Working with Ordeal

Great, feel free to pop me a message.

Quick question:

Would this be ok for members of pantheons that are more light than dark, or is it strictly for the darker?

It can be used with any members of a pantheon, in the post I was just highlighting that the darker members especially seem to like it, not that other members don't. Sorry if it was a little confusing.

As I mentioned in another post, my husband does this. One way he does it without actually causing physical injury is hot wax from a candle. He begins to meditate and enters a trance, then he takes the candle and slowly pours the wax onto his palms and wrists. It comes right off and at most causes a small scald here and there. He used to use a dull knife (digging into his hand but not piercing the skin) but I asked him to stop because I was afraid the trance would prevent him from realizing if he actually seriously cut himself and there are arteries there that could be very bad to knick. As I said in the other post, he is usually a big whiner when it comes to aches, injury, and illness, and will be the first to take something for it, but put him in a ritual setting and that all changes. I personally didn't understand it nor did I ask questions. I just respected it. But your post makes sense. Thank you.

I personally feel pain is necessary and I never use pain relievers unless I absolutely need to--if it gets in the way of performing an action/job. I notice that I get over illness and injury far quicker than those who use pain relievers and my theory is that pain causes increased circulation, which means speedier healing, which would actually pose a scientific explaination for it shortening shamanic sickness duration. I embrace pain, not because I enjoy it (trust me I could live without it quite happily!) but because it reminds me I'm alive, its grounding, and I feel it strengthens me.

I like your viewpoint on pain. I agree that it is a necessary and natural part of life- as you said, in ways, it seems to keep me 'grounded'.