The Corner Crone: Perfect Love and Perfect Trust . . . For Me?

Let it be known that the Circle is about to be cast. All who enter the Circle may do so in perfect love and perfect trust.

 For a number of years, when my Practice included meeting with a Kindred[1] to observe Full Moons and seasonal festivals, these were the words that marked the beginning of our sacred rites. They speak to a covenantal relationship among the participants. Perfect love offered not in spite of our flaws, but in acceptance that the flaws that exist do not preclude the offering or receiving of love. Perfect trust that we can be our most vulnerable and authentic selves among these trusted members of our Circle.

Patti Wigington wrote a terrific article about perfect love and perfect trust. She examines the history of the phrase, citing Sorita d’Este’s research, in which is found:

A famous example of the combination of these words, in a Christian context, is the church reformer Martin Luther’s comment “The words, ‘Thou shalt love the Lord, thy God,’ require perfect obedience, perfect fear, perfect trust, and perfect love” in 1535. (Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians, Luther, 1535)

We find ourselves isolated these days; sharing space with anyone outside of our pod primarily occurs virtually if at all. Video conferencing helps—a lot!—but it’s not the same and doesn’t pretend to be. Many more of us have been drawing a Circle of One, and I’ve found myself wondering: how many of us enter our Solitary Circles and extend perfect love and perfect trust to ourselves?

When was the last time you intentionally offered perfect love to yourself in Ritual? Intentionally offered yourself perfect trust? The same perfect love and perfect trust you so freely give to your coven-mates, or the members of whatever you’ve named your Collective?

So many times we find it vastly easier to offer others this love and trust yet deny offering the same to ourselves. Or we do offer it to ourselves, but conditionally, and if it’s conditional then it’s not really “perfect”, is it?

In a year of Hard Things this may sound like just another hard thing to be added to the burdens you’re already carrying, burdens that are changing us in ways we might not be aware of yet. Still, I think it’s worth asking the question, and it’s something I’m going to try in my next Ritual.

Perfect love freely given from me to me, wounded and flawed as I know myself to be. Perfect trust that whatever happens in Ritual will be for the highest good, my own included, because I have welcomed my most authentic self to the Circle.

So May It Be.

[1] In general, a Kindred comprises people whose Practices vary (such as Heathen, Hellenist, Wicca, Druid etc.), whereas a Coven generally comprises Witches whose Practices are generally quite similar. Generally.

You can hear more of The Corner Crone during her Moments For Meditation on KPPR Pure Pagan Radio on TuneIn.