The Flounder
Written By: Mistress Ravenfyre
What is the first thought that comes into your mind at the word “flounder"? I’ll bet it is the fish. A fish that swims aimlessly in the water, really going nowhere in particular. Just swimming and swimming in circles.
When I hear the word flounder, I think of people. This has been occurring more and more lately with all types. Especially those in the occult world. Going from one thing to another, yet never really learning anything. They learn bits and pieces but nothing substantial. Is this a good or bad way to learn? Sometimes, to me it is bad.There is no centralized focus within this person. They move from one source of magick to another not spending the time really learning the workings. They learn the basics, sometimes not even that much. Enough for them to think “I know this stuff". Realty they do not.
What happened to the finding a path, a source of magick and focusing on it until you know it backwards, forwards and backwards again? Are those days finished? Blending is wonderful for we all need to learn new ideas from new sources. This is what keeps the craft alive and well. While we are learning these things we still practice what we do best. Finding ways in which to improve upon it. Adding new found sources is gaining more experience and proffecincy in what we do. Gaining more knowledge along the way makes us realize not to be so set in our learned ways. To always be open to areas that come our way. Knowledge is a tool we must use often.
I am not speaking in terms of those that have a set path, adding bits and pieces to become more adept. I am talking of the flounders. When you speak to them, they know not what they are doing. Their knowledge may be wide and varied, but it has no substance. Ask them their path, they stare blankly back at you and will honestly tell you they have not found it. The Gods and Goddesses have not sent them any sign so they are still looking. For these flounders, will the sign ever be sent? Or has it been sent time and time again to fall on blind eyes? For they are so busy looking all over in that circle, they have swam right by what they should have seen. I wonder if the Gods and Goddesses hit their forehead’s in despair crying out “Oye! Not again".
On a personal level, I have a path that I chose many, many years ago. One in which I travel, practice and use. I research various arts, traditions and sorcery. I may research a day, a month, or up to a year, only to gain knowledge but not use anything that I have found. What I did find was knowledge. This enhances our enlightenment on learning about the practices of others not of our own. While researching, I do not proclaim that this is my new path. I may add a little here and there but I do not change the basis of my practice.
Why do these people not find their way if they are meant to? A flounder doesn’t want to. In looking at them I have found many common denominators in their ways
1. Lack of attention span: They are only able to research for a limited amount of time. Giving up after a short period. Why? Nothing they tried really worked.
2. No set schedule: A flounder will not perform any type of ritual, paying homage, nothing on a regular basis. They forget, to busy, or ill.
3. Excuses Galore: See number 2. That explains all. If there is an excuse as to why they didn’t try something, a flounder has it.
4. Ace of all, Master of None: A flounder has read the book (s) and has it down pat. If the book has a ritual to call upon BoBo the Clown, they did it and it worked. Right away. They do not understand why in the book it states “with practice", what practice?
5. Jumpers: yes, these flounders are well known at jumping and do it very well . They jump from Wicca, to Pagan to Hinduism to the frying pan. Stand still for a moment, you make me nervous!
There are more to distinguish a flounder, but I think that by now you know what I am talking about. I’ll bet you are thinking about those flounders in your life right now. Go ahead and smile, it’s OK!
Please do not get me wrong, those of us that know what we are doing (as for the path etc.) are not glorified saints, although I do know some of those . We are just those that found our way, remained focused, trusting and diligent in our practice. We realize the hunt is exciting yet we also know that the real trophy is our center path workings. The emotional ties that we have is astounding with our Deities. Our faith in what we have found is wondrous to say the least. (This is for all religions and beliefs, not only for the Occult world). In short, we were lucky to find our niche or to have it come our way.
I wish the Flounders in our world the best and a speedy trip to find what they are looking for. Maybe while they are searching the Occult they may realize it is not the world they really belong to. Sometimes that happens. They wish so hard to be a part of the Occult world that they force feed themselves, leading their mind to believe they are a mystic. Could this be another reason they do not receive signs? Possibly.
I wish you all a speedy trip hoping that at the end of your trip you flounder no more.