Sacred Sites
What gives us the right to approach, use or otherwise claim the ancient, sacred sites around the world?
There are so many groups, so many beliefs, so many different ideas about who does what and how. How do we find our way through the maze to know what we should be doing? I can't give you a fixed and easy answer but part of what I know to be true for me personally is that if we are sincere in our desire to work for a higher good (rather than personal fulfilment), then we should, with deep respect, approach the spirits of the land where we are, wait if necessary until they wish to communicate with us and
work with them here and now.
What gives us the right to approach, use or otherwise claim the ancient, sacred sites around the world?
There are so many groups, so many beliefs, so many different ideas about who does what and how. How do we find our way through the maze to know what we should be doing? I can't give you a fixed and easy answer but part of what I know to be true for me personally is that if we are sincere in our desire to work for a higher good (rather than personal fulfilment), then we should, with deep respect, approach the spirits of the land where we are, wait if necessary until they wish to communicate with us and
work with them here and now.
I would like to see less emphasis placed on individual experience, personal development and satisfaction. The land is in crisis and I feel that Pagans should take far more magical responsibility for the effects of their rites on the land. I think that some pagans are destroying ancient sites because they presume that any pagan rituals are good for them., but actually
if the beings they call on do not belong to the place, or know the place, it can unbalance
the energies. I think people are draining
sacred places of their power by not feeding that power back to them! Chesca Potter, interview with Dave Hunt 1992
if the beings they call on do not belong to the place, or know the place, it can unbalance
the energies. I think people are draining
sacred places of their power by not feeding that power back to them! Chesca Potter, interview with Dave Hunt 1992
Chesca Potter makes a very pertinent point in that comment which shows a deep understanding of what it is to be truly concerned and willing to work with the land spirits around us.
Asking ourselves what our true motives are when we consider making offerings, asking for help, setting up a ritual or invoking spirits is of vital importance. Imagine if you were the spirit of a place, you have seen eons come and go, then a bunch of strangers come along and in a momentary blip they either ignore you and invoke something else who has no idea where it is or why, or they petition your help yet you have never met them before and have no idea who they are, what their motives are etc. What would you do?
Me - I'd most likely ignore them but someone who is polite, respectful, doesn't ask for personal stuff, and over time, returns regularly, proves him/herself to be trustworthy, is willing to offer something of themselves in return for help. That person would raise my curiosity at the very least.
A word of warning. Not all land spirits are helpful and friendly. If you are capable of doing shamanic work then you probably know this already so apologies for stating the obvious. If a land spirit doesn't want to be disturbed, best to respect that and not push your luck. Trust your helping spirits and listen to them.
Asking ourselves what our true motives are when we consider making offerings, asking for help, setting up a ritual or invoking spirits is of vital importance. Imagine if you were the spirit of a place, you have seen eons come and go, then a bunch of strangers come along and in a momentary blip they either ignore you and invoke something else who has no idea where it is or why, or they petition your help yet you have never met them before and have no idea who they are, what their motives are etc. What would you do?
Me - I'd most likely ignore them but someone who is polite, respectful, doesn't ask for personal stuff, and over time, returns regularly, proves him/herself to be trustworthy, is willing to offer something of themselves in return for help. That person would raise my curiosity at the very least.
A word of warning. Not all land spirits are helpful and friendly. If you are capable of doing shamanic work then you probably know this already so apologies for stating the obvious. If a land spirit doesn't want to be disturbed, best to respect that and not push your luck. Trust your helping spirits and listen to them.