Does Sacrifice Have its Place?

Sacrifice is perhaps one of the most controversial topics in Paganism. Many Pagans today would deny that it has a place in their own practices, and who could blame them? Sacrifice has had many negative connotations attached to it over time; what our ancestors once performed as a sacred act has come to conjure images of murder or Christian beliefs on guilt and penance. Does it deserve this image, or has sacrifice been given a bad rap?

Before we continue, let’s think about what sacrifice means, in and of itself. The word sacrifice comes from the Latin root words “sacer” and “ficare,” which mean “sacred” and “to make,” respectively. In and of itself, sacrifice refers to the giving of something to a deity to show devotion, thankfulness, to please the deity or ask for a favor. With this definition, it’s clear that most religions hold sacrificial practices of one kind or another. Whether the offering is food, flowers, or even animals or human beings, sacrifice has been an integral part of mankind’s relationship with our deities for millennia.

So, why does this word leave such a bad taste in many Pagans’ mouths? The most obvious reason is that, as is common in human thought, the first thing that comes to mind is often the most shocking thing. When we hear the word sacrifice, how many of us first turn our thoughts to islanders tossing virgins into volcanoes, or the sacrificial scene from “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom”? When mentioning the topic of sacrifice, some Pagans nearly recoil in horror. “The gods don’t really want us to sacrifice; we know better than our ancestors now,” is a common response. But how can we discount sacrifice so easily? Most Pagans value the spiritual traditions of the past and look for the values such beliefs and practices can hold today. Clearly, sacrifice must have proved to be a valuable form of spiritual devotion and communion for people all over the world, as it was a practice that spanned so many different times, places, and cultures. Before we dismiss it so easily, shouldn’t we consider what the ancients found so valuable?

Perhaps Pagans should look at their motives before they dismiss the potential values of sacrifice. Are we running from something that could be potentially painful, potentially difficult? Are our ideas of sacrifice tainted by the Christian ideas of guilt and sin, of sacrifice to gain redemption? Or are we perhaps trying to eliminate the presence of sacrifice in order to prove to others that our spiritual paths don’t deserve the negative stereotypes they often receive?

First, I would like to cover the question of sin and redemption. Many Pagans have had negative experiences with Christianity before they came to Paganism. Often these experiences involve ideas of guilt and sin. While it is true that Jesus is often presented as a symbol of “the ultimate sacrifice,” we must remember that sacrifice has held deep meaning to non-Christian cultures since ancient times, without containing any ideas of sacrificing to atone for sin. Most cultures gave sacrifices out of a desire to pay homage to the gods; not because they believed they were sinful and needed to be redeemed.

There is something of an imbalance in Pagan practices today. While there is a great deal of instruction available as to how to cast spells requesting the help of a deity, how many books and websites are there covering acts of devotion to the gods? Most Pagans would agree that it is appropriate to give an offering to the gods when we have asked for their assistance, but sacrifice has much more value than simply an incentive for divine help.

Sacrifice offers a valuable way to nurture our relationships with our deities. Paganism is about so much more than spell work; perhaps it’s time for us to remember that the Pagan religions of the past were more about worshipping the gods than casting spells. By taking time out of our lives to offer a sacrifice to our deities simply for the sake of devotion, we show them that we appreciate them, care about them, and hold reverence for them. Giving a sacrifice for no reason but to please the gods also shows gratitude; not simply gratitude for a favor done, but a long term gratitude for the blessings the gods have given us simply by our being alive.

What about pain and hardship? Are these always parts of true sacrifice? No, they do not have to be. Living in this modern world of instant gratification and self satisfaction, we tend to shy away from anything potentially difficult; so much so that “difficult” sometimes takes on a new meaning entirely. This may occasionally acquire an inconsiderate face in modern Paganism; such as the tendency among some to offer only what is easiest to give. Sacrifice does not need to be painful or difficult, but it must hold meaning to be a true sacrifice. To truly sacrifice, one gives something of themselves simply to pay homage to the gods. To truly give, it must be something given in a genuine spirit of giving, not simply what is easiest for us to give. It’s all in the spirit behind it; those who are simply looking for an easy way out may find their sacrifices do not mean much to the gods, while those who give in genuine devotion will find the act of sacrifice need not be painful or hard to be enjoyed by our deities. Perhaps the most important thing to think about when giving a sacrifice is if the gift is meaningful; give things that hold personal meaning to you, or take the time to learn what things your deities most appreciate. Often you’ll find that something as simple as a favorite flower or incense is all the difficulty it takes to add that much more meaning to what you are doing. This extra step means a great deal to the gods and it’s more than worth the small amount of time or patience it may take us. It’s an act of devotion in and of itself; showing the gods that we appreciate them enough to learn what they find most pleasing.

With this in mind, it is still important that we not relegate the only spiritually meaningful sacrifices to those that have no pain or difficulty involved. While pain is not a requirement for sacrifice, it is important to recognize that many cultures have found value in offerings of pain. This does not mean that the gods want us to suffer, merely that there is a time and a place for painful sacrifices, and that we would be making a mistake to once again label such practices as simply being acts of ignorance. In many Native American traditions, such as the Sun Dance or the bloodletting rites of the Maya, participants endured painful sacrifices in order to transcend the physical world and offer something inarguably theirs- their body and their pain- in order to please the deities and spirits. In certain Eastern religions, sages and adepts may make sacrifices of their own physical comfort in order to receive enlightenment. There is wisdom in these sorts of sacrifices, and as Pagans it is hardly right for us to pass judgment. However, it goes without saying that anyone considering making a sacrifice that may potentially hold physical dangers should know what they’re doing beforehand and take the appropriate precautions.

Deciding that sacrifice is important, we do come across a road block: dealing with the negative light that the public often sees Paganism in, and how this often includes a negative view of sacrifice as well. Pagans are quick to deny that they perform sacrifices, hoping that by doing so they will gain the approval of those who wonder if we kill cats in our basements. However, this only serves to alienate those Pagan religions in which sacrifice is an integral part. Perhaps instead of denying sacrifice, we should instead try to present the truth of it when we feel the need to counteract the negative accusations. In the end, education is always far more effective and respectful to all Pagan religions than trying to force Pagan paths to hold to a majority view of what is right or acceptable. After all, if someone asks you if you practice black magic or wiggle your nose to get what you want, do you deny that magic exists in Paganism, or do you simply try to educate that person as to what magic is really about? I think the same should hold true for all aspects of Paganism, including sacrifice.

All things considered, I think that it is extremely important for Pagans everywhere to contemplate sacrifice and how it may be of value to their personal spiritual practice. There is nothing more rewarding than a strong relationship with one’s deities, and sacrifice is one of the most powerful and time-honored methods of doing so.