Samuel Eldon Wagar

Translating Worlds Samuel Eldon Wagar

This book is only a beginning toward sketching out some parameters for a Wiccan theology that goes past the lists of goddesses and gods and the ritual how-to books and simplified grimoires which are readily available to seekers. The divine adapts and is expressed through humanity, through our societies, through individuals, shifting from moment to moment. The infinite is expressed through the finite, the finite is fully realized only through its connection to the infinite. We violate the beauty of the flow of this divine spark and this connection when we freeze revelation, or we say to the goddesses: "thus far and no further!" Formal theology develops later than practices and rituals, which develop out of myth, and myths in turn develop out of experiences. The experiences which lead to the emergence of temples and institutions out of this broader religious movement (the great majority of whose adherents are not involved in temples) are the seed, although the tree as it grows adapts to its surroundings and to the needs of the members. Rather more like a garden or an ecosystem than a single plant, to stretch the metaphor. Wicca is a new religious movement, which is just running up against the limits of having a completely self-trained and self-appointed clergy. There are a lot of well-meaning but woefully unequipped Wiccan group leaders, with no formal training in theology, liturgy / ritual, counseling, group management, or any of the other skills that clergy people need to have to serve the Goddesses and Gods and the community.