BELIEVING THAT EVERYTHING'S CONNECTED
The three things we will discuss today are:
*Discovering the key to Wicca
*Blending Wicca and science
*Finding the Divine: right here, right now
*Blending Wicca and science
*Finding the Divine: right here, right now
Many people discover Wicca in bits and pieces. Perhaps Wiccan ritual empowers them. Or the Wiccan reverence for the rhythms and cycles of nature satisfies them. Or magic fascinates them. However, in order to fully understand and find meaning in Wicca, A person needs to grasp the big picture : the Wiccan worldview.
A few core ideas underlie all of Wicca, and if you understand these basic concepts about the world and the Divine, then Wiccan beliefs and practices make
sense. This provides the background to understand Wicca as a full fledged spirituality and a specific way of experiencing and interpreting the world.
SWIMMING IN A DIVINE SEA OF ENERGY
You are about to discover one principle that is the key to much of Wiccan belief. Ready? Here it is: Everything is connected.
You are about to discover one principle that is the key to much of Wiccan belief. Ready? Here it is: Everything is connected.
Everything that exists is part of an unbroken circle of vibrating energy. You may find it helpful to picture reality as a web of energy(like a spider's
web), or as an energy grid (like an electrical grid). Some people refer to this idea as the 'web of life' or 'nature's web'.
Wiccans perceive Deity in vastly different ways, however, most believe in a Creative Being that is the source or creator of the web of life. Most Wiccans
believe that Deity is 'immanent' (is right here, right now, and all-present in the world), and also is 'manifest in nature' (is evident and
easily perceived). Most believe that the web of life - everything that exists - flows or unfolds from Deity. The Divine is the source of all life. Some
Wiccans even believe that the entire cosmos is the living body of Deity.
The belief in Deity is a matter of faith. No one can prove that the cosmos has a Divine source; however, reality is one big, connected, infinite network -
ask any Wiccan or any scientist.
FINDING KINSHIP IN THE COSMOS
The Wiccan view of an interconnected world isn't just a mystical, spiritual notion. Modern science, espically cutting-edge ideas in quantum physics, supports the ideas of life's interconnection and interdependence. The following are some of the leading theories that blend perfectly with Wiccan belief.
GOING QUANTUM: MATTER VERSUS ENERGY
People see the physical world as a bunch of independent and stable objects, but that not exactly the truth. Modern science reveals that matter and energy are not separate.
People see the physical world as a bunch of independent and stable objects, but that not exactly the truth. Modern science reveals that matter and energy are not separate.
Energy flows in waves that form patterns. What you see as a separate object ( a dog, a bird, or a tree) is really just a pocket of reality where the energy
is more dense, according to quantum physics.
Quantum Physics
Physical matter is made up of molecules and atoms, which are made up of smaller components, called subatomic particles. In quantum physics, particles of matter and waves of energy are the same thing.
A subatomic particle isn't a little dot of matter that scientists can hold still and examine; it's more like a little dancing point of energy. These
particles can't be understood as separate units. Scientists can describe subatomic particles only by talking about how they act with one another. The
only way to meaningfully describe these particles is to explain the way that they interconnect.
Wicca Meets Quantum Physics
Quantum physics clearly demonstrates the Wiccan belief that all reality is an integrated web of energy. Even at the subatomic level, life is interconnected.
Quantum physics clearly demonstrates the Wiccan belief that all reality is an integrated web of energy. Even at the subatomic level, life is interconnected.
TUNING UP THE STRINGS AND DANCING WITH THE UNIVERSE
The preceding section describes subatomic particles as dancing points of energy. String theory suggests that they may not even be points, but strings.
The preceding section describes subatomic particles as dancing points of energy. String theory suggests that they may not even be points, but strings.
String theory is bold and beautiful, but complicated.
String Theory
A subatomic particle is not pointlike but is made of a tiny loop. Like a super-thin rubber band, each particle contains a vibrating, dancing 'string'. Like a guitar string, each tiny string can vibrate. Every string is identical; the only difference is the way that it vibrates. Each string has a different vibration, like each guitar string creates a different musical note. The movements of the string - the "note" it creates - determine the kind of particle it will be. These itty-bitty vibrating strings make up everything in the universe - all physical matter and all forces (such as gravity). These strings vibrate throught space-time.
A subatomic particle is not pointlike but is made of a tiny loop. Like a super-thin rubber band, each particle contains a vibrating, dancing 'string'. Like a guitar string, each tiny string can vibrate. Every string is identical; the only difference is the way that it vibrates. Each string has a different vibration, like each guitar string creates a different musical note. The movements of the string - the "note" it creates - determine the kind of particle it will be. These itty-bitty vibrating strings make up everything in the universe - all physical matter and all forces (such as gravity). These strings vibrate throught space-time.
We live in space-time. 'Space-time' consists of three dimensions of space (length, width, and depth) and the dimensions of time. All objects and all
events exist in these four dimensions. Well, that's what scientists used to think. According to string theory, space-time can have up to nine dimensions
of space, plus the dimension of time.
Wicca Meets String Theory
String theory unites matter and energy, and confirms the Wiccan view that the cosmos - from the smallest particles to the largest solar systems - operates by the same particles and is made from the same stuff. At all levels, life is interconnected.
String theory unites matter and energy, and confirms the Wiccan view that the cosmos - from the smallest particles to the largest solar systems - operates by the same particles and is made from the same stuff. At all levels, life is interconnected.
SPREADING CHAOS
String theory shows the interconnectedness of life at all levels, big and small, Chaos theory deals only with the big - and super-complicated.
String theory shows the interconnectedness of life at all levels, big and small, Chaos theory deals only with the big - and super-complicated.
Chaos Theory
Chaos theory suggests that the weather and other huge, complex systems in nature have an underlying order, but they are chaotic and virtually unpredictable. The problem with predicting the weather and the behavior of other big systems is that nature is extremely sensitive to changing conditions. Very tiny changes can have major effects. Nature on a large scale can drive a scientist nuts!
Chaos theory suggests that the weather and other huge, complex systems in nature have an underlying order, but they are chaotic and virtually unpredictable. The problem with predicting the weather and the behavior of other big systems is that nature is extremely sensitive to changing conditions. Very tiny changes can have major effects. Nature on a large scale can drive a scientist nuts!
Any small inaccuracy in evaluating the initial conditions leads to growing errors in the calculations. For example, the flapping of a butterfly's wings
in one location may affect the weather on the other side of the Earth.
Wicca Meets Chaos Theory
The important lesson here is that any action, no matter how small or insignificant, can affect everything else. Earth's ecology is a network of relationships. All the members of Earth's environment are interdependent. The success of the whole community depends on each living thing, and the success of each living thing depends on the success of the community. This idea forms the core of Wiccan ethics.
The important lesson here is that any action, no matter how small or insignificant, can affect everything else. Earth's ecology is a network of relationships. All the members of Earth's environment are interdependent. The success of the whole community depends on each living thing, and the success of each living thing depends on the success of the community. This idea forms the core of Wiccan ethics.
GAZING AT GAIA
The universe appears to be made up of individual parts, and these parts may function on their own. However, the parts are all made of the same energy and are connected to form one giant whole. For example:
The universe appears to be made up of individual parts, and these parts may function on their own. However, the parts are all made of the same energy and are connected to form one giant whole. For example:
*An individual cell is a part of a human being
*Human beings are part of life on Earth.
*Earth is part of the solar system.
*The solar system is part of the universe.
*Human beings are part of life on Earth.
*Earth is part of the solar system.
*The solar system is part of the universe.
The point is that each part isn't separate and isolated from the others, even though it may function by itself. Small parts join together to form a
living thing. That living thing joins others to create a bigger liging thing. Bigger living things join groups to form an even bigger living thing, and so
on. Throughout reality, small parts join together to form an integrated whole.
The grand mystery is that the whole is always much greater than its parts. For example, a human being is so much more than just a collection of simple little
cells. The human brain's cells work together in networks, and together, they create a brain that is so complex and sophisticated that the world's top
scientists can't fully figure out how it works.
Some scientists believe that Earth as a whole is one big living system.
The Gaia Hypothesis
Atmospheric chemist James Lovelock, microbiologist Lynn Margulis, and others have developed a theory termed the 'Gaia hypothesis', in honor of the Greek Goddess of the Earth. This concept describes all of Planet Earth as a living system that organizes itself and keeps all its parts in balance.
Atmospheric chemist James Lovelock, microbiologist Lynn Margulis, and others have developed a theory termed the 'Gaia hypothesis', in honor of the Greek Goddess of the Earth. This concept describes all of Planet Earth as a living system that organizes itself and keeps all its parts in balance.
The Gaia hypothesis links Earth's inanimate objects (rocks, oceans, gases, and so on) with living parts (plants and animals) and brings together all the
planet's cycles and rhythms into one unified whole. The hypothesis links the evolution and survival of a species to the evolution and conditions of its
environment.
Lovelock and Margulis never suggested that Earth is a sentient being (a conscious, creative being), but others have expanded the theory to arrive at this
idea.
Wicca Meets The Gaia Hypothesis
Of course, the view of Earth as a living being isn't new. From Neolithic times, human cultures all over the globe have worshipped Mother Earth. This scientific theory reveals that life organizes itself into larger and larger networks that form one integrated whole. If this is the model of the universe, then the idea of immanent Deity is rational and even probable. All reality may, indeed, arise from and be embedded in one creative source.
Of course, the view of Earth as a living being isn't new. From Neolithic times, human cultures all over the globe have worshipped Mother Earth. This scientific theory reveals that life organizes itself into larger and larger networks that form one integrated whole. If this is the model of the universe, then the idea of immanent Deity is rational and even probable. All reality may, indeed, arise from and be embedded in one creative source.
UNFOLDING AND ENFOLDING
Physicist David Bohm built an entire theory of physics on the idea that reality unfolds from one original, infinite source.
Physicist David Bohm built an entire theory of physics on the idea that reality unfolds from one original, infinite source.
This concept is often called the holographic universe. Have you ever seen a hologram? A 'hologram' is a three-dimensional image made with a laser.
Many credit cards have these pictures. Each small piece of a hologram can reproduce the entire image. In other words, each part contains all the information
about the whole. This structure is common in nature. A tiny seed contains all the information to grow a tall sunflower.
The Holographic Universe
Based on this model, Bohm (a former colleague of Einstein) suggested that the information for the entire universe is held in each of its parts. For Bohm, the 'explicate order' is the separate parts of the world that we see. The 'implicate order' enfolds all these parts into one whole. The implicate order is the orgional energy, the source of all reality.
Based on this model, Bohm (a former colleague of Einstein) suggested that the information for the entire universe is held in each of its parts. For Bohm, the 'explicate order' is the separate parts of the world that we see. The 'implicate order' enfolds all these parts into one whole. The implicate order is the orgional energy, the source of all reality.
According to theory, this source is called the 'Subtle Nonmanifest'. This holy intelligence gave rise to all space and time, all dimensions, and all
planes of existence. All reality unfold out from this primal source, and then enfolds into the source, in a never-ending cycle.
All beings, including humans, are born from this source, are connected, and share consciousness. They continually have new experiences and grow in wisdom and
knowledge. Then they enfold back into this source. This way, the source, the core energy that fuels the cosmos, is always advancing and evolving, along with
everything that is a part of it.
Wicca Meets The Holographic Universe
The relatively new model of the Holographic Universe reflect a worldview that Pagans have held since the most ancient times: We are all part of the Divine energy; we are all connected; and our fate is inexorably linked.
The relatively new model of the Holographic Universe reflect a worldview that Pagans have held since the most ancient times: We are all part of the Divine energy; we are all connected; and our fate is inexorably linked.
Human beings are a part of the Divine energy. They are a part of nature, not above it or separate from it. All parts of the Divine web of life are equal in
value. This outlook profoundly impacts Wiccan religion, politics, and social relationships.
The basic trust in immanence and interconnection is the heart of Wicca.
Nature flows from Deity, and Wiccan spirituality revolves around the celebration of our connection with nature, and the human place in the web of life. Much
of Wiccan practice is devoted to developing relationship with the Divine energy, in which we are permanently embedded.
Talk: So lets talk about this: No matter what we do, don't do, say, or feel affects everything around us. Think about Magick. How do
these things affect it? Do we not have to act, feel, or do things to affect the things around us? Is it not true that if the bird flies thru the air, that
air in effect - affects the many things around that and so on? Everything is connected no matter what God you believe in. You do not have to change your
beliefs to understand that.
Lets review the science issue in a bit more down-to-earth detail. When we look thru the microscope at a slide of something, we see that each thing has
movement of some sort that can be recorded. That movement is classified into groups. Those groups make up the whole entire thing. They are all connected to
us, other things around us, both living and non-living. When we look at things that are considered to be non-living, are they really to be said as a dead
thing? How can we say that - knowing that crystals and other things have healing properties? Do they not also have movement? Can they not also be recorded
by magnetics, vibrtional fields of study, or more? Do they not also have to have movement in order to grow and advance?
Lets look at that, the rock itself in its most basic form. Imagine a rock in the stream. The current of the stream takes the pebble through the calm and
rough parts of its waters. Along the way the pebble begins to change shape and create form. Therefore, creating the life cycle of the rock. When a rock is in
the ground, does it not get packed tightly and attach itself to its surroundings? When humans are packed together tightly, do we also not attach ourselves to
our surroundings in order that we may cope with the events ,, so that maybe we can advance... This is the same with all things, of Earth or not. Think about
that, does not the universe, the stars also do the same things? Do they also not 'attach' themselves to their surroundings to create life or matter?
Is this not how plannets or stars are made? Is this not the basic fundamentals to life itself?
Try today to study each of the theories above. Try to not get lost within the scientific jargon, as many of these theories carry complex ideas and
mathematical functions. I urge you to look past that - at the foundation of HOW it is connected, for that is todays lesson. That everything affects
everything. What we do, don't do, think, or feel - does in fact have an effect.
Think about that....One might say, how can we feel affect anything? When we feel strongly against something, but we are forced to do it (for some reason or
another) is the outcome of what we are doing just as good as if we were overly positive about the event? How can one honestly say that our feelings don't
get tied into all of this? Remember that in magick studies there is that little word that people say 'intent'. Don't you think this is what they
are refering to?
Everything really is connected, more than a book can tell you, more than some scientist can fill the page with mathematical equasions, more than anything
out there.
Tonight respect the things around you, take care of them. Many things depend upon you. It might be that speck of dust that you've neglected...or
something more.
Lets take this one step further. We live in a grid or web of Energy. Lets look at the beginning of this material, we are swimming in a divine sea of
energy. What do you think this means? Simple, we are part of an unbroken circle of vibrating energy. Picture a spider web or electrical grid, if you will..
this is the web of life. We always have energy about us. Some Wiccans or others believe that with this belief that Energy should not be transfered from one
individual to another simply because they 'feel' low on energy. Some believe that this is done in certain situations. Some believe that it is only
acceptable when performing healing techniques. How you use, do, and percieve this web will vary upon your beliefs and how you change over time or not.
Thank You
BELIEVING IN DEITY
Over the next three weeks we will cover:
*Respecting your own Divine Mysteries
*Building relationship with the One, the Two, or the Many
*Exploring the Higher Self
Most, although not all, Wiccans believe in a creative being or force. However, the way that Wiccans perceive and experience the Divine is unique to each
individual. Wiccans stretch the idea of Deity to the outer limits of diversity.
Two people may comfortably call themselves Wiccan. They may perform the same rituals, work the same magic, and hapily practice side by side, but they may
have radically different concepts of who, or what, Deity is. Most Wiccans would rather celebrate their differences than become a religion in which
everyone must conform to the same belief or seek the same experience.
This dares to explore the nature of the Divine ... er .... the Goddess, the God, the Gods, the Old Ones, the Great Mother, the Higher Self ... you get
the idea.
HONORING THE MYSTERIES
You won't see an announcement like this on the 6:00 News: "The Goddess spoke to Jane Doe today and told her to quit her lousy job and join the
Peace Corps, Film at 11:00." Jane may, indeed, have received a Divine nudge to write the letter of resignation and pack her bags, but no other
person can likely verify the encounter.
You may be absolutely, positively convinced that you received quidance, insight, or comfort from Deity. But here's the thing about Divine revelation:
It's personal. Your experience is yours alone. Others may see the results in your life, but feeling the presence of ot interacting with Deity is an
individual and a unique experience.
The following three weeks outline some ways that Wiccans define the Divine. It's an overall look at some common ways that people think about Deity.
The information may help you understand the diversity of Wicca. However, you may not be able to pigeonhole your own experience according to these
explanations. Don't try to intellectually choose one of these categories and then force your spiritual life to perfectly conform to one of these
examples. Let your spiritual life reflect what is true for you, whether it reflects one, a combination, or none of the following examples.
HONORING THE ONE
Many Wiccans believe in a Deity who is the source of the cosmos. The Wiccan names for this Divine power include, but certainly aren't limited to: The
One, The All, the Ultimate Sacred, the Great Mystery, the Source, Creative or Supreme Being, the Life Force, and the All-Encompassing Unity.
Many believe that this Deity is too vast, too complex, too inscrutable, and too infinite (can something be 'too' infinite?) for the human mind to
ever comprehend. Although most Wiccans acknowledge this idea of Deity, they have many ways of defining, perceiving, or otherwise making the concept of
the Divine more manageable. This section expands on the concept of a single Deity. Later sections deal with other perceptions.
Deity as life Force
Deity, the Goddess (or the God), is the core energy of all that exists. All of reality is an unbroken web of vibrating energy, and that energy
'is' the Goddess. The entire cosmos is the body of the Goddess (including physical and mental energy, as well as the forces of nature and the
laws of physics).
The Goddess is 'immanent', meaning that She is right here, right now and is all-present in the world. She is 'manifest' in nature; Her
presence is evident and easily perceived. Everything that exists is the Goddess.
Deity As The Primal Goddess
Deity is the primal Goddess. She is the source of all life, and the life force unfolds or flows from Her. Goddess is the only or primary Deity, and She
is a supernatural, creative being. If there is a God, He is the child, consort, or manifestation of the Great Goddess. Any other Deities that may exist
come from Her. She is known chiefly in the Mother aspect, sometimes calles Great Goddess or Earth Mother.
In addition to being immanent in nature, She also is 'transcendent', in the sence that She is a supernatural, thinking, creative being
independent of the cosmos.
This theory is in keeping with the idea of some early Paganism.
Deity As The Source
Although the outlook is not traditional, some Wiccans are reconciling their spiritual beliefs with the teachings of the new physics. Many scientists and
philosophers have suggested this type of concept, but physicist David Bohm and scientist and paleontologist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin are largely
responsible for the current popularity of this Deity theory.
According to this view, Deity is a being of pure, active, creative, holy intelligence. Bohm called it the 'Subtle Nonmanifest'. Telihard de
Chardin and others have suggested many names, such as the Cosmic Apex, the Super-soul, the Hyper-personal, the Evolutionary All, and the Omega Point.
Some people simply use the term, 'Source', because Deity, in this case, is the source energy for all that exists.
This holy intelligence existed before the cosmos was formed, and all reality comes from it. Everything is connected because all of reality flows from the
Source. The source encompasses all space and time, all dimensions, and all planes of existence.
Everything that exists unfolds out from the Source, and then everything enfolds back into the Source, in a never-ending cycle.
People continually have new experiences, and they gain wisdon and insight. All this new information becomes part of the Source energy, and the Source
expands and evolves. People are part of the Source, so they also evolve and grow, reaching higher levels of consciousness. The Source, the core energy
that fuels the cosmos, is always moving, advancing, and evolving. People are part of that evolution and even play a key role in the advancement.
Our own intelligence, our insight, allows us to perceive the Source. Our consciousness acts as the bridge between the regular world and this holy
intelligence.
Through our consciousness, we take in information from our experiences in the world and share that information with the Source; and through our
consciousness, we also can recieve information from the Source for use in the world. In computer terminology, this is a 'feedback loop' of
information.
This view is consistent with modern physics. Although the language is con-temporary, the theory isn't so different from the old Pagan idea of the
primal Goddess as both life force and creative being.
1)When we think of the Deity as the source of the cosmos what are we saying?
We are saying that the Goddess (or the God), Deity, is the core energy of all that exists. That the entire cosmos is the body (including physical and
mental energy, as well as the forces of nature and laws of physics).
2) In believing that Deity is the source: Do we take in information from our experiences in the world and share that information with the Source?
Yes, through our consciousness, we take in informaion from our experiences in the world and share that information with the Source; and through our
consciousness, we also can recieve information from the Source for use in the world. (e.g., computer terminology - feedback loop of information)
