Hi Anna, sorry to just come across this, but wanted to address your grievances here as I think you have some legit feedback. I 100% agree with you that the term "smudging" is out of context for the book and was corrected in later editions. Please know that those wider conversations (at least in the spheres I was in) were not happening until after this was already in the hopper for publication. It takes many books years to be printed from the time the author firsts pens them. But yes, you're spot on in that sense. Im not sure what else you'd consider appropriate since I was making it clear that many practices were a survey of practices that were cited. I'm not sure that just talking about practices on its own is appropriative. In any case, its a good conversation to have.
As to the topic of tools and sacrifice, I do completely stand by that. There is no tradition, culture, or practice on the face of this planet that ever justifies animal sacrifice in a civilized society. Even thinkers in ancient cultures were questioning that as far back as Plato. "Culture is no excuse for cruelty" is a motto I stand by. As it perrtains to cleansing, there is a reason why even when sacrifice was practiced, it was not done in the home. Because it invites miasma and the spirit of decay into the family.
But cheers and thanks for giving it a read. -David
But yes, you're spot on in that sense. Im not sure what else you'd consider appropriate since I was making it clear that many practices were a survey of practices that were cited. I'm not sure that just talking about practices on its own is appropriative. In any case, its a good conversation to have.
As to the topic of tools and sacrifice, I do completely stand by that. There is no tradition, culture, or practice on the face of this planet that ever justifies animal sacrifice in a civilized society. Even thinkers in ancient cultures were questioning that as far back as Plato. "Culture is no excuse for cruelty" is a motto I stand by. As it perrtains to cleansing, there is a reason why even when sacrifice was practiced, it was not done in the home. Because it invites miasma and the spirit of decay into the family.
But cheers and thanks for giving it a read.
-David