The Balance

Wicca, and many other forms of paganism… challenges their practitioners to strike a balance in all things. We want to balance the light & dark, masculine & feminine, “good” & “bad” of our natures.

All too often individuals (myself included) allow the pendulum to swing too far to the light or dark. Of course our nature can only go so far one way or the other till it naturally starts to be drawn back to the
center, but for some reason when we do reach that balance it is extremely
difficult to maintain.

Wiccans who are of the “nice and sweet” sort often fear the dark. They call for peace, peddle harm none constantly, and may even be vegan. All of these things are good… but sometimes you can have too much of a good
thing. The dark in us holds our inner fears, anger, hate, mischievous or
manipulative natures, our shame, and our loss. “Light” people often have a
difficult time entering and embracing this integral part of ourselves. The
longer the dark is neglected completely, the more it builds up in secret, until
it overflows into our lives, reeking havoc.
In reality, it is healthy to be angry, or even mean. Every once in a
while we are in a circumstance where we will have to manipulate someone, or
step on some toes, or hurt someone’s feelings. Eventually we will encounter
death, either our own or a loved one’s. We must celebrate their passage, and
also fully experience grieving for our loss.

As many of us avoid the dark, others live in it. Some of us are extremely deceptive, envious to a fault, we feed and nurture our pain and pessimism and dwell constantly in the dark regions of our past. We refuse help
or guidance because we relish in the pity of others. Sometimes we become cruel
or abusive, and thrive on indulging our vices. However, to find true balance we
must learn to start “smelling the flowers”. We must release ourselves of our
self-hate and become our own champions. We must believe in our successes and
find forgiveness for those who have wronged us.

Those people who are closer to the “center” find solace and power in the fact that the can use all sides of their nature to become close to the divine. They learn to live life intuitively and pass judgment fairly. They
know the secret of when to be all things.

The know when to be merciful or treacherous, humble or proud, selfless or greedy, kind or cruel, forgiving or vengeful, joyous or mourning…

They can measure their actions and words practically and logically, while maintaining their spiritual and emotional reasoning. Those who are truly close to the center understand the wiccan rede and the law of three
intimately and on their deepest, most raw level.

In our lives and our journey towards center, we play many roles. At times we are the victim, the villain, the fox, the judge, the warrior, the child, the student, the lover, the hero, the parent… and many
more. Each role explores another facet of our being, much like the archetypes
of the divine. Every experience in life is a lesson and a challenge. Those who
finally find some semblance of balance, and can maintain it, are the wise. The
wise who are lucky and skillful enough to reach the absolute center, harmony in
all things, are enlightened. They become beacons for all to follow, and are
elevated in our hearts and minds. Historically, many of these figures have been
elevated to such a degree that they stand alongside the gods!

My journey has not yet brought me to that perfect balance. Sometimes I am too harsh, too cruel. Then the pendulum swings and I live to much in the light. I become at risk of being
self-righteous, and my proud Leo nature comes out, until I am knocked of my
pedestal… and the search for balance begins again. I am far from the ideal
wiccan, but as I inch closer to that harmony in life, I call to my brothers and
sisters, join me! May you always walk the path of the immortal!

Blessed Be!

-Megan