Glossary - exWitch Australia (formerly 'Born Again Pagan')

SCOURGE

The Coven Scourge as used in 'Circle of the Mystic Moon'

The Coven Scourge
as used by
my old Coven
'Circle of the Mystic Moon'

This item has largely vanished from newer books on Wicca and Neo-Paganism, probably because of its modern associations with sexual perversion.

However, ritual flagellation is a common form of ritual purification found in many cultures and religions and its use to induce Trance states through mesmeric, monotonous strokes from the coccygeal to the cervical regions of the spine is well known to anthropologists.

In Gardnerian Wicca, its major offshoots and some other forms of Neo-Pagan Witchcraft, ritualistic scourging and binding form part of the Initiation rites, though newer 'self-styled' Covens - often formed by 'self-taught' Teens - rarely (if ever) use the Scourge in their rites and rituals.

The Scourge is also used in some Covens to raise sexual power or induce visions in the Magic Circle (This was certainly the case in my old Coven). In both cases, the intent is to cause a tingling on the skin, altering the blood flow and thus aiding in achieving a Trance state where 'Second Sight' is believed to be able to be be achieved.

Despite some uninformed and hysterical claims to the contrary, the Scourge is never applied hard enough to leave marks.

Traditionally made with eight 'tails' of soft leather, felt or ribbon, representing the 'Eight-fold Path' of Wicca, the Scourge represents the pain and effort necessary to reach goals and, coupled with the Sacred Kiss, it represents the dichotomy of Mercy and Severity. The Scourge also has significant symbolic value as a purifier.

In those Covens where it is used, it is usually placed on the Altar during Sabbats, Esbats and magickal workings as a symbolic tool of self-discipline and self-rule; an emblem of one's capacity to drive one's self toward any desired goal or state.

see also: FLAGELLATION

PLEASE NOTE:
One of the major problems with 'defining' Paganism and/or its beliefs and practices is that it is an 'organic' movement, in that it is undergoing constant change and re-evaluation from within, and as such any 'one-size-fits-all' approach to understanding Paganism will be found wanting.

Due to the very 'organic' nature of Paganism, and the many differing Paths and Traditions within it, in many cases no one definition may be universally accepted by all Pagans. Therefore, where such cases of possible conflicting and/or contradictory meanings of certain terms occur I have endevoured to give not only the generally accepted meaning, but also any major 'variations' in belief and/or practice.

Christians who believe this difference in meaning of certain key terms, beliefs and practices to be unique to Paganism need to remember that such conflicts also arise within the Body of Christ - the Church. Take for instance the differing practices amongst Christians concerning Baptism and the different attitudes towards women in the clergy.

- Jean-Luc