My advanced comp teacher in high school taught us several ways to start an essay. One way is with a definition. I always really liked to use this to begin my compositions, because it usually helps clarify a point, even before you start making whatever point you are trying to make. I know it’s overused, but I’m going to use it here, anyway.

The first definition of “mystery” listed at m-w.com is this: a religious truth that one can know only by revelation and cannot fully understand. And this is the perspective of what I write about today. The “mysteries” of Wicca and Paganism. Many people speak of these mysteries, many student want to learn the mysteries. Sorry, friends.

You can’t learn the mysteries. You can’t know the mysteries. You can only experience the mysteries. Are the mysteries only able to be experienced by adepts? No. There are mysteries around you every day. The changing of the seasons, life, death, taxes (well, maybe not taxes) are all mysteries. If you allow yourself to mindfully experience these things, rather than take them
for granted, you may find yourself a bit enlightened in an unexpected way.

Also, everyone’s walk with their god/dess(es) is going to be unique. As everyone walks a personal path (even if one belongs to a coven, or practices a tradition), every person will experience the mysteries differently. Magick and other practices related to Paganism are also full of mysteries. Why does one working succeed, and another fail? How did this stupendous experience happen when it defies the laws of physics? Why did I have this wonderful and enlightening experience during meditation? Communing with the Gods? It’s all part of the mysteries- one needs only to be mindful and open their heart to it, and experience the mysteries on their path.

If one just takes it all for granted, or only sees the mysteries through a self-centered looking glass…. “I defied the laws of physics- ’cause Im awesome like that.” “The goddess spoke to me in a dream, because I’m so adept, and thats how She rolls.” “My magick failed because I must have timed it incorrectly.”… one will never know them.

In the Charge of the Goddess, it is said that “and you who seek to know me, know that your seeking and yearning will avail you not unless you know the Mystery: for if that which you seek, you find not within yourself, you will never find it without.” Your mysteries are within your grasp. Open your eyes and mindfully open yourself to these experiences.