Reincarnation vs. "Magic in the Blood"

[Belgalad]

There's one thing I've always been conflicted about, well, ok, lots of things, but one thing in particular at this moment, and I'd like to gather some opinions on the topic.

On the one hand, we have people with metaphysical gifts which seem to run in families. My grandmother is scarily psychic, for instance (although she doesn't know it), and although my father is as magical as a chimichanga, I seem to have a knack for divination and intuitive psychic-ness myself. Many other people can claim a relative or a heritage rich in magic they they themselves practice, and credit genetics and bloodlines.

On the other hand, my grandmother was only my grandmother in this life. I really doubt she's been my grandmother before. My soul, my spirit, those are the things which are integral to magic and mystical perception, and for the most part the physical body and physical brain just seem to get in the way.

As a reincarnated soul, why do I see a pattern with physical genetics in regards to metaphysical aptitudes? Or am I seeing a pattern that isn't actually present, and is simply the result of a selection bias?

[Lajmar]

I think it just depends on the individual and/or trad. Some believe power is passed down through the blood, often as a result of descent from magical races such as the Fey or the Fallen Angels. Others believe the power in the blood is actually a metaphysical seed that resides in the soul. Also not all trads will agree, due to the fact that not all magical practitioners embrace the idea of reincarnation. Perhaps it is a combination of both? and this is why you are seeing the pattern. Some also say we are reborn with those near and dear to us. Sorry if this isn't much help but there are a few books that cover the topic of witch blood which may be of interest, all seem to have slightly different views on the power in the blood. The Sybil Leek book in particular takes a general look at reincarnation and she claimed to have come from a psychic/hereditary witch family as well.

The Pillars of Tubal-Cain- Nigel Jackson and Michael Howard

Hereditary Witchcraft- Raven Grimassi

Sorgitzak- Veronica Cummer

Mastering Witchcraft- Paul Huson

Compleate Art of Witchcraft-Sybil Leek

[skilly-nilly]

As a reincarnated soul, why do I see a pattern with physical genetics in regards to metaphysical aptitudes? Or am I seeing a pattern that isn't actually present, and is simply the result of a selection bias?

I think that's a really interesting question!

I'm a biologist, and I see that question as a part of the endless nature vs nurture question. That is, what are we born with and what do we learn?

I believe in reincarnation, and I think that our past lives are a part of our 'nurture' or (to put it another way) add to our life-experience. For example, my husband and I think that we were a couple in at least one if not many of our past lives. One confirmatory bit was that when we met we recognized each other. So our past lives together is a part of our life-experience bias (we were drawn to each other) in the same way that I am afraid of pigs because of my life experience (my cousin Sherman frightened me with his brood-sow when I was small). Although I was born with a past-life that attracted me to my husband and not born afraid of pigs that's just incidental--I believe that my past lives are just experiential.

On the other hand, there's born-in-you genetic stuff and you get it from your ancestors. For example, I am an empath and a trance-mystic--- my son is an empath and my grandmother (may she be singing with the angels) was religiously odd. I believe that psychic abilities, shamanistic tendencies, mystical perceptions and the like are gifts that you can be born with in just the same way that you can be born with perfect pitch or artistic ability. Once you have the ability, of course, you have to do something with it or it just sits there getting in the way. I was also born with discalculia (an inherited brain function just like trancing but more irritating) but I can learn ways to do arithmetic that don't involve rote memory.

So, otgh, I would say that you would remember your genetic biases from your past lives but they would be a part of your life-experience. You get your brown eyes from your brown-eyed parent and not from your past life.

[Toby Stimpson]

Its a g0ood question. I think if anything it coems down to the biological vs. the spiritual.

The biological almost like genes can carry with it power. For example, your grandmother's psychic abilities.

The spiritual is the power that you already possess and can carry with you from life to life, if you believe in reincarnation.

I like to think o it this way. What makes you powerful in this life now might be a mix of your genes/blood and your own power you brought with you. You might add your own spiritual legacy and imbed it into your genes... but your genes alone are not the only thing that can determine whatever power you have or have not.

[Meadhbh]

I think its a bit of both. When return to earth we have control over when and to whom we are born, to a certian extent anyway. So keeping that in mind won't it be pratical to choose a family who had those kinds of abilities in their blood line. It would make things easier in the long run and it would be further that aspect of the family.

[Sequoia]

Don't forget that your genetics determine your brain cells. Your brain cells are how you interpret the world. So if your family has a genetic predisposition to interpreting "psychic" or "metaphysical" things, it's entirely possible that your brains are slightly different than the average joe's brain. Sort of like how some people are better at art, and how creativity tends to run in families.

The spirit grows and changes with each incarnation. You learn new things, gain new intuition and new "common sense"...

In essence, I think that it seems genetic because certain "windows" are "open" and allow you to "see" (sense) things differently than others might.

Though I also believe that everyone has some ability to perceive more than our five senses, to some extent.