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| Palimpsest Journal Magic & Treasures |
| Osireion Library Resources & Links |
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| The Pagan Path -continued Today we are cresting the swell of a return to at least some of the practices of the ancient pagans. 21st century life and oft-irrelevant religion have nurtured a gnawing hunger of the soul for a different reality. Neopaganism (neo- because we are, after all, moderns, and live in our own times) is a synchretistic spiritual path, drawing from so-called earth-based traditions worldwide. The history and development of neopaganism is fascinating and complex, and has been addressed fully by others such as Margot Adler, so we will not belabor the point here. Unfortunately, as the Roman Empire used Christianity to consolidate its grip on most of the Mediterranean and western European worlds, pagans began to be viewed as a threat, or worse, evil, especially when the Roman Empire became the Holy Roman Empire (the Catholic Church). Tolerated for a time, it was probably inevitable that the country people not yet converted to Christianity would eventually suffer the wrath of the Inquisition, and centuries of shameful witch trials. Even now, terms like pagan, druid or wiccan, are often used derogatorily, or with fear, keeping too many good pagans hidden from mainstream society, deep in the shadows of the broom closet. We at Osireion love beauty and see the divine in all of its manifestations— art, dance, song and movement, bounty shared, blessings pronounced, counsel sought and wisdom given, birth and death and rebirth again. Modern paganism, especially the branch calling itself wiccan, or witchcraft, weaves a rich and beautiful tapestry out of the customs handed down to us, added to the new ways we are creating under this large and joyous umbrella. We also recognize the unseen life forces that may be harnessed through meditation and intention. In the hands of a dedicated wiccan practitioner, use of those life forces to achieve specific goals, for the good of all concerned, is called magick. To us, magick is another kind of beauty, a way of taking into one’s own hands the power formerly given away to a clergy gatekeeper. The Pagan Path section of Osireion will focus on wicca, because that is what we know and love. Many pagans are not wiccans (and there are some witches who say they are not wiccan, but that’s another story), and blessed they are to have found their place in the world. Wicca is not for all. But for those with a heart for excrutiating self-discovery, a spirit of extravagant joy, trust in their own personal integrity, and the will to use power in a positive and responsible way, wicca holds deep contentments. Here you will find information, resources and wisdom to feed and assist those who have chosen the wiccan way. As the witches say, “merry are we met, merry do we part, and merry may we meet again - Blessed be!” |