If you could pick a super power, what would it be? I mean, there are a million possibilities; however, if you could just pick one main one.....no poll, cuz, well, I didnt have much luck with the last attempt.

 

Mine would be the ability to either breath under water or to fly, they are literally a dead heat/tie for me.  

So you?

You scored as Mystique, Mystique is a highly skilled combatant, actress, marksman, and strategist in terrorist and commando operations. Mystique can psionically shift the atoms of her body to duplicate any humanoid of either sex, wearing any kind of clothing. Mystique 75% Jean Grey 60% Storm 60% Rogue 40% Kitty pryde 35% Emma Frost 20% What X-Men would you be? (Female Version). created with QuizFarm.com

Inspired by Taliesin's Blog The Wiccan Rede - A Closer Look

Taliesin's blog got me thinking about applying ethics such as the Wiccan Rede or Thelemic "True Will" in everyday life and in magick. As he suggests, there is often difficulty, disagreement and conflict in defining the important terms in these kinds of laws. (Italicized because there is even disagreement over whether the Rede in particular is even to be considered a "law" or merely a guideline).

It seems to me, that since the definitions of "harm" and of "will" are seemingly subjective and range according to one's own inherent beliefs, that the solution to application of these ethics lies within one's Self. I mean this in basically two ways: One is acting according to one's own inner nature and the other is in keeping the focus on one's self and one's own personal responsibility, rather than focusing on others. (I will clarify this below, but basically it is a similar concept to "physician heal thyself").

The first idea is similar in many ways to Crowley's writings on "Will" and also contains a bit stolen from Taoism. It is simply the concept that if one truly understands and knows one's own inner nature and acts in accordance with that knowledge, one cannot go wrong. As suggested in The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff, "A bird can fly, but a fly can't bird." It is when we go against our true inner nature that we go wrong and cause harm. Of course, I am sure that the first question that comes to many people's mind is, "What if one's inner nature is evil?" or something similar.

Well, this certainly makes things tough doesn't it? This is where, in my understanding at least, Crowley's faith in the perfection and rightness of the universe comes into play. The concepts of balance and of the constant attempt of things to reach a state of homeostasis come to mind for me here. If we are all acting according to our true path and nature, then we achieve balance and equilibrium in line with the tendency of the Universe itself. As Crowley stated, "Know firmly, O my Son, that the True Will cannot err; for it is thine appointed Course in Heaven, in whose Order is Perfection."

For an everyday life-choice example (again inspired a bit by Taliesin's blog), part of my understanding of my self and my nature is that I am a mammal whose physiology is that of an omnivore. In this understanding, I do not put myself above or below other mammals in terms of needs for survival or interaction within the natural world. In other words, I do not see humans as separate from nature. As any omnivore, I eat meat as well as vegetables. I do try to apply my human intellect, ethics and compassion in my choices in this arena, as that is also part of my nature; however, for me, this application does not eliminate meat from my diet entirely. While a Vegan, for instance, might argue that it is within his or her very nature that his/her humanity precludes the ingestion of another animal. In my estimation, we are both right because we are acting according to our true Will.

The second concept (of self-focus and responsibility) is simply my idea that in keeping the focus on our own development, changes, beliefs and actions, rather than trying to change others or "make" them understand or "get them to love us" or whatever goal we might have in mind, we are less likely to cause harm.

This is not exactly an original concept, but it is one that it seems people often have a hard time applying in real life. Feeling like your spouse doesn't listen to you? It might be best to work on your communication skills, instead of focusing all your energy on "making him/her a better listener." Thinking about performing a "love spell" on someone? Probably a better idea to focus on bringing more love into your life, or perhaps focusing on making changes that you believe/understand would make you more "loveable."

Certainly, I understand that there are situations in which, for instance, self-defense is necessary and that not everything can be fixed by focusing on oneself. It is precisely those situations, however, in which the application of concept one is in order.

To Be Continued, my brain needs a rest.

Wow, just stumbled across this list of 10 beliefs/truths I hold, which I wrote several months ago; While I think I might have been in a somewhat angry place when i wrote it, I think I still agree with most everything in it...what do you think?

1. Every individual human being has the right to believe whatever the f**k they wish to believe. Yes, even if I feel that they are deluded. Even if I think they have been brainwashed by the "establishment." Even if think they are just plain ignorant, uninformed, evil or as naïve as a Care Bear.

2. Every opinion, while the holder has the perfect and inalienable right to hold it, is NOT equally valid. When I state that every human has the right to believe what they wish to believe, this does NOT mean that I have to respect or appreciate every belief.

3. We are NOT all "the same." We do have major differences due to nature and nurture. Being human does not mean being the same as every other human. Again, this does not mean that humans should not have equal rights. This means that we are individuals (though some choose to align with others in a set of beliefs/actions, etc); and we each have individual responsibilities, faults and strengths. Simply being "human" does not grant one the right to another human's or admiration or love. It is a person's actions which defines that person.

4. If someone wants to kill or destroy me, I have the right to defend myself by whatever means necessary.

5. There are a whole hell of a lot of people running around thinking they have all the answers to existence, and the "right" way to think or act or exist (be). No person or group instills more fear in my very soul than the one(s) that believes they know "the only truth." The ones that assign everyone a pat set of motivations and grants no room for individual thought, perception and action.

6. Evolution (change) is a natural occurrence and should be celebrated instead of avoided, derided and feared. This includes changes in society as a whole, religion/spirituality, politics/governance...well, everything. There are more things on heaven and earth...and all that.

7. Deities or a higher source/power(s) may very well exist. This higherpowersource may very well be the most removed and unconcerned about each individual human or may literally sit and watch us from birth and track our doings and sins and rite and hiccups...does it really matter in our everyday lives which is true?

8. When we die: we either become worm dirt or we don't and there is some sort of other life/plane, etc. Again, does it really matter which is true? If we become worm dirt, we won't know at all; and if the other is true, well yippee!?

9. We all (well, maybe "most is a better word) want to be happy, but only some of us choose to be.

10. My life, my choices, my existence are all my responsibility. No one, no anything OWES me anything, and I owe no one or anything.

I had to remove the poll, because, well, it wasnt working! Just so the comment below makes sense, the poll was which element do you most relate to 3 people had voted: 1 earth, 1 air and 1 water, but it wouldnt allow anyone else to vote and i couldn't fix it! so....now, we have this silly text here. :)