Although many Pagans profess that "everything is sacred", in reality we clearly live with the common understanding that some things are “Sacred-with-a-capital-S” and some things are not. The very fact that many Pagans operate within a Sacred Circle illustrates this point. Most of us feel the need to define separate Sacred space from the profane world around us. Making something Sacred strengthens our connection with Divine. However, even though we may feel that the definition of sacredness is entirely personal and subjective, the concept of what is Sacred is based, finally, on a bedrock of moral and spiritual absolutes.
The word “Sacred” comes to us from the Latin “sacer”, which simply means “holy”. Marking something as Sacred is what connects us to God/dess. Sacred is defined by Webster’s Dictionary as “venerated, hallowed, or inviolate”. In this manner, anything that one venerates might be considered sacred. It is in this sense that many Pagans feel that “everything is sacred”. Pagans generally believe that the Earth and all Her bounty are worthy of veneration, and are therefore Sacred. This is where the concept of “Sacred” becomes relative. Although Pagans believe that the Earth is Sacred, they will still admit that the mud on the kitchen floor doesn’t belong there. There’s nothing to venerate about dirty linoleum. So although we might wish to say that everything is sacred, in reality we operate in a world dividing the sacred from the profane.
That which is Sacred is so because it truly represents Divinity. The definition of “Divinity” contains the bedrock of moral absolutes. According to the dictionary, divinity means “of, like, or from God; holy; Supreme great, good”. By this definition, anything can be held against this standard of Supreme Good and judged sacred or profane.
The Sacred is inviolate because there is a core of absolute truth that the Divine is based upon. Aspects of Divinity might be relative and subject to individual expression, but the deeper nature of Divinity itself is absolute and unchanging. This ultimate reality of Divine might be expressed as various Gods and Goddesses with different names, looks, and attributes, but there is an ultimate essence of Divinity that cannot be distilled any further. It is the deepest truth that is found in all the great faiths of the world.
It is this sense of being inviolate that begins to define what is truly Sacred. Being inviolate means that it cannot be compromised or reduced any further. It is based on an kernel of absolute truth that is not subject to relative interpretation. When all the debate over definitions is over, when all the disputes of “my God is mightier than your God” are done, there remains a center of Divine holiness that shines with the glow of the Sacred. Sacredness means being in harmony with this essence of absolute truth.
This Universal Divine is based on concepts of love, non-violence, and free will. Accordingly, something is Sacred if it is in harmony with these concepts. By demonstrating these attributes of love, non-violence, and free will, we act in accordance with Divine will. Therefore, that which brings us in harmony with Divine is Sacred. That which acts in discord with Spiritual truths is profane.
Love is a core concept for defining what is Sacred. In cultures all over the world, God has been defined by this simple description. God is Love. It may sound shallow-minded or trite, but Mystics from various religious traditions throughout time have used this absolute concept to define the ineffable sense of Divine presence. It is a fundamental truth, an absolute that cannot be distilled any further. Divinity is the embodiment of love, and love is the most perfect expression of Divine energy. The Charge of the Goddess expresses this awareness in the line that reads “All acts of love and beauty are my rituals.” Pagans generally believe that expressions of love and beauty are sacred because they bring the spirit closer to the essence of God/dess.
The Hindu concept of “ahimsa”, or non-violence, is also a Pagan core concept when defining what is Sacred or profane. It arises directly from touching the source of Divine Love. When one has experienced the overwhelming sense of love that comes from contact with Divine, then the attitude of non-violence arises as a natural consequence of this connection. Ahimsa might be equated with the Wiccan Rede, which expresses this concept by saying “An it harm none, do as ye will”. Like the Rede, the concept of ahimsa goes beyond physical violence. Ahimsa is an attitude of mind that avoids harming others and the earth, either physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
When we think of the Sacred, scenes of violence do not come to mind. But harm can be done in a Sacred way, if it is done in accordance with free will. It is said that the ancient Druids occasionally performed human sacrifice under certain extreme situations. It is thought that the people chosen were greatly honored, and willingly offered their lives for the sake of the community. We can see the sacredness in this act, because it strengthens their connections to Divine, not weakens them. This free will is fundamental to establishing a connection with Divinity. Humans are given the will to choose their path in life. Spiritual teachings urge us to choose wisely for the good of all, harming none, in accordance with these universal Divine truths. It is our choices in life that determine the lessons we learn.
When a violent act occurs which violates another person’s free will, then it severs this Sacred connection with Divine. For example, sex may be considered Sacred when performed with love between consensual partners. However, rape is not, because it is an act of violence that violates free will. Accordingly, the Aztec king who offered his own blood at the top of the temple was acting in a Sacred manner, but his cutting out the hearts of unwilling prisoners of war was not. Killing another person, whether by an individual acting on a spiritual impulse or sanctioned by a government, will always be contrary to the universal laws of Divine because it violates the core concepts of love, non-violence, and free will. As such, nothing about the current political bloodshed in the middle east can be considered Sacred. One can only be a genuine martyr to his faith if he acts in accordance with these Divine truths.
In general, Pagans have a keener awareness of the Sacred than people whose spirituality has become mechanical or nonexistent. When we bring our attention to our connection with Divine, we see the Sacredness around us. By seeking greater awareness of God and Goddess, we cultivate the experiences that bring us in harmony with the Divine. We seek to experience the Sacred in all aspects of our lives, and apply that awareness of the Divine to all that we do. All acts of love and beauty are our rituals. We profess the ideals of “perfect love”, strive to harm none, and act in accordance with free will. When defining what is Sacred, this is where we draw the line.
~Flame RavenHawk
January 6, 2003