Words and symbols
I've been a member for some time here, and have been enjoying reading the wide variety of posts here. However, I thought it was probably time I introduced myself. I'm an Australian, a pagan on a very earth based path, leaning towards Druidry. And I thought as part of my introduction, I'd do a bit of a rave on a topic that's been occupying my mind lately.
I'm a big fan of gospel - big swinging gospel, jazzed up gospel. It's such wonderful music, so infectious and can be a wonderful way of raising energy in a group. However, obviously gospel is a style of music praising the Christian god, and some people find pagans singing gospel a bit weird. And I've been musing on what is stronger - the words, or the intent.
I tend to vacillate on this issue myself. Most of the time, I believe that intent is more important - that the words and symbols don't matter, as long as you have a strong intent.
Then again, I believe that some symbols and words have an inherent meaning, that is unchanged by intent - a meaning created by time of belief. For example, an ancient symbol of protection - I don't believe that you can then use that to mean something else in a ritual or spell - I just don't think it would be effective at all.
I then come to a bit of an impass trying to put these two beliefs together. Can intent change the meanings of symbols? Can it change the meanings of words? Can I sing a song about being redeemed without meaning a word of it literally? It puzzles me, and I'd welcome some imput from others on the issue.
I'm a big fan of gospel - big swinging gospel, jazzed up gospel. It's such wonderful music, so infectious and can be a wonderful way of raising energy in a group. However, obviously gospel is a style of music praising the Christian god, and some people find pagans singing gospel a bit weird. And I've been musing on what is stronger - the words, or the intent.
I tend to vacillate on this issue myself. Most of the time, I believe that intent is more important - that the words and symbols don't matter, as long as you have a strong intent.
Then again, I believe that some symbols and words have an inherent meaning, that is unchanged by intent - a meaning created by time of belief. For example, an ancient symbol of protection - I don't believe that you can then use that to mean something else in a ritual or spell - I just don't think it would be effective at all.
I then come to a bit of an impass trying to put these two beliefs together. Can intent change the meanings of symbols? Can it change the meanings of words? Can I sing a song about being redeemed without meaning a word of it literally? It puzzles me, and I'd welcome some imput from others on the issue.