The many interpretations of the Rede

The beauty of the different forms of Paganism is that the beliefs are open to interpretation by the individual. Disagreeing doesn't make the believer wrong. Unfortunately, it also leaves us open to interpretations from those who don't follow Pagan ways. The Wiccan Rede is a prime example of a belief that means one thing to the Pagans that follow it and something else entirely to many monotheistic followers. The long version of the Rede talks of ways to celebrate nature and its many cycles. Here are a few lines to illustrate:

Deosil go by the waxing moon, chanting out the joyful tune.
Widdershins go when the moon doth wane,
and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane.

When the Lady's moon is new, kiss the hand to Her times two.
When the moon rides at Her peak then your heart's desire seek.

Though most of the discussion about the Rede come from the final line, eight small words that inspire a not-so-small debate.

If it harms none, do what you will.

For many Christians, this is interpreted to mean that we have free reign to do whatever we want regardless of what others think. I recently came across an article at http://www.7162.com/essays/wiccanandchristiandoctrine.htm that at first glance, and in the interest of religious tolerance, talked of how the line compares to the Golden Rule of "do unto others as you would have them do unto you". Though that tolerance only lasted for so long. The author came to the conclusion that where the Golden Rule was an active choice to treat others well, the Rede only says not to harm. We supposedly have no obligation to others.

"The act of merely doing whatever you please, but making sure

you don't hurt anyone in the process, is certainly not a negative concept in itself.

But it also doesn't spur anyone to do unselfish deeds for others."

What this author fails to recognize is that inaction that cause harms is no different than actions that harm. If I see someone in need and know I can help, but choose to do nothing, that is harm as well. Harming none encompasses so much more than choosing not to do something harmful. Though we don't need a rule or law to tell us this. Everyone with a compassionate heart, regardless of their faith, recognizes that we should treat everyone and everything with respect.

Separating personal and business

I realized this weekend that most, if not all, of my posts on the LG blog were not appropriate for the purpose of that blog. It should be focused on spirituality and how the website can bring like minded individuals together. And it will represent the culmination of my dream for simple, elegant, and occasionally humorous greeting cards for Pagan celebrations. The old posts, transferred here, we're of a more personal, individual nature and not at all professional. Family losses, plans for school, and fan fiction ideas don't belong on a company blog. While I didn't want to leave them on the LG blog, I didn't want to lose them either. So this blog went from 9 posts to 68 immediately. :) Enjoy the older posts and check out lunasgathering.blogspot.com for future Luna's Gathering news, views, and card designs. News on upcoming fan fiction and personal obsessions will live here. Coming soon? Psych stories and finishing my SPN stories!

You know you're a geek...

when you choose your next car from a television show. I haven't bothered to share this "embarrassing" little factoid with my family. They already think I'm nuts as it is. No, I didn't get the '67 Impala I've been dreaming of for over 6 years now. I WISH! That would require winning the lottery or credit I will never have. My "new" car is a 2009 Toyota Yaris (or an Echo if you live in Canada), the same car driven by Gus on Psych. It is much more practical and way more ME than any other car I've owned (or the Impala I lust after). And SO cute!! I wasn't able to get in blue, so it isn't exactly The Blueberry. But that's ok too. I have The Blackberry instead. While the Blueberry carries Shawn and Gus all over Santa Barbara, solving crime and loving the eighties and pineapple smoothies, my humble Blackberry travels Fort Worth, rocking the seventies and Chai lattes, channeling its inner Dean Winchester. Though I do call it my Gusmobile. :)

Crisis...

...mostly the mid-life type I think. I've made several MAJOR changes and/or decisions that just have to be the forties finally weighing on my mind. Or maybe it's simply the hormones talking. :D Whatever the cause or outcome, I have only myself to blame (or thank?). I've taken on more responsibility at work, opted to take three classes instead of two, and managed to isolate myself from pretty much all but one or two friends. This will either totally backfire or light a fire under my ass to at least make something positive come of all the changes. So far it's been wallowing, feeling sorry for myself, or shutting out the whole world. Up next? Maybe just finding positive things on which to focus.

Dreams

For a very long time now I've talked about all the big plans I have for my site and my store. And I've yet to show any real progress. I'm great with the big ideas and grand schemes; not so much on the follow through. Also, there is that flaw in my genetic make-up, the ability to focus on one thing at a time until it is complete. Of course life outside of the business hasn't exactly been kind either.

I haven't given up on my dream, not even a little. I just know I need to be more realistic. And to depend solely on myself for now to accomplish my goals. Luna's Gathering is about to come full circle and become what I wanted it to be from day one; a store for Pagan greeting cards. I want to give the community a line of cards that, as I've told a few non-Pagan friends, are like the typical Hallmark cards but for the Pagan holidays and sentiments. Simple, clean illustrations and wonderful words to express our feelings instead of the usual fantasy art. Don't get me wrong though. I like the cards with the beautiful and detailed artwork. That's not quite my style (well, won't be once I've developed mine). And I know I could never compete with that. I'll find my niche and we can all offer something unique and magickal.

I've recently acquired several tools that will assist and a possible avenue for selling locally to test my marketability. It also gives me a deadline. This may be the motivator I need to finally reach for that long sought after dream.

Top priorities

Got a visit from family this weekend that I don't get to see very often. Here's who will always be most important and always make me smile! :D

Critics (not all in my head)

Life's been quite the roller coaster lately. Short trips up followed by steep drops. How are the drops always so much longer than the trip up? I really hate roller coasters. I prefer the occasional adrenaline rush without scary heights and my stomach at my toes. On the positive side, I recently got promoted and vacation starts on Tuesday. Well, technically Monday but I have jury duty that day. I will be hoping to not get chosen for a jury. I'm making adjustments to my website that should make it unique and all mine. And just last week I helped a friend prep a novel for her indie publishing company, Three Ravens Books. Next month, classes start again. I'm looking forward to moving ever closer to a completed degree. The drops are personal issues not meant for public airing, but they make me ponder what I'm willing to accept as my fault and what I need to let go of as detrimental to my sanity.



To further the ponderings, I'm trying my hand at a couple of self-help books, to search within for solutions instead of looking for ways to escape my problems. One is "The Fresh Start Promise" by Edwige Gilbert. The other is the classic "Taming Your Gremlins" by Rick Carson. They both seem to be about changing thought processes. Gilbert uses meditations and visualizations to help the reader focus on calm, encouraging thoughts to feel anything is possible. From what I can tell so far with Carson's book (just checked out today) is the importance is awareness, recognizing and embracing your own gifts. Hopefully, between the two of them, I can quiet my inner critics and learn to know the difference between constructive criticism and emotional manipulation. As long as I am willing to let the negatives drag me down, I will never see myself any other way.