Silent
Silent provides the tools for seekers to recognize their path and enables self-reliance for spiritual and magickal growth.
Seekers gain insight from his work and find their inner calm from his ability to listen and help others reflect.
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Why I don't celebrate Women's Day
Silent • Mar 08, 2024
When will there be enough women on the US Supreme Court?
(The answer is at the bottom of the article)
Celebrating Women's Day can often feel like a grand gesture that ironically underscores a deeper issue: the relegation of gender equality to a singular day of acknowledgment.
It's akin to adopting a diet for a single day of the year and expecting lasting health benefits. This approach inherently "others" women, delivering a troubling message to young girls that their worth and rights merit recognition merely once annually.
This sentiment echoes the notion that Woman's Day, unlike birthdays or personal milestones, should not be an isolated event. True gender equality requires a ceaseless effort every day, around the clock. It’s about integrating respect, equality, and recognition into our daily lives, not just marking it on a calendar.
Societal structures must evolve to genuinely honor the spirit of Woman's Day. Teaching children about healthy, respectful boundaries from a young age is crucial. Incorporating ethics and consent into education—whether through school curriculums or faith-based teachings—challenges and changes outdated norms.
It’s noteworthy to question and critique the absence of female roles within certain religious leadership, prompting a reevaluation of traditional structures.
Furthermore, it is paramount to empower young women with the essential skills for life and career success. This includes academic and professional training and instilling confidence and resilience to navigate a world that often undervalues their contributions.
Respecting diversity—of thought, culture, and experience—is another cornerstone of true equality. It’s about appreciating the myriad ways women contribute to society without imposing a monolithic standard of success or recognition.
The corporate world, too, must align its practices with the principles of equality. Addressing pay disparities and creating equitable opportunities for advancement are tangible measures businesses can take to demonstrate their commitment to gender equality beyond symbolic gestures.
The story of my deceased partner, overlooked and remembered only in the context of a famous father who abandoned her, illustrates a poignant point. Her contributions, though significant, are condensed to a once-a-year memorial, a stark reminder of how women's achievements are often overshadowed by their male counterparts.
While Women's Day serves as a reminder of the strides made toward gender equality, it also highlights the extensive journey ahead. Celebrating women's achievements and advocating for their rights cannot be confined to a single day.
It demands ongoing, collective efforts to weave the principles of equality into the fabric of everyday life. Only then can we hope to honor the true spirit of Woman's Day—every day.
Epilogue.
The answer to the question above is nine, courtesy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. If you don't understand the question, why it is nine, or who RBG was it's time to do some research and maybe some soul searching.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
In the modern tapestry of spirituality, being a Pagan involves a deep connection to ancient practices and the rhythms of the natural world, integrated with the realities of contemporary society. As a Pagan man, my journey is both a personal exploration and a public declaration of a faith that is often misunderstood in the mainstream. For Pagans, our practice is not merely about following the cycles of the Earth or celebrating the solstices. Still, it embodies a broader worldview that values respect for nature, the importance of ritual, and the interconnectedness of all life. Whether one identifies with the divine masculine, feminine, or beyond, these tenets are vital, reflecting a spectrum of spiritual expression that honors individual and communal experiences. Technology and urbanization have dramatically reshaped our environments, sometimes creating a sense of disconnection from the natural world. Yet, they also offer new platforms for Pagans to share knowledge, connect across distances, and build supportive communities. Digital spaces serve as contemporary forums for ritual sharing, wisdom exchange, and spiritual support, helping bridge the ancient with the digital. Navigating modernity as a Pagan also brings unique challenges, including confronting misconceptions and stereotypes that can lead to social stigma or misunderstanding., The path requires profound courage to live authentically, and we often need to educate others about our diverse beliefs and practices. This journey is a testament to our strength and resilience. Ethically, Paganism prompts us to act with integrity and responsibility, guiding us in making choices that respect our spirits, the well-being of our communities, and interconnectedness with Nature and the Divine. This ethical stance underpins our interactions, ensuring they are marked by honesty and respect. In essence, being a Pagan today is about finding balance—integrating the wisdom of ancient traditions with the pressures and possibilities of modern life, holding space for the sacred in the mundane, and fostering profound insights into both the self and the universe. It is a path of continuous growth and reflection, a journey that challenges and enriches us, inspiring us to constantly evolve and deepen our understanding.
Workshop at Concentric Circles - OLOTEAS 24-Feb-2024
...by making your bed.