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What I Learnt This Week
Jan. 7th, 2004 08:35 amI powered through the book "The Spiral Dance" by Starhawk this week, I had to do a mini talk on her on Monday. T gave me her copy to read, and I read it all in one week, including two introductions (one for the ten year anniversary, one for the twentieth,) and also two appendices, (again, one for each decade anniversary.) The appendices were also great as they showed Starhawk's changed through those times, and her evaluations of her younger self's thoughts.
I kind of wonder if maybe this blog will be something similar for me. Will I, in ten years, come back here and see what I was thinking?
Things I learnt from The Spiral Dance: Well, this could go on for a long time. I might separate it into two parts - the parts I learnt as a broad conceptual understanding, and then the second part will be for those who are interested in some of the mechanics of magickal workings as per Starhawk's theories.
Sound good? Strap in then, here we go:
Part One: The broader things I learnt. Starhawk is a political activist who wrote the Spiral Dance in her twenties when she was at university. It details her journal into Goddess worship and spirituality, and details exercises and energy workings to help people find their own way by themselves, or with a friend or two. It is written in a down to earth manner with a great sense of humour and is a very human book. The fact we also had the two different introductions and appendicies where she makes comments and explains changes in her current modes of things is fantastic, and also a reminder to people that nothing should stay the same forever. Once you are happy with an idea or concept, it is well worth re-evaluating later, if only to see how far beyond that you now are, or if it still holds in the current situations. :-)
Starhawks' book helped me to enunciate something very important to me which I just could not explain. People ask why I am drawn to paganism/witchcraft/whatever and there is one huge point I could never quite explain, and so never bothered to even try. It's the fact that everything is in our own heads.
A part of this is her discussions on perception. Starhawk breaks down our perceptions and the working of the brain as I will discuss in part two, and climaxes with a discussion on how when we perceive, we are extrapolating data from within a broader sea of unconscious data to arrive at a linguistically controlled concept/view/idea.
For example, she talks about spirit guides, and how she has learnt lots of from them over the years and how lots of people see what they call spirit guides, but then makes the *extremely important point in my own humble opinion* that these being should not be considered as external beings. This makes sense. Our subconscious or deeper conscious is creating something which we can see/feel/react to, in order to teach our conscious self something.
So my previous feeling of "it's all in my head" has now been taking from my head, considered, re-evaluated, and re-categorized, and can now be summed up as "as a strive to re-evaluate the sensory and mental processes I currently engage in towards a more comprehensive, better understood self, world, and community." Just because I call on the Watchtowers or Spirits or Winds or whatever doesn't hugely matter which way is RIGHT, because it's all in my head. I also believe that what's going on in my head can and does affect what's going on around me.
I also think this fits in with my belief that there is no afterlife. I know most pagans belief in rebirth and reincarnation, but I think they're just being greedy. Isn't one life enough? And if not, then why not? I am firmly grateful for the fact I have a life to live, I am healthy and loved, and happy. What would I want from the next life that I do not already have here?
I do believe there are points of energy which people may accept as ghosts. But that's a different topic altogether. Back into my head now!
Um...I got distracted...can't remember where I am...
Starhawk explains that we tell the stories and myths not because they were ever true, but because they illuminate a part of That-Which-You-Cannot-Know. So we use spirit guides and watchtowers because they are facets of That-Which-You-Cannot-Know, but that we can learn from regardless.
She also delves into language and meaning. When we use language, we are speaking in a structured, communally agreed to code, and when we think in language, we are (basically) interpreting within the code. We are limited by our language when we get to the unknowable, and the unexplainable. (This ties in with intertextuality and the way people interpret signs and symbols which is semiotics.) Meditation, art, and magic are all ways to try and express or access parts of ourselves that are NOT limited by our communally agreed upon set of signs and symbols. (Language)
I'm still not sure if I am getting this out right. *shrug* You get that, words twist meanings and should be viewed with inherent suspicion. Believe me, I know, my BA is in English and Comparative Literature and Communications!
Part Two: Solidly referencable (but it's not) stuff I learnt from Starhawks' Spiral Dance. Warning! I went through and stuck a sticky note on the points of interest. I started writing a paragraph on each point. I stopped at 15, because I was only about half way through my points of interest. I will probably be stopping this discussion at point 5. There's a lot in this book. If you have bothered to read this far, go read the book. *grin* Also, I paraphrase, I steal phrases, and I took all the sticky notes out before I wrote down what pages are where what is.
Three Core Principles of Goddess Religion
Immanence - We are a manifestation of the living being on earth. Divinity is within us all. Spirituality is here in this world, not the next, and we are called to take action to preserve the life of the earth to live with integrity and responsibility.
Interconnection - Understanding the fact that *everything* is connected. I relate this to intertextuality, which discusses the same thing but in a linguistic sense. Awareness of the connection of all action, all life, and all wisdom. Calls us to compassion, to feel for others and understand that their problems do affect all of us. Also leads to justice, as we feel for those hard done by.
Community - Valuing the interneconnectness of the external, and the immanence of the internal, in concrete and observable ways. Community if a personal thing, but can and does include everything. I see this one as being ther actions taken to value or appreciate Immanence and Interconnection. We CREATE community ourselves. By talking about this with a group of people, I am creating a liminal space whereby these sorts of "with-out the everyday" can be discussed. I am working to create that community of like minded souls. Mind you, communities sometimes don't have to be strived at; often they just appear. Take a look at your neighbours. All you have incommon is a street address and a fence, but in your own suburb you are a community.
Talking Self, Younger Self, and Deeper Self.
These descriptions make sense to me. Talking self is the conscious, extrapolating part of yourself that does mathematics, analyzing, talking, and abstract concepts. It is basically the "left brain stuff." It's the also the part of you that tells yourself to Be Good. Don't Show Your Anger. Smile Politely.
Younger self has been called the inner child. It's the right hand brain stuff; emotions, feelings, intuition, unconscious, subconscious. The younger self doesn't understand or use words, and communicates with signs, symbols, colours, art... Dreams and visions. "Witchcraft not only interprets but teaches us how to speak back to younger self."
Deep Self - This is the immanence/divinity within that you are trying to connect with when you pray, make magic, or do something sacred.
This all makes sense to me. As I become better educated about signs and symbols, as I do artwork (no matter how crappy) and start to gain more of a balance in my communication between the Younger and Talking self, I find myself feeling emotions more deeply (I cried in this book. Starhawk is a woman of great visions, and great hopes. Darn, now I am crying again.) I feel more balanced internally, and when I know why I get angry, I find it easier to control. And I am also in a better position to work out if the anger is caused by something I need to control, or if it is caused by a response I need to control. The first thing you need to control is yourself. Everything extends from there.
I think that's enough or now, I need to be places and do things and stuff. I learnt alot from this book, and was always planning on buying it, now I just need to find a book shop with a copy! There's so much more, and every time I try and proof read this post, I think "Hang on, I've missed this..." and it's a different "this" every time. So, I'm stopping by sheer force of will. Besides, my nails are developing flat bits on the tops from all the typing. :-)
Calli
I kind of wonder if maybe this blog will be something similar for me. Will I, in ten years, come back here and see what I was thinking?
Things I learnt from The Spiral Dance: Well, this could go on for a long time. I might separate it into two parts - the parts I learnt as a broad conceptual understanding, and then the second part will be for those who are interested in some of the mechanics of magickal workings as per Starhawk's theories.
Sound good? Strap in then, here we go:
Part One: The broader things I learnt. Starhawk is a political activist who wrote the Spiral Dance in her twenties when she was at university. It details her journal into Goddess worship and spirituality, and details exercises and energy workings to help people find their own way by themselves, or with a friend or two. It is written in a down to earth manner with a great sense of humour and is a very human book. The fact we also had the two different introductions and appendicies where she makes comments and explains changes in her current modes of things is fantastic, and also a reminder to people that nothing should stay the same forever. Once you are happy with an idea or concept, it is well worth re-evaluating later, if only to see how far beyond that you now are, or if it still holds in the current situations. :-)
Starhawks' book helped me to enunciate something very important to me which I just could not explain. People ask why I am drawn to paganism/witchcraft/whatever and there is one huge point I could never quite explain, and so never bothered to even try. It's the fact that everything is in our own heads.
A part of this is her discussions on perception. Starhawk breaks down our perceptions and the working of the brain as I will discuss in part two, and climaxes with a discussion on how when we perceive, we are extrapolating data from within a broader sea of unconscious data to arrive at a linguistically controlled concept/view/idea.
For example, she talks about spirit guides, and how she has learnt lots of from them over the years and how lots of people see what they call spirit guides, but then makes the *extremely important point in my own humble opinion* that these being should not be considered as external beings. This makes sense. Our subconscious or deeper conscious is creating something which we can see/feel/react to, in order to teach our conscious self something.
So my previous feeling of "it's all in my head" has now been taking from my head, considered, re-evaluated, and re-categorized, and can now be summed up as "as a strive to re-evaluate the sensory and mental processes I currently engage in towards a more comprehensive, better understood self, world, and community." Just because I call on the Watchtowers or Spirits or Winds or whatever doesn't hugely matter which way is RIGHT, because it's all in my head. I also believe that what's going on in my head can and does affect what's going on around me.
I also think this fits in with my belief that there is no afterlife. I know most pagans belief in rebirth and reincarnation, but I think they're just being greedy. Isn't one life enough? And if not, then why not? I am firmly grateful for the fact I have a life to live, I am healthy and loved, and happy. What would I want from the next life that I do not already have here?
I do believe there are points of energy which people may accept as ghosts. But that's a different topic altogether. Back into my head now!
Um...I got distracted...can't remember where I am...
Starhawk explains that we tell the stories and myths not because they were ever true, but because they illuminate a part of That-Which-You-Cannot-Know. So we use spirit guides and watchtowers because they are facets of That-Which-You-Cannot-Know, but that we can learn from regardless.
She also delves into language and meaning. When we use language, we are speaking in a structured, communally agreed to code, and when we think in language, we are (basically) interpreting within the code. We are limited by our language when we get to the unknowable, and the unexplainable. (This ties in with intertextuality and the way people interpret signs and symbols which is semiotics.) Meditation, art, and magic are all ways to try and express or access parts of ourselves that are NOT limited by our communally agreed upon set of signs and symbols. (Language)
I'm still not sure if I am getting this out right. *shrug* You get that, words twist meanings and should be viewed with inherent suspicion. Believe me, I know, my BA is in English and Comparative Literature and Communications!
Part Two: Solidly referencable (but it's not) stuff I learnt from Starhawks' Spiral Dance. Warning! I went through and stuck a sticky note on the points of interest. I started writing a paragraph on each point. I stopped at 15, because I was only about half way through my points of interest. I will probably be stopping this discussion at point 5. There's a lot in this book. If you have bothered to read this far, go read the book. *grin* Also, I paraphrase, I steal phrases, and I took all the sticky notes out before I wrote down what pages are where what is.
Three Core Principles of Goddess Religion
Immanence - We are a manifestation of the living being on earth. Divinity is within us all. Spirituality is here in this world, not the next, and we are called to take action to preserve the life of the earth to live with integrity and responsibility.
Interconnection - Understanding the fact that *everything* is connected. I relate this to intertextuality, which discusses the same thing but in a linguistic sense. Awareness of the connection of all action, all life, and all wisdom. Calls us to compassion, to feel for others and understand that their problems do affect all of us. Also leads to justice, as we feel for those hard done by.
Community - Valuing the interneconnectness of the external, and the immanence of the internal, in concrete and observable ways. Community if a personal thing, but can and does include everything. I see this one as being ther actions taken to value or appreciate Immanence and Interconnection. We CREATE community ourselves. By talking about this with a group of people, I am creating a liminal space whereby these sorts of "with-out the everyday" can be discussed. I am working to create that community of like minded souls. Mind you, communities sometimes don't have to be strived at; often they just appear. Take a look at your neighbours. All you have incommon is a street address and a fence, but in your own suburb you are a community.
Talking Self, Younger Self, and Deeper Self.
These descriptions make sense to me. Talking self is the conscious, extrapolating part of yourself that does mathematics, analyzing, talking, and abstract concepts. It is basically the "left brain stuff." It's the also the part of you that tells yourself to Be Good. Don't Show Your Anger. Smile Politely.
Younger self has been called the inner child. It's the right hand brain stuff; emotions, feelings, intuition, unconscious, subconscious. The younger self doesn't understand or use words, and communicates with signs, symbols, colours, art... Dreams and visions. "Witchcraft not only interprets but teaches us how to speak back to younger self."
Deep Self - This is the immanence/divinity within that you are trying to connect with when you pray, make magic, or do something sacred.
This all makes sense to me. As I become better educated about signs and symbols, as I do artwork (no matter how crappy) and start to gain more of a balance in my communication between the Younger and Talking self, I find myself feeling emotions more deeply (I cried in this book. Starhawk is a woman of great visions, and great hopes. Darn, now I am crying again.) I feel more balanced internally, and when I know why I get angry, I find it easier to control. And I am also in a better position to work out if the anger is caused by something I need to control, or if it is caused by a response I need to control. The first thing you need to control is yourself. Everything extends from there.
I think that's enough or now, I need to be places and do things and stuff. I learnt alot from this book, and was always planning on buying it, now I just need to find a book shop with a copy! There's so much more, and every time I try and proof read this post, I think "Hang on, I've missed this..." and it's a different "this" every time. So, I'm stopping by sheer force of will. Besides, my nails are developing flat bits on the tops from all the typing. :-)
Calli
