Sabbats and Sabbaths

Sophia: Lady Wisdom

Posted on May 9, 2022 by David Taliesin

Sophia by Mary Plaster — Sophia, Divine Wisdom by Mary Plaster, http://www.maryplaster.com

Sophia is the Greek word for “wisdom.” She has her roots in Hellenistic philosophy and Platonism, but eventually became a central idea in Gnostic Christianity, Orthodox Christianity and Roman Catholicism, among others. My favorite image of Sophia comes from Proverbs 9:1-18 where she is personified and contrasted with Dame Folly. The first part of the passage is as follows:

Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn her seven pillars.
She has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine,
she has also set her table.
She has sent out her servant-girls, she calls
from the highest places in the town,
“You that are simple, turn in here!”
To those without sense she says,
“Come, eat of my bread
and drink of the wine I have mixed.
Lay aside immaturity, and live,
and walk in the way of insight.” (NRSV)

Some view Sophia as a separate deity apart for God. Some view her as the Bride of Christ. Others see her as a feminine aspect of God or a theological concept regarding God’s wisdom. There are also some NeoPagans and Wiccans who have taken her under their wing as well. Sophia predates Christianity but it is also possible that some Wiccans and NeoPagans adopted her from Christian sources such as Gnosticism. I need to do more research on this subject, but if anyone out there can has information they can share, please let me know.

For some Christians. the idea of including Sophia in their worship is unthinkable. For others Sophia is the aspect of God we’ve been missing from our patriarchal faith for way too long. Not surprisingly, I fall in the second camp and see her as Hagia Sophia which means “Holy Wisdom.” While some see the Holy Trinity as three masculine persona, others, like myself, see Sophia as the Holy Spirit who guides us with her divine wisdom.

You might also find it interesting to know that Jesus mentions Sophia in Matthew 11:19: “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet Wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.” (NRSV)

Could it be that Sophia is one of the things that links Pagans and Christian together? I think so. Some Christians see this as heresy, but that’s a label we place on things so we can dismiss them easily. Sophia is part of my personal devotional life. I dine at her table often and am blessed by her many insights. If you also feel a connection to Sophia, I’d love to hear from you!

Posted in Goddess, Prayer, Spirituality | Tagged holy spirit, holy wisdom, Sophia, Spirituality, Wicca, wisdom | Leave a comment

Ritual: Battleground and Blessing

Posted on May 5, 2022 by David Taliesin

According to the dictionary, the word “ritual” is defined as, “a religious or solemn ceremony consisting of a series of actions performed according to a prescribed order.” BORING! My definition would be “any action or attitude that helps us to connect with the Divine and with each other.” How does that grab you?

Rituals are as important as the air we breathe, especially those we define as spiritual ones. When I was a teenager, I spent some time in the Assembly of God which is a charismatic Christian denomination. Those who attended worship there prided themselves as having “no rituals” unlike those “other churches who have robes and printed prayers.” But I assure you, I could tell you exactly what was coming next in any given worship service. Like it or not, we are all creatures of habit. We all find power in rituals, whether we admit we use them or not.

The challenge with rituals, however, is that when a particular ritual works for someone, they assume it works for everyone. It’s at this point that the wicked weed of “ritual snobbery” begins to grow in our hearts. This happens in both Pagan and Christian spiritual paths. Suddenly, there is only one way to set up an ancestor altar, celebrate communion, pray. etc. Rituals then become a battleground rather than the spiritual blessing they’re intended to be.

If we can lay down our athames and processional crosses for a moment, we might find rituals in each other’s traditions that will enhance ours. For example, the first time a Cherokee friend of mine introduced the Prayer to the Four Directions in a worship service I attended, I instantly fell in love with it. The prayer included bold visual images for nature that were associated with the colors of white (north), yellow (east), red (south), and black (west). As each direction and color were invoked, we faced in that direction. have used this ritual many times in progressive Christian churches and it’s been received very well. This particular prayer is similar to one in the Wiccan tradition that invokes the spirits of the north (earth), east (air), south (fire), and west (water).

Instead of thinking of it as “stealing,” perhaps we can think of it as “borrowing,” with a heart full of gratitude to those who were inspired to create a specific ritual action in the first place. Rituals should never be rigid. They’re supposed to be creative and powerful. If a particular ritual helps you to connect with the Sacred and feel closer to your gathered community, then it’s the perfect ritual for you. But don’t spoil the ritual party by looking down at someone else’s ritual that has equal power for them.

Posted in Prayer, Spirituality | Tagged ritual, Spirituality, Wicca | Leave a comment

Ostara Intention Setting Ritual

Posted on March 22, 2022 by David Taliesin

Here is the ritual we used at Welcoming Circle this past Sunday:

OSTARA INTENTION SETTING RITUAL

CASTING THE CIRCLE—David Taliesin

Light the green candle and say:

Ostara is behind us, Easter is before us,
And spring has just begun.
Baby plants are emerging from winter’s soil.
Dandelion, chickweed and nettle
Provide nourishment for our bodies.

Spring is a season to consider
What things we would like to grow
In the garden of our lives.
It’s a time to plant and nurture
New projects and new goals.

May the greening of spring
Be our source of inspiration tonight!

Light the yellow candle and say:

Spring is a season where the days grow longer
And the sun feels warm against our skin.
Our focus shifts from indoors to outdoors
As we awake from winter’s hibernation.

We garden. We hike in the woods.
The little child that lives in us
Asks us to come out and play…
And we accept the invitation.

May the sun’s golden rays
Be our source of inspiration tonight!

Light the purple candle and say:

Spring is a season where the Divine
Breathes new life into us,
Waking us up from winter doldrums,
And filling us with creative energy.

We awaken to wonder, miracle, and mystery.
We see bold visions and dream dreams of new adventures
That fill us with vitality and purpose.
May the Divine’s energetic presence
Be our source of inspiration tonight!

Take the crystal athame and cast the circle, while saying:

We cast this circle and create
a sacred space for us to dwell.
May it protect us from all spirits and powers
that seek to do us harm. So mote it be!

CALLING THE QUARTERS—David Taliesin

Guardians and Ancestors of the East,
Spirits of Air,
You blow through our lives like a warm spring breeze
Whispering into our ears the mysteries of the universe.
Lend your wisdom and insight to us tonight.
Hail and welcome!

Guardians and Ancestors of the South,
Spirits of Fire,
You illumine our path like the rays of the sun,
Showing us the way forward.
Lend your guidance and clarity to us tonight.
Hail and welcome!

Guardians and Ancestors of the West,
Spirits of Water,
You nourish our spirits like a gentle rain,
Filling us with peace, love and gratitude.
Lend your compassion and shalom to us tonight.
Hail and welcome!

Guardians and Ancestors of the North,
Spirits of Earth,
You cause new growth to germinate in us,
And give us a firm foundation to stand upon.
Lend your stability and strength to us tonight.
Hail and welcome!

Great Spirit, Divine Presence,
Who is known to us by many names,
You are the power of rebirth and regeneration
You are the promise that spring will come
After the winter seasons of our lives.
Bless us and be with us tonight.
We are honored by your presence.
Hail and welcome!

SETTING SPRING INTENTIONS—David Taliesin

The egg is a symbol of fertility and new life which were decorated in days of old to honor the Goddess. Tonight I ask that you take one of the plastic eggs in the basket and hold it in your hands. Take some time in silence to think about the things you would like to give birth to this spring. In order to birth something new, part of your intention may be to let something go. When your vision for what you would like to accomplish is clear, take a pen and as many strips of paper as you need. Write your intentions on theses strips of paper and place them in the egg. (Pause until everyone is done.)

Now we will raise energy to empower the intentions that are contained in our eggs. We’ll use the Om-ah…..Now direct the energy into your egg. One, two, three, release.

After our ritual is over, I ask that you take these home with you and place them in a prominent place in your home such as an altar. Periodically open the egg and take a look at the intentions you’ve made tonight. See how well you are doing in fulfilling them.

BLESSING FOR SETTING INTENTIONS—adapted. LLewellyn’s Sabbat Essentials

Great Spirit, Divine Presence,
Giver of life and Creator of all things,
life has many twists and turns
and now we embark on a new path
We are afraid to travel alone.

We ask for your guidance,
and your loving helping hand
to support us along the way.

We ask that when needed
you will lead us in the right direction
and steer us away from wrong turns.

Help us to keep on the path
and to not stray away even when we’re tempted.
Assist us in moving forward, and not in reverse.
Comfort us when needed.

Bless our paths and the journeys we undertake.
Encourage us in times of self-doubt.
Protect us from those willing to harm us,
even if it is ourselves.

Embrace us in your loving arms, to give us peace
and surround us in perfect love and perfect trust.
So mote it be! Amen!

CLOSING THE CIRCLE—David Taliesin

Great Spirit, Divine Presence,
We thank you for your presence in our circle tonight.
We thank you that you walk with us
Every step fo the way as we leave this place
And go out into a world that is sometimes
Cruel and unforgiving.
Stay if you will. go if you must.
We bid you farewell!

Guardians and Ancestors of the North,
Spirits of Earth,
We thank you for your presence in our circle tonight.
May your stability and strength travel with us
As we leave this place.
Stay if you will. go if you must!
We bid you farewell!

Guardians and Ancestors of the West,
Spirits of Water,
We thank you for your presence in our circle tonight.
May your compassion and shalom travel with us
As we leave this place.
Stay if you will, go if you must.
We bid you farewell!

Guardians and Ancestors of the South,
Spirits of Fire,
We thank you for your presence in our circle tonight.
May your guidance and clarity travel with us
As we leave this place.
Stay if you will, go if you must.
We bid you farewell!

Guardians and Ancestors of the East,
Spirits of Air,
We thank you for your presence in our circle tonight.
May your wisdom and insight travel with us
As we leave this place.
Stay if you will, go if you must.
We bid you farewell!

The circle is open but never unbroken
Because it is a circle woven in love.
Whatever energy is left in this space
We return to the earth with a spirit of gratitude.
Merry meet and merry part, and merry meet again.

Posted in Easter, Magic, Meditation, Ostara, Spirituality, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Rue: Herb of Grace

Posted on February 22, 2022 by David Taliesin

Rue is a hearty perennial and powerful herb with an interesting history. WRue is a hearty perennial and powerful herb with an interesting history. I grow one plant in my garden and, trust me, it’s more than enough so don’t plant a bunch of it! Wiccans use it for protection, cleansing and especially prosperity. Rue candles are often used in rituals to ask for financial or other assistance. One of my mentors, Byron Ballard, calls it “rocket fuel” and uses it to add zest to any kind of spell or energy work. One of the traditional prayers used in connection with this candle is quite beautiful:

My work is hard, but I’m strong and I do not complain
My rewards are few, but I treasure what I have
My needs are great, but my petitions are small
Asking only for what is just, I wait with quiet patience
Receiving in humble gratitude.

After this prayer is said, the petitioner states their specific need and then the candle is lit.

But Rue has other religious connections as well. It is also called “herb of grace,” or herbygrass and was But Rue has other religious connections as well. It is also called “herb of grace,” or “herbygrass” and was used in the early Roman Catholic Church to sprinkle holy water on the people during worship. In the Middle East Hyssop is traditionally used instead of Rue, but some believe Rue was used in Europe because it had antiseptic properties. This Roman Catholic custom may have been adapted from an ancient Roman ceremony where weapons, flags and the like were purified by waving a laurel branch over them.

The scientific name of this ancient herb is Ruta Graveolens. Ruta was the Latin name of the herb when the Romans introduced it to the English. It was eventually Anglicized to Rue. Graveolens is Latin for “a strong or offensive smell.” Personally, I think it smells just fine! I also like the flowers it produces which are small and delicate.

The way I make Rue Oil is very traditional. I pack a Mason jar full of sprigs and cover it with olive oil, making sure that no part of the plant is exposed to air. I then let it infuse for a moon cycle away from sunlight, strain, and use the oil for the rest of the year. I anoint most of my candles with it.

As a word of caution, Rue can be a dermatological irritant so it’s best to handle the plant with gloves on. I have never had an adverse reaction to Rue Oil but if you’re a person who is highly allergic you may want to avoid getting in on your fingers or try a small test patch on your arm and see what happens!!!

Posted in Creation Spirituality, Herbology, Prayer | Tagged Spirituality, Wicca | Leave a comment

Naming the Unnamable

Posted on February 18, 2022 by David Taliesin

Naming the Unnamable is a tricky proposition. Many ancient religions believed that if you knew the name of a god/goddess you could summon and/or control that deity. Thankfully, the Unnamable, the One who created all that is, refuses to be pinned down like this. When Moses asked the Unnamable for an ID, the response was “I Am Who I Am” (Ex 3:14). Jews call this the tetragrammaton and is composed of four Hebrew letters. They are transliterated into English as YHWH. Religiously observant Jews are forbidden to pronounce this “name” for the Unnamable. Most use either “Adonai” (Lord) of “Hashem’ (The Name) in its place. I also have Jewish friends who write G-D as a way of conveying the same thing.

The beauty of this is that the One who created all that is, remains a mystery and cannot be limited by such a small, earthly thing as a name. Furthermore, a scan through the Old Testament reveals that YHWH never appears in full form because humans could not handle it. Instead, Hashem reveals a little glimpse of the Divine in forms such as a pillar of could and a pillar of fire (Ex 13:21), the hem of a robe (Is 6:1), glory (Ex 16:10), and Hashem’s backside (Ex 33:23).

One of the biggest misconceptions about Pagan religions has to do with polytheism. Gus DiZerega, in Pagans and Christians: The Personal Spiritual Experience, says “Often people believe that polytheism implies denying the existence of a single source from which everything comes. Historically, it rarely has. A great many Pagan faiths acknowledge that there is an ultimate source for all that is, even while acknowledging other spiritual entities and powers with whom it is appropriate to relate.”

The Sioux Indians called the Unnamable “Wakan Tanka” which many translate as “The Great Spirit,” but it really means “The Great Mystery.” Some Wiccans refer to Drygthen which means “the original source of all things.” In the Gardnerian Drygthen Blessing Prayer, the following opening words describe the Unnamable: “In the name of Dryghtyn, the Ancient Providence, who was from the beginning and is for eternity, Male and Female, the Original Source of all things; all-knowing, all-pervading, all-powerful; changeless, eternal.” This doesn’t sound too far from the characteristics attached to YHWH in Judaism. [NOTE: I personally view YHWH as beyond gender so attaching male and female characteristics to the Great Mystery seems unnecessary.]

When it comes to Christianity, we have a mixed bag of references. Many Christians are attracted to Jesus’ Aramaic name for YHWH, “Abba.” It is a paternal term, meaning “Father,” or “Daddy.” Jehovah’s Witnesses prefer “Jehovah,” which is the Latinization of the Hebrew YHWH. It means “Self Existent” or “Eternal One.” Other Christians use “God,” “Creator,” and “Lord” which is used in many English Bibles for the Hebrew word YHWH.

So, we might be a bit closer to one another than we think! It seems like a spiritually healthy thing to keep the Unnamable unnamable. To think that we can grasp the Great Mystery who created everything that exists is pretty audacious on our part. The Unnamable is not going to be pigeonholed by even the smartest of us human beings. I wouldn’t have it any other way!

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Brigid Discernment Ritual

Posted on January 19, 2022 by David Taliesin

This was the closing ritual for one of Welcoming Circle’s Imbolc celebrations. It can be adapted for solitary practitioners. Images are from the Builders of the Adytum Tarot. I thought you might like to see it as we prepare for the celebration of Imbolc.

Here is the Brigid handout I gave to those who attended. Click Brigid Handout.

BRIGID DISCERNMENT RITUAL

ANOINTING WITH BRIGID OIL—David Taliesin
[Recipe for Brigid Oil is found in Cunningham’s Incense, Oils and Brews]

May Brigid, Keeper of the Sacred Flame,Give you wisdom and illumination tonight.

CANDLE LIGHTING—Traditional Gaelic. Light a white altar candle and say the following:

Brigid, Sublime Woman, Quick flame, Long may you burn bright!  You give us the invitation to life everlasting.

CALLING THE QUARTERS—from Llewellyn’s Sabbat Essentials, Imbolc: Rituals Recipes and Lore for Brigid’s Day + Brigid: History, Mystery and Magick of the Celtic Goddess

I summon the Powers of East—
Brigid’s bright powers of Dawn!
As you bring light to the Spring,
Bring light to our work.
Hail and Welcome!

I summon the Powers of South—
The blazing fires of Brigid’s Forge!
Shed all that does not aid our work!
Fortify our work! Let it change the world!
Hail and Welcome!

I summon the Powers of West—
The healing powers of the Well!
May our work flow and grow!
May it stir and summon the depths of possibilities!
Hail and Welcome!

I summon the powers of North—
The strength of the Cold Mountains!
Freeze all adversaries! Solidify our desires
With the weight of frozen rock!
Hail and Welcome!

Reach to the sky: By the Powers of the Fiery Arrows!

Reach to the ground: By the Powers of the Green Earth!

Extend your arms to your sides: Goddess Brigid, Goddess of Fire and Water,
We call you and invite you to the circle we have cast this night.

Goddess of the Sacred Well and Keeper of the Flame,
We ask that you bring your power and wisdom to this circle tonight.

Brigid, Goddess of the Forge, we honor you
And ask for your help and enlightenment in our work tonight.
Hail and welcome!

DISCERNMENT RITUAL—David Taliesin

Ground and center.

Connect with both the earth energy below and the Divine energy above. Let it fill your whole being until you feel like your body is full of light.

When you feel peaceful and focused, look at the Tarot Card image in front of you. Use it as an icon to center your thoughts and think about the work the Divine has called you to do. Record any thought that come to mind during this time of meditation. [I chose several images for participants to use from the wonderful black and white Builders of the Adytum Tarot. I offered the Fool, the Magician, the High Priestess, The Moon and Strength/Courage.]

When you are finished writing, take a tea candle and light it from the center pillar, and set it on the altar. Watch the flames of illumination grow as each person adds their candle to the altar.

Take a candle with you tonight, along with the image you selected. Use it in the coming weeks to further reflect on your calling/vocation.

BRIGID BLESSING
May my words be as considered as poetry,
May I reflect on all I do or say,
May I meditate on those things important spiritually
May I seek to know more of the lore
May I research what I am curious about
and what will enable me to grow
May I seek to know great knowledge,
May I acknowledge the intelligence of others
May I comprehend what I seek to learn and apply those lessons
May I know that seeking wisdom is not the same as being wise.
May I be a child of Brigid.
by https://elfkat.wordpress.com, Used by permission of the author.

DISMISSING THE CIRCLE—adapted from Llewellyn’s Sabbat Essentials, Imbolc: Rituals Recipes and Lore for Brigid’s Day + Brigid: History, Mystery and Magick of the Celtic Goddess

Great Brigid, Goddess of the Flame and Goddess of the Well, We thank you for joining our magic circle tonight And for the energy and wisdom you have bestowed upon us. You will remain forever in our hearts! We bid you farewell!

Farewell to the Powers of North— As you came in peace, now go in peace, But leave strength in our work. Keep our adversaries in your icy grasp! We bid you farewell!

Farewell to the Powers of West— As you came in peace, now go in peace, But leave your misty whispers on our work. Wash away the obstacles to our manifestations! We bid you Farewell!

Farewell to the Powers of South— As you came in peace, now go in peace, But leave your sparks of manifestation. Allow the embers of our work to grow. We bid you farewell!

Farewell to the Powers of East— As you came in peace, now go in peace. Though the day passes, the work of the sun remains. Remain also with our work. We bid you farewell!

The circle is open but never unbroken Because it is a circle woven in love. Whatever energy is left in this space We return to the earth with a spirit of gratitude. Merry meet and merry part, and merry meet again.

Posted in Brigid, Imbolc, Magic, Spirituality, Tarot | Leave a comment

Our Spiritual Practice

Posted on January 14, 2022 by David Taliesin

I’ve reached the point in my spiritual journey where I have little patience for arguments and debates about the right way to do spirituality. Instead, I find it much more profitable to listen to spiritual voices and perspectives that are quite different from my own. If we are secure in our spiritual path, we don’t need to fear other perspectives. They hold the potential of moving us out of our spiritual comfort zones and helping us to grow.

Gus DiZerega. in his insightful book Pagans and Christians: The Personal Spiritual Experience, states it this way: “The value of a spiritual practice is determined by how well it brings us into a better relationship with what is Highest and most Sacred. If our spiritual practice does not help us in this task, it is not really important how many debates we win, how subtle our thinking, or how profound our insights. All these things, desirable as they can be, are simply icing on the spiritual cake. When the cake is good, the icing adds to its beauty and flavor. When the cake is bad, the icing is only a deceptive promise. So our personal practice within and without our spiritual community is primary.”

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The Power of Meditation

Posted on January 11, 2022 by David Taliesin

Meditation is a form of prayer that transcends religious divisions. Both Christians and Wiccans have found solace and power in this form of prayer. Scott Cunningham, in Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner, says “It’s a quiet time in which we commune with the Goddess, the God, and ourselves, relaxing the conscious mind’s hold on our psychic awareness. Meditation usually precedes every magical act and rite of worship.” Many Wiccans I know practice this regularly in order to learn how to focus their attention and keep their “monkey mind” (A Buddhist term) from jumping all over the place.

The seminary I attended never spoke of meditation. I first learned how to do it from a Buddhist teacher who also taught me about the practice of mindfulness. Then I discovered the writings of the Christian mystics who are a marginalized voice in Christianity. I spent about year and a half pondering the words of mystics such as Meister Eckhart, The Desert Fathers and Theresa of Avila. I got excited with every page I read because I found my people. They were my guides, my spiritual siblings, and I’ve valued their wisdom ever since.

With respect to the subject of meditation, Meister Eckhart states it best, “God is not found in the soul by adding anything, but by a process of subtraction.” 15th Century monk Thomas a Kempis, in The Imitation of Christ, said “The further the soul is from the noise of the world, the closer it may be to its Creator, for God, with his holy angels, will draw closer to a person who seeks solitude and silence.”

Meditation is one of the bridges that connects our two traditions together. I know people in both traditions who don’t practice it regularly, but I believe they are missing out on a great tool for spiritual growth and getting in touch with the Divine. Our world is filled with too many words. When we are brave enough to be silent, we allow the Holy to get a word in edgewise!

Posted in Meditation, Prayer, Spirituality | Tagged Christian, Meditation, Pagan, Spirituality, Wicca | Leave a comment

Our Spiritual Path

Posted on January 9, 2022 by David Taliesin

Before the word “Christian” was used, followers of Jesus were known as “The Way” (Acts 9:2, among others). The Greek word used here can also be rendered as “the road” or “the journey.” Early Christians understood they were on a path with lots of twists and turns, ups and downs. The journey never had an endpoint when believers were finished with their spiritual development. The goal was to keep evolving and growing in love, compassion, service, etc.

Somewhere along the line, The Way became a million denominations with endless rules and doctrines. Many of these denominations also claim to be the only “way” or path. If we don’t believe everything they believe exactly as they believe it, we’re on a slippery slope to hell! Needless to say, this is an unhealthy way to do spirituality.

All human beings, whether they know it or not, are on a spiritual path where we see and experience many different things along the way. The ones that work for us should be put in our spiritual backpacks. The rest should be left at the side of the road. It’s a much more individualistic quest than many people think it is. Furthermore, there is no getting it right. We are on a journey of learning and growth that’s supposed to continue throughout our lifetimes.

Thankfully, Wiccans have a healthier approach to “the way.” For the most part, they are not dogmatic at all, at least the ones I know. (I’m sure there are some out there who are vey dogmatic. People are people!) They encourage each other to experiment and discover what works for them. Some lead lives of deep meditation and centering. Others have vast knowledge of herbs and their medicinal purposes. Some have gifts of discernment, while others are gifted healers. Many, of course, are a combination of the above…and so much more!

Scott Cunningham in his classic book Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner states this beautifully: “There is not, and can never be, one ‘pure’ or ‘true’ or ‘genuine’ form of Wicca. There are no central governing agencies, no physical leaders, no universally recognized prophet or messengers. Although specific, structured forms of Wiccan certainly exist, they aren’t in agreement regarding ritual, symbolism, and theology. Because of this healthy individualism, no one rite or philosophical system has emerged to consume the others. Wicca is varied and multi-faceted. As in every religion, the Wiccan spiritual experience is one shared with the deity alone.”

Perhaps this is a reminder that we are all on “the way.” There is no single, perfect way to walk it. If we humans can learn to listen to one another more and judge less, we just evolve as a species.I believe we have a lot to teach each other if we’re willing to walk hand in hand down the road. Le’’s share our wisdom and gifts. The world needs all the light and love both traditions can bring to it!

Posted in Spirituality | Tagged Christian, path, Spirituality, the way, Wicca | 1 Comment

The Problem With Genesis

Posted on January 6, 2022 by David Taliesin

"Sophia" by Mary Plaster, www.maryplaster.com/sophiadivinewisdom.html — Sophia, Divine Wisdom by Mary Plaster, http://www.maryplaster.com

Christianity has a problem when it comes to creation spirituality, and that problem begins with Genesis. As a disclaimer, I understand the story of Genesis 1 to be, well, a story. It contains Truth, but it’s not historically true. Rabbis for centuries have understood it to be a fable/legend about our relationship with the Divine and I understand it the same way.

Here’s the rub. Most of the story is beautiful and dynamic. The RUAH or spirit of God (which is feminine by the way) breathes/blows/flutters its wings, creating a disturbance in the darkness, and light is born. Everything else such as the sun, moon, animals, fish and humans follow. It’s actually quite moving and poetic.

The problem arises when we get to verse 28 (26 isn’t any better): “God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and SUBDUE it; and have DOMINION over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” Oy, veh!

Rabbis and Christians alike have always tried to spin this verse in positive ways. The brilliant Rabbi Richard Freidman in his commentary on the Torah, says “Incredibly some have interpreted this command to mean that humans have permission to abuse the earth and animal and plant life—as if a command from God to rule did not imply to be a good ruler!” Personally, I would like to think he is right, but it might be stretching things a bit.

Brown Drivers Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon, which is the gold standard for unpacking Hebrew words says that SUBDUE (Heb. KABASH) means “dominate, tread down, or bring into bondage.” Likewise DOMINION (Heb. RADAH) means to “rule, dominate, tread, or trample.” What’s a tree-loving Christian to do?

Thankfully, my Wiccan sisters have shared with me some of their spiritual practice which is deeply tied to nature. While I’m hardly an expert on the subject, this path includes a profound appreciation for all living things and their relationship with one another. Furthermore, the Wheel of the Year takes its clues from the changing seasons and many Wiccans have an amazing knowledge of herbs, gems and other organic life.

Christians have got to get over their fear and suspicion of our Pagan sisters and brothers because they have great wisdom to share with us regarding our relationship to creation, if we open our minds to it. This doesn’t mean we need to follow the Wiccan path; but it does mean we need to find a way to integrate creation spirituality into our Christian practice. Thankfully, there are already people around us who do this so effortlessly and beautifully. It’s time for us to have “ears to hear” and “eyes to see” as we overcome the exploitive language of Genesis 1.

Posted in Creation Spirituality | Tagged Spirituality, Wicca | 3 Comments