Rewilding: An Inquiry

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michael raven

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michael raven

a path in the middle of a dark forest
Photo by Wes Hicks on Unsplash

When I think too much, these are the kinds of thinks I think about. I would not blame someone for stepping slowly backwards after reading this blast of questions. [MR]

What is the purpose of ritual? What makes it an apparent requirement for spiritual practice? Is it an actual requirement or is it perpetuation based on tradition?

What is the purpose of ritual tools? Are they actually necessary to evoke/invoke spirits or deity? Again, are they perpetuated due to that hobgoblin, tradition?

When you practice your beliefs (faith, if you prefer), to you go forth or call in? Do you seek to empty, seek to fill or is this a null question with a null response?

Is it faith? Or is it gnosis?

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33 responses to “Rewilding: An Inquiry”

  1. Raven Avatar
    Raven

    Ritual is an energy building practice that helps us get into the right headspace and energy for our purpose. It’s not a requirement, it just is helpful and that is why it became tradition because it is tried and true. Human beings are wonderfully ritual oriented. This is why spirit may request ritual from us because spirit knows it’s very natural to us and that ritual offers energy, intention, and our boundaries to work with on this material plane.

    Tools are again tried and true for the method of intentional participating with spirit. They hold and share energies and create a boundary for those energies to exist in as well as a direction for them. We humans are always the tool or vessel, first, and then other accoutrements may aid us if we like but we are all that is required for interacting with the spiritual plane. Tools can aid us and provide a memory trigger for us of our intention as well as a holding of it. We can just as easily invoke deity with prayer, incantation, as well as magical induction.
    Perhaps for you and I, our words are our tools we place in patterns of flow, chaos, or order for the purpose of our heart’s magic. Articulating our experiences is priceless gift and poetry helps others travel or articulate their own experiences that they haven’t yet discovered words for.

    It is belief or faith on a personal stage-
    But it is Gnosis on a public one.

    Reply
    1. michael raven Avatar
      michael raven

      Thank you for your comments.

      I’ve been on my own path for so long, that it helps to get outside perspective to ground my thinking. I definitely can appreciate what you’re saying and, after some more thought about the matter, I realize that I have my own patterns which some might call ritual — although I trend towards a much more minimalist approach compared to most people. It’s what works for me, although I recognize other people may question how it possibly can.

      While I had my start decades ago with more traditional practices and engagements (oh my… going almost forty years ago 🙀, how is that even possible?), I have constantly been peeling back the layers after all this time. Like a touchstone, I like to reach out to people to make sure that I have not taken a path that leads me too far out into the wilds.

      Again, I appreciate your thoughts. Thank you for taking the time to share them with the crazy old hermit in the cave. 💙

      Reply
      1. flytheraven Avatar
        flytheraven

        Thank you for these questions to ponder. I’ve never articulated these topics before and I am happy we both gained greater awareness. Ritual really is a lot more sustainable and enjoyable if tailored to fit your life and needs. I’m an eccentric for various reasons both in my control and not at all controllable. I appreciate the calm of your writing style. It reminds me gentleness can be piercing and wrenching, too.

        I learned ritual magic as a child and then ran from it and now we meet on middle ground. Not all I learned was bad or good. I’m still discovering what I even know from then which is why these questions prompted an inner requisition.

        I love that after 4 decades you found your way to an authentic practice that engages you fully without rules or tradition getting in the way. Personal authenticity is admirable and sustaining.

        Oh yes, it’s always advisable and good to have that reality touchstone. So important. Others help a lot in that realm. It is too easy to get lost out there. Guide posts of ritual and practice as well as interaction with humans really helps the grounding settle.
        I too am a hermit living in my cave. Well met!

        Reply
        1. michael raven Avatar
          michael raven

          Well met! Thank you very much your your kind words. You honor me.

          If you don’t mind my asking, which tradition did you grow up around? Feel free to tell me to go soak my head and stop being a busybody.

          I obviously have my thoughts about different groups, but I find that there is always something more that I can learn from the various worldviews out there and it helps frame some of your POV for me. I used to know all of the basic working paradigms, but the internet has exploded that understanding and there is always some new thing I hadn’t heard about that has evolved from the past incarnations.

          You’re welcome to visit my cave, if you want. Help yourself to some tea if I’m out.

          Reply
          1. flytheraven Avatar
            flytheraven

            Thank you! I am honored as well by your kindness and inquiry.
            I grew up in Luciferianism. I left with my mother when I was 15 and am not likely to belong to any groups the rest of my days. It took all of my 30’s to mentally disentangle myself from that one. I do appreciate Northern Tradition Paganism and I try to learn about various groups as it helps me to heal and integrate my rough beginnings. More like I actively stumble upon various groups and end up learning of them- My post from the daily prompt about Five and what did you want to be one day? True. It was a little test post to see what is tolerable in content to share on my blog. I really question if it’s helpful at all to share about my upbringing though. I wrestle with it.
            Thank you. Tea is lovely and appreciated.

            Reply
            1. michael raven Avatar
              michael raven

              Ach! That can be a rough one to move beyond, depending on the context. I assume it was the more negative variety. I don’t blame you for not wanting to go back. Not for me by a mile.

              It gives me context and framing, which can be helpful in a number of ways.

              I hope you find what you need to break those things that bind.

              Reply
              1. flytheraven Avatar
                flytheraven

                I always do. Thank you.

                Reply
          2. flytheraven Avatar
            flytheraven

            And it took me some days to find my real answer to the question, what did you want to be when you were five?

            At five, I wanted to be love.
            All of my posts are true, without a stretch.

            Reply
            1. michael raven Avatar
              michael raven

              I think I thought something similar, but it is hazy due to my alcoholic’s amnesia.

              Well there you go! Something to strive for.

              Reply
              1. flytheraven Avatar
                flytheraven

                Always. Ah similar to dissociation.

                Reply
              2. flytheraven Avatar
                flytheraven

                Thank you for the conversation and I see it’s overwhelming so, I guess there is my answer. It is not the topic I wish to express on my blog. Appreciated and well wishes. I hope you find all you are searching for.

                Reply
                1. michael raven Avatar
                  michael raven

                  I don’t know that it is overwhelming for me. It takes quite a bit after all that I’ve seen.

                  Feel free to stop on by and share what you wish to share when you want to share it (or not, if that is your inclination) — you are welcome here.

                  Reply
                  1. flytheraven Avatar
                    flytheraven

                    Appreciated. Thank you.

                    Reply
  2. lyndhurstlaura Avatar
    lyndhurstlaura

    Big questions here, and as it’s getting late here and I’m a bit tired I’ll stick with the first. Rituals come in a variety of shapes and sizes, both less and more bizarre-seeming. At the tamer end of the scale are those old chestnuts birth, weddings and funerals, which are all rites of passage which tend towards social cohesion and frequently including spiritual beliefs. Obviously funerals serve a practical need as well as marking the end of a journey through this life and a possible move onwards to another–not to mention helping those left behind chanel their feelings of loss. Baptisms, naming ceremonies, whatever they may be called are there to welcome newcomers into the community into which they’ve been born. Their birth is announced and celebrated too. Weddings–a public announcement of two people choosing to cohabit, and potentially adding to the number of their community. These are going by the board in this day and age, with weddings not necessarily seen as necessary for couples to cohabit, babies not needing to be welcomed into the spiritual side of their community, and funerals having to take place, but often now in the less-expensive form of direct cremation, without the traditional gathering or wake to mark the passing of the deceased. Traditional societies and their rituals are arguably breaking down now – a good or a bad thing? I realise that I’ve spoken about the more solid side of these rituals, rather than the spiritual, but that’s who I am. It’s no bad thing that you consider these questions, rather than going blithely through life without giving a thought to anything deep. Thanks for making me consider them too. 🙂 🙂

    Reply
    1. michael raven Avatar
      michael raven

      Hmm… that prompts the question of which causes which… Did the decline of societies norms happen because of the degradation of rituals, or did the decline of rituals follow the degradation of societal norms? 🤔

      Correlation doesn’t necessarily mean a cause-effect relationship and all that…

      Interesting observations and fuel for additional thought (as much as that might frighten anyone reading the comments — Michael with fuel for thought! Ahhh!)

      Thanks for giving me things to consider. As I said in my other responses, I’ve been on my own path for so long, that it is good to touch base with more grounded thinking.

      Reply
      1. lyndhurstlaura Avatar
        lyndhurstlaura

        Yes – I have no idea which caused the other, unless they sort-of happened together. I guess the breakdown of religious belief in certain societies led to the rituals lessening – but having said that, many people in the UK now who’ve never had any religious conviction still have a huge wedding for the sake of the party. Beats me what’s going on. I think it’s been a slow process over centuries. The Romans persecuted Christians because they were breaking-away from the Roman way, then the established Christian Church experienced chism into eastern and western, then Protestants broke away from Catholics, etc etc – and they all started persecuting each other. Personally I knew nothing about my baptism, got married to please my parents, and I’ll be okay with no funeral service. But then I’m an antisocial grumpy person who isn’t bothered about being part of a community. 😐😂

        Reply
        1. michael raven Avatar
          michael raven

          😆 that’s my problem. I’m an antisocial grump.

          Reply
          1. lyndhurstlaura Avatar
            lyndhurstlaura

            Yet we communicate. Misery loves company? 😂😂😂

            Reply
  3. shredbobted Avatar
    shredbobted

    Alright, Branscath, I’ve got a bone to pick. Could have something to do with this post, could be it doesn’t. Still reading Nine Stories and I just did “De Daumier-Smith’s Blue Period”. You did NOT list this as one of your favorites I don’t believe but it struck me that it’s a story about almost exactly what we’re doing here. What do you think of that?

    Reply
    1. michael raven Avatar
      michael raven

      It may be. I only vaguely recall that particular story. I’ll have to find my copy of the book and remind myself of the details. Wikipedia was of no help other than to major need aware of my memory loss on the tale. 😅

      Reply
      1. shredbobted Avatar
        shredbobted

        So I’m over here taking potshots and didn’t realize I had my email settings for your new site wrong, and haven’t been reading your replies. 😬 Sorry bout that. Anywhoo-I just thought the story was a lot close to home, to the point where Salinger would have made a pretty good blogger. The ideas of encouraging/teaching others/finding and losing that ephemeral unicorn . . . which story was the one with the girl on the balcony?

        Reply
        1. michael raven Avatar
          michael raven

          No worries!

          You might have to hunt for that story, as I don’t believe it is available except by back issues of old magazine, the February 1948 issue of Good Housekeeping. I think the copy I had was an OCR Word Bootleg document at one point (“Complete Uncollected Works”???). I may still have it somewhere…

          Reply
        2. michael raven Avatar
          michael raven

          As with anything, someone posted an unofficial copy here: https://southerncrossreview.org/145/salinger-girl-i-knew.html

          Reply
          1. shredbobted Avatar
            shredbobted

            Thanks Michael!

            Reply
          2. shredbobted Avatar
            shredbobted

            I liked the story.

            Reply
            1. michael raven Avatar
              michael raven

              Good. Glad you liked it.

              It was that one sentence that was perfect in my opinion. For what that’s worth (hint: not much).

              Reply
              1. shredbobted Avatar
                shredbobted

                Sounds like the balcony made an impression of Salinger too, since he went back to look for it.

                Reply
                1. michael raven Avatar
                  michael raven

                  🙂

                  Reply
  4. chrisnelson61 Avatar
    chrisnelson61

    People have written hefty tomes (and without conclusion) on such topics, Michael!
    I think that, perhaps, rituals are what gave people a focus, a belief maybe, that they had an influence over their pathways. That and, of course, a sense of belonging; that they were not isolated in their helplessness, and that, by involving themselves, they would, as an individual become stronger, and be able to either overcome or at least endure suffering. Then there is the eternal promise of a ‘better future’ post death.
    The problem may be that honest rituals became usurped by those who wishes to use them as methods of control (dare I say organised relgions here) as so they lost their connection to nature and the natural order.
    Perhaps why anything organised in this way puts me right off any involvement!
    Great questions here, Michael.

    Reply
    1. michael raven Avatar
      michael raven

      And I’m not sure I’m looking for global answers, but internal ones.

      Influence… Good concept to ponder. What is it about the need to have influence over things that feels sticky in my head? I might be able to suss that out if I slept better. 😆 Only about four hours of restless stuff last night. Pain, the game we play with ourselves…

      Ritual and ceremony sometimes seem like trappings that look past the bones to me. Like we want to avoid looking at the visceral workings and get on with the pretty parts.

      My words are broken.

      Thanks for the comments Chris. As I’ve said elsewhere, it helps me to hear other thoughts to ground myself. Maybe just as a launching pad into greater depths if absurdity, but helpful all the same.

      I’ll ponder them as I play the zombie through my day. 🧟‍♂️

      Reply
      1. chrisnelson61 Avatar
        chrisnelson61

        And also good to know that we are not the only ones swimming in our own ocean.
        Yes, I agree with you, rituals can be a means of avoidance, and also a way to shift responsibility when things don’t pan out as we’d hoped.
        There is no end to this debate…other than to hope for some internal peace. May you sleep well.

        Reply
        1. michael raven Avatar
          michael raven

          I feel a nap coming on 🤣

          Reply
          1. chrisnelson61 Avatar
            chrisnelson61

            😂

            Reply

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