Witchvox Article

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Posted: December 8th. 2001
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Respect verses ego; it's a situation a lot of people find themselves faced with at times. I ask myself why this happens. We are a very diverse group of people and beliefs. It is a mix of strong personalities and vocal individuals. With this many differences and also common ground, it should not be a surprise that we have misunderstandings and arguments. This is not an issue of age or how long someone has been on the journey to find his or her path. Respect is earned, whether you can say you are 5th generation or have been active for 11 years, I would say this is great; there is a lot to learn from that.

We grow, we learn, we teach, it's the cycle of knowledge. No one knows everything or that there is only one-way to do something. A persons dedication to their chosen path or learning cannot be judged by age or how new they are to the path they choose. All to often conflicts have arisen around these points. The new/young ones feel they are not respected and the older/longer active people feel that they are not getting the respect for which they have accomplished. It is all everyone's responsibility to be aware of how they treat others. Most try and live by the Wiccan Rede 'An' it harm none, do as you will'

Sometimes we forget it's not as simple as those few words. This is not a blank check to run rampant on the world as long as you don't physically hurt someone. Most will agree that the following point needs to be covered within a code of ethics. An' it harm none, the Rede is not just a code of ethics but more a way of life. If we really mean to pursue the ideal of not harming anyone then we need to look at what that means. Does it just mean not to hit them, to strike them or does it mean more. It should mean a lot more than that.

Our actions affect everyone near or even some we may never even know. Harm can come in many forms. The Mind, Body, Spirit are all connected, when we attack the mind (insults, disrespect, degradation) when someone open themselves up to criticisms by others it's a risk we all know this. It's the responsibility that should be taken seriously to guide someone, not your right as someone further along or an 'Elder' to do so. This is not to say there are not wannabes that just don't get it all. Categorizing the rest of the young/new people with these Halloween Witches, I liken them to what's referred to as a Sunday Christian. They like the flash but are not really dedicated being more interested in being able to say, 'I am a Witch'. It also isn't about whose got the oldest pedigree for their broomstick. We choose the paths we do because they suit us. I don't usually find myself with a need to invoke Sheba. (Random name, nothing meant by it) That doesn't discount my acknowledging those that do and the work they accomplish by doing so.

The basics for the most part are similar enough between paths that they are the same. Calling a circle, centering, these are where we should be teaching and then letting those who have come to us grow... show the path to them but let them find their own way. If you see someone skipping, jogging, or slowly meandering along his or her path... they may already know their way. Some people just need more time than others or need to become more comfortable with their inner self.

For those of you that have chosen to label yourself as being of a certain path, expect helpful criticisms about ritual by those that have followed it longer. I am very eclectic myself; I draw from others what works best for my path in life. Don't be afraid to learn what you are being taught first then approach it from your own way. Keep in mind those teaching, are teaching because they are knowledgeable about something. Doesn't mean that anyone is right or wrong but it's easy to get defensive about that. I know I do at times and try and find a way to learn from it.

This assuming of someone's depth of inner dedication to his or her path is simple wrong. No one has the ability to completely judge that. Nor should we, its our obligation to teach what we know and further the understanding not create little clones. I dislike the fact there was a need for such a term but 'Witch Wars' fits. Attacking someone's spirituality just sounds very, shall we say, medieval don't you think. Life is not all candy canes and lollipops but it doesn't mean we should forget what the results of our actions are. Be it a comment to someone or a physical response to an action it all falls under our Rede even those of us that are not strictly speaking Wiccan but Pagan. This doesn't change the validity of its application in most people's lives or the truth of it.

Nature finds many ways to accomplish its goals as we can also. One of the general commonalities of Pagan paths is the veneration of the earth and nature as a whole. It doesn't matter what term you prefer, religion or spirituality, it comes to a point where we all want respect for what we have accomplished. To those who have been true to themselves and others about this I say Huzzah! To those that have taken what should have been a chance to teach and share into an ego trip, or maybe have judged a younger or new person wanting. I feel sad, you have become the same as those that Judge us for our faith and paths we follow. Isn't being put down for being Pagan or different what we all dislike the most? Why then do we do this to our own???

The Rede applies to every part of our lives just as our world is connected. Is it enough to give us a code to live by, does it cover enough to balance our wants without infringing on others? I ask myself, 'have I been true to it today', its not always easy to see if we have not been. Wrongs even those that where not seen can be righted. We receive this chance, with each dawn, and with each turn of the wheel.

An' it harm none, do as you will does meet our needs; its out perception of it that need to change. There is a need to be more aware of it in lives and not to use it as an excuse to just run around doing what we want without regard to our actions. That leads us to the small percentage of people that give the rest of us the bad press. We may never get it into their heads but the rest of us will be better off for having taken the time to look inward and see how the Rede has been applied in our lives.

Kestrel

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Bio: Kestrel, originally raised in the Bible belt of the Mid-West, currently calls South Central Pa home. He follows an Eclectic path drawing from Celtic among other traditions. A man once said, "Life is like a canvas, I intend to throw as much paint on it as I can". The pages I write are part of that canvas and the paint my words.

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