What is Metal Gaia?
Welcome traveler! Here you will find an Earthy, Metal blog of sorts. In this blog I am exploring and looking for alternative ways of living amid what we call “civilization.” The modern day culture is one of toxic over consumption – and we accept this as the Status Quo. We’re so disconnected from the Earth and the natural in this day and age we might as well be living in a space station. Our animals (meat) is harvested and slaughtered by machines and laborers with sub-human wages. The clothes we buy and wear day to day and celebrate in the fashion industry are made by children overseas in sweat shops. Our key energy source – petroleum oil – is sustained by wars in the middle east (in which the U.S. government is killing 100,000’s and sending remote controlled drones to drop bombs on villages). This resource is choking the planet full of pollution and destroying the ecosystems that sustain us.
In short, our culture is a deadly, sick, toxic poison that is destroying life as we know it.
And if we are to cause a meaningful change, we can’t just change what we do, but we must change who we are on a deep fundamental level.
LEARNING FROM THE GREAT WORLD RELIGIONS AND PHILOSOPHIES
“We cannot invent our own values, because we cannot merely impose what we believe on our souls. This was Carl Jung’s great discovery.” – Jordan Peterson
Much of the ideas we accept as the status quo are actually very new in the scheme of history. And the jury is still out on whether these values are a failure or a success.
For eternal wisdom, it is best to examine ideas that have deep historical roots, ideas that are enshrined in the great religions or philosophies of the world. These values have lasted the test of time because they contain an element of truth, and a subconscious human understanding for nature’s laws.
In the past this blog had more of a pagan focus and was harsher on newer religions, but I’ve learned that this was an arrogant point of view. And even the newer religions on the stage of world history (like Christianity and Islam) have some wisdom that they learned from what came before. After all, if billions of people around the world follow these religions, they must also have a path to the truth.
I also no longer identify as pagan, but I think studying the world’s religions and the history of different cultures is still helpful. I now practice Islam. That word has scary connotations to people. But what it basically means is that I am a strict monotheist who wants to serve my Creator, and sees my Creator as something beyond male, female, human, or anything one could possibly comprehend. And I am interested in the brother and sisterhood of all mankind across the barriers of race, gender, class, or nation.
Around the world people are beginning to study different world religions, new and old and very ancient. All the religions of the world have important wisdom for spiritual growth—which is desperately needed in our time.
A picture of Yggdrasil, the Tree of Life
ANCIENT HEROES COME ALIVE VIA METAL AND ART
Underground music – most specifically metal – has embraced and celebrated many of the stories and themes of ancient Pagan Gods. Led Zeppelin incorporates runes in their band art. Amon Amarth celebrates the bravery of ancient vikings and the wisdom of the Norse Gods. Celtic and Viking warriors didn’t suffer fools.
RECONNECTING TO THE EARTH
So let us look to the old ways and find a new connection to our original mother, our Earth Mother. Let us honor her by asking questions, searching for truth, and finding alternative ways of living.
Metal Gaia 