Yona Circle
Thursday Thoughts

Ethics in Magick 103
Virtues

Every tradition or practice or faith has virtues, especially if it is to stand the test of all things… TIME. Even those Practitioners who ‘don’t have virtues’ – do, according to the society they choose to live in. Or, they can choose to disregard them.

Which do you do?

We at Three Circles Medicine do not proselytize any ‘virtues’ for anyone to follow. We simply advise Practitioners to have something on board to keep their energy, Medicine or Magick, grounded and their Self (and others) protected. These in turn can develop into virtues.

What do we mean by virtues?

Well, here are some examples (each of these Paths have more than three):

Buddhist: Generosity, Wisdom, Patience

Christian: Prudence, Justice, Fortitude

Norse Pagan: Truth, Discipline, Self-Reliance

Satanic Temple: Compassion, Inviolability, Justice

Wicca:  Modesty, Piety, Sincerity

Three Circles Medicine, while we adhere to National Black Hat Society’s Mission Statement of “Support, Preserve, Honor” our virtues are primarily those found inside of Unconditional Love of and for all things, and the Sovereignty thereof.

The ‘virtues’ related to beliefs, Paths, religion, go on and on. They are very similar in each Path, so do not think that because you relate to one more than the other you should follow that Path if you currently follow none. “To thing own Self be True” is a true statement for balance. It is just a soul alignment for you to carry for this lifetime if you choose.

Carry it well if you do. Be able to answer for it at any moment and with conviction when challenged. Know where you stand and stand firmly, or with openness, making room for all Paths. No matter what virtue you may or may not hold, do not let it inhibit your Spirit growth. Remember the conversations we were supposed to explore with those we trust? Have you?

Ethics in Magick 103
”Harm None”

Many Practitioners abide by a perceived notion of ‘harm none’. Any Practitioner who walks the Wiccan Path, no matter the tradition, will tell you that living by that is virtually impossible and it has been taken out of context by ‘believers in name only’ and to the extreme with those same Practitioners.

Do some not consider the Rocks and Plants as our allies?

Many who follow a similar Rede, do. Then we ask, does not the strictest vegan one can think of kill Plant Allies to eat, to live?

YES. Life feeds on life.

Furthermore, consider the thousands of lives lost daily to the most mundane of activities, from our Insect Allies as in the Bee, Butterfly, or Dragonfly, to various Animal Allies being killed off by ‘human progress’ every day. (Wahya, Golunv, and Yona are amongst those.) Earth is continually stripped of Her finite resources, such as the Stone Allies as well, all by Human Ego.

”Harm none” is simply a misunderstood and often misconstrued Rede by the uninitiated.

There is NO “harm none”?

As we have learned, every action creates an equal and opposite reaction, somewhere, somehow, in this plane or quantum reality on another. Everything we do as Practitioners of the Arcane Arts is weighed by the energy of the Universe, and we are wise to do the same, or equal weight and value. It does not matter what that value is to anyone but YOU, the Practitioner, because you are the one moving the energy.

(Now, there are ways in the Subtractive Magicks and Medicine to anchor it to only cost another but then it can become an energetic “chess game” between you and the Universe, or Fates, as some believe.)

Those who have ‘virtues’ that follow specific Paths will most often tell you these are ‘ideals’ and that no one can live in perfect harmony with their environment, that most only strive to do so as each Experience comes. This includes you and the virtues, or principles if you prefer, for your personal practices.

But, from our Experience, there is a better way to “harm none”. How about you?

Ethics in Magick 103
Public Persona

MAGICKAL NAMES
Many Practitioners take on a magickal or alternative name, either given or by their own design, to embody who they are or are becoming. This is considered Protective Magick to many. As a clerical Practitioner, one who teaches others, one can be considered an ‘influencer’ -- or their role may be considered ‘political’ as they can sway many other Practitioners’ attitudes about another being, place or thing.

The purpose of this is to have added energy to your personhood when dealing with people and energies you do not know personally. This includes developing your ability to deal with many Practitioners from various Paths all at one time. It behooves you to have knowledge beforehand if you know you are going into a specific situation.

BEFORE YOU GO
Questions to consider: “Where am I going?” “Why am I going there?” “What will I be expected to do?”  These a few of the many questions we are wise to contemplate before making an appearance, or presence known, at an event.

HUMAN EXPECTATIONS OF INTERACTION
Please also keep in mind, that on a whole, the human species does not directly care about its fellow species’ emotions at this time. Most humans are Ego driven, even if they are not meaning to be. You will have to protect your empathy as empathy may not be found in even the most familiar of settings. Most Practitioners do not stand at the ready for other Practitioners with a “how may I help you” attitude when a problem arises. It is not the “norm” in most western cultures.

PROBLEMS? PERSONA IS HERE!
When a problem develops in your Circle or Community, or even at a family or friend gathering, the less developed Practitioners or people are, the ore they tend to gossip and make strife amongst the group. having a strong persona and prior knowledge of what you are getting yourself into will help sometimes. This strife is a natural occurrence amongst all of the animals. It is understood that a confused or scared animal typically lashes out, that includes the human animal. Be mindful.

With the problem, it hearkens back to making a negative into a positive. Can you? Do you know how? Take for example, if you hear talk amongst your group regarding the ‘inability of leadership to plan events’, offer the event planning to the group or ask for help. Do not allow this type of behavior to take seed.

Many Societies have BHS Event Committees for this very reason. It is a heavy task to place, or to expect ‘one person’ to accomplish such a thing and make everyone else happy. As a leader, it is your job to investigate how to best accomplish goals for your community but it is the sign of a great leader if you can delegate some of those tasks successfully.

INVESTIGATE. DELEGATE.
Do not be deterred by things that simply cannot be done or completed. Not everything is meant to be. Take pride in what you have accomplished and keep this POSITIVE  spin on your abilities. Above all else, a great leader avoids being publicly critical of others unless there is clear need for a statement. No bell can be unrung. READ THAT AGAIN. To publicly criticize others is to touch your personal Path with that energy. Did you mean too? And, unless that is your Path, “negativity”, it is not advised to do.

ATTENTION IS ENERGETICALLY REWARDED
Attention is a state of BEING. Being present. this is another small piece of advice we give Practitioners, whether you are visiting another Circle, attending a lecture, sitting at Mom’s, … be politely attentive. Even if you are bored to tears, it is the least your would expect if the proverbial shoe were on the other foot.

You would want those in your audience to at least “pay attention'“, wouldn’t you?

Thursday YA1

General - Journal - Book of Shadows

SUBMISSION: YA1 THU FUTURE PATH PLANS (Due Sunday)
Please choose THREE of the questions
below to answer:

Do you plan on expanding your leadership abilities and moving forward or developing a BHS or TCMed group in your area?

What would be the basis for the group?

What would be the group's Intent?

What do you feel you will have to work on most for developing your 'group leader' dynamic?

Do you feel like you may teach?

Do you feel like you are suited for clergy work?


EMAIL
Three Circles Medicine™
Please utilize the above email link
IF NO BUTTON IS PRESENT
to receive full Submission credit.