Fate and Destiny: a philosophy thread

[innerSpaceman]

Did i answer the question?

[Kevy Baby]

I just love these silly friovolous threads!

I believe that everything happens in our lives because we make it so, whether intentionally or unintentionally, consciously or unconsciously, physically or energetically. With that, I try to take responsibility for my actions in life, be they good or bad. This thought is also why I believe that the single largest problem befalling our society is that of personal responsibility - it is woefully missing in the world today.

Like ISM, I believe in Karma. More specifically, as I practice a Wiccan belief, I believe in the 3-Fold Reed: that everything you send out in the world will come back to you three-fold.

When I was younger I would often fantasize that all of life was just a huge play and everybody was just acting their role. Not sure how this fits in with the question, but it seemed as good as any time to bring it up.

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Did i answer the question?

I don't know how the OP feels, but I think you did a fine job!

[Ponine]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

Like ISM, I believe in Karma. More specifically, as I practice a Wiccan belief, I believe in the 3-Fold Reed: that everything you send out in the world will come back to you three-fold.

Kevy : Could you elaborate please?

I want to give an opinion, but I think I want to know what this means first.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Ponine

Kevy : Could you elaborate please?

I want to give an opinion, but I think I want to know what this means first.

It is hard to provide a detailed elaboration to such a basic concept (I say this not to be condescending, but because the question has me a little stumped). In searching for an answer online which would (hopefully) help me better express the thought, I ran across this:

Witches have a very strict belief in the Law of Three which states that whatever we send out into our world shall return to us three fold either good or bane. With this in mind, a "True Witch" would hesitate in doing magick to harm or manipulate another because that boomerang we throw will eventually come back to us much larger and harder then when we threw it.

Also, there are variations of the "Wiccan Reed" (or "Rede"), which sort of highlights many of the beliefs that many Witches follow. One such variation can be found here. The conclusion is almost always:

These Eight words the Reed fulfill:
"An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will"

One of the more interesting (to me) aspects of Wicca is that it is VERY loosly defined. There are no hard and fast rules and definitely no dogma. It is a very eclectic belief system with much room for customization for personal preferences and beliefs. Our "Coven" (I use that term VERY loosly as we are small and hardly take ourselves too seriously) get-togethers are often as much social as they are spiritual.

Wicca does not involve blood-letting, animal sacrafice or running around naked in the woods. Also, other than a few words and symbols that have been borrowed and grossly distorted, "Charmed" has NOTHING to do with Wicca (although GusGus and I do watch it).

Wicca IS a simple, earth-based Pagan belief system

Does that answer your question?

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

Wicca does not involve blood-letting, animal sacrafice or running around naked in the woods.

Damn

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

Wicca does not involve...running around naked in the woods.

That's not what you told me last Saturday!

[Ponine]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

It is hard to provide a detailed elaboration to such a basic concept (I say this not to be condescending, but because the question has me a little stumped). In searching for an answer online which would (hopefully) help me better express the thought, I ran across this:

Oh Kevy, I have agonized over this for days…. For hours at a time, and occasionally, mere moments.
I’ve always been referred to as a fatalist. I always thought it was because I always expect the worst case scenario.
I see now, that in fact, that is not what the word means.
I am far too solicitous for any one persons well being. And I think in a great many ways that has a lot to do with how I see the ideas of fate and destiny.

I’ve seen too many different religions at my young age to take one and just run with it and accept what it has to say as gospel truth.
I was accused of witchcraft as a teenager, and made an example of to my school… this clouds my perceptions of the Wicca faith. (Not that it is in any way wrong, I have just never delved because of my previous experiences.)

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

Also, there are variations of the "Wiccan Reed" (or "Rede"), …snip…

This I was unable to view, it was blocked.

Nevertheless…
I’ve read things that I agree with this and that, and never quite agree with all….
I believe that we, as people, are set into this life with a reason to be here, but that reason is different for each of us.
We are able to “create” the better part of our lives by our actions, and how we interact with our world.
I believe we are connected to other people, or souls repeatedly over time, and possibly in different ways.
My best friend now, may be my brother in the next life, he may be my father. The boyfriend that touched me so deeply before his untimely death, may reoccur in a similar role, never to fufill, but always to affect.

There’s a reason for the people we encounter, we just don’t know what it is at the time.
Do I believe in the idea of the three fold … interesting. I like it, and I can see its merit. I am a very firm believer in the golden rule. Those of you who know me have prob seen it demonstrated in less than ideal situations.
I don’t want to wrong anyone, and I obsess over it when I think I have. Sometimes to an extreme point of figuring out what I can do to make it up to them.

Do I think some of it is pre-ordained? Absolutely. I agree with ISM,

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

Does that answer your question?

It does and it doesn’t , but I suspect you guessed that. I am unsure what an “simple, earth-based Pagan belief system” is, but in this scenario I think that’s okay.

I’m rambling… at its core… I suppose I believe in fate, more than destiny. The ties that bind, the yarns in the tapestry of life…
My soul is bound to yours, who we are to each other this lifetime is not at stake, but I will always be bound.