Male Mysteries

We have continued our discussions in a PS Group. Please feel free to join us at http://www.paganspace.net/group/sonsofthemerlinmensmysteries

I want to thank everyone for participating in this topic and their thread.

I am interested in hearing what your impressions are of the male mysteries and the pursuit of the mysteries. What difficulties do you encounter? What do you think is missing? What parts particular interest you and what approaches to learning them are the most inspiring to you?

Man Chant

Warrior, Guardian, Defender of time
Poet, Prophet, Priest, and King divine
Upon my steed, the solar tide I ride
Til chosen times on Earthly tides.
I am a Man in the Company of Men.
Hail and Welcome!
(or Hail and Farewell!)

Copyright2009 by Mead Muse
Mead Muse
http://meadmuse.wordpress.com/

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Fionn oMurchu on July 5, 2009 at 10:58am: I was co-founder of the Order of the Sons of the Merlin in Ft. Lauderdale, a group dedicated to the male mysteries. We worked quite a bit with R.J. Stewart's book entitled (appropriately enough) "Celebrating the Male Mysteries", which separates them into the archetypes of warrior, poet, prophet, priest, and king.

Difficulties? We had a little "push-back" from one Dianic group, which soon disappeared. And some other "technical difficulties", which were all handled. Now I and another co-founder have moved away from Florida, so I can't see first-hand what's happening now...

One of my favorite inspirational books on the subject is "The Pagan Man: Priests, Warriors, Hunters and Drummers" by Isaac Bonewits. I HIGHLY recommend it.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mead Muse a/k/a Zuul on July 5, 2009 at 11:20am: Respectfully, I wonder why a Dianic group would be so concerned with a male mysteries group?

I note that there are many more books available on the female mysteries and the females in sociology. Actually, my husband and I were commenting to each other at several bookstores lately, that the sociology section has subsections for everything, but Males. Do you think the lack of book materials has its effect?

Also, I wonder how much of a relationship there is between seekers trying to avoid any connection with Christian dogma influences their perception of the male aspect.

Yeah, I'm going deep here. lol; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Fionn oMurchu on July 5, 2009 at 11:27am: The Dianics were just pissed off that men actually wanted to be involved, they thought we should just stay in the garage where we belong lol.

The Sons of the Merlin had many discussions on the perceptions of "maleness" in modern society. One thing we all agreed on - in virtually every TV show, the woman is portrayed as intelligent and wise, and the man is almost invariably a doofus. And children watch this...

I'll get back to you on Christian dogma, it's a long subject and I have to do some breathing exercises first.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mead Muse a/k/a Zuul on July 5, 2009 at 11:33am: Such a shame actually. The attempt to leave patriarchal demands behind at times has left men "between worlds" so to speak. There comes a time where as a whole we should stop striving to "get away" from something and start working towards something. This has to do with both male and female attitudes in general.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by AlanHeartsong on July 5, 2009 at 11:36am: In my humble experience, the Dianics I've known were angry at the male-dominated culture in America, and lumped all things male under the "bad' label. Some go so far as to deny that men *could* be spiritual, nice, respectful people...but, you do get extremists in every group.

It's hard for pagan men to assert their positive qualities with pride without someone accusing them of trying to dominate something.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mead Muse a/k/a Zuul on July 5, 2009 at 11:41am: Understood. Never easy to be blamed by anyone for the actions of forefathers in any aspect regardless of the type of oppression that occurred.

How much do you think this influences the modern pagan man, his approach to the mysteries, and life?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by AlanHeartsong on July 5, 2009 at 11:47am: A lot, actually. I think lots of pagan men are afraid to step on women's toes in the community. And there's a difference between being cautiously considerate, and being afraid.

The word "patriarchy" has been used as a weapon against pagan men in some communities. But I think part of the problem also stems from a lack of consistency in metaphysical cosmology. Some people think there's One Goddess to Rule Them All, others think it's the Lady and Lord together, and others are pantheon-specific about the hierarchy of deities. I believe that in this way, the "variety" in pagan beliefs contributes to some instability in the role of men in our communities. Goddess in the pagan world is generally a more strong, stable focus. God, on the other hand, varies. Even saying "God" to lots of pagans makes them sneer in reaction to the Christian deity their mind jumps to.

So all of that impacts pagan men, I believe.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mead Muse a/k/a Zuul on July 5, 2009 at 11:50am: I have been thinking a lot lately on this very subject. It's interesting that Goddess is usually capitalized and god is not unless it is specified as the "Horned God".

My husband made the comment that the male mysteries are like everyone wanting to be on the football team (yeah, a little sports analogy, lol), but there are no defined positions and no one really knows what the common goal is.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Fionn oMurchu on July 5, 2009 at 12:03pm: Well, we all have a common goal. Our "positions" are defined by our native talents, abilities and desires. Everyone has a place in the community. Once we learn that, and embrace one another like the family we truly are, all will be well. Biodh se Amhlaidh.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mead Muse a/k/a Zuul on July 5, 2009 at 12:13pm: Double Question:

1. Do you think that only two "positions" (merlin and king aspects) are primarily being presented?

2. And, if so, do you think men are "vying" or "competing" for those two positions?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Fionn oMurchu on July 5, 2009 at 12:18pm: Refer back to R.J. Stewart's book. Warrior, Poet, Prophet, Priest, King. We all embody every aspect of these archetypes, we just have to open up to them.

I'm more in tune to the Poet, but I try to integrate all the aspects into my life. And I'm not competing with anyone :)