Laws of Ma'at 12

I relate with understanding.

One of the biggest challenges of being human is relating with others.

Spoken language is imprecise. Words fail us when we try to speak about a topic that carries an emotional charge for us. Despite supposedly speaking the same language, words have different connotations for different individuals due to the time and place in which they were raised, their family of origin, and their own experiences.

Written language can be even more vague. Consider how often a written phrase meant to be satirical is misunderstood to be a serious commentary on the situation; relationships have been damaged by misunderstanding the intent behind the words.

We can approach these challenges best by maintaining our own awareness of the imprecision of language. We can seek to choose our words carefully, understanding that our listeners or readers may perceive our words differently than we intend. We can seek to understand the perspective of our listeners or readers in order to present our thoughts in a way that will be most clearly understood. When misunderstanding occurs, we can clarify our thoughts rather than become defensive. When we are the listener or reader, we try to put aside our own baggage to hear the intent of the speaker/author and take from it what is useful to us.

When we seek to relate to each other with the goal of understanding, we avoid many of the pitfalls that are inherent with the use of language.

When we relate with understanding, we help to create a more open community where all are free to express their experiences and reflections without anxiety and fear.

Laws of Ma'at 11

I speak words of good intent.

I seek to avoid giving harm to others by my words. I provide constructive, not destructive, feedback. I allow the Wisdom of the Divine to speak through me, and frame things in a positive light.

In today's world, this is challenging. When someone cuts me off on the road, often my first reaction is a crude gesture or a curse, but I try instead to offer a blessing such as, "May you reach your destination safely, without causing harm to others." When doing magickal work to counteract psychic attacks, I choose to call on the powers of protection, rather than the those of revenge.

The Threefold Law is definitely in play here as well. If I speak words that deliberately cause harm, that harm will return to me. If I speak words that seek to create harmony and good intention, that too will return to me.

Laws of Ma'at - 10

I consume only my fair share.

This is where we struggle between "need" and "want". How much do I truly need? and how much of it is want/desire? That doesn't mean that I have to deny my desires, but it does mean that I have to consider them, rather than sating them impulsively.

Our resources are stretched thin. People around the world die of starvation every day while others throw away perfectly good food by the pound. Things we purchase are overly-packaged in non-biodegradable styrofoam and plastic. In some countries, you have to purchase water from the river that runs through your village even though until 5 years ago it was held in common. In other countries, we buy bottled water by the gallon every day because tap water "doesn't taste right".

Our resources don't have to be stretched so thin. They just need to be shared more fairly.

I recycle everything I can: plastic, paper, cardboard, glass. I gratefully accept hand-me-downs that are in good condition, even though they may not be this year's - or even last year's - fashion. I try to eat my leftover food before it goes bad, so that I am not wasting the resources or the money to replace it. I have cut down significantly on gasoline usage by living closer to work, not driving through city traffic, and taking public transportation when I can. I do what I can to live more "green", with the goal of decreasing my carbon footprint. I do what I can to donate resources to those who are in need.

I ask myself, "what exactly is my share?" and try to live accordingly.

Brigit's Blessing

The charm placed of Brigit
About her neat, about her kine,
About her horses, about her goats,
About her sheep, about her lambs;

Each day and night,
In heat and cold,
Each early and late,
In darkness and light;

To keep them from marsh,
To keep them from rock,
To keep them from pit,
To keep them from bank;

To keep them from eye,
To keep them from omen,
To keep them from spell,
South and north;

To keep them from venom,
East and west,
To keep them from envy
And from viles of the wicked;

To keep them from hound
And from each other's horns,
From the birds of the high moors
And from the beasts of the hills;

To keep them from wolf,
From ravaging dog,
To keep them from fox,
From "Luath" of the Fiann.
-- traditional Highland blessing, Carmina Gaedelica, Charm for Stock #368

A Magdalene Candelmas

Imbolc greetings to all who have shared and seek to share the mysteries of the Magdalene!

This is an invitation to join me and assisting prestesses for a celebration of the Ninth Day of Imbolc (hence "Nonae") or as I have previously termed: "A Magdalene Candelmas", next Sunday, February 10, 2008 at the UU Church of Long Beach. Bring the inner sparks of new beginnings that you begin at this weekend's celebrations of the Maiden, of Brigid, of Candlemas, of the Maiden Sun to the cauldron of transformation that is the Magdalene's Gnostic Rite, next Sunday at 5:30PM

This celebration will also enfold remembrances of Crone suns passings last year and beyond. Many of our community have seen their Mothers go beyond the horizon, "away from the world and unto Goddess" at this time of year. I also have insisted upon this date in order to celebrate the birthday 100 years ago of my mother, Florence Catherine. Since the notice is short, I hope for RSVP at this address, or thearosa@netzero.com or call me at 323 982 9662. The Church calendar says 6P, but I plan to start at 5: 30 in order to leave most of Sunday evening free for your usual pursuits and relaxation. In keeping with our theme begun at Hallows, the Nonae bears the title: "She Wakes"!!

Snack foods and greens for the altar welcome! Men welcome!!

SHE WAKES: A Magdalene celebration of Imbolc, Bride, Candlemas

Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 5:30 PM Unitarian Universalist Church of Long Beach 5450 Atherton Ave, Long Beach.

Bright Blessings of Bride,

Catherine

Laws of Ma'at - 9

I speak the truth

"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." -- George Orwell

Knowing the truth is not enough; we are called to speak the truth, even when it is difficult. Keeping silent is often the easier path, but a path of spirit is not always easy. It is often easier to tell an untruth than to speak the truth, because of the consequences of truth-telling, but Ma'at calls us to accept the consequences and grow through speaking the truth.

"There are no whole truths; all truths are half-truths. It is trying to treat them as whole truths that plays the devil". -- Alfred North Whitehead

None of us have a handle on "The Truth". We can only judge what is truth for ourselves and share it with others. We cannot force it on anyone else; trying to force "The Truth" on others has been the cause of many religious wars over the centuries. It also causes dissension among friends and family members! Often we have to combine our truths and piece them together into one puzzle that will give us a more complete Truth.

Speaking the truth means refusing to be silent in the face of abuse, whether it is yours or another's.

Speaking the truth means standing up for those who have no voice to cry out: children, elders, and all those in between who are abused, downtrodden, and taken advantage of.

Speaking the truth means going to the authorities when you have witnessed injustice or illegal activity in workplace.

Speaking the truth means that you are no longer a victim of circumstances.

Speaking the truth is a means of taking back your power and living your authentic self.


Thoughts on Truth:

"Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods." -- Albert Einstein

"We know the truth, not only by the reason, but also by the heart." -- Blaise Pascal

"The truth will set you free. But first, it will piss you off." Gloria Steinem

"Truth is not only violated by falsehood; it may be equally outraged by silence." -- Henri Frederic Amiel

Join the Spellweaving

Press Release

PAGANS OPPOSE MILITARY INTERVENTION IN IRAN

October 12, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Ellen Evert Hopman saille333@mindspring.com 413 323 4494 East Coast
M. Macha NightMare herself@machanightmare.com 415 454-4411 West Coast

We are an ad hoc group of Americans who practice diverse Earth-based religions. We affirm the wisdom of peace, tolerance, and justice. These principles are consistent with the values and beliefs of our Pagan religions. We seek to exist in goodwill and fellowship with all peoples, cultures, and nations. In so doing, we express our love for the Earth and acknowledge our interconnectedness with all living things.

In the face of escalating international tensions regarding Iran, we urge the use of diplomatic actions for a peaceful resolution of differences. We reject any rush to military action, since we believe that diplomatic means will lead to a safer, more just, and more constructive solution. Therefore, we call on our political leaders to use diplomacy to create goodwill, peace, and harmony among nations, religions, and peoples.

Organizations:

Ár nDraíocht Féin (ADF)
Assembly of the Sacred Wheel
Cherry Hill Seminary
Chesapeake Pagan Community
Church of All Worlds
Coalition of Earth Religions (CERES)
Connect DC
CUUPS-Continental
The Dragon’s Cauldron
Green Egg Zine
Lady Liberty League
Order of the WhiteOak
Our Lady of the Wells Church
Pagan Educational Network
Reclaiming
Sacred Space Foundation
Sierra Madrone Grove, ADF
The Suppressed Histories Archives

Individuals:

Maureen Duffy-Boose, President, CUUPS-Continental, Salt Lake City, UT
Ellen Evert Hopman, Co-Chief, Order of the WhiteOak, Massachusetts
Nancy Machin, Pagan Educational Network, Indiana
M. Macha NightMare, P&W, San Rafael, CA
Rev. H. Byron Ballard, Coalition of Earth Religions, Asheville, NC
Jo Carson, Fairfax, CA
Max Dashu, Oakland, CA
Gus diZerega, Ph.D., Sebastopol, CA
Ivo Dominguez, Jr., Elder, Assembly of the Sacred Wheel, Delaware
Holli S. Emore, Columbia, SC
Cerridwen Fallingstar, Forest Knolls, CA
Rev. Sean W. Harbaugh, Sierra Madrone Grove, ADF, California
Caroline Kenner, Chesapeake Pagan Community & Sacred Space Foundation. Washington, DC
Rev. Robert Lee (Skip) Ellison, Archdruid, ADF, East Syracuse, NY
Sabina Magliocco, Ph.D., Northridge, CA
Rev. Patrick M. McCollum, Director, Our Lady of the Wells Church Moraga, CA
Michael McDermott, M.D., Wisconsin
Katrina Messenger, Founder, Connect DC, Washington, DC
Nava Mizrahhi, Oakland, CA
Ariel Montserrat, Editor, Green Egg Zine, Tennessee
Anne Newkirk Niven, Editor in Chief, PanGaia Magazine, California
Penny J. Novack, Elder, Step by Step Tradition, Buckland, MA
Rev. Rayna Ardren Owens, Ph.D., Miami, FL
Beth Owl’s Daughter, The Dragon’s Cauldron, Durham, NC
Lynn Pacifico, New York, NY
Lauren Raine, Tucson, AZ
Angela Roberts Reeder, Baltimore, MD
Vibra Willow, P&W, Reclaiming, California
Michael York, Ph.D., San Francisco, CA
Oberon Zell-Ravenheart, Church of All Worlds, Cotati, CA
Rev. Denise Allen, Iseum of the Lady of Mystery, Long Beach, CA