Altars, Out-Ness, Teachers, Authority

[qos]

Back on December 8th, readthisandweep left a particuarly meaty comment on my post with the photos of my Ereshkigal altar. She asked several important questions, the kind that demand sitting down and taking the time to write a thought-out response, and this is the first chance I've had to do that. Her questions are important enough to merit therir own post.

readthisandweep's Comment:
Beautiful altar, although I am surprised you are willing to make such an apparently dedicated & sacred space so public. I found the pic & you by browsing 'priestessing.' You are obviously an expereinced priestess but do appear to be in thrall to Ereshkigal. Forgive me if I appear impertinent or disrespectful - that is not my intention. I'm simply curious as to why so many women in particular appear to need spirtual 'teachers.' Feel free to ignore this comment if you consider I have overstepped the bounds of good manners. Blessed Be



I am surprised you are willing to make such an apparently dedicated & sacred space so public.

I realize that many people keep their altars private, but I've never felt that what is "dedicated & sacred" is also necessarily private. In my case, I feel called to be open about most of my practice, in part to make it possible for others who are curious or seeking to see one way of doing things, in part to make things like "worshipping a Dark Goddess" less scary to those who are not on this kind of path.

You are obviously an expereinced priestess but do appear to be in thrall to Ereshkigal.

I am in a relationship with Ereshkigal where she has a degree of explicit power over me and the right to command me to commit or abstain from certain acts. However, rather than being "in thrall" to her, I consider it a relationship of fealty, where lady and vassal, goddess and priestess, each have both rights and responsibilities toward self and other. I do not consider it unreasonable that as part of my training, she lays certain obligations on me. I have the freedom to walk away at any time if her demands become onerous or unreasonable. Likewise, she has the freedom to stop teaching me and withdraw her sponsorship and protection if I fail to live up to my obligations.

I take the concept of personal sovereignty very seriously, and have significant experience in the practice of power exchange (both deliberate/consensual and involuntary/abusive). I did not offer my fealty to Ereshkigal lightly, nor does my service to her mean that I've abdicated responsibility for my choices or my own soul.

I'm simply curious as to why so many women in particular appear to need spirtual 'teachers.'

This is the one part of the comment that confused me, especially since readthisandweep is a teacher herself. Maybe she's questioning a perceived need for what in her opinion are dubious 'teachers' who are spirits, rather than mortal teachers?

I am a mystic. To me, the best teacher is the Divine itself. I also have a mortal priestess teacher, a spiritual director, and wise friends with whom I share my path, and whom I trust to provide a dose of perspective, and to challenge me if they believe I am falling prey to self-delusion or ill influence. But I feel blessed to have such a vivid relationship with Ereshkigal, one which is making a positive difference in my life.

Feel free to ignore this comment if you consider I have overstepped the bounds of good manners.

I welcome polite, sincere questions, and these were good ones. I'm only sorry it took me so long to respond.

Comments

[blessed-harlot.livejournal.com]

Kudos on remaining more engaged than I would have been able to. It looks like it was a useful exercise for you.

[readthisandweep.livejournal.com]

You have nothing to apologize for. I feel oddly honoured to have had my off-the-cuff comment dealt with in such a considered manner. Thank you, I've enjoyed reading your reply.

When I used the term 'teacher' I was definitely referring to the mortal sort. In my view we are likely to learn a great deal more from a single spirit guide than we will from any number of human ones.

I don't in fact call myself a teacher as such. I prefer to describe myself as someone who opens doors. In my view, we are born with all the knowledge we require & it is simply a matter of accessing it through our lives. Sometimes we may require wise guidance & I have no argument with this. Indeed, throughout my own working life, I have endeavoured to be that wise guide to any Seekers who have found their way to my door.

My concern is with those who set themselves up as spiritual superior to others. The internet in particular & the world in general is awash with pseudo-spiritual teachers & frankly, I am tired of them. I fear for the young & impressionable who are prey to the glitterwitch syndrome.

It is your use of the words 'power over' & 'fealty' that disturbs me. However, you are obviously an intelligent, articulate woman confident in her own power. I utterly respect your path & what is clearly a commited devotion to your spiritual work & wish you nothing but joy of it. Thank you again for taking the time to write at such length.
Seasons blessings to you & yours.