In the Valley of the Shadow of Faith: A Renewed Approach to Doubt

Our culture esteems faith but despises and even fears doubt. In this article, Selfshift leads us back to a re-understanding of doubt by showing the gifts it has to offer. By Selfshift.

I do not write for those who are sure of faith,
But for the confused - those whose thoughts
Are fingers that scratch the dirt for some promise
Of ease from the hunger for understanding,
Whose emotions churn desperately for revelation,
And whose own light is continually seen dark.

A Vast Plain of Unknowing
There is so much we do not know. Our physical unknowing is as big as the universe. Our mental unknowing is as deep as each person’s thought. Our spiritual unknowing is as abstract as our unknowing of God 1.

We are uncomfortable in our unknowing. Much of our unknowing, however, is irrelevant to our day-to-day lives, which largely relieves us from this discomfort. But during difficult times, our unease becomes palpable. As days go by, it grows in strength. And as this feeling becomes a habit -- a part of our way of life -- we begin to feel our lives spiraling loose of its meaning. Until finally, the full-force of our unknowing hits us, coming to us as the big questions we've tried to evade or set aside, such as, "Does God exist?" "Why is there suffering in the world?" “What is my spiritual path?” These questions are what religions -- or any form of philosophy that deals with such questions -- seek to answer.

A Call to Faith Under the Pain of Doubt
All philosophies that attempt to answer the big questions are a call to faith. Religion is a call to faith. And if you have an individualized path, it is also a call to faith. But let’s face it. The answers to the big questions can be questionable themselves. More than certainty, what these philosophies espouse is a call to soul -- a resonance from deep within your being of truth. (Author’s note: I consider truth as multi-faceted and kaleidoscopic. Recall the story of the three blind men describing an elephant.)

For many religions their version of truth is absolute and inviolable. When we were children, we can but only accept these truths unquestioningly. It is unfortunate that we had also accepted the judgments associated with doubting these truths. When we doubt, we deem ourselves unworthy and even deserving of some punishment.

Doubt, then, becomes a burden, more so because it cannot be flushed away. It is alive. It explores avenues we would rather not delve into. It creates emotional pain and confusion.

It does not help that when we convey our doubts to others, we realize that they themselves are incapable of handling doubt. They shift in their seats and they reply evasively. Or they may just dismiss our sentiments rudely and abruptly. Worst, they may hold their image of us as dangerous and heretical.

The plethora of philosophical and religious ideas that is now readily available can also deepen our agony. We tend to become defensive of our faith when it brushes against other people's faiths. But when our exasperation with our doubts escalates, we begin to wish for the kind of illumination and peace that others have. In this setting, doubt creates a barren valley surrounded by mountains of faith, along with all their peak experiences. There is the enlightenment of Buddhism, the nirvana of the Hindus, the sainthood of the Christians, and the oneness of the Taos 2. The testaments of their followers tower over us, with our doubts only pulling us down.

There is More to Doubt
With all the pain and confusion, we tend to forget that the faith we have may not be ours. Faith is not the acceptance of unchallenged beliefs simply because they were all we knew when we were growing up. And even if we have changed beliefs during our lifetime, our personal declaration of faith is still not equivalent to having the faith itself. A shaker of foundations, doubt asks each one of us to be honest: "Do you really believe in what you say? Is your faith already yours? Or worse, is your faith misplaced? Others have faith because they know at their core that it is true. But do you?"

We can perceive at this point that doubt, though seemingly undesirable, has surprisingly presented itself with a gift: honesty in our declaration of faith. Doubt has been strongly associated with the negative, the undesirable, but we can re-vision our idea of doubt into something positive. Using psychological terms, doubt is faith's shadow. And like all psychological shadows, if we are willing to look, there is at the end some gold.

The Gifts of Doubt
Doubt's gifts come in the form of a deeper understanding of the nature of faith. Consider these gifts that it has to offer:

First -- as we have been keen to realize -- doubt demands honesty in our faith. This gift of doubt, however, would be hard to accept when our doubts trigger judgments and fears simply because no one can figure out this faith-and-doubt puzzle except ourselves.

Second, faith defers to experience. Joseph Campbell once said, “I do not need faith. I have experience.” Faith is nothing if our experience is opposite to our faith. There are times when our personal experiences seem to test our faith. But we must be willing to consider the opposite view as well: that maybe our experience calls for us to change our beliefs. In this situation, we must have the discipline and patience to assess our beliefs and experiences. And this experience is not limited to outer experience, which is based on the five senses. It also includes inner experience. Without the resonance of faith in our soul, we become blind followers, devoid of the spirituality that our faith is supposed to give us.

It might also be argued, "But my faith creates my experience and not the other way around." As long as we have the experience of faith creating our experience -- be mindful of the play of these words -- then we do not stray from the core of what the second gift of doubt is all about.

Third, there is a harmonious exchange between doubt and faith. In this regard, there is a need to go beyond the semantic meaning of doubt and faith as antonyms. There is always room for doubt in faith; and faith and doubt can co-exist. The line that separates faith and doubt, in this aspect, is blurred. Because if faith defers to experience and if in our experience there are so many things we do not know, then almost everything in our faith is open to doubt. Bertrand Russell had once stated that "nothing...can disprove the hypothesis that the world began five minutes ago" along with our memories of "a wholly unreal past." It seems that our faith has a lot going against it.

But in all practicality, we hold to our versions of faith. It is needless to doubt everything in our lives. For example, what would it mean to doubt gravity? Gravity is here now, but it doesn't mean it would be here forever. So why be sure that it will be here tomorrow? This kind of questioning is basically pointless because we cannot go about our daily lives wondering if gravity will fail us the next moment. How much more when it is applied to our faith, which is almost always likened to the ground we are standing on? Is it not also pointless to doubt everything about it?

There is practicality involved in the tug between faith and doubt. The way we lead our lives, our goals, and the purposes that have been set up for us are all important on what we decide to cast doubt upon and on what we decide to have faith on.

Fourth, doubts, when stripped of judgment, are merely questions. Perhaps this is the most important gift of doubt. Questions tear our walls of limitations. Questions invite growth. Isn't it revealing that when children ask questions about anything, even about faith, that we see the child's restless curiosity, his/her openness to knowledge, and his capability to wonder. Interestingly enough, doubt is not uncomfortable in its unknowing, but instead finds in mystery a source of dynamic delight.

Honoring Our Doubts
Looking at these gifts, it is only right that we honor the place of doubt in our lives. When doubts surface, doubts surface -- repression is anathema to doubt. For most of us, there is no longer an associated danger with the expression of doubt, so there is also no need for us to condemn, box, and hide it. Doubt's liberation from morality and judgment is dependent upon our honest evaluation of ourselves and of doubt's effect on our social environment. Is it the intention of doubt to cause us or other people pain and confusion? The gifts of doubt strongly answer, "No!" Doubt opens us to growth, and most of us need this growth. But to grow is to change. And pain and confusion come about by any change, any metamorphosis. We cannot forcefully stunt our growth just to protect other people from inconvenience.

In our religious literature, doubt is oftentimes expressed as a means to an end and not as an end in itself; doubts are valid if and only if it serves to affirm the faith in the end. This approach, used to advance the agenda of a particular faith, is, however, antithetical to the very existence of doubt when applied to our personal experience. We cannot preclude doubt's questions with an answer we cannot yet accept. Again, this is merely a result of doubt encumbered with judgment. To free the gifts of doubt, we must loosen our grip from our intellectually predetermined answers.

For most of our doubts, our questions, there is no answer. We should always be cautious of answers anyway, because they are limiting and confining. But we need not feel lost; because in finding the answers, we can still have faith in ourselves, in our critical thinking, and in our evaluation of our experiences. We can figure the answers out, or if not, we can figure out how to live with the questions, which can only happen if we accept doubt as our inner capacity to see the mystery and spirit inherent in the universe.

“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart. And try to love the questions themselves.” -- Rainer Maria Rilke

Notes:
1. The term “God” is used here in an abstract sense, not necessarily the monotheistic Christian God, and can refer to any other terms such as The Universe, God and/or Goddess, All That Is, and any of the polytheistic deities worshipped in any religion.
2. Of course, there are many other peak experiences not mentioned here.


About the Author: Since childhood, SELFSHIFT has grappled with the integration of many spiritual ideas. But rather than turning atheistic or agnostic, he delved deeper into it, which only created a stronger sense of confusion and doubt. When he finally "surrendered" to the paradoxically seeming coexistence of faith and doubt, he found doubt's gifts. He presents each one of them -- all based on his experience -- on this article, and gives out practical advice on how we can receive these gifts by honoring doubt.

© 2007 Manggagaway E-magazine. Articles may be distributed freely on the condition that all accreditation is acknowledged, no part is altered and this notice is attached and the website: http://manggagaway-central.blogspot.com is included. ~Thank you

Initiation: Are You Ready?

Initiation marks the beginning of a new path to a practitioner. But how will you know you are ready for it? Read through as Gwyddon guides you to the basics of Wiccan initiation. By Gwyddon.

You finished a year and a day studying and searching. You’re pretty sure that you’re ready for an initiation into witchcraft. But are you truly ready? What does initiation really entail? How do you know you’re ready for it?

Initiation is a step in any true seeker’s journey. Initiation is a rite of passage, a ceremony marking the entrance or an acceptance into the inner circle of a secret society or into the confidence of the gods. Hence, initiation must be regarded with utmost seriousness. When it is taken, it is both exciting and frightening. The misgivings and hesitations that you feel are a part of its challenge. It is what separates the wheat from the chaff. And blessed are you who are found worthy of such an undertaking. These things precede any true initiation so don’t be discouraged. Let nothing stop you.

Near the time of initiation itself, you will be gripped by an unexplainable fear. It’s like the fear one experiences if one would want to leap off a cliff’s edge. This is actually a good sign. It means that you’re serious. Anyone who would fearlessly go into initiation is not going to last as a witch. For the mental and emotional turmoil before initiation make the witch into what he/she must become. Nothing is gained for nothing. The emotional roller coaster before initiation is a price a witch must pay.

There are also guardians of the threshold who protect the higher mysteries from the non-initiate. They may assume the form of a person or of situations that act as obstacles that test one’s perseverance in the path. If one is able to surpass the tests, one is then admitted into the presence of a group or into the realm of the Spirit. In Masonic and Gardnerian traditions, the knife pointed at the heart of the initiate upon entering the temple symbolizes these mighty protectors. In my case, my family was a guardian in disguise. There were three other guardians, and each demanded a sacrifice: friendships, honor, riches, or time.

The rite of initiation depends on the tradition you’re seeking entry into or on your personal choice. For solitary practitioners, a simple rite is enough. Lengthy rituals sometimes lose their magic because there’s no one else to guide you but yourself. It is best to state your purpose directly. You may give promises that you must keep, and you can also ask for gifts. But true initiation may happen days, months, and even years before or after the formal rite of initiation.

For the solitary witches, initiation poses a problem. Who will initiate us? There is no one to give us the formal passing of the lineage. But is lineage really that important? Isn’t lineage an allegory for power that is passed on from witch to witch?

Well, the gods are higher than any witch. For solitary practitioners, the gods work by other means: through signs, omens, feelings, or dreams. This is why a witch must work by feeling and by intuition. Signs will come when you’re not even looking for them. They’ll jump right at you and surprise you with a sudden flash of awakening. They may come from books, nature, dreams, and conversations. All it takes is awareness of how the gods communicate with you.

I remember when I was preparing for my self-initiation a few years ago, I used to get frequent signs. Words from books I read jump out of the page and hit me with a frying pan. “Hello!” it seemed to say. “We’re trying to tell you something!” and I just knew. I once asked for a sign in choosing the right magical name, and I saw two hawks circling each other above me. And so my name came about, a term for hawk in Welsh

Things that happen to you after the initiation might confirm it. During an outdoor ritual, animals may confirm your initiation and magical things might happen. There may be also a suddenly feeling of oneness with everything. You might sense that you’ve become especially psychic and your spells begin to work fast. After a while, these things do wear off and you just become a regular, normal witch.

Other seekers into the mysteries think that when one gets initiated, one is invested with special powers. But it doesn’t work that way. Initiation is like getting into another bus after getting off a previous one. You have a new ticket and bought some food for the trip, but you’re never really there yet. Initiation is just another beginning. A witch never really reaches the end of learning. Everyday brings new knowledge. A witch would do well to know as much as he can. It is what we are, the Wise.

Sometimes, the spirits take hold of us and would not let us go. For some privileged individuals, that is enough. There would be no need for a formal rite or a public declaration. And they are free to practice, as the gods have commissioned them. This is in fact, the highest and truest form of initiation into the mysteries, for the gods themselves do not do this by any human mediation but by sheer calling. And in the battle for a man’s soul, only the gods can win. Now, are you ready?


About the Author: GWYDDON has been a practitioner of magic and pagan spirituality for 6 years now. He aspires to be a writer someday while also trying to pave his way as a future architect. He loves books, art, music, nature, and animals. He also heads the recently launched organization, Cebu Paranormal Society. As a psychically sensitive person, he has received good feedback for his card reading and psychometry skills.

© 2007 Manggagaway E-magazine. Articles may be distributed freely on the condition that all accreditation is acknowledged, no part is altered and this notice is attached and the website: http://manggagaway-central.blogspot.com is included. ~Thank you

Awakened… Not Until Today

Witchcraft isn’t all about power. Join Ostara Wissenblack as he starts to pick up the pieces he left in the Craft. Read and be inspired with his awakening. By Ostara Wissenblack.

Lightning bolts, fireballs, thick mists, and a bit of change in the room's lighting. These are the things I wanted to see when I cast a spell. Hey! Don't blame me. Television shows and movies, whose plots revolve around witchcraft or the use of magick, usually incorporate such effects to add highlight and drama to the scene. Despite knowing that none of these would happen, I was still hoping that the Goddess can make a one time exception for my birthday.

The Invocation of the Sacred Spirit
Hear now the words of the witches
Hear now the words of Thy child.
I invoke Thee, the Divine Knowledge,
I invoke Thee, the Secret Wisdom.
From the lips of the first witch known
Traditions passed to generations
On wind or cloud, over storm or sea
Give me the power that belongs to me.
So shall it be!
By the Four Corners of Space
East, AL
West, IH
North, AGLA
South, ADNI
And the Four Elements of the World
Earth
Fire
Air
And Water
I call upon the Ancient Powers.
Give the powers unto me.
I want the power, grant me the power!

It was the night of the spring equinox, the night when the forces of darkness and light are in perfect balance, and most of all, the night of my birthday. Can there be any other time more perfect than that? I had been in research mode for more than four years with regards to the Craft and I realized that the time had come to apply what I learned in practice. Though prior to this night, I had cast minor spells that never really worked, tonight was different. It marked something new. It was the turning point of my life when I actually embraced witchcraft, not just as a mere interest, but as my life.

I have always believed that witchcraft was never about the power. It is about the knowledge -- the knowledge to harness the limitless powers around you and tap into the consciousness of the Divine to accomplish your will. It isn't just about spellcasting. Wicca was never just about spellcasting. But I have to admit, it is a big part of it, and it was that part that sucked me into the Wiccan life.

I was actively using magick in my every day life. I cast spells for locating books in the library, slowing down time so as not to be late, enhancing my memory to absorb more information during reviews, and even something to make me pass exams. You see, spellcasting is really about being clear on your intentions. Looking back, I wish I had cast a spell not just to pass the exam, but top it. Next time, I'd be more specific.

As these "simple" spells worked, I tried going up the ladder, trying more challenging magickal feats. But of course, I never put my heart away from the Wiccan Rede, "An it harm none, do what ye will!" More than this, I was seriously contemplating on the fact that magick is a gift, and like other gifts, it should be shared to others. I was certain that I wasn't blessed with this gift just to make sure that I pass my exam or that I find the right book. I have this for a special reason. I have this so I can help people and save innocents.

And so I did! Well, it wasn't really the Charmed way of vanquishing warlocks and of kicking demon-ass to help innocents, but it will do. (Though honestly, I was really wishing it would be Halliwell-ish) I then decided to join a campus-based organization that caters to the students' interest in the paranormal. I was never an extrovert and I usually prefer being alone but my experience with the UP Paranormal Society was different. It was not just the paranormal interest that bonded us together but knowing the fact that somewhere out there, there are also people like me who want to be alone, not because they’re weird, but because they want to find out why most fear the unknown.

Though I was still new in the Craft at that time, I was amazed that I could impart what I know to the other members of the organization who wanted to take the same path. As I mentioned earlier, I also used magick to help some fellow orgmates in situations that would greatly need some assistance of the supernatural. I cast a spell with one of my orgmates to temporarily heighten her senses to make her sensitive to unseen forces. It was a bit freaky, but that's the whole point of it. I also remember using my magick to find a missing person and discover who stole someone's mobile phone. These are the little things that we thought are so shallow but actually meant big to those people that we've helped. For this, I'd always be proud that I was there when they needed me.

As I got to be more familiar with witchcraft, certain changes started to happen, both inward and outward. Internally, I felt more confident about myself and I wasn't as frightened with things I was usually scared of before I took the Wiccan path. In the outside world, I can see that people tend to "notice" me more as I have found for myself an identity that stuck to their mind. And fortunately, there were no shallow-minded people who judged me for what I do. I guess they really understood that it is who I want to be.

Being with a group also made me bolder as I dared to do more complicated and pseudo-dangerous magickal works. It was triggered by a certain ritual that I together with 3 of my orgmates did to shield a certain building from the presence of non-human entities. Originally, we were just supposed to do it for cinematic effect to an event that we sponsored, but surprisingly, it worked. The energy in our circle was so intense that I can actually see the energy patterns move around us appearing like streams of different colors. I wasn't the only one who saw it; at least two other persons who did the ritual with me saw this too.

After this, I got bolder and wanted to go another step up the ladder. If I can pull off such a trick, I bet can do other big stuffs as well. Though I never really did any ritual that is Enochian or Qabbalistic in nature, I used their principles to create my own spells that would allow me to test my magickal adeptness. Soon, I was able to awaken some dormant abilities. I learned how to tap into other people's emotions, have premonitions through dreams and flashes, do a bit of mind-reading, and use other "gifts" I never thought I have, or would have.
Along with all these came more changes in my life. Some people started to fear me for what I do. Others do not agree with me dabbling into the Dark Arts. But despite their negative feedbacks, I kept a deaf ear and craved for more. I did a spell to enter someone's mind to know his secrets, I also asked for the Furies help to take revenge on someone who has wronged me, and I even used magick to break up a couple. Little by little, I was throwing myself further from the kind of witch I initially wanted to be. There were consequences for all these, I know that. Some of them really brought me pain, both literally and metaphorically. But for me, it was all worth it.

Until one day, I woke up and realized that everything has gone so dark I cannot see who I am anymore. I've destroyed the very identity I chose for myself and even lost important people in my life due to my unending hunger for knowledge and power. I have abused the gift that was given to me, and now, it is either they have been taken away from me or I can no longer tap into them.

Several times, I tried to retrieve the “power” I once had and go back to the path I once took, but somehow, things are no longer the same. Casting a spell is not as easy it seemed before. Even making rhymes for incantations don’t seem as handy as before. I looked back to that day when I did my dedication ritual, and now, I realized, I have never been truly awakened until the day I lost everything I had. Not until today.

Magick was never about the power, nor of the knowledge. It is about respect: respect to the gift of the Goddess to harness the living energy around us, respect to this energy that manifest itself in every object around us, and most of all, respect to others’ choice to live in magick-free world. Magick is not a power that is yours for the taking. No one owns it and it owns no one. It is part of each and everything that exist. You can only tap into it, borrow it, and return it when you’re done. Once you have mastered this, then everything else should follow. Hopefully, this time, I have developed much respect to be given the right to tap into it again.

From this moment on, I would never want to be asleep again…


About the Author: Twenty-four year old Ruvigor Jake Gillera is working for a hotel chain in Makati. He finished at UP Diliman with a bachelor’s degree in Hotel and Restaurant Administration. Using his craft name, OSTARA WISSENBLACK, the author has been practicing witchcraft for 12 years and Wicca for approximately 8 years. He is a firm believer that no ONE religion is correct. Today he starts to pick up the pieces he left in the Craft and tries to relearn as much knowledge as he can.

© 2007 Manggagaway E-magazine. Articles may be distributed freely on the condition that all accreditation is acknowledged, no part is altered and this notice is attached and the website: http://manggagaway-central.blogspot.com is included. ~Thank you

Summer Luvin’, Summer Cleanin’

As the days start to get longer, the crisp scent of summer gradually fills the air. But before you spend those lazy days under the sun to get your tan, give your home a doze of some summer luvin! By Rain.

Ah summer! Who can ever resist the temptation to enjoy the beach, build sand castles or simply watch the waves with a cool piña colada in one’s hand?! After the cold months that have passed, now is the time to enjoy the return of the sun.

But before you plan that out-of-town trip, first spare a day or two to take care of your home. Ostara is a perfect time for you to do some good old general cleaning or what is commonly known as ‘spring cleaning’. Since we do not have spring here in the Philippines, it would be better to call it ‘summer cleaning’ instead.

We always clean our house regardless of the season. But when was the last time you did some serious clean-up from your roof to your basement? Ostara marks the change of the season from the cold holiday weather to the hot summer sun. And Ostara is considered a favorable time to do some general cleaning.

It has been a routine in my family to do general cleanings every change of season. We do this before and after the holiday months. By summer, every inch of our home had to be cleaned to get rid of the accumulated layer of dust and grime built up during the cold months. This is the time when we put down our Yule tree and holiday decorations too. You could figure out just how long the tree was standing in our living room! There is nothing like starting the summer season while seeing the sunlight streaming through the windows of your newly cleaned home.

Not only do you get rid of all the dirt and hang-over scent of the holiday season, you can also use this time to get rid of negative energies or vibrations hovering inside your home. Summer cleaning not only cleans your house physically, but it also cleans it beyond what your eyes can see.

The secret is to incorporate magickal cleaning into the traditional way of cleaning your home. As a boost to your magickal working, return those chemical cleaners in your cabinets and use earth-friendly materials. Below are some tips I do in my home that you can also slip in with yours.

• Dissolve salt in a bucket of water with soap. (Make sure that the soap is a good cleaning substance naturally made with lye.) Salt is a good cleaning mineral that keeps negativity out of your home. Use this bucket to scrub your walls, windows and floors.
• Baking soda and vinegar are best for removing odors and stains found in floors, cooking pots, bathroom tiles, kitchen counters and even your freezers.
• Make sure that you open all windows and doors as you sweep the floor and wipe your windows. Visualize that all the negative energies are coming out of your house as you clean. While sweeping your floors, make sure that you go over all areas in your home.
• Change all the curtains, beddings, seat covers and table cloths. After doing so, spray your newly changed covers using a spray bottle that contains both water and lavender. Lavender will help induce relaxation and is a good aid in cleansing.
• After doing all the cleaning, boil your rug in water with herbs such as sage, rosemary and salt to get rid of negative energies. Throw the water in your yard and hang your rugs to dry. If you decide to throw your rugs away, bury them in your yard instead.
• Mix lemon juice and water in a spray bottle and spray around your home to get rid of the old holiday smell.
• Tie a sprig of herbs like basil and rosemary in the corners of your house for protection.
• Sprinkle salt around the outside of your home to prevent negative energies from coming in.

In addition, I would like to share a few tips that you and your family can do while summer cleaning your home.

Before Cleaning:

• Plan ahead on how to clean your house. Start your plan from the inner-most part of your house going outward or start from the top going to the bottom.
• Schedule a day for your family to do your summer cleaning.
• Improvise a division–of-labor system and outline what needs to be done in each room. Make sure that your family members understand how clean you want your house to be.
• Gather the needed supplies in a bucket so that you can easily drag them along with you as you clean.

While Cleaning:

• Keep what is no longer used in boxes or put them back in their shelves. You can always get them out when you need them again.
• Play some music and/or sing while you clean. Anything that makes the task more enjoyable and fun is helpful.
• To stay focused in what you are doing, break up the cleaning into manageable tasks, and do one room at a time.

After Cleaning:

• Bless your home by lighting a family candle and then say, ‘May the God and Goddess bless our home as we start a new season of hope, love and happiness’.
• Treat your family to a ‘thank you’ dinner for helping you.

Now that you are done with cleaning all the clutter and removing all the remnants of the cold months from your home, plan and enjoy the summer!

About the Author: RAIN is currently a Team Manager in one of the prominent contact centers in Manila. But behind the busy world she lives in, you would be surprised to see how dedicated she is in her craft as a Kitchen Witch. She is definitely a mix of both worlds - the mundane and extraordinary. One of the things she likes about Wicca is the fact that Wiccans are very tolerant of other faith traditions. Rain is outside the broom closet now. She, along with similar others, runs a Circle of Witches called Moonlight Circle.

© 2007 Manggagaway E-magazine. Articles may be distributed freely on the condition that all accreditation is acknowledged, no part is altered and this notice is attached and the website: http://manggagaway-central.blogspot.com is included. ~Thank you

10 Things You Need for an Outdoor Ritual

The outdoors is an exciting place to hold your ritual this summer, but it is not for the unprepared. Read this checklist before you venture into unknown territory. By Kether W.

Conducting an outdoor ritual is one of the most exciting things you can do this summer. You can go outside, meditate early morning, visit your local park, or walk along the beach. An outdoor ritual is the perfect solution to celebrate your Sabbats away from the stress of urban noise and city living.

But before you pack your things for the big day, consider what you are going to bring. Most people would just stuff their backpacks with dozens of ritual paraphernalia, food, and water. But always remember that the outdoors won’t be that accommodating to everyone especially for the unprepared. The moment you step out of your home, you will need to adjust yourself to the environment, not the other way around.

For years, I have spent most of my summer rituals outdoors and every moment is a lesson learned. Here are the 10 things you need to bring with you in an outdoor ritual.

1. Insect Repellant. What can I say? Such a life saver in all of my outdoor rituals. They say all you need to ruin the ritual is an army of ravenous mosquitoes. If you are having your rituals near bodies of fresh water, canals, or places with a lot of bananas, you have to be prepared with repellants because some insects carry diseases and may cause malaria or dengue. And the last thing you wouldn’t want to end up is to be bitten by one of these deadly insects. Fleas can also be your worst enemy, they have this toxic venom that can inflame your skin or can cause allergic reactions. So insect repellant is your best friend.

2. Mobile Phone. You cannot expect that a paramedic would be present in times of disaster or accidents. Always have your phone units handy and fully charged just in case you need help immediately. If you get lost during the trip, you can catch up with friends through their phones. (Suggestion: It would also be more convenient if the people who care about you knows where you’re going and when you’ll be back in case there is no cellular signal)

3. First Aid Kit. Tourniquet, band-aids, skin disinfectants, etcetera. Do not go outdoors without a first aid kit; you can’t predict accidents along the way so it would be of great help if you can instantly apply first aid at any circumstance. And don’t forget medicines such as paracetamols, attapulgites, and anti-allergy tablets for allergic reactions.

4. Map. “Ang hindi tumitingin sa pinanggalingan…ay siguradong maliligaw!” Have A Map. A Map doesn’t mean you have to buy a huge topographical map for navigation. A rough sketch of the place where you are going to do your rituals, how to get there, and the markers that might be helpful on your way back. Having this map handy would save you time and effort on your way back.

5. Flash Lights. In case you are planning for an evening ritual, flash lights, pin lights, or any type of illumination during the night is a must have item in your bag.

6. Matches or Lighters. I can’t imagine outdoor rituals without matches or lighters. During the ritual you will have to light some candles and incense; if you don’t have these inside your bag, you are in big trouble. Worst, if plan to stay late night without any source of fire for the camp, you’ll probably risk yourself with insects or any dangerous nocturnal beasts that may pay a visit during the night.

7. LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER. You can forget everything that I said earlier but not water. You cannot possibly survive a day without water especially if you are going outdoors. And when I say water, I mean lots, and lots, and lots of water. For summers like this, where temperatures can rise to about 40 degrees Celsius, keeping your body cool needs a great deal of water intake. So don’t hesitate to bring lots and lots of water.

8. Extra Clothing. When you get all soaked with sweat and dirt you will need to change your clothes. You can’t wear your wet clothes during the ritual. You need to be comfortable or else you will not enjoy the outdoor ritual. Changing your clothes can also avoid unwanted smells, and I’m sure you don’t want your peers to smell your stinking clothes.

9. A Compass. Most people underestimate the power of a compass. People sometimes take them for granted, but when you are in a ritual and you can’t tell where the cardinal points are, a compass will be a great help. This is most helpful at night when you are not exactly sure where the north south east west directions are. A compass together with the map would be a great navigational tool in your outdoor ritual so you must have one of these in your bag.

10. Your Ritual Tools. When you do an outdoor ritual you don’t need to bring with you a complete set of altar tools. An athame, chalice, a pair of element bowls and an altar plaque would be enough. But if you want to add more, you might want to assign it to others so as not to add too much tools in your back pack. Don’t be so vain and show off all your ritual tools to your peers; it will only cause you more headaches than applause.

One last thing that I must remind you is to Pack Lightly. Take only the things that you need, and leave the things that won’t be necessary in the ritual. It would be such a hassle to bring all your tools only to find out that you won’t even need them. These tools would only add an extra pound on your back.


About the Author: A dedicate practitioner of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, KETHER is currently involve as a writer for various occult publication in the country. He has written numerous articles of occult genre and always an active participant of occult projects and activities for the last 5 years. Kether is a nature lover and is currently involve with non-governmental organization to promote environmental protection and preservation.

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