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The Balance of Power(s)

  
 
Scrambled Password Bogus Email
14:40 / 04.09.06
So, without getting too specific, I am interested in the thoughts and experiences of the practitioners (practitioners, mind you) who work with pantheons of Powers with reference to a particular aspect of such work which has popped into my awareness lately and given me some food for thought...

Do you consider it in any way risky or likely to open the possibility for...incomplete or confusing journeys...if the breadth and depth of a practice ignores (or has yet to encompass, perhaps more accurately) some of the Major Players within said pantheon (whatever that may be)?

By which I mean, if the extent of your engagement with the Powers has been fairly limited and only extended to a very restricted and limited Cast of Characters, do you consider this to be a healthy and appropriate means of exploring the Mysteries (no rush, after all...softly, softly catchee Spirit) or, on the other hand, is it liable or likely to create...a lack of harmony...a lack of balance...a skewed view...an incomplete picture or half-baked recipe, so to speak...since Life itself has no such limit or boundary or restriction?

Oh dear, I don't think I'm expressing this too clearly...does anyone see what I'm getting at? The question, I guess, is : Does working with a specific Power or Powers with which you may have forged a vigorous and healthy relationship without giving at least lip service to those Powers with whom you may have little or no relationship whatsoever (yet) leave open the possibility / probability of introducing bias and lack of balance into your General Vibration...after all, the demarcation and 'thingness' of each is, by and large, a mental imposition and not, I suspect, inherent in the Abstract Stuff 'it'self. So what, in the experience of those who tinker with such Trouble, is the Wise Course with regard to Balancing the Spectrum? After all, it seems most imprudent, to me, to rush into any sort of invitation or 'Hows it hanging?' without seriously considering the ongoing responsiilities that go with such a relationship...but on the other hand, the exclusivity of my current practice has caused this question to surface in me...why not, as it were, paint the whole picture, rather than somewhat myopically fixing on the corner that is clearest and (possibly) over emphasising the detail therein?? Broad strokes to begin with, and all that, build up the background, then concentrate on the foreground? Although, I should add, this is not at all how it has occurred, for me. But maybe I is a bit fick, and could do with a step back or three?

Hope you can penetrate my woolliness, thanks in advance for your contributions...
 
 
Haloquin
18:59 / 04.09.06
To clarify from what you've said above; you are (actually or hypothetically) currently working with one or two individuals/Powers from a pantheon/Spectrum...
and you are worried that you are being unbalanced because you may be leaving out half the story?
And are wondering whether this matters or not...

Why do you only work with that/those specific powers?
Do they complement or balance or enhance what you already have prominent in your life?
Are the powers you aren't working with just not interested in you? Could it be that at this point in time you need to work with the powers you are, and that at a later date/life (if you like) you will work with the other powers, perhaps in differing forms?

Is it actually bothering you that you are leaving them out, or is it just a wondering? If somethings bothering you then its probably important to address, if its not bugging you, I'd leave it.

I've been tapped by specific Powers in a pantheon, and when I've tried working with others in the spectrum it hasn't washed. They appreciated the acknowledgement but weren't interested in working with me, and they didn't call to me like the ones I'm working with.
But it doesn't feel unbalanced, just like this is where I'm at.

How much of life do you gain total balance? How often do you aim to experience every side of every experience? Do you try to get balance by being every shade of emotion at once? Or do you aim to be balanced by being one emotion then another, when the time is right for each? Just trying to illustrate a thought.

I don't think there's any problam with working with just one or two powers, although to expect to know everything about the mysteries that tradition has to offer that way may be a little optimistic. And acknowledgements, if they are poking you about them, may not go amiss.
 
 
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09:33 / 05.09.06
Do you consider it in any way risky or likely to open the possibility for...incomplete or confusing journeys...if the breadth and depth of a practice ignores (or has yet to encompass, perhaps more accurately) some of the Major Players within said pantheon (whatever that may be)?

Only if by working with some of the Gods/Goddesses in the pantheon you're focusing too much on one or more qualities/aspects to the exclusion of others. Then yes, you're basically leaving yourself open to imbalance and at the same time speeding it up I think, because by working with powers, you're getting in touch with purer and more powerful forms of those aspects.

On the other hand, if you're a balanced person and aware of this, (and you must have some awareness of this just to have made the thread.) then you'll be able to compensate by making sure that you put the work into the other areas at the same time.
 
 
rosie x
15:42 / 12.09.06
Butterless, I thought this thread was really quite interesting, and meant to contribute to it last week...but better late than never...

The balance of Powers is something I struggle with myself quite often; my relationship with my prime deity is so very deep, so intense and encompassing, that I often find myself walking and talking with Her alone, sometimes to the exclusion of other Mysteries. Our closeness is something I couln't change even if I wanted to, but I have tried to branch out a bit over the past few years, and it would be a lie to say these relationships haven't been beneficial in their own unique ways.

The first Lwa other than my Lady that I forged a relationship with was a particular manifestation of a Crossroads Mystery; he who opens the ways to the world of spirit, and fosters clear and audible conversation between the Lwa and those that serve them. Most people in my tradition, or similar Afro-Diaspora religions would begin their initial communications with him anyway, regardless who their personal Saint, Spiritual Guardian, or Lwa Met Tet. A healthy relationship with the crossroads can be beneficial in so many ways. If you're already working closely with a particular Power, then acknowledging the crossroads will only serve to deepen that existing relationship, and ensure that the lines of communication stay open, and that your prayers flow without impediment. If you'd like to meet other members of The Family, then who better to get you an introduction than the Spirit at the Gate?

I enjoy speaking to my Gatekeeper at the actual, physical crossroads; taking His offerings there, having conversations, sitting quietly for a bit and watching for communications, leaving a coin or a small gift when I pass through casually. Yet I also have a permanent space for Him at home, for more private, extended conversations, services or feasts.

As for other relationships, I just like to let them happen naturally, in the same way, and with the same attention and care I give to my human relationships. Some people like a wide social circle, while others prefer a few close friends. Currently, I have deep relationships with four Lwa and one Orisha, plus a new relationship which has potential for great depth in the future. That's an exciting one at the moment...it feels like falling in love.

Yet I do often acknowledge other members of The Family, and have been known to contribute small acts of service to them on their special days of the week, or more likely on their feast days. Just as a gesture of respect, more than out of any intense desire for the deep areas of their Mysteries.
The Powers involved seem to appreciate such little gestures, and seem to know that, in a sense, I'm already spoken for.
 
 
Scrambled Password Bogus Email
15:32 / 14.09.06
We have a similar scenario in the broadest sense there rosie, thanks for that rundown...It seems that, as usual, 'what comes most naturally and happens without doing' is the path best followed. Again.

Note to self : Thought is *still* the enemy.
 
  
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