What do you consider "left handed".
I've always considered myself a right handed path person, following the "harm none" rule was all it took, or so I thought. I've also never effected any change without the expressed consent of all involved. So I guess my personal definition is, effect none negatively, and nothing without consent. Easy enough..
But I recently heard someone express an opinion, specifically about personal gain, that got me to thinking, and wondering, what exactly defines left handed? And are there gray areas? And is there a place for it in my personal practice?
This was the first time I had ever heard "personal gain" expressed as left handed. I do a yearly prosperity spell, doesn't that count? I've often heard that the Goddess/Universe has no interest in which way prosperity is channeled, so directing it your way is of no harm.
(No matter what spell I do, "for the good of all concerned, may it harm none" is always included).
As far as harming anyone, out of the question. Even healing spells need permission, IMO.
So this question is for anyone with an opinion, but mainly for the average Wiccan that follows the Rede, what is left handed to you?
But I recently heard someone express an opinion, specifically about personal gain, that got me to thinking, and wondering, what exactly defines left handed? And are there gray areas? And is there a place for it in my personal practice?
This was the first time I had ever heard "personal gain" expressed as left handed. I do a yearly prosperity spell, doesn't that count? I've often heard that the Goddess/Universe has no interest in which way prosperity is channeled, so directing it your way is of no harm.
(No matter what spell I do, "for the good of all concerned, may it harm none" is always included).
As far as harming anyone, out of the question. Even healing spells need permission, IMO.
So this question is for anyone with an opinion, but mainly for the average Wiccan that follows the Rede, what is left handed to you?
Tags: handed, left, left-handed, prosperity
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by knottybynature on -
being a left-handed person, i find the term mildly irritating. it's an out-moded chrisitanism which weaseled it's way into paganism.
however..... i would have to lump 'greed' into that category. because most harm stems from that thing. want, selfishness....most harms are derived from these.
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Permalink Reply by Moondial on -
There needs to be a duality within all things, otherwise, how would we know what was 'right or wrong' for us (personally concepts I'm beginning to lose along my path as is time, but that's another blog, another day...)
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Permalink Reply by Anadeia on -
Hi LilyRose! I've done a lot of work with my Shadow self, too. I've found that the whole "white magic" vs "black magic" thinking is a bit too divisive. I mean, if we all were to honestly take inventory of our character qualities, every person on this planet (including Mother Theresa) would have to admit to having feelings of greed, anger, laziness, selfishness, etc. These qualities (not flaws) go part and parcel with the whole human experience: we cannot push them away and refuse them in a vain attempt to be "good" and "right" without dividing ourselves in two and living only a "half-life". Now, I am not saying that we should just act blindly on impulse, or allow these feelings to goad us into harming ourselves or others, but every one of these qualities offers us a gift when we acknowledge "I am that".
When my boundaries have been crossed (either by me giving in to someone else or by others' actions), Anger is the watchdog that lets me know it. When I acknowledge that I am angry, Anger shows me exactly where the problem is so that I can work to correct it; but if I push it away and silence it out of some outdated programming that "anger is bad", then I lose the strength and conviction that Anger brings me to be able to stand up for myself and to speak my truth in the situation.
I do follow the Rede to the best of my ability, but life is not a dichotomy of "either/or", "good/bad", or "right/left", and neither are we. I've said this before in another post, but all it takes is a quick study of all the warrior/destroyer goddesses (and gods for that matter) to see that not all is sweetness and light in the Divine Realms (Freya! *wink*). Embracing the "darker" qualities that are generally frowned upon has allowed me to be a more complete person who is more at peace with my Self.
So Freyaschild, why would it be "wrong" for me to want to prosper? Why shouldn't I use/manipulate energy (cast a spell, light a candle, say affirmations, work more hours, get a better-paying job, etc) to cause more money to come my way? I can only guess at the reasoning of the person who made that comment, but it has been my experience that people who hold that point of view still have the underlying belief that "there's not enough to go around". I've actually had someone say to me that she believed that if she asked for wealth, then somewhere in the world someone else would have to go hungry. If you have that view, then doing so would be causing harm -- if not to anyone else, then definitely to yourself.
Personally, I see that Greed gives me the gift of boldness to make sure that my needs are being met and that I have enough to enjoy my life. Because I believe that the Universe is boundless and unlimited (and therefore, so are my resources), there is more than enough to go around for anyone and everyone who asks.
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Permalink Reply by Tracy on -
Hi Freyschild,
In my humble opinion, we use magick to effect positive change in our own lives, the lives of those we love (with permission of course) and the Earth and all her inhabitants. I don't believe doing work for prosperity could really be considered "left handed". In my opinion, "personal gain" from a left handed perspective would be more like...oh, let's see, using personal power to obtain a job that belongs to someone else without regard for the impact one's actions will have on that individual. The left handed path deals mainly with the "self". Self fullfillment, self development, self empowerment.
Tracy
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Permalink Reply by Anadeia on
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Hi Blackrose! I used to have misgivings about charging for my services, but I decided that at the very least, I could charge for my time and materials. That way I could still honor the conviction that I was merely being a channel for the magical workings and/or energy healing that was coming through me. IMO The concept of "equal exchange of energy" is important, not only so that we can make a living, but also so that the receiver can acknowledge the gift and honor the giver.
What books would you recommend on the Left Hand Path?
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Permalink Reply by Kathleen on -
I am not normal even here.:)
This is very, well, me.
The "right hand" path, to me is a more passive and trusting path. It tells me to believe in the Gods, invoke them if I feel the need and look for the clues they send. If I do magic to them, then I consider that right handed. The magic that is is basic; blessings, cleanings, simpler warding and the like.
The "left hand" is more assertive at best and downright bitchy at worst. Though in my defense it's only bitchy when I have reason to be perturbed. It's when a newbie is testing strength by using my shields or someone thought my energy might be tasty. It's got more power, I guess. I'm careful with that side. While it's great for self defense I'd rather not be a position that I need to defend myself in the first place.
Intent is the divider for me. It is possible to pray to a God for something bad to happen to someone else. It is also possible for stronger powers to do harm. There are many things in the shadows.
But that's one pagans opinion.
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Permalink Reply by Nautonnier on -
well,
i Personally am not a Wiccan (although I have studied many Different religions)
to ME..any Kind Of Unnatural Gain.....is left handed
to be Truthful
WE ALL...are both right and left handed...so nothing can be entirely Dark or light
I Dont like the concept of Gray..either
Because If One is In the Middle..there Is No Awareness Of The Left or the Right of it....
To ME
(please..this is only how I See IT..and My SEEING...allows space to respect everyone else in their point of view.....I Will Neither tell you that you are Right or Wrong on Any Subject..
Thats the Difference in Me..and I am Sure that There are many More like Me..who are Fully capable of Sharing a conversation...without taking insult that People agree to Differ..
and Since I am Drifting Off-Topic..
may I Mention That it is a shame that it is neccessary to state that!...But alas..there has been a lot of Difference of Opinion going on ..in PS....resulting in people getting angry with other people over a difference of opinion.....)
now to the point in hand!
in Essence..
Left hand is not Absolutely Wrong!
nor is Right hand Absolutely Right!
there is NO absolute Right or wrong..
The Kybalion Illustrates this fact of Natural laws quite Clearly..
The Complication IS..that Certain Left handed....and Right Handed..practises lead To Delusion
which Strengthens the VEILS that the Dualistic Universe places Between US and The ability to SEE the TRUTH of It ALL...
IF One IS a Healer....
IN TRUTH..
that breaks the Wiccan rede
Because WE are Causing HARM in The ILLNESS..to cure the Sufferer
the ILLNESS is alive..and Therefore Falls into HARM NONE...because NONE is absolute and Outside limits of Merely Humans..
YES..
a Wiccan High Priest or Priestess Could argue Limiting IT to Humans..
But Then has Broken The Rede by Imposing Their Will (opinion) on another Against That Persons Consent
(changing Another Persons Opinion..while Subtle..IS an Actual magickal Act ...regardless of The Fact that Mundane folk Do This to One another all the Time...ITS STILL MAGICK..
the Power of Magick Acts Through ALL intentions..
In fact..
ITS SCIENCE ..anyway!
Using ONE LAW to Influence a CHANGE in the World....nothing is created or destroyed but merely changes from one form to another..(a magickal act is the using of Intention and WILL to Catalyse that Change and influence the outcome)
Crowley Is Very Clear Of This in His Letters
and
Gardener...WAS a Student of Crowleys..and Created WICCA...as an Examination to Proceed to A higher Grade Within AA..under Crowleys Leadership....
the RULES of The Rede..
are Supposed to wake UP the Practitioners OF the IMPOSSIBILITY of Following Such a Complicated System of Rules
Crowleys PLAN..was that The Wiccan..should BE the WAY INTO the AA...because The People WERE supposed to Come and Question the Rede..and Then Be advised of The BIGGER PICTURE..
those who Came were Deemed Suitable Probationers
OK..
so NOW..I BROKE the Oaths of the Higher Grades of Thelema by revealing that
That makes ME Left hand path..
BUT
Since Crowley was Left hand..and Also Would have Told YOU what I Just Revealed
It Matters NOT!..
SEE..I Didnt Get Destroyed by Lightening..LOL!
which Brings me to The CORE of The Complication
(which was and IS a HUGE Downfall for many Practitioners..Including Crowley..
and It Is CLEAR..in this Example......Crowley or One of The Higher Officers in the Order Would Explain To You the Complications within The Wiccan Rede..and Offer a far Simpler System..
That Of Thelema!!!......HOWEVER..
you SEE..
Left hand Path..."personal gain"
the Personal gain Here IS that They wanted Members Not Expressly to Help People to Become Enlightened..
BUT also for Financial Reasons..
and it should Be Visible Now
the Complication...
of INTENT
SO..
to simplify
IF a Person..for Example Is a Healer
and Then DECIDES to perform That Healing for Profit
I.e. Selling Their Services..
The
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Permalink Reply by Nautonnier on
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Strangely.....the Remainder of my post..keeps getting removed by the Software!!!LOL!
I shall try to add to this later as my edit box expired!
can you see what I am Showing you
its not to change your opinion..
but to help you SEE a bigger picture..and Hopefully accelerate your growth..
of Which I have No Other MOTIVE..or intent
only that you SHOULD See the Truth!
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Permalink Reply by SIN on -
The easiest way to describe 'left-handed' thought, is that it resonates within the self. Where right-handed thought is external.
This is why religions such as Christianity, Judaism and Islam seek to find a 'becoming' from an external source such as God.
Religions (or non-religions) such as Satanism seeks to find a sense of 'being' from within.
Many forms of Paganism can be considered right-handed, where it seeks for guidance from outside sources such as deity; or even nature. Right-hand thought tends to seek out groups or communities, to understand a sense of belonging; like-mindedness.
Satanism can also fall under the right-hand thought in some regard, where it seeks knowledge from outside sources.
Some forms of Paganism can be considered left-handed as well, where it is a solitary practice, where a sense of being is developed by seeking within for understanding; finding divinity within.
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Permalink Reply by SIN on
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That's interesting William. Most of the Neo-Pagans I have been around in practice, generally use their right hand to send energy outward.
The general stigma attached to 'left-handedness' comes from old customs, definitions and superstitions. Islamic peoples see the left-hand as 'dirty' as it was used to 'wipe' when using the bathroom prior to the invention of toilet tissue. They consider it an extreme insult if you extend your left hand to shake hands. If you look to the dictionary, the word 'sinister' is attached to it; when I was young I was left-handed. My mother would say things like 'its an omen' and when I smashed my right hand with a metal bar while playing 'ice sculpter' and broke my index finger, it was a 'sign'. From that point on, I was trained to use my right hand, and to this day I am now right handed.
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Permalink Reply by Anadeia on
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Yup, Sin, you're right about the connection between the word "sinister" and the left hand because that's exactly what it meant in Latin. "Dexter" is the Latin word for "right (side)". The idea of "evil" being attached to the left side and ultimately to the word itself, came about in the 12th to 14th centuries when the Church invaded Europe and began its "reeducation campaign". The left side was connected to the Goddess, to intuition and to seeing the world through a right-brained, wholistic lens -- something the new religion couldn't tolerate.
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Permalink Reply by d'Arqstar on -
Hmmm...I "naturally" pull IN energy with my left hand and send it OUT with my right, but I've done exercises which change the flow of energy and can shift it in the other direction. Its rather an interesting feeling to do that, btw, it changes your "center". I attach no true meaning to either left OR right. As long as the flow is flowing...I'm good! LOL!
I seem to recall some reference to TAKING with your left hand (i.e. greed) and giving with your right (i.e. generosity) but I think that had some connection with the Church and tithing. (presumably one TOOK monies with the left hand from the...PROFANE world and gave it to the Church with one's right! LOL!)
I know there was a stigma attached to "left-handed" people and things at one time, it may still exist though hopefully to a lesser extent, but those were very fearful and superstitious times. Surely we've progressed past THAT business...haven't we?
BB
d'Arqstar
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