Naked in an dark room.

The image above is borrowed from www.thebluefairy.co.uk

Upon meeting with neophyte students I am generally presented with their "tools" as they seek outer approval of their structure, construction, appearance, materials and other bits of energy that they have put into the assemblage of symbolic elements for the working of magic.

While I understand the need for tools, it is the belief of the CaVa' that with teaching and self discipline one can manipulate the energies constant without the use of tools, symbols, herbs and stones.

This discipline is best understood as we examine the teachings we bestow upon our children.

When one wishes to teach a child mathmatics and it's relationships to money, one would take first the child and a handful of stones, teaching by counting on fingers, drawing the symbols for the numbers, counting out the stones, showing the child the coins, demonstrating what can be purchased at the store for a penny, a nickle, a quarter, relating all these things symbolically until the concept and knowledge have drawn into the child and the relationship of the coins and their intrensic value and power become second nature to the child.

Then one adds in the lessons of how to acquire coins by the exchange of personal energy, (time, sweat, trade of knowledge, etc) and the child relates the concept of the use of personal energy to create greater energy and power. (By giving of myself I am blessed with the ability to choose my reward.)

Thus it is that once a neophyte has entered into the studies witin the CaVa', it is with the goal of setting aside the outward symbols and tools and choosing to study the deeper magic that allows us to walk within the world...changing it as we go...unobstructed by those who mean well...passing by those who seem to stop their studies at the height of fashion and show...and proceeding on to our singular unity with the gods...

We covet neither wand nor staff, blade nor bowl...for these things, as beautiful as they are, detract us from the movement pure of energy.

As GHL Riverstone so elequently put it, "The energy that is taken to empower a tool is misdirected...it is focused through elements instead of being sent out directly. When you speak to the gods it should be as if you were a child holding tight 'round your father's neck, whispering in ernest your dreams and wishes, hopes and desire...in absolute faith that he is listening and that he loves you and wants you to be happy."

When I first met Lord Riverstone, as a neophyte, I showed him my ritual and my tools...I showed him my dance and sang stong my song of life and love for the old gods.

When I was finished, he told me how he felt the energy and how wonderful it was...then he asked me...

"Would you like to learn how to create that same energy naked in a dark room?"

The statement was not missed, and the lesson lives on in me.

Blessed be

Lord Glade

smiling in the dark