must admit that some boys want to be firemen when they grow up; I wanted to be an ancient Egyptian.
I find that absolutely delightful!
I have read a bit on ceremonial magic, but have no personal contact with it, though I know a retired clergyman who once bought a ritual sword... and now I am glad to know you too. </>
I'm really "all over the place" when it comes to magick. I never saw one form as being any better than any other...just different. There is no good label for me.
Since I went over to the Eastern church, my interest in magic is more theoretical. When I participate in the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, especially in the old Slavonic, I can't imagine the Golden Dawn being any grander. It's like being in the middle of a Wagner music drama.
I still defend Catholicism and Christianity in general because I don't believe one should fault the religion for some of the people involved. Christ, in my opinion, was an Ascended Master. And Catholicism especially always struck me as very beautiful. I have to admit, I always liked the masses in Latin. (now I'm giving away my age!) And I always felt a tremendous sense of energy and renewal in church.
I actually started practicing magick on my own when I was twelve, but I was still very involved with the Catholic church. I used to work with a group that did the folk masses. (remember those?) The priests used to let me do readings at the masses because I seemed to have such a knack for that sort of thing. (big concession on their part, to let a young girl fulfill a role like that...especially one who asked Father Rooney the kind of questions that made him so angry his face would turn beet red and I was sincerely afraid I would give the man an aneurysm someday!)
I didn't leave the church completely until I was 18. I couldn't stand the hypocrisy I saw in too many people. And I didn't accept all their teachings so I left. The mass itself still gives me a good feeling though...it actually gives me chills sometimes. There is something to be said for "where two or more are gathered in my name." (husband's family still churchgoers -- and I've actually stood godmother to two children -- their parents really wanted it in spite of the fact I explained I'm a "fallen" Catholic and the church wouldn't like it if they knew. As my girlfriend explained to me "I want the person I feel is best for my child, regardless of what her religious beliefs are." On those grounds, I accepted.)
So I understand perfectly how dynamic the mass is for you. It sounds like the people involved are truly devoted. It's glorious when that happens. And that's what a mass is supposed to be....a celebration of life and the divine. When people put their hearts and souls into it, one can't help but feel it. It raises energy. We all have our paths. Whatever it takes to get closer to the divine is what's right for a person. All these paths are leading to the same place in the end. I truly believe that.
Re: Pagan is an insult
As for the name I chose for the journal, someone asked me about it once, so I posted something here you might find interesting:
http://www.livejournal.com/users/weret_hekau/44391.html
must admit that some boys want to be firemen when they grow up; I wanted to be an ancient Egyptian.
I find that absolutely delightful!
I have read a bit on ceremonial magic, but have no personal contact with it, though I know a retired clergyman who once bought a ritual sword... and now I am glad to know you too. </>
I'm really "all over the place" when it comes to magick. I never saw one form as being any better than any other...just different. There is no good label for me.
Since I went over to the Eastern church, my interest in magic is more theoretical. When I participate in the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, especially in the old Slavonic, I can't imagine the Golden Dawn being any grander. It's like being in the middle of a Wagner music drama.
I still defend Catholicism and Christianity in general because I don't believe one should fault the religion for some of the people involved. Christ, in my opinion, was an Ascended Master. And Catholicism especially always struck me as very beautiful. I have to admit, I always liked the masses in Latin. (now I'm giving away my age!) And I always felt a tremendous sense of energy and renewal in church.
I actually started practicing magick on my own when I was twelve, but I was still very involved with the Catholic church. I used to work with a group that did the folk masses. (remember those?) The priests used to let me do readings at the masses because I seemed to have such a knack for that sort of thing. (big concession on their part, to let a young girl fulfill a role like that...especially one who asked Father Rooney the kind of questions that made him so angry his face would turn beet red and I was sincerely afraid I would give the man an aneurysm someday!)
I didn't leave the church completely until I was 18. I couldn't stand the hypocrisy I saw in too many people. And I didn't accept all their teachings so I left. The mass itself still gives me a good feeling though...it actually gives me chills sometimes. There is something to be said for "where two or more are gathered in my name." (husband's family still churchgoers -- and I've actually stood godmother to two children -- their parents really wanted it in spite of the fact I explained I'm a "fallen" Catholic and the church wouldn't like it if they knew. As my girlfriend explained to me "I want the person I feel is best for my child, regardless of what her religious beliefs are." On those grounds, I accepted.)
So I understand perfectly how dynamic the mass is for you. It sounds like the people involved are truly devoted. It's glorious when that happens. And that's what a mass is supposed to be....a celebration of life and the divine. When people put their hearts and souls into it, one can't help but feel it. It raises energy. We all have our paths. Whatever it takes to get closer to the divine is what's right for a person. All these paths are leading to the same place in the end. I truly believe that.