A short comment about the coming coronation of King Charles III.
Some of us in the United Kingdom may be feeling conflicted about the Archbishop of Canterbury’s invitation that we all take a vow pledging “true allegiance” to His Majesty. I feel conflicted.
Here is a perspective that may help.
Seen through a metaphysical lens the coronation is a grand event of ceremonial magic. The monarch’s aura will be blessed, suffused and linked to great angels, spirits and archetypal virtues. The archbishop and colleagues are the high priests. The crown, sword, sceptre and spurs are all symbolic artefacts which resonate to help anchor these blessings.
For me, though, I find the politics challenging. I am uncomfortable cooperating with an out-of-date hierarchical system of dominance, which has so many resonances of abuse. It is therefore difficult for me to pledge that allegiance. But I understand the opposing view held by loyal patriots.
I can however whole-heartedly support an invocation for love, peace, inclusion, justice and healthy governance. My heart too wishes Charles great good fortune and that his reign be a blessing for all.
So when I tune into the coronation ceremony, I will be praying for those high values:
Love – Peace – Inclusion – Justice – Healthy Governance
It could be a creative and positive magic moment.
Probably a bit late to comment, but it seems that the spiritual basis for endorsing Kings and Queens is flaky. Certaintly the Bible is lukewarm – 1 Samuel 8 verses 10-22 – is to the point about them. The only King the bible supports is God/the Divine.
It seems that oaths of loyalty, etc were developed to try to ensure one king was not deposed by another – i.e. power politics.
No problems with an oath of loyalty to Love – Peace – Inclusion – Justice – Healthy Governance as they embrace the spiritual values of (I think) all faiths.
I think the actual pledge we all make, and which the future King has already made, is the pledge of service. As he pledges to serve us, maybe what we are pledging is to serve not him as an individual or even as a monarch, but as a symbol of our higher nature.
Perfect sentiment William, thank you.
I can’t swear allegiance to a person – but I can towards my country. And that is what I shall be doing. The people in Ukraine are fighting for their country. Sometimes it’s necessary.
I had a similar discomfort when I finished Paul Solomen’s ‘Servant’s Program’ in Virginia Beach, USA in the ’70’s. Already firmly on my path at Findhorn, I could not pledge obedience elsewhere. I was learning a great deal from the Program, my lack of commitment & discipline at the time, the other teachers, a great Conference, and Paul himself. I felt myself being groomed to take over the system Paul was guided to develop: Inner Light Conscious. Basically, I rewrote the commitment I was being required to sign in the Sanctuary until my freedom to follow my own guidance was clearly & firmly re-established. I managed to acknowledge everyone there and how grateful I am that I came and would continue to integrate the learning for a long time to come.
Thank you William, I agree with your stance. We as a society put the monarch in a position of symbolic leadership of state, church and military institutions for identity, unity and our unstated values. There is no practical decision power the king reigns, not rules) so we have chosen the soft power constitution for the Kingship. As such I will send love and blessings to the King for his role/values in that to be upheld, which I think Charles is quite good on.
I would also hope we can enthuse those values into our Democratic parliament too which has the decision power and that we can vote to change. Recent leaders/parties have not been able to role-model the values I think a society needs to be wholesome – choose wisely. Churchill said its the best system we have but it does need thoughtful voters.
I admire the work you do, William, but I am absolutely *not* conflicted about pledging “true allegiance” to Charles. I have no intention of doing it. I understand your diversion towards the high values, as you name them, but I’m not going to poison those values by linking them to this day. I’m trying to think of a specifically British, or even English, day that I’d feel comfortable with, and I can’t, our Saints Days are so wrapped up in colonialism and Christianity, they have no meaning for me. Midsummer’s Day, maybe? The day that all adults attained the right to vote? When was the first time we stopped fighting to keep colonies in the fold? Though I think I prefer Midsummer’s Day, even though it’s not specifically British – but maybe that’s the point.
Thank you William! I have been listening to as many pieces of debate as I can about this coronation and what it could mean for each of us; particularly following comments from faith leaders and members of diverse communities within the UK with contributions from monarchist and republican speakers. I wanted to find a way to position myself and I find your reflections so helpful. Thank you!
Like others I so appreciate you taking space to put out these strong, beautiful and eloquent words. They invite a space for collaboration, connection and greater opportunities to work with outdated ways, differences, spaces between and beyond. I too will pray for those high values you mention and commit to uphold them as best I can in my everyday.
Thank you for your very helpful insight William.🙏
Absolutely agree. Let us set an example of rising above the conflict to affirm the values we want to see manifest. Too often we throw out more than the bathwater as we work on lower levels of resentment and revenge to try to bring about change.
As an American I find the idea that one bows down to another human that’s been designated a “Queen” or “King” based simply on bloodline to be completely antiquated and frankly, a bizarre custom for 2023.
As a British person I find your “allegiance ” to a flag bizarre…
Hi William, i so appreciate the opportunity for comment. For me, a coordinated effort by church, state and media to get me to swear allegiance to a monarchy that perpetuates class division and inequality is a no. I uphold the values you describe, and don’t think the monarchy does.
William, thank you so much for your really helpful perspective on the upcoming Coronation. I too have been feeling a little ambivalence coming up. I have to say, you are absolutely spot on and I now realise, I cannot, with my whole healthy heart, pledge allegiance when so much is not for the highest good. The history of the monarchy is rapidly leading to its own demise and this leaves me sad. However, reframing it, as you have so aptly managed to do, is the right way forward.
Huge gratitude,
Felicity
Thank you William for getting us sharing about this aspect of the Coronation. While I have always been happy with our royalty and gilded carriages in preference to elected political leaders and admit to occasional gossipy fascination and opinions about their doings, I too am concerned about this request to all to join in this oath of allegiance. It’s kind of spoiled things for me. For one thing, It’s not only an oath of allegiance to King Charles but to his heirs and successors according to law. While it’s relatively nice to have a king who understands organic and biodynamic farming, uses homeopathics, has a strong Christian spiritual practice, likes sitting and painting in nature, appreciates old buildings, knows many people in many cultures and gathers people together to talk, it doesn’t feel right to ask the populace to promise faithful allegiance to any or all of his relatives.
The politics are wonky too, as CharlesIII declared his backing of the World Economic Forum agenda in 2020, which can be seen as contravening the Coronation Oath he is required to take guaranteeing the freedom and rights of the people and our position as sovereign over parliament and hence government. In essence he is duty-bound to refuse giving royal assent to laws to the prejudice of the people. Perhaps these days we have to watch out for royal-washing and spirituality/faith-washing as well as green-washing.
It feels very wrong to request a kind of intention experiment in which so many people will send a spiritual message together out of loyalty and attachment to tradition. My plan is to go to a Christian, not C of E in my case, service earlier that morning to offer my day to being positive, and then to be out in town, drinking hot chocolate and chatting to people, rather than getting drawn into the energy of the ceremony and oath-taking on telly while it his happening. I admit I won’t be able to resist watching the thing later out of fascination and looking for the good. I welcome your words William – love, peace, inclusion, justice and healthy governance. I will keep them in mind for the day, along with some of my own, including personal sovereignty, integrity and refusing to bow to materialistic power.
What I am still pondering is how as spiritual companions with our strong senses of spirituality we can work with this huge potential opening into the spiritual world, in integrity and with good intention for all. That’s expressed rather clumsily but I expect you get the drift! Thank you all for your comments. They help.
Blooming brilliant William, as always. I love this intention, and it helps me to feel more comfortable about the whole thing. I do feel it is a significant occasion, but have no wish to pledge allegiance. I am very happy though with joining an intention for Love, Peace, Inclusion, Justice and Healthy Governance.
Thanks for your wise words William , they came just at the right time for me , when I was feeling very conflicted about what I felt about the whole thing . I realise now that it doesn’t have to be an either or , for or against , it can be a well wishing and a hope for , but that all feelings about it are valid .
Dear William, Thank you for these thoughts. I really appreciate your careful, considered analysis & for your sharing it with us all.
Thank you for your thoughts, William. Let us all join in praying for the qualities you state, including tolerance and compassion.
Being a lapsed Catholic and now following my own Spiritual path and beliefs I totally agree with William’s thinking. That said I greatly admire the British Monarchy and wish King Charles good fortune, wisdom in his decision making and a long and healthy life.
Thank you or your reflection. I totally agree. Now is the time of change where we no longer need to subscribe to outdated ideologies that have causes suffering in the past. Now is the time to move on and embrace inclusion, compassion and love
I live in Wales, and the coronation does not impact on me at all. On that day, I shall be following my usual practice of walking the mountains near my home and if the ceremony comes to mind at all, I shall send blessings for the greater good of all
Thankyou William, as always you are deep thinking,kind and offer viewpoints which I find helpful, and which always get me thinking. I agree, and appreciate your time very much. Kate.
Thank you William, and indeed all responders. I’m away from the island at the moment and haven’t been bombarded with the Coronation. I too am conflicted; as I immerse myself in Japanese cultural history, I’m reminded of the power held by imperial leaders globally, for eternity! I guess we need to keep nurturing critical thinking in our younger generations to keep the hierarchy in check. Some people get through life needing guidance with rituals, rather than developing their own and perhaps many will use the ceremony as a comfort? Meanwhile, I will heed your thinking, thank you!
Thank you William, for your well considered & supportive letter.. it is a problem, not least the thought of sitting in front of the tv, with friends of different views saying Vivat etc.. however…. Even our our reductionist rejectionist phoney republican times, ceremonies & rituals stir something archaic within. But the silly brains of us don’t understand that ritual & ceremony are like bridges or frameworks to allow in higher energies, as you described, and of course those beyond form. These inner connections, for each of us are important points of contact & as we are not separate, so Sacred olive oil from The Mount of Olives poured at such a moment blesses us all.. & not just symbolically. We too hold the Orb, the sacred world & the Sceptre, the wand, the pointer & maker of magic with, for the King the cross.. symbol of the two worlds & for the Queen the Dove..
The extraordinary aspect of the Coronation is that Charles R, knows all this & understands from his esoteric & mystical training & his depth. In his Being is a possibility of reconciliation, where the instruments & clothes of Power truly represent the Higher & this King has the humility of the Human to serve that power..
Very nicely put William I couldn’t agree more. Thanks
Symbolic…poetic…enlightening…much needed outlook on this sensitive topic…gratitude for your wisdom overall…
Indeed. The monarchy is very symbolic. In ancient times, the king/queen could be seen as the soul of the nation. Today, there are many who have achieved soul contact and work as souls. As souls, we can stand with the king, aiding him in his task. A possible response…..Mentally link up with soul of the king, seeing the energies of Light, Love and Goodwill suffusing the group.
Definitely agree with your principles William. Let’s hope Charles is third time lucky, unlike his two ancestral
kings! As an environmental spokesperson I am hoping he will include the sovereignty of the Land he stands
upon, & is nourished by, and be humble to the sovereignty of all people in Britain & the Common-Wealth!!!
Kind Regards to You & Family…
Thanks William. Good to have a reminder that we need to actively CHOOSE our allegiances, and not passively acquiesce. I’m more than a little surprised at the Archbishop, however, for suggesting something so potentially divisive and problematic. What on EARTH was he thinking?
I am so glad you wrote this, William. I live in the US and will be watching the Coronation and praying for those high values.
I would not take a vow of allegiance to anyone – especially when told to do so. When we awaken spiritually we realise that we are all equal and one in nature. All of our power structures have an appalling history, especially our Royal family, and no longer serve us if we wish to survive as a species, they are unsustainable in nature. The narrative in and around the Coronation is telling us what we should think and feel about it because it fears a true and honest debate and a dissolution of this hierachical power structure which is to the detriment of us all including the members of the family. I will play no part in it and continue to hold the frequency of presence to enable consciousness to grow and expand.
That’s it. ” When we awaken spiritually we realise that we are all equal and one in nature. All of our power structures have an appalling history…” I’m grateful to read this discussion.
Please do not send me further emails. I support Republic and despise sausage fingers and his parasite family. I expected better from you
Thank you William! This seems to be a sensible and sensitive approach to the Coronation.
Thank you William. That has clarified my thoughts as I was not happy about an oath
Love and Light to all.
Very nicely put William I couldn’t agree more. Thanks XX
Hello William
Well – I am am Irish …. Ancestral trauma and all that jazz!!!
Lots of love
Bernadette Spink
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, William. I am totally aligned with what you say. There is so much hypocrasy that has piled up over the centuries at the hand of current structures of society (incl. politics and religion). I feel we need a big overhaul, ideally starting at exactly with those ethical, spiritual values that you refer to. May these timeless values serve as a “clear canvas” for body, mind, soul and spirit, to discover new forms of actualising a more just, life-sustaining, peace loving and equal collective community that serves nature, creation, humans and the planet. The coronation may serve as a grand ritual to make that point and offer something “fresh”, innovative and inspiring.
Thank you, that’s a very helpful perspective.
William
Thank you for this it’s valuable & assists me in assessing what my truth is.
I am currently in Israel & spending time in The Galilee.
It’s a huge time here in The Holy Land … big changes & a desire for peace…as I take a thought for King Charles I pray that it will be a peaceful time & transition in the UK.
Best to you
Very well said!!! xxx
Thank you William – this is helpful as I also feel conflicted
My son’s dog is the very essence and representative of this conundrum. A cavapoo he is half Cavalier King Charles spaniel and half (French) poodle. Loyalty and republic rolled into one. He won’t be paying too much attention to the coronation.
Well put and agreed!
Absolutely Perfect!
Thank You, William 🙏
I will join you in praying for the qualities you mention . Imagine how powerful that would be if many people hold the intention and prayer of those qualities being present and infused into the proceedings