On the evening of astrological Beltane -- May 5, 2011 -- several acquaintances who belong to diverse magicko-spiritual traditions simultaneously enacted a ritual. This ritual had been planned for several weeks and was designed to invoke the aspect of the Goddess we know as Lady Liberty along with four distinctly American Ancestral Spirits: Thomas Jefferson, Sacagawea, Susan B. Anthony, and Martin Luther King, Jr.
We had come together because of our strong and shared dismay at the ill will, unproductive discord, exploitation, and outright lying present in our corporate, media, and political structures. We felt that historic American values of rights, opportunities, and civil discourse were under real attack; an attack as degrading, in its own way, as the Nazi threat to Great Britain in World War II.
We were inspired by the protective meditations of British mage Dion Fortune that invoked the archangels to ward Great Britain from German attack, along with the reported protective magick of the British Wiccan community during those times. Based on their examples, we felt we should also mount a clear and strong, but humane and non-coercive, defense against the destructive forces of our time.
Here are the Names and Images we invoked and continue to invoke:
From clockwise: Lady Liberty ~ Thomas Jefferson ~ Sacagawea ~ Susan B. Anthony ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
And this is our spell:
"We call upon all humans to create a life consistent with their true nature, the calling of their hearts, and the highest good of all.
Grounded in the truth that all humans are created equal, we ask that all humans have the courage, willingness, and clarity of perception to embrace one another's humanity, to band together to reclaim our governing structures from corrupt interests, and to secure our individual rights.
We call upon all humans to recognize injustice, inequality, and manipulation wherever it manifests; to call out the perpetrators; and to ensure that wrongdoers are brought to justice that is grounded in compassion, common sense, and fairness.
It is created as it is spoken."
About the Spiritual Images
- The
five-pointed star was chosen not just because of its resonances with
the pentagram and the four elements + spirit construction, but because
(a) a solid five-pointed star connotes protection, and (b) it a real
American symbol: the stars on our flag are five-pointed stars.
- The
background evokes the soul-stirring images in "America the Beautiful:
"Oh beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain / for purple
mountains' majesty, above thy fruitful plain..."
- We recognize Lady Liberty as an American aspect of the Goddess,
along with Columbia. We chose the image of Lady Liberty to crown us
because of Her Divine nature, because She represents so much of our
best history, and because of the shining Light She offers to guide us.
- Thomas
Jefferson: as we began to work with this image, some of us perceived
that this Founding Father and third President was eager to lend
assistance. Although Thomas Jefferson in life was a complex and
controversial figure with some notable moral failings, especially his
actions in regard to slavery and his own enslaved people, on balance we
perceived that his values regarding religious freedom, as well as his
fiery spirit, suited this working well.
- Martin
Luther King, Jr. continues to have a strong spiritual presence in our
nation. He is one of our "sacred Kings." He represents action from the
heart, non-violence, and compassion. He brings in the best that
Christian spirituality has offered this country. He also represents our
African-American citizenry.
- Susan
B. Anthony is iconic for her work in equal rights and voting rights for
women Americans. However, she also worked on behalf of the poor and
working classes and was an abolitionist. We invoke her for perseverance
and endurance for equality for underrepresented Americans.
- Finally Sacagawea was a remarkable Ancestress. She symbolizes the Native peoples of this continent. Native cultural institutions, especially the Iroquois, contributed heavily to our structures of representative democracy. Sacagawea was sometimes a guide for Lewis and Clark across the entire continent, but more often an interpreter, a mothering figure, and a symbol and instrument ofpeaceful relations with other tribes.
Since this working, we believe that the uncovering and reporting of corruption and dishonesty has increased, and that we are in a time period where true motives and corrupt actions are, in fact, being revealed.
We invite you to use this image and this language to help align the hearts and minds of people influential in America -- as well as ourselves -- with our Truest and best nature, and to bring to light corruption, prejudice, and other ill will in our leaders and in ourselves.