Heathens, Pagans and Witches discussion
Practical Pagan
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Left Hand Path, Right Hand, Or Both?
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I'm both, but with a definite leaning towards the left.
I could say more for it myself that I like the left hand path. I lean further to the left than the right. I'm a bit of both.
I don't believe in good/evil either. Neither do I think either path can be viewed that way. That's a Christian take on it. I don't have, and never have had, a Christian bone in my body, nor am I an ex. Born a heathen, raised myself as a Pagan, don't carry baggage. My family on both sides are non-Christian too, my heritage is Pagan on one side, and the other worshipped horse racing and scotch. Hey, not a bad combination.
"We are all responsible for our own actions. If we use methods that might scare someone else, we'd best be good at it so we don't hurt ourselves. Which side of the left/right line many methods fall on is largely a matter of variable opinion."--good reply.
"We are all responsible for our own actions. If we use methods that might scare someone else, we'd best be good at it so we don't hurt ourselves. Which side of the left/right line many methods fall on is largely a matter of variable opinion."--good reply.
Georgina wrote: "This has been raised in other topics, but I thought I'd make a thread to address it. Do you consider yourself a follower of the Left Hand Path, the Right Hand, or both?A wiki link: http://en.wiki..."
I never think of Left and Right, but then full-on deliberate and ceremonial magic isn't part of my practice. Mine is very much Earth-centric and Nature based, sometimes spontaneous and intuitive, other times carefully considered. An it harm none just about covers it I reckon.
I think I am both too with leanings to the left. Right now I have to say I am more an 'arm-chair' magician then a practicing one but I hope to change that in the future. I am fascinated by ceremonial magic but on a smaller scale, not so elaborate with robes and staffs and nemysses and brandishing of daggers.
I found it interesting that Taoism has a LHP and RHP too. That's a faith I've always found interesting (for a different thread though, I think). :)
Σ( ° △ °|||)︴ interesting, so tao has that option too.
Georgina wrote: "This has been raised in other topics, but I thought I'd make a thread to address it. Do you consider yourself a follower of the Left Hand Path, the Right Hand, or both?A wiki link: http://en.wiki..."
Hard to answer this question, given I am not part of the Western Esoteric tradition to which these terms apply. I tend to work on the fly, without specific ritual, and following those ethics/morals imparted (and sometimes updated to suit the times) by the myths, not necessarily those subscribed to by modern, western society.
Yes, Marky, it surprised me. I'm going to start a thread for Taoism sometime today (if we don't have one already). I'm hoping we might have some members who have either studied it, are interested in it, or are Taoists.
That's very close to how I'd describe my own practice, Ancestral. I incorporate many ideas into my Pagan belief structure. I add to it or discard ideas as I go, often after I've asked myself a difficult question and received an answer I wasn't expecting. Things change.
Try to do no harm would be my mantra, but the meaning of the word 'harm' is different for everyone.
That's very close to how I'd describe my own practice, Ancestral. I incorporate many ideas into my Pagan belief structure. I add to it or discard ideas as I go, often after I've asked myself a difficult question and received an answer I wasn't expecting. Things change.
Try to do no harm would be my mantra, but the meaning of the word 'harm' is different for everyone.
I am extremely interested. Can you recommend some good books on Taoism? Have made a thread for it: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...
Hmmmmm ..... left / right is something I haven't thought about in ages.Oddly enough, I'm ambidextrous when it comes to writing and most other hand-things.
When it comes to my Path, I strive towards the "Light" realizing that it wouldn't exist without "Dark" to help define it. I guess that makes me someone that seeks balance ... which I am and do.
To me also, the "Left" "Right" dichotomy is something I view as vestigages of the Judeo-Christian worldview than a Pagan view of a continium that ebbs and flows with this way then that with each end of the spectrum a part of the other and containing always some of it in essence. "Taoist" is more of a Western term that tries to come to grips with Asian spiritual beliefs. In China where The Tao (The Way) was written, they donot have a name for the traditonal religion which the book The Tao discusses. Wicapedea has a great article on Chineese traditional spiritual beliefs. Interestingly, my husband thinks of his Paganism as The Empty Hand or The Way (as opposed to Western concepts of what the book The Tao tries to express) through his practice of karate.
Georgina wrote: " I don't have, and never have had, a Christian bone in my body, nor am I an...Pagan on one side horse racing and scotch" I just love that description! I also am devoid of Christianity. Since my mother wanted to take us to church, my father said, "If you must, take them to the Unitarian Church since it will do the least harm." At the Unitarian Church, all we did as children was draw pictures of our families. I was incensed the "teacher" would not let me include my cats inmy picture of the family (thereby ensuring that not even Unitarianism would stick on me). My mother read me fairy tales, my father read us children Greek myths. So I grew up with a decidedly Pereclean world-view, though my own path is Wicca. I do find the Greek gods fit in just fine with my Wicca practices. (As do all the other gods except for Jehova and Jesus.)
Yes, that would have been a sure turn off for me too! Not a 'teacher' at all.
What a gorgeous combination to be brought up on, Cynthia: fairy tales and Greek myths. :)
What a gorgeous combination to be brought up on, Cynthia: fairy tales and Greek myths. :)
Cynthia wrote: "To me also, the "Left" "Right" dichotomy is something I view as vestigages of the Judeo-Christian worldview than a Pagan view of a continium that ebbs and flows with this way then that with each en..."Greetings Cynthia :)
All this talk of Tao (Dao) started reminding me of the Asian influences that I have in my Path. Wu Wei and, as I interpret it, the related The Art of War (Sun Tzu) have been very important. Some would say that the latter is a military manual, but I've read / owned several copies over the years where the editors / translators have described it as a dissertation on how to avoid war-like action while preparing oneself for the eventuality.
I just love the harmony and preparedness that is part of that wisdom. It also calls quite strongly to my desire to find balance where ever I can. I also remember some wisdom presented by the Bene Gesserit in the Dune series (Frank Herbert), which in essence says, "Life is an ongoing struggle of learning to balance on strange surfaces." [paraphrased].
I wish I could remember where (as in which reading) I was first introduced to the four aspects of man / woman: Warrior, Philosopher, Priest(ess) / Mystic, and King. It would be nice to remember as that basic ideology has shaped much of my journey and I'd like to give credit where credit is due ... any help? LOL
As to your upbringing as a child .... GLORIOUS!!!! It reminds me of Marmaduke reading ancient myths and fairytales of many cultures to me (before I could read them myself) rather than drilling me on religious quotes that my Church felt I should be learning. I've always had a sound memory for rote learning so Marmaduke didn't see the use in wasting time on memorizing stuff I had clearly already memorized :) Greece, Rome, Egypt, Sumeria, the Maya, the Roma ..... *sigh*.
As to the Christos, I revere him as a Servant of Light with no more or less prominence than any of the other Light Bringers that have existed through time: Siddhartha Gautama Buddha, Plato, Thomas Aquinas (although RC, his writing posits the divine in everyone).
C-Cose said: "As to the Christos, I revere him as a Servant of Light with no more or less prominence than any of the other Light Bringers that have existed through time: Siddhartha Gautama Buddha, Plato, Thomas Aquinas (although RC, his writing posits the divine in everyone). "--Yes, me too, and as one of the shepherd/dying gods.
I have to say I follow both to an extent but lean more right...
Firmly right hand path now. I've also realised that my former, limited, purely theoretical belief, was naive.
I'm attracted to dark things. That said I don't really associate the word "dark" with black so much as deep magenta and Cobalt blue. I firmly believe in harming non. I would say left hand path simply because I like the direction better. I always envied my mother her left handedness.
The whole left/right duality thing is, IMO, a holdover from Paulian Christianity. Magic is a tool. It doesn't have a value of black/white, good /evil, or any of those gaming terms.Some people fear delving into certain areas of the occult, Fair enough. No one should push themselves anywhere they feel uncomfortable. Some cloak themselves is a dark persona (yawn). The balanced magician is likely to be one of the nicest people you'll meet, but one who will, as Rick says, get the job done.
Kristin wrote: "Completely agree with original post."The original post was a question, so now I'm confused.
Ha. I guess I was the one who was confused, then.
A wiki link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left-han...