Binding, a definition by Raven Grimassi

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaVecchia/message/7850

Rodney D'Armand wrote:
>>The Words of Aradia speak of us having a covenant with the Grigori.
Nevertheless, I still feel funny about considering other entities, and
especially of the stature of the Grigori, being bound to do anything for
me.<<

In the sense of binding an entity, from a metaphysical perspective we
are essentially talking about oaths and fellowship obligations. On a
mundane level, we bind people all the time. We bind them to expected
behaviors of frienship, lover, co-worker, countrymen, law enforcement
officer, politician, and so forth. In any society, we ourselves are
bound as well. It is an agreement of consciousness.

>>Commitments are one thing, but binding ... seems contrary to what I
understand of love. Marriage partners aren't even to be considered
bound.<<

Committed relationships are actually a binding in the oath/agreement
sense, for any healthy relationship exists and continues by agreement
and adherence to what is acceptable and what is not. Even an "open
marriage" in which the two indivuduals see other people, is an
agreement.

>>I would love to replace "conjure" with "call," but I'm not sure this sort of
change is permitted if one is to remain within the tradition.<<

Tradition has its roots, and in the case of "conjure" the roots are in
fellowship. A tree is nourished by its roots, and the roots keep the
tree in place. Here the "winds" and "storms" of adversity keep the tree
from being ripped away and destroyed. This is why the Old Religion
survived the violent persecution inflicted by Christianity. I do not
advise cutting away any of the roots.

Ciao - Raven

Conjuring, a definition by Raven Grimassi

Re: [LaVecchia] Conjuration

herne22 wrote:
>>Can someone explain what is meant by conjuring?<<

The word and concept of "conjuring" is as misunderstood and distorted as
is the word Witchcraft. The English word conjure is ultimately derived
from the Latin "com" and "iudare" which means to swear together (as in
an oath/agreement). The Old English term is directly derived from the
Late Latin "coniurare" which means to "pray by something holy." So, we
can see that the meaning is one of a sacred partnership.

One of the modern dictionary meanings of "conjure" is: "To call or bring
to mind; evoke." Another is: To imagine; picture." So here we see the
magical roots in conceptual rites. But with the rise of Christianity,
anything Pagan was assigned to evil, and thus anything holy to a Pagan
was unholy to a Christian. Therefore, to conjure (pray by something
holy/perform by oath) became to summon a devil.

It's interesting to note that there is an "obsolete" meaning of
"conjure" in the American Heritage Dictionary, which reads: "To call on
or entreat solemnly, especially by an oath." Hmmm, I wonder who
rendered that meaning obsolete!?

>>The elemental spirits are "conjured" during circle casting. I've
always understood conjuration as involving an element of force or
command. Etymologically the word deals with binding. Yet, I can't
imagine that we are to bind other entities as part of what we do.<<

As I've demonstrated, the etymology of "conjure" is rooted in something
quite different. Binding, in the old rooted sense (pre-Christian
meaning) refers to being bound by oath, in other words it refers to the
obligations of a fellowship.

Blessings - Raven