An observation by Joseph Campbell of the JFK state funeral:
"The public murder of a president, representing our whole society, the living social organism of which ourselves were the members, taken away at a moment of exuberant life, required a compensatory rite to reestablish the sense of solidarity. Here was an enormous nation, made those four days into a unanimous community, all of us participating in the same way, simultaneously, in a single symbolic event…..It was the first and only thing of its kind in peacetime that has ever given me the sense of being a member of this whole national community, engaged as a unit in the observance of a deeply significant rite."
This embodies to a large degree my feelings about September 11th and the days that followed. I believe this is the way to approach my reaction and explanation for why this event was so powerful for me, and still is. It wasn't the first terrorist attack in the world, it won't be the last. But the significance behind why it made such a deep emotional impact…. now, that's something to explore.
Do you remember how you felt that day?
I had just gotten to work, and was tuning into the CNN website to check morning news as I always do. The breaking news was just coming in that a plane had hit one of the towers; the picture was up, but the story was still developing. As events unfolded, our Gov't office just wandered around in shock, oscillating between personal radios and the CNN hookup in the conference room.
I wrote this prayer the day after 9/11. My hands were tied as far as being able to physically go and help, being 2,000 miles away from the event. But I could send my energies and call for justice, and bring forth some sense of optimism on that dark day.
"BUT STILL WE WILL DANCE"
(c) Seshen, Sep 2001
Divine Lady, stand with us today in this, our darkest and finest hour….
Virgin Lady of the Hunt, run on swift & silent feet with your hounds, seeking out those who have desecrated your sacred grounds. Let your retribution be decisive; your hand steady, your mind clear, your intent purposeful & just.
Blessed Mother, envelop in your loving arms your frightened children, taken from this world too soon and without the comfort of the presence of loved ones in their final moments. Touch the souls of those left behind with the pure Light of your love for them; let them know that their tears are not shed alone.
Wise Crone, guide the departed spirits across the rainbow bridge and deliver them safely to the land of the ancestors. Let the hard-won wisdom acquired carry through into the next life, so that we will not forget what has happened here.
Within every heartbeat is the dance of life; from the burning grounds will come new life. We will survive, we will endure, we will rise above the vestiges. And whatever tomorrow brings, we will stand together with heads high, our spirits united and unbroken.
The ground beneath our feet may be burnt and white with ash, but still we will dance.
So mote it be.
"The public murder of a president, representing our whole society, the living social organism of which ourselves were the members, taken away at a moment of exuberant life, required a compensatory rite to reestablish the sense of solidarity. Here was an enormous nation, made those four days into a unanimous community, all of us participating in the same way, simultaneously, in a single symbolic event…..It was the first and only thing of its kind in peacetime that has ever given me the sense of being a member of this whole national community, engaged as a unit in the observance of a deeply significant rite."
This embodies to a large degree my feelings about September 11th and the days that followed. I believe this is the way to approach my reaction and explanation for why this event was so powerful for me, and still is. It wasn't the first terrorist attack in the world, it won't be the last. But the significance behind why it made such a deep emotional impact…. now, that's something to explore.
Do you remember how you felt that day?
I had just gotten to work, and was tuning into the CNN website to check morning news as I always do. The breaking news was just coming in that a plane had hit one of the towers; the picture was up, but the story was still developing. As events unfolded, our Gov't office just wandered around in shock, oscillating between personal radios and the CNN hookup in the conference room.
I wrote this prayer the day after 9/11. My hands were tied as far as being able to physically go and help, being 2,000 miles away from the event. But I could send my energies and call for justice, and bring forth some sense of optimism on that dark day.
"BUT STILL WE WILL DANCE"
(c) Seshen, Sep 2001
Divine Lady, stand with us today in this, our darkest and finest hour….
Virgin Lady of the Hunt, run on swift & silent feet with your hounds, seeking out those who have desecrated your sacred grounds. Let your retribution be decisive; your hand steady, your mind clear, your intent purposeful & just.
Blessed Mother, envelop in your loving arms your frightened children, taken from this world too soon and without the comfort of the presence of loved ones in their final moments. Touch the souls of those left behind with the pure Light of your love for them; let them know that their tears are not shed alone.
Wise Crone, guide the departed spirits across the rainbow bridge and deliver them safely to the land of the ancestors. Let the hard-won wisdom acquired carry through into the next life, so that we will not forget what has happened here.
Within every heartbeat is the dance of life; from the burning grounds will come new life. We will survive, we will endure, we will rise above the vestiges. And whatever tomorrow brings, we will stand together with heads high, our spirits united and unbroken.
The ground beneath our feet may be burnt and white with ash, but still we will dance.
So mote it be.