Names are an important key to what a society values. Anthropologists recognize naming as ‘one of the chief methods for imposing order on perception. ~David S. Slawson
In early January I attended a full-moon gathering in west Cork. It was a womyn only space and those who gathered were delicious in their strength and vulnerability. We sat in silence, wept, laughed, burned away what no longer served, and gifted each other with words of love. Afterwards, as we feasted, I was asked to define my spiritual path. In that moment I realised that the names I use for myself, the names I use to define my path, are changing; have changed beyond recognition in some sense.
I fell back on definitions that I know are constant; I am an initiate in two beautiful yet different traditions of modern witchcraft: one focused on feminist principle and ecology, the other fiercely independent and Left Hand. But after that… out of my mouth came a thing I had not articulated before or perhaps even thought:
I seek to embody the traditions of wise women from the age of my most remote ancestress; before it was even certain modern humans would remain as the sole surviving species of genus Homo. The women who birthed and buried, who healed and cursed, who wept and fucked, who dreamt outrageous dreams and changed herstory.
The difference in my response was one of focus. In the past I may have responded with a poetical on the Earth, our Mother, or on relationship with the beings who dwell beside us, our brothers and sisters – seen and unseen. And this is still true. My relationship with the natural world and those beings I share it with, especially my Kin, is foundational in my life. It’s the cornerstone upon which I build my Art as a Witch.
What then did I mean by embodying the traditions of the wise women? I still don’t know. I’m simply noticing the shift. The direction of my gaze has gone from the outward to, while not directly internal certainly nearer, Self. I am learning my place in this world at last.
Within Feri we work the tool of the Iron Pentacle; its points are: sex, self, passion, pride, power.
I am a human animal who lives within a vast universe of other animals – seen and unseen. I also share that multidimensional space with plants, bacteria, protozoa, fungi, etc. All of us are divine. We are all sacred.
One of my early lessons from the Guardian of the West was that I, along with all of you, comprise The Human. No, I’m not getting in to the mystical or theological pedantics of that statement. As a wise man once said, “Perceive first, then believe.” My experience may be nothing like yours.
Nevertheless, it was a powerful moment for me; perceiving how my actions are intrinsically tied to every other human on the planet! Just as the actions of every cheetah are connected to The Cheetah. My focus toward Self is not a self of ego, or even the exploration into shadow and personality. Rather, it is a turning toward the Self of THE Human.
Which seems perfectly natural. After all, my work as a witch often involves “standing in the gap” for some one who doesn’t know their power yet; some one who doesn’t re-member. I stand before The Powers as The Human. It’s interesting to notice this shift of names…this change in my internal story and the naming of my path.
Words have meaning and names have power. ~Author Unknown
Confessions of a Hedge Witch 
Sometime I want to have a conversation with you about calling on prehistoric gods in a Feri context. I have a fascination with prehistory that hasn’t worked itself all the way in to my practice yet.
mmm, that would be a juicy talk! Let’s!!
What do you mean by “Feri context”? And, how far into prehistory? The nameless bird goddess,for example, or nearer?
in a feri context = within our trad’s particular understanding of what it is to be feral and fully human and blackhearted. taking victor’s comment about “religion of the stone age” more literally.
the gods i want most to meet are the ones just on the edge of history, the ones whose names we know, but who either then disappear or are absorbed into gods of more civilized times. elen, for example. and the gods whose names we know from the hebrew scriptures, mostly because they’re being condemned. i have a feeling if i work with them, eventually they will lead me further back.
also, i wonder if you would like this book?
http://www.amazon.com/Circles-Stone-Joan-Dahr-Lambert/dp/0671552864
it is a much less silly envisioning of prehistory than the clan of the cave bear books.
also, an inexpensive genetic testing service that will tell you, among other things, what percentage of your DNA is neanderthal:
http://www.23andme.com
Ah, I see what you mean. I wasn’t sure if you were getting at a structural component (ritual context) or relational (working as peers). I don’t know if I approach beings in any other way than within the Feri context that you mention. It really is a definition of myself, or how I perceive of my self in the wider world.
One thing that comes to mind as relates those ancient beings (apart from a momentary lapse into “we’re going on a god hunt….”) is something I read recently about the fluidity and the continuum of beings as they emanate from the Star Goddess, or as we perceive them emanating. That the younger and older gods are closer to Her because they lack extreme “division”.
Who are these prehistoric beings and are they really different or have humans just begun calling them by another name? That is the intriguing question to me.
Hmmm, I hadn’t heard of that book but I’ll check it out (as you know, I read so little fiction). And the genetic testing…OH…. you DO know how to turn me on!!!
> One thing that comes to mind as relates those ancient beings (apart from a momentary lapse into “we’re going on a god hunt….”) is something I read recently about the fluidity and the continuum of beings as they emanate from the Star Goddess, or as we perceive them emanating. That the younger and older gods are closer to Her because they lack extreme “division”.
useful connection!
> Who are these prehistoric beings and are they really different or have humans just begun calling them by another name?
i think they are different. the gods of complex civilizations have much more complex talkers, IMO. but we’ve talked before about different gods being in the same continuum of energy, so i don’t think they’re entirely different, either.
Reblogged this on winterdominatrix.