Blood sacrifice


An old topic shows up again

A few days ago over at Wren's Nest, she linked to a story about animal sacrifice. As usual, the comments at the 'Nest were more telling than the original article.

Of course I threw my three cents in (two cents just isn't enough these days).

But to me, it's still amazing the number of "enlightened" Pagans who are too willing to condemn practices that don't fit into their notions of sweetness and light.

I've run into this before, I've even talked about it briefly on this blog. I said it years before that and I haven't come up with a better way since.

"Anyone who doesn't think that red mouthed carnivores aren't a part of the world has never had to chase foxes away from chickens. Or had a cat give you the gift of a dead bird. Anyone who thinks that plants are peaceful passive creatures has never had to weed a garden in August. Or had to patch a sewer line that tree roots broke."

I don't use animal sacrifice, but I do understand it some.

There's POWER in blood. I happen to think it's more if it's a willing sacrifice, but then that is me and my opinion.

How can I say that?, you ask. If I looked into their eyes…

I've used blood magick. Still do on occasion. The way I did it when I was younger was incredibly stupid and self-destructive, but so was I at the time. While ritual scarification can be potent, your life does change. Eventually. The laser procedures to get rid of the scars are expensive, time consuming, and much more painful than the original scars.

I am a omnivore. I like meat, preferably red and rare. I tried the vegetarian bit for a while, it didn't work.

I still give thanks to the animal and plant spirits that provide my meals. I do this out of simple respect. I may not kill the animals, or gather all the plants, but it is my sustenance that they are providing.

Ah, but what about raising animals for ritual use? Well, I don't do it myself, but no one is requiring me to do so either. If I had neighbors doing it, I think the noise and the smell would bother me, but not the actual rituals.

It's not that I don't respect animals, I just don't believe it's my place to get between someone and their route to the Divine. Humans I'll defend, not every animal life. My animal companions I'll defend and protect, but I can't save every goat in Florida and Texas.

Especially if I am in Arizona.

Imposing morality on someone else is always a risk. It's also pretty immoral, which is why it should be done sparingly if at all.

Back to the willing sacrifice. The first batch of fertilizer I use every spring has a little blood, sweat, spit and semen mixed in with it. I'm a part of everything I grow in my garden. No, I wouldn't sacrifice a bull for my garden, but it is not my behavior that these do-gooders want to control, is it?

I still wonder if they realize if they control someone in the name of morality today, the groundwork is laid to control them in the name of morality tomorrow?

Posted: Tue - August 11, 2009 at 02:01 PM
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