Witchvox Article

Author: Kyriea
Posted: December 8th. 2001
Times Viewed: 3,516

First of all, I am Pagan. NOT Wiccan. I do not take all of the Wiccan Rede to heart nor do I believe that what you put out there comes back 3-fold. Basic physics says that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Wouldn't that hold true for those who live their life studying and practicing the Craft? After all, we do work with energy. For example, say you are in a grocery store and accidentally backed into an elderly person who then falls and breaks a hip. Should you then be taken into custody and booked with assault? Most people would say no. Hopefully you feel really bad about it but the 'crime' would not warrant the same punishment as if you had turned around and purposefully punched the person in the mouth. It doesn't make sense that if you tried, with true good intent, to help someone magickally and it didn't turn out the way you intended that you would get slammed with a big 'karmic backlash'. Goddess knows we are human and make mistakes. So do the Fates. Why would they instill that much fear in us? I would think that would be counter productive to helping those around us to make us so scared of horrible repercussions for some honest mistakes. I don't believe that was the intent of the Goddess and God. No one would want to do anything if there is the possibility of it coming back 3-times upon us, especially if the intent was true but the outcome less than desirable. Please do not get me wrong. I believe that if you do something bad magickally or mundanely, whether intentional or not, there should be repercussions. I just don't think it's going to come back to me 3 times, 5 times, 10 times, what have you.

I also do not like to use the 'harm none' rule. It's too vague. Too much room for interpretation. There are those that take it over-board, saying that you can not heal or help someone with out permission or something bad will happen. If a family member of mine was very sick and could not ask for help I would certainly do a healing for them even if permission was not granted. Under the 'harm none' rule you could not take action against a rapist, or child molester. If someone did something to my daughter I certainly would feel moved to do something in the mundane world AND possibly the magickal one. But I would know that with any action I took I would also be responsible for the reaction of the universe back at me. I believe that everyone should be responsible for one's own actions. If they do good than that goodness comes back to them. If they do bad things the bad comes back also. It's called checks and balances.

Another thing people forget is that a persons actions also 'reflect' back to the individual. If you volunteer time to a homeless shelter others will see that as a good thing. You will feel good about what you are doing, but also, others will see you doing a good thing and that will 'reflect' positively back to you. On the flip side, if you are a litterbug and make a habit of throwing things on the ground of Mother Earth then you will not be doing something good, and those that see you do such a thing will not think highly of you. That act would 'reflect' poorly on you. And what about a person who, say, attempts to help a neighbor by mowing the lawn but accidentally cuts down some of the beautiful flowers that were planted. Yes, a mistake was made. But since it would have been an accident, and the original intent was a positive one, most would not condemn the person for the mistake alone and not look at the intent. Both the good and the not so good would be 'reflected' back. In each case the individual is responsible for the action. The impression that action has on others will reflect back to the individual in a negative/positive/ neutral way depending on the situation. Therefore, would it not be in a person's best interest to do the best and most positive things s/he could each day? It will come back to her/him from within (you have to live with what you do), from people around you (unless you are a hermit your actions will be witnessed by others), and the unseen beings that exist with us everyday (regardless of what you call them by name).

I would think a more appropriate saying would be something like 'Take full responsibility for all your actions. They are the mirrors by which the universe knows you, and you will be held accountable.' Summary, in short, would mean that all of your actions define who you are to the world around you. I'm sure many of you have heard the phrase 'actions speak louder than words'. In my opinion a very true statement. For example, if someone told me they care about the environment but then litter and refuse to recycle I would look at the actions and know the words meant nothing. My opinion of that person would be based on what s/he did, not what was said. (Although in the above situation I would also take into account what was said and that they did not mean it.) Try to make what others see as positive as possible and they will see you as a good person. Ok, ok, I know that there are going to be MANY people who will say 'why should I care what others think?' This is a good question since many people who have chosen alternative life choices not considered mainstream did not care what others thought. But those people are still looking. When you are positive in how you live your life day to day then all those others will notice. And it will have a good impression. Did you go out of your way to impress them? Probably not. Hopefully you just lived your life as best you can and it just reflected back well.

For centuries people had a specific belief about Witches. How they looked, dressed, spoke what they did in the privacy of their homes. That image has changed and is still changing. Why? Because those that chose to live this path have followed it knowing it was right for them, doing things that helped others and the community and Mother Earth, and it has been noticed. It has changed how witches are viewed. No longer are Witches burned at the stake and hung. In most places in the U.S. you will not lose your job, housing or children for your beliefs. And hopefully, through more positive work, the image of the modern witch will continue to change for the better. But, once again, it is the reflections of our deeds that will make that change happen, not any phrase or supposed religious dogma.

Thank you for the time to express my opinion.

Blessings, love, and peace to you all.

Kyriea

ABOUT...

Kyriea

Location: Ramsey, Minnesota

Author's Profile: To learn more about Kyriea - Click HERE

Bio: Kyriea is a solitary Pagan who follows a Celtic path. She has been actively living and practicing her Pagan religious path since 1998 but has had many years of off and on again interest and study. Other interests include: sewing Renaissance costumes and clothes for friends and family, writing and publishing poetry related and unrelated to the Craft, writing essays for The Witches' Voice, spending time with her children, boyfriend, family and friends, and playing with her 2 cats, Bonnie and Clyde.

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