Life is not linear, it is a combination of cycles playing out over and over again. Not static, for our actions, our choices, shift and change the outcomes, but the cycle remains. Spiritual Journeys are much the same. We spiral in, exploring, gaining experience, and going deeper. Then we spiral back outwards, incorporating, renewing and rebirthing ourselves. It is the process of growth, of movement, of transformation. Each cycle bringing us closer to ourselves and to Divine.
Santa Muerte has moved back into Her core name, The Divine Mother. I can understand why… Holy, Death, Saint Death, the translation of the name Santa Muerte, only reflects one side of Her, the Death. She is Death itself though, and the Feminine Death, which means She is also the Rebirth and Life – not just the Death. From a practice and devotional standpoint, we who walk with Her know this. We see and know the Duality within Her. We call to Her for all aspects of Living and Death. The name Santa Muerte though, does not really convey this dynamic outside of those who know Her.
Originally the “nameless” and “faceless” – over time, because we as humans have a knack for catagorizing things into neat little boxes of culture, tradition, and various other forms of “ownership” and separations, She has become the named with a very structured face, not so much from those connected to Her but from those on the outside looking in. This happens to all forms of Divine at some point, because seeing Them through our eyes is also colored with how we see each other.
People categorize, put each other into boxes, to be able to see were we are similar or different, to give context to each other, to get a general idea of what they may be like before we even engage in any meaningful conversation, and in the end creating divisions between us. Through the eyes of boxes we make assumptions that in our heads turn to fact – using generalizations, stereo types, labels, and generally more of what others have told you, than you have actually experienced yourself.
Language is a way for us to communicate, express ideas, connect to others, and that defines a part of us, where we are from and even at times where we are going. It also creates conflicts, separations, misunderstandings, and miscommunication. Even if we speak the same language we are not necessarily speaking the same “language” because language, especially in slang, evolves and takes on new meanings depending on who is using it.
Traditions and Cultures are wonderful tools for connecting to those around us, the landscapes we live upon and share together, and developing a sense of community and our place in the wider world. They can give us depth and meaning in our connections – They can also separate, hold us back from growth, and become a weapon used against others or ourselves.
The Rose and the Thorn
The beauty of the Rose and the injury of the Thorn – Blessings and Curses come together – you do not get a measure of one without a measure of the other. This is a deeper understanding behind Dualities, what we need to see – know- and embrace. Once we can see both clearly we can create a harmonious alignment for the situation or desired outcome – How much, and what, from each side is needed.
Holding individuality within a state of Unity can be a tricky road – but if we balance the alignment of the two sides, it not only enriches the experience of Unity but also how we contribute in our own ways to that Unity, our individuality, which is what makes Unity work.
A couple of years ago She took on the name Mother of Souls for these very reasons. To move into Her wholeness of Death and Life together. Yet there was still separation in this thinking, another Duality to work through, understand, and align – for Soul is just one part, the Body is needed to experience this living life.
The spiritual journey keeps taking us deeper and deeper as long as we allow it. I do say “allow” because that is the trap behind tradition and doctrine – too often people box themselves in, focused on what has been and not expanding beyond it. These things are great for a starting point, to find your way onto your path, but eventually you will find yourself beyond it if you keep going deeper.
Sometimes people think to change, to grow, means that what was before is not true or was wrong – It wasn’t, it is what you needed to get to where you are now. It gave you your starting point, you learned and experienced within it, it took you as far as it could, and now it is time for something else to take you deeper. If we lock ourselves into doctrine or static traditions, without the grace to allow for depth, we will eventually come to a wall of our own making.
She has shed Her limiting name of “Mother of Souls”, and moved into the Divine Mother. One name to represent both sides of Her and both sides of me (body and soul). The same Divine, the same energy, the same core, but a deeper perspective and understanding of it. She still comes in Bone, so instead of a box, we see our own reflection in Her. We can see the reflections of each other because in this form She has stripped away all the things we use to divide each other.
I am not the same. She is not the same. Yet we are.
Follow Your Heart and Intuition
People will want to box you. They will want you to stay the same. This is especially true if you are a Voice, a leader, teacher, or influencer – in those modes those people start to become more “brand” to others, than a human growing in their own life. I have watched so many youtubers, authors, and social media influencers struggle with being authentic when their path evolves or changes because they are afraid of losing their following/ community. I am just a very small fish in the big ocean but I have those moments too. Yes, some will move on because they are not going the direction you are. Some will continue on because they either resonate or are just curious to see where it goes. Then there are the new people who will be drawn in and curious. There will be change sometimes drastic, sometimes subtle – there will be loss, sometimes just a bit and sometimes all – and there will be new beginnings, because it is the pattern of death and rebirth that repeats throughout our lives that symbolizes growth.
In the end, this journey is ours to make. If we compromise our growth to fit in or appease others, then we loose the purpose of even being here experiencing this life. If we can not stay true to ourselves, how can we stay true to anything else? People will come and go, season will always be changing, yet you will be the one constant from beginning to end.
Embrace yourself, stay true to yourself, and follow your heart no matter where the journey takes you.
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