THE DEVIL, YOU SAY!!

It seems he's the up and coming thing. First, there were Vampires, then tons of zombies. Now, ghostly shows seem to confront more demons than dead folk, there's a new book out about his supposed visit to 1600's Salem, Ma., and he even has his own show called - appropriately - “Lucifer”. Yup, the devil is in the details, the media, the bookstore...but what do we really know about the “Prince of Darkness”? Like a lot of Wiccans, I frequently get cast into the same roiling furnace as his Infernal Majesty, even though he's not even a part of the Wiccan Path. So, for all our sakes, maybe it's time we check out his true curriculum vitae as presented in “Holy Scripture”.

The Name: “Satan” translates as “Adversary”, from the root word meaning “astray”. This is not a specific name, but a title. Muslim scholars think the devil's given name is “Azarel”. Who knew?

“Lucifer” has a more interesting back story. It means “shining one”, a “light bearer”, “a bringer of dawn”, or “morning star”. Morning Star is also the name of the planet Venus. Venus is never seen to reach its zenith in the morning skies as the dawn's light overcomes it.

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Many believe it is the Satanic figure “Lucifer” being discussed in this biblical quote: “How you have fallen from Heaven, morning star, son of the dawn. You have been cast down to the Earth...You said in your heart...I will make myself like the Most High. But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit.” Sounds like the fallen angel story, no? Wrong! It is a taunt directed at one of the kings of Babylon – possibly Balthazar, son of Nebuchadnezzar.

In Canaanite myth, the morning star was a god named Attar,who tried to overthrow Baal. Failing to do so, he descended into the Underworld, to rule there.

So, what do we call the devil? Pick a name. Adolf? Nick? Luke? Aleister? I kinda like the Azarel moniker.

Appearance: No, Satan is not described in the Bible as having horns, goat legs, etc. That is a depiction of the Pagan god Pan. 

 

 

 

By equating Satan with a Pan-like figure, the Church could accuse Pagans of “devil worship”. So, what did Satan look like, as one of God's highest angels? Time to consider the heavenly rank and file.

There are three spheres of angelic beings, composing the celestial choir. The first sphere are Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones. They are the divine servants of the living God.

 

 

 

 

Seraphim are fiery, six winged angels. Two wings cover their faces, two wings cover their feet, and two are used to fly. If you were to look directly at a Serephim it would fry you alive, so it needs to shield itself. They reflect the glory of God and, apparently, a lot of radiation.

 

 

 

Cherubim are NOT the cute, little, naked, babies with wings. Those are “putti”. The “real” Cherubim have four faces: a man, an ox, a lion, and an eagle. They have four conjoined wings covered with eyes, a lion's body, and ox feet.

 

 

 

 

Thrones are really freaky. They are beryl-colored wheels within wheels, covered with hundreds of eyes.

The second and third spheres of angels - Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels – look progressively closer to humans. Plain  angels look like us, but with wings. The devil was one of the top sphere of angels. So, he was either a fully irradiated, six-winged freak, a multi-faced animalistic morph, or a nightmarish, rolling, ring of eyes.

You just can't make this stuff up.

Divine Counterpart: Satan, Lucifer, Sam-I-am – or whatever you want to call the devil, (How about “Old Nick” or “His Nibs?) is not banished from Heaven, or the sight of God. In fact, he even visits and bets with the Almighty. Take the case of poor Job. Loyal, god-fearing,, innocent, Job gets to be the object of a wager. “Nick” says he's only loyal because his life is good. Take it all away, and he will curse God. The Lord says,”You're on!” He proceeds to strip everything good from Job's existence. When he stays true to his Faith, the devil looses the bet, and God restores everything back to Job.

Really? They say that things happen for a reason. The reason Job was miserable? God likes to gamble. Who's the “bad guy” in THIS story?

Goats are not Lucifer's totem: Again, the goats legs, horns, etc. are not biblical. Neither are goat heads and inverted pentagrams. It wasn't until the Church of Satan used the head of the Baphomet inside the inverted five-pointed star that folks started equating “satanic” goat symbols with the scriptural devil.

And the Goat of Mendes, or the Baphomet? Freemasons were accused of worshiping this figure. Even then, it was more a form of the Egyptian goat-headed god Banedbjedet. The image of Baphomet was drawn by Eliphas Levi. It has multiple layers of symbology – none “devilish”. (If you're interested in the meaning of the Baphomet, see my blog entry of 7/21/14, titled “The Cover”.)

Witches don't worship Satan. Not our circus; not our monkeys. (Our monkeys fly.) Even the Church of Satan doesn't worship Satan. He is a metaphor – a symbol of earthly pleasures and power, but not an actual embodiment of all things evil. Surprise!

 

Hell is not where Satan lives. The only thing the Bible says about Hell is that there is fire. No throne, no ruler...in fact, when the world ends, Old Nick will burn there, just like every other condemned soul. Nope, Satan lives on Earth. The Book of Revelations says his throne is the Turkish city of Pergamon.

God vs. Satan: a score card. I found this information on several web sites. It's something to think about when contemplating the “true” nature of Lucifer:

God •God takes away Adam and Eve's eternal life, thus committing the first murder, and holds their descendants responsible and visiting Adam and Eve's punishment down on their children. In today's moral standards, the sins of the father die with the father. •God destroys all life on Earth in a great flood, except for a drunk (Noah) and his family, for failing to worship him. •God's tenth plague upon the Israelites was the unjustified murder of all firstborn sons in Egypt, which undoubtedly included little children. •Before sending the plagues to Egypt, God "hardened Pharaoh's heart" so that he wouldn't let the Israelites go, so he could have an excuse to visit horrible plagues upon them, like boils, killing cattle and murdering all firstborn sons. (Exodus 4:21) •God orders the Levities to kill their "every man and his neighbor" for worshiping another god. This cost 3000 lives. (Exodus 32:27) •God sends a plague to the Israelites, apparently feeling that mass-butchery wasn't enough of a punishment. (Exodus 32:35) •God kills Onan for refusing to impregnate his late brother's (whom God also slew) wife and instead "spilling his seed on the ground." (Genesis 38:8-10) •God kills the entire populations of Soddom and Gammorah (again, including women, children and infants) for practicing certain sexual techniques. •God gives all Philistines hemorrhoids in their pubic areas. (1 Samuel 5:9) •God kills over 50,000 people for looking at an ark. (1 Samuel 6:19) •God kills 70,000 people because King David decided to have a census. (1 Chronicles 21:7-14) •God approves of slavery, and instructs owners to beat their slaves. (Proverbs 29:19) •And, finally, God makes sure that if you are guilty of even the smallest transgression, you shall suffer endlessly for all eternity, following a dramatic homecoming for Jesus, who will be extremely pissed off at everyone for putting him to death, even though it was just the Romans and even though he knew what was going to happen beforehand, and he could have easily avoided it by using his power as God to perform a miracle and prove who he was. (See the entire book of Revelation) Satan •Satan, like Prometheus, gave knowledge to humanity by giving Eve the fruit from the forbidden tree. Because of Satan, humanity gained knowledge of good and evil, according to Genesis. Since we couldn't have possessed knowledge of good and evil before eating the fruit, Adam and Eve couldn't have known that eating the fruit was evil, so it seems a little harsh to punish them as severely as God did. Satan gave humans true capacity for moral judgment, unlike God, who simply expected everyone to mindlessly obey his orders. •There is no biblical record of Satan engaging in the murder of torture of any human being, unlike God, who is guilty (and proudly guilty) of committing genocide. •There is no biblical record of Satan ever ordering someone to kill someone else, unlike God, who has repeatedly demanded the deaths of those who commit even the smallest of offenses. •Satan will not be holding a massively dramatic ceremony full of blood and death for the return of his son to Earth. God apparently will.

Now, I'm not advocating anyone switching ball teams. I don't believe in an incarnate Evil. I think Evil exists, just as I believe in Goodness, but both reside in our own hearts. We have the free will to choose which Path we walk. However, since so many think members of my Wiccan religion:

• dance with the devil in the full moon light,
• kiss his tailed ass in the “osculum infame”,
• sign our souls over to him by entering our names in his black book, in blood (our own),
• set forth to cause the corruption of our neighbors and loved ones

it's good to take a clear look at the demon, the myth, and the legend. If you still wish to cling to your old notion of “His Nibs” - if you think all of the above is merely one of his minions luring you from your Faith, or that witches are his hand-maidens and man-servants – well, then YOU can go to the devil!.. And here's what you can expect:

YA GOTTA HAVE HEART!

So...Valentine's Day, huh? Flowers, romantic suppers, heart boxes of chocolates and candy kisses...time tested traditions, Right? Well...not for everyone. Some extremist Christians think it is rather diabolical. Peace, Light, and Love, all rolled up in the story of an imprisoned saint, to conceal the corrupting influence of... hum, let me see...SATAN!?!

 

That's not quite right, either. It isn't infernal, but neither is it “sacred” history.

  Lupercalia was a Roman (and possible pre-Roman) pastoral celebration to drive out evil spirits, and welcome in health and fertility. Later on, the festival was held to honor Lupa, the she-wolf who nursed Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome. Two goats and a dog were sacrificed, the pelts later made into strips with which the priests would strike the citizens. Women and girls especially tried to be lashed, as it was thought to increase fertility, reverse sterility, and ease childbirth. Not exactly wine and roses, but definitely a celebration of sex.

And that heart candy? The heart shaped cards, etc.? Now, you all know that this..

is not beating in your chest. THIS is...

So, when did this...

become this?..

There are several theories. One is based on the idea that early healers were discouraged from viewing actual body organs, so they symbolized them. In this example of early French art, a young suitor offers his “heart” to his lady love. It bears a striking resemblance to today's stylized heart.

Anciently, the heart was the seat of the soul, the organ that controlled Love, Life, and Vitality. The heart of the reborn Osiris was a powerful touchstone in Egyptian religion and magic. In Mesoamerica, the beating heart of a human sacrifice guaranteed renewal between the gods and humankind.

The stylized heart bears resemblance to the ivy leaf, another symbol of emotion. It is also shaped like the silphium seed. This plant, now extinct, was an effective contraceptive. It was even depicted on currency. 

 

(One site mentioned it would be like printing the image of a condom on a $1 bill.)

Then there is the theory that the “heart”, when inverted, looks like a human scrotum. Hum. Interesting. Let's not go there.

Here's a great little film about the development of the “heart” symbol. Give it a look-see!

However you celebrate...beating each other with “wolf whips”, getting mushy over a meal, or sitting home watching “Sherlock” with a cuppa and a Whitman sampler, enjoy yourselves, me “hearties”!

KEEPER OF THE FLAME

 

 

 

Imbolc already? Holy smoke!...which is appropiate as this is the feast of Brigit, Goddess of the flame. And where there's smoke...

 

 

In prior February blogs, I talked about the Brigit's cross, the Candlemas rituals, the coming of the ewes into milk. Blah blah blah (or baah, baah, baah. Ewes? Sheep? Never mind.) But this time, I just want to focus of the lady of the hour, Brigit herself. To that end, I found a wonderful posting at www.shamarbriyth.com, under Paganism, which captured all the things I wanted to discuss. Here, then, is what they had to say:

 

 

born 451 AD - died 525 AD Brigit is a goddess who survived the onslaught of catholic Christopaganism. She wasn't turned into a devil like so many other goddesses. So great was the love of the Irish Celtic people for this deity, that they retained all her characteristics as a pagan-catholic saint! They would not have had anything to do with catholicism (pagan christianity) if they couldn't keep Brigit. So the catholic church had no choice but to make her a nun and a saint. She is a triple goddess. This triple aspect of the goddess is where catholics got the idea of exploiting the Trinity concept. The three-leaf shamrock was originally of "The Three Mothers", as well as the three phases of the moon being her symbols. She shares some attributes with the ancient Greek triple goddess Hecate. There is a Swedish St Bridget also. Brigit's fame has been far and wide. Even as far as Africa, having come to Haiti in the hearts of deported Irish and Scottish indentured servants. However she went through a radical transformation, and her distant relative Maman Brigitte bears little resemblance, being rather a goddess of vengence. She, did, however, retain the healing aspects, being called on to cure those at death's door. Brigit is known by various names, Brigit being the most ancient form. The name variations are: Brighid, Bride (Scottish), Brid, Brigit, Bridget, Brigantia (English), Brigan, Brigindo (Gaul) and Brigandu. Her name derives from her worship by the pre-christian Brigantes, who honored her as identical with Juno, Queen of Heaven. Into the 18th Century, her sacred flame was tended, at first, by priestesses, who later became catholic nuns, when the pagan shrine became a convent, at Kildare, Ireland. These nineteen virgin priestesses (called nuns by the catholic church) were called 'Daughters of the Flame'. No man was ever allowed near. In fact, these women had other women in the village bring them their necessary supplies so they wouldn't have to deal with men. This no-men policy infuriated the catholic church. Because they would not submit themselves to inspection by a priest, the bishop ordered the sacred flame to be extinguished. Even so, Brigit remained Ireland's most popular saints, and in 1993, the Brigidine sisters of Ireland rekindled her flame at Kildare. Brigit's triple aspects are of  Inspiration, Smithcraft, and of Healing. As the Godess of Inspiration, she blesses poetry, creativity, prophecy and the arts. She was even esteemed as the patron diety of language, having inspired the alphabet. As the Goddess of Smithcraft, she blesses blacksmiths, goldsmiths, and other crafters of the household. As    Goddess of Healing, she blesses physical and spiritual healing, fertility of crop and livestock and mid-wifery. Imbolc (Candlemass and Groundhog Day), the Celtic spring festival, honors Brigit. The Druids called this sacred holiday Oimelc, meaning "ewe's milk". Held on February 1st or 2nd, it celebrated the birthing and freshening of sheep and goats. The catholic version of Imbolc (Candlemas), also, involves much elaborate rituals and feasting, and to this very day, many Irish homes have a St Brigit's cross for protection, still made from rushes as in days of old.

Here are pictures of Bridget's well as it looks today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yeah, nothing Pagan about this. There is a cathedral as well as a center in Kildare. This is the center's logo:

And this is the Saint Bridget's window in the cathedral:

I've realized, over the past few years when mobility became a challenge, that you needn't do anything elaborate to honor this Goddess turned Saint. Have a glass of milk. Hang a Brigit's cross on your door ( it also protects against fires in the home). Light a candle and think about life stirring under the snow. Breath in the flame. Take into yourself Inspiration, Courage, and Healing. Celebrate the turning of the year, also symbolized by a simple pinwheel of rushes.

Good Imbolc, one and all.

THE MASKS

With the arrival of the new year, I've decided to periodically focus this blog on aspects of behavior that might stand in the way of improving ourselves and our magical path. I think the first step should be about who we really are, under all the costumes, masks, and paste jewels.

Once upon a time...I had a friend. We grew up together. I always wanted to be a writer. She always wanted to sing.

We went to different schools, both elementary and secondary. I focused on college prep and English. She did Drama. I pushed for good grades; she pushed to be noticed. Upon graduation, I went to University. She went to acting school in New York.

From there, I worked, wrote, and taught. From acting school she basically quit going to auditions after one or two. She bemoaned the fact that what I wrote was sustainable and able to be viewed after the fact. Yet a stage performance was fleeting, past tense. Unless filmed, it was ethereal, a mere memory. Why bother? So, she married her high school sweetheart. He did electrical work in theaters while she found what work she could. Despite that, she always wore the mask of “Actor”.

Later, after her husband died of a work related illness and she won a large law suit, she no longer needed to work. She could focus on a singing career, and now wore the mask of “Jazz Singer”. She was always preparing for a career, but never really worked to make it happen. She'd buy books, sheet music, a keyboard so she could teach herself to play... but she didn't. She had “no time” to take lessons, get a vocal coach, look for venues where she could sing. In fact, all she had was time. She never seemed to put herself “out there” to face rejection or success.

Both our fathers were local businessmen. My family had been one of the founders of our little town, and my Dad was well known. So was her father, in his own community. They worked hard for their recognition. My friend began to wear another mask, that of “So-and-So's Daughter”. I remember her saying things like, “Why is that waitress so slow with my 3 minute egg? Doesn't she know who I am? I'm So-and-So's Daughter!” I would point out that even if she were Queen, a 3 minute egg would still take 3 minutes. My words had no effect.

Time went by and her money ebbed away. For a while, she wore a “victim” mask and either had – or acted – a breakdown. She drank and got high, and had various romances. Eventually she sold the family home, went West to get “cured”, and ended up down south with her widowed mother.

When I last had news of her, she had joined a church. Now the mask was that of “Church Lady”. Or is it a mask? Is this her authentic self? Doe she even know who she truly is? I hope this last turn of events gives her peace, but I don't think she even stopped and asked herself, “Wait..what do I really want? Deep inside, who am I? Does what I do reflect the real me?” I have known this person all my life. I have never known her at all, and I mourn that, but there were too many masks in the way.

I recall yet another friend. The mask she chose to wear seemed to be...me! She decided to like what I liked, started using my vocabulary, even claimed to have the same dreams... It was very disorienting, and disturbing. I think I saw the authentic person when we first met. I liked her. She was slightly darker than I, motivated by different urges and needs, and that was fine. Dealing with a caricature of myself was not.

Lately, I've seen a lot of people playing masquerade. There are a wide variety of masks: “Victim”, “Griever”, “Glory Whore”, “Judge”, “Avenger”. Grabbing a particular mask might be stimulated by excess emotions, sudden changes in Fate, loss, or just a constant craving to be seen in a particular light...or noticed at all.

What I'm NOT seeing are folks following that old adage: “Know thyself”. What is beneath the mask you wear? (And I include myself in that question). Are we so concerned with the “facade” that we neglect the internal nature of our own hearts? The masks I see around me seem to be worn to achieve a purpose, and it's never “contentment” or “inner peace”. Very few choose to stand emotionally bare before others and say, “This is who I am. Love me or hate me, embrace me or beat me, but this is my truth.”

It's an immensely difficult, courageous thing to do. It can't honestly be done as an act of anger. (“Here I am! Take it or leave it, ya berk!”) It can't be done as a plea for affection. (“This is me! The real me! I'm showing myself to you. Please love me!”) It can't be done as a bid for power. (“Here I am! See me? Even stripped of my adornments I'm still better than you, so bring it!”) It has to be an act of love and honor.. an acknowledgment of the pure light within you. If we can't do this in front of others, we should (at least) strive to do it for ourselves alone.

When we were all younger, my friends and I would sing folk tunes at local events. We were pretty good! One of the songs we did, in the round, was a simple chant: May the long time sun shine upon you, may all love surround you, and the pure light within you, guide you all the way on. Here's a newer rendition (same words set to a new tune) which I really like:

If we take time and focus on this, or a similar mantra, perhaps we can send out positive energy to others, and reap some of it for ourselves. Then, in a calmer frame of mind, we can ask ourselves who we really are, what would make us happy. If we weren't busy wearings masks and acting a role, what would we feel free to do? To what use would we put our Magic? Our creativity? Our intelligence?

Our world would be an incredibly changed place.

162? NO S**T, SHERLOCK!!!

 

 

Happy 162^nd birthday, William Sherlock Scott Holmes! January 6 is the traditional date we celebrate the birth of our favorite consulting detective. (Dr. Watson's is August 7.) I've been ill of late, or I would have baked a cake.

OK! OK! Here ya go...

Better?

 

 

 

All that aside, Baker Street Irregulars will be meeting in various glittering cities in order to toast the health – or durability – of our man of the hour, or ... possibly ... the decade!

 

 

 

Even if not given to social settings, Sherlock most assuringly enjoys his special day.

 

 

 

Here is a little tribute I found on YouTube::

 

So, many happy returns, dear Sherlock. How do you manage your incredible, methuselahan existence?

Ahh... I thought so!

Have a magical day. May you go on forever.