from me as I am from them.  Even though they are recognized masters of their respective fields, and have been practicing for decades - they are not closed to hearing about other experiences and perspectives.  They also find that their own paths are more fulfilled in seeking answers outside of themselves and what they know.  The biggest secret that is not a secret is - the more we learn, the more we are open to grow and share, the more we can understand what makes, connects, and expands us.  And that power doesn't come from hiding, gate-keeping, or taking from others, but from mastering of oneself - spiritually, mentally, physically.

So for all of you seeking the secrets, the answers are waiting within you, poised for the right time and place to be revealed.  It won't happen all at once, nor from one source, but if you seek, you shall find. Or sometimes, the best revelations aren't the ones you think you are looking for.  Look at your journey as nonstop, and that as you go along your path, you pick up tools that help you uncover more clues, maps, and possibilities.  It's essentially a choose-your-own-adventure book that has infinite possibilities - all unique to YOU!

Most importantly, anyone who tells you that they are the keepers of the secrets and that you must submit to them to discover them - well, they're essentially telling you they don't know any.  A person who lauds "don't you know who I am?" over anyone else hasn't reached the elder stage.  They're more concerned with what they know and what power they can hold over others.

And so this is the point where the concepts of secrets and age find a twisted mutual root. Every relationship must start from a place of equal footing and understanding, in order for respect to take root.  Respect comes from active, healthy growth that is constantly renewed - not a ribbon or crown that sits upon a dusty pile of books or long-ago deeds. Laurels can become stagnant, and youthfulness is not to be discounted for a mere lack of apparent years. Wisdom comes not strictly from the numbers of years, but by how well you have experienced those years and choose to share them with others. A true mentor or guide understands this dynamic - and knows you both will grow from what you experience together.

Lastly, the wise Witch knows that in order to uncover the secrets within, one must be able to listen, to be kind, and to be bold.

Living Tradition

Our Witches' Almanac* lives in the bathroom. This location is pretty much the only guarantee that I will look at it regularly, instead of losing it in my studio.  (Seriously, in a former life, I misplaced past issues for nearly a year, so the bathroom placement is a revelation.)

I tend to check in with the monthly calendar, but I particularly revel in opening it to any page and see what comes up - and am nearly always finding new material within it, no matter how long I have had it.  Usually it tends to be something very much appropriate for that moment as well.

And it so happened the other day I picked up the newest edition and started in on David Conway's "The Old Religion." Which to summarize, talks about the need/desire of esoteric organizations and spiritual traditions to espouse how old they are, how much they are connected to antiquity to prove the authenticity of their ways - and then points out how silly it all is. (Mind you, this is a brief summary in my own words - it's quite an extensive long article for the WA!)

This sentiment created a big AH-HA! moment in my head for something I've been pondering for nearly two decades in many ways: in Witchcraft & Paganism, in Art, in Dance. What is authenticity? What does it mean to be authentic and why is it at the heart of so many arguments?

I think back to any number of the Traditional Witchcraft forums/groups/chats/discussion boards I used to frequent 15 years ago - and how often "my way/tradition is better/more correct than yours" would come up. Even as the truth about various hereditary stories being fantasy came to light, folks dug in deep.  And there I was with my Modern Tradition oxymoron - "why yes, I'm both modern AND traditional, and no I don't mean Wicca" - not really giving a damn about arguing better/worse/older/newer.

Why? Because I'm not a genetic pureblood anything, nor am I living in the 12th, 17th, or 19th centuries.  If I'm not from one particular ethnic background, why would I align only with the gods found in a portion of my blood - when there's many more talking to me? What if it's not just ethnic heritage that factors in, but also past lives - and what if those aren't connected by blood either? What if our ancestors really can come to us in dreams and initiate us in the Old Ways (as believed possible by various Slavic/Russian and Mediterranean traditions) as needed? And if they had the tools we have access to today, would they exchange the flint for the lighter?

Every day we live, we are not only existing and working with tradition, but we are innovating and creating new traditions.  To me, Witchcraft is about doing what needs to be done, with what you have available. There are time-honored things we do, not just because Grandmom did them, but because they WORK - and then there are the ways we find that work better.  Whether the method is ancient or modern doesn't make it any less effective, as long as it works.

That's what authenticity is about - doing what works because it's the best option available. It's not about trying to forge a link to a distant or imagined past to justify your system. There's a weight that comes with that facade that holds back growth and prevents finding truth. If you strive to maintain balance, to know yourself, and to take responsibility for your actions - it doesn't matter how old or new the tradition is, who may approve or disapprove of it. That stuff really doesn't matter in the big picture.

Instead, when you decide to be authentic to yourself, and truly live your own tradition, the Universe opens up in new ways - or old ones you may have not seen before. Knowledge is never truly lost, it can only be hidden for a time.

*the one published in RI - always has been my favorite - check it out at www.TheWitchesAlmanac.com

PantheaCon 2015!

I am recovering from being on tour with the band for the last few weeks, and more specifically the plague, but I wanted to write up my PantheaCon experience before I forgot/moved on to the next 60 projects.

Some background: I first attended PantheaCon way back in 2002 to scope it out, shortly after I had moved to the Bay Area.  The next year, Crescent Magazine got a booth there - and I don't remember if we started off with panels or presentations that year or the next - which would have been the "Kali Ma Dance Ritual" and I lead some ritual/sacred dance workshops along the way. What stands out in memory is that "The Red God Revel" took place in 2005 (me, Anaar, and Thorn - it was later performed again in 2010, but I was on the other coast then and could not participate) and in 2006, I presented "Dance of the Djinn" (also a performance/ritual). In 2007 I was in the process of moving back to the East Coast, so I just informally attended.

That would be it until last year - 2014, when Nathaniel and I decided to check it out (his first Pagan convention) - and we presented our live music/dance/ritual performance "Dreaming The Raven: A Morrigan Dance Ritual."  It was so well-received that we decided to apply to bring the whole band for 2015, offer a movement workshop, and to get a booth space - and we got in across the board!

I opted for a booth space on the mezzanine (outside the main ballroom), for several reasons: I remember it being quite cold in Anaar's booth last year (one side of the ballroom was freezing while the other was sweltering), the mezzanine offered lots of natural light, and extended hours. The downside was mainly being needed to pack small things up and cover it all every evening, and reset every morning.

Since we were bringing the whole band down (and doing a tour down/back), this meant we were driving, so I could bring ALL of the set-up - which sounds great until one realizes that it's a lot more complicated to hang ALL the artwork and display when you're used to just setting up some print racks - oh and forgot the zipties back in Seattle.

 I think I spent most of Friday trying to keep calm as I tried to figure out how to make it look good.  What really helped keep me sane was the immense number of folks who kept stopping in their tracks to look at the artwork and compliment it as I pulled it out.  There is nothing quite so satisfying for an artist as watching folks stop whatever they were in the middle of doing, and from 8 feet away just look at the art with such an expression of awe and inspiration. (SO much better than the typical regular art festival reaction, where many folks seem in a hurry to run away and dowse themselves in holy water...)  

I was determined to start Saturday off early and fresh. Best laid plans of mice and maidens.

The morning flew by as I worked on setting up the booth and trying to eat breakfast before my 11am workshop "Merging Movement With Ritual" - and then I had a waking anxiety nightmare.  Ever have one of those dreams when you are late for whatever event you're supposed to be at, in the wrong room, missing clothes, etc?

Well, as I handed the tablet over to Nathaniel to get him set-up, I happened to press the button that showed the time: 11:01am.  I was in complete disbelief because I had just checked my watch and I had at least 20 minutes - but my phone also confirmed it.  In changing my watch over from East Coast to West Coast time (as we had just been in RI for TempleCon), I must have not synced it properly - and now was LATE for my own workshop - and I am the gal who is always there early.

Commence me grabbing my laptop, tea, dvds, some cards, and running from one end of the hotel to the very farthest room on the ground floor.  When I arrived (11:03), I discovered a room packed full of Pagans and a very worked-up door person who proceeded to admonish me harshly in front of the entire room for the next few minutes while I sincerely apologized and was so embarrassed.

Apparently, even though I had checked in the day before as a vendor, received my badge, etc - I was supposed to also check-in with the Green Room so they had me listed as missing (despite numerous people having seen me.) (btw, 11:03 - was also the same time my phone registered a missed call....which begs the question, if they thought I was missing/not checked-in 15 minutes before the event, why didn't someone call earlier?) I totally understand her frustration with the situation, but as an event producer myself, I believe there are more graceful (positive) ways that that could have been handled. Especially at an energy-sensitive type of event. And I know it just wasn't me feeling it in the stress of the moment, as others expressed their concern afterwards.

That negative (and mortifying) experience aside, the workshop went splendidly.  The class was wonderful, receptive, and enthusiastic.  Afterwards, I apologized to the Green Room staff for the check-in misunderstanding - and they were so kind and gracious - and reminded me that what mattered most was that I was there and taught the workshop and pretty much started on time.  Then they gave me an "early check-in" ribbon since I could take care of the band's Sunday event while I was there, so LOL. Those folks were really helpful to us throughout the weekend, and are always so awesome - so extra kudos to them!

The rest of Saturday flew by at the booth, where my art was being so well-received.  By the time we shut down that evening, I was exhausted.  Yet when I got back to our hotel (one of the overflows) and grounded for a few, I realized I wanted to go back and socialize.  Dogwood was up for heading back, so we refreshed ourselves and walked back to the DoubleTree.  We spent some quality time with Anaar, Onyx, and their DIL + grandchild, then explored the hospitality rooms - including the Pandemonaeon and Black Rose rooms.  It was great to just chat and catch up with folks - and I had so many people from the workshop that morning relate their experience to me - so satisfying!

Sunday started off more leisurely - and with bacon. Everything is better with bacon. Dogwood and Nathaniel had an acoustic set in the Pandemonaeon suite, and then were off to load in for our 9pm show.  As circumstances would have it, The Nathaniel Johnstone Band concert was scheduled at the same time as our friends at the bellydance show, which cause some sadness (and confusion), but now we all know next year to work to avoid that.  Despite that, we had a full room with lots of folks up and dancing with great crowd response.  The sound guys rocked too :)

Monday finally started off at a fair space and we were busy until the end as folks scooped up last minute items and finalized large purchases they'd been pining over all weekend.

Over the course of the event, I sold over a dozen originals, most of my jewelry stock, a ton of prints and cards + band cds + dance dvds.  Presenting my work there (and the band) far exceeded my expectations, and I'm still a bit in shock over it. (Thanks again to Thalassa for accepting me as a vendor and for a great spot!)

Alas, I didn't get as much time as I would have liked to catch up with friends and network more - I think I managed to only get waves in at Macha, Thorn, Oberon, Jason P, and many others. Some folks I only saw once for a few minutes and not again all weekend.  But what time I did get to spend talking with folks was glorious.  I love hearing what people see in my work, how it makes them feel, talking with them about their work, and sharing ideas.  I love to see folks get inspired, to see the lightbulbs turn on, and a whole new level of excitement come upon their path.  It's wondrous.

I didn't happen to experience or overhear any of the unfortunate situations/events that transpired for some (as shown in many a blog aftermath) - and sad to hear about it.  But I am also heartened by the response of the community.  I feel that PantheaCon is a special event that IS very welcoming. Everywhere I went, I was met with many genuine smiles and good cheer.  With any convention (as with any segment of the human population), there will be some assholes - but the majority of folks are really awesome and positive.  Next year I am hoping to make more events, which means bringing a few more helpers along to watch the booth. I will definitely be back!

The Light of Humanity in the Dark.

The Winter Solstice marks the returning of the light in the Northern Hemisphere - and despite marking the darkest point we reach in a year, I'm always more optimistic about it than the Summer one. As in, it's going to get better and brighter after this day.  Yet, it also marks the beginning of Winter, not the end.

If you look at all of the religious holidays celebrated this time of year, they are all about light and bounty. We put lights up, we light candles, we decorate (with useful resources!), we feast and we gather with family and friends,. There's the notion of "goodwill towards men" and providing for the needy/less fortunate - aka, being charitable.

This particular cycle, I have been contemplating two aspects especially: the darkness and the seasonal goodwill - and I would like to share my thoughts with you.

The Benefit of the Darkness:
This year, the Solstice coincided with a New Moon - the darkest part of the moon cycle.  So not only was the night extra long, it was extra dark. I found myself in the days leading up to Yule being under the weather, and not accomplishing a lot.  Sure, I got some stuff done, but I wasn't as productive as I had hoped I would be.  It just wasn't possible with my body refusing to cooperate. It occurred to me that I could either be upset and depressed about that (coupled with the lack of light bringing me down) - or I could see it as a time of hibernation and renewal.  Much like a field lays fallow or the darkness of an egg or cocoon as a new being develops, this period of rest is a time of recharging, of preparation for the new year.

With all the stress that society lays down upon us regarding work, money, family, and all the "supposed-to's" - we often forget to take care of ourselves, which not only damages us physically, but also emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.  The darkness isn't to be feared as cold and desolate.  Instead, think about it as warm and embracing. Be kind to yourself, and remember it's not being selfish to care of yourself.  If you don't care of yourself, you can't be there for anyone else. And you will be prepared to appreciate the light even more when it returns.

Regarding Goodwill:
One thing that has long bugged me is the disproportionate focus on charity this time of year - when people need food, shelter, clothing all year long.  That we should also remember our family and friends all year round and cherish them - instead of when society or religion dictates an extra focus.

This year, I thought more about it all and had some realizations - and it comes back to that understanding that Winter is just beginning, with at least three more months of hard weather ahead of us.  Why do we gather and feast now? Well, historically we are celebrating the harvest of the Fall and prepare to face Winter.  Winter is a time of death, loss, and hunger, and so many of our customs have to do with not only appeasing Nature/The Gods, but also making good memories with those close to us in case the Winter takes us/them. It's the time where we would give to others in our villages whose harvest was not as successful. It's not only about celebrating what's good and taking care of ourselves, but also those around us - to reduce the loss, to preserve families and traditions. That we remind ourselves and each other of what's truly important.

As we've moved away from villages, hometowns, and family hearths over the centuries, we've become disconnected from that sense of community survival.  We aren't staring Death directly in the face or not seeing that others aren't doing as well (or perhaps we're experiencing either quietly, stoically, without making fuss about it).  But I do see that often those who are in the midst of struggle or face those terrible eyes are far more generous with what they have more than anyone else.  They still follow the pattern of community survival and understand what is most important.  They know it's not the stuff that matters, it's our interactions.

If we give to others, are we doing it to get a good "fill-in-the-blank" award or to somehow hopefully ward off the same from happening to us, to make them the other?  Surely, all help is valid, but the more we think about how we are all interwoven, the more we truly help others (and ourselves).  It's not we vs. them, it's all of us together in this existence.

So when we think about "goodwill" towards others, think about it as a reminder that we're all connected.  We're all here in the dark, fighting fears, growing our cocoons, preparing for the light.  That we're conscious of the hope that when we come out on the other side of it, we're even more appreciative and thankful for who and what we have.

We can be terrible to each other, but we have far more potential to be kind, understanding, and full of love. Start first in finding your own light, and then share it from there.

The Balance of Ritual, Performance, & Ego

Photo of Tempest by The Dancer's Eye

This is a blog post that could just as easily be at home on my dance blog, but I think here is the best place for it. 

Where is the line between Ritual and Performance?  Not only for Sacred Dance (which can be a hot topic along the lines of "Can or should a trance dance be performed? How appropriate is that? And under what context?") but this is something that can be considered for almost any kind of ritual.  I've seen and participated in a lot of Ritual and Performance over the last two decades, and lately I've been thinking about what works...and what makes me want to bang my head on the nearest hard surface.  Of course, to each their own, but it still makes me wonder the why and how things work or don't work for me.

First, we must consider the question, what IS Ritual?
From my own website writings: Ritual is a very misunderstood entity. When most people think of ritual, they picture a very intricate, ornate, long, and intense ceremony. Ritual can be that, but it's most often not. Humans are ritualistic beings (not unlike cats), and do certain things every single day in order to make progress within that day or evening. It helps to bring meaning and order into daily living. Despite its mundane nature, it's a form of ritual. So between these two extremes, we see that ritual is done to bring meaning, purpose, and order to something. It can be very elaborate, or simple, as long as it works for you.

The following is one of my favorite explanations of ritual:"It is believed that the human need for some kind of formal, often public acknowledgement of significant events is one of the fundamental forces of our development as social beings. At the same time, ritual allows us to transcend our individual selves to gain a sense of participation with the greater environment of the forces controlling our singular and communal destinies." ­John T. Nelson, A Year in the Life of a Shinto Shrine
Ritual is also "a fusion of the powers believed to be inherent in the persons, objects, relationships, events, and histories which are represented by the ceremony itself." ­(Victor Turner)

So what about Performance? By simple definition it can be "an act of staging or presenting a play, concert, or other form of entertainment." I think a key element to consider is that Performance is done for some sort of audience, to communicate some sort type of idea, art, or other form of expression.  It opens up a dialogue and creates a shared experience.

Who is the audience? Depending on where and when Ritual is done, the audience can be active participants (part of a group activity/service), an observing contingent (such as a seated, paying audience in a theater), the performer/practitioner themselves (especially in solitary), and/or something/someone metaphysical (deity, spirit, elemental, ancestor, etc).  In that consideration, all Ritual contains some element of Performance, and that there are a lot of angles and nuances to consider when crafting Ritual.

Which brings us to Ego. Ego can be defined as "a person's sense of self-esteem or self-importance", "the part of the mind that mediates between the conscious and the unconscious and is responsible for reality testing and a sense of personal identity" or "a conscious thinking subject."  I think Ego, when it's integrated with Ritual and Performance, becomes the crucial element that makes it all work - or not.

How so? Well, it is definitely important to be confident in your abilities to accomplish what you have set out to do.  When focusing intent and working metaphysics, you cannot be shy or unfocused about what needs to be done.  You need to understand the parts you are bringing together, have a sense of timing and flow, and have a voice. The sum of these parts signifies a healthy Ego. It does not mean believing that you are MORE important than anyone or anything else (especially your audience), that it's your job to instruct, bestow, or pander to the audience - or completely exclude them all together. The "look how powerful/dark/smart I am" shtick falls flat and will be obviously hollow to a grounded practitioner.

So how does one avoid that trap?
-First, don't take yourself too seriously. Those who are truly confident don't feel the need to over-dramatize/demonstrate that point. It allows you to have permission to be more open to what's happening, to be more expressive, and communicate more freely. The more your try to show how "important" you are, the less it will work.
-Don't be afraid to laugh or to make a mistake - you'll actually trust yourself more.
-Don't put yourself above anyone else - we're all in this together and you never know who's watching.
-Do consider what it is that you wish to accomplish and how it can affect not only yourself, but others.
-Less is More. You don't have to over-explain everything, and don't rely on props to get your point across. Make them count, but don't make them the focus.  Also, don't believe that longer = better. Ask yourself is everything you're incorporating truly necessary to accomplish your goal?
-Clean up after yourself; physically and metaphysically.

Keep these simple ideas in mind and you will be on your way to crafting Ritual that will work in more ways than you could have ever imagined!

Go Ahead and Worship Trees

Seward Park, Seattle, WA

Out and about today, I saw a bumper sticker that said "Worship the Creator, Not the Creation."  And, as probably was its intent, it stopped my train of thought and made me consider it - but probably not for the reason they intended.

Occasionally when you identify as a Pagan (or Neo-Pagan, or follower of an "earth-based religion" - whatever flies your broom...), you'll get the question, "So does that mean you worship trees and dirt and stuff?"

Let's first look at the word "worship":

worship (ˈwɜːʃɪp)
vb, -ships, -shipping or -shipped, -ships, -shiping or -shiped
1. (Ecclesiastical Terms) (tr) to show profound religious devotion and respect to; adore or venerate (God or any person or thing considered divine)
2. (tr) to be devoted to and full of admiration for
3. (intr) to have or express feelings of profound adoration
4. (Ecclesiastical Terms) (intr) to attend services for worship
5. (tr) to honour
n
6. (Ecclesiastical Terms) religious adoration or devotion
7. (Ecclesiastical Terms) the formal expression of religious adoration; rites, prayers, etc
8. admiring love or devotion
9. dignity or standing

So essentially, to worship something or someone means to show or have respect/adoration for it. But really that question is more intended to mean "do you believe trees are GOD?" Which sounds silly when you put it that way, but that's what they're asking.

And when I think about it - the answer to both aspects is YES.  As a Pagan, I believe that there is a sacred/divine aspect to all of nature and what nature (including us) can create ourselves. If you consider God/Goddess/Deity/Spirit created everything in existence - and the act of creation is what makes deity, Deity -  then you cannot separate the Creator from the Creation.  If you wish to respect the Creator, then you must also respect the Creation.

It is this complete lack of respect for Creation that has landed our environment in such a perilous condition.  If your holy book says God put you in charge of what It made, gifting it to you, then where does it say that you should treat that gift like garbage? To overuse, abuse, and ruin it?  How does that show respect for the Creator? It doesn't.

If you want to show respect for an artist you like, you don't trash their work - you support it, purchase it, take care of it.  The work is not the artist, but the artist is part of the work. Similarly, our children are not us, but we are part of them.  The past is building the future, which is right now and everything else. All life is in a state of interdependent balance. There is an intricate pattern of life that must be acknowledged wholly - it cannot be separated simply to suit your own will.

So yes, you can say I worship trees and dirt and stuff.  I find the divine all around and within me, and my path is one of respect and responsibility.