sethzenobia

Every once in a while I get frustrated with how eclectic my spiritual and magickal path is.  I know that this is the case for most of us, even if we follow a specific tradition, most magickal traditions are eclectic within themselves when we look at the diverse elements that came together to form them.  Traditional Wicca comprises elements of Western ceremonial magick (which in itself draws from Hermeticism, Qabbalah, and various grimoires) much of which was crystallised within the Order of the Golden Dawn, eastern philosophies via the Theosophical Society such as the Chakra system, Mystery Schools of the ancient world, Freemasonry, British folk magic etc

I realise that for a long time I have craved coherency.  I spent years in search of one practice or tradition that could satisfy me on every level - spiritually, intellectually and magickally.  Wicca does a lot for me and has always been my foundation, but we don’t live in sealed off and neatly labelled packages.  There is so much diversity out there in the world and we live in such a multicultural society.  Magickal practitioners around the world in many different periods of history have been eclectic in approach and used what works.  I have to keep reminding myself of this whenever I feel drawn to something which appears to clash with the spiritual world I have adopted for myself.  How does someone who considers themselves to be pagan react, for instance, if they find themselves being drawn to Catholic saints or angels?

Taking a look through the PGM you will find that magickal practitioners living in the ancient city of Alexandria might work spells and ceremonies involving Jewish, Christian, Roman and Egyptian fusions!  We have survivals of talismans which make use of holy names of power from all of these traditions.  A Hebrew name of God here, an angel there, alongside an Egyptian or Sumerian Goddess.

I personally acknowledge the existence of all deities and spiritual beings ever to have been believed in by anyone.  I’ve had experiences with enough different types of being to see no reason why they aren’t all out there somewhere within their own spheres of being.  I know the Lwa are real from my Vodou experiences, and even though I haven’t practised for years, just last week three Ogouns appeared in my dreams with a message for my friend who serves them.  I have interacted with a couple of Catholic saints, the odd angel here and there, and have been enjoying a relationship with some ancient pagan deities for years now, Isis being of particular importance.  I believe in ghosts and the reality of communicating with the dead and with ancestors, I believe in nature spirits and the various entities that crop up in folk tales.  As I said, I think they are probably all out there somewhere.  I have not had any dealings with the Ascended Masters but i’m pretty sure that if I tried to contact them, after enough time and effort I would get SOMETHING in response.

I’d be interested to hear what other people’s views are on this subject. Are there any spiritual beings that you feel DON’T exist, or that you won’t interact with? Maybe because you would feel it would clash with your traditions and practices?

I do not think it is wise to seek contact with absolutely everything we ever read about or hear about.  There are plenty of beings I wouldn’t touch with a barge pole, either because I have had negative experiences with them and/or know that their traditions clash with my own. 

Science doesn’t, or at least, shouldn’t kill the mystery and awe of this amazing powerful and beautiful universe that we are eternally a part of.  It only enhances it.