Pagan Mysticism
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From Healer to Heretic: Tracing the Path of the Witchwomen, Wicca, and the Magick of the Ephemeral Marianna Leishman
MP: An Online Feminist Journal January 2007. Volume 1, Issue 5 From Healer to Heretic: Tracing the Path of the WitchWomen, Wicca, and the Magick of the Ephemeral Marianna Leishman With many pagan rites and festivals celebrating matriarchal spiritualities and the feminine, Wicca’s emphasis on the sacredness of the individual and the earth is a far cry from the inundation of wicked Witches appearing in popular culture and the Middle Ages. To an extent a feminist reaction to medieval portrayals of Witches, Wicca revives ancient magickal, shamanistic and tribal wisdoms from rituals around the globe. Intent on correcting former images of women as either saint or sinner,1 Wicca entails a liberation and legitimation of feminine independence through celebrating menstrual, lunar, and life cycles of maiden, mother, and crone. Magick, the art of changing consciousness at will, gives women a sense of power over their own lives.2 Striking similarities discovered by anthropologists between historical Witch practices in Europe, Africa, the Americas, and the Pacific,3 illustrate a pervasive magickal worldview in which women were celebrated as midwives, healers, conjurers, seers, diviners and powerful sorcerers. Transmuted and modified under Christian influence,4 the concept of maleficium and heresy became increasingly attached to older, pagan elements of Witchcraft, and it adopted a unique stigma as an ecclesiastical crime.5 Hyped depictions of the medieval Witch were “not only female, but evil, old, and ugly,”6 a stereotype in contrast with women’s liberty in Pagandom.7 Societal beliefs in women’s inherent wickedness, them being “more foolish, and more apt to mistake.. -
Teaching Jewish-Christian Relations in the University Classroom
DOCUMENT RESUME ED 307 180 SO 019 860 AUTHOR Shermis, Michael, EC. TITLE Teaching Jewish-Christian Relations in the University Classroom. PUB DATE 88 NOTE 127p. 7UB TYPE Collected Works - Serials (022) JOURNAL CIT Shofar; v6 n4 Sum 1988 EDRS PRICE MF01/PC06 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Annotated Bibliographies; Anti Semitism; Biblical Literature; Biographies; *Christianity; *Cultural Exchange; *Cultural Interrelationships; Educational Resources; Higher Education; *Judaism IDENTIFIERS Israel; Jewish Culture; *Jewish Studies; WiesP1 (Eli) ABSTRACT This special issue on "Teaching Jewish-Christian Relations in the University Classroom" is meaAt to be a resource for those involved in Jewish studies and who teach about Jewish-Christian relations. It offers an introduction to the topics of the Jewish-Christian encounter, Israel, anti-Semitism, Christian Scriptures, the works of Elie Wiesel, and available educational resources, all in light of the Jewish-Christian dialogue in institutions of higher learning. Carl Evans presents a syllabus for a course in which students are required to converse with local clergy in order to explain the Jewish-Christian dialogue at the grass-roots level. This technique helps students develop mature ways of thinking on a personal, social, and religious level. Robert Everett and Bruce Bramlett discuss Israel's problematic existence, raising numerous points that can lead to effective classroom discussions. Alan Davies describes his, course on anti-Semitism and presents several practical suggestions and instrumental techniques. John Roth offers a short biography of Elie Wiesel's J.ife, his writings, and his paradoxes. Norman Beck provides a model of how a Christian teaches the Christian Scriptures, offering guidelines that are highly supportive of and sympathetic to the Jewish-Christian dialogue. -
Jewish Mysticism, Ritual Murder, and the Trial of Mendel Beilis
Swarthmore College Works History Faculty Works History 2015 Connecting The Dots: Jewish Mysticism, Ritual Murder, And The Trial Of Mendel Beilis Robert Weinberg Swarthmore College, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://works.swarthmore.edu/fac-history Part of the History Commons Let us know how access to these works benefits ouy Recommended Citation Robert Weinberg. (2015). "Connecting The Dots: Jewish Mysticism, Ritual Murder, And The Trial Of Mendel Beilis". Word And Image In Russian History: Essays In Honor Of Gary Marker. 238-252. https://works.swarthmore.edu/fac-history/464 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License This work is brought to you for free by Swarthmore College Libraries' Works. It has been accepted for inclusion in History Faculty Works by an authorized administrator of Works. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Connecting the Dots: Jewish Mysticism, Ritual Murder, and the Trial of Mendel Beilis Robert Weinberg (Swarthmore College) he prosecution of Mendel Beilis for the murder of thirteen-year-old TAndrei Iushchinskii in Kiev a century ago is perhaps the most publi- cized instance of blood libel since the torture and execution of Jews accused of ritually murdering the infant Simon of Trent in 1475. By the time of the trial in the fall of 1913, the Beilis case had become an inter- national cause célèbre. Like the trials of Alfred Dreyfus in the 1890s and the outcry that accompanied the Damascus Affair in the 1840s, the arrest, incarceration, and trial of Beilis aroused public criticism of Russia’s treatment of Jews and inspired opponents of the autocracy at home and abroad to launch a campaign to condemn the trial. -
Is Modern Paganism True?
KRONMAN FINAL TO PRINT (1).DOCX (DO NOT DELETE) 5/13/2019 1:40 PM Is Modern Paganism True? ANTHONY T. KRONMAN* TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................ 419 II. PROGRESSIVE PAGANS? ........................................................................... 422 III. ARISTOTLE .............................................................................................. 427 IV. PAGANS AND CHRISTIANS ........................................................................ 436 V. A THIRD THEOLOGY ................................................................................ 438 VI. THE TRUTH ABOUT GOD?............................................................. ........... 443 VII. CONCLUSION ........................................................................................... 447 I. INTRODUCTION I agree with so much in Steven Smith’s splendid new book1 that it seems ungenerous to focus, as I shall, on the principal disagreement between us. But the disagreement is an important one. It goes to the heart of the question Smith raises in the final pages of his book: which has more “religious truth,” Christianity or modern paganism?2 Before I examine our theological differences, it is important to note a few of the political, legal, and constitutional points on which Smith and I agree. In practical terms these are surely more important than the theological subtleties that distinguish his understanding of God from mine. So far as worldly matters are concerned, -
Appendix: the Use of Symbolic Notation in Descriptive Logic
Appendix: The Use of Symbolic Notation in Descriptive Logic One well-known introductory textbook on normative logic happens to use, as an example, certain propositions from Patristic theology,1 with the implication that Christians would do well to accept the correct- ness of the comparatively little remembered Patripassian heresy. In this case, the point can be adequately stated using the ordinary notation employed in normative predicate logic:2 PATRIPASSIANISM Px. x is God. Qx. x suffered and died on the Cross. a. the Father. b. the Son. 1. ∃∀xyPy() ↔ x = y 2. Pa 3. Pb ∴= 4. ab 5. Qb ∴ 6. Qa In fact, however, Christians in all periods have usually found the idea of the Father’s having suffered and died to be a repugnant one; and the Church of the fourth century was disturbed much less by Patripassianism than by another doctrine, one that can be stated using the same vocabulary: ARIANISM 1. ∃∀xyPy() ↔ x = y 1 Hodges, Logic, pp. 138, 262. 2 Since normative logicians have not achieved a complete standardization of the notation they use, it is probably worth specifying how I intend the symbols employed in the example sequences to be read. They are as follows: ∃x : ‘There exists some x such that ... ’; ∀x : ‘For all x ... ’; PQ↔ : ‘P if and only if Q’ (i.e., P and Q are either both true or both false); xy= : ‘x equals y’; ∴: ‘therefore’; ¬P : ‘not P’ (i.e., P is false); xy≠ : ‘x does not equal y’; PQ∧ : ‘P and Q’. 155 156 Appendix 2. Pa 3. ¬Qa 4. -
An Examination of Societal Impacts on Gender Roles in American and English Witchcraft
Illinois Wesleyan University Digital Commons @ IWU Honors Projects Religion 4-18-2006 Who's in Charge? An Examination of Societal Impacts on Gender Roles in American and English Witchcraft Austin J. Buscher '06 Illinois Wesleyan University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/religion_honproj Part of the Religion Commons Recommended Citation Buscher '06, Austin J., "Who's in Charge? An Examination of Societal Impacts on Gender Roles in American and English Witchcraft" (2006). Honors Projects. 6. https://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/religion_honproj/6 This Article is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Commons @ IWU with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this material in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. This material has been accepted for inclusion by faculty at Illinois Wesleyan University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ©Copyright is owned by the author of this document. Who's In Charge? An Examination of Societal Impacts on Gender Roles in American and English Witchcraft Austin J. Buscher Senior Honors Research Carole Myscofski, Advisor th Received Research Honors April 18 , 2006 Ie INTRODUCTION Since its genesis in the 1970s, American Witchcraftl has shown itself to be one ofthe most forward-looking and tolerant religions in the area ofwomen's roles and gender theory. -
Spiritual Philosophy & Practice of Wicca in the U.S. Military (PDF
SPIRITUAL PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE OF WICCA IN THE U.S. MILITARY David L. Oringderff, Ph.D. Ronald W. Schaefer, Lt Col USAF SPIRITUAL PHILOSOPHY and PRACTICE of WICCA In the U.S. MILITARY David L. Oringderff, Ph.D. Ronald W. Schaefer, Lt Col USAF Acknowledgments This work developed out of an identified need for clear and concise information regarding the practice of Wicca, particularly as it pertains to US military members and their families, friends, commanders, and chaplains. Many people were significantly involved in this effort. The authors would particularly like to thank Reverend Selena Fox and Circle Sanctuary, the Reverend Rene Delaere of Greencraft and the Sacred Well for their direct and substantial contributions, as well as Silverdrake for their work in the previous editions of this guide, Overview and Guide for Wiccans in the Military. We would also like to recognize the energy, love and support given by the International Executive Council of Clerics of the Sacred Well Congregation, Hera, Odinda, Itárilde, Arghuicha, and Gayomard. Special thanks goes to Father Timothy Ullman for his assistance in researching constitutional law and applicable service regulations. The Sacred Well Congregation PO Box 58 Converse, Texas 78109 Samhain, 2001, First edition The authors and the Sacred Well Congregation extend use of this copyrighted material to military and governmental agencies and other educational and non profit institutions and organizations so long as copyright notices, credits, and integrity of the material is maintained and the material is not used for any commercial purpose. 2 Spiritual Philosophy and Practice of Wicca in the U.S. -
PAGANISM a Brief Overview of the History of Paganism the Term Pagan Comes from the Latin Paganus Which Refers to Those Who Lived in the Country
PAGANISM A brief overview of the history of Paganism The term Pagan comes from the Latin paganus which refers to those who lived in the country. When Christianity began to grow in the Roman Empire, it did so at first primarily in the cities. The people who lived in the country and who continued to believe in “the old ways” came to be known as pagans. Pagans have been broadly defined as anyone involved in any religious act, practice, or ceremony which is not Christian. Jews and Muslims also use the term to refer to anyone outside their religion. Some define paganism as a religion outside of Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism; others simply define it as being without a religion. Paganism, however, often is not identified as a traditional religion per se because it does not have any official doctrine; however, it has some common characteristics within its variety of traditions. One of the common beliefs is the divine presence in nature and the reverence for the natural order in life. In the strictest sense, paganism refers to the authentic religions of ancient Greece and Rome and the surrounding areas. The pagans usually had a polytheistic belief in many gods but only one, which represents the chief god and supreme godhead, is chosen to worship. The Renaissance of the 1500s reintroduced the ancient Greek concepts of Paganism. Pagan symbols and traditions entered European art, music, literature, and ethics. The Reformation of the 1600s, however, put a temporary halt to Pagan thinking. Greek and Roman classics, with their focus on Paganism, were accepted again during the Enlightenment of the 1700s. -
Jewish Mysticism in Contemporary Canadian Jewish Studies
From Something to Nothing From Something to Nothing: Jewish Mysticism in Contemporary Canadian Jewish Studies Edited by Harry Fox, Daniel Maoz and Tirzah Meacham From Something to Nothing: Jewish Mysticism in Contemporary Canadian Jewish Studies Edited by Harry Fox, Daniel Maoz and Tirzah Meacham This book first published 2019 Cambridge Scholars Publishing Lady Stephenson Library, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 2PA, UK British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Copyright © 2019 by Harry Fox, Daniel Maoz, Tirzah Meacham and contributors All rights for this book reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. ISBN (10): 1-5275-1659-8 ISBN (13): 978-1-5275-1659-5 IN MEMORY OF REB ZALMAN SCHACHTER SHALOMI TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface ........................................................................................................ xi Daniel Maoz Introduction ............................................................................................... xv Harry Fox Prologue .................................................................................................... lvii Reb Zalman z”l Hesped When a Man Takes a Vow Jonathan Chipman PART I: KABBALISTIC THEORY Chapter One ................................................................................................. 3 Divine -
Edinburgh Research Explorer
Edinburgh Research Explorer Mithras and Mithraism Citation for published version: Sauer, E 2012, 'Mithras and Mithraism: The Encyclopedia of Ancient History', The Encyclopedia of Ancient History, pp. 4551-4553. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781444338386.wbeah17273 Digital Object Identifier (DOI): 10.1002/9781444338386.wbeah17273 Link: Link to publication record in Edinburgh Research Explorer Document Version: Peer reviewed version Published In: The Encyclopedia of Ancient History Publisher Rights Statement: © Sauer, E. (2012). Mithras and Mithraism: The Encyclopedia of Ancient History. The Encyclopedia of Ancient History, 4551-4553 doi: 10.1002/9781444338386.wbeah17273 General rights Copyright for the publications made accessible via the Edinburgh Research Explorer is retained by the author(s) and / or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing these publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. Take down policy The University of Edinburgh has made every reasonable effort to ensure that Edinburgh Research Explorer content complies with UK legislation. If you believe that the public display of this file breaches copyright please contact [email protected] providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim. Download date: 01. Oct. 2021 © Sauer, E. (2012). Mithras and Mithraism: The Encyclopedia of Ancient History. The Encyclopedia of Ancient History, 4551-4553 doi: 10.1002/9781444338386.wbeah17273 Mithras and Mithraism By Eberhard Sauer, University of Edinburgh, [email protected] Worshipped in windowless cave-like temples or natural caves, across the Roman Empire by exclusively male (Clauss 1992; Griffith 2006) congregations, few ancient deities have aroused more curiosity than the sun god Mithras. -
Paganism and Neo-Paganism Practiced by the Reformed Druids of North America Is Neo-Pagan
RT1806_P.qxd 1/30/2004 3:35 PM Page 307 P Paganism and Neo-Paganism practiced by the Reformed Druids of North America is Neo-Pagan. Paganism and Neo-Paganism are religions that prac- Contemporary Neo-Pagan traditions are diverse tice, reclaim, or experiment with non- and pre- and include groups who reclaim ancient Sumerian, Christian forms of worship. The term pagan, from Egyptian, Greek, and Roman practices as well as the Latin word paganus (country dweller), was used those dedicated to reviving Druidism (the priest- by early Christians to describe what they saw as hood of the ancient Gauls) and the worship of Norse the backward, unsophisticated practices of rural peo- gods and goddesses. Traditions also include her- ple who continued to worship Roman gods after metic (relating to the works attributed to Hermes Christianity had been declared the official religion of Trismegistus) groups such as the Ordo Templo the Roman Empire in 415 CE. The term maintained a Orientis (OTO), an occult society founded in negative connotation until it was reclaimed by Germany in the late 1800s to the revive magic and Romantic (relating to a literary, artistic, and philo- mysticism; cabalistic groups who study ancient sophical movement originating in the eighteenth Hebrew mysticism; and alchemists, who practice the century) revivalists in nineteenth-century Europe. spiritual refinement of the will. By far the largest sub- Inspired by the works of early anthropologists and group within Neo-Paganism is made up of revival folklorists, who attributed spiritual authenticity to witchcraft traditions, including Wicca (revival witch- pre-Christian Europeans and the indigenous people craft). -
On Talismanic Language in Jewish Mysticism
On Talismanic Language in Jewish Mysticism Moshe Idel Linguistic magic can be divided into three major categories: the fiatic, the Orphic and the talismanic. The first category includes the creation of the signified by its signifier, the best example being the creation of the world by divine words. The Orphic category assumes the possibility of enchanting an already existing entity by means of vocal material. Last but not least is the talismanic, based on the drawing of energy by means of language, in order to use this energy for magical purposes. While the fiatic view assumes the complete superiority of the creator over the created object, the Orphic presupposes a certain similarity between the subject-magi- cian and its object, whose role is to understand and follow the instructions of the magician. In these two categories meaning seems to be a crucial part of the magical linguistic activities. In the third category, the talismanic, linguistic powers are used in order summon higher powers which then descend to take possession of it. By talismanic I refer to the inherent ability of an entity, material, a moment in time, or a human act to draw upon these powers. Unlike amulets, which are usually taken to be objects that protect their possessor, the talisman is able to add power. Divine and Human Names as Talismans Ever since the Biblical interdiction against using the divine name in vain, an entire mystical and magical tradition related to this topic has developed. The holiness of this name has very rarely been explained in detail in the ancient Jewish sources.