Pagan Blog Project 2013 - X is for X

Around the part of the alphabet it's really hard to come up with new posts with this tough letter.  Since the option is to write about any thing we want as long as we have it related to Paganism, I decided to have a look at the letter X.

X /eks/ is the cross shaped twenty-fourth letter of the alphabet.  It has been used as a person's "mark" or signature often for those that were unable to write their name.

In internet slang it's used to identified "zipped lips"  :X

We also of course have Xmas.  This is a source of debate this time of year between Christians and Pagans alike.  The historical reference here is related to the letter X being the Greek letter Chi which translates into English as Christ.  The last part of the word "mas" is from the old English word for "Mass".  So the word is actually Christ - Mass.   Even thought some think that using the letter X is removing "Christ" from Christmas, it's really not.

X as a beginning letter is pretty limited.  But as an ending letter??  Now that's where X jumps up and down and screams, "GO Pagans!"

One of the most important holidays for some Pagans is Beltane.  Beltane is a a celebration of SEX.  Beltane brings in the start of summer and embraces the fertility of the earth.  During this time a practice known as "The Great Rite" is symbolically performed by a High Priest and Priestess of some covens.

The next "X ending" word that I think is extremely pagan is the word Hex.  A hex is a magic spell, usually a curse that is cast upon someone or something.  Those pagans who do spell work may choose not to use a hex, believing that the Rule of Return will bring it back to them.  For every type of protection spell that might prevent a hex there's a plethora of opinions on why those are bad too, mirror spells for example is discussed here.  Personally I have no issue with using mirroring or ward spells.  I believe that in order to be able to heal you have to be able to hex as well.  While I do not knowing send out any negative energy to others, I do fertility spells, protection spells, healing spells and prosperity spells.   Each one of these though the intent maybe positive, can indeed negatively effect another person.

As a spell worker, it is extremely naive to believe that if you help one person get a job with a prosperity spell, that you're not stopping another from getting it.  For ever action, there is an opposite and equal reaction and magic is no exception.

So there you have it.  My contribution to the letter X.  I hope you've enjoyed the bouncing around a bit.

Namaste & Blessed Be
Sosanna
)O(