More than a Chart

Like most of the practitioners of the Western Mystery Tradition, Witches have a framework of cosmology, and hierarchies of the Beings in which dwell within that scheme. Far too often though, an individual can get too committed to that model. There is a very good reason that there are adherents to many different systems of interacting with the world esoterically. Simply, they all work. There are vast differences amongst all the various systems, and yet they work. They work because within the context of the Tradition in which they belong, their symbol sets open the pathways intended. After all, they are mystery traditions.

It is very important for an individual to immerse themselves into a system, not several, so that those keyed symbol sets can become engrained to the point that they can and will do the work they were intended to do. This cannot be overstated, as far as I am concerned. There is, however, a problem of self-defeat that can arise from this.

Yes, as Witches there needs to be a system within which is worked. Yes, the individual needs to avoid continually changing their symbol set every time they begin a working. All of this is true and important to know. There is a danger of limitation therein. This limitation is for which I speak is when the individual becomes too rigid. Everything cannot fit neatly into little boxes and charts. Parts of existence, especially on some of the other planes, just don’t work that way. I am not saying that the answer is to delve into other systems and try to fit the two. Nope, this is only another attempt to make everything fit. I am saying to wear the system loosely. Realize it is only a glimpse, a snapshot of a part, of everything that is out there. Have your charts and hierarchies, but realize that there is more to existence beyond anything you have mapped out. Delve into what you have, and when the time is right, do not limit yourself from stepping into that mysterious more.

Boidh se!

-Spanish Moss

"Lost in a thicket bare-footed upon a thorned path."