Witchvox Article

Author: Willow Moon
Posted: April 24th. 2011
Times Viewed: 2,255

Do we live in a black and white world? Throughout my life I have noticed how people socially interact. Perhaps it is in my nature; perhaps this is a learned awareness. I have noticed that we sometimes walk through life unaware of our outward reflection; or perhaps we are so concerned with our outward reflection that we disconnect from the possibility of our present sense of joy. We tend to create a projected picture of what is going on inside, in spite of our efforts to hide our hearts. We are the gift we give ourselves, for wellness or illness.

When creating thought-forms for this article I came across some interesting comparisons. The typical delivery of the word manifestation is associated with Deity. The manifestation of God, or an Avatar of God; �one of the forms in which someone or something, such as a person, a divine being, or an idea, is revealed; the materialized form of a spirit.� On the flip side we have the more secular creation of manifestation: �a public demonstration of power and purpose�.

I would like to present the perspective that we are divine, and spend the next few minutes pondering questions of the power of purpose within the manifestation of truth.

What is truth? Is truth really truth, or is it simply what we tell ourselves? Is the outward manifestation of this truth used to create the world around us? Do we tell people our stories, or let them figure out for themselves through speculation, assumption and popular theory what they think is real?

If, in our divinity we are not living our truth, what then? Are we creating spontaneous evolution in the opposite direction?

***�A driving thirst for knowledge is the forerunner of wisdom. Knowledge is a state that all organic life possesses; wisdom is the reward of the spirit, gained in the search for knowledge. Truth is variable � what is true now, will not be true tomorrow, since the temporal truths are dependent upon ethics and social mores � therefore wisdom is possibly eternal Truth, untouched by man�s condition. So we must come to the heart of the People, a belief that is based upon Eternity, and not upon social needs or pressures � the �witch� belief then is concerned with wisdom, our true name, then is the wise people and wisdom is our aim.� Robert Cochrane 1931-1966***

It is interesting to note that Epiphany is Greek for manifestation.

According to Cochrane �Truth is variable�, so truth is temporarily true; or perhaps more accurately, it is flexible according to one�s own perspectives and ethical structure. This certainly seems more in line with the divinity and creative life force that I personally experience; but I don�t know that I completely buy it. Certain truths are less malleable. For instance, gravity works. The world is round. When my world is polluted, I have to deal directly with the consequences, as do my children and my children�s children. These are known truths.

If many people know something to be true, does it become truth?

Tolstoy gives us some insight into our excuses for not speaking the truth:

***�One man [indeed one woman] does not assert the truth which he knows, because he feels himself bound to the people with whom he is engaged; another, because the truth might deprive him of the profitable position by which he maintains his family; a third, because he desires to attain reputation and authority, and then use them in the service of mankind; a fourth, because he does not wish to destroy old sacred traditions; a fifth, because he has no desire to offend people; a sixth, because the expression of the truth would arouse persecution, and disturb the excellent social activity to which he has devoted himself.� (Leo Tolstoy) ***

�One man [indeed one woman] does not assert the truth which he knows, because he feels himself bound to the people with whom he is engaged.�

This is potent. Tolstoy is saying that if we wish to remain �friends� or �likeable� with those we are engaged with, we better not tell the truth.

According to popular theory, one is to assume that a relationship built on skirting truths is a more cordial relationship.

�Because the truth might deprive him of the profitable position by which he maintains his family.�

Lie at work; the truth is less profitable and detrimental.

�He desires to attain reputation and authority, and then use them in the service of mankind�

I believe I would take this in two steps, as noble as it may be to believe that we all serve humanity, I do not believe this is true. I believe Humanity is mostly concerned with personal gain, however much I might like to be proven incorrect in this position.

So: �He desires to attain reputation and authority�, power, to be used as would benefit his or her station or position, which is used to gain more authority.

And: �then use them in the service of mankind�, I suppose this too carries a certain type of power. We sometimes see this in the �missionary� movements as the martyrdom perspective.

�Because he does not wish to destroy old sacred traditions.�

This is a mixed statement that is contingent upon the word �sacred�. I am left with two opposing perspectives, 1) Keep to vows and oaths. 2) A lie is best left alone if it has always been, and therefore is now treated as truth.

�Because he has no desire to offend people.�

Truth is not popular. Fiction is better.

�Because the expression of the truth would arouse persecution, and disturb the excellent social activity to which he has devoted himself.�

Again, I feel the need to divide this statement.

�Because the expression of the truth would arouse persecution.�

This is powerful stuff. I believe this to be the heart of the matter. We would rather be comfortable. If we correct an outward wrong we take the risk of ending up on the butchers block ourselves.

�Disturb the excellent social activity to which he has devoted himself.�

Not only will it be uncomfortable, it will be unpopular.

If speaking the truth is so unpopular, if pop culture is indeed prettier, friendlier, more fun, and much more socially acceptable, why do we do it? Why do we rake ourselves over the coals in a seemingly endless quest for self-inflicted pain simply to speak a truth? I believe the answer is encoded into our divinity; being who we can be is much more important than whom it is convenient to be. I believe this to be the wisdom of our divinity.

Footnotes:
Leo Tolstoy: http://www.answers.com/topic/leo-tolstoy , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Tolstoy

Robert Cochrane: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Cochrane_ (witch) , http://www.controverscial.com/Robert%20Cochrane.htm

You Tube: HBO special called �assume the position� (ATP) with Mr Robert Wahl: ATP 1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJNVgCHLR-k and feature=related , also see ATP 2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX5foJttgt4 and feature=related , and ATP parts 3 and 4; not necessarily relevant to this particular essay but completely fun!

Copyright: Copyright � 2010 by the article's author

ABOUT...

Willow Moon

Location: Everett, Washington

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

Other Articles: Willow Moon has posted 4 additional articles- View them?

Other Listings: To view ALL of my listings: Click HERE

Email Willow Moon... (No, I have NOT opted to receive Pagan Invites! Please do NOT send me anonymous invites to groups, sales and events.)

Home - TWV Logos - Email US - Privacy

News and Information

Chapters: Pagan/Heathen Basics - Pagan BOOKS - Traditions, Paths & Religions - Popular Pagan Holidays - TV & Movies - Cats of the Craft - Festival Reviews - Festival Tips - White Pages (Resources) - Issues/Concerns - West Memphis 3 - Witch Hunts - Pagan Protection Tips - Healing Planet Earth

Your Voices: Adult Essays - Young Pagan Essays - Pagan Perspectives (On Hold) - WitchWars: Fire in the Craft - Gay Pagan - Pagan Parenting - Military - Pagan Passages

Pagan Music: Pagan Musicians - Bardic Circle at WitchVox - Free Music from TWV

Vox Central: About TWV - Wren: Words, Wrants and Wramblings - Guest Rants - Past Surveys - A Quest for Unity

Weekly Updates: Click HERE for an index of our weekly updates for the past 6 years

W.O.T.W. - World-Wide Networking

Your Town: A Link to YOUR Area Page (The largest listing of Witches, Pagans, Heathens and Wiccans on the Planet)

VoxLinks: The Pagan Web: 8,000 Listings

Your Witchvox Account: Log in Now - Create New Account - Request New Password - Log in Problems

Personal Listings: Pagan Clergy in Your Town - Adult Pagans - Young Pagans - Military Pagans

Events: Circles, Gatherings, Workshops & Festivals

Covens/Groups/Orgs: Local Groups Main Page

Other LOCAL Resources: Local Shops - Regional Sites - Local Notices - Global/National Notices - Local Skills & Services - Local Egroups - Political Freedom Fighters

Pagan Shopping: Online Shops Index - Original Crafters Sites - Auction Sites - Pagan Wholesalers - Pagan Local Shops

Web Site Content (including: text - graphics - html - look & feel)
Copyright 1997-2013 The Witches' Voice Inc. All rights reserved
Note: Authors & Artists retain the copyright for their work(s) on this website.
Unauthorized reproduction without prior permission is a violation of copyright laws.

Website structure, evolution and php coding by Fritz Jung on a Macintosh G5.

Any and all personal political opinions expressed in the public listing sections (including, but not restricted to, personals, events, groups, shops, Wren’s Nest, etc.) are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinion of The Witches’ Voice, Inc. TWV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization.

Sponsorship: Visit the Witches' Voice Sponsor Page for info on how you
can help support this Community Resource. Donations ARE Tax Deductible.
The Witches' Voice carries a 501(c)(3) certificate and a Federal Tax ID.

Mail Us: The Witches' Voice Inc., P.O. Box 341018, Tampa, Florida 33694-1018 U.S.A.

Witches, Pagans
of The World

Current Topic
Editorial Guide

NOTE: The essay on this page contains the writings and opinions of the listed author(s) and is not necessarily shared or endorsed by the Witches' Voice inc.

The Witches' Voice does not verify or attest to the historical accuracy contained in the content of this essay.

All WitchVox essays contain a valid email address, feel free to send your comments, thoughts or concerns directly to the listed author(s).