The Pagan Heart
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March 2005 Issue
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The Spiral Path
By Rebecca SerVoss
Last month I was watching "Law & Order", and McCoy (who is the Assistant District Attourney for those who don't watch the show) was making his closing arguement. I can't recall what the case was, but what he said has stuck with me. "Justice must be tempered with mercy. But it must never lose its sense of retribution or it ceases to be justice." Most Pagans, especially those of the Wiccan variety, follow a set of rules that tell you to stay out of the justice/retribution game and let Karma do its work. While that may be well and good for some, I find it lacks a certain sense of righteousness. Understand, I'm not advocating some Biblical eye-for-an-eye, tit-for-tat scenario. But let's face it, with over 6 billion people living on Planet Earth, Karma has an awful lot to do. And since I hold within more traditional (read Hindu*) view of Karma, it makes sense for me to be involved in the justice of my life. Before anyone gets too upset about my complete disregard for one of the Pagan community's most sacred cows (the law of three) I want a few things made clear. One: I am in no way condoning rash judgement or unwarrented action. Two: I am not advocating CURSING ANYONE. Three: this is an opinion column, not a report. That said, I believe there are cases where non-mundane actions to seek justice are warrented and right. Look at your family: your parents, siblings, spouse, children, and friends, and tell me you wouldn't want terrible things to happen to the person responsible for serious harm coming to them. So, after you've involved the proper authorities it's time to look to your pantheon and the Powers That Be. Go ahead, tap them on the shoulder and make sure they see what happened. Not only will it benefit whatever legal actions are being taken, but the psychological benefit can be quite profound. (Just make sure your own house is in order first, since they tend to deal out justice toward all things, once called on). Often when a crime is perpetrated against us or someone we love we can feel powerless. Masgically or ritually, seeking justice can give us and our loved ones back some of that power. We are no longer helpless, and we should take pleasure in knowing that our actions will effect the perpetrator so long as that feeling doesn't overwhelm us. Justice and retribution are good, even healthy. Vengeance and all-consuming rage are bad. Look at Batman. Bottom line, rituals and spells dealing with retribution and justice should be undertaken with thought and the goal of catharsis and empowerment for those involved. This will give you justice, not revenge. Beca |
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