Today’s post is going to build on yesterday’s and it’s going to talk about kindness. Kindness in our craft. Kindness to ourselves. Kindness as service to the Goddess.
Kindness in our craft.
As someone with a chronic illness there are many things in the craft which need to be adapted. It’s okay, and most of the time my rituals aren’t any different from that of a non-disabled person. However, the days when my illness makes it impossible to dance beneath the moon or to light a stick of incense, I am still as much a Wiccan as the next Wiccan. My rituals might be different, but they are still my rituals.
When doing public rituals are accommodations made for the disabled? Is there seating provided for elderly or even new mothers if the ritual is performed mostly standing? Is there a lot of dancing and jubilant movement when there may be those in attendance who cannot? And what kind of accommodations are provided? Are these individuals still brought into the circle, still made to feel as if they are part of the craft?
I had an experience lately that has really made me think about things. It’s a small thing, and I don’t even suppose that it was meant the way it came across. But because things were said, implied, and no questions were asked, it makes me wonder if I have to be “perfect” to be in this group, then what about those days when I’m not? What about those days when I am having a fibro flare, as I was at the time, and cannot be held up to their standard of an ideal priestess?
We need to be kind to one another. If a ritual presenter seems “off” ask if everything is okay. Show some concern and compassion, and if they indicate that no, everything is okay, then you can mention that the spirit seemed off or that the person seemed distracted. But if they say, “I know. I’m not feeling very well this evening.” Then give them a hug (if it’s welcome) and tell them that it’s all right. You were just concerned and wanted to know if there was anything you could do to help.
Kindness to ourselves.
We need to be gentle with ourself. It’s an ongoing process, one that many of us are probably still working on. I know I am. When we have those days that we aren’t feeling well or able to give 100%, we need to accept and forgive ourselves. We need to be kind.
Kindness as a service to the Goddess.
All of this kindness is a good thing. It’s wonderful. But it’s also done in service to Her. After all, she is our mother, and although mothers need to be disciplinarians or teach us lessons, most of all they’re kind. The goddess is kind to us. We should be kind to ourselves and to others in Her name. It’s not about karma, though it is to some extent. It’s not about the Golden Rule or Harming None, though it certainly goes along with those beliefs as well. It’s about treating others the way she treats us. It’s a tall order, one we strive every day to fulfill. But it’s one that we can, and we must, complete. We must be kind to others, for we are priests and priestesses in Her name.
Alison Cross: 
Arwen: 
Christiana Gaudet: 
Koneta: 
John: 
Sharon: 
ivy: 
Aisling: 
Twitter
Facebook