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have been around for millennia since long before the rise of our preme Being but both of these two Gods have more than enough
modern organized faiths. psychic power to produce occasional magical effects.
20. They were using those techniques then because they worked, a 16. Formalized worship services are not usually the time when the
fact the organized religions know full well because each of the deities are fed the most psychic energy, for that is a day-by-day
organized religions was originally a tribal religion run by just process; instead, the energy raised and sent to a deity in a typical
such a local shaman or witchdoctor or prophet. 69 religious ritual acts primarily as a catalyst: it is there to trigger a
return flow of psychic energy, to be used for magical purposes the direct inspiration of the Earth-Mother and Be al, they man-
under the direction of the priest or priestess leading the rite. aged to create a ritual that follows the standard patterns all over
17. Now this kind of mechanistic approach to deity is distressing to the world for contacted supernatural entities and obtaining ben-
most nonpagans in the West (though the Ancient Greeks or the efits from Them.
modern Hindus would understand it perfectly), and it is, of course, 34. It is not a very powerful ritual as it stands, but with loving care
an oversimplification; for there are thousands of variables in- and performance by individual Groves willing to put in a lot of
volved in even the simplest exercise of psychic talents, and the work ( Hierurgy ) it can produce as much in the way of spiritual
response from the deity is not always as expected. force and fulfillment as those of the Established Religions and
18. Is this the  free will of the deity acting, or merely incompetence more than most.
on the part of the worshipers? Perhaps it is both. 35. With proper vestments, tools (like sickles, chalices, etc.), music
19. In any event, once the triggering energy has been sent via the and song, choreography and rehearsal (a good set of Bards helps
Sacrifice to the deity (Who is usually visualized as  up there here), Reformed Druid rituals can be as spiritually uplifting as
somewhere, even if immanent as well), there is usually a response. any.
20. In Reformed Druid ritual, it is the presiding Druid/ess who 36. But rituals are another one of those things in life where  what
listens for the answer, and joyously announces (at least during you get out of it depends on what you put into it .
the Summer Half of the year) that the Earth-Mother has accepted 37. Heirurgy is hard work; but it s worth it when you have sick
the sacrifice and is ready to bestow Her blessings upon the Grove. friends, failing crops, a long drought or spiritual malaise.
21. In other words, a message has been sent and acknowledged.
22. As in most religious rites, a Catechism then follows; though in
Chapter Eight: Conclusion (finally!)
Reformed Druidism this is a very brief one indicating the unity
1. The purpose of this Epistle has not been to convert anyone to
of belief among the members of the Grove concerning the Wa-
my particular world view, but rather to share that worldview in
ters-of-Life.
detail with my brothers and sisters in the Council.
23. The purpose of this is to further tune the group-mind, so that it
2. For many of you have expressed bewilderment at my words and
will be ready to receive the psychic/spiritual energy sent it by the
actions.
Gods (or, to put it another way, to open the group-mind to the
3. And I have wanted you to be able to at least understand where
reception of a message and a source of energy that is always
I am coming from, whether you agree with me or not; for I am
available, if one merely tunes in and listens).
not alone in my beliefs, bizarre as they may seem.
24. The presiding Druid/ess then Consecrates (psychically charges)
4. There are thousands of us in this country, and millions around
the chalice, making it a focus for the energies of the Gods and
the world, and for the FIRST time in hundreds of years of geno-
the Grove to meet, just as in many other religions.
cide against us, we are beginning to grow in numbers again, as
25. As the holy waters are drunk, each member of the Grove is
the Gods return to claim Their own.
linked more tightly to the Gods and to each other.
5. And we firmly believe that whether rituals become a stumbling
26. The intoxicating effect of the whiskey or wine is meant only as
block or a steppingstone to the stars is entirely dependent upon
an additional shove to open any closed doors left in a member s
the discipline, knowledge and wisdom of those performing the
mind; it symbolizes the fires of the spirit as it burns in us and
rituals not upon the rites themselves.
serves to break down the conscious resistance to the Other
6. Blessed be the Most High Goddess, Who was and is, and is to
Worlds.
come, always, now, forevermore, throughout all eternal space
27. Now is the time, in most other religious rites, when something
and time.
active would be done by the spirit-filled Grove; a prayer would be
said and repeated, to focus the linked and strengthened energies
Peace!
of the Grove i.e., a  spell would be cast (although that dirty
word might never be used).
Isaac Bonewits, D.A.L., Be.
28. In Reformed Druidism, however, that energy is usually used for
Samradh, 14 y.r. (circa July 1976 c.e.)
more passive purposes; to facilitate introspection and medita-
tion, for the improvement of one s spiritual growth. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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