Dear Neophyte,
I think I have a new favorite blog. Each day Twilight and Fire perfectly words responses to situations every religious person faces on an almost daily basis:
"I also believe that people cannot be berated, shamed, or coerced into real faith. Devotion is meaningless if it’s only given out of fear or obligation or because “that’s the way it’s done according to so and so.”"
Faith has to be discovered for oneself and is deeply personal. The trappings of religion are all just symbolism that makes sense to each individual person and is, in my opinion, why there are so many brands(tm) of religions in the world.
I'll admit this is the first I've heard of the "Pagan Pop Culture" scandal going on right now, though apparently it has something to do with people being flashy Pagans and not a whole lot of worshiping behind the scenes. Something inside me wants to blame the human condition and another part wants me to thank Ravenwolf and Cunninham for their participation.
Years ago I was a member of Fluffy Hassenfeffer yahoo group who's purpose was to be a forum for venting at all the Fluffy Bunnies (white-lighter wiccan wannabees), sharing our Pagan facepalms and patting each other on the back for knowing the One True Pagan Path. I'll admit that the part of me that likes it when I'm right enjoyed those days. Now you'll find me on the fence about supporting campaigns like Pagan Enough and being partially glad that the Obsidian Mirror's author ran out of steam. I miss the Mirror, I really do, but the adult in me understands that the wheel winds on and religious practice either changes or dies out.
On the subject of dying out, I do not have 10 fan bearers, nor 10 casks of honey beer, nor 10 bowls heaped high with grains and the best cuts of beef, nor lotus flowers of the sweetest fragrance, nor jars and jars of ointments of the most earthy scents, nor linen of finest quality and pleating, nor 5 naked girls playing sytrums, nor five men to kneel up and down as I go about giving praise to my Goddesses. Nor do I have ornaments to adorn Their statue, nor oil to anoint it, nor a large enough naos to enclose it. Heck, I don't even have a proper false door in the side of my house for others to come worship at, and leave their votive offerings. Woe is me! What is a priestess to do?
Evolve.
Either be a modern priestess in mordern times or return Isis and Hekate to their rest beneath the earth until such time as society is able to provide the proper garments and feasts and sacred pools as it did in the past.
Which have you chosen to do? Think about that next time some fluffy bunny hops across your path, shits rainbows all over it and continues on to somewhere else.
Salutations,
Sesh
