Welcome to Gaia! ::

Now I know a lot of people come into paganism or witchcraft (not mutually exclusive) with the idea that they are this unique snowflake and have all these "abilities" or "gifts" or "natural talents" and thus must be recognized as such. I ran across a thread in PS (Paganspace.net) that revolved around this topic and the thread owner was very clear that she was "Not" normal (because of the old standby that "there is no such thing as normal") and that her "gifts" (fire scrying specifically) made her special because a normal person would not know what that was off the street.

I must say that this kind of behavior or rather this inflated ego thinking makes me laugh. Regardless if someone doesn't know what something is, that doesn't mean you are more special than they are for knowing it. I'm sure you don't know (you being the woman in question) how to do calculus or advanced math techniques, does that mean that person is now more special than you?

Perhaps I should have come back with "what is natural" to her "what is normal" question. It might have reversed the situation a little bit. What is a "natural" gift/talent and why is it that it must be innately psychic or to a "select" group of people who find themselves in the occult. I know several, several christian psychics - does that mean they are less christian for having these "abilities?" I know several non-pagans who can scry (because let's face it, you can learn the technique just like you can learn how to use tarot cards or palmistry).

Personally I believe every human on the planet has a "gift" (not just "a" but for the topic will limit it to just one). Regardless if they don't "use" it or "train it," that doesn't make them less special than someone who does, they still contain something. Even if it's not a "psychic" or "occult" ability. Since I include with "natural" -as talking about humans, all the things a human CAN do- abilities, I think they're missing the point and trying to inflate that ego.

"Yes, I am special because I fire scry." (like no one else does) "Yes, I am special because I'm celtic." (like no one else is?) "Yes, I am special because I'm practicing witchcraft." (Like no one else does?)

I look at what is abnormal as things that humans CANNOT do, but people claim to do.

For example, if anyone of either sex would suddenly sprout a new p***s on their forehead, then suddenly change into a rocket (p***s rocket for short) - I would consider this to be abnormal - thus "Not normal." This is the time where I would say, "Why yes, you are special and... Imma hide under my couch."

But as for the rest? No. You're doing things that people either -have done- for centuries or have been for centuries (granted not that I know how old celtic culture has existed). That means you are normal. And just because ONE other person is NOT the same as you are, doesn't make you any LESS normal or "average." Average might be the better word, rather than "normal."

Anyway, I thought I'd bring this up. Whether "gifts" make someone "less normal." What "gifts" are. And what "natural" is.

I just finished reading a book that talked about this. In the book it said everyone in the world does have at least one gift or talent. It is not always magical though. Like your gift could be that you are an excellent artist, and you could bring that into magic, like draw things that you want to happen and such.

I used to believe or at least wanted to believe I was special for doing magic, and when I do it, it does make me feel special. People kept telling me though, anyone can do it. But like the above poster, I have had friends very interested in magic and energy work. No matter how hard they tried, it never worked for them. It just comes to me very easily, and I have seen with other people, it is hard for them, or they cannot do it at all.

Then I used to question if everyone can do it, why doesn't everyone do it? I have learned not everyone wants to do it. Like my boyfriend, he's really into energy work, but he just says magic isn't his cup of tea.

But they are special snowflakes... just like everyone else rofl razz

Sorry I had to be cheesy here.

But yeah just because you possess a skill or title doesn't make you better than anyone else. This kinda relates to my area in a way. There are "Gnostic" Churches out there that claim apostolic succession from pendulum ghosts and aliens. While it doesn't seem like too big of a deal and just purely weird, the jackass who claim this "apostolic succession" act like it gives them special mojo power and that people that don't go through their Churches can't receive gnosis of the "anchent knosticks".

I totally agree with the part about everyone having gifts, but the thing is, I believe in it pulling you more towards this stuff.

Not in every case. People have to go their own path, of course, but my personal experiences literally pulled me here. I knew that in the future I would end up going down this path. Because I am "gifted" with the ability to know things before others, and because this path called to me, it would be easy to label myself as special and not normal. It would be easy to think I'm special because I feel like I was chosen. I know I'm not anything more than anybody else, but I see their point.

Also, if you look at it from another view, it makes sense. We could all not be normal because we choose to use the gifts we have, not turn our heads and try to fit to the world's standard of normal. We aren't normal by the general standpoint. You go up to someone random and say, "hi, I'm psychic/a witch/ whatever," they're going to be all *back away slowly.*

I don't like it either, but I understand it.