|
|
Power of History
Created by Mike Flotka
"What are you reading?" is all I heard as I awoke from a stupor of immersing myself into a large book, a collection of Irish mythology. I had gotten out of my anthropology class, and was sitting where I always go to read, on a circular bench, away from the bustle of passing students. It took me a moment to realize that it was another student from my class, asking me of my interests. I explained what I had in my hands, and he immediately responded "Why are you studying something that has no bearing on today?", his words trailing off as he walked away. I tossed his remark over my shoulder, thinking just the opposite ; how can one not draw upon the stories and traditions of the ancients?
One of many things that drew me to Wicca, is the way that mythology is embraced. It is respected for its ability to be relevant in a modern society, a society that, for the most part, looks towards the media for stories of ethics. We can look to the gods for help, love, and inspiration. They are very real, and have a personality all to their own. We can also look towards their actions and relations to each other (and to us) for insight. The Dagda and Boan fall in love, and have a child in secret who grows to be a man of love and passion. Sound like an angle from a soap opera? That's because history and mythology contain universal truths which, while not facts, are very applicable to today's life.
Even in a modern tradition, we can be empowered by the foundation that those before us have left. Have you ever used a chant, invocation, or a complete ritual that was written years ago? Did it feel different than those you have written yourself? One of the reasons that is, is because it has a lineage of people behind it. Energy does not die, and the energy put into that rite or prayer is still around, waiting to be added to yours.
With a tradition, we learn from those mistakes and triumphs of those before us. You can be confident in knowing that what you are doing has been tried and tested. Yet, you do not have to be restricted by old tomes and texts. Traditions must always be added to, they must always change, lest they become stale and die.