Pagan Week
Halloween being just a few days away, this week feels rather removed from the pervasive monotheism we generally practice in the Western Hemisphere. On Sunday, just out of morbid curiosity, I attended a religious service that could be described as pagan. Not being a practitioner of any particular religion, or an adherent of any supernatural dogma, I try to view any kind of service as objectively as possible from the vantage point of "what do the parishioners get out of it?" Well, I have to say that the Pagan approach manages to invoke a very strong sense of belonging to primordial powers that are fundamentally outside our ken (I feel beholden to run and read "The Golden Bough" right about now). The almost purely emotional response to chants and rituals that make you a part of ancient and strong creative forces provided a surprising sense of calm and equanimity. There was a sense that one was a holder of some kind of great wisdom -- you had no idea what it was, but somehow you were wise nevertheless.
As for me, I need to understand way to much to feel comfortable to "abandon" myself to anything I cannot think through, so this was not my cup of tea (or shot of vodka, as the case might be). Nevertheless, I can now understand the appeal.
11:49:32 AM 
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