Wicca
Having a relationship with the earth: the trees that shade my house; my garden; the rain that falls on me; the ground I walk to work on; the very air I breathe. Practicing Wicca is a challenge to recognize the relationship we all have with our planet. That's fairly easy when the weather's pleasant or when I feel good. The challenge comes in when the weather isn't how I like it, or when I feel a little droopy. Being mindful of my karma. OK, this was originally a Hindu term, I know, but it works well. I must be ever mindful that every act I perform has consequences. That's a pretty amazing thing to think about. It's great when I feel helpless, because then I can remind myself that everything, even the tiny things, that I do can have a positive effect. But it's a two-edged sword. Any angry words I speak, any ill-will I wish upon someone, any harsh actions I take also have an effect on this world. Not so significant if it's just me; but it isn't just me. It's me, and you, and you, and you.... Six billion you's later, and that's a lot of icky-ness for this earth to carry around the solar system, don't you think? Remembering where I've been. Wicca has a lot of roots in the past. Granted, much of this religion has been revived and adapted to fit our age (this happens with all religions, though). But we have very deep roots. We remember the Burning Times, the medieval witch hunts that killed so many millions, mostly (powerful) women, but also many men as well. Why? To ensure the survival of a new industry, the medical industry, run by white men? To rid the land of the last remnants of an old religion? To convince the have-nots once and for all that they were and forever will be powerless? Perhaps one of these, perhaps a little of all. But we must remember, and not repeat the mistakes. We must remember and continue what we have preserved that makes us strong. We must remember where we are now, and where we have been, so that we do not ever have to go back. Remembering Who I am and Whom I represent! I am an emanation of the Goddess! There is also a part of me that is masculine, so I am both God and Goddess. But it doesn't end there. Everyone man, woman, child, dog, cat, serpent, frog and fish, every tree, shrub, weed, beetle, and rat I encounter are also God and Goddess. Imagine the implications of that statement! (I am still experiencing challenges with perceiving roaches, spiders and a few others in this way, but I'm working on it!) Whether I agree with you or not, I must treat you with the respect that I would expect you to give me, just because you live on this earth. A tough one indeed. Learning all the time. I have spent all my time as a Wiccan learning and growing. When I got my first degree, my High Priestess said my world would turn upside down. Ever the optimist, I understood that to mean that I would experience a time of blossoming, overwhelming joy. I was mistaken. My world did indeed turn upside down. In fact, I landed on my head! The ground was ripped from beneath my feet, my life came apart at the seams. It's like I was being tested, tempered--like steel, beaten so that I could arise stronger for it. I was stomped on until I found the seed of strength inside to stop that confusing cycle of anger and abuse on my own. One day, I found the Goddess in me. (Her name was Tara, but she also goes by the name of Kali, the Destroyer.) Being Wiccan means I will always have lots more to learn, and the Universe will painfully remind me of that should I ever forget it. That last bit sounded a little rough, and I don't want you to go away thinking that it's been awful for me. On the contrary, I have found more love, peace, and utter joy because I have learned to love myself. Not in a selfish, conceited way (which is not really self-love, but often fear). No, I have learned to accept myself for who I am, including faults and eccentricities. I wake up some days just in love with the world. I see my friends as true blessings in my life. Ever hear U2's song, "For the First Time" from the CD Zooropa? It makes me think that one of them has gone through this. "For the first time, I feel love" (Bono).
