Inara - a Wiccan perspective
POSTED BY: incongresswiththebeast
UPDATED: Friday, May 12, 2006 15:14
VIEWED: 21618
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Hi! I've been lurking here for a while, but this is my first post. *coughs, and looks about nervously*
I've read a couple of posts that give a religious perspective on Firefly and Serenity, and I wanted to add my two cents. Most of the posts I've read have been from Christians. I'm Wiccan, which is a Pagan religion based on pre-Christian religion, although the brand of Wicca I practice is new age.
So why am I posting a religious perspective on Firefly? It's not like there are any witches aboard Serenity. Even if people do try to burn River occasionally. Although my own religion isn't represented in the show (Christianity and Buddhism being the only two that make an appearance)I still see some neopagan perspectives in the show. Particularly in the character of Inara.
Um... this is the part where I warn the kiddies that this post talks about sex. So if talking about that subject offends you, you may want to skip this post.
Still with me? Okay. Let's start with a very quick summary of the Wiccan attitude to sex. To a Wiccan, sex is sacred. It represents the highest form of magick there is, since it unites male and female, creates an altered state of consciousness, and has the potential to create new life. When it's done in the right frame of mind, sex actually puts you in touch with the creative force of the universe itself (or so most Wiccans believe.) You don't get anything more special, or more powerful, than that.
For that reason, sex becomes incredibly important, something you should share only with someone close to you. Celibacy closes the door to something incredibly special, while promiscuity degrades it.
So how does this apply to Inara?
I think Inara fits in very neatly with this perspective. As Joss has mentioned in interviews before, Prostitution wasn't always illegal. In some cultures in the distant past it was actually considered to be a sacred role, performed only by a Priestess. It was used to heal, to comfort, and to worship certain deities. The role of a Companion seems very similar to this, something Inara mentions herself in "Jaynestown".
HIGGINS
(sees tea set-up)
what is this? I brought you here to bed my son, not throw him a tea party--
Inara is polite, but afire with firmness.
INARA
Sir, the Companion Greeting Ceremony is a ritual with centuries of tradition behind it. There are reasons for the way we do things.
HIGGINS
Listen, Inara, I called on you for one thing and one thing only. My son is twenty-six years old and he ain't yet a man. Twenty-six! (looks at son w/
contempt)And since he can't find a willin' woman himself -
Inara takes Higgins by the arm and starts gently but firmly guiding him out of the shuttle. He blusters but goes along.
INARA
Mr. Higgins, you are not allowed here.
HIGGINS
I--What?
INARA
As I said, this room is a consecrated Place Of Union. Only your son belongs here.
So it's clear that Inara sees her role as traditional, even sacred. The problem she faces is that very few others do. Not only is Higgins incredibly crass about the whole matter, but she constantly faces criticism from Mal too. He makes it very clear that he doesn't respect what she does, constantly referring to her as a whore, and making derogatory comments about her work.
And Mal isn't the only one. Inara has to cope with Jayne's comments too, since his incredibly one track mind isn't able to grasp anything other than that Inara is having lots of sex with people who aren't him. Even her most respectable clients turn out to be narrow minded about what she does - Atherton Wang from "Shindig" being the clearest example. That's without having to deal with people like the misogynistic Burgess from "Heart of Gold".
In short, Inara is a person who considers sex sacred in a world that doesn't, something that a lot of Wiccans can sympathise with. From my point of view, this makes her a fascinating character. She isn't Wiccan, but she inspires the same feelings in me that I imagine Book does in a lot of Christian fans.
That'
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Um, forgot to add a thank you to twiztv.com for the script excerpt!
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That’s an interesting prospective. The issue of Inara’s particular career choice in the show is a contentious one, probably intentionally. Although open sexuality with arbitrary and multiple partners was used as a sacred right by some religions, I don’t know how common such practices were historically. I’m inclined to believe not very, but certainly not with the Christian and Buddhists religions, who both hold celibacy, not sexuality, as sacred.
This seems to beg the question of a plausible justification for Inara’s occupation, which is perhaps meant to be symbolic of the old American West brothel harlots, but it doesn’t seem to be a very good fit. Prostitution wasn’t (and isn’t) always illegal in the US, but it has never been revered as a religious or even a sacred right. Prostitution, where and when it wasn’t illegal in the US, was generally tolerated as a necessary evil to sooth the supposed barbaric impulses of men. One might argue, though, that both 19th century America and the Firefly ‘verse, would view prostitution as “therapeutic,” but certainly not in the same context.
So is Inara’s occupation simply artistic license of the 19th century American harlot? Or something more? I think your post suggests that perhaps the contention might have been to introduce some of the supposed pre-Christian pagan European sexual freedom? Although even in that context, it is a poor fit. Pre-Christian pagan Europe may have been a world were sexuality was looked upon as much less taboo then it became in the prudish Victorian Era, but the prostitute was by no means revered in most circumstances. It might surprise many people that in the pre-Christian Roman world prostitutes were viewed much as they were in 19th century America, as a necessary evil, not necessarily sacred. In fact, the Vestal Virgins suggest that like, Christianity and Buddhism, it is celibacy, not sexuality that is revered as sacred.
It’s hard to say what if any plausible historical justification for Inara exist, but I enjoyed reading your post. It offers an insight that I’ve not heard in a while. Particularly in that Inara may be more a prediction of the direction modern society is moving, then a historical one. Inara represents, from Joss’ perspective, the anti-Mal: socially Progressive in contrast to Mal’s social Conservativism, which are not only dichotomies of social thought today, but also in the late 19th century America.
Nihil est incertius vulgo, nihil obscurius voluntate hominum, nihil fallacius ratione tota comitiorum.
Nothing is more unpredictable than the mob, nothing more obscure than public opinion, nothing more deceptive than the whole political system.
-- Cicero
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That is an interesting perspective. I've long held that Shepherd Book is on the show to represent the Western religions (and he dies a martyr's death, interesting) while Inara is there to represent the Eastern religions. Of course, it's not simple allegory, but it is interesting to see the respect they have for one another.
As a Wiccan myself, I've found that people of devout but diverse spirituality often have more in common with each other than with those who aren't devout, even within the same congregation.
Much of the movie focuses on the importance of belief--and we can see that with Inara. She views her actions as sacred rather than smutty, and so they are sacred. She is not bothered by nudity when Shepherd Book is--because she knows that nudity and sexuality are not the same thing. (Anyone who has been to a skyclad ritual has learned that, even though people who haven't rarely grasp that truth.)
Cedric
"Some things stay with you, 'til the day you die."
On the Drift: Music Inspired by Firefly and Serenity, now on sale at
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bedlambards/from/celtic
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Quote:
Originally posted by incongresswiththebeast:
Hi! I've been lurking here for a while, but this is my first post. *coughs, and looks about nervously*
Hi, welcome aboard. There's mudders milk and strawberries and the supply clerk should be by shortly to issue your browncoat.
If you haven't already read it I suggest picking up a copy of Finding Serenity. One of the essays ("Whores and Goddesses" by Joy Davidson) argues along similar lines to your post.
Quote:
So it's clear that Inara sees her role as traditional, even sacred. The problem she faces is that very few others do.
I think your missing some subtext here. The times when people are treating Inara (or companions in general) with disrespect are meant to be the exceptions as opposed to the general attitude. Certainly one gets the impression that on the central planets Companions have a good deal of say in society. This however is less true on border and rim worlds perhaps because the Guild is seen as an Alliance organisation, foreign and unwanted.
With Higgins this lack of respect for the ceremonies of companions is a result of his ignorance of the niceties of society. The man knows about slaveholding, mud, and not much else. He's just out of his league with Inara and doesn't even know that he's acting with disrespect.
Atherton also appears to be a bit ignorant of a companions true standing but he is trying to climb the social ladder in the only way available to him - hiring a companion. When at the end of Shindig Inara tells Ath that he has been blackmarked she is relegating him to the fringes of the society he wishes to be the center of.
Mal's relationship with Inara is of course much more complex. On the surface he shows a great lack of respect but underneath the snark he does respect Inara and maybe even the work she does. He just can't say that for a number of reasons most of them relating to his "intimacy issues" as Wash calls them.
Anyway fine points all and again welcome.
David
"A lot of people are asking me, you know, what exactly is Firefly? It's a tv show you morons!" - Joss Whedon
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YAY! I'm a Wiccan too, never thought I'd find another one here!
And yes, your post is very interesting. I must say I do agree with most of what you said.
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incongresswiththebeast:
Welcome to the board. I love discussions like these (i.e., with substance), about the underpinnings of Firefly.
I joined this board on April Fool's Day in 2004, which you'll find is fitting, once you get to know me. I had been posting my signature, long-winded diatribes on alt.tv.firefly for over a year before I stumbled on this place. A day that will live in infamy...
As a 'hello' to the board, I quite rudely reposted a three-part series on "Firefly and Religion" that I had previously annoyed folks with on a.t.f. Luckily, as has been noted above, the folks here are wonderful -- and always have been -- and tolerant of n00bs, even gasbags like me.
So, without further ado, here's a link to "Firefly and Religion, Part III", originally (re)posted on the day I joined, nigh on 2 years ago. (See http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=2&t=4558) The 3-part series focused on the loss of faith, or apostasy, exhibited on Firefly. Part III deals entirely with my speculations on Inara's religion and how she is losing her belief in that faith; the first two were on Mal and Book, respectively.
I thought you might like to read 'Part III', since it varies from most folks opinions, and there's a fairly representative sample of other opinions in the thread, from my dear, long-lost friends who've since shuffled off to other websites (apparently).
Please remember, in April 2004 there were no series DVDs (came out in Dec 04). So, we were doing it all from memory of watching the series on F*X (mostly 
), at that point in history. Please forgive any inaccuracies or misquotes...
Respectfully,
zoid
P.S.
One respondent, 'LuppinAdams' identified himself as "For the record, I've been a practitioner of sex-alchemy for over 20 years and after studying many religions, consider myself a Taoist of the heretical 3-Aspect school". I think he's got you beat for off-center religious practice, and he wasn't particularly nervous about the reception he might receive, so you shouldn't be either. With the exception of outright trolls, we're a pretty accepting bunch.
_________________________________________________
"I aim to misbehave." -Capt. Mal Reynolds, Serenity, a.k.a. 'the BDBOF'
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So I'm the only person here who thinks the term "Wiccan's perspective" is utterly hilarious? You know, speaking as the only trained philosopher here who has actually studied theology, my considered opinion is "Ahhhh ha ha ha ha ha!". Oh Christ, upon reading you it occurs to me that I must have dated at you at some point.
Yeah, me 'n Mal have si-mu-lar views. Which is going to make the coming deluge for my meanyness all the more ironic, seeing as how I'm sneering and copping little comments at the sacral sex and religious views the same way he does. Why, all that back-and-forth is fine for the show, but do we have to have people on these boards being so snippy like Bierce? Can't we all just agree and use words like "valid perspectives" and "alternative ethics" just like Firefly doesn't?
Why, he's using negative energy! Negative viewpoints aren't valid!
Also, you wanted to say empathy, not sympathy. If you empathize, you're emotionally connecting to someone or some situation familiar to your experience or beliefs. You can identify with it. When you sympathize you feel for something inherently alien: like feeling for people suffering in a gulag. Wiccans can empathize with the idea of sacred sex, not sympathize. I know Wiccans aren't real big into exacting concepts, but I thought I'd write just in case someone else was reading.
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incongresswiththebeast:
Ok, one question. Well, a preface followed by a question. Something like that.
In Heart of Gold, Inara mentions to Mal about not being Puritanical about sex (obviously she was lying, as the next scene revealed), but she seems to be expressing more of a Companion's Guild philosophy. The distinction she seems to be making does not fall solely on the sacredness of celibacy (Puritanical) versus sexuality (Wiccan). She is implying that he has a right to have sex with a willing partner of his choice, and by her reaction it is my opinion that intellectually she feels that to be true.
Obviously, this is not a direct contradiction to what you have said, but it does raise some questions. Yes, obviously she holds sex as something deeply personal and sacred, but she doesn't expect that of others. Ok, so maybe she's a very tolerant/fed up wiccanish Companion.
Ok, so my question is, if her beliefs about sex are as strong as you make them out to be, which is entirely plausable, why does she restrain herself from expressing that to anyone? Obviously she wouldn't to Mal, that'd be honest and straightforward. But to Shepherd, perhaps? Maybe we didn't have enough episodes to get to it.
I think I changed my mind whether or not I agree with you several times while writing this.
_________________
Carry the Nuttin'
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Bierce:
Are you going to actually back up your sneers with some disagreements, or just poke fun at her because she's a Wiccan? Or maybe you'll laugh at be because my religious beliefs are indifferent to a point beyond Agnostism?
For being semi-Atheist, I am very connected to religious people. I hold a lot of their values, I just don't belief in the theology. Heck, I'm more conservative than most people who go to church every Sunday.
Why do I mention that? Because it's to show you that people can look upon each other and respect each other not simply in spite of theological beliefs, but BECAUSE of theological differences. My personal semi-lack of faith has been reinforced by discussing religion with people of vastly different perspectives.
So allow me to dissect your post.
"You know, speaking as the only trained philosopher here who has actually studied theology..."
You may not be the only one, and you being a trained philosophey gives you no more special insight than anyone else who can think objectively and logically (although many argue the number of people who can is very few). It's like me proclaiming a mechanical engineering degree means I can fix my car if it breaks on the highway.
"Negative viewpoints aren't valid!"
Negative viewpoints are valid, provided you give a viewpoint rather than just negativity.
I can understand your religious sensibilities being offended by someone of a completely opposed faith (ok, so I don't really know Wiccan's are completely opposed to Christains, but let it go). However, it's completely inexcusible to lash out at them.
I am with you, in a small part. When I hear Wiccan, I think a college goth who's given up brainless adherence to his/her parents religion to brainless adherence to another. It's my gut reaction, but, seeing as I don't know the person in question, and the person in question presented a well articulated and reasoned discussion, I put my gut aside, open my mind, and not apply my own personal stereotypes.
Heck, you might say I can sympathize with him/her.
Quote:
Originally posted by BitterBierce:
So I'm the only person here who thinks the term "Wiccan's perspective" is utterly hilarious? You know, speaking as the only trained philosopher here who has actually studied theology, my considered opinion is "Ahhhh ha ha ha ha ha!". Oh Christ, upon reading you it occurs to me that I must have dated at you at some point.
Yeah, me 'n Mal have si-mu-lar views. Which is going to make the coming deluge for my meanyness all the more ironic, seeing as how I'm sneering and copping little comments at the sacral sex and religious views the same way he does. Why, all that back-and-forth is fine for the show, but do we have to have people on these boards being so snippy like Bierce? Can't we all just agree and use words like "valid perspectives" and "alternative ethics" just like Firefly doesn't?
Why, he's using negative energy! Negative viewpoints aren't valid!
Also, you wanted to say empathy, not sympathy. If you empathize, you're emotionally connecting to someone or some situation familiar to your experience or beliefs. You can identify with it. When you sympathize you feel for something inherently alien: like feeling for people suffering in a gulag. Wiccans can empathize with the idea of sacred sex, not sympathize. I know Wiccans aren't real big into exacting concepts, but I thought I'd write just in case someone else was reading.
_____________
Carry the Nuttin'
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