Random conversation came up earlier, prompted by (of all things) a random born again fundie comment on a youtube ghost hunting video. It has had me thinking about my beliefs and magic and things again and I thought I would post here to get my thoughts in order as much as anything else.
I believe that the "God" of Judaism, Christianity, Islam and their offshoots existsm alongside those whom I worship and those I don't. All things considered though he seems to be a bit of a stroppy teenager who wants more attention than anyone else. In various places and forms in the bible the commandment that "Thou shalt have no god but me." appears. Now, why would this be necessary if there were no other gods? Why not just proclaim that no other god exists and therefore that it is pointless to worship them? (ok, that happens later but this is a whole other debate that runs along with the idea of 'elohim' being both singular and plural).
I believe that if there is a supreme deitic force then it is Gaia, the earth mother in any of her forms. Without the earth we do not exist and without our worship (for want of a better word since I think this one is over and often mis-used. Again, a different debate) the gods are nothing.
I'm not sure what I would classify my magic/workings as. I am a celtic pagan in that I feel closest to the celtic gods (with a few additional people who I've developed relationships with thrown in). I will ask those deities I have a relationship with to help me at times, to defend me, strengthen me, give me a kick up the arse (not that they need much encouragement for that) or help me see what is under my nose. I don't expect them to sort my life out for me or solve all problems. That is my job. When it comes to 'real' magic I suppose my outlook is similar to that involved in Chi/Qi. Energy flows through the universe, energy flows through us, the energy is the same. With focus and (self) belief we can manipulate that energy to produce results, healing, harm, scrying, confidence.
I am a firm believer in conceptual reality as well. Especially where these things are concerned. Without belief the gods fail, without belief 'magic' doesn't work. The old thoughts about a curse only working if the subject is aware of it? Psychosomatic illnesses are well documented, stress brought on by a niggling doubt that maybe someone has done something to you...which of course you don't believe in and can't talk about because people will laugh at you... Even the most sceptical of people are prey to psychological aspects playing on fears. On the other hand, look at the 'magic' that happens when you're going out somewhere. You get changed into clothes that make you feel good, take time to put on makeup, do your hair. When you glance in the mirror and like what you see, confidence soars.
Pseudo-science stuff aside, I also believe in the fae. Not pretty little pixie winged flower fairies, the Fae, the Sidhe, creatures from celtic myth and Grimm's tales. What and who they really are? Not a clue. That they are powerful creatures in their own right who I don't really want to fuck about with? Hell yes! They are not something I'm going to try and analyse here and now but I felt the need to touch on the subject.
The last thing I will say (before my ramblings become incoherent or I am talking in circles) is that I am NOT a wiccan (and nor are half the people who label themselves as such!). I believe in Karma not the three fold law and I think that karma occasionally needs a helping hand. Nor (although I feel no need to defend myself from anyone on my flist ^_^) am I a satanist. I do believe in the concept of evil (although not strictly in the same manifestation as the judeo-christian version) and am firmly of the opinion that it needs dealing with in a swift and permanent manner. Yes, I believe vengeance and justice should be served, yes there is a reason that Jenet follows the Huntress and yes many of her views are based directly on mine. :P
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