A Book You've Read That Changed Your View On Something
When I decided I was going to do this challenge again, I said I'd try to find the entries from 2011 when I did it the first time. I found some of them, not all 30 days. I wanted to see if my feelings, thoughts, decisions, actions had changed at all.
30 Days of Truth ~ Day 17 ~ A Book You've Read That Changed Your View On Something(Original posy-July 31, 2011)
ChristoPaganism by Joyce and River Higginbotham
Most of you know I am a Witch and Jimmy is a Christian. It wasn't always like this. When we first got together, I was just beginning to explore the Pagan Path after living all of my life in a Christian home/family. And Jimmy didn't claim any religion as his own after growing up Catholic and leaving the church as a young man.
The Wheel turns and things evolve...Jimmy finds God and I begin to worry what this is going to do to our relationship. Most people I/we talked to told us the same thing...it can't be done. A Christian and Pagan/Witch CANNOT live together. They are at cross points of the spectrum.
However, after reading this book, talking to Jimmy and really listening to his beliefs and how he feels his relationship with his God works and then explaining my concerns to him, helped us to find the way to keep our relationship together. Both of us firmly believe in our separate spirituality and we each encourage the other to do all that is needed in order to be the best we can be in our worship.
I was raised Christian, so I can help him with scripture, recommend books and music for him, I even go to church with him. I don't feel threatened and actually, enjoy spending time with him as he worships.
He has spent some time with me in ritual before his path changed, so he is comfortable coming to my Circle, and can and does even participate occasionally. He knows I'm not "evil" as some have tried to convince him.
We are both open and communicate to each other about the things we feel in our spiritual lives and I know this is how we make our dual path work for us...
Current Post
So much has changed since I wrote the original post for this prompt. Jimmy no longer goes to church and has embraced his inner power. Some (4 that I know of for sure, LOL) will tell you I've damned him to hell for all eternity and I'm ok with that. I believe in free will, free thought and the freedom to seek whichever higher power that calls to you.
Along with the changes, there have also been SO many books that have given me a reason to pause and perhaps look at things in a different light.
Tale of the Lost Daughter by Karen Clark
This book was an epiphany for me. When I was asked to review the book before it was fully released I was at a very low place in my spiritual path. I had questions (much like when I was going to the Christian church as a child) and I was seeking, looking, searching hoping for answers to what my purpose was and how was I supposed to continue my journey. I made it to chapter 3 before I broke down in nasty crying. Heart-wrenching sobs, tears streaming uncontrollably down my face.
Yes, this is a work of fiction, and yes I've been ridiculed numerous times for feeling (KNOWING) this book helped to lead me to the Goddess Hecate. There are many ways to find your path, I have learned to follow the dictates of the Gods and not try to circumvent their direction, that only gets me in trouble, depresses me and makes me miserable. I had never considered myself to be a devotee of Hecate or for any other Deity for that matter. After reading this book, after hours and hours and HOURS of deep meditation and listening to Her speak to me, I began my Journey to the Dark Goddess.
I'm still seeking Her and listening to everything she says to me, sometimes it may take a hot minute for me to get the message, but I do not feel I've disappointed Her nor caused her to turn away from me. I'm learning, I'll always be learning and until She has nothing else to show me, I'll continue to follow the direction she is leading me. I know my journey isn't the same as someone else's might be, but it's MY journey and as long as Hecate and the Deities she shares me with have no objections, I am content with where I am.
The Woman With the Alabaster Jar by Margaret Starbird
I am sometimes obsessed with Women's Study. Not every person has the same idea or definition of what that consists of. I'm positive I don't have the textbook description of how it is supposed to go. In 2008 into early 2009 while we lived in RaleighI was lucky enough to meet up with some amazing people and be part of a Pagan Bookclub that met once a month. This book was on our reading list and at first, I was hesitant to read it. I wasn't sure I wanted anything to do with a book written by a Catholic church scholar. I am SO happy I did read it.
All through my time in the Christian church, I had so many questions and never once did I feel I was given an answer that wasn't trying to blow off my question. I always felt that there was more to the life of Jesus than just birth, live 33 years, preach and then die (yes I know I just simplified his story). Then after I completely walked away from organized religion where I was stifled and controlled even though I didn't recognize it at the time, I was able to dig deeper into the things that had haunted me all this time.
After reading The Woman With the Alabaster Jar I felt vindicated, justified and relieved to know there were other people out there who also questioned the things they had been taught. Yes, Margaret Starbird's questions were completely different than mine, but we both came to the same conclusion. Not only did Jesus live and preach and then die for his beliefs (as the church would have you believe) he ALSO sacrificed himself for his wife and child. Seems a little far-fetched, right? Read the book and then tell me how you feel about it.
