Showing posts with label virtue. Show all posts

Learn From the Past...




Over the past few months it has come to my attention that there is a blog out there that takes each post I write and creates a counter post. They take what I say and twist it around to basically claim that I'm a fake witch who doesn't follow traditions.


Let me clear this up for those following at home.  I do not follow a path of others. I do not follow deity nor do I claim to.  In my blog author profile as well as ever place where I have an "ABOUT ME" section I do not claim any tradition or path.  I think for myself and use the past as it should be used. As a record of those who lived before me. I do not base my day to day life on something written a down eons ago by people who believed the earth was flat.  I do not conduct my business based on mythology around women with snakes for hair or magical shoes with wings.

I also do not spend my days writing blog post after blog post professing some  magical knowledge of gifted to me from ancient tablets or believe that I am some all knowing all seeing mystic. You see, a lion does not need to tell you they are a lion. You can see they are a lion from their eyes.  You can see the lion's sleek body in action. You can see by the hunt that it is indeed a lion.  Anyone who needs to spend relentless hours telling you that they are an all magical being is either trying to convenience you or themselves.

In order to grow you must learn. We must learn from the past and take those things that have value.  We must toss away the rest. As humans, our past is filled with inequality and hatred. Wars and death. Famine and destruction all based on religion. While we have some good, the majority of this world's heartache is directly related to deity worship. This is because those who follow these paths for the most part have a "my way or the highway" mentality. They have no space in their brains for learning and growing. They grab their precious scrolls and condemn those around them for not following as they do.


This week when I saw the new post related to mine, I thought how simple. All those text they cling to and yet, here a strong willed open minded witch shakes them to their core. My ability to stand fast and strong in their direct attacks makes them so fearful they must still attack my work on things that have absolutely nothing to do with them.  How small they must be.  So this post my dear, is for you. This is directly for you.  You do not scare me. I know that my strength and passion for life scare you. My open willingness to embrace the magic that I control. The forces that I work with directly make you scared.


Image result for hubris
The virtues I follow are a list of attributes that make me a better person. They are not intended to ridicule others. They aren't used as a crown or a cloak to strut around and say "Oh, look how much better I am than X."  When you strut around that way, that's pride.  That's arrogance. No matter how many ancient scrolls you wrap that shit in, it's still ugly.



You must learn new things to grow and evolve; learn from the past but live for the future.


I am lion, hear me roar.




Pagan Blog Project 2013 - V is for Virtue

Virtue is defined as behavior showing good moral standards.  The general public may think that pagan’s have no virtue. This image from perceptionvsfact.com shows a pretty good representation of that very thought process.




Recently I've seen posts on Facebook related to truth, which in my opinion is indeed a virtue.  I believe that we should always tell the truth.  Many people retort with, it’s the truth to you.  No, really I think the truth is the truth.  No matter what your position, stealing is wrong.  Stealing to because you’re poor and need food is just a migrating circumstance.  It doesn't change the fact that taking something that doesn't belong to you is wrong.

So let’s examine what pagan virtues are. (Definitions are from Merriam-webster.com)


Understanding – a willingness to understand people’s behavior and forgive them

What it doesn't mean – It doesn't mean that someone has the right to continue to do things to you over and over and one has to accept it.  It doesn't mean be a doormat.  It means understand that person has the right to believe how they believe, as long as they don’t force it on someone else.  To me this also means that sometimes it is necessary to give yourself a break.  Be understanding that you won’t always make the right decision.  Sometimes mistakes are made. 

Caring – an effort made to do something correctly, safely or without causing damage

What it doesn't mean – It doesn't mean continue to support someone when the continually engage in dangerous, abusive or negative behavior.  It doesn't mean letting people use your resources be they financial or emotional without some sort of reciprocation.  That reciprocation could be a monetary, emotional or just a nod.  To me this also means that they care about themselves as well.  One cannot truly care for another if they do not have the ability to care for themselves.

Giving – to offer as appropriate to due, especially to something higher

What it doesn't mean – It doesn't mean that one be penniless or a pauper.  It doesn't mean that one will always be on the giving end of either.  To me this means that they not only give to others but also to themselves.  Giving time and praise to oneself is extremely important.


Honesty – fairness and straightforwardness of conduct – adherence to the facts

What it doesn't mean is beating people up with the truth.  It doesn't mean attacking someone with facts or hurting them just because the truth is on one’s side.  To me, the key here is fairness, something I care a great deal about.  As a follower of Hecate, I believe that justice is something she stands for.  To me being fair in all I do and standing by what I say I will do is absolute.  There are no other options for me. 

It is easy in today’s world to hide behind a keyboard and lash out at others.  We see the world around us falling apart it seems with violence and poverty all around us.  We see people judge each other constantly.  There’s a lot of chatter but not a great deal of actual talking. 

I’d really like to see that change.  I’d like to see us really care about each other.  Not just say “how are you” when you don’t really care; actually start to connect to each other on a very basic level.  Take our virtues and share them.   Show the couple next door or the guy across the street that as pagan people we are open to understanding what each other has to give.

We will open our hearts and minds to others, while giving ourselves the appropriate permission to protect ourselves.

Blessings
Sosanna
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