Why the occult and paranormal community should celebrate Memorial Day

I  recently read an article by a fellow Pagan questioning whether or not peaceable light workers should celebrateMemorial Day. The answer is a resounding yes. Memorial Day is not about bar be ques, family gatherings, getting intoxicated, elevated traffic violations, or heading to the beach. It's about, very simply, celebrating and remembering the lives of those who protect our freedom and who have died in the process. Memorial Day is just that. A day to remember and hold their memories in honor and the respect they deserve.

Few groups in America can site as many instances of persecution as American Pagans, Wiccans, and paranormal enthusiasts. We have been burned, hung, tortured, imprisoned, had our children taken away, been evicted, had our personal belongings violated, our homes vandalised, and even recently, schools have been allowed to isolate Pagan and Wiccan children based solely on their beliefs. The men and women who have fought to preserve our freedoms have also been victim to this persecution. Their gravestones were denied the symbol of their choice, whether pentacle or triquetra, and it was only through the determination of their widows that this was achieved and changed for all soldiers.

The old adage that freedom isn't free is true. It isn't. There is always a price and most of the time that price is pain, suffering, blood, sweat, and tears. Children will grow up without fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, and in some cases, they will grow up in families that are not their own at all. There is a heavy price for the freedoms we have and that includes the right to worship as we choose.

Modern Pagans and Wiccans tend to see Pagans old and new as being a part of a peace loving, vegetarian, botanical community where no fighting ever occured. History has shown through the finding of shrines, temples, and graves that our ancient Pagan heritage is far from peaceable. For instance, there are no instances of a culture that did not have a deity exclusive to the art of warfare and diplomacy. Many of these deities also did double duty as being the mistress or master over death as well. The Washer of the Ford for instance is said to wash the clothing of warriors destined to die in battle. She is said to weep and wail over their deaths and yet she wore their skins as a gown. This was done as a form of honor.

Shrines all over UK and Ireland, specifically, hold the skulls of fallen warriors. These were often referred to as MorRhiaghan's acorns and were offered to Her as a means of respect and also offering of protection for the souls of the fallen. It was considered a sign of respect to have your head placed there. Many cultures believed the souls of humans resided in the brains and hearts of the dead and by freeing them of these things they were in essence freeing the soul to go along its path. Their living companions in battle often wore the blood of the fallen on their faces as a form of respect and even drank it as a way of taking the fierce essence and strength into themselves.

So the path of the Pagan warrior is not a short trip to hugville. It is long and it is bloody. Our modern Pagan brothers and sisters in arms also deserve the same respect and honor of those long gone. Do we have too many holidays already? Sure we do! But then life is meant to be celebrated and honored, and especially those that lay down their lives for others. They are to be honored above all others for pure selfless love and courage that is inspiring for everyone.

This Monday we will celebrate yet another Memorial Day. Take a second and tell a soldier thank you. Buy them a cup of joe, maybe even dinner, but let them know their sacrifices are appreciated. They spend many many days away from their wives, their children, in countries and cultures where honoring their gods may result in their death, and without the freedom we enjoy at their expense.

I am Pagan. I am proud and I am proud of our fellow Americans that get up, go to war never knowing whether or not they will return. They show a strength, loyalty, and courage that few have and they do it selflessly.

This is not to say that our Christian and other soldiers do not deserve the same honor, they do. Any soldier that puts their lives on the line deserves respect and especially on this day. When I end my posts, I end it with Namaste which means the sacredness in me honors the sacredness in you.

Namaste my warrior brothers and sisters! Blessed be!