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Subject: [WitchesCoven] Sacred Sexuality
From: Mama Witch <jodit92@comcast.net>
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Sacred Sexuality
Author: Mel Fleming II [a WitchVox Sponsor]
Posted: May 1st. 2011
Times Viewed: 1,653
Sexuality, while it should be a topic of freer thinking in the pagan community, is still viewed with great suspicion in many of our circles, covens, and pagan philosophies. In fact, it has become a very sensitive topic, bringing out suspicion, fear and misinformation. I, for one, being a former evangelical, seminarian, and thus well-versed in those beliefs and philosophies, have come to see many pagans harboring the very same misconceptions, and notions. And those who have published anything on the subject are viewed by some as strange or otherwise abnormal. In my opinion, there are several reasons for this phenomenon.
Many pagans come from very abusive religious, or strict upbringings, where the ideas of sexual expression were literally held in the vise of fear-based teachings. Being a child of the Catholic Church meant being deeply indoctrinated and taught that anything in the realms of sex was purely for the bounds of marriage, and primarily for procreative purposes. The topics of pleasurable sex, masturbation, desires and those normal biological references were taught as "sinful' dirty, and repulsive.
Many parents, engrained in these ridiculous doctrines, passed on these teachings to their children as universal truths, to be obeyed at any cost, whether physical or emotional. What is really amusing is that in the Bible itself, there's a book, named "Songs of Solomon" that is filled with sexual references. However, I never received one iota of teaching in seminary from this book. In fact, I never heard one speech, teaching, or preaching on this book.
If you expressed those sexual desires that are biological normal, and functional, you were told this was bad in the eyes of "God" and would lead to a road to damnation. This just furthers the damage in a child. Many adults in the religious world instead of doing their own independent research are instructed to simply, "trust and obey." Never to think, and then decide if they should obey. Sadly, even in this calendar 21st century, many religious doctrines continue to espouse these spiritually and sexually killing teachings.
As pagans, we are supposed to be on a higher plane, intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. Remember why you became a pagan? Was it not because you experienced the spiritually deadening effects of the fundamentalist realm? Would you as a pagan still carry, and pass along that emotional baggage to your family, as well as children? Did you not discover a newness of spirit, and emotional freedom in being pagan, no matter your tradition? Why could anyone be allowing himself or herself to be bound in the past?
In the history of sex, ancient pagans did not view sexuality's purpose solely as that of procreation. They understood the joys, ecstasies, and pleasures of sexuality. In many cases, sex is considered the "Divine Union" of the Goddesses and Gods. For example, look to the works of the Kama Sutra: filled with sexual positions, there is the deep belief that the Indian Deities engaged in sexual dalliances, doing so with joy and enthusiasm. Even in pre-Christian parts of Asia, Europe, and Africa, one will discover many examples of various Deities having sexual exchange. If you are willing to do the research, these ideals will become clear as crystal.
Sacred sexuality has a rich history. In the pre-Christian era of the Roman and Greek empires, two Gods and several Goddesses are noted for the sexually attuned festivals in many rituals, temple practices and certain cycles of the seasons. (Diana, Athena, Bacchus and Dionysius, most notably.) Even certain Celtic Deities, too many to list, had rituals that were intermingled with sexual activity. Certain Sabbats, and Esbats have sexual attunements in nature. The fact is that sexuality is not just a physical matter. It is a mixture of physical, emotional, and spiritual investment, that when mixed with an atmosphere of love, reverence, and mutual honor, reaps joyful rewards that are boundless. If you are being intellectually honest, these truths simply cannot be ignored, or denied.
We are born as sexual beings. Sex is very much a component of our linear existence, in both spiritual, and physical terms. To deny, hide or misinform others or ourselves shows a highly abnormal attitude concerning that which is perfectly natural, as well as nurturing. The pagan community needs to examine itself, and as a whole, come to grips with this issue. Sexual freedom is a part of our very being.
Does this mean that we should not be sexually responsible? Should we just have "free for all sex" just because we are pagan? Of course not. As with anything, there are responsibilities. Sacred sexuality should never be treated as a libido driven hippie fest. Unfortunately there are those who do so, making otherwise responsible, and respectable pagans who explore this issue, appear as "perverts" or "bent abnormally." Sexuality should be joyful, and a free expressions of your pagan personality. It does represent the "Divine Union." each person should honor their sexual partner, as Goddess or God, according to their gender.
Even in a circle or Coven, these rituals should be carefully scripted, composed with the rule of the sacred, being the highest goal, and all activity be safe, sane and consensual. Consider those words as a Wiccan would the Rede, or the Law of Return. For many pagans, no matter your tradition, or even those who are eclectic in nature, even spiritual tools, such as crystals, runes, tarot, and pendulum are useful in the further discovery of wisdom in this area. Unlocking the mysteries of love, romance, intimacy, and sexual desires, and partnership will elevate your spirituality, in a higher sense, as long as those senses are coupled with sensitivities. I encourage us all to explore our pagan sexual natures.*
* There are many resources on this topic. If you use the Internet, I suggest using the following terms to define your research; "sacred sexuality, pagan sexual history, pagan sexual rituals, and books on sacred sex. Sacred sexuality groups, is another good tagline.
Rev. Mel J. Fleming II
Copyright: Rev. Mel J. Fleming II
ABOUT...
Mel Fleming II
Location: Riverside, California
Website: http://www.myspace.com/sacredcovenofcalifornia
Author's Profile: To learn more about Mel Fleming II - Click HERE
Bio: Bio; Rev. Mel J. Fleming II is organizer of the Circle of the Pheonyx Sacred sexuality groups. He is an eclectic pagan of 15 years, having completed courses in human relations, human sexuality, marriage and family, counseling, abnormal psychology, comparative religions. He is ordained by the Universal Life church, with a Masters in philosophy, just having obtained his Ph.d. He is the meanings author of the newly published book "The Tarot, and the Mysteries of Love and Sex", along with Ms. Cynthia Joyce Clay of Oestara Publishing.
http://www.oestarapublishing.com
His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork.
- Mae West
Smiles!
Jodi
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