“We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological worlds sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconsciousness, the Inner Planes etc – and we see in the interaction of these two dimensions the basis for paranormal phenomena and magical exercises. We neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfillment.”
The intermingling of physical and paranormal phenomenon ebbs and flows in popularity in the mainstream and carries a cyclical threshold of acceptance throughout the centuries, perhaps related to the cyclical nature of trends both spiritual and occult. Wiccan beliefs give credence to the paranormal, the existence of Magick, the power of the subconscious and unconscious, and the interaction of inner experience and the outer world. For us, it is not a matter of whether supernatural or occult interest is in vogue, it is our way of life to interact with realms that parallel, but that are not limited to the mundane. We see the supernatural as a quite natural extension of what our five mundane senses can perceive. We interact regularly with forces beyond the readily apparent to the mere five senses. Wiccan beliefs acknowledge interaction with the spiritual and mundane worlds. It is a normal way of life for us to not be limited to the purely physical realm. In fact, Wiccans are not shy about acknowledging the “spirit” in “spirituality.”
We seek to gain proficiency in accessing the realms and energies beyond the mundane physical plane including the unconscious and astral planes, but we also seek to hold a balance between our mundane and our spiritual needs. We do not promote the negligence of material, mundane matters in extending our interaction in spiritual realms to the detriment of our basic needs. In other words, we do not seek to explore spiritual worlds to the negligence of care of our bodies, homes, families, and routine life tasks. We seek to access spiritual components of parallel planes in order to accentuate our lives. We recognize it would be unwise to neglect the spiritual realms for a purely mundane focus, and vice versa.
While in the past many Witches faced ridicule, harassment or alienation for what now is a subject of bestselling books, retreats and workshops to unleash secret knowledge, to ghost tours, to séances to holistic healing journeys, Wiccans have been exploring, studying and talking about our beliefs in the reality beyond the mundane for decades, and Witches and pagans of all forms worldwide have long held the belief in and daily interaction with, these powers. While popular and even scientific acceptance of these practices varies through the ages, Wiccans see this as an integral part of our lifestyle and practice.
Angela Kaufman is the coauthor of Wicca: What’s the Real Deal? Breaking Through the Misconceptions, along with Dayna Winters, and Patricia Gardner. You can find out more about the book at: http://www.wwtrd.webs.com.
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