There has been a ton of news coverage concerning the passing over of young Jahi McMath. I feel great sadness for the family as they have lost a beloved child. Jahi's fate has been cast by her parents and other family members as they try to do the impossible, bring the dead back to life. I do understand the parent's desire to keep her alive at all costs. I have a dear friend who recently went through the same thing...and its a daily struggle for her to move through each day with a sense of purpose knowing that her beloved child is no longer in this world.
Situations like that show a great light on how earth based practitioners and Abrahamic religions view death. Pagans know that death is but a doorway in to another dimension and that it is not an end but is the start of another cycle of birth for that persons soul. Abrahamic religions view death as finite. Once you are dead you go to their afterlife and that's it. You stay there until...whenever your worldview says it ends (if it ever does) Pagans know that the physical body is not THE person but we understand that the soul is THE person and that as long as the soul is intact somewhere (most Pagans believe that souls do not die, they just transition from realm to realm, body to body) then that person is still "alive".
It is sad that no one in the Christian community has stepped forward to help this family move on. It's sad really that the family is given continued hope that Jahi McMath will recover from brain death. It's also sad that no one in the Christian community has pointed out that Jahi McMath is being kept out of the one place her family claims she belongs (heaven) because they are using artificial means to keep her body alive. After all, the mother has stated repeatedly, "as long as I see my daughter's chest moving, no one will be able to convince me she is dead." Even in the Christian faith, they have placed their daughter in limbo. What about the lessons that Jahi would be able to teach with her passing? What lessons are her friends and family NOT getting because Jahi's body is still artificially functioning? Not only has Jahi's body in limbo, but her family is also stuck in their grief too.
Contrast these actions with Pagans. We are not afraid of death or dying. Yes, we do what we can as long as its medically feasible to assist with sustaining life. But we are not afraid to remove those artificial means once it becomes clear that nothing more can be done. We actively carry that person in our hearts and we know that that person's spirit will always be close by to us. We know that the bones, tissues and organs are just a vessel that souls are carried in and like everything in this world, it breaks down and sometimes just cannot be fixed. We understand the limits of medicine and science and work in harmony with them, not against them.
I'm sorry that Jahi McMath is dead. My heart goes out to the family during this most difficult time. I respect their faith that is making them takes these actions. I also wish that they would take a moment and sit down with someone Pagan who could share their perspective with them as well. Maybe it would help...maybe it won't but either way is better than the current situation.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
When the student is ready, the teacher will come...part 4
I guess that this will be the last part of this particular subject. One of the things that I have not touched on yet is what to do when students and teachers have disagreements. This can be a touchy subject for some but it is something that you need to hear, not only if you are a student but also if you are a teacher as well.
The whole idea of the student/teacher relationship is to ensure that the student gets the educational and emotional support they need as they start out their walk on this path. I strive to ensure that any student that I have is challenged to their limits not only mentally but emotionally and physically too. I don't take on students to be taking them on...in fact my last one was almost ignored and if I had my way, she would have been simply because I am not a fan of teaching. However, the Goddess had other ideas and I had no choice but to ask her to be my student. I'm glad she answered yes. Like all good students, she taught the teacher a few things too and for that I am grateful. The lessons are seldom for the student alone.
However, as the group we had been working with broke down, I cautioned her to not become overly involved with the other students. She was not ready to be a teacher and I KNEW...10000% KNEW that they saw her as a pseudo-teacher since she had spent a year working with me and was more advanced then they were. Despite my repeated cautions in this area, she chose not to listen to me and in the end she felt that I was trying to control her and dictate to her just who she could hang out with. I've agonized over this fall out...running conversations over and over in my head trying to determine if I could have said something different, could I have said it in a different way? I always come up with no...I could have said nothing more and I could not have said it differently.
While I accept the fact there are teachers out there who control their students with an iron fist, dictating all they can do, say or people they can hang out with, that has never been the case with me OR my tradition. I should know, I'm a co-founder. We built this tradition on people exploring all those things that interest them and incorporating them in to their path if it feels right to them. We don't believe that all knowledge is wrapped up in a single practice or path. It comes from everywhere and everyone.
However, as teachers we do have an obligation to protect our students, as much as possible, from taking on things that we know could harm them or others. My former students willingness to have rituals in her home and arrange get togethers around Craft related topics meant that the students of the group that broke down did not have an opportunity to step out and embrace their own path. My former student was actually stunting the growth of the others in the group. They didn't need to look elsewhere, they had her. They had her and she wasn't ready for that role yet.
Sadly she didn't see it that way and she resigned from the Clan. I hope that she finds what she is looking for and that she finds people who will see her for the amazing shaman she could be and help her along the way. Students, please know that we do have your bests interests at heart and that sometimes you just to have to take a chance on us and trust us.
The whole idea of the student/teacher relationship is to ensure that the student gets the educational and emotional support they need as they start out their walk on this path. I strive to ensure that any student that I have is challenged to their limits not only mentally but emotionally and physically too. I don't take on students to be taking them on...in fact my last one was almost ignored and if I had my way, she would have been simply because I am not a fan of teaching. However, the Goddess had other ideas and I had no choice but to ask her to be my student. I'm glad she answered yes. Like all good students, she taught the teacher a few things too and for that I am grateful. The lessons are seldom for the student alone.
However, as the group we had been working with broke down, I cautioned her to not become overly involved with the other students. She was not ready to be a teacher and I KNEW...10000% KNEW that they saw her as a pseudo-teacher since she had spent a year working with me and was more advanced then they were. Despite my repeated cautions in this area, she chose not to listen to me and in the end she felt that I was trying to control her and dictate to her just who she could hang out with. I've agonized over this fall out...running conversations over and over in my head trying to determine if I could have said something different, could I have said it in a different way? I always come up with no...I could have said nothing more and I could not have said it differently.
While I accept the fact there are teachers out there who control their students with an iron fist, dictating all they can do, say or people they can hang out with, that has never been the case with me OR my tradition. I should know, I'm a co-founder. We built this tradition on people exploring all those things that interest them and incorporating them in to their path if it feels right to them. We don't believe that all knowledge is wrapped up in a single practice or path. It comes from everywhere and everyone.
However, as teachers we do have an obligation to protect our students, as much as possible, from taking on things that we know could harm them or others. My former students willingness to have rituals in her home and arrange get togethers around Craft related topics meant that the students of the group that broke down did not have an opportunity to step out and embrace their own path. My former student was actually stunting the growth of the others in the group. They didn't need to look elsewhere, they had her. They had her and she wasn't ready for that role yet.
Sadly she didn't see it that way and she resigned from the Clan. I hope that she finds what she is looking for and that she finds people who will see her for the amazing shaman she could be and help her along the way. Students, please know that we do have your bests interests at heart and that sometimes you just to have to take a chance on us and trust us.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Spellcasting: lessons for the unlearned and unbelieving
I am not a big spellcaster. I'm really not. I know that some people cast a lot of spells for all kinds of stuff but not me. I think life happens around me for specific reasons and since spells are designed to inflict your will on the universe (and in turn on someone else) I just don't do it a lot.
However having been unemployed for a period of time, I knew that it was time that I do a spell for employment. While some people will adamantly tell you that you must write the spell yourself, I would not be one of them. I have no problem looking for a spell that someone has previously used and tweaking it to mean something for me. So that is what I did.
The hardest part of any spell is creating a clear intention of what it is you are looking for. Sometimes that clear intention is a necessity and at other times, its really not. Let me explain. For my job spell I had a very specific set of criteria that I wanted to me. It had to pay well, have good people, be financially stable, allow me freedom to do my job in the way that I saw fit and offer promotions and professional development opportunities and was in the field of occupational safety or human resources. Had I asked for a job that just paid money, I would have had one within a week of being unemployed since I got all kinds of emails form insurance companies looking for me to sell insurance. Your intent defines how the spell will manifest itself in the universe and guide opportunities towards you. Think of your intent as a filter to screen out those unwanted or undesirable consequences of your spell.
The second hardest part of any spell is letting it go. Spells must be sent out in to the universe with positive energy in order for you to get your results. And I will tell you this, if you think that spells work overnight, I am here to tell you that they do not. The universe cannot work against itself in order to manifest your desires. The universe will eventually conform to your request but it will not inflict pain or misery on others just to ensure that your desires are met. I firmly believe that when you send a spell out in to the universe, you are really just asking the universe to make certain adjustments to peoples life event time lines in such a way that causes no harm to anyone. Things moved pretty quickly for me once I applied for this current position since the position had been vacant for almost a year. But had it not, it would have take a moment or two for he universe to move the person out of that position to a better or more favorable position (and in this case the person moved closer to family in another division of the corporation...a win for them) to free up this position for me. It takes time to do this stuff. Remember the universe doesn't use the concept of time like we do. Things happen when they should happen and nothing is going to change that.
But in all spellwork once it is cast, you cannot continually call it back to check on it. Every time you do that, you are starting the energy all over again and wasting time. Having confidence in the spell working as you have designed it to do is paramount to ensuring that you get optimum results from the spell.
They do work but sometimes you just gotta leave them alone and let them get on with the business you have given them to do!
However having been unemployed for a period of time, I knew that it was time that I do a spell for employment. While some people will adamantly tell you that you must write the spell yourself, I would not be one of them. I have no problem looking for a spell that someone has previously used and tweaking it to mean something for me. So that is what I did.
The hardest part of any spell is creating a clear intention of what it is you are looking for. Sometimes that clear intention is a necessity and at other times, its really not. Let me explain. For my job spell I had a very specific set of criteria that I wanted to me. It had to pay well, have good people, be financially stable, allow me freedom to do my job in the way that I saw fit and offer promotions and professional development opportunities and was in the field of occupational safety or human resources. Had I asked for a job that just paid money, I would have had one within a week of being unemployed since I got all kinds of emails form insurance companies looking for me to sell insurance. Your intent defines how the spell will manifest itself in the universe and guide opportunities towards you. Think of your intent as a filter to screen out those unwanted or undesirable consequences of your spell.
The second hardest part of any spell is letting it go. Spells must be sent out in to the universe with positive energy in order for you to get your results. And I will tell you this, if you think that spells work overnight, I am here to tell you that they do not. The universe cannot work against itself in order to manifest your desires. The universe will eventually conform to your request but it will not inflict pain or misery on others just to ensure that your desires are met. I firmly believe that when you send a spell out in to the universe, you are really just asking the universe to make certain adjustments to peoples life event time lines in such a way that causes no harm to anyone. Things moved pretty quickly for me once I applied for this current position since the position had been vacant for almost a year. But had it not, it would have take a moment or two for he universe to move the person out of that position to a better or more favorable position (and in this case the person moved closer to family in another division of the corporation...a win for them) to free up this position for me. It takes time to do this stuff. Remember the universe doesn't use the concept of time like we do. Things happen when they should happen and nothing is going to change that.
But in all spellwork once it is cast, you cannot continually call it back to check on it. Every time you do that, you are starting the energy all over again and wasting time. Having confidence in the spell working as you have designed it to do is paramount to ensuring that you get optimum results from the spell.
They do work but sometimes you just gotta leave them alone and let them get on with the business you have given them to do!
Monday, September 16, 2013
Diversity in the Craft
Diversity in the Craft can mean many things. It could mean that we have a diverse ethnic culture of practitioners in the craft. It could mean that we have a diverse offering of Craft "styles". It could mean that we have a diverse culture of sexual preferences too.
I would like to give you a few thoughts on each of these because I feel that diversity in the Craft is the one thing that keeps us together.
Within the practice of Wicca/Witchcraft or any other earth based tradition, you can see a tremendous amount of variations within Craft practices. Beyond the typical variations of pantheons, you find a wide array of differences within each and every pantheon out there. Not only are you a Celtic practitioner, but perhaps you follow a patrilineal path or a matrilineal path. Perhaps you are Celtic but your deities of choice come from northern France rather than the British isles. You get the idea.
It is the same with Craft "styles" too. Perhaps you are part of a coven based tradition with a strong Priest/High Priestess. Maybe you prefer to be part of a smaller group or not even join a group at all and you prefer to practice and learn as a solitaire. Again, there is no right way or wrong way. The Craft is strong enough and flexible enough to accommodate all styles.
One very positive thing about the Craft is that practitioners not only practice different sexual lifestyles but it is highly unusual for any sexual lifestyle to be seen as "unusual" or "unnatural" within the Earth based community. One of the items that one must investigate as they are looking for a community to participate in is to determine if their policies and practices are in line with what their personal values are. Sexual practices within the Craft community is still one of those things, in some groups, that are not fully discussed within their respective groups. Open and honest discussions of Pagan sexuality is an integral part of ones personal practice and in some instances, addressing shadow aspects of themselves. This is also an area that is open to predatory practices by those who only use the Craft to carve notches on their bedpost. Having said all that, there is little doubt that you can find a group that would accept you for who you are and not who you choose to sleep with or have sexual relations with.
One of the things that I enjoy most is the diversity of people within the Pagan community. Not only are we all shapes and sizes but we are truly representative of the communities within which we live and practice. The diversity of our groups encourages us to learn about other people other cultures and practices while at the same time letting us know that even though someone may be Native American, that they are still Bob, the guy who repairs our computers when they break. Having the richness of diversity while still seeing the trees within that forest make us better human beings.
I would like to give you a few thoughts on each of these because I feel that diversity in the Craft is the one thing that keeps us together.
Within the practice of Wicca/Witchcraft or any other earth based tradition, you can see a tremendous amount of variations within Craft practices. Beyond the typical variations of pantheons, you find a wide array of differences within each and every pantheon out there. Not only are you a Celtic practitioner, but perhaps you follow a patrilineal path or a matrilineal path. Perhaps you are Celtic but your deities of choice come from northern France rather than the British isles. You get the idea.
It is the same with Craft "styles" too. Perhaps you are part of a coven based tradition with a strong Priest/High Priestess. Maybe you prefer to be part of a smaller group or not even join a group at all and you prefer to practice and learn as a solitaire. Again, there is no right way or wrong way. The Craft is strong enough and flexible enough to accommodate all styles.
One very positive thing about the Craft is that practitioners not only practice different sexual lifestyles but it is highly unusual for any sexual lifestyle to be seen as "unusual" or "unnatural" within the Earth based community. One of the items that one must investigate as they are looking for a community to participate in is to determine if their policies and practices are in line with what their personal values are. Sexual practices within the Craft community is still one of those things, in some groups, that are not fully discussed within their respective groups. Open and honest discussions of Pagan sexuality is an integral part of ones personal practice and in some instances, addressing shadow aspects of themselves. This is also an area that is open to predatory practices by those who only use the Craft to carve notches on their bedpost. Having said all that, there is little doubt that you can find a group that would accept you for who you are and not who you choose to sleep with or have sexual relations with.
One of the things that I enjoy most is the diversity of people within the Pagan community. Not only are we all shapes and sizes but we are truly representative of the communities within which we live and practice. The diversity of our groups encourages us to learn about other people other cultures and practices while at the same time letting us know that even though someone may be Native American, that they are still Bob, the guy who repairs our computers when they break. Having the richness of diversity while still seeing the trees within that forest make us better human beings.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Herbal Remedies
For centuries, the history of the Craft has been tied to the healers in their respective communities. Their generational knowledge of herbs (medical and magickal) have kept people healthy and balanced. As people become educated in the Craft, as expected, they tend to move towards a healthier lifestyle. Some people remove meat and dairy from their diets, some choose only organic meats and vegetables or start gardens where they have an even greater control over their food sources.
The same thing is happening with regard towards medical care as well. If there is a flower, plant or tree that can be used to removed disease from our bodies or to complement traditional western medicine, we try and use it. We understand that our body reacts much better to herbal medicines than to western medicine and, when used under the skilled hands of a trained practitioner, the results are just as good with less damage to our bodies on the cellular level.
The key to using any type of herbal remedy is to ensure that you are using it under the care of a trained herbalist, naturopath, Chinese, Ayurvedic or other such trained practitioners. People who practice herbal healing arts have been trained in how to carefully gather the necessary herbs and prepare them for use within the human body. They are also trained in how to determine which herbs may work best for any western medication that you may be on. They can also work with your current physician and create complementary treatments to treat any damage done by the western medicine.
Many people in the Craft like to work with herbs of any kind and create their own personal herbal remedies for a wide variety or reasons. I'm a big fan of honey (having a couple of friends who are beekeepers helps!) and use raw honey for minor wound care and I enjoy a hand lotion that contains propolis, an anti-bacterial, anti-viral substance bees make to seal their honeycombs and cracks within the hive . The anti-viral part thrills me to no end since I can use a hand cream to soften my hands and during cold an flu season when you are touching phones and doorknobs, the anti-viral part keeps the nasties at bay. I use several types of herbal teas and I use an herb to help stabilize my mood as I suffer from mild but chronic depression. Lastly, I use a tea tree oil rinse for my scalp because it has a tendency to get very dry and itchy. Tea tree oil is a great multi-purpose oil to keep on hand for all kinds of minor medical emergencies like cuts and scratches.
Having said all that...it is the wise herbal remedy enthusiast that only practices on themselves and declines to offer herbal remedy advice to others. I'm sure some of you are saying "Boooo! quit spoiling our fun with herbs!" I promise I have a good reason for doing so. Herbal remedies in most states are considered "medicines" and treating the aches and pains of friends and families may be considered practicing medicine under the laws of the state you live in. Remember two paragraphs ago when I said that the key to using herbal remedies is using them under the guidance of a trained practitioner? That is the reason why. Trained practitioners are skilled and knowledgeable (and licensed within your state) about your body systems and can make accurate diagnoses about what exactly is ailing you. Intestinal upset could be the result of something you ate that didn't agree with you or it could be a loss of beneficial flora within your intestinal tract or something worse yet. Only a trained person can make that call, not your witchy friend (unless they too, happen to be a trained practitioner) You have the right to choose (or decline) your own medical care but unless you are properly licensed, you don't have the right to practice on others.
More and more medical insurance companies are offering to pay alternative medicine caregivers if they are used in conjunction with traditional care. Alternative medicine practitioners have shown great value in not only lowering medical costs for the patient but their ability to work with traditional medicine can get the patient back on their feet in a shorter time span while enhancing the bodies own ability to fight off diseases.
The Wise Woman or the Cunning Man have used herbal remedies for centuries to help keep the people around them healthy and balanced. Today's practitioners of the herbal healing arts are no less valuable than those who practiced them centuries ago. We also have the added luxury of knowing exactly what certain herbs accomplish in our bodies due to massive amounts of testing conducted on a wide variety of plant life. Used wisely, herbs can have a tremendous impact on your health. Used in ignorance, can harm or even cease life.
The same thing is happening with regard towards medical care as well. If there is a flower, plant or tree that can be used to removed disease from our bodies or to complement traditional western medicine, we try and use it. We understand that our body reacts much better to herbal medicines than to western medicine and, when used under the skilled hands of a trained practitioner, the results are just as good with less damage to our bodies on the cellular level.
The key to using any type of herbal remedy is to ensure that you are using it under the care of a trained herbalist, naturopath, Chinese, Ayurvedic or other such trained practitioners. People who practice herbal healing arts have been trained in how to carefully gather the necessary herbs and prepare them for use within the human body. They are also trained in how to determine which herbs may work best for any western medication that you may be on. They can also work with your current physician and create complementary treatments to treat any damage done by the western medicine.
Many people in the Craft like to work with herbs of any kind and create their own personal herbal remedies for a wide variety or reasons. I'm a big fan of honey (having a couple of friends who are beekeepers helps!) and use raw honey for minor wound care and I enjoy a hand lotion that contains propolis, an anti-bacterial, anti-viral substance bees make to seal their honeycombs and cracks within the hive . The anti-viral part thrills me to no end since I can use a hand cream to soften my hands and during cold an flu season when you are touching phones and doorknobs, the anti-viral part keeps the nasties at bay. I use several types of herbal teas and I use an herb to help stabilize my mood as I suffer from mild but chronic depression. Lastly, I use a tea tree oil rinse for my scalp because it has a tendency to get very dry and itchy. Tea tree oil is a great multi-purpose oil to keep on hand for all kinds of minor medical emergencies like cuts and scratches.
Having said all that...it is the wise herbal remedy enthusiast that only practices on themselves and declines to offer herbal remedy advice to others. I'm sure some of you are saying "Boooo! quit spoiling our fun with herbs!" I promise I have a good reason for doing so. Herbal remedies in most states are considered "medicines" and treating the aches and pains of friends and families may be considered practicing medicine under the laws of the state you live in. Remember two paragraphs ago when I said that the key to using herbal remedies is using them under the guidance of a trained practitioner? That is the reason why. Trained practitioners are skilled and knowledgeable (and licensed within your state) about your body systems and can make accurate diagnoses about what exactly is ailing you. Intestinal upset could be the result of something you ate that didn't agree with you or it could be a loss of beneficial flora within your intestinal tract or something worse yet. Only a trained person can make that call, not your witchy friend (unless they too, happen to be a trained practitioner) You have the right to choose (or decline) your own medical care but unless you are properly licensed, you don't have the right to practice on others.
More and more medical insurance companies are offering to pay alternative medicine caregivers if they are used in conjunction with traditional care. Alternative medicine practitioners have shown great value in not only lowering medical costs for the patient but their ability to work with traditional medicine can get the patient back on their feet in a shorter time span while enhancing the bodies own ability to fight off diseases.
The Wise Woman or the Cunning Man have used herbal remedies for centuries to help keep the people around them healthy and balanced. Today's practitioners of the herbal healing arts are no less valuable than those who practiced them centuries ago. We also have the added luxury of knowing exactly what certain herbs accomplish in our bodies due to massive amounts of testing conducted on a wide variety of plant life. Used wisely, herbs can have a tremendous impact on your health. Used in ignorance, can harm or even cease life.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
When the student is ready, the teacher will come...Part 3
Well we've discussed the role of the teacher, the role of the student and now I would like to delve in to the role of the student-teacher relationship.
As long as there have been cunning men, wise women, witches, etc., there have been people who taught them their skills. This relationship was usually oral by tradition and the reason why was made very clear during the Burning Times.
Many of the student-teacher relationships were usually one of voluntary servitude (If you want to learn this stuff, you come live with me and do EXACTLY as I tell you) and once one started down this path, there was no getting off. This was not unlike many of the apprenticeships that children went in to at a young age.
But today that dynamic isn't really functional and in many cases, can be traumatizing for the student. Today the dynamic is (or should be) one of mutual respect for the skills that the teacher brings to the table and respect for the individuality that the student brings to the table. Gone are the days where the teacher had absolute control over the student and now we see relationships that are mutually beneficial to the teacher and the student.
Now, that is not to say that the student gets a pass on not doing the work. Doing the work that the teacher gives to the student is vital in the development of the students spiritual character. It has been my experience that many students, when they first start on this path, are arrogant and self absorbed. They have read a few books, done a few spells, cast a couple of circles and viola! they are smarter than everyone. It behooves a teacher to teach some humility to students like this. The student does not realize that all their arrogance is a huge impediment to their learning true spirituality. Trust me when I say this, the teacher gets no joy out of watching you stumble around like a person with their eyes closed. However, they will let you do that (all the while bumping into walls and getting some bruises) because they know that at some point your eyes will open and you will understand that you don't know everything and that humility will cause you to stand in front of your teacher and say "I don't know everything" and THAT is when your training will begin.
For the teacher's part, it is our job to teach you what we know. Not only from a technical standpoint (the craft part of the Craft) but also from an emotional and psychological perspective as well. A good teacher will be involved in their students life to a degree. They will know what is going on in most aspects of your life and the relationship should be one that is similar to that of a priest/penitent. It should be open, honest and there is very little that a teacher shouldn't know about their student. This is not because teachers enjoy drama in their life (we really don't) but unless we know the details of past experiences, we are not able to give you wise counsel. Let me give you an example of why this is critical. Part of every path is a segment called Shadow Work. As Pagans we understand that dark balances light. We know that we must embrace the darkness within ourselves in order to remain in balance in our lives. There are many dark things in the Shadow self and if the teacher doesn't know about them, they are unable to properly address them with you. You may even have such traumatic things in your Shadow self that the teacher may not be qualified to address. It's dangerous to the student to withhold critical information.
The student-teacher relationship really is a sacred trust on both parts. A trust that both the student and teacher will give 100% of themselves in teaching and learning the Craft. I am always humbled when a person consents to be my student. I understand how great an impact my words and actions will have on them for the rest of their lives.
When the time comes for students and teachers to part it should be done respectfully, no matter the reason for the parting. Either the student or the teacher can decide that neither is the right fit for the other. This is not a bad thing. Take what you have learned from that teacher and add it to your personal wisdom. When teachers feel that their time is ending with a student, it too should be done respectfully. After all, at some point you saw something in that person that compelled you to take them on as a student. Never end a relationship on a negative note. You want the student to continue their studies, even if it's not with you. In the end, it is about doing what is best for the student, not your ego.
As long as there have been cunning men, wise women, witches, etc., there have been people who taught them their skills. This relationship was usually oral by tradition and the reason why was made very clear during the Burning Times.
Many of the student-teacher relationships were usually one of voluntary servitude (If you want to learn this stuff, you come live with me and do EXACTLY as I tell you) and once one started down this path, there was no getting off. This was not unlike many of the apprenticeships that children went in to at a young age.
But today that dynamic isn't really functional and in many cases, can be traumatizing for the student. Today the dynamic is (or should be) one of mutual respect for the skills that the teacher brings to the table and respect for the individuality that the student brings to the table. Gone are the days where the teacher had absolute control over the student and now we see relationships that are mutually beneficial to the teacher and the student.
Now, that is not to say that the student gets a pass on not doing the work. Doing the work that the teacher gives to the student is vital in the development of the students spiritual character. It has been my experience that many students, when they first start on this path, are arrogant and self absorbed. They have read a few books, done a few spells, cast a couple of circles and viola! they are smarter than everyone. It behooves a teacher to teach some humility to students like this. The student does not realize that all their arrogance is a huge impediment to their learning true spirituality. Trust me when I say this, the teacher gets no joy out of watching you stumble around like a person with their eyes closed. However, they will let you do that (all the while bumping into walls and getting some bruises) because they know that at some point your eyes will open and you will understand that you don't know everything and that humility will cause you to stand in front of your teacher and say "I don't know everything" and THAT is when your training will begin.
For the teacher's part, it is our job to teach you what we know. Not only from a technical standpoint (the craft part of the Craft) but also from an emotional and psychological perspective as well. A good teacher will be involved in their students life to a degree. They will know what is going on in most aspects of your life and the relationship should be one that is similar to that of a priest/penitent. It should be open, honest and there is very little that a teacher shouldn't know about their student. This is not because teachers enjoy drama in their life (we really don't) but unless we know the details of past experiences, we are not able to give you wise counsel. Let me give you an example of why this is critical. Part of every path is a segment called Shadow Work. As Pagans we understand that dark balances light. We know that we must embrace the darkness within ourselves in order to remain in balance in our lives. There are many dark things in the Shadow self and if the teacher doesn't know about them, they are unable to properly address them with you. You may even have such traumatic things in your Shadow self that the teacher may not be qualified to address. It's dangerous to the student to withhold critical information.
The student-teacher relationship really is a sacred trust on both parts. A trust that both the student and teacher will give 100% of themselves in teaching and learning the Craft. I am always humbled when a person consents to be my student. I understand how great an impact my words and actions will have on them for the rest of their lives.
When the time comes for students and teachers to part it should be done respectfully, no matter the reason for the parting. Either the student or the teacher can decide that neither is the right fit for the other. This is not a bad thing. Take what you have learned from that teacher and add it to your personal wisdom. When teachers feel that their time is ending with a student, it too should be done respectfully. After all, at some point you saw something in that person that compelled you to take them on as a student. Never end a relationship on a negative note. You want the student to continue their studies, even if it's not with you. In the end, it is about doing what is best for the student, not your ego.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
When the student is ready, the teacher will come...Part 2
In Part 1 we discussed what typical expectations were on a teacher who chose to teach the Craft. In this part, I'd like to touch on the role of the student in this equation.
"When the student is ready,..." There is quite a mystical, magickal match-up system that is undergone in the Universe when a student is matched with a teacher. It really is all based upon the readiness of the student too. Most people, when they start on this path, become voracious readers. They will read everything and anything that is related to their path with little thought to the quality of the content that they are ingesting. There are a few things that you the student can do in order to prepare yourself for the teacher to come and come to you quicker!
Read whatever you can get your hands on is a good start but this should contain a caveat...not everything you read is good information. In any given year approximately 230,000 books are published. Llewellyn, a major pagan publisher, will publish thousands of these books around subject matter that is of interest to earth based practitioners. With the rise of self-publishing, add a couple thousand more to that list. One good way to spend your money wisely is to talk to the people around you. Chances are you didn't come to this path without running in to some Pagan folks, perhaps at a bookstore, metaphysical store or some other place. Ask them what books they would recommend for a beginner in this field of study. If you are lucky, they will steer you towards books that have exercises for you to do while you are reading the book. If you get a book like that, DO THE EXERCISES! And don't do them just once either, do them over and over again until you get the desired results. It is seldom that a new student will get the desired result right off the bat so its important that you continue practicing.
Meditate everyday and start keeping a meditation journal. Meditation isn't all that hard to do but it is something that must be done every day. Even a 15 minute meditation is going to benefit you. If you want to meet totem animals or spirit guides, it is during your meditations that they will make an appearance. So why the big deal about meditation? Well first and foremost, it quiets your mind so that you can hear the messages from the Divine. People are VERY anxious to talk but they don't like to be quiet and listen. Secondly, there are very real physical reactions that take place within your body when you meditate. Blood pressure drops, stress and anxiety level off and best of all, you get a chance to hear the divine speak.. Lastly, you are developing places in your mind that you can retreat to when the going gets rough in your life...your "Happy place" as it were.
Determine how you like to learn (do you like handouts and lectures? do you prefer hands on experiences?) How you like to learn will help you determine the type of teacher that will help you along this path in the way that is best for you. Trust me when I say that there are a TON of bad teachers out there and it will sometimes feel like they all live in your town but they don't. The axiom holds true and stands the test of time which is why you hear it repeated so often.
Just a couple of really important things left to address and we will be through! First, there are unscrupulous teachers out there that are nothing more than predators. Predators prey on people who are vulnerable because they are easy targets. Many people come to the Craft because they are broken in some way. If you come upon an instructor that requires money or sex in exchange for teaching you, run the other way as fast as you can. No legitimate teacher of the Craft will require either one of these things. Having said that, you will find covens that practice sacred sexuality (The Great Rite) but I have only seen it done by committed couples (married, handfasted, etc.) within the group and always in their private space, never in view of the public. Sexuality is an important aspect of the Craft but it is something that is always consensual, respectful and private. With regard to money, some traditions teach that no money shall cross the palm of the instructor less the power of the magick be lost. More and more you are seeing teachers request small donations to help cover the cost of the materials they are using to teach you. $5 to $10 a month for these expenses are not unreasonable and if you can't afford that, consider bartering something with your teacher. They may want their lawn mowed once a month or may need help putting up herbs they have dried.
After having done all these things, now you must sit and wait for your perfect teacher to show up. Don't worry...they will appear. When they do make sure that you ask yourself if they are the right teacher for you. If you don't feel that they are the right one, it's ok to say "thank you for your time but I don't think you are the right one for me". A good teacher will not take it personally and a great teacher will even help you find someone who works with your learning style.
"When the student is ready,..." There is quite a mystical, magickal match-up system that is undergone in the Universe when a student is matched with a teacher. It really is all based upon the readiness of the student too. Most people, when they start on this path, become voracious readers. They will read everything and anything that is related to their path with little thought to the quality of the content that they are ingesting. There are a few things that you the student can do in order to prepare yourself for the teacher to come and come to you quicker!
Read whatever you can get your hands on is a good start but this should contain a caveat...not everything you read is good information. In any given year approximately 230,000 books are published. Llewellyn, a major pagan publisher, will publish thousands of these books around subject matter that is of interest to earth based practitioners. With the rise of self-publishing, add a couple thousand more to that list. One good way to spend your money wisely is to talk to the people around you. Chances are you didn't come to this path without running in to some Pagan folks, perhaps at a bookstore, metaphysical store or some other place. Ask them what books they would recommend for a beginner in this field of study. If you are lucky, they will steer you towards books that have exercises for you to do while you are reading the book. If you get a book like that, DO THE EXERCISES! And don't do them just once either, do them over and over again until you get the desired results. It is seldom that a new student will get the desired result right off the bat so its important that you continue practicing.
Meditate everyday and start keeping a meditation journal. Meditation isn't all that hard to do but it is something that must be done every day. Even a 15 minute meditation is going to benefit you. If you want to meet totem animals or spirit guides, it is during your meditations that they will make an appearance. So why the big deal about meditation? Well first and foremost, it quiets your mind so that you can hear the messages from the Divine. People are VERY anxious to talk but they don't like to be quiet and listen. Secondly, there are very real physical reactions that take place within your body when you meditate. Blood pressure drops, stress and anxiety level off and best of all, you get a chance to hear the divine speak.. Lastly, you are developing places in your mind that you can retreat to when the going gets rough in your life...your "Happy place" as it were.
Determine how you like to learn (do you like handouts and lectures? do you prefer hands on experiences?) How you like to learn will help you determine the type of teacher that will help you along this path in the way that is best for you. Trust me when I say that there are a TON of bad teachers out there and it will sometimes feel like they all live in your town but they don't. The axiom holds true and stands the test of time which is why you hear it repeated so often.
Just a couple of really important things left to address and we will be through! First, there are unscrupulous teachers out there that are nothing more than predators. Predators prey on people who are vulnerable because they are easy targets. Many people come to the Craft because they are broken in some way. If you come upon an instructor that requires money or sex in exchange for teaching you, run the other way as fast as you can. No legitimate teacher of the Craft will require either one of these things. Having said that, you will find covens that practice sacred sexuality (The Great Rite) but I have only seen it done by committed couples (married, handfasted, etc.) within the group and always in their private space, never in view of the public. Sexuality is an important aspect of the Craft but it is something that is always consensual, respectful and private. With regard to money, some traditions teach that no money shall cross the palm of the instructor less the power of the magick be lost. More and more you are seeing teachers request small donations to help cover the cost of the materials they are using to teach you. $5 to $10 a month for these expenses are not unreasonable and if you can't afford that, consider bartering something with your teacher. They may want their lawn mowed once a month or may need help putting up herbs they have dried.
After having done all these things, now you must sit and wait for your perfect teacher to show up. Don't worry...they will appear. When they do make sure that you ask yourself if they are the right teacher for you. If you don't feel that they are the right one, it's ok to say "thank you for your time but I don't think you are the right one for me". A good teacher will not take it personally and a great teacher will even help you find someone who works with your learning style.
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