When I called myself Wican this is what I was taught.
I was also taught about balance. Polariity.
Male/Female
Goddess/God
Free Will/Responsibility
etc. etc. etc.
So does this mean that
Goddess = Good?
God = Evil?
and so on?
Not at all. They are simply two sides of the same coin, equal but opposite. And so is the case of Black/White, Dark/Light. There is no Evil Black Magick, Or Good White Magick. Magick is Magick. There is evil intent,(people are gonna be people, and there are always going to be those who wish to bring harm to others), and good intent.
So why the so common belief that white is good and black is evil? I believe it became a part of Wiccan belief thru Christianity and the other "book religions".
Let's face it, many of us in the Pagan community were raised In a book religion. I was and the ideas of Good & Evil were deeply ingrained in my psyche
Therefore, it made sense when I became Wiccan to see White-Light-Good opposing Black-Dark-Evil.
So where is the balance in this? Why do we fear our darker side so much that we refuse to think about it, much less explore and become familiar with it?
I'll save discussion of the Rede and Rule for a day when I have more time, save to say the origon of these is fairly recent. From what my research has shown me, our ancestors were cursing each other and doing love spells, all over the place.
How many times have you heard someone say, 'don't do this or that because or the Rede or because Karma will getcha' and what does this remind you of?
Reminds me of ' If you do such and such, you'll burn in hell, for ever!'
Or 'You might be interfering with his Karma if you do that healing spell.'
Do you really believe you have the power to go up against the Universe? If the Universe has something planned for someone, all your puny little spells aint gonna change a thing!
I'd like to go on, but alas work beckons, and I am out of time.
To be continued...