As I publish this, I have just passed my 59th birthday on the 8th of September. The Blessed Mother Mary also has September 8 as her birthday. We have a very special relationship, she and I. To honor her, this summer we built her a grotto in our back yard. In it I tried to bring in all the symbolism of how I view her.
"Welcome to Brothers and Sisters, the weekly meetup for prayer* and community at Daily Kos. We put an asterisk on pray* to acknowledge that not everyone uses conventional religious language, but may want to share joys and concerns, or simply take solace in a meditative atmosphere. Anyone who comes in the spirit of mutual respect, warmth and healing is welcome."
She is supposed to be flanked by a pillar on each side. Unfortunately, we have not been able to find suitable pillars, so they would have to wait (who ever knew it would be so hard to find two 42 inch pillars?).
More about the Grotto and how I see Mary on the flip side.
Here is a picture of the grotto: ">
Mary with Owl and Fountain
We put a light on her so we could see her at night:
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Mary at Night
It is a very peaceful place. When I find them, I will add the pillars, corresponding to the pillars, or paths, of the Tree of Life. According to Hermes Trismegistus, the two pillars signified art and science. Entry into Solomon's Temple was between these pillars, Jachin and Boaz. Jachin corresponds to the Sun and is on the right when one is facing them. Boaz corresponds to the Moon and is on the left. The pillar on the right is the pillar of mercy or compassion, the pillar on the left is the pillar of judgement, severity or discipline. Mary occupies the place of the third path, the path of balance, mildness, equilibrium or consciousness. You see on the right the fountain with the doves, to mean peace and life. To me, there is no fountain of life without peace. On the left, you see the owl, for wisdom. There is no good judgement or discipline without wisdom. The owl is Minerva's servant, I equate Mary to Minerva. In this we have the High Priestess card from the Tarot, with Mary as the high priestess.
So when I go to the grotto, it is as Mary's handmaiden. When I leave the grotto, I am to be her ambassador. As I wrote in a poem some time ago, since as spirit she has no physical being, I must do in the physical realm the things that she would do if she could. I must represent her as well as I am able.
What does all this mean? Yes, it does mean I am to tend her children. But there is more. I must remember who I represent. It is important that I not allow to be done to me what I would not want to be done to her. I am to remember my place: not as a wimpy, submissive sort but with the dignity and confidence of the representative of the High Priestess. There is no room for arrogance, because not only am I her subject, but she is beyond arrogance.
Walking the path between the pillars is difficult. It is razor thin. How easy it is to berate those who lack understanding of truth. How easy, on the other hand, is it to baby people whose time has come to grow. How often have I learned that I can be mistaken in my judgements of others, and how often have I had to learn that you can't learn other people's lessons for them! I have to continually remind myself that we are all here with lessons to learn. It is not for me to say what order they are to be learned in, nor is it for me to interfere and keep them from learning. She is continually reminding me of these things.
Over the next few months, there will be an election. It is an important election. To me, it determines whether as a society we will be willing to tend to Mary's children. We have to work like crazy to ensure the outcome. We will hear ugliness on each side, ugliness from all quarters. Through this, I must maintain the equilibrium of the middle pillar. And if the outcome is not as I hope, I must regroup and find a way to tend the children anyway.
As I sit and meditate in my grotto, I meditate on my brothers and sisters here. I lift the requests. I ask her to help master the lessons facing each and every one so they will be conquered. I ask her to bring comfort and strength.
Tonight I bring a piece of my grotto to you, my brothers and sisters. I share with you a piece of my very odd cosmology. To those more traditional in their beliefs about Mary, I pray* that you are not offended by mine. And I ask you to join me in celebrating Mary's birthday.
Please enjoy the peace. ">
Ave Maria