The Why Of It

[moonmorgan]

I just read this article: http://www.oldways.com/archives/2003/culture.html (I recommend reading all his articles)

He's got an interesting take. We never think about the why too much, or at least I don't. When I'm teaching others, I don't focus on the why as much as I should. Anyone else care to comment?

[Tanya]

As a scientist as well as a witch, they Why of it is all important to me. I am always telling my daughter why we celerbrate, why this or that is important, what it means... its the heart of it all for me. conventions be damned, I want to chewy center.

[Cindlady2]

Yes, this is something I have tried to impart also, although I will admit there were times I had waited for the question to be asked.

[southern_fried_wicca]

The whys are the truly the best part. The why behind modern pagan rituals is great you gain a vast insight to that culture. The really "chewy"(I love that term by the way!) is the Why do YOU do those rituals. That why leads to understanding that particular peson better.

[ap Dafydd]

Well, indeed. Let's hear it for this guy. If you're doing something without knowing why you're doing it, then you're surely asking for trouble! And if you're teaching someone else and they don't ask "why", then I don't think they're thinking about what they're learning, either.

gwyn eich byd

Ffred

[shuvanilu]

Hooray for why! Nice link---shuvanilu

[Crysiira]

Very nice link, yes. I am very very into symbolism and as an artist, I think about why's a lot. Does every brushstroke have a "why" behind it besides spreading my mud around the canvas? Why exactly am I spreading my mud around the canvas in that particular way? What is the bigger reason behind the painting? Why do I even bother painting at all? Same thing with the Craft, I suppose, though sometimes even I with all my why's need a kick in the butt to look around me.

[Rosana]

I always ask why, in spirituality or in mundane life, in order to know what I really want or need. All my whys took me on my current path, on which I'm quite happy... at least for now, because further whys can lead me somewhere else in the future :lol:

[Xirian]

I always am interested in the "why" as well. How else could I compose my own rituals if I didn't know why I was doing something. The things I don't understand may get removed from my ritual at that time, but only to make room for understanding and learning more about it.

I also love learning about history, I want to know why this particular herb was used and works instead of another. Why red instead of blue etc... How can you practice without understanding the basics of what you're doing?