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| The Light explores holistic health, personal growth, and spirituality. Other topics include acupuncture, channeling, life changing events, healing, yoga, angels, paranormal, aroma therapy, reflexology, massage, and new age philosophies. Please feel free to contact us via email. |
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The Contrarian by Phagos
I'm going to let you in on the worst kept secret of Wicca: the Wiccan Rede is impossible to follow. For those who are not familiar with it, the Rede is this, or something similar: An it harm none, do what ye will. This is Wicca's central tenant, the one thing that all Wiccans agree on (supposedly) that defines the religion. Yet, this tenant is impossible to follow.
Let's take a look at the rede's meaning and its common and possible interpretations for a moment. In a literal sense, the rede says you may do whatever you wish, provided you harm no one or no thing. As any Wiccan will tell you, this is patently impossible. Your body has systems specifically designed to kill life – your immune system in particular is busy destroying germs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for your entire life. That violates the rede. Then you have to eat. Something had to die before you could eat it. Vegans and vegetarians are just as guilty as meat eaters1. When you eat, when you sleep, when you do anything, some part of your body is violating the rede, whether you want it to or not..
I could go on and on, but you get the point : life, our life, is ultimately built on the destruction of other life, it's just nature's way. I can hear some of you thinking now, if it's impossible why do they keep it? In an effort to keep the central tenant intact, we are taught that the Wiccan Rede doesn't really mean what it says. What it means, we're told, is that we're free to do whatever we want as long as we don't cause harm to others or ourselves. Ok, but if that's what it means, why doesn't it say that? Name one other religion where the adherents of that religion will tell you without fail that it doesn't mean what it says. Just one. How many times have you heard a Christian say the Ten Commandments don't really mean what they say, they really mean something else?
I hear and read Wiccans complaining about their religion not being taken seriously, but how is that supposed to happen when the religion's central tenet is obviously impossible to live by? How does that not come off as some unrealistic fluffy new age crap? Why should anyone take us seriously? We talk about how Wicca allows for people to be themselves, to make mistakes and learn and grow, and our central belief is some touchy-feely make you feel good but impossible to follow ridiculous statement? The Buddhists are much more realistic in their expectations of their followers, and simpler as well: do good. If you can't do good, then don't do evil. If you must do evil, do as little evil as possible. Simple, direct, and imminently practical.
Wicca is currently the fastest growing religion in the U.S.2, despite this impracticality. Organized religion is losing its appeal for many, and that figure is growing every day. Although Wicca is not for everyone, many still come, and many leave again, not finding what they seek. Wicca is still in its infancy compared to the larger religions, and it's a good idea to make adjustments now before the rede becomes our own version of religious dogma. I won't pretend I have the answer, although I have found one that works for me. Although I consider myself Wiccan, I ceased following the rede some time ago in favor of something else that I've tested out, found it to work, is practical and practicable without demanding perfection.
What I've found or who wrote it isn't important – it works for me, and that's what matters. In your life, you have to seek the same – you need to find what works for you, sift through the debris, test your ideas, and find what works for you. Being a Wiccan is fine – just don't try to live your life by an impossible ideal.
Notes:
1.If you can find a copy, watch or read the Secret Life of Plants by Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird. It's available online if you can't find it locally.
2.http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_prac2.htm
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