Mysticism is a spectrum

One of the reasons why I think the attitudes towards mysticism in Heathenry tend towards the extremes of flat-out skepticism to “I can do any weird thing I want no matter how incompatible with theology, thew, or ethics, because THE GODS TOLD ME”, is because there is a lot of confusion as to what mysticism actually means and is.

When most people think of mysticism, they usually assume someone who is “on” 24/7, whose life is permeated by the unseen.  In Heathenry, we do not have too many examples of full-time, 24/7-365 mystics in the way that Christianity and Hinduism has many such accounts.  The closest thing we have in our written history is the individual seiðfolk, spae-wives, and völven who did seership and magic for the people, often traveling.  This is one role mysticism can take, but is in very small proportion to the amount of modern Heathens reporting mystical experiences of some kind.

The fact is, the concept that you are either “on” all the time and thus compelled to use the abilities in full-time service, or you are completely “mundane”, is erroneous.  Mysticism is not either/or.  It is, rather, a spectrum.

Most of the people I know who became Heathen in the last year to 20 years report being pulled by one of the Gods, rather than a desire to explore culture or ancestry.  While the latter may motivate some, it tends to not be the majority.  This makes sense considering America is not Europe, most of us who are American are raised in American culture/s, not European, and most current Heathens are not born and raised Heathen – at some point there has to be a conversion/acculturation process.

Most of the people I know who report being pulled by one of the Gods also report occasional Deity communication and sometimes that of wights and/or ancestors.  Yet, most of them are not seiðfolk, or performing rune magic or folk charms, and are not reporting great disturbances in their lives because of continual “woo”.  Does that mean they are completely “mundane” and not at all mystical?  Hel no.

Mysticism is a spectrum.  To make it simple, I’m going to use a 6-point scale.  Obviously, your mileage and perception can and will vary.

1. On the far end, at number one, we have what has been termed “cementheads”.  (I did not invent the term and I apologize if it comes off as insulting.)  It is generally rare to find 100% mundane people interested in religion at all, so while there are some within Heathenry who would self-identify as such, I think they belong to the next category up.
2. At number two, there are folks who generally don’t get visited by Gods or other spirits, but nonetheless practice religious observances in sincerity and receive the blessings.  They may feel occasionally prodded that a God or other being would like a specific offering, and they may find these offerings well-received with a feeling of rightness or an omen given.  While the “woo” would be occasional and nothing life-shaking, nonetheless, they are still able to enjoy what that God stands for and what the wights/ancestors give and do, and Their spheres of influence in the world.  If they pray, they may have their prayers answered, and the occasional “Divine intervention”.
3. At number three, there are folks who may occasionally – as in, one, two, or a handful of instances through an entire lifespan – be visited by Gods or other spirits, with a message or a strong feeling of guidance to do something, or evidence of a major intervention.  They may have had a conversation or a few conversations with beings.  They also appreciate what the God stands for and the presence of the wights and ancesotrs, Their spheres of influence in the world, and will receive the blessings when performing ritual, and outside of ritual.  I am going to venture that most Heathens I have encountered would fall into 3-3.5.
4. At number four, there are folks who have developed a close relationship with one or more Deities, and sometimes (but not always) some wights and/or ancestors.  They have frequent but not constant conversations with beings whether in dreams or while awake or both, and receive some guidance and inspiration from Them which affects changes in the mundane world.  There may at this stage be some desire to perform techniques like seiðr or spae, or work with runes, etc, but it will generally not be an all-the-time thing.
5. At number five, you typically see someone who is sworn to one Deity and as a representative of this Deity, will be engaged in a practice like seiðr, folk magic, runes, magico-medical things like herbalism or energy work, or honing priestcraft, done on a fairly frequent and consistent basis.  There is a constant or near-constant sense of the presence of that Deity, and often wights and/or ancestors, the veil between worlds being thinner for this individual than some others.  There may be frequent visitation and communion whether in dreams or while awake or both (usually both), and because of this it becomes harder to go about “regular” business, so the “woo” side will either be a major side interest or may become one’s primary vocation with everything else secondary.  While it may still not be strong enough to impede functioning, the sensitivity at this stage can make a person more prone to depression and anxiety, and regular spiritual outlets as well as having a good grounding in completely non-religious activities can help to balance this out.
6. At stage six, you get what I would call shamans or shamanists.  For a moment of controversy: there are two types of genuine shamanists that exist.  One, you do not find outside of indigenous cultures.  If someone is claiming to resurrect Ye Olde Northern/Celtic/(Name European Culture Here) Shamanism based on extremely spotty evidence (like, the worship of beings who are essentially a footnote in the Edda), and they don’t live in Ye Olde Northern/Celtic/Whatever Times, give them a wide berth.  Double ditto for people who want to rip off First Nations folks.  The other, you will find in modern cultures but they will readily admit they are neo-shamans or shamanists, and working in a wholly modern context or trained within older traditions adapted to today, in our age for our times and troubles (two examples of what I would personally deem legitimate shamanists who fall into this latter category are Lupa and Ravenari, although neither of them are Heathen, but still cool people).  That being said, someone who would be classified as a shaman or shamanist will fall into the “on and you can’t turn it off and thus have to use it in service of people” category (or something very close to it), with just as much invested Over There as here in Middle-Earth.  99.98% of people in Heathenry do not fall into category 6.  Some may think they do, but it’s usually either a very confused 5 or a person with serious mental illness and/or ego issues.  (Yes, I went there.)  With regards to the confusion between 5 and 6, some components of seiðr/spae can be shamanic in nature, and priests perform similar functions to shamans within the community, neither of these are shamanism full stop.

I personally rate about a 4.5; I have some characteristics of 5 (I am sworn to Frey, have oathed as His priest, and have communed intensively with Him and my local wights) but in primarily a 4 context (it is not constant, I still have “dry spells”, and on the surface I pass for “normal” quite well, still).  That does NOT mean I am better than a 2, however.  Indeed, I think part of what contributes to the opposition to mysticism in some dominant Heathen circles is that not only do some mystics feel you are either a 5-6 or a “mundane”, there is a sense of superiority (whether expressed overtly or covertly; I’ve seen both) towards those who would fall into categories 2-4.  I think this sucks.  If you get something out of your rituals and fellowship with other Heathens, if you enjoy what life has to offer, then you’re not just “going through the motions” – life is sacred as it is, people don’t need to be talking with the Gods constantly to be blessed by Them.

Anyone from 2-6 on the scale can be said to have had a mystical experience.  And that would be most of us, but it will be by degrees.  Not only do I hope to provide information to those who will be at the 4-5 point and want pointers on how to safely explore and develop what is going on, I’d also like to acknowledge the validity of folks at the 2-3 point and if I may, give some guidance as to how to recognize those proddings and pullings when they come, and to not be afraid to say “Hey, I get this too!”

So, there you have it.  Mysticism is not merely “you have it or you don’t”, but manifests in most religious people, whether that’s quiet or loud.  Both have a place, and it is by acknowledging both types and the various points along the spectrum, that I hope for better understanding on the issue.

–

Posted for Heathen Mysticism Blogging Month.

~ by svartesol on July 2, 2009.