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By Tolga Savas
Psychic abilities occur each and everyday, whether the thought of a loved one, followed by a phone call from the same person in thought or a vision we actually awake with. Later realizing, hey I know I have felt this before, or I have been here before, some like to refer this as Dejavu meaning "already seen". Also called paramnesia, from Greek, ("near memory") is the experience of feeling sure that one has witnessed or experienced a new state formerly and also a sense of "strangeness", "weirdness", or "oddness". The "prior" experience is most frequently attributed to a dream, although in some cases there is a firm sense that the experience "genuinely happened" in the past.
Once you have a psychic vision, this obviously perceptible that this is a psychic incident and it doesn't get vanished in the midst of all the other matter that living a modern life entails. We can do better to block other peoples negative energies ungrounded, without compassion or gratitude, whether they're individual or global, to come, and affect our own lives, affecting our psychic talents. There is this ritual I like to do each day, which I call walking meditation to connect to my own self, through the power of my will and mind focus. And actually take photos without a camera.
Each morning as the birds awake and sing, it seems like they are actually calling for us to awake, and listen to their orchestra and they might not sound as majestic as Pavarotti. Nevertheless it still is pleasant to hear and be greeted by such beautiful sounds. And of course the concert is free, from these beautiful creatures.
If you have learned the potency of morning fresh air taken deep in lungs as if it is running out of fashion. And actually go and smell the fresh air in the morning by your walks, then you will know the feeling that is rare.
Now, the first step to understand is, you have many times in your early childhood stood and fell, crawled and fell, to actually learned to walk, so it would not be intelligent for me to say you should walk in such a manner, so first thing to remember is, we get outside, nice and early while the world we live in, getting ready for having their breakfasts and getting ready for work, we are out to greet the birth of a miracle that we are in, and we go for our stroll, slowly but surely, just slowly head up nice regular breaths, if you happen to live near a nature even better, now first thing to do before we start this morning walk ritual, we stop for a minute or two, and actually put our palm on top of our chest. and feel our heart beat, and say I am the secret that beats through you, I am here, the way I am made to greet life, and I will remember me, most beautiful, and we then go for our walk with a smile and take our daily walk, Now while we are walking do not think of yesterdays, it has not much to do with us while we walk, we live in the moment nice and early, so embrace all that is around you the tress the humans who are walking as well, the clouds, the birds, the air that swifts your skin, every thing that is natural, and while at it, do not forget to focus on one or two special beautiful visions or sounds that you felt, and keep that in memory, till you lay your body to dream at night, and actually play the feeling back, before you sleep, and make a habit of it, This is the basic thing we can do for ourselves.
And only we can do this for self, no one else can do it for us, so happy walks with smiles.
Tolga Savas
International psychic clairvoyant answering all your metaphysical questions, and offers psychic readings, dream analysis, online psychic advice, online psychic chat, Kumalak the Mirror of Destiny, See the Future that is Now
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a. "President Barack Obama on Friday endorsed a controversial plan to build a mosque and Islamic center just blocks from Ground Zero in Manhattan, despite the strong objections of conservatives, the ADL and those who lost loved ones in the September 11 attacks."Ground Zero is, indeed, hallowed ground," Obama said at a White House dinner celebrating the Muslim holiday of Ramadan. "But let me be clear: as a citizen, and as President, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country..."
Read more:
"The construction on the mosque started in 1356 AD and ended seven years later. Serving as a mosque and religious school for all four juristic branches of Sunni Islam, it is known as the most compact and comprehensive Islamic monument in Cairo.. '.
HAGIA SOPHIA WITH ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS: "President Barack Obama with a group of religious leaders from the UN backed Alliance of Civilizations Istanbul Forum visited the Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia. The visit demonstrated his commitment to interfaith dialogue and to the UN backed Alliance of Civilization coming together for dialogue on tolerance and respect for each others' beliefs. The Blue Mosque is one of the most venerated Islamic places of worship in the world. The Hagia Sophia was the largest Byzantine Orthodox Christian church in the world until 1453.. ".
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I was introduced to Wand Making at a fun workshop that was organised by myself and some wonderful spiritual friends. Wand making is not only great fun but rewarding that you have your very own wand created with your energy. The wands above are some of the wands made at the workshop.
- A length of copper tub/pipe about 10 - 12 inches (half inch in diameter)
- A Quartz point crystal, just over half inch in diameter (so it will fit into, but drop through the copper pipe) and at least 2 - 3 inches long.
- A small polished tumble stone that will fit into the end of the copper pipe. Something like Red Jasper or Amethyst etc...
- A length of bias cut ribbon - long enough to be wound around the copper pipe. (A yard/metre is more than enough).
- Oddments of narrow ribbon to decorate the wand.
Method:
- Make four small cuts into one end of the copper pipe, about an inch in length, using a small hack saw.
- Gently prise these "claws" open with a pair of pliers, before you insert the quartz point, you can pack the pipe with kitchen paper etc... so that the crystal will not drop down into the pipe. Using the pliers close the "claws" around the crystal to ensure a tight fit, so that the crystal will not fall out.
- Thread the bias cut ribbon around the claws and start to bind the copper tightly, overlapping the ribbon as you go, ensuring that no copper is visible.
- When you reach the other end of the copper pipe, cut off the ribbon, leaving enough to tuck up inside the pipe.
- Now insert the tumble stone into the end, ensuring a tight fit - to secure the ribbon in place.
- Decorate the wand to your own taste and requirements, using oddments of ribbon etc...
- You can use glue to fix the crystals in place, but I feel that it is better not to if a secure fix can be achieved without it.
"Top Tip" is to use a rolled up piece of kitchen roll and stuff it down inside the copper pipe, this is secured in place with glue and then the crystal can be "bedded down" onto the paper tissue to prevent it dropping down inside the pipe. You can use crystal points at both ends if you want to. I have made wands using Amethyst and Citrine points at both ends, with good results. Happy wand-making!
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DovBear and the BabyBears talked Torah and tried to figure out if Moshe's Cushite wife was beautiful or black or both, and came to the conclusion that Miriam's sin when speaking against Moshe's Cushite wife was that Miriam was a "racist".
This is what the witch thinks Miriam's sin may have "really" been.
Moshe was the greatest prophet among the gathered of the tribes. He had no male prophetic rival (except for Korach who thought he was as great as Moshe). Miriam was the greatest female prophet among the gathered of the tribes, although she was not as great a prophet as Moshe. She had no female rival.
"Necessarily", Moshe's bashert would be as great a prophet as Moshe himself. Consequently, any wife of Moshe's who was his true bashert would indeed be a greater prophet than Miriam. Racism wasn't driving Miriam's opposition to Moshe's Cushite wife. Miriam knew that when Moshe's bashert was found and gathered into the tribes, Miriam would no longer be the greatest female prophet among the gathered of the tribes. Moshe's wife would be.
Consequently, Miriam may have been "protecting her own status as the greatest female prophet" among the gathered of the tribes. It may have been for this reason that she spoke against Moshe's Cushite wife, playing the "race card" to incite opposition against Moshe's Cushite wife, an "other" woman, fearing for herself that indeed, the Cushite woman was Moshe's bashert.
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RITUAL OF CASTING SACRED CIRCLE
Many times we are asked, "how do you cast a circle?" There are so many different ways that this can be done. Differs from each Tradition to the next.
Even within our own Avaloian Tradition we make improvisions on this.
The main factor is to cast a sacred space. A space that separates this world from the other. A space that we ourselves make holy. And that is what is important. A space that you set aside from all else, to glorify and exalt. For you are the one casting, cleansing, purifying, and setting it aside from all else.
Before you cast, one should make sure of the intent of casting. Ask yourself why you are doing it. Once you have this the gathering is made easier. If you are doing this with a group of people One must be chosen to be the Lord or Lady. The Lord or Lady usually has one person who waits them. This is not to say the Lord or Lady is higher than they, but the fact that they shall be the God/dess incarnate. You may also do this solitary. Depending on the amount tending.
The Lord/Lady has the sword brought to them. All else are standing outside where the circle is to be cast. The Lord/Lady takes the sword and walk deosil (clockwise) around the space to be cast. The wait has a small bell with them.
Beginning at the East, the sword, in a non-threatening manner, is raised. The wait rings the bell. All fill fall silent. Moving clockwise the Lord/Lady salute each direction. If there are four novices present each will stand to the directions as the Lord/Lady passes.
Lord/Lady: Let all those that wish to partake enter ye now ! (the bell is rung)
Everyone enters by stepping forward (no actual circle has been cast yet)
Wait: My Lord/Lady all those that wish to partake in this Magickal Rite are now present. I pray you, cast the Sacred Circle.
Lord/Lady: What thou doth sees makes here this night, shall be forever within this circle. So Mote It Be!
(When anyone speaks the So Mote It Be or Blessed Be, all shall repeat it)
Again at the East, the Lord/Lady takes the sword and draws within the ground or upon the floor the circle saying as the pass...
"I draw this magick circle let no evil or ill will cross its mark."
Once the Lord/Lady has reached the East again, They take the sword and place it upon the shoulders of the novice, and says..."be thou the guardian of this gate... I call I summon I stir oh ye spirits of Air, come forth now I pray thee and witness our Rite. So Mote It Be !"
The Guardian answers: I am he/she the guardian, no evil or ill will shall pass by me, My Lord/Lady.
The Wait rings the bell
The Lord/Lady goes to each quarter and perform the same, on each guardian. The Wait will ring the bell as each guardian answers. Once the quarters are called the Lord/Lady goes to the center of the circle as the Wait performs the cleansing of the circle with salt and water.
Incense can be used instead of salt and water mixture. The Lord/Lady summons the spirit of the Great Lady and the Great Lord by saying...
Great Lady witness now your children who stand before you in Perfect Love and Perfect Trust.
Standing East, with the censer the Lord/Lady says... Great Maiden Come To Us...
All repeat...
Standing South, with the torch or candle the Lord/Lady says...Great Mother Come To Us...
All repeat...
Standing West, with chalice of wine or water, the Lord/Lady says...Ancient Queen of Wisdom Come To Us...
All repeat...
Standing North, with the salt, the Lord/Lady says...Brother Come To Us...
All Repeat...
Drumming, rattles, any form of music making can be added to this. As you can take note there really isn't any particular God or Goddess called, this is the Avaloian Tradition. All Gods are one God, all Goddesses are one Goddess.
So there is the very basic beginnings of Magical Workings... you can take it from here... Do What Thou Wilt, Save Harm None, Shall Be the Whole.
Bright Blessing...
Lord OberRon
Knight of the Sacred Light
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By Dr. Kheti A. Sahure
Before delving into this subject matter, let us begin with a definition for the terms "Ritual, Spell, Spellwork, and Magick" solely based upon my many years of experience as a practitioner of the Occult Metaphysical Sciences, Alternative Religions and Spiritualities:
WHAT IS A RITUAL?
Performed generally for its symbolic value (as in a rite), a ritual is a planned progression or series of actions and activities geared toward the accomplishment of a specific goal in accordance with religious, spiritual, or social customs of the past to the here and now.
WHAT IS SPELLWORK AND A SPELL?
A technique or methodology for physically raising the power and the manipulating energy by way of magick and/or the useful tools of applied occult metaphysics. A spell is a magickal formulary of spoken, written, or the mentalization of specific words performed with varying degrees of magickal and meditative intent or purpose. Often, a spell is performed only as an incantation without being included in a full ritual or ceremony. For example, a simple (easy) Candle Spell can be performed for something "minor" that you or your client needs. On the other hand, you can adapt your spells or spellwork for more complex circumstances. There are many branches of spells and spellwork ranging from healing to love to maleficium (i.e., malevolent sorcery or hexing).
WHAT IS MAGICK?
The term "Magick" is often spelled with a "k" in order to distinguish it from the artistic practice of Illusionist, Sleight of Hand, and Parlor Magic for entertainment purposes. Performing Magick is based upon the practitioner's ability and "will" to bring about (cause) and affect change in people, places, courses of events, circumstances, and physical objects through the elements or elementals (Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Aether or "Light-Bearing or Spirit"), mystical (mystickal), paranormal or supernatural (metaphysical) means. If a practitioner is employing Ancient Chinese Philosophy in his or her magickal workings, then she or he will work with the Five Elements or Wu Xing (i.e., the "five movements, phases, or steps/stages over elements") of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water.
Furthermore, the proper working and exercising of spells and rituals are imperative in any spiritual or divinatory system. Whether it be Low (Folk) Magick, Ceremonial (High or Ritual) Magick, Sympathetic Magick, or Black Magick (the Dark Arts), all have their own form of and approach to rituals and spellwork. Very good examples of highly ritualistic religio-spiritual systems include but are not limited to: The Craft, Khemeticism and Tameran (Ancient Egyptian religions), Qabalah (Hermetic Kabbalah - distinguishing between Judaic theological and the Hermetic magickal viewpoints), Hoodoo, Freemasonry, Alchemy, Chaos, Vodou (Voodoo), Ayurvedic, Vedic, and many other systems that might engage in the practice of spellwork (spell casting), rituals (ceremonial rites), and magick.
Some of the metaphysical techniques and tools used within these systems include the elementals, altars, circles, pentagrams and hexagrams, meditation, divination (tarot, astrology, etc.), prayer, solar and lunar correspondences, conjuration, charms, talismans and amulets, dolls, wands, and many other powerful instruments for the invocation, evocation and petitioning of spirit. Within Native American spirituality and ritual, for instance, there tends to be an attempt at maintaining balance, peace, and harmony between the mundane world and the universal forces (energies) of Spirit or Gitchi Manidoo.
Note that there are many different ways to perform rituals and to cast spells, especially, within the realm of Alternative Religions and Spiritualities (i.e., non-mainstream religio-spiritual paths). Also keep in mind that these methods or practices are not set in granite because each spiritual path, circle, coven, grove, temple, or gathering has its own specific way of doing things. However, there are some basic ingredients or component parts that one will find in almost any spell or ritual-some similar and some not so similar in name:
ANATOMY OF MAGICK, RITUAL & SPELLWORK - STEPS
- Kind or Type of Ritual
- Purpose - Intent of the Ritual
- Ritual Tools (Preparation, Cleansing, and/or Consecration)
- Lunar
Reference: http://master-of-tarot.blogspot.com
Here is the Moon Ritual I use when working solitary. It's a smorgasborg of parts from various trads, with a small amount of original material, but it works for me. If your just starting out, I hope you find it helpful. If some part is unfamiliar, check out the That I may cast the magick circle!'
Cast the circle with the athame, saying
'I conjure thee, o circle of art,
to be a temple between the worlds;
to be a crucible of change for the powers of the ancient ones.
Wherefore do I bless and consecrate thee.
So mote it be!'
TOUCH THE SALT WITH THE ATHAME AND SAY
'"Mighty Mother, bless this creature of earth in thy service. As salt is pure, so may it purify us in all ways we may use it."'
Consecrate the water by adding three pinches of salt and saying
'"Mighty Mother, bless this creature of water in thy service. As water gives us life, so may we be reborn in these rites."'
CONSECRATE THE FIRE BY HOLDING ALOFT AND SAYING
'"Great Father, bless this creature of fire in thy service. May it spark the sacred flame the burns within our hearts."'
Consecrate the incense by adding three pinches of incense to the fire and saying
'"Great Father, bless this creature of air in thy service. May it carry our will out upon the winds of change."'
Spurge the circle with the holy water, saying
'I consecrate this circle in the names of Cernunnos and Aradia.
Cense the circle with incense, saying
'"The circle is conjured a circle of power that is purified and sealed. So mote it be!"'
CALLING THE QUARTERS
Tools: athame
After the circle is cast, facing east, draw the Invoking Pentagram of Earth in the air with the athame, saying
'I call the Lords of the Watchtowers of the East,
Lords of Air
New beginning, new life,
From the gates of Dawn,
From the realms of Spring,
as we here possess breath and wit
we are thy kith and kin!
Come join us
to attend our rite and guard the circle'
facing south, draw the Invoking Pentagram of Earth in the air with the athame, saying
'I call the Lords of the Watchtowers of the South, Lords of Fire
From the stroke of the lightning
To the blaze upon the hearth
From the gates of Noontide
From the realms of Summer
as we here consume life to live
we are thy kith and kin!
Come join us
to attend our rite and guard the circle'
facing west, draw the Invoking Pentagram of Earth in the air with the athame, saying
'I call the Lords of the Watchtowers of the West, Lords of Water
Lengthening shadow across the mountain,
gathering coolness of the evening glen,
first star of the twilight.
From the gates of Evening
From the realms of Autumn
as we here feel and our hearts beat
we are thy kith and kin!
Come join us
to attend our rite and guard the circle'
facing north, draw the Invoking Pentagram of Earth in the air with the athame, saying
'I call the Lords of the Watchtowers of the North, Lords of Earth
brilliant darkness, sun at midnight,
gossamer flicker of aurora's light.
From the gates of Midnight
From the realms of Winter
as we here have bodies and strength
we are thy kith and kin!
Come join us
to attend our rite and guard the circle'
SOLITARY INVOCATION OF THE GODDESS
Tools: Goddess candle
With arms raised in the Crescent Goddess salute, say
'I invoke thee and call upon thee
Mighty Mother of us all
bringer of all fruitfulness
by seed and root, by stem and bud,
by leaf and flower and fruit do I invoke thee
to descend and join me in my circle!'
light Goddess candle
SOLITARY INVOCATION OF THE GOD
Tools: God candle
With arms raised in the Horned God salute, say
'Deep calls on height, the Goddess on the God,
On him who is the flame that quickens her;
That he and she may seize the silver reins
And ride as one the twin-horsed chariot.
Let the hammer strike the anvil!
Let the lightning touch the earth!
Let the Lance ensoul the Grail!
Let the magic come to birth!'
light God candle
'The Temple is erected, and I am between the worlds;
beyond the bounds of time and space,
where day and night,
sorrow and joy,
birth and death,
meet as one!
Hail and welcome! Blessed be'
RAISING POWER FOR THE WORK
Tools: Cords, candles, tools of divination, poppets, whatever tool is needed for the work
Here is the place for dancing, chanting, drumming, or what is used to raise power.
Then, when the power is raised, focus it with visualization and chant.
When all is ready, let the power go.
SOLITARY RITE OF CAKES AND ALE
Tools: athame, chalice, wine or fruit juice, plate of crescent cakes
Fill chalice in left hand, pour from right hand. Holding chalice in left hand and athame in right hand, lower athame into chalice, saying
'As the athame is to the male,
so the cup is to the female,
and conjoined, they become one in truth.'
HOLD ALOFT THE CHALICE AND SAY
'Gracious Goddess of abundance
bless this drink and infuse it with your love
In your names, Goddess and God
I bless this wine!'
take a sip of the wine
Hold aloft the plate of cakes. Draw the Invoking Pentagram of Earth over the cakes with the athame, saying
'Powerful God of the harvest
Bless these cakes and infuse them with your love
In your names, God and Goddess,
I bless these cakes!'
take a bite of the cakes
Now pour a bit of the wine and set aside some of the cakes as a libation to the Mighty Ones. After ritual, put the libation outside, where the Old Ones may send some of their other children to share...
GROUNDING AND CENTERING
Let the power raised that is still within return to the earth to heal it's wounds, remembering to keep a little for one's self. This is important! Skip this and you may find your self with anything from a spacey mindset to insomnia to a splitting headache. Let the excess energy return to the Mother.
THANKING THE GODS
'Queen of the Starry Night
Horned One of the Wild Wood
I thank thee for attending my rites.
Go if you must,
stay if you will,
and know that you are always welcome!
Blessed be!'
extinguish God and Goddess candles
RELEASING THE QUARTERS
Tools: athame
Facing east, make the Banishing Pentagram of Earth, saying
'Lords of the Watchtowers of the East
Lords of Air
I thank thee for attending my rites,
Go if you must,
stay if you will,
and know that you are always welcome!
I bid you Hail and Farewell!'
Facing south, make the Banishing Pentagram of Earth, saying
'Lords of the Watchtowers of the South
Lords of Fire
I thank thee for attending my rites,
Go if you must,
stay if you will,
and know that you are always welcome!
I bid you Hail and Farewell!'
Facing west, make the Banishing Pentagram of Earth, saying
'Lords of the Watchtowers of the West
Lords of Water,
I thank thee for attending my rites,
Go if you must,
stay if you will,
and know that you are always welcome!
I bid you Hail and Farewell!'
Facing north, make the Banishing Pentagram of Earth, saying
'Lords of the Watchtowers of the North
Lords of Earth
I thank thee for attending my rites,
Go if you must,
stay if you will,
and know that you are always welcome!
I bid you Hail and Farewell!'
CLOSING THE CIRCLE
Tools: athame
Walk the circle deosil with the athame in the receptive hand, pulling in the energy into the athame. When done, hold athame aloft, facing north and say
'Beings and powers of the visible and invisible,
Depart in peace!
You aid in my work,
whisper in my mind,
bless me from the Otherworld,
and there is harmony between us.
My blessings are with you.
The circle is closed
but never broken!
So mote it be!'
THE RITUAL IS DONE!
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Credit: http://wicca-teachings.blogspot.com
That s the question of the hour from the big thinkers. This article today from Space.com
ARE ALIENS PART OF GOD'S PLAN, TOO? FINDING E.T. COULD CHANGE RELIGION FOREVER
"The discovery of intelligent aliens would be mind-blowing in many respects, but it could present a special dilemma for the world's religions, theologians pondering interstellar travel concepts said Saturday (Oct. 1). Christians, in particular, might take the news hardest, because the Christian belief system does not easily allow for other intelligent beings in the universe, Christian thinkers said at the 100 Year Starship Symposium, a meeting sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to discuss issues surrounding traveling to other stars. In other words, "Did Jesus die for Klingons too?" as philosophy professor Christian Weidemannof Germany's Ruhr-University Bochum titled his talk at a panel on the philosophical and religious considerations of visiting other worlds." more at link
A 'special dilemma'? LOL. 'Religious considerations of visiting other worlds?' "I come in peace. Take me to your pastor." ROFL
First of all, extra-terrestrials DO exist. Off- earth, intelligent life, having superior capabilities than humans, a higher intellect, and a raised vibration even, are all around us. They visit the earth every day. They are angels.
The article continues:
"Aliens and religion can still coexist"
"Weidemann, a self-described protestant Christian, suggested some possible solutions. Perhaps extraterrestrials aren't sinners, like humans, and therefore aren't in need of saving. However, the principle of mediocrity - the idea that your own example is most likely typical unless you have evidence to the contrary - casts doubt on this, he pointed out. "If there are extraterrestrial intelligent beings at all, it is safe to assume that most of them are sinners too," Weidemann said. "If so, did Jesus save them too? My position is no. If so, our position among intelligent beings in the universe would be very exceptional. "Another possibility is that God incarnated multiple times, sending a version of himself down to save each inhabited planet separately."
Oh, the tragedy of the lost Christians. Truly. GotQuestions answers the issue of aliens (non-angelic kind)
"So, what does the Bible say? The earth and mankind are unique in God's creation. Genesis 1 teaches that God created the earth before He even created the sun, the moon, or the stars. Acts 17:24, 26 states that "the God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands...he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live."
"Originally, mankind was without sin, and everything in the world was "very good" (Genesis 1:31). When the first man sinned (Genesis 3), the result was problems of all sorts, including sickness and death. Even though animals have no personal sin before God (they are not moral beings), they still suffer and die (Romans 8:19-22). Jesus Christ died to remove the punishment that we deserve for our sin. When He returns, He will undo the curse that has existed since Adam (Revelation 21-22). Note that Romans 8:19-22 states that all of creation eagerly waits for this time. It is important to also note that Christ came to die for mankind and that He died only once (Hebrews 7:27; 9:26-28; 10:10)."
"If all of creation now suffers under the curse, any life apart from the earth would also suffer. If, for the sake of argument, moral beings do exist on other planets, then they also suffer; and if not now, then someday they will surely suffer when everything passes away with a great noise and the elements melt with fervent heat (2 Peter 3:10). If they had never sinned, then God would be unjust in punishing them. But if they had sinned, and Christ could die only once (which He did on earth), then they are left in their sin, which would also be contrary to the character of God (2 Peter 3:9). This leaves us with an unsolvable paradox-unless, of course, there are no moral beings outside of the earth."
"What about non-moral and non-sentient life forms on other planets? Could algae or even dogs and cats be present on an unknown planet? Presumably so, and it would not do any real harm to any biblical text. But it would certainly prove problematic when trying answer questions like "Since all of creation suffers, what purpose would God have in creating non-moral and non-sentient creatures to suffer on distant planets?"
"In conclusion, the Bible gives us no reason to believe that there is life elsewhere in the universe. In fact, the Bible gives us several key reasons why there cannot be. Yes, there are many strange and unexplainable things that take place. There is no reason, though, to attribute these phenomena to aliens or UFOs. If there is a discernable cause to these supposed events, it is likely to be spiritual, and more specifically, demonic, in origin."
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I have been (again) reading Charles Williams (1886-1945) - indeed, I have been reading "C.W" off-and-on since about 1987 (stimulated by Humphrey Carpenter's biography The Inklings).
A major factor in my returning again and again to reading C.W was my failure to understand him and the conviction that I must be missing something important.
I now feel that I understand Williams better than before.
And I am prepared to share this hard-won understanding with my blog readership...
(smiles, looks quizzical, and continues...)
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This essay by Barbara Newman of Northwestern University entitled "Charles Williams and the Companions of the Co-inherence" was extremely valuable - I just found it last week:
C.W produced poetry, plays, literary criticism but they are inept, and at a very basic level: it is very difficult to follow what is going-on, who is speaking, what is happening and even what has happened.
Indeed, among novels that I have actually finished and re-read, I would say that Williams are by far the worst written: less competent than the worst pulp fiction.
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The theology is also very badly written.
At first I thought this was because C.W was dealing with profound matters, but this can't be right, since much more spiritually-advanced people (who are much less famous than Williams as writers) are considerably more lucid.
Fr Seraphim Rose for instance, or many other Orthodox Christian spiritual writers such as the anonymous author of Way of a Pilgrim, or St John of Kronstadt; or Roman Catholics such as Pascal, or Aquinas...
But, really, almost anyone is easier to understand than C.W.
The reason is is simple and twofold: firstly, Williams was an inept writer and secondly - on top of that - he was deliberately obscure.
C.W certainly has some interesting things to say, theologically. Interesting, but surely wrong!
Once you have reached the bottom, his main ideas seem not just wrong, but obviously - almost absurdly - wrong.
*
C.W is supposedly a Christian theologian (and is regarded as a great one by many including the present Archbishop of Canturbury - although the present +Cantaur seems so brilliant as to be able to read anything into anything...).
Yet Williams has many bizarre ideas that are (surely?) at odds with Christianity. Sometimes C.W seems not to believe in the divinity of Jesus - which makes him non-Christian.
Apparently he did not believe in the desirability of resurrection, but would prefer death to be an end and a sleep - which means he denies Christian hope.
He believes that all time is literally simultaneous, which denies any direction to history and any meaning to human agency.
(For instance, a modern person can - in Williams' world - accept and thereby reduce the sufferings of people in the past. Including (yes, really) alleviating the sufferings of Christ on the Cross.)
I accept that C.W was much more intelligent and well-informed than I - but this is just nonsense.
And C.W writes frequently and at length of a Way of Affirmation which is supposed to be an equally valid alternative spiritual path to holiness as the ascetic Way of Negation as practiced by the Saints.
Yet Williams' prime exhibit, his only strong and successful instance of a Way of Affirmation is the fictional world depicted by Dante's poetry of love - and Williams provides not a single real life example of a single person ever attaining sanctity by the Way of Affirmation.
Very strange.
*
Williams' vast productivity becomes easier to understand - as a writer he had very low standards.
I am no literary genius (as readers of this blog would willingly testify!) but I would have been ashamed to release such badly-written stuff as Williams poured-out.
With Williams it is not just haste, but I can only presume he had no ability objectively to evaluate his own writing and recognize whether it 'worked' or not.
Or maybe he could see that it did not work, and strove to disguise this obvious fact with deliberate obscurity.
If so, he succeeded with many people, including this writer: it took me a long time to be sure that something like this was going-on.
*
What is indeed remarkable about Charles Williams is now how he managed to write so much but how he managed to "publish "so much!
A second minor miracle is that so much of his "ouvre "remains in print: indeed that "any "of it remains in print is fairly remarkable.
At any rate - and despite my many and serious reservations about Williams writing ability and motivations - I am pleased that so much of what he wrote (and was written about him) is still available.
*
I remain fascinated by Williams as a personality, his effect on other people.
In particular, C.W exemplified in a strong and pure form the horror so many people feel at the shallowness, the banality of mundane worldly existence and the countervailing craving so many people feel for a life in contact with a higher and more real order of things.
Williams' novels depict this in a way which is exciting, inspiring and appealing.
And this was how C.W made other people feel - his friends like Lewis and Tolkien, and his circle of disciples and devotees.
From Williams people got a sense of being in touch with occult reality, a deeper or higher reality; and a stronger sense of being alive and aware.
It seems to me that this was much more a matter of the power of magic than the holiness and love of Christianity - still, for many people and up to a point (beyond which point it became demonic and exploitative), Williams' spiritual charisma could be a step in the right direction: away from materialist nihilism and towards meaning and purpose.
*
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The singer of "Potverdekke, It's Great to Be a Belgian," John Makin, has died.
Owen Hatherley: "There's a reason why nobody reads this book anymore - because Wiener's central thesis was so resoundingly disproved. He predicts that in bringing back 'market discipline,' Thatcher will rejuvenate British industry and the 'northern' values it inculcated - instead, the industrial centres of Tyneside, Clydeside and Teeside, South Wales and the West Midlands, Greater Manchester and the West Riding all faced a cataclysm on such a scale that most have still not recovered."
Fifty
From John T. Noonan's "Contraception: A History of Its Treatment by the Catholic Theologians and Canonists": "Using an argument which only an English writer would invoke, he [Herbert McCabe, an English Dominican] compared the complex of required acts to the complex of acts necessary to score in a game. Not every single act had to tend toward the goal: the player may be 'occasionally making a move which is the opposite of the crucial-making a move which if invariably employed would make success impossible.' "On recule pour mieux sauter", both in games and in the preservation of the race, was McCabe's suggestion."
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" THE SPIRITUAL ABRAHAM LINCOLN"
A BOOK SUPERIOR IN STYLE AND CONTENT."
"QUOTE FROM BOOK BELOW"
Why concern ourselves with spirituality as against the equivalent of a political science degree? What real difference does it make that Christianity needs to be up front and center in the lives of our leaders? Because the very freedoms and style of living we enjoy come as gifts from Christianity.
Before Christ walked this earth and set up a new standard of humanity, life in the Greco-Roman world was cheap and expendable. Killing of infants was readily accepted. Child abandonment was commonplace. Abortions and suicides were widespread and legal. Its corrupt belief system became the mother of chaos. It is, therefore, little wonder Rome fell. And America can fall just as easily if it forgets that religion can survive without freedom, but freedom cannot long survive without religion.
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Continuing from the last post, let's delve deeper into the monsters of my ancestors. No, not hillbillies-older...
The Leanan Sidhe is a sort of vampire meets a muse. She attached herself to artists, poets, writers, and musicians and suck up all their creativity and left them bereft and depressed to the point of suicide. You know, like a groupie. Well, she'd come by with her big ol' cauldron and fill it up with their blood. From here she drank or bathed or soaked her cuticles or whatever to retain her beauty and intoxicatingly inspirational powers. I wonder if Oprah has a cauldron...
The Dullahan or "dark man" is a harbinger of death in a sort of Irish headless horseman tale. The headless Dullahan rides a black horse with fiery eyes while clutching his head beneath his arm. Wherever the rider stops, death visits hapless mortals. However, you can bribe the Dullahan with gold and he may spare your life. I wonder if he ever thought about running for office...
The Bean Sidhe is a more common entity in the list of Irish monsters, although you mightn't recognize the proper spelling. The "Banshee", as Americans term it, is a spirit that attaches itself to a family and wails horribly in anticipation of death with in the clan. And you thought your relatives were a bunch of loud mouths.
Ruling over the Fomori, a race of demons living deep in the lakes and seas, Balor was the sort of god of the underworld in ancient Celtic myth. He had one leg and one eye with which he could stare down a person to death. His victims were given over to the Fomori. Balor's own son, Lug, killed him with a slingshot (giant? slingshots? hmmmmm...) With Balor dead, the Fomori were free to evolve into sea monsters and seek out their own human prey, which is pretty much how I see the whole Kate Plus 8 thing working out.
Sluagh are dead sinners that come back from the dad to hunt down souls. They arrive from the west (like so many tourists, probably landing in Shannon) in flocks and attempt to gain entry into the homes of those knocking on death's door. It was tradition among some to keep west-facing doors and windows shut at all times.
Carman was an witch-goddess in Celtic lore. Like an evil stage mom, she traveled about with her three sons: Dub, Dother, and Dain (the Irish words for Darkness, Evil, and Violence). Together they destroyed anyone or anything in their path. Eventually, Tuatha De Danann (the people of Danu) defeated the old witch with powerful magic and banished her kids across the sea-probably to America. Thanks.
Kelpies are shape-shifting sea monsters that often appear as a horse. The horse would come from the sea, ride across the land, and entice victims to ride him. Once mounted, the Kelpie would race to the sea, dive in, and drag the victim down to its lair whereupon it would be quickly eaten.
Caorthannach was banished from the emerald isle when St. Patrick was running his pest control service. This fire-spitting beast (a dragon some say) didn't want to go so easily, but St. P was able to do the job. With one word. That's how badass he was.
Source: http://spellscasting.blogspot.com
Raven Grimassi
Llewellyn Publications; 1st edition (September 8, 2002)
So you are into Wicca and you really want to do magick. Well then this is your book. This book tells you the internal dynamics of doing magic. Now this is no Wicca 101 fluff stuff, in fact for a beginner and maybe even an intermediate this book can get a bit over your head. Good thing this book came about as all serious Wiccans know there is more to magic than just lighting candle, casting circles and chanting a few words.
The author, Raven Gimassi, first discusses the origins and the beginning of Wicca. This ancient new religion arose out of the roots of a Fertility cult that centered around the Goddess and God.The ancient mysteries of this cult precede christianity and are the very roots of Modern Wicca. The Ancients perceived a general cycle of birth, growth, death and rebirth. It was a repeating cycle in all forms of life and in the world itself. The ancients had Sabbats or celebrations to get into tune with this flow. Along with this they also observed certain technique to help them get from the deities what they so desired. Natural objects like herbs, stones and colors became associated with desired effects. this would develop into a list of magical charms.
Coming into tune with nature's vibration was the cycle of the slain God. It was believed that he did not die but rather that his body died and they he kept on coming back. Tree worship was also very widespread in Ancient Europe.The slain God used to be a sacrifice offered to the ground to help keep it fertile. Eventually this would grow out of practice and people graduated to animals and finally to herbs and plants. The person representing the slain god were believable to have been descended from the Horned God himself and people would eat off flesh to keep a part of him within them. This of course is no longer practiced but the cakes and wine are sometimes symbolic there of. Also partaaking off the flesh gave the person who ate the flesh the magical powers of the slain god. The mother goddess was associated with the moon. her phases were phases of the women. Going through youth, motherhood and then old age only to renew herself. Being such as Faieries and nymphs are inner forces that vitalize nature. To learn from nature and her patterns was considered a way to study divinity as nature or creation was a reflection of the creator.
The book does discuss folk magic and the use of herbs. However, our view of folk magick is rather incomplete. herbs were not magick in and of themselves. There were special techniques required in both their harvesting and growing in order to make them magical. Most of the secrets are lost.Most Pagans who practiced were poor folks and did not use such tools and the sword, pentacle,chalice and wand. These were taken from the Tarot cards and ceremonial magick. They represent the weapon off the knight. It should be noted that magic was not always considered taboo but back in the 15th century many philosophers and even Christians defended it.
According to Wiccan philosophy there are three realms of existence that someone practicing magic must be in tune with. The Astral Realm,elemental realm and the physical realm. When a Magical person wishes to effect change they first place and image into the astral realm and that image gets bathed in Astral light. later on the image descends into the elemental realm where the elements of Fire, air, earth and water give it their energy.Finally it comes to the physical realm. The author also goes on to discuss various energies both internal and external, feminine and masculine. This book discusses sigilization, energy work symbology and circle casting.
Raven has written an excellent book on a very difficult subject to comprehend. no summary ccould do this book the justice that it deserves. If you are serious about magic then go out and by the book. Mind you this is no spell book in it you will not find any spells but it will teach you how to cast them effectively with good solid techniques. The only draw back to this great work is that the author repeated himself several times. I would give this book 4.5 stars out of 5Enjoy the blog
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SAGITTARIUS Eccentricity AND TRAITS The Sagittarius original is a whole plod and tends to learn high-class where experiencing life, plausibly than serving in a classroom. They are very focused on what they are do something, and incentive not be open to other substance, until they transmit tried their own substance to the fullest amount. They are very mysterious, be offended and open minded. They are else very unreserved and open.Sagittarius Animal Sagittarius women incentive set aside their lives to their husbands, and incentive make be bounded by that all is working out well for them. They are absolutely devout as well. SAGITTARIUS MAN The Sagittarius man tends to unify on advocate, but having the status of they do not like to cede that they made a puzzlement, they incentive post in the marriage and tale to be ignite. SAGITTARIUS HOROSCOPEASTROLOGICAL Signs Sagittarius is the 9th sign in the Zodiac. Sagittarius is the top figure tortuous of the zodiac signs, as in Numerology, in the role of the equinoxes precession absurd the sign's congruency with the constellation. It is of the variable fire, appraised as mannish, combined as positive/extroverted. The nine numerological significance of Sagittarius is under Mars order, and geometrically combined with the right away. It is a convincing be incorporated, and very continuous, and in obstruct a be incorporated of harden surprise. Normal with the Chinese Zodiac, the Sagittarius Centaur, along with the Nine numerology, stabilizes the mean that staff of this sign unalterably incentive front part hefty obstacles beforehand the make a note vow is reached. ZODIAC Signs The Zodiac sign for Sagittarius is the Centaur, a magic half-human half-horse. This is the sign of the sage and pioneer, also of which are probing for wisdom. SAGITTARIUS AND ARIES COMPATIBILITY Sagittarius and Aries are very compatible, and they incentive transmit a want prolonged marriage, awfully if fabric are departure well in the bedroom. They also take pleasure in to after everything else life to the fullest, are very unreserved and reluctant. They are also big money spenders. SAGITTARIUS AND TAURUS COMPATIBILITY Sagittarius and Taurus are compatible for the little cry, but not for the want cry. They transmit awkward qualities traits. The Sagittarius original is not a builder, and likes to be bereaved money. The Taurus original is a builder and very covert. This is not a federation that incentive following. SAGITTARIUS AND GEMINI COMPATIBILITY Sagittarius and Gemini can transmit a want cry compatibility, but it incentive cop a lot of work. They are also very laid-back, elastic and softhearted. SAGITTARIUS AND Corruption COMPATIBILITY Sagittarius and Corruption are not very compatible. Their goals in life are different. The Sagittarius original incentive be reluctant and stroll along fine hair life, and see in which life takes them. The Corruption original is very cautious, and has their life all on purpose out. Sagittarius does not take pleasure in Cancer's pattern on him. This can shuffle a lot of sweat. SAGITTARIUS AND LEO COMPATIBILITY Sagittarius and Leo are anyhow compatible. They also are nonaligned, enterprising and very unreserved. This is a activate glue. The federation incentive be wonderful and want prolonged.Sagittarius and Virgo Compatibility Sagittarius and Virgo are not compatible, awfully for the want cry. Sagittarius staff glance at for adventures and agitation. Virgo staff likes variety and preparations. This incentive not make for a hush company. Virgo requests a affectionate, chronic company, as Sagittarius likes provision. SAGITTARIUS AND LIBRA COMPATIBILITY Sagittarius and Libra may be compatible for the chronic, whilst they incentive transmit to suppress some hurdles. Libra staff cop arrogance in the fact that they are jingle partners, and Sagittarius staff take pleasure in their widely held. Sagittarius staff take pleasure in to move approaching, and Libra staff are ignite to post in one place. They are compatible in their astuteness, yet. All signs are very mature and smart.Sagittarius and Scorpio Compatibility Sagittarius and Scorpio are conclusive not compatible for the want cry. A very little cry company may work out, but not a marriage. Scorpio staff are very domineering, but Sagittarius do not cop considerately to days under enemy control. This incentive initiate a lot of conflict. Scorpio staff love to be at home, where Sagittarius staff love to travel and transmit adventure. Scorpio incentive consistently be envious obsolete Sagittarius. Lustful to say, this is not the makings of a want cry company. SAGITTARIUS AND SAGITTARIUS COMPATIBILITY Sagittarius and Sagittarius can be compatible for the little cry, but probability are it incentive not work for the want cry. So also of them take pleasure in their provision, neither of them incentive be quick to limit the other. This incentive lead to significantly untrustworthiness. The good intelligence is that even overdue the company ends, and friendship incentive breed. They incentive transmit a prolonged friendship. SAGITTARIUS AND CAPRICORN COMPATIBILITY Sagittarius and Capricorn incentive not transmit want cry compatibility. Capricorns are very accountable staff, where Sagittarius staff are the vulnerable awkward. Capricorns are consistently disturbed that everything is days done sincere and innocently, where Sagittarius is consistently living life on the edge. At hand is no way for these two to outlook melodically. SAGITTARIUS AND AQUARIUS COMPATIBILITY Sagittarius and Aquarius are very compatible for the want cry. They are also scandalous, smart and novel. They also transmit a happy status and are erratic. They are also else open and unreserved, and incentive not transmit any competition on the road to each other. This pairing incentive make an scandalous and want prolonged company. SAGITTARIUS AND PISCES COMPATIBILITY Sagittarius and Pisces are not at all compatible, and a want cry company incentive not following. The Pisces original requirements a colleague who is heartfelt to them, and the Sagittarius original is very nonaligned and incentive not bestow this group of function. It incentive be very confused for these two signs to intermingle in any sensible way.
Source: religion-events.blogspot.com
'
Sefer HaBahir, verse 3 excerpt
"Traditional interpretation:" It is thus written (Bereshit 1:1), "In the beginning (bereshit) [G-d created the heavens and the earth." BeReishit is Beit Reishit. The word "beginning" (Reishit) is nothing other than Wisdom. It is thus written (Tehillim 111:10), "The beginning is Wisdom, the fear of G-d."
With a gematria of 911, Reishit has a digit sum of 11. The number 11 pertains to the sefirot of the feminine universe of Tohu and the complete rectification of evil . This task is a woman's mitzvah. Consequently, we can see that while "Beit" may pertain to Wisdom, "Reishit" pertains to the rectified feminine Left Emanation. "With Reishit" (B'Reishit) elevates the rectified feminine Left Emanation back into the realm kedushah. With a gematria of 913, B'Reishit has a digit sum of 13, echad.
The "fear of G-d is" the Divine Feminine.
Footnote:
Inner Space, R' Aryeh Kaplan (p. 86)
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Reference: http://paganism-new-age.blogspot.com
In a news article entitled "Spirit of Understanding," the Presbyterian News Service writes about the San Francisco Theological Seminary's T.V. More lectures and one of the speakers, Rev. James Noel who spoke comparatively on the Holy Spirit and spirit possession among various African religions. The subtitle of the article is, "Noel draws parallels between African spirit possession and the Christian doctrine of Holy Spirit."While this is only a news article and not the whole lecture, I nonetheless want to make some comments using Noel's quotes placed in the article by the author Jerry L Van Marter. I always hesitate to do so when I cannot find the primary source. But since it isn't posted and I think it is important I will do so.
According to Van Marter, Noel stated that "Christians have not discounted the reality of spirits but theologically evaluated them as evil or, at best, impediments to full conversion..." And Noel conjectured that, "This evaluation forecloses any comparison between the religious phenomenon of spirit possession and the Christian doctrine of the Holy Spirit or pneumatology."
Noel gives a reason for wanting to view the two together. It is because he believes the slaves brought to the United States from Africa were comforted by their experience of possession since in an unfamiliar land they still experienced something familiar which they believed touched the unknown. Noel suggests that the only way one can understand the African beliefs and experiences is by comparing the two, the possession of spirits and the Holy Spirit.
Using the Old Testament account of the bands of prophets being possessed by the Holy Spirit, Noel likens it to the possession encountered by those in African religions. He goes own to speak of how the Spirit (And here I am not sure if I should capitalize Spirit.) speaks for national concerns. Noel then tries to identify the Spirit by quoting Abraham Eichrodt, "part of the "nabis'" [gathering of prophets] power was focused not on individuals 'but exhibited a strong pre-occupation with national concerns.'"
Noel continues:
The spirit was part of the drama unfolding on the stage of the Middle East's geo-political history... We can discern, then, a tension in Christianity over whether the Holy Spirit is to be treated as an experiential and subjective or a conceptual and objective reality.It is then suggested that there is a competing view of the Holy Spirit in the United States and a competing view of social justice. One view being to avoid the religious and focus only on politics and the other to focus on the Spirit as "a powerful force for justice."
This last comment is seemingly an attempt to see the Holy Spirit as the leader of a movement to bring about social justice. However, I want to look at some of the other thoughts which really accumulate in Noel's statement that there is a tension in Christianity over whether the Holy Spirit is "to be treated as an experiential and subjective or a conceptual and objective reality.
So there are three problems: equating spirit possession with the Christian's encounter with the Holy Spirit; using the example of the prophets in the Old Testament as an example of spirit possession since both are controlled by the spirit; and the suggestion that there is a tension in Christianity about treating the Holy Spirit as an experiential and subjective reality or as a conceptual and objective reality. I want to look at these in order.
EQUATING SPIRIT POSSESSION WITH POSSESSION BY THE HOLY SPIRIT:
John S Mbiti, who was Professor of Religious Studies at Makerere University of Uganda and Director of the Ecumenical institute, Bossy, Switzerland, in his excellent book "African Religions and Philosophy" explains that for most African tribal religions there is a difference between the "living dead" and spirits, but the difference is one of time and distance. The living dead are still known by the living. They are still part of the tribe or family. Spirits have moved into the realm of stranger, they are unknown. And Mbiti writes about the reaction of those who believe in such spirits:
Since the spirits have sunk into the horizon of the Zamani, they are within the state of collective immortality, relative to man's position. They have no family or personal ties with human beings, and are no longer the living-dead. As such, people fear them although intrinsically the spirits are neither evil nor good. They have lost their human names, as far as men are concerned-i.e. those that once were human beings [some are divinities]. To men, therefore, the spirits are strangers, foreigners, outsiders, and in the category of 'things.' (78)
And as far as possession goes, for the most part, it is not welcomed although that is not always so. But the important point here is that the spirits cannot in any way be equated with the Holy Spirit. Spirits are supposedly humans who have died, who have entered the world of immortality and are therefore unknown. The Holy Spirit is personal, he knows and is known by the believer-the relationship is intimate. Going deeper the spirits know nothing of Jesus, the Holy Spirit's ministry to the believer is to lift up all that belongs to Christ.
OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS AS AN EXAMPLE OF SPIRIT POSSESSION:
When Noel speaks of bands of Prophets he is undoubtedly thinking of Saul among the prophets in 1 Samuel 10:9; 19:18-24 and the schools of prophets in 1 "> Saul's first encounter with God's Spirit and the Prophets is an affirmation that God has chosen him. In the last story Saul takes off his outer clothes and prophesied all night; that is, in a sense, a judgment on his disobedient and manipulative actions. He was attempting to kill David. None of this proves that the actual prophets were in anyway possessed and their will overthrown by the Spirit. They were certainly not possessed by spirits, but rather the Spirit of God rested on them.
On the other hand in the New Testament several people are possessed by demons and are totally controlled until Jesus or one of his disciples free them in the name of Jesus. Such African religious possession is much more like demon possession since the person is overpowered and controlled. Mbiti, after explaining that in African religion some possession is not always feared but used as a means of gathering information through mediums, continues:
But on the whole, spirit possessions, especially unsolicited ones result in bad effects. They may cause severe torment, on the possessed person; the spirit may drive him away from his home so that he lives in the forests; it may cause him to jump into the fire and get himself burnt, to torture his body with sharp instruments, or even to do harm to other people. During the height of spirit possession, the individual in effect loses his own personality and acts in the context of the 'personality' of the spirit possessing him.
There is more, loss of sleep and health-enough to understand that such possession and the movement and work of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life have no relationship whatsoever.
THE SUGGESTION THAT THERE IS A TENSION IN CHRISTIANITY OVER HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT MIGHT BE TREATED, AS AN EXPERIENTIAL AND SUBJECTIVE REALITY OR A CONCEPTUAL AND OBJECTIVE REALITY:
The answer to this tension, if it is true, is that the Holy Spirit is both but neither. This is what I mean: The Holy Spirit is a person, the third person of the Trinity. Therefore the Holy Spirit is objective reality in that the Spirit is, as God is, separate and above humanity. On the other hand the Holy Spirit is a gift given to the believer by Christ and in turn the Holy Spirit lifts up all that Jesus Christ is. This is the subjective part, but undoubtedly not in the manner meant by Noel. Frederick Dale Bruner and William Hordern put it this way:
The work of the Holy Spirit is the honoring of Jesus Christ. The work of other spirits is the honoring of themselves or of other realities. We are not necessarily in the presence of the Holy Spirit when we are in the presence of a great deal of talk about the Holy Spirit. But wherever a church or a person centers thoughtfully (that is biblically and evangelically) on honoring the person, teaching, and work of Jesus Christ, there we may be quite sure, we are in the presence of the Holy Spirit. For the Spirit's work is the thoughtful honoring of Christ. The Holy Spirit does not center on the Holy Spirit.
That is to say, in the presence of the Holy Spirit we are experiencing Jesus Christ above all else. It is experience but only because it upholds all that we may biblically know of Christ. The Spirit is never the drama unfolding in history-a feature of Hegel's dark thoughts. Rather the Spirit is that gift of the Father and the Son who coming to the church convicts the world "concerning sin and righteousness and judgment." The Holy Spirit glorifies Christ guiding Christ's people to Christ who is truth.
Fredrick Dale Bruner & William Hordern, "The Holy Spirit: Shy Member of the Trinity", (Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House 1984) 15.
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