This is filled with subtlties of meaning. With subtlties, period.... One can go on and on about the etymology of the word witch (and synonyms in other languages)....I think your confusion at my preference for the word may arise, in part, from misconceptions, some of them popular, some perpetuated by Wiccans and practicioners of other sorts of witchcraft...
On the first part of this, I am curious. I don't know if this is something that needs to be expounded in a journal entry - although there may be others reading who (like myself) are not well educated & might benefit from some clarification. On the second, concerning misconceptions, I will unreservedly concede that my conception of "witchcraft" has very likely been influenced by those sources.
Sadly, for me the word heathen is forever tainted and ruined by personal experiences with racist Odinists, as well as by certain followers of Asatru who have also embraced racism and homophobia. They wish to distinguish themselves from pagans, and so have chosen the word heathen.
Well, I was thinking strictly from the idea of "one who lives on the heath", with more of an emphasis on one who lives of the land, rather than someone in opposition to organized Judeo-Christian religion. But yes, I had forgotten about that regrettable appropriation and the stigma such a term might carry. Fuckers. I say take the term back for yourself.
Esoteric Meta-terrestrialism?
I kind of like that one.
Go for it.
But there is a metaphysics in my work. There is not much faith or belief, and I will have nothing whatsoever to do with superstition, nor with theism or polytheism (beyond its use as metaphor and symbol).
But isn't there a dialogue between the exterior/third-entity metaphysical and the interior/first-entity metaphysical? Erg. I think I'd have to have at least three drinks in me before I could stumble further into this. I think I'm skittering on glass as it is.
But there is a something I'm trying to reach, whether it lies within me or without.
I was just listening to The Crane Wife while I was reading this and found this to resonate somehow...
...And it called & cried It called & cried so
But all the stars were crashing 'round As I laid eyes on what I found...
Keep reaching. I'll just marvel that someone manages the strength to try.
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Re: Nomenclature
Date: 2006-12-08 04:39 am (UTC)On the first part of this, I am curious. I don't know if this is something that needs to be expounded in a journal entry - although there may be others reading who (like myself) are not well educated & might benefit from some clarification. On the second, concerning misconceptions, I will unreservedly concede that my conception of "witchcraft" has very likely been influenced by those sources.
Sadly, for me the word heathen is forever tainted and ruined by personal experiences with racist Odinists, as well as by certain followers of Asatru who have also embraced racism and homophobia. They wish to distinguish themselves from pagans, and so have chosen the word heathen.
Well, I was thinking strictly from the idea of "one who lives on the heath", with more of an emphasis on one who lives of the land, rather than someone in opposition to organized Judeo-Christian religion. But yes, I had forgotten about that regrettable appropriation and the stigma such a term might carry. Fuckers. I say take the term back for yourself.
Esoteric Meta-terrestrialism?
I kind of like that one.
Go for it.
But there is a metaphysics in my work. There is not much faith or belief, and I will have nothing whatsoever to do with superstition, nor with theism or polytheism (beyond its use as metaphor and symbol).
But isn't there a dialogue between the exterior/third-entity metaphysical and the interior/first-entity metaphysical? Erg. I think I'd have to have at least three drinks in me before I could stumble further into this. I think I'm skittering on glass as it is.
But there is a something I'm trying to reach, whether it lies within me or without.
I was just listening to The Crane Wife while I was reading this and found this to resonate somehow...
...And it called & cried
It called & cried so
But all the stars were crashing 'round
As I laid eyes on what I found...
Keep reaching. I'll just marvel that someone manages the strength to try.