Raine: If anyone knows about a-hole dads, it's me. Feel free to rant to me here or wherever. You'll have an understanding ear.
Kit: Are you still interested/studying/learning about Wicca? Let me know if you are, there are some questions I'd like to toss around with you about it and things of such sort.
I think the one question that's really on my mind is actually a general one aimed at anyone. Would incorporating aspects/rituals of one religion into one's life who doesn't necessarily practice the religion as a whole detract from the importance/meaning of the ritual itself? I know that's not a question that will yeild any hardcore factual answers, just a bunch of perceptions. Still, it's something that's been on my mind today.
Just because I can, (And because it's my darn journal... excuse me, someone pissed me off, unrelated story)...
I rediscovered this song a couple of days ago. I'm pretty sure those of you who I know venture into my nightmare-journal might not know this. It's an older song (I can remember if it was 80s or 90s. I think the former). Even the title is beautiful (IMO). Unfortunately, there's sad memories for me with it, because it reminds me of a false friend I once had. Still, things were less complicated in those days.
Was I happier with the lies? ...I better question is am I better off without them, which is yes. If I'm honest with myself, I can't answer that first question at this point in time.
Anyway, I'm getting sidetracked. Here.
Hush now, don't you cry
Wipe away the teardrop from your eye
You're lying safe in bed
It was all a bad dream
Spinning in your head
Your mind tricked you to feel the pain
Of someone close to you leaving the game of life
So here it is, another chance
Wide awake you face the day
Your dream is over... or has it just begun?
There's a place I like to hide
A doorway that I run through in the night
Relax child, you were there
But only didn't realize it and you were scared
It's a place where you will learn
To face your fears, retrace the years
And ride the whims of your mind
Commanding in another world
Suddenly you hear and see
This magic new dimension
(I) --will be watching over you
(I) --am gonna help you see it through
(I) --will protect you in the night
(I) --am smiling next to you, in Silent Lucidity
[Visualize your dream]
[Record it in the present tense]
[Put it into a permanent form]
[If you persist in your efforts]
[You can achieve dream control]
[Dream control]
[How's that then, better?]
[Hug me]
If you open your mind for me
You won't rely on open eyes to see
The walls you built within
Come tumbling down, and a new world will begin
Living twice at once you learn
You're safe from the pain in the dream domain
A soul set free to fly
A round trip journey in your head
Master of illusion, can you realize
Your dream's alive, you can be the guide but...
(I) --will be watching over you
(I) --am gonna help to see it through
(I) --will protect you in the night
(I) --am smiling next to you....
Comments: 2 sighs
Thanks, Gen. I can never really tell if I get annoyed with my dads, because they're being stupid, or because I'm looking out for the ways that they're going to be stupid and annoying and hateful. I know the problem exists at least partially on their sides, but I can't help but wonder if a huge portion of it rests on my suspicious, bullheaded shoulders. Bah.
And I have to agree with Kit on the beleif thing. It's the beleif that's all that's really supposed to be there. That's why things feel wrong when you're in the presence of a sceptic, you know? And, hey, I've always felt that if one beleives in something, and supress their beleif because someone else says that one needs to practice all or nothing, it would put one in a state of spiritual limbo. Denial of the self bruises the whole.
And I find it hard to beleive that faith would be able to make anything LESS sacred.
That's a beautiful song.
I don't know if I'll ever actively practice Wicca. Probably not, because there's a lot of things that I say I want to do but never get around to it. However, I'm always up for discussion, and it'd be a good workout for my brain to actually get up off my *** and go back to reading.
And I personally don't think it would detract from the importance or meaning of the ritual. If a non-Buddhist recites the Five Great Vows before entering meditation, I don't think that changes the meaning or importance of the Five Great Vows. If a non-Wiccan sprinkles salt on the ground and builds a circle before entering meditation, I don't think that changes anything. All that's required is belief, in my opinion; if you believe, everything else comes naturally.
But like you said, it's really a matter of perception.
( 1:53 a.m. )