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.
 

 
 



Saturday, February 15, 2014

Bind Runes

A bind rune is a ligature of two or more runes. They are extremely rare in Viking Age inscriptions, but are seen in pre-Viking Age and in post-Viking Age Medieval inscriptions.

In some names on rune stones, such as the name of the carver of the runes, bind runes may have been ornamental and used to highlight the name.  Such as the name Hadda is written with a ligatured double ᛞ (dd) on the Derbyshire bone plate.

Bindrunes are also seen as space savers.  When carving on a set sized stone, the carver may run short on stone to carve on.  So some runes shared a stem, bindrune, to fit things in.

Bindrunes today can be used as talismans with a particular objective such as improved health, financial success, harmony, love, help, personal protection, safety and security of your home and personal possessions, etc... 
They are also seen in the modern business world.  The Bluetooth logo merges the runes analogous to the modern Latin alphabet letters h and b; j (Hagall) and b (Berkanan) together, forming a bind rune. The two letters form the initials 'H B', alluding to the Danish king and viking raider Harald Bluetooth.



"Aegishjalmur" ("helm of awe"), or the "Vegvisir" (runic compass). These are very ancient charms and totally benign to the bearer. Algiz (Elhaz) is the primary rune in use in both. The Aegishjalmur's purpose is 'protection and irresistibility in battle'.





Bjôrk's Vegvisir compass. Vegvisir means "direction sign" or "see the way". This charm helps prevent one from getting lost. It is a "brun rune" or sea charm.

 




Yr Rune


Yr for y (bow).  y

 

I fly straight as an arrow
to my destination.

 

Yr is the rune which relates to a yew bow, though it can be expanded to encompass all weaponry.  Yr symbolizes the perfect combination of skills and knowledge applied to materials taken from nature. This rune lets us know when we are in the “right spot” for a situation, and is good to use when looking for lost objects.

Weaponry displays strength, status and skill, the latter not just through its use but it’s craftsmanship. A finely crafted weapons stands out as a symbol of pride, attention, skill, care and magic, the bringing together of raw elements such as Iron ore, wood and leather to create something suitable for a leader who has braved the wrath of his or her enemies.

Of course most weapons have both a ceremonial use and a practical use beyond warfare, and the best example of this is Mjolnir, Thor’s hammer, it is a weapon of war against the giants and Eotens, it is a tool to build homes and fortifications, and it is a ceremonial tool for blessings and marriages. To bring all these things together in one tool shows great skill, however this skill must be proven, it is easy for a carpenter to wield a hammer in his woodwork, but maybe not easy for them to do so in ceremony or battle. It is easy for a warrior to smash his foes with an axe, but maybe not so easy for him to fell a tree properly. True skill lies in blending all the elements together.

Yr then, is a rune of perfection, the culmination of all one has learned over one’s journey, a symbol of skill and the proof and testing of that skill.

 


Algiz Rune


Algiz is the name conventionally given to the z or x-rune ᛉ for elk, protection.

 




Even a plant can cause harm
if used without caution;
danger lurks even in the safest place.

 

It is a rune of protection by an external force.   In Norse mythology, Heimdall’s role is guardian and protector. He is the watcher at the gate who guards the boundaries between the worlds and who charges all those entering and leaving with caution. He is the modern day ‘bouncer’ or security guard. He is best known for his horn, but his sword is just as important as it can be used for either offence or defense, depending upon the situation.

The Algiz rune’s traditional meaning is ‘protection’. It is the rune which comes between us and harms way in the physical world as well as the spiritual. This rune often also represents ‘peace’ and interestingly, today’s ‘Peace’ sign/symbol is the Algiz rune, encircled.

Algiz offers a connection to the powers in whose hands lie our fate, and encourages us to channel our energies towards the greater good.  Turned on its side, it looks like a flying swan or goose.  The polarity involves protecting yourself while you are in those initial stages of flight, before you master your wings. 

 




Wunjo Rune


Wunjo w (joy, hope) is a letter of the Old English alphabet, where it is used to represent the sound-w or v.

It is bliss to reach the state of happiness:
no suffering, no sorrows, great joy.
To have the necessities of life
and to be able to help others.
Even in a reversal of fortune
one who is truly free
can still find joy
in this world and in other realms.

 

Traditionally, Wunjo represents ‘joy’. Joy, in the case of Wunjo, is finding a point of balance, a sense of fulfillment and transformation. It is to remain in harmony with the flow of events. Wunjo also shows you that happiness is yours if you are willing to work for it and that you are to look for solutions, rather than dwelling on problems.

This rune shows us the balance between all things even when in a chaotic world. It is also a rune of fellowship, common goals and well being to all things. If you come across this rune in a reading you can expect good news to come your way.

Wunjo is a harmonious happy rune.  Combined with Radio r, it will control and direct the will to a joyful conclusion.  The most beneficial aspect of Wunjo is the ability to exert one’s will to facilitate withes coming true.

Wunjo brings comfort, joy and pleasure in its wake, along with the promise of prosperity, good fellowship and harmony.  With Wunjo, joy can be found by coming into balance.