Feminism

Do Occultists support women's lib?

Men and women are different, but human society may exaggerate these differences for its own ends. Throughout history, males have been dominant mainly because of their physical strength, whereas females have been submissive, mainly because of their childbearing role. But men are not in any way superior, and women are their equal in every way. From some points of view, women may have finer qualities.

That said, Occultism has no time for vociferous political agitation. I frown on gay lib, animal liberationists or any other group that resorts to violence rather than work for legitimate change. The problem with agitprop is the silent majority goes unheard; the loudest, most radical voices win the day. Any change stemming from such tactics is inherently flawed, and will cost years of follow-up amendment and adjustment to put matters right.

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Do women play a minor role in Occultism?

If they did, it would be a reflection of their personal skills and abilities. Unlike the Christian churches, and the painful debate about the ordination of women, Occultism does not object to women taking a lead. There are no rules to forbid this, and no doctrines to prevent it. I can see no real obstacle to female Masters. There are none at the moment, but this is the outcome of recent historical fact. As in other fields, such as music, architecture, or surgery, women have been making their mark, and this will happen in the spiritual field too.

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Are women equipped to be Initiates and Masters?

Generally speaking, yes, they are. However, only a relatively few male students become Initiates, and even fewer of them have any opportunity to become Masters. As regards women, the statistics are curious. In my experience, four or five men set out on the spiritual quest for every one woman; but women are twice as likely to become Initiates. I will not speculate on why this should be. However, this contrasts very sharply with another figure: the reasons given when people decide to leave the path. When women leave the path, it is usually because they have been attracted to some alternative, but when men leave the path, the single most common explanation is: "my girlfriend has put her foot down and she wants me to pack it in."

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Is there a feminine side to the male character?

We are all born of two parents and we inherit characteristics from them both. Depending on the community where you were raised, some features were encouraged while either some may have been neglected or strenuously repressed. In the vast majority of men, their feminine aspect has undergone a kind of social eclipse, whereas in women, their masculine side is more likely to be tolerated. In Britain, we are less likely to mock women's football, women mechanics or women doctors, but we are less understanding as regards male hairdressers, male dancers or male midwives.

Apart from Mardi Gras and Pantomime, occasions of jollity and letting your hair down, we disapprove of sex changing, or swapping of roles. The impulse to change from male to female, or female to male, comes not from God or from some chromosomal mistake. It is a choice that issues from the depths of an individual's psyche. If it is due to abuse, distress, or unhappiness, then it is perfectly reasonable and proper to see if the need can be met in less radical ways. If the need is wholehearted and genuine then it has to be accepted. I may be my brother's keeper, but only up to a certain point; I have no right to cripple my brother in order to stop him doing something I disapprove of.

Of course, all other things being equal, we should check that someone is not being used by evil. "Liberated women" may have won the war of words, but lost out in real, spiritual terms. The social advances seem real on paper, but that is just political 'spin'. The spiritual truth is different. Women who serve themselves do not serve the goddess.

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Do women have equal opportunities?

A woman who serves herself or her own kind is not serving the Goddess, and the same goes for a man. As a general rule, I do not think I would let a transvestite be Queen of England, and I would not feel comfortable with women who entered a Hairy Legs Competition. I have students of both sexes though, gay ones too, and I do my best for them all. I could not ask a woman to father a child or a man to give birth to one, so it is important that we do not avoid or evade our natural role easily, lightly or casually. Sex is the main difference between men and women and, because it plays a vital role in magic, maleness and femaleness are significant. No one can change that, nor should anyone wish to do so. Our aim, remember, is individual happiness first.

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