You are probably asking yourself right now, 'How can there possibly be more to Craft Ethics?' I can only respond by posing this question: Have you ever asked yourself - what's the meaning of life? You know what I mean...Why are we here? As human beings, what is our purpose? What is the universal "big picture"?
I really don't know the answer to these questions, except to suggest that it comes down to each individual and how each of us perceive's our lives. I will say that I believe in the long run, life is about survival. When we figure out how to survive on a daily basis, then we can ponder the bigger questions.
Survival is the focus of this final lesson on Craft Ethics.
Survival of the Mind, Body, and Spirit
What does it mean to "survive"? How do we "survive"? Survival means continuing our existence. It means living to the best of our ability. To survive is to protect ourselves, providing shelter from any harmful elements that may be lead to our demise. To survive is to live life to its fullest while ensuring that we can do so for as along as possible.
The necessary tools for survival are given to each of us at birth. Unfortunately, many tend to overlook or ignore these tools, or even worse, abuse them. It is these individuals that end up losing the battle, because they fail to recognize the importance of caring for the three most essential elements of survival...The Mind, The Body, and The Spirit, the greatest gifts for life that we will ever receive.
As human beings trying to survive in this world, the mind, body and spirit are our individual responsibility once we reach the age where we are able to think and care for ourselves. As Witches', caring for the mind, body and spirit becomes an even greater responsibility because we incorporate magickal elements into our lives that require us to maintain the utmost respect for the unseen energies that we work with. Witches need to be able to properly focus without hinderance (the mind), sustain the stamina to edure this energy (the body), and
do so with an unwavering devotion for why we chose this way of life (the spirit). It is important for everyone to take care of themselves and be aware of the mind, body and spirit, but for a Witch, failing to do so could be damaging to our magickal endeavours.
The Do's & Don'ts of the Mind
The mind is a powerful tool. We use it to think, to create, and to dream. The mind contains our secret thoughts, provides us the ability of control over whatever we choose, and acts as a sponge for all our senses. Our mind is our own, and no matter how hard anyone may try, our mind is the one thing that no one will ever be able to take away from us as living, breathing creatures. When it comes down to it, our mind is the first tool we use for survival. It's where we seek our answers on how to survive.
Don't abuse alcohol or drugs...
Let's clarify this. We are all grown ups here, and we know that both alcohol and drugs make for a fuzzy mind. I don't need to tell you that you risk a lot if you are a user of illegal drugs, and the use of alcohol is a personal choice. But when it comes to ritual and magickal work, a clear mind is better than a fuzzy one. It is just about impossible to maintain any kind of focus or concentration if you are high, and your survival skills are definitely dulled by their use. Being able to concentrate is also a major element for success in magick, and the wiser choices are always made with a clear mind.
Note: I know that there are some cultures that use special herbs and plants for aid in meditation and/or travel into the spiritual realm, but the key is responsibility. Mind you, I am NOT condoning the use of mind altering substances. I think they can be dangerous, and are all too often misused, being the cause of addictions that destroy lives. But I'm not your mother, nor am I oblivious to the fact that people use both alcohol and drugs to purposely alter their state of consciousness. If you are one who chooses to use anything that alters your thinking process for any reason, please use it responsibly. Avoid falling as victim to their dangers.
Don't let your ego get the better of you...
Check your ego at the preverbial door, because there is no room for an unbalanced ego when it comes to Witchcraft. Big ego's open the door to dangerous power trips, and bad judgement. Little ego's lead to fear and uncertainty. Remember and respect that everyone's thought process is different, and that control over your ego is a survival skill worth every effort.
Don't lose your self-control...
Most of us have the ability to control our actions and reactions. Self-control is a choice that we have the mental capacity to make, but we need to have an awareness of it. Don't let destructive actions and reactions take control of your life or magickal work. At the same time, don't let overwhelming situations interfere with a clear thinking.
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Do find your mental "center" (as opposed to your mental left or right, lol)...
In otherwords, find the balance within yourself, that place that brings you peace and harmony. Meditation is a wonderful way to bring balance to your inner being and maintain an even keel in life. If you have trouble meditating, then atleast take time to clear your mind with mental imagery of something that represents a peaceful state to you.
Do think happy thoughts...
Dwelling on the bad things is not condusive to a peaceful mental state. Everyone has those moments in time that have brought joy to their lives. When you are feeling down and out, or miserable, or angry, this would be the time to bring them out of the storage box. Happy thoughts are contagious, and make for a much more pleasant living enviornment, as well as providing a more level head for the necessary thought process.
Do "attune with the cycles of the Earth" (Scott Cunningham's "Thirteen Goals of a Witch" - Wicca, pg. 151)...
Pay attention to the Sun, the Moon, and the Seasons. Feel their flow and how they affect your mood, your actions, and your life overall. When you become familiar with their ebb and flow, you will recognize the effect of their rhythm in your own life, and be able to adjust your survival techniques accordingly.
The Do's & Don'ts of the Body
The Body is our temple. It is the house that protects our mind and spirit. What we do to our bodies is a reflection of our mental state, and in the same respect, what we do to our bodies affects our mental state. It's a "Catch-22" if I ever saw one. This is why it is so important to take care of ourselves. Being conscious of our health not only makes us feel better, but a healthy body projects a healthy attitude towards life. And let's face it, we won't survive this life for long if we allow our body to give out on us. We must be as responsible for our bodies as we are for mind and spirit. There can not be one without the other. And a healthy body produces healthy magick.
Don't work magick if you aren't feeling well...
Not only can it affect the magick, but it can weaken you even more. It takes physical energy to be able to perform any task successfully, and magick is no exception.
Don't let your physical appearance slide...
Care about how you look. We tend to have an air of confidence about ourselves when we feel that we look good. We carry ourselves differently, and we react differently to life when we make ourselves up to be presentable at a moments notice. This also affects our magick, where confidence helps us to realize our goals. Feeling good about ourselves helps us to accomplish more, and get the most out of life.
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Do eat right...
Eating garbage makes us feel like garbage. Take control of your eating habits by eating balanced meals, and drinking plenty of water. Our temple needs proper nutrition for longevity, which is the ultimate goal of survival.
Do get plenty of rest...
A good nights sleep is essential to our health. Sleep time is the bodies healing time. If you have trouble sleeping, then you're body is telling you that something is wrong that sleep won't cure. It could be that you aren't getting the proper nutrition, or you have a health related situation you need to take care of. Maybe it's an old mattress with too many lumps and bumps, or maybe it's stress. Whatever the case, get the problem taken care of, because a good nights sleep is how we rejuvinate our system to endure the very act of survival.
Do get proper exercise...
Since you are reading this, then chances are you are sitting down. Those of us who love our "On-Line World" have a tendancy to spend a lot of time sitting at our computers. That's all fine and good, but make sure that you allow yourself a slot of atleast 15 minutes a day for exercise. (That doesn't include speed typing, or raising the arm with the remote in it to change the tv channel.) I'm talking real exercise here...the kind that gets your heart pumping. Get yourself a dog and take a walk...Do some sit ups...try Yoga. What ever you do, let it be something that gets the blood flowing. Exercise reduces stress, burns calories, and helps us sleep better, thus increasing our chances of survival.
Do learn to breathe correctly...
Unknowingly, we spend a lot of time shallow breathing. Our body needs oxygen, and we tend to deprive it of that without realizing it. Take time out and make a conscious effort to breathe big breaths. The kind that make your diaphram visibly move. Proper breathing also helps in relaxation, and is a good starting point for meditation.
Do visit your health care professional for regular wellness checkups...
There are health situations that we don't have control over, such as genetic disorders, or on the lighter side, cold and flu season. Preventative medicine is the best medicine, so don't put off regular check-ups. And for goodness sake, if you think something is not right with you health wise, then get thee to a Doctor right away. Better to be safe than sorry.
The Do's & Don'ts of the Spirit
The human spirit is life, and it is for our spirit that we fight to survive. It's what animates us, and is the heart and soul of our being. It is through our spirit that we experience emotions. It is our spirit that is affected when things happen in our lives. Without the energy of our spirit, we wouldn't have the capacity to practice magick. It is our spirit that moves with us through many lifetimes. When our body gives out, our spirit still survives. One would think that these facts make the spirit the most important aspect of the self, but sadly, it is the human spirit that seems to be the most neglected.
Don't allow others to break your spirit...
There are many people in this world that don't care about the feelings of others. They'll trample your spirit like it's garbage under their feet. Don't let these types of people rule your life. Learn to rise above their pettyness, and keep a positive attitude.
Don't lose your determination...
Occassionally we have moments in our lives where it seems like everything is caving in on us. Find the strength to break free of negative situations and stand strong in your determination to make it through the hard times. It is only when we realize that control over our lives is our own, that we are able to seize that control and make the difference. It is because of this knowledge that we recognize magick and are able to use it to better our lives.
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Do learn to forgive...
Some of us have made dumb mistakes in our lives that seem to haunt us. We then proceed to carry these mistakes around on our heads like a trophy, letting it reminds us constantly of the mistakes we've made. Learn to forgive yourself so that you can get on with your life. Give up the guilt trip, and make room for the more positive benefits of living.
Do have patience and compassion...
Things are not always going to go your way, so there is no sense in giving in to disgruntled feelings. With patience we see things more clearly. With compassion we realize understanding. Both magickally and spiritually speaking, the gift of patience and compassion are healing qualities that can afford to be shared.
Do live life...
Experience the results of your survival skills. Don't hide your head in the sand. Get out there and experience what it means to live. Enjoy the pleasures that the Divine has given you. Let the very essence of life course through your veins, for this is the true magick of the spirit.
Do take time to experience love...
Love is one of the most spiritually rewarding benefits of life, and should be embraced. It is rewarding. It is the very nourishment of the soul. Yes, sometimes it can even be painful, but without the give and take, how would we know the true beauty of love. Love yourself, love a friend, love a neighbor, love a pet. Love comes in many forms, so take the time to experience it, no matter what form it takes.
Do honor Divine Spirit...
Experience the true meaning of spirituality. The Lord and Lady have given you the blessed gift of life. Not just the body, mind, and spirit of yourself, but They have surrounded you with beautiful living creatures and plants. They have given you the Air you breathe, Water to drink, and the Earth you walk upon. Take time out to show your appreciation for these gifts by honoring our Lord and Lady. For without these our survival would not be possible.
Well, there you have the final lesson on Craft Ethics. And the moral to this story is: be good to yourself. We will be able to get so much more out of life with a happy and healthy Mind, Body, and Spirit.
And to answer the question "what is the meaning of life?" I would have to say it is to survive long enough to truly experience life and all the blessed riches is has to offer.
Blessed Be!
