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| Author: Posted: Sep. 8, 2002 | This Page Viewed: 7,122,626 |
Question of the Week: 59 - 9/11/2001 911 America: Talking Through The Terror... Talking Through The Terror... And helping each other cope with the tragedies that struck at the very heart of the United States. The Witches Voice has opened up this forum in order that Pagans may express their thoughts on the terrorist attacks that took place in NYC and DC on September 11th. As the full realization of what happened and the toll numbers begin to come in, Americans have many challenges ahead. What are your thoughts on these incidents? How are you feeling? Feel free to post any magickal workings or other support gatherings planned in your area. WebNote 9/16/2001: Since we launched this on 911 this forum as become laced with powerful inspiration and critical information, feel free to use the search functions on your left to better define the info you are looking for. Search for your area, famous Pagans, key words etc. Also check Wren's Nest News for the latest news related to our community. |
| Reponses: There are 969 responses posted to this question. | Reverse Sort |
| Dear Friends (permit Me?):when I Saw In Real Time On Cable... | Sep 14th. at 9:44:06 am EDT |
| Fedelynn (Quezon City, Philippines) | Age: 36 - Email |
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Dear Friends (permit me?): When I saw in real time on cable TV what had happened to New York last Monday, I was horrified. Those were acts of Evil...I kept thinking to myself as the towers collapsed, "No matter how much you hate a nation, you don't do stupid, evil things like that. You don't sacrifice innocent people." But then, if one's well-blinded by hate as the suicide bombers were, one can almost do anything bad. Besides the above, I just want to say that I stand with you, guys, through your days of grief...Since Monday, I felt restless, not knowing what I should do about the tragedy. I kept thinking that it has something to do with white candles, but I do not know enough about Wicca (still dithering!) to be confident enough about shedding grief, giving long-distance, spiritual comfort (to the workers and families and friends of victims), or do banishing acts against terrorism...I kept getting the idea that I should search the Net for what other Pagans are doing. Had not found anything right for me until I stumbled onto your site (via HPs. Currott's site) and read Mouse of Hamburg's prayer ("Spirit of the Air, carry the souls of the deceased to the Gods..."). I felt a rush of gratefulness. I had found my prayer! Thanks so much for this! I also read something about what the Reverends Falwell and Robertson have said. I think after Mouse's Prayer, I'll try to make one asking for protection from prejudices against Pagans and Arab-Americans....Uhmmm, should you or anyone of the Readers know of any prayer or simple, simple rite which I can use for this, kindly let me know? It'll help. Thanks again. P.S. What can I do if I feel hatred? How do I safely handle it? Have been searching the books, but not found anything satisfactory. Please. |
| I Received This Email Late Last Night. Although A Non-pagen Sent This... | Sep 14th. at 9:55:34 am EDT |
| Flitterbye (LaWard, Texas US) | Age: 41 - Email |
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I received this email late last night. Although a non-pagen sent this to me I see it as a very strong candle magic and encourage all to participate. Friday Night at 7:00 p.m. (cst) step out your door, stop your car, or step out of your establishment and light a candle. We will show the world that Americans are strong and united together against terrorism. Please pass this to everyone on your e-mail list. We need to reach everyone across the United States quickly. > > The message: WE STAND UNITED - WE WILL NOT TOLERATE TERRORISM. > > We need press to cover this-- we need the world to see. |
| It's Been A While Since I've Posted To A Pagan Site. Live... | Sep 14th. at 9:56:42 am EDT |
| Nightmoss (London, England UK) | Age: 21 - Email |
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It's been a while since I've posted to a Pagan site. Live has gone on quietly for me, with little of consequence, and I have been equally a quietly steadfast in my faith. I am Pagan, and I make little secret of it. But one side of my family is Muslim, and since Tuesday I have feared for them. My point is this: No matter the deaths and the terror, no matter the losses that have been suffered, to see scenes of attacks on innocent Muslims will only further fan the flames of hate. The guilty are not walking openly amongst us - neither in the USA nor in my own country, the UK. It is only the innocent that stand out in the sunlight with the rest of us, the terrorists walk secretively, they lie and cheat and steal, and they do not care what happens to others. That is the cause of the tragedy that I can barely think about, let alone write about. I suppose I trying to say that, no matter how angry we are, it is better to find the perpetrators and deal a precise and efficient strike against them. The world seems to be teetering on a systematic terror campaign against the Islamic world, and it is my respectful belief that this would be just as bad as what has so recently and terribly happened. Let us be firm and implacable by all means, but let us lose our caring for those who have done no wrong. Collateral damage is not, to my mind, acceptable. We must be better than that. So for those of us who are pagans, who understand this tragedy in terms that are slightly different to the majority of the Western population, I ask this: Try to urge calm, try to encourage a rational, clear-headed approach to this horrendous tragedy. Without it we may well create a greater horror than has already occured. Nightmoss |
| Fervent Call To Boston Area Pagans: Gathering On Sundayi Would Like... | Sep 14th. at 9:59:53 am EDT |
| Pine Forest (boston, Massachusetts US) | Age: 29 - Email |
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Fervent call to Boston Area Pagans: GATHERING ON SUNDAY I would like to invite the pagan community to come together in peace, to raise energy together on Boston Common, Sunday September 16, 2001 at 9am. This is not a political rally, or a spiritual protest. This is a healing project, one that is sorely needed. Leave your politics at home. Falwell doesn't voice the mind of a nation. Hate and fear are our enemies, not any one man or group of people. We need to set an example - for each other, for our city, for our country. I read in a post that a pagan took exception to the President's invocation of God in his various public sentiments. I say to this, that if we want our way of life respected we must respect others. His perception of God does not harm my perception of divinity, nor do I feel he denies me my perception of divinity. He speaks as a man who finds comfort in his chosen path. So should we. Hate is divisive, hate destroys. THAT is our true enemy; One that every person whatever their faith can destroy if we look past the dogma and see the humanity present around us. As a pagan, my religion was not represented on the podium at City Hall Plaza last evening. I went anyway. There was no high priestess or priest reciting Redes or prayers, and I needed none there, truthfully. I said my own prayer. I was struck by the beauty of the other faiths presented - in fact, the Islamic prayer washed over me so poignantly I began to cry, and I didn't even understand the words. I understood the heart, and the pain of another soul looking for succor in the only way they knew to ask for it, according to their tradition. And so did the atheist standing next to me. This is why I ask you all now to come. We pagans may think ourselves pariahs in a nation of popular monotheism, but no matter. We may not even agree with each other's own take on pagan worship. No matter. This tragedy should finally make us look past the flavors of faith, and witness the basic humanity that surrounds us. People are out there shaken and suffering. There may even be spirits of the deceased that are lost, even now, and in anguish. Let us stop worrying about the Christian Right Wing, forgive them their narrowness, enlarge our hearts and begin working on the very real, widespread psychic damage that has resulted from this unspeakable horror. Doctors can mend bodies and minds. We can mend spirit. Please, come with me and help mend the tatters of America's psyche. Blessed Be to all, whatever your path, in the dark days that lie ahead. |
| Bright Blessings,i Have Cried So Many Times. I Cannot Understand How... | Sep 14th. at 10:02:54 am EDT |
| Julie Rutgers (Fayetteville, North Carolina US) | Age: 30 - Email |
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Bright Blessings, I Have cried so many times. I cannot understand how onc can justify such actions. I send my love and peace out to the world. And I hope are nations leaders act with widom and logic and not anger or revenge. I am proud of my fellow Americans how they have worked together in the aftermath of this tragedy. And I hope that the few who have chosen to act out against Muslims see past their anger and see that all Muslims are not to blame. Thank you to who posted Mr. Falwells email address. He may not read my email, but i got my anger out. Love and light, Julie |
| Apologies For The Second Post But......the New York And New Jersey... | Sep 14th. at 10:09:00 am EDT |
| Ciarrai (North Plainfield, New Jersey US) | Age: 34 - Email |
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Apologies for the second post BUT... ...the New York and New Jersey Red Cross need two things: blood and monetary donations. The non-perishables are appreciated but the news reports here cannot stress enough that they really could use the donations right now so the funds can be dispersed as needed. I don't have cable TV so I can only get the New Jersey Network (NJN) which is showing mainly NYC's Eyewitness News on Channel 7 here (NYC's ABC Affliate) but the NJN people cannot stress enough: blood and money. I will light my candles tonight w/ many of the suggestions from you. I will sit on my balcony from my apartment complex and face where the towers were, where they could be seen in the distance, and send out all the positive energy I can. Gods Bless America and Blessed Be Well! Here's some tips on how you can help sent to me from a friend: *********************************** Disaster response: How you can help From donating blood to providing tips and info to the FBI, here are ways you can help. To donate blood, call the Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or America's Blood Centers at 1-888-BLOOD-88 to schedule an appointment. To donate money to the Red Cross for assisting victims of the attacks, call 1-800-HELP-NOW. To donate to the United Way fund to help the victims of Tuesday's attacks and their families, call (212) 251-4035. To make donations to the Salvation Army for helping the victims, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY. To provide tips and information to the FBI about these attacks, visit http://www.ifccfbi.gov. Find Family and Friends Important Numbers Hotline for families seeking information about victims and survivors: 1-800-331-0075 American Airlines 1-800-245-0999 United Airlines 1-800-932-8555 Greater NY Health Organization is helping to locate family members and accepting reports of missing persons. - status of family members: 212-560-2730 - to report a missing person: 212-560-8029 The Pentagon has asked personnel to call the following numbers to be accounted for: - Navy & Marine Personnel: 877-663-6772 - Army Personnel: 800-984-8523 Family members of military personnel seeking information should call 1-800-984-8523 (Army), 1-877-663-6772 (Navy and Marine Corps.), 1-800-253-9276 (Air Force). |
| Although The Happenings Of Tuesday Were Horrible I Believe They Could Have... | Sep 14th. at 10:15:30 am EDT |
| Rye (Lothian, Maryland US) | Age: 15 - Email |
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Although the happenings of tuesday were horrible I believe they could have been easily prevented. Were talking about 4 hijackers on each plane to about 60 passengers none of hijackers had firearms so they could have been easily stopped. I think that it was just out of plain fear that the people of those flights did not react as the people of the flight that crashed in Pennsylvania. This goes to show you how religion can be twisted to cause evil instead of good. I just wish that everyone could be peaceful and one with eachother and realize that nothing will ever come of earth until we have reached unity. |
| We Looked Into A Dark Mirror On Tuesday. Being Human Has Many... | Sep 14th. at 10:17:33 am EDT |
| Luna (Kent, Ohio US) | Age: 43 - Email |
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We looked into a dark mirror on Tuesday. Being human has many sides, and if we believe we are all part of Goddess and She is all that is, we must believe that it is nothing but ourselves we are looking at. This is the price of stealing fire from the Gods - ask Prometheus. Being gods ourselves, we have this power, we have this choice. It is part of our human condition. But what takes us to these horrific choices? I have to think that the mindset that "our god is the one" lies at the heart of it. I am always baffled that the religions that claim to believe in only one god, don't really believe that everything is One, they just believe that their's is the only one deserving recognition. And so where do we go from here? Most immediately, we pray. I'm praying for the families and the timeless hell they're living in waiting to hear of their loved ones' fate. I'm envisioning the All Mother's arms encircling you, holding you all to her bosom. The rain you feel is her tears weeping with you. On Tuesday, I got together with my family, and we cooked. We made food in a magickal way, to try to generate peace, nourishment and sustenance at this time. We made food to transform the feelings of anger and hatred that kept bubbling up like volcanic mud. The most confusing part in this, being a pagan, is the terrorists themselves. Their faces are also the face of Goddess - I keep reminding myself of that. I refuse to jump on the tide of hatred that is washing over us - I don't want to perpetuate that. I want to choose another reality, and another path of energy - the energy of Love. At the same time, I think there are some actions that cause you to lose your ticket to ride on this bus this time around. Believing in reincarnation as I do, I don't think it is cruel to kick these kids off the bus if they can't play nice. This week, while some are calling to Kwan Yin to bring peace and compassion, I'm having a chat with Kali-Ma, and asking Her to lovingly take back Her own. I am so aware of how blessed I am that this has not struck at me personally, as it has so many thousands of families. I can therefore have the luxury of being philosophical for the time being, looking for lessons in the rubble. As usual, I find I am walking in paradox. I accept that this is the capacity of every human to make these choices - I do not accept those that do. If there is ever a time we need a Mother's touch, it is now. Hold us and heal us, Mommy. Teach us and guide us. The world needs you. Blessed be. |
| I Am A Wisconsin Wiccan And This Is My First Public Post... | Sep 14th. at 10:21:49 am EDT |
| Lady Pixy SilverRose (Madison, Wisconsin US) | Age: 18 |
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I am a Wisconsin Wiccan and this is my first public post or any sort about what I personally have felt since Tuesday. At first, I didn't even realize the Trade Center had been hit. I was at work and all CNN was showing, at the time, was the Pentagon with smoke rising into the air. But all day I'd felt dread or some sort, like something screaming at me. When they finally showed the towers, I was mortified. But at the same time, it didn't sink in because I thought I had no connections with either buildings. That was, until I got home. My elder siste was in an uproar. Apparently two of her close friends live close to each of the buildings and were flipping out. Both were alright. However, my mother announced that our cousin works in the pentagon for the airforce. We were unsure if he was alright. Hours later of everyone panicing, we discovered he was, as well, alright and had been across from where the plane had hit. Now, outside of everyone being alright, my heart goes out to those who still do not know if their loved ones are also okay. And though I too am angry it happened at all, I only wish Bush would not make such speeches as declaring war on whoever did this to us. War is not the answer, and his idea of attacking those who harbor these criminals, these murderers? We'd be no better than them, killing innocent lives who did no more than live in that nation. In Wisconsin we are holding candle light vigils. All we can do now is hope and pray that our brothern are alright. And those who are not, pray they are not just the beginning of the lives that may be shed in days to come. And may this open the American people's eyes that we are not a serperate world of our own. There are others out there and they will force our eyes open in any way they can until we see what is really going on in our world. Blessed be, Lady Pixy SilverRose |
| Since Tuesday, Whenever The Need Comes On Me To Send Up A... | Sep 14th. at 10:24:40 am EDT |
| Loyalty LionRose (Shreveport, Louisiana US) | Age: 21 - Email |
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Since Tuesday, whenever the need comes on me to send up a prayer, I have. But until last night I hadn't really grasped the full impact of this... "evil act". Then, suddenly, the bubble of protection I keep around myself at all times collapsed and I began to cry tears that I thought I didn't have. I've had a horrible month, folks, and I was afraid that I had wasted all of my tears on myself and had none left for the people most personally affected by this event. I know now that is not true. I don't know why my bubble collapsed, whether it was the barrage of other people's emotions, or if was a signal to me from the Lady, but I'm glad that it did, otherwise I would still be feeling as if I were a tearless oddity in this country flowing with tears. I know that those who have passed through the veil no longer need our prayers, because they have passed beyond suffering or the need for healing. I send my prayers to their family and friends, but also to the people still sifting through the ashes of all three buildings searching, sometimes in vain, for survivors. I can't imagine being a firefighter, rescue volunteer, or even one of those brave people off the streets who've decided to help... I can't imagine being one of those people and spending my day rummaging through the debris in hope of finding a living soul, only to find bodies, or in some cases, parts of bodies. I don't think that I have the personal strength to be able to do something like that, and I admire those people who ARE putting themselves through such emotional trauma. I haven't read all of the posts, so I don't know if anyone else has said this, but I recieved word that tonight (Friday) at 7:00 people are going to be stepping out of their homes, their cars (if possible), their offices, or where ever they are and lighting candles to show whoever did this that we are a united nation and will stand together in the darkness, shining our lights together. I plan to step out of my home tonight. Please join me if possible. Thank you and Brightest Blessing to all, Loyalty LionRose |
| On Days Like This, I'm A Bit Ashamed To Be An American... | Sep 14th. at 10:27:09 am EDT |
| D'Vynity Thistlewind (Chicago, Illinois US) | Age: 27 |
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On days like this, I'm a bit ashamed to be an American. Last night, while paying for my groceries, two teenaged cashiers joked and laughed about the fact that one of their friends plans to harass and possibly harm owners of Dunkin Donuts and 7-11's. It took more willpower and control than I thought possible not to scream at these idiot girls. The owners of these businesses are taxpaying Americans just like you and me. They came to this country to begin a new life, like all of us, not to be harassed by a bunch of (mainly) bucktoothed, rednecked, white "good ole boys". My husband and I couldn't find a flag to hang in our window last night, but now I am glad we didn't. Most of the most active flagwavers are also the ones crying out for the most blood, asking for their "compassionate" god to rain fury down upon the Arabs, innocent or not. Our leader, if you want to call him that, has been one of the biggest flagwavers of all, and in my opinion, one of the biggest influences of violence towards Arab-Americans. I have yet to hear him say that to attack our fellow citizens is wrong. All he talks about is war and prayer, two things that shouldn't go hand-in-hand. I don't want to be lumped in with that bunch. On the way out of the store, I said loud enough for these girls to hear that I fear for two of my Arab friends at work and hope that the streets of America will be safe for them to walk down for the next couple of weeks, if not longer. One of my friends sent this email to me today. Copy and paste it to send to everyone you know. It pretty much sums up what I've been saying fot the past few days. It's somewhat Biblical, I apologise, but it pretty much wraps stuff up in a good nutshell about what is happening and what may come: "Each of us face circumstances in life which compel us to carry heavy burdens of sorrow. Adversity assails us with hurricane force. Glowing sunrises are transformed into darkest nights. Our highest hopes are blasted and our noblest dreams are shattered. "Why should we love our enemies? The reason is fairly obvious. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate can not drive out hate: only love can do that." ŃMartin Luther King, Jr. The slaughter of innocent people in New York and Washington, the murders of the people on those planes, is a nightmare, a horror. No one deserves to die in that way. Absolutely no one. And that includes the innocent civilians of other nations and Arab Americans who had nothing to do with this criminal attack. And thatŐs what it was. A devastating criminal attack by terrorists. Not a declaration of war by a sovereign nation. We must all remember this and make our leaders see this as well. Those of us following the news the past three days cannot help but hear the escalating rhetoric of our political and military leaders. From condemning a criminal act of terrorism theyŐve jumped to calling the attacks an "act of war." They vow to strike back not just at the perpetrators, but even the countries where they live. They seem to have forgotten that international laws might apply to them. (Colin Powell said they will strike back, "legally or not.") They have already declared war. War? On whom? This was not, as far as anyone can tell, the act of a sovereign nation, but the act of one or more shadowy organizations. What if they find the CIA trained those terroristsŃas they trained Bin Laden? If indeed, Bin Laden is connected, what will they do? Will they take the long overdue step of dismantling the CIA? What if one of the groups involved is a right-wing American organization, as was behind the bombing in Oklahoma City? Will we bomb Texas or Idaho? What if the terrorists came from Egypt or Jordan? Will we attack countries that are our allies and friends? Already, there have been attacks on Arab-Americans. A mosque on the south side of Chicago was vandalized. A business owned by a Yemeni family in Gary, Indiana was sprayed with bullets. (Both attacks occurred Wednesday night, 9/12.) The United States is home to many immigrants of Arabic descent: Yemeni, Lebanese, Egyptian, Palestinian, Afghani, Arabian. All came here, to this "beacon of liberty" as Mr. Bush called the United States on Tuesday night. They have the same civil rights, the same human longings for peace and independence, education and freedom as do the descendent of Poles, Ukrainians, Italians, Irish and others. Have we forgotten the terrible injustice of the Japanese interment camps during World War II? Justice for the perpetrators of this heinous crime--yes. Senseless widespread killing of civilian populations as innocent as the people on those planes and in those towers. No, never! Do we really want another war? Do we want more innocent civilians dead here and abroad? Do we want to create martyrs? It is time to end this. American readers of this message, please call the White House comment line right now and say under no circumstances will Americans tolerate indiscriminate acts of violence upon the innocent. Violence only begets more violence. Remind Bush, who claims to be a Christian, of the words from his holy text, the Bible: "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, sayeth the Lord." The White House comment number is 202/456-1414 and live operators will take your call. Forward this message as widely as you can, print and post it in your neighborhood, at your office, in your church, mosque or synagogue. Call your congressional representative and Senator. Speak the truth. Those of you abroad, please contact your own leaders and demand that they tell Bush to slow down, to respond with knowledge, not react in rage and arrogance. Though Bush has already shown himself to be in contempt of world treaties, he must hear from other countries and their leaders that war upon civilians, especially nuclear attacks, are actions that will not be tolerated by any civilized nation. If there is to be a war, let it be a war against anger and hatred. That war begins and ends in the human heart. To do the work of healing, we must all embrace the cause of justice. "I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just." ŃThomas Jefferson "Recompense no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him, if he thirst, give him drink. Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good." ŃLetter of St. Paul to the Romans 12:17-21 Once again, I pray to Athena to grant us Justice and Wisdom in this time of tragedy. Blessed Be |
| Let's Not Forget The Number Of Victims That Continue To Mount - Those... | Sep 14th. at 10:28:39 am EDT |
| Star Cat (Beltsville, Maryland US) | Age: 41 - Email |
|
Let's not forget the number of victims that continue to mount - those walking and crawling through the twin Hells of The Pentagon and New York. I'm talking about the firefighters who hoped they would never have to use their disaster training, and all those wonderful dogs, many saved from a death at the pound, who's bodies and paws are being bloodied in the search for hope. I do volunteer work for a group that sews for charity - there is a call out for handmade booties for the dogs. Their paws are not doing well in all the concrete dust and metal chards. Please email me directly if you're interested in helping the war effort with your sewing talents, and I'll get you a material list and patterns. I work for a construction company that services Maryland/DC, Northern Virginia, and Delaware. On Tuesday, we called all crews that were down near the Pentagon and told them to secure customer's homes, pack up, and go home as quickly as possible. You would NOT BELIEVE how rude people are being to us - both on that day and since. Screaming at us, threatening to sue us, all for protecting the lives of our employees, and for helping to clear the streets to allow emergency vehicles through. I had a customer call me every name uttered by sailors in the last 400 years, and he swung a belt at me. I feel so personally attacked by all this local rudeness, now Jerry and Pat are telling me I'm responsible for the evil that descended on us? They want to do work for their god? Let send them over to the Taliban to comfort their fellow recruiters on trial. Goddess Bless! Star Cat Beltsville, MD |
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