Continuity of Spirit

Consider that the continuum is an integral system where everything has its own deterministic "identity code". What is meant by "deterministic" is that there are three factors on which evolution operates- heredity, environment, and circumstance. These are familiar to us as DNA, molecular lattice symmetry, and the laws of causality as seen in quantum mechanics- to name a few. These are things that randomly form a dynamic "memory" of constructs relative to particular causalities in the spacetime continuum. Take for instance the sabre tooth cat. It went extinct at the end of one ice age, yet reappeared consistently in similar conditions through out the earth's history- in different places, adapting variations on this theme wherever the opportunity ideally arose. In this, it can be seen that nature not only possesses a degree of memory, but a general impulse to opportunistically fill any gap in the whole equation with whatever works. In essense, the memory remains dynamically consistent with opportunity. Of course the more elaborate the opportunity, the more elaborate the deliberation. While the construct may change, making certain designs no longer viable under the circumstances, that does not mean that particular memory or deliberation is forever lost. Even if our sun were to reach the end of its cycle, that information continues to trial itself somewhere else in the continuum under similar conditions.

Now having said that, it takes no great leap of faith to realize that “identity”, at some point, inevitably possesses its own capacity of sentient deliberation. Thus, given the multiversality of the continuum, the manner of an identity’s manifestation in local causality is best described as a quantum holographic “fetch”. This is what Buddhism attempts to define in terms of “karma” and reincarnation, however, doesn’t quite explain the fact that reality as we know it, is only one of infinite probable alterrealities (see Schrödinger’s Cat theory). In Germanic folklore, this is related to as the 9 worlds, whereas “örlog” describes that fundamental identity out of which we are born. “Wyrd” is what we do with it. Throwing all that into the multifarious equation certainly boggles the mind, but then it’s no surprise that in certain places where static forces collide, we find ourselves plagued with all manner of “otherworldly” phenomena. Is it also any surprise that some of us have the sentience enough to see beyond that temporal veil, or that our dreams can be so bizarrely hyperdimensional? As for spirits and other manifestations of borderline reality, some are actual biological lifeforms in a slightly different order of time, whereas others are kinetic manifestations of will caught in their own alterrealities; some voluntarily, some unwittingly, some collectively. The kinetic ones conveniently thrive on the powerful emotions of their human hosts, as a most viable source, because their forms lack sufficient matter to maintain that static state on their own for very long. Thus some of us may perceive such a ghost as a fleeting shadowy form because of this draw on those kinetic forces. This form may even be seen imminent to the death of that person by clairvoyants able to see beyond the “here and now”. Either way, it also accounts for the chill one experiences of their presence.

Disambiguation of the Ostara Festival

Before some of you start brow-beating me with your revelations about the Wiccan wheel of the year, bear in mind that you are actually borrowing from ancient AGRARIAN traditions native to where I live, regardless what Catholicism had tried to make of them...and despite all popular belief, the Ostara festival does not fall on the Vernal Equinox, rather the full moon following. This has perfectly practical reasons- as any rural inhabitant worth their salt here, knows that nature operates not only by solar cycles, but particularly lunar cycles within that seasonal frame. Generations of knowledge and experience handed down to us in allegorical fables and song. Its mythical spirits served to illustrate those integral elements and driving forces upon which our survival and the continuity of existence so depends. Nature is our temple and the feasts a celebration of its cycles, in which death is still seen as returning fertility to the fallow earth for the cycle to renew itself. Thus the term “Spring” is quite self explanatory. The sleeper awakens and begins to bud. It all appears slow at first, until the buds burst open. What follows, seems almost explosive, the power of youth running amok. It’s all about the life force of the earth under the effect of the growing solar presence counter-balanced by the subtler attractions of the moon associated with water. In the village I live, the old tradition of well decorating persists. It bears a sign reading “Water is life”, surrounded with garlands of boxbush dotted with colourfully hand-painted eggs, symbolizing every aspect of rebirth. Atop the well-marker, the garlands form a crown. It is the crowning of new life. Ostara is the maiden aspect of the earth, the time when the first young bunnies appear, hopping around in the fields playfully. In the feast, roast young rabbit is a reminder of our ancestors’ hunger for fresh meat after the long winter.

In old high German April was called "Ostermonat". However, as far as etymology is concerned, the root "Ost" means "East". Thus some names describe the dawn, whereas others refer to a mother goddess of this association, so subsequently, this can lead to much confusion in interpretation. The Norse had scarcely any such associations compared to the much earlier Celto-Germanic diaspora along the old southerly migration routes of the Rhine and the Danube where agriculture prospered. The Germanic Frigg, is quite a different story. From the union of Frigg and Odin come four sons; Balder, Hödur, Hermor, Bragi- each in effect playing a part in the seasonal changes- as do the Valkyries, who are shapeshifters. However, in the Alps, Berchta and Wotan as shapeshifting wilderness spirits, appear to be their surviving shamanic forerunners. By the time the Anglo-Saxons (who were actually largely Belgae) appeared in Britain, the Ostara traditions would have already been an integral part of their agrarian lifestyle. One thing is certain; the concept is an astrological one that traces back to the Bronze Age, and not necessarily a separate entity- rather, a seasonal attribute of the earth goddess at least before the Romans came. The Romans with their multitude of household deities, in many cases brought about the fashionable diffusion of pantheons to meet the trend.

Now having said that, let it be understood, that to pay tribute to a goddess by virtue of religious identification rather than realize the true spirit of her manifestation, serves little more than selfish idolatry. Respect that these things have quite a personality of their own, and that for some very essential/potential reasons.

The Infernal Question

Are you pagan, or just on a mission for your own secret empire? Where is learning in the sycophancy of rhetorical proof of faith? Are you here to be yourself, or just some elite fashion statement of the popular consensus? Are you here to discuss yours or anybody else's experiences or just revel in the shear enigma of it? Are you really exploring the unknown or just trying to escape some ugly reality. Can you step outside of the dream and honestly ask yourself, just what is it that you are really looking for? It seems some have forgotten what Pagan Underworld is really about.

Well, as I might expect, some git is on my case because it would appear I called his bluff.  Whatever his convictions, he completely ignored the fact that I'm neither American nor living in North America, thus couldn't possibly relate to his political attitudes, so it was bound to come to a head. As if that wasn't enough the bugger then fraudulently tried to make an issue of my testimony in the abuse group. I'm sure my family would be really impressed to have someone tell them none of it ever happened. Should it be any wonder why I get so angry when people play on the threat of exclusion as a means of emotional blackmail? Under those circumstances his threat of leaving the site can only be a welcoming thought to all concerned.

Pagan Unity is an Oxymoron

Why is it that so many eclectic wiccans talk like theirs is the one and only center of the pagan universe, the majority rule, that if you don’t speak in their terms and play their game you don’t belong? The preaching of “tolerance”, assuming to be the authority by virtue of “true universal unity” justifying the right to redefine any culture they want to fit this ideology. Indeed, by much the same proxy, no matter what they call themselves, it’s all the same- completely oblivious to any real ethnic distinctions. Yet in the same breath they’ll lament the human destruction of biodiversity. Ah, but don’t they just love to feed me the excuse that I should be so open-minded to such blatant pedantry. As if all the places I’ve lived, all the cultures I’ve experienced and all the different languages I have spoken, just can’t measure up to the shear sublime euphoria of it all. Sorry, but Disneyland just isn’t the real world. Heaven forbid, trying to pull that one in a truly foreign country, and then wonder why wars start. As the saying goes: the best way to start realizing your dreams is to wake up. At this rate it seems the global village conspires to turn it all into one big third world shanty town so the rest can eat Chinese at McDonald’s. Just where is the spiritual meaning in that? If I wanted that I would have had myself baptized. Man, did they ever sell you lot up the Jordan. Same shit, different name. Come on, this isn't about some idyllic universal order of things, rather, it's becoming more like the borg usurping other worlds just to assimilate them. Nature, tooth and claw.