Blame
I've been sitting here in my home, mulling over matters great and small in my head. I do that from time to
time I suppose. While I mindlessly surf the net, finding various bits of information I'll probably never put to
use, if I even remember, I find myself going back to the same thread. It's been on my mind for a few weeks,
slowly working it's way to the foreground, letting it come to a head. It's not something I would really like to
notice, nor is it something I'm rather proud of.
It's about blame. It's about ownership of issues. It's also about setting boundaries for myself, in all parts of my life. It's about
honor. And it's about truth. Oh yes...that big word that I hide from sometimes. I suppose we all do. We fashion for ourselves
this illusionary world, this 'community', where all are accepted, there is no wrong. Oh, we say there is.
We are very quick to point out that doing magick against someone is wrong. We are quick to point out that harming someone
is a definite no-no. But what do we do, when faced with it? Do we hide from it, like the neighbor that convinces themselves
that that lady next door really did fall down those steps? Do we confront it in our own minds, yet keep it to ourselves for fear
of reprisal of others? Do we place it out in a burst of anger and fire for all to see?
When we have what I commonly refer to as 'the bad seed' in our community, what do you we do with that information? I
mean, really think about it. What do we do? I'm not talking about those people who we don't like because they are weird, or
those people we don't like because they intimidate us and make us feel less than ourselves. Not those people. I'm talking about
the Alonzo South's (a man caught for molesting the child of a covener) of the world. The child molesters or animal abuser, or
even the murderer in Pagan clothing. The harmful ones that hide in the shadows. Or sometimes the harmful ones that dance in
the light, that shine out even to the whole community. And we don't know until it's too late. But is that always the case??
I could not look that seeker in the eye. Their pain is now woven to my Karma...in an ever so slight, yet firm way. Because what
could I offer them now? 'I am very sorry for what happened...however my good name is preserved. I do so apologize for not
speaking up. I will light a candle for you. You know, I could not say anything because there would have been finger pointing at
me. They would have said I was causing trouble. They would have maybe shunned me. You do understand, don't you?'
And the snake still thrives...
But what can we do? Do we dare to say what we know? Do we dare to stand up and put an end to the egg shell walking that
has become part of the community? Can we in the end be truthful, and not embellish? Are we willing to say to that seeker 'I
have heard this. I have confirmed this. Be cautious, and always follow your heart.'
Much of this comes from those who set themselves up as something they are not. They have a purpose behind what they do.
For some, it's simply person glorification, or gratification. We all know about the magickal bed. We all know about that leader
who can only tolerate their own ideas and voice. We even know of those who do things to draw in the unsuspecting to
demoralize them, or worse. Should we accept everyone who says 'I am Leader, hear me roar?' simply because who are we to
say they aren't? I'm not so sure we aren't the ones to say they aren't. What makes a community leader? Is it desire alone?
Should they have some form of education in what they are leading or teaching? Reading a book and taking a class a leader
does not make. Some would say it only requires the willingness to work within community. I would say that is a good place to
start. I know people in our community who love the Gods, love the people here, and while they may not have had formal
training, have studied much on their own, learned much, and walks the Path. So we know a degree a leader does not make.
But what of those who try to pass themselves off as something they are not? Should we accept them with open arms and hope
they don't cause trouble? Or should we greet them warmly and then expect them to prove by their actions and deeds that what
they say is true. And I hear you crying 'Prove to WHO?' Well the community of course. Not an individual within it, but the
community as a whole. I am quite fond of the Asatru saying 'You are a Godi if you call yourself one and no one laughs'. But to
follow that up 'Those who cannot bear your rule will leave you'. Lets just hope they aren't damaged before they do leave.
I will no longer walk those egg shells. I will be able to look that seeker in the eye, and know I have been truthful. What the
seeker chooses to do with it, that then becomes their own lesson. However, I will be able to answer to my own conscience. In
the immortal words of Fox (Trad HPs of OATh Tradition) when speaking of the differences of various leaders she knew in
describing a shovel, the final Priestess she coined as saying 'It's a shovel damn it. Pick it up and dig'.
The thoughts contained in this email are mine alone...brought about my some very serious soul searching and contemplation. It
is my hope it will be serve as the Gods intend it to do. And if you have any type of problem what so ever with this...then my
email address is covenlunarose@yahoo.com. Please send it here. I'll not argue about it, but I would rather you send your
complaints to the one who said them and not cause disagreement anywhere else. You do however have my permission to
forward, with the above disclaimer and my name, to whoever you like.
(C) Morgaine 2001
I've been sitting here in my home, mulling over matters great and small in my head. I do that from time to
time I suppose. While I mindlessly surf the net, finding various bits of information I'll probably never put to
use, if I even remember, I find myself going back to the same thread. It's been on my mind for a few weeks,
slowly working it's way to the foreground, letting it come to a head. It's not something I would really like to
notice, nor is it something I'm rather proud of.
It's about blame. It's about ownership of issues. It's also about setting boundaries for myself, in all parts of my life. It's about
honor. And it's about truth. Oh yes...that big word that I hide from sometimes. I suppose we all do. We fashion for ourselves
this illusionary world, this 'community', where all are accepted, there is no wrong. Oh, we say there is.
We are very quick to point out that doing magick against someone is wrong. We are quick to point out that harming someone
is a definite no-no. But what do we do, when faced with it? Do we hide from it, like the neighbor that convinces themselves
that that lady next door really did fall down those steps? Do we confront it in our own minds, yet keep it to ourselves for fear
of reprisal of others? Do we place it out in a burst of anger and fire for all to see?
When we have what I commonly refer to as 'the bad seed' in our community, what do you we do with that information? I
mean, really think about it. What do we do? I'm not talking about those people who we don't like because they are weird, or
those people we don't like because they intimidate us and make us feel less than ourselves. Not those people. I'm talking about
the Alonzo South's (a man caught for molesting the child of a covener) of the world. The child molesters or animal abuser, or
even the murderer in Pagan clothing. The harmful ones that hide in the shadows. Or sometimes the harmful ones that dance in
the light, that shine out even to the whole community. And we don't know until it's too late. But is that always the case??
I could not look that seeker in the eye. Their pain is now woven to my Karma...in an ever so slight, yet firm way. Because what
could I offer them now? 'I am very sorry for what happened...however my good name is preserved. I do so apologize for not
speaking up. I will light a candle for you. You know, I could not say anything because there would have been finger pointing at
me. They would have said I was causing trouble. They would have maybe shunned me. You do understand, don't you?'
And the snake still thrives...
But what can we do? Do we dare to say what we know? Do we dare to stand up and put an end to the egg shell walking that
has become part of the community? Can we in the end be truthful, and not embellish? Are we willing to say to that seeker 'I
have heard this. I have confirmed this. Be cautious, and always follow your heart.'
Much of this comes from those who set themselves up as something they are not. They have a purpose behind what they do.
For some, it's simply person glorification, or gratification. We all know about the magickal bed. We all know about that leader
who can only tolerate their own ideas and voice. We even know of those who do things to draw in the unsuspecting to
demoralize them, or worse. Should we accept everyone who says 'I am Leader, hear me roar?' simply because who are we to
say they aren't? I'm not so sure we aren't the ones to say they aren't. What makes a community leader? Is it desire alone?
Should they have some form of education in what they are leading or teaching? Reading a book and taking a class a leader
does not make. Some would say it only requires the willingness to work within community. I would say that is a good place to
start. I know people in our community who love the Gods, love the people here, and while they may not have had formal
training, have studied much on their own, learned much, and walks the Path. So we know a degree a leader does not make.
But what of those who try to pass themselves off as something they are not? Should we accept them with open arms and hope
they don't cause trouble? Or should we greet them warmly and then expect them to prove by their actions and deeds that what
they say is true. And I hear you crying 'Prove to WHO?' Well the community of course. Not an individual within it, but the
community as a whole. I am quite fond of the Asatru saying 'You are a Godi if you call yourself one and no one laughs'. But to
follow that up 'Those who cannot bear your rule will leave you'. Lets just hope they aren't damaged before they do leave.
I will no longer walk those egg shells. I will be able to look that seeker in the eye, and know I have been truthful. What the
seeker chooses to do with it, that then becomes their own lesson. However, I will be able to answer to my own conscience. In
the immortal words of Fox (Trad HPs of OATh Tradition) when speaking of the differences of various leaders she knew in
describing a shovel, the final Priestess she coined as saying 'It's a shovel damn it. Pick it up and dig'.
The thoughts contained in this email are mine alone...brought about my some very serious soul searching and contemplation. It
is my hope it will be serve as the Gods intend it to do. And if you have any type of problem what so ever with this...then my
email address is covenlunarose@yahoo.com. Please send it here. I'll not argue about it, but I would rather you send your
complaints to the one who said them and not cause disagreement anywhere else. You do however have my permission to
forward, with the above disclaimer and my name, to whoever you like.
(C) Morgaine 2001
