Relative Sacredness
Jul. 20th, 2007 08:17 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kokopelleIt amazes me how the placement of things can determine perception.
Pagans have pledged to perform "rain magic" to wash away a cartoon character painted next to their famous fertility symbol - the Cerne Abbas giant.
I've seen the same picture of Homer holding a donut at my local movie theater. No big deal. He then becomes an issue when in conjunction with another object.
A wrinkle this racy advertising exposes is the concept of sacred objects/space. There are people upset that the fertility symbol is being insulted by the approximation of Homer. This was not the intention of the advertising firm who arranged for Homer to be placed such. Their intention was to whip up publicity, and to this end the pagans are cooperating.
The relative sacredness of the Cerne Abbas giant is questionable. Allow me to explain. The age, origin or original purpose of the giant are not known. This does not stop the connections being made at a very emotional level. Wishful attributes have been ascribed to the giant. Are attributes real and to whom? How does spiritual desire impact perceived holiness? I find the giant to be indicative of the modern neopagan traditions - very new in the historical scheme of things, but incredibly ancient in their soul. This is a dichotomy that is still looking for balance.
Pagans have pledged to perform "rain magic" to wash away a cartoon character painted next to their famous fertility symbol - the Cerne Abbas giant.
I've seen the same picture of Homer holding a donut at my local movie theater. No big deal. He then becomes an issue when in conjunction with another object.
A wrinkle this racy advertising exposes is the concept of sacred objects/space. There are people upset that the fertility symbol is being insulted by the approximation of Homer. This was not the intention of the advertising firm who arranged for Homer to be placed such. Their intention was to whip up publicity, and to this end the pagans are cooperating.
The relative sacredness of the Cerne Abbas giant is questionable. Allow me to explain. The age, origin or original purpose of the giant are not known. This does not stop the connections being made at a very emotional level. Wishful attributes have been ascribed to the giant. Are attributes real and to whom? How does spiritual desire impact perceived holiness? I find the giant to be indicative of the modern neopagan traditions - very new in the historical scheme of things, but incredibly ancient in their soul. This is a dichotomy that is still looking for balance.
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no subject
Date: 2007-07-20 05:44 pm (UTC)I'm sorry that people are upset, but the whole of the "Pagan Movement" are a bit too serious for my tastes. I enjoy NFP and other groups like that, but don't often join in the pinata-bashing unless the person being snarked proves themselves an ass.
I am becoming more and more agnostic and discordian...much to my surprise. I don't look for balance anymore. To do so touches on my deep Virgoan nature and makes my mind and health frayed and obsessive. I found magic in my love of the craziness of this world, the emotion and dreams and uncontrollable aspects of human existence swirling around our feet like eddies of tides...in laughing with children at funny things. And Homer Simpson is, if nothing else, still pretty damned funny! ;)
no subject
Date: 2007-07-20 06:03 pm (UTC)The thing that makes the giant potentially sacred is its age. A person than raised another point. Does age really make an item sacred? If an ancient bathroom stall was found, and a phallic symbol was carved into its surface, would the location suddenly become a sacred pagan shrine? Perhaps not. Past use does come into play and this diffuses my historical pondering, but even "historical" knowledge is open to modern day wishful desires. Our short life spans, and even shorter attention spans, can be very creative/adaptable when viewing the immense breadth of history.
Makes one think...
no subject
Date: 2007-08-06 03:34 pm (UTC)I don't. ;D
no subject
Date: 2007-07-23 07:44 pm (UTC)If you're inclined to believe Jung, it follows that most religious symbols and themes are innate, not historical--and that means that a religion will resonate with people based on their natures, not their cultures' experiences. Of course, having a history helps, but only because we recognize history, not because longevity is necessary to faith itself.
I had 2 C what THIS was all about ..
Now, I'm SURE that both donut and Homer R 'history' -- in-the-present-days'-floods.
I can C da phunny side 2 THAT ! hahahaha. Cosmos is full of jokes. The comical cosmos.
Re: I had 2 C what THIS was all about ..
Date: 2007-07-24 08:42 am (UTC)Bring out the long-boats ! is next.
another funny slant came from 'theburningtimes'
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