101 Syndrome
I’ve been noticing a pattern lately in forums, emails, and from the lips of friends of people suffering from what I call “101 Syndrome”. 101 Syndrome is feeling like you haven’t advanced at all on your path even if you’ve been on it for a decade or more. This usually comes with a side of “what the hell have I been doing all these years?” and “I feel like books/ my teacher/ my high priest/ess didn’t teach me anything when they should’ve”. But how did it happen? You spent a decade reading every book with Wicca and witchcraft in the title that you could find, you collected all the tools, you attended sabbat rituals, festivals, workshops, a handfasting or two, maybe you even have degrees in a coven, but then why do you still feel like your knowledge is inadequate? Is it your fault? Is it your teacher’s fault? What the hell happened?
The answer is quite simple, you never went beyond 101. But how did this happen? How did you get stuck? The popular Pagan publishing world is a vicious cycle of Wicca and Neo-Pagan 101 books and Neo-Wiccan covens are their product made up of members who have all read the same 101 books and unfortunately know little beyond them. Advanced and academic texts do not sell in the Pagan market, or at least that is what the publishers believe, so they only publish simpler and beginner books. Even books and websites which are supposed to be advanced barely scratch the surface of the mysteries just rehashing the same old information. Publishers like Llewellyn have a place, they are there for the beginners and complete newbies, but when you wish to advance and learn more you must leave behind the colourful easy-to-read books clearly labelled with witchcraft and venture into the worlds of research, scholarship, and folklore. You must learn to think for yourself and make discoveries and connections on your own without an author or teacher to lead you.
You could blame popular publishers for your dilemma, but you still need to look in the mirror and realize that your curiosity never got the better of you. Did you ever stop to ask why for any of the beliefs and practices of your teacher, coven, or the books you read and then research why if you didn’t receive a satisfactory answer? Did you ever venture outside the 101 books specifically aimed at Neo-Pagans on your own for books on mythology, anthropology, ethnology, folklore, or history? Did you ever read the classics that influenced the leaders of modern witchcraft like Aradia, The Golden Bough, The Silver Bough, The White Goddess, Etruscan Roman Remains, Gypsy Sorcery & Fortune Telling, The History of the Devil:Horned God of the West or the famous grimoires like The Key of Solomon, The Black Pullet, or Le Petit Albert? Did you ever look into the history of your own tradition in enlightening works such as Triumph of the Moon, Gerald Gardner and the Cauldron of Inspiration, Wiccan Roots: Gerald Gardner and the Modern Witchcraft Revival, The Rebirth of Witchcraft, A History of Witchcraft, or Witchcraft in the Middle Ages?
“But no one ever told me!” Is usually the response I receive and I say it’s no one else’s responsibility but your own to inform yourself. Don’t feel guilty about it, if you never really looked how could you know? But now that you feel lost and left behind and know you’re suffering from 101 syndrome, you can do something about it! Most importantly, after reading and learning why we believe and do what we do, ensure you implement it into regular practice shifting your ordinary mundane life into the spiritual. Written words are dead words just promises waiting to be fulfilled until the reader takes what they’ve learned and applied it. One of my first mentors ever taught me this: that knowledge is just the knowing and wisdom is its practical application. To advance on your path you must learn how to change roles from the seeker to the doer and while it’s no easy task, it’s one well worth the doing.
Sláinte!
Sarah
November 19, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Excellent article!
One of things that stops people from actually learning on their own is that they’ve been raised in a system and a culture where all the critical decisions — what to read, what to study, what to know, and what to explore — have always been made for them. They have never been weaned from depending on those other decision makers, and they don’t know how to break away from them.
And the rest of society has a vested interest in keeping them from finding out.
One has to find the courage to take that first step outside the “norm,” and say, “Dammit, I am an INDIVIDUAL and I make my own path!”
And it would help a lot, too, if those of us who have made the effort were willing to help someone else take that first step without trying to guide him onto the path that we, ourselves, follow.
November 19, 2009 at 3:25 pm
As always, I really appreciate your viewpoint on this, Sarah. I have probably been guilty of being unjustly indignant and whiny about not having a teacher/guide/etc. to help shape my way (or at least point me down a road worth taking). But something I’ve come to accept is that it is a VERY good thing I didn’t find out more about the 101+ stuff until the past few years. Even 5 years ago I would have balked at it and gone running from it, because it didn’t jive with who I was at the time. Or rather, I didn’t jive with it.
I’m so very thankful I found the craft and people (including your wonderful self) that I did WHEN I did. It’s made a huge difference in my craft, and I don’t think I would have given it half-a-chance without having those extra few years to mature. Maybe instead of a “year and a day,” it should be more like a “decade and a day” before taking that next step? Of course, I’m just speaking for myself on that.
At this point, one of the challenges I face is trying NOT to condescend to someone who is still at that 101/newbie level. It takes patience and empathy, but I also think it’s worth it to have a few people around who are in different places on their spiritual path. It helps me remember where I’ve been, and to see where I’m going!
Again, an excellent post, as always! I hope all is well with you and yours!
-Cory
November 19, 2009 at 3:57 pm
In all of this, I’d honestly ask “what need do most / any 101 neopagans have for material beyond 101?” In my experience many / most / perhaps-nearly-all neopagans do not practice their spirituality on a daily basis, LIVE their path, nor interact with it in a way that would warrant needing advanced topics and information.
I know many would say “without advanced topics why would I practice my craft more veraciously?” and this can be a valid point… but only valid for a very small number of neopagans. Most have no need for truly advanced materials; often being armchair magicians at best (a full moon / sabbat only type “lay-pagan”). Those to whom did practice with deep devotion, then got bored when they were re-hashing their path and not feeling like they were advancing are likely the ones (if, perhaps, the only ones) to whom this article is of great use.
In my experience, many of the more “advanced” topics usually require much more work, devotion, time, and energy – and are based upon a deep understanding / frequent practice of the 101 topics. This, therein, makes them inaccessible for almost all neopagans, as well as unnecessary due to a clear lack of devotion on the part of those practitioners to the foundations. Any practice of these “advance” topics could cause a practitioner to endure psychic damage / overload … or (due to their lack of understanding of the fundamentals) would simply do nothing at all.
If a neopagan is merely looking for “another way to do something” or “more recipes” then I can understand the need for better resources that don’t dawdle in the 101 material but merely jump right into giving alternate suggestions, themes, and ideas. Such a “brainstorming” book (or books) is likely to be very welcomed in a neopagan 101 market. However, such a book (or books) would also do well to cover “how to come up with your own ideas” as well as “being advanced means being creative” and “draw your own conclusions” and the time honored favorite of “make your own choices.”
If a neopagan wishes to become advanced one can also look to the founders of various paths and see that they, themselves, were influenced not only by book-knowledge, but also the spirits / gods themselves. Hence a neopagan wanting to advance should learn how to reach gnostic states, work with ecstatic trances, and how to use automatic writing / creation to their advantage. Do note that I don’t believe one who is “following the spirits” itself makes them advanced. Several people follow the spirits all the time and it makes them walk off cliffs, shoot their neighbors, or have a drug overdoses. I think that spirit-gnosis work can (and perhaps should) be an integral part of the advanced lifestyle / path. Integrating spirit / the Gods more closely has clearly birthed many spiritual paths in the past, and would be of great use to those looking for deeper magicks / practices.
However, with listening to spirits comes clear necessity of responsibility. Learning to discern one spirit from another (as well as their words from our own internal monologue); devotion; sacrifice; invocation; etc. I would say that to have a truly deep / meaningful relationship with a spirit / spirits one clearly needs to have mastered the 101 basics… and I’d honestly ask how many pagans seeking “more then the 101 materials” actually have. Most that I’ve seen who run temples / circles / groves (etc) are honestly atrocious at the basics (quarter calls, evocation, invocation, etc), and they are calling themselves leaders and teachers of our community / world. Seeing such people act in the capacity as leaders to others honestly makes me shutter.
However, I understand that there are a scant few who are truly advanced in their 101 stage, have grown beyond the basics, but don’t know where to go or what to turn to as a “next step” – and I don’t truly blame them. Our books / materials on 101 material do not have a final chapter of “where to go from here” that is ever of much value. And as the author said, the books one finds at 99.9% of stores are not anything beyond 101. There is no good, clear bridge from 101 to 201 presented in our books or sub-culture, which is disappointing. I was once one of the “what do I do now” practitioners (and sometimes still feel like I am) – but thankfully kept looking for next steps I could take.
In the end, as the author said, one of the best places to look is mythology, folklore, anthropological record, and researching what the founders of various spiritual paths did (read some biographies). As well as, I would say, spirit-gnosis. Talk to your Gods, talk to your spirits, talk to your mentors (if you have them) and ask them for advice. They are supposed to be guiding you along your path to betterment; they should have the best advice / direction for you. if you don’t have a good enough relationship with those spirits / Gods that they will speak with you, I’d say that you already know what you need to work on first.
Perhaps it’s good that our books / materials / community do not have a better / clearly laid out path to take someone from 101 to 201 (and beyond). Most people clearly lack the devotion for anything beyond 101 (or in most instances, lack the devotion to really even get to the limits of 101 at all). Likely anything beyond 101 would be dangerous to the body / mind / soul, or discouraging (due to it’s lack of results).
Yet,
To all those that are ready,
To all those still looking,
To all those wishing to go deeper,
I give you my blessings.
May your torch burn bright,
As you walk the winding and hidden paths.
Lux intus Nyx / Nyx intus Lux
– Shivian Balaris (shivian.com)
Purveyor of Potionwood (potionwood.com)
November 19, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Thanks Cory! I think a decade and a day sounds pretty good. Maybe the Druids weren’t so crazy with their decades-long training scheme…
Shivian, I sense a serious beef, but I’ll talk about that on our own time. I agree with much of what you said, but I do disagree with you on a couple points. First, that laypagans can advance too – just because they have no wish to join the priesthoood or be leaders doesn’t mean they don’t desire to further their understanding and worship which can be accomplished through further researching mythology and anthropology. If more laypagans did so they would be demanding a higher standard of leader than they currently have. I personally also place blame on the degree system in Wicca for insufficiently trained leaders as too many HP/S’s are too focused on churning out priests and gaining belt notches than they are ensuring their students are fully grasping everything. It’s sad, but it happens – once you have your 2nd or 3rd degree you may officially start teaching or leading a coven whether your knowledge and experience are sufficient or not. Secondly, I disagree that advancing can result in psychic damage/overload – advancing too quickly into initiations, deity dedications, and spirit work possibly – but advancing in general by picking up a history book, not so dangerous. The level of advancement is unique to each individual – one witch’s evil is another witch’s flying ointment.
Don’t be afraid to advance on your path, to learn, to dare, to know, but don’t be a fool rushing in either. Take a long time to understand a lesson from all angles before practicing it. Talk to all your Pagan friends and get their individual opinions on something and then compare it to your own belief – has your belief changed after hearing their views? The biggest aid in advancing on your spiritual path is communication – communication with yourself as well as others. There are witchcraft 202 and up books out there, they’re just not labeled so!
Slainte!
Sarah
November 20, 2009 at 8:43 am
I agree that laypagans (and really, anyone) can advance. It’s not that I feel people can’t advance, it’s that I feel most people lack the dedication and willpower to do so (at their current stage). However, just because someone lacks the willpower to quit smoking this week doesn’t mean they can’t every quit… just means they need to get up the motivation to do it. To me it has ltitle-to-nothing to do with becomign leaders / priests.
I DEEPLY agree that if more laypagans advanced then they would therein demand a higher quality of leader. That’d be a lovely world to live in! Further, I can see and agree to your point about a shoddy systems of “degrees” in Wicca (or, moreover, ecclectic Wicca in modern culture) creating bad / inadequate leadership.
We also are on the same page about advancement and damage. I also don’t think that most books will psychically damage you if you pick them up … but an advanced technique can be damaging, whether taught by a teacher who feels you are further along then you truly might be … or a book that you “aren’t ready for yet” — though, truth be told, few such books exist. One good example would be the Goetia / Key of Solomon. From my experience it’s not just a “once you know how to do this set of gestures you’re good to go” but you should be truly prepared and ready to engage that Work (capital W) and be doing the preparation required. Though in the end, I agree, a history book won’t cause psychic damage.
So really, we’re pretty much on the same page here, I just didn’t speak some of my points as clearly as I would have liked.
Cheers!
November 20, 2009 at 6:58 am
Faerie Greetings Sarah
I’ve been reading, and loving, your posts for a couple months now, and I haven’t disagreed with you yet. What specifically caught my attention here was your use of the word “curiosity.”
Possessing a rather large streak of curiosity myself, I have ventured far and wide outside what one would think of as “witchy works” in my ever increasing spiritual development. The interconnectedness of everything in the multi-verses, seen and unseen, with each other and with ourselves as individuals, is no less interconnected than the fields of mythology, anthropology, ethnology, folklore, and history, to which I would add etymology, botany, psychology, philosophy, cosmology, geology, ecology, and a great many other “ologies”.
Such connections are only to be hinted at by others, or gleaned from prior study, but much is divulged through the simple need to understand; to ask why and seek the answer out of curiosity.
Having crossed into the age of the Crone, I’m often asked to provide recommendations and directions for study. My answer is to study everything, the obvious and the not so. Read both the praised and the condemned, for if you yourself do not read both, how can you concur or disagree? In this way you come to know your own mind and develop critical thinking.
All who step foot upon a pagan path must recognize that it is not an easy one, with pat answers and little effort required. Learning never ends, as well it shouldn’t. If ever I think I know it all, I will have crossed the line into psychotic delusion. I’d rather have an open and flexible mind, thank you.
Faerie Blessings,
Kat
November 20, 2009 at 11:27 am
Another awesome post!
As always I am in agreement – people do not cross over the 101 stage because that’s where the REAL, hard work is. We are taught since school to be spoonfed about knowledge, and never to make our own decisions. I agree with Shivian in his perception of too little devotion in the everyday worship – I see that too in my clients. If someone wants to know, they will find the knowledge – it’s just a question of persistence and patience, two things this society seriously lacks of.
November 20, 2009 at 12:33 pm
This was exactly the reason I wrote my book and these Pagans stuck at the edge of 101 are the audience for it (you would probably find it way too basic). I know this sounds like a shameless marketing ploy, but the book is five years old and out of print and I’m not sure you could buy it if you wanted to (neener neener).
Still, it’s a real issue that people hit a certain number of years in the Craft and start to feel all stuck and like their wheels are just spinning. I was there for a while myself and the book is the stuff I figured out (as a solitary) to move me past it. Writing the book was an initiatory experience for me (I also delivered a baby about two weeks after I delivered the completed manuscript) and I found that having finally written out all the stuff I wished I’d been told before — I no longer needed most of it.
December 3, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Venecia, as soon as I read Sarah’s article I thought of Second Circle! I’m always recommending it. I sure hope it isn’t out of print!
November 20, 2009 at 8:02 pm
Hi Sarah,
I call m yself a witch, yet reading your post, I wonder if this is appropriate. What does my spiritual practice look like? I engage with nature, conecting to the spirits of the stones and the various plants, to learn about their magic from the source dirrect. I have special affinities to some crystals, and to some plants. Im make charms from these stones, wands from woods, incense and potions from various plants. I have made witch bottles, poppets for both healing and binding, inscribed candles and created sigils to some effect. I have read tea leaves and crystal balls, and have a notebook full of perosnal tarot reflections. I appear to have two familiar spirits…but they’re not very big or lively becuase I haven’t been feeding them with my time and attention. I have done a small amount of mediumship. I have walked in the forest with Pan. I have talked to mary mother of God, though she seemed more like a catholic Lilith.
But I don’t call the quarters, I don’t have a purely ceramonial knife or athame, I don’t celebrate the sabbats (though I try to be mindful of the behaivour of the moon) and I dont worship any Goddess or God. Even worhsiping the God of my Christian Heritage never made sense of felt right to me…does the divine really need his/her ego stroked? I cant recite the wiccan rede, because the trees never taught it too me. I have never read most of the famous wiccan/witch books (except for the Spiral dance and the holy Book of Womens Mysteries–and Im not even a woman). Im am fortunate to have a guide of soughts…a clairvoyant yoga intructor who has walked this path before. I don’t wear a pentacle and I have never even met anyone who belongs to a coven. I really never have practiced 101…oh shock horror.
So….whats the point of my rambling….I want to ask you…WHAT IS ADVANCEMENT? Am I a witch? what is a witch? I thought I was a witch lol. all very curious.
if none of the above makes sense…dont worry about a reply..thanks for the thought provoking article.
Blessings,
Anthony
November 21, 2009 at 9:21 am
You sound very much a shaman-witch to me Anthony. Some people wish to be witches and some people simply are
My personal definition of advancement is thinking and doing for yourself – it doesn’t mean reading certain books or getting certain degrees in a coven. The best teachers and mentors will make sure their students are actually thinking for themselves and making connections on their own. As Dion Fortune said “there is only one initiator” and that is yourself.
November 22, 2009 at 3:04 am
I came to quite a revelation today. I have for sometime been trying to weave in the mystcial asent/Christ path from my Christain Heritage with my witchcraft…a case of ballancing magician and mystic. they never seemed to blend, probably because nowdays, they belong in very different worlds. While I still struggle with the notion of worship, I begin to see how the devotional aspects of witchcraft are infact the counter ballance for the magic…the sabbats and the like are about connecting up with those higher, grander more cosmic forces, and are a way of approaching and communing with the Divine, and this is how the Christ Path (of assending to and being at one with God) may be present within Witchcraft. Sounds all too simple now. much to ponder,
Blessings,
Anthony
November 21, 2009 at 8:36 pm
I agree, Sarah! When we become stuck, it’s up to us to lever our own-selves out of the mire.
After you’ve internalized the basiscs, you dig deeper. And then take it into yourself and make it your own, letting it and you change along the way.
As a teacher of mine once said, “You want to be a witch? So BE a witch!”
November 30, 2009 at 3:06 am
Bonjour Sarah !
Merci pour cet article que j’ai trouvé vraiment très intéressant:
Me permets-tu de le traduire pour mon forum, en mettant un lien vers ton blog ?
Bises
Die Hexe
November 30, 2009 at 10:54 am
Merci! Oui, tu peux
Slainte,
Sarah
December 3, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Nice article!
Personally I feel that advancing on the path is two-fold. One part is to follow our passion and delve deeply, becoming ‘expert’, in the topics that call to us. The other is moving from ‘doing’ Pagan practice to ‘living’ or embodying Pagan practice so it becomes integrated with our whole being. I think, for many people, that’s a very scary prospect, they keep themselves unconsciously on that 101 wheel because it’s safe, familiar, and non-threatening.