Oneness I have no wish to argue with anyone nor is it my intention to condemn the beliefs of others. This is how I believe. This works for me and it may change as I grow and learn. Each soul must find the parameters of their own belief system, whether that is a solitary endeavor or achieved within the combined efforts of a group. If reading this part bothers you or starts to close your mind, then skip it. You can always come back to it later, if you're curious. I believe in a Oneness, a whole, a unity. It's a power source of infinite magnitude, capability, variety, intelligence, harmony and cooperation. It is THE Spirit. It is ALL Spirits. It would fall into some descriptions of divinity or God, but I don't really think of the Oneness as any gender or being or symbol. There are terms and names I recognize and use, just to make it all easier to discuss, but I'm still building that vocabulary. What I see and feel is Space, the vastness of the Universe, not a big empty dark place, but a thriving organism of infinite proportions, with infinite parts, from the largest spinning galaxy down to every single atom. I think that whatever we choose to call it, does not change it, so all attempts to connect with the Oneness, by any name, are acceptable. I believe that each of us is an independent spirit or soul but ultimately we comprise the whole that is everything. So, in this respect, we are all divine. We are all gods and goddesses. We only have to acknowledge and accept the whole of our power and responsibility. We should give thanks for the source and receive the full bounty of power and belonging. I believe that a spark of this divine Oneness is the core of each of us. When our time in our current manifestation is through, we shall be joined again. Truly we are never parted. The concept of 'separate but unified' is difficult to grasp so I speak of it as I can and expect someday to understand how this is done. Some speak of the Trinity as three-in-one. I believe in a countless One, of which I am a part. We are a differentiated One. I believe it's sometimes easier to discuss this Oneness as its component parts or to specifically thank a portion that has been helpful. Thus I find it comfortable to refer to the Moon as a major link to the cosmos for me. I feel a special affinity with the Moon and have received direct communications from and through the Moon and even surges of power through her. So, I thank the Moon for being a major part of my overall support within the Oneness. But however I say it, she knows what is in my spirit for we are both parts of the Oneness. I make supplication to the Moon as well, as a point of focus, as an aid to communication with the power source. I know that the power is not in the Moon alone, but everywhere and in me. When I have need of some other 'entity' for focus, then this shall be available to me as well, whether I name it or not. I believe there is a potential for magic in everything. Every. Thing. I believe that magic is an energy or force, and the use of other energies. To me, magic is just a term for tapping into the power within the universe. Thus, energy available for magic is in the air, the soil, water in any form, fire, plants, animals, rocks, seasons, people, thoughts, emotions, celestial bodies and even the vacuum of space, for there are energy fields at work there. I believe that most of the energy is inherently neutral but responds best when used with cooperative intent, like being helpful or nurturing or to bring pleasure. It is free for use by any who wish to use it and know how. Knowing how is a matter of believing, trusting in what is there and being thankful for all gifts, blessings and miracles. Recognition is part of the equation. I believe that I am responsible for the results of my magic, good or bad, and intent counts. Accidents can be overlooked, especially if I have learned something. Harmful intent will impede or marr my spirit and I will have to heal that. To make the best connection with the Oneness would logically require cooperative action. That would obviously work best with awareness and concern for my impact on others. Harming others would likely weaken them and in turn, weaken my own connection. I don't believe in a lot of preset symbols, color meanings, stock chants and regulated rites. I am fascinated by some studies, especially astrology, runes, gem lore and tarot, plus sciences like cosmology and chemistry. I may not learn such things in great depth, but I believe they are useful as optional tools, whether passed down through the generations or developed today. Because I study these things and know something of their language, code and symbols, then I am more likely to glean information through them so I may be able to interpret it better. I mostly go on intuition and intent, with or without a tool or device. I must learn what gifts I am currently suited for and how to make the best use of them, for my own edification and to aid others in their spiritual quests. I trust that I may expand my knowledge without limits. I believe that all ritual devices are just that, devices and nothing more. They may provide a focal point, but I don't believe there is anything inherently magical or divine about an athame or chalice or candle or pentagram or star of david or cross, etc. I feel that the power lies within the individual spirit and the universe at large, not in these sorts of objects. So, if I wanted to work magic using any object for focus or nothing more than thought, I can do that, as long as I use my own will and concentration to draw from the collective energies. By the same token, I do not have to have an intercessor or priest/ess or pope or pastor or anyone else between me and the power of the cosmos or the power within me. I am an autonomous soul. We all are. However, instead of starting from scratch and trying to reinvent all methods, it's more intelligent to ask for help, make good use of instruction, align with other spirits in the same predicaments or find mentors to help me out of them and use research information already available to expand mind, heart and soul. If other souls need something different then they should seek. They will find. There are many paths to the Oneness. I believe that all religions and cults are valid except those which allow or condone intentional harm to other spirits. Similarly, I don't appreciate any group that spends time bashing or converting another. They've lost sight of the real issues and must learn tolerance and cooperation in order to connect to the unified whole. I don't think all religious sects are particularly good, but they are valid if they're working to help spirits find a path to the divine and providing a sense of comfort and belonging among souls. I believe that each soul has different spiritual needs at different levels of their development. Catholicism may be the structure one soul needs to connect with the divine, while another may use Buddhism. I don't know that Paganism, Shamanism, Wicca or whatever are better than any others but the independence appeals to my spirit. I do tend to think that independence indicates higher spiritual development. In any case, though there may be more comfort in the support of institutionalized religion, we are each already citizens of the Oneness and we can connect as our spirit deems right for us. I am personally wary of organized religion, including all standard denominations and even neo-pagan groups. This is mainly because I have previously been susceptible to the dogma, symbols and rituals, to ill effect. I accept full responsibility for the confusion. It's not necessarily what 'they' said, it's what I did with it that was damaging. I feel that my spirit was buried beneath the rubble for many years. I'm still having to dig out and burn underbrush so I can clear my soul's path, but I'm getting there. I believe in a concept of karma, whatever one may call it. It's merely a practical consideration, a way of making sure that I'm proceeding harmoniously rather than being disruptive. I also believe in reincarnation because that's the only way that karma really makes sense to me. I think it would be nearly impossible for a soul to come out even on karma in one lifetime and still explain why bad things happen to good people and visa versa. Karmically, I think the only unpardonable offense may be self-destruction and even that would not eliminate the spirit. Such an act would be the ultimate lack of consideration and the spirit may have to return again and again to live with the consequences of that misjudgement. I don't think anyone is 'damned' except to have to live with their own actions, possibly for several incarnations until they get with the program. I believe that the point of the program is to be a part of it all, to experience, to learn, to do, to progress, to grow as a spirit and to help others do the same when possible. Plus it's good for karmic credits and personal light to be helpful. I try to abide the Wiccan Rede - An ye harm none, do what ye will. It makes perfect sense to me, just like a variation, the Golden Rule - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. If the universe and all within are working toward unity and connection then it would make sense to reward cooperative behavior. I like rewards. I also like the freedom of playing at my own experiments, filling my spirit with joy and pleasure, and knowing that I may do as I see fit, so long as I harm no others or interfere with their paths. I believe I can build up karmic extra-credit by doing good deeds when things are going well for me, otherwise known as noblesse oblige. Why pay just enough to get by, when I can toss in a little extra and have some to spare? I like the breathing room and it just plain feels good to be generous. I have found that any activity I undertake which adds to the harmony of life around me is rewarding in itself and often returns much more than my investment. By the same token, I endeavor not to take too much. I believe in spirit or soul circles. The concept of spirits who travel together from incarnation to incarnation would seem to be occurring for me. So, I believe in it. There are people I've met with whom I share a phenomonally close bond such that I am sure we've connected before. The feelings are just too strong to be explained or develop too quickly to be reasonable otherwise. At the very base of it all is this: With all of us being parts of the whole, elements of the Oneness, everything we do effects all of us. When I draw energy, I am responsible for it. I must be aware of what effect I have on the whole. I must cooperate if I expect to connect or bond strongly enough to continue to draw from the unified resource. I should return something in exchange, whether that's good thoughts or something material or a kind deed, for I am energy too. When I receive something good, I feel obligated to pass it on or share my blessings in some way. This is merely good citizenship and my reward is that the same resources will be available when I call upon them. I think that about covers it. (Oneness)

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