Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Sexuality


Ok, back into the thorn bush.  This is your warning, 's.e.x.' is mentioned below.  This is an adult topic.  I know this is a tough subject for some but it is life.  With spring coming, fertility can be seen all around with plants, animals and even humans. 
Human sexuality is the capacity to have erotic experiences and responses.  A person's sexual orientation may influence their sexual interest and attraction for another person.   Sexuality can have biological, emotional, physical or spiritual aspects. The biological aspect of sexuality refers to the reproductive mechanism as well as the basic biological drive that exists in all species, which is hormonally controlled.  The emotional or physical aspect of sexuality refers to the bond that exists between individuals, and is expressed through profound feelings or physical manifestations of emotions of love, trust and caring.  There is also a spiritual aspect of sexuality of an individual or as a connection with others.  Sexuality impacts and is impacted by cultural, political, legal, and philosophical aspects of life.  It can refer to issues of morality, ethics, theology, spirituality or religion.

Sexuality has always been a vital part of the human existence and in societies from the long hunting and gathering phases of history to the rise of agriculture, the long centuries of the agricultural period of history, as well as during modern times.  For all civilizations throughout time, there have been a few common, special characteristics of how sexuality was managed through sexual standards, representations and behavior.  Art and artifacts from past eras help portray human’s perceptions of sexuality throughout time.

Before the rise of agriculture there were groups of hunter/gatherers or nomads.  These hunter/gatherers groups had less restrictive sexual standards that emphasized sexual pleasure and enjoyment.  Examples of these portrayals is the Egyptian creation myth when the sun God Atum masturbates in the water creating the Nile River, or in the Sumerian myth of the Gods’ semen filling the Tigris.  According to Snorri, Odin traded a lonely giantess three nights of blissful sex for three drafts of the mead of poetry.
 
Most world religions have sought to address the moral issues that arise from people's sexuality in society and in human interactions. Each major religion has developed moral codes covering issues of sexuality, morality, ethics etc., which have sought to guide people's sexual activities and practices.

Socio-cultural aspects of sexuality include historical developments and religious beliefs, such as Jewish views on sexual pleasure within the marriage and Christian views on avoidance of sexual pleasures.  The Hindus Kama Sutra, is widely believed to be a manual for sexual congress, offering an insight into sexual mores, ethics and societal rules.  Most world religions have sought to address the moral issues that arise from people's sexuality in society and in human interactions.  Each major religion has developed moral codes covering issues of sexuality, morality, ethics etc., which have sought to guide people's sexual activities and practices.

Most Neopagan religions have the theme of fertility (both physical and creative or spiritual) as central to their practices, and as such encourage what they view as a healthy sex life, consensual sex between adults or self; regardless of gender, religion or background.  Fertility rites can be actual acts or symbolic - the joining of an athame with a chalice, for example.
 
During the Pagan festival season - which typically begins around Beltane and ends at the harvest - there are a lot of opportunities to meet new people.  Many modern Pagan paths are rooted in fertility religions, so most Pagans are pretty open about sexuality.  However, being part of a fertility religion does not give license to practice irresponsible behavior.  No means no.  Respect boundaries.  Be considerate.  This is especially true with sex magic. 


Most Pagans are fairly open about the sexuality topic.  The Pagan Rede is "If you are willing to accept the consequences, do as you will".  We are homosexual, asexual, heterosexual, bisexual and more.  But using sex magic is not a must. No one is forced to used this type of magic.  If you are or feel unsafe, run and find help.

Sex magic is a term for various types of sexual activity used in magical, ritualistic or otherwise religious and spiritual pursuits.  The practice of sex magic is using the energy of sexual arousal or orgasm with visualization of a desired result.  Sex magic can be integrated into pretty much any kind of sex act, including heterosexual sex, homosexual sex, group sex, sexual acts without intercourse and masturbation, any form with consent.  Many Skyclad (nude) groups practice sex magic but it can be found in many paths. 

There are two basic approaches to sex magic.  The first is generating energy through the sex act, which is focused through concentration and released toward the desired outcome at orgasm.  The second approach to sex magic involves performance of a sex act but withholding from orgasm.  This allows energy to build up and be retained within the practitioner.  Such energy is often directed toward goals of personal transformation.  It should also be noted that in some traditions, masturbation and sexual release is a perfectly valid way of raising magical energy.

Sexuality of today is not only influenced by human ancestry or religions.  Sexuality today is also influenced by the internal commercial society within societies—mainly western.  According to a Time Magazine/CNN survey, 74% of teenagers said that friends and television were their main sources of sexual education.  Sexuality is natural.  It is life. 







Freya is a Vanir Goddess of sex, fertility, war, and wealth, daughter of Njord.  Freya could be called upon for assistance in childbirth and conception, to aid with marital problems, or to bestow fruitfulness upon the land and sea.

 

Freyr is a Norse God of weather and fertility; brother of Freya.  The dwarves build Freyr a ship, Skidbladnir, that can hold all the Gods or fit in his pocket.

 

Frigg is a Norse Goddess of love and fertility.  She is Odin's wife, making her foremost among the Aesir Goddesses.  She is the mother of Balder and Friday is named for her.

 

Loki is known as a trickster.  His job was mostly to make trouble for other Gods, men, and the rest of the World.  A shapeshifter who could appear as any animal, or as a person of either sex, Loki was constantly meddling in the affairs of others, mostly for his own amusement.  There is a tale about Loki mating and then giving birth to a horse. 

 

If it be right, lover come to me.
As willingly as you once did,
Come and see me.
 

 
 



1 comment:

  1. Watch out for abuse in this kind of magic - no one is forced to do this practice - In Oct 2014 teenage girls in Hartcliffe were raped in Pagan-style sex ceremonies...A HARTCLIFFE man appeared in court charged with abusing teenage girls in Pagan-style sexual initiation ceremonies.

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