At dinner last night with friends, the discussion turned to disease and personal responsibility; specifically, when it is just an excuse that you are <fill in the blank> because really you’re just a jerk. One friend was quite upset that she is being demonized for having no tolerance for people who choose alcohol over their family.
. . . and long nights.
This is the season in the Pacific Northwest.
The year began with a lot of busy-ness and I haven’t had much of a chance for calmness and reflection.
I finally cleared my desk, only active to-dos there now. A must do within the next couple of days is finalizing the next module for my advanced class. As is appropriate for the season, we’ll be looking inward, doing internal reflection work. Getting to know ourselves better.
On one of my lists there is an interesting discussion going on about ethics and being a lawyer who can do magic. The question was posed “If you knew your client was guilty, how would you proceed with the case?” I’ve been thinking about that in its various permutations (some of which made it into the conversation). First (and these are in no particular order, nor am I lawyer): the role of a lawyer is to make sure the client is treated the same no matter his/her ethnic background, income, education etc. Second, the role of the lawyer is to provide a check against the system — to point out inaccuracies, inconsistencies, and offer counter-arguments/facts relevant to the case. Third, the role of the lawyer is not to judge. We are all innocent until proven guilty (by a jury of our peers).
That said, and this was eloquently said in the group, a magic-wielding lawyer could lose sleep over ‘knowing’ that his/her client was in fact guilty. How to service such a client the same, as well as, an innocent client? (Because, ethically, you must.) By keeping your magic the level of at this statement:
“I hope the jury’s decision is a fair and equitable.”
With that, your energy is directed in a manner that does not harm, or help, your client.
Last night my coven and I decided to not hold our usual Dark Moon ritual, but I held one for myself (greatly modified from the original, which is loosely based on Timothy Roderick’s Dark Moon Mysteries).
The Wild Hunt has a stunning articleabout a Wiccan woman’s recent traumatic experience with the new body scanners and the accompanying opt-out procedures. It’s pretty clear that the ‘opt out’ is deliberately invasive and humiliating so as to convince others to go through with the x-ray scanner instead. Hey, what’s a little radiation? Any problems from it are in the future, not now.
My friend Diana Rajchel has an essay posted on Witchvox about Divorce as Initiation. It’s very very very good and I encourage you to read it and pass the news that it is out there.
Please note that although the date of her survey is listed as being open only until October 31, it is actually open until the end of 2010.
Center: Temperance
Crossing: Knight of cups
Base: The Fool
Passing: Ace of Swords
Crown: Ten of Swords
Coming: Strength
Myself: six of Wands
Surroundings: Three of pentacles
Hopes & Fears: Queen of Wands
Final: The Hanged Man
*LITANY OF THE DEAD 2010*
*created by Dagonet Dewr – October 29, 2010*
*As always, feel free to disseminate freely; I ask only that distribution be
complete. I also have noticed this year there is no central source for
recording the dead in the Pagan and Heathen communities. I am considering a project to address this; if interested, send email to dagonet.dewr@gmail.com.
And as always, any omissions are pure oversight and my responsibility.
Please send any notable oversights to the same address, and I will add them
before this is posted permanently on the Web.*
One item donated to help my friend’s financial situation* was a tarot reading by Melissa Tarot.
Melissa Tarot has been doing tarot and palm readings for 22 years. She lives in the St. Louis area with her family and friends, and has been described as a ‘feminist, hippie, Pagan wackadoo’ – a title she bears proudly. Melissa has been on Sirius Radio and often works with Catherine Chapman of www.tarotelements.com. Melissa’s Tarot Readings – I already know you want one.
Melissa writes: “My philosophy on tarot is that the cards do not reveal information that you do not already know (even if only on an unconscious level). I use tarot as a tool to tap the subconscious — your inner self, to reveal hidden knowledge, passions, fears, hopes, goals and dreams on the verge of fulfillment.
By asking for a reading from me you understand that I will abide by my own personal reading philosophy and no others.
I prefer to read in person or over the phone or via chat through Skype or google chat. By winning this auction you will be given contact information to call or email to arrange an appointment for a reading.”
A typical reading is $45 for 30 to 45 minutes.
The item is listed on eBay for a starting price of $0.50 — please boost this signal and let people know that this BARGAIN is available and for a good cause.
thanks!
*
Imagine having to spend $50,000 to keep your loved one safe from harm. My friend is having to do that after discovering that his ex-wife remarried a man who is a registered sex offender. He’s been to court three times this year to gain and keep custody of his seven year old daughter. If he loses, his daughter will spend time living in a home with a man who is a — let me say it again — registered sex offender.
A group of us are getting together and auctioning off items to raise money to help pay his legal bills. This is one such item.
Two of Swords
Blocking emotions, avoiding truth, stalemate. Avoiding making the decision.
(posted a day late, sorry)
Three of Cups. (same as yesterday)