Stuff everyone already knows #1: Web of Life

I am currently reading a book recommended to me by my fiancé from The Wheel of Time series, by Robert Jordan. I think it's called The Eye of the World...anyway, it's the first in the series, of course.

In an interview with the author on one of the audiobook editions of his work, he said that he had studied and taken inspiration from multiple religions to create the world in his book. One familiar with Wicca and Neopaganism will easily spot these religions' influences! (Isn't the "Wheel" the first indication? Of course there are many other religious influences, probably including some I'm not aware of, so let's not jump to any conclusions....)

One thought concept is that of the Pattern. "The Pattern weaves as the Pattern wills." One may influence the Pattern, or it may mold one toward a path of its own choosing. Ultimately, though, everything is connected to the Pattern by a thread, and every action affects multiple threads. It reminds me of the Wiccan "Web of Life" concept combined with the ideas of fate and free will. (I don't know, maybe I have totally misinterpreted this. But I am going to talk about the Web of Life anyway.)

As I understand it, the Web of Life is like a series of threads interconnected throughout the Universe. Everything that exists is part of this Web. When I was first learning about Wicca, I had a hard time understanding this concept. I could understand how everyone was spiritually connected to the Divine, but I did not see how this "Web" idea actually worked in daily life.

A wise friend once described it to me like so: "If I walked over there and kicked that guy in the shin, that guy would be pretty angry. He might then pass his anger on to his wife or kids when he got home by being in a bad mood. Then, they would go to work or school the next day and pass that anger even further. So, with one action, I have negatively affected the lives of several people."

Viewed in this way, the Web reminds us to be mindful of others, and to take responsibility for our actions.

The Web is also fundamental to the concept of magic. In my belief, when one performs magic, one is bending the threads of the Web in accordance with one's Will. Sometimes the threads will obey it, and sometimes they will ignore it, if the Web's Will (a.k.a. Fate) is stronger. Sometimes, the threads will bend, but the outcome will not be quite what the spellcaster had in mind.

I'm of the mindset that to achieve profound results, either a massive amount of individual Will, or a great many Wills of multiple people, is required to bend the threads of the Web of Life.

Hmm, that sounds a lot like the ideas in the book I'm reading. Maybe I accidentally mushed them together in my head? Oh wells. Maybe I just found a good metaphor for what I already believed.