HAPPY
EASTER
2019
The word Easter is of Saxon origin, Eastra, the goddess of spring, in whose honor sacrifices were offered about Passover time each year.. See where that goes from there” New birth? New spring? Rising from the dead of winter? Passover?
Sumerian legend of Damuzi (Tammuz) and his wife Inanna (Ishtar), an epic myth called “The Descent of Inanna” found inscribed on cuneiform clay tablets dating back to 2100 BC.
When Tammuz dies, Ishtar is grief–stricken and follows him to the underworld. In the underworld, she enters through seven gates, and her worldly attire is removed. “Naked and bowed low” she is judged, killed, and then hung on display. In her absence, the earth loses its fertility, crops cease to grow and animals stop reproducing. Unless something is done, all life on earth will end.
After Inanna has been missing for three days her assistant goes to other gods for help. Finally one of them Enki, creates two creatures who carry the plant of life and water of life down to the Underworld, sprinkling them on Inanna and Damuzi, resurrecting them, and giving them the power to return to the earth as the light of the sun for six months. After the six months are up, Tammuz returns to the underworld of the dead, remaining there for another six months, and Ishtar pursues him, prompting the water god to rescue them both. Thus were the cycles of winter death and spring life.
Perhaps you can see some similarities between the then.. and the now.
There is nothing new under the sun. Or even the Son.
Forgive my personal embellishment, perhaps I write this only to formalize the feelings I have right now to simply make myself feel better. The past does not exist anymore. Neither does the future.
The only thing that’s real — or as real as we can conjure– is the present time. The moment now. The impressive and unbelievable chance that we all have to breath and live.. This world is a beautiful place for dreamers and dancers– so dance the night away and leave the dreams until the day. Because we are in this together.
This year, for yours truly, a number of strange life changes have occurred at once.. whether it was car accidents and long stays of family members at hospitals or rehab centers, one thing is clear: The mind is as temporary a thing as life itself. If the brain is a computer, it can malfunction.. and when it malfunctions welcome to a new conjunction junction… what’s its function?
My mother has been diagnosed with dementia. Without diving deep into the realm of anger and sadness and grief and frustration that such a life event can bring, one thing is apparent: At the stage she’s currently in, the only thing that exists in the ‘now.’ No memory of what just occurred, and no concern what will happen tomorrow. Just now. Just this moment. The brief and fleeting moment of life we are currently in..
What saddens me is that the “now” appreciation will change as well.. eventually as things go, she will begin to forget who her family is, even her husband of 50+ years. She will neglect to be concerned over precious grandchildren.. their memories will become faded over time as well..
We are all living in the now, even thought we constantly mourn the past and relive it, and fear the future and dread it.
Mutley the dog is usually in the ‘now.’ A dog’s mind is fascinating.. almost psychic at times. I am sure cat owners would agree on their family animal, but as a life long dog owner I can only speak for that bread. 7 years of a dog’s life and he still lives in the ‘now’ without the joys and anger of feeling the passage of time.
This world has become a bizarre and often inane train wreck of 24/7 news cycles that concentrate on everything from Donald Trump’s latest Tweet to his latest bowel movement.. we are highly politicized and driven by green and money. The nature of affairs is divisive and joyless. The Internet of things was meant to the connect the world, but instead it is driven us into corners of mental destitution.
Sometimes the net is not fun anymore, with Facebook and Youtube social media warriors battling any account they deem somewhat offensive.. every post that is a little socially cringeworthy.. and every website that is ‘ban’ worthy.. In the UK, the government there decided to ban pornography. If that doesn’t signal a massive change in the way Internet freedoms are viewed nothing else will.
Bombs and hate are filling the air all of the time. I know you can feel it. I can. That is why together as people we need to persevere and continue doing what we do best: Living and smiling in spite of the darkness around us.
Easter 2019.. If you believe, then he is risen. Either way, the sun is rising. Horus or Jesus have won. Here’s to who we are! And here’s to hoping that Inanna and Damuzi will bring us a beautiful six months in the Northern Hemisphere.
