Another Week, another post shared from the series I'm doing for another site. As always, if you're not interested in the Wicca thing, skip this - if you are interested, feel free to read and comment...
Week 4 - Power of Words and Names / Working Solitary or in a Group
Well, it 'might' be week 5 or 6 depending on how you're counting, but it is the fourth lesson, and I'll get it there eventually...
While the very talented or the highly practiced person may well be able to attain their desired results by merely projecting their vision onto the web of creation, most of us can use some assistance on keep our projections in line with our visions.
Concepts and perceptions tend to be somewhat fuzzy until an attempt is make to describe them. In this way Words are a great way to focus the Mind.
The large subclass of Words called Names are not 'only" a shorthand notation for all the descriptions of the object throughout the past. They are also magical links to the ideal concepts of those objects.
This is why the power of language is one of the roots of nearly all magical systems.
Ages ago, other dimensions were added to the power of Words and Names when people first began to write down their thoughts. The idea of an inscribed symbol representing the power of a Word or Name allows for many things; not only the ability to preserve knowledge for future generations and assured verbatim communication across long distances. Literacy also allows for (among other things) the mental embodiment of the non-corporeal, physical links for mental constructs and insights into possible structures otherwise hidden.
Pictographs, from early Hieroglyphics and Petroglyphs through the personal mark of the Middle Ages and Renaissance right up to modern Religious Symbols, Trademarks and Computer Icons clearly demonstrate the way that remote objects and concepts are linked to physical representations.
The development of alphabets, where sounds are represented by abstract symbols, was a quantum leap in the development of literacy. It was also a great step forward in the development and understanding of the hidden things conveyed in words.
In several cultures, letters were considered so mystically powerful that only priests were allowed to learn and use them. They are, compared to the use of words and oral tradition, what nuclear theory is to Newtonian physics. In this day of casual literacy, the power of letters and the written word is only passed along in such concepts as, "Someone put a Spell on you!" This used to have even deeper and more shocking implications.
Coming from this viewpoint, many groups still ban their members from passing along to outsiders the Names which are used by the group for the Divine and for each other. The theory being that this secrecy will help protect them from others using the link provided by those Names to (accidentally or otherwise) dissipate their energy and/or profane their connection to the Godhead.
The study of Etymology, Numerology and Mythology all work together in the understanding of the nature and power of Words and Names. The multitude of connotations in highly charged words like God, Spirits, Magic and Witchcraft make a the act of previously defining terms highly desirable for efficient communication about them.
Getting everyone on the "same page" when working toward a common goal is essential when working magic with a group. In many traditions of Modern Wicca,the first two passwords learned during initiation are "Perfect Love" and "Perfect Trust", to facilitate being able to function as One. If you can't cultivate these feelings within yourself for everyone in the group, you should seriously consider working as a Solitary until you find the right group...
As in all things, there are positives and negatives for working in a Group or as a Solitary.
A Group has (as a rule) greater reserves of energy and physical resources to draw upon. It also has the built-in feature of many viewpoints with which to catch apparent contradictions in statements (a great aid in clarifying the expression of your concept). The main downside is that group dynamics enter into almost any discussion or ceremonial setup, and even though you really love and trust the others, frictions often arise from this.
Solitary working's only conflicts are inner ones (do not downplay this, listen to your inner voice, there may be a good reason it's speaking up). You can also make decisions on what and how to do things more quickly than in a group. While there are less resources available to the Solitary, those resources can be much more focused than most groups. Not everyone sees the situation or the remedial visualization exactly the same, no matter how much they've worked together. The Solitary will almost always have a tighter focus...
Of course, if you can't find a group at all, or none that 'fit' you, it's a moot point, you'll be working Solitary or not at all.
If you do find a group that is right for you, however, you'll probably feel like you've come home to Family and want to work with them.
That's it for this week, as always, please post comments, questions, etc. so we can expand on these concepts...
Blessed Be
Tom
