The long journey of revolution
The morning temperature was moderate, warm in comparison to last week's snow. I am living with a virus that changes as it tenders its way through me first with a cough that starts only after I lay me down to sleep; and then this morning, I was better because I slept through the night. Pete slept as I took inventory in our kitchen: dishes were washed -- I could fill the old turquoise fry pan; parsnips, and a purple potato from the food bank, half a red onion, cloves of garlic, a bag of frozen yellow corn, olive oil and a packet of ground turkey. Something good could come of all of these ingredients. In our world, one of my jobs is cooking, a job I love and am happy to do.
When I am sick from a bug like this one or down with the effects of environmental illness, feeding us falls to Pete; one more thing adds to my partner's load.Living close to town where all the services we need and use are within walking distance or a very short drive, shopping for a meal is easier. Ease is not in abundance in this life. When it is, we look at it with gratitude not take it for granted.
After an hour of washing, slicing, frying and tending we had a hearty breakfast hash. I was hungry, and though Pete was still half-asleep I tell him "Honey, I'm warming the car up to eat breakfast. There's a bowl sitting on the chair for you. Fill it when you're ready, see you in the car." As much as possible, we try to keep strongly aromatic smells out of the vardo. The Subaru is our second room.
Dressed in my red fleece robe and old rubber boots, I climbed behind the wheel of our Subaru, Scout, turned the key in the ignition and started her up. It would take a few minutes to warm up the car and while I waited with my bowl of breakfast hash I turned the radio on, pushed buttons for something of interest and hear the unmistakable voice of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Democracy Now! with Amy Goodman was broadcasting a special program for Dr. King's birthday. It was a most unexpected message to accompany our meal and break the night's fast. It was the message that we both needed to remind us: Though this life be not easy, we have more yet to do! And much of it will not be easy.
What have we, Pete and I, done with the message given us as young people at pivotal times in our life: we had the whole of a lifetime to make a difference?
As I wrote, re-listening to King's speech at Riverside Church, New York April 4, 1967 -- words in protest of America's involvement in Vietnam-- I stop and start again trying to find the phrases that feed my intention now: An old woman reflecting on how I have protested, how I continue to protest. Pete sits on the futon his deck of cards his daily form of active meditation. I apologize for re-winding so many times. He says, "I'm reliving it. Re-live it almost every day in my life."
Pete made choices and took actions that went counter to much of America at the time of the Viet Nam war. He was in the navy but knew in every part of himself he could not and would not go to war. Whenever we talk about the difference between what he did and what my brother did we compare and heal an old trauma. The accumulated reality of their histories as two men born in the same year from two very different cultural beginnings built our shared history. Neither of them could have done what the other did.What is valuable is that we speak of it at different times. We keep to the journey.
We built our small wagon home twelve years ago, but this revolution we are living began decades earlier. For Pete, it was his choices in 1969 to be discharged from the navy that set his course and direction. For me, it was the ending of my careers in corporate and non-profit life and my freelance writing work for the Hawaii Island Journal that were vital ingredients - real choices-- in my revolution.
Viewed through the lens of myth and astrology, the markers as revolutionary are found in the Natal Chart. The process of living out the potentials of a map or natal chart are meaningful, to some, as it is for me because myth (story making) and astrology (curiosity and commitment do study the sky, planets, heavenly bodies) appeal to me. I seek out community to aid me in my curiosity. My Ancestors the Kanaka Maoli were skilled kilo practitioners; experts at observing cycles that repeated over the centuries. Combined with Western astrology, my path as warrior and revolutionary is supported.
These are long term journeys.
Levins Morales is a valued and much loved mentor to both Pete and me. We are patrons of Levins Morales' work. We contribute to her well-being and her ability to keep writing through Patreon and were in contact with her as she has recently moved back to the mountain of her origin on Puerto Rico Days prior to the earthquakes in Puerto Rico, Levins Morales arrived home. "We are thinking of you," I emailed her, "and your island. Know we have you in our hearts." She replied and said, "Thank you. That means so much to me."
The morning breakfast of root hash and an hour with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fuels us as it also gives us pause to consider how well we have prepared for these lifetimes of challenging work. Pete has written the weekly check to pay our rent here at the campground. The internet connection works from the vardo. I write and glean the benefit of community via this computer assisted network. We have been fed, heat keeps us warm and we're talking about adding some line dancing to up our fun and joy quotient.
To learn more about the astrology of a revolutionary, I suggest reading articles on Black Lilth written by Midara on ElsaElsa. This link will get you to the site, explore Midara's other posts on Black Lilth.
I also recommend reading any and all the writing of Aurora Levins Morales, and in particular her recently updated and expanded book Medicines Stories Essays for Radicals for a poetic and practical guide to a lifetime of revolution.
To read how writing can take on many versions of expressing the same message, click here to read a mythic tale of dragons.
If this post ignites you to choose a protest that suits your conviction, we'd love to hear about it. If this post has led you to resources or insight that could serve you as you continue, or begin, your journey of protest please consider sending us a tip.
When I am sick from a bug like this one or down with the effects of environmental illness, feeding us falls to Pete; one more thing adds to my partner's load.Living close to town where all the services we need and use are within walking distance or a very short drive, shopping for a meal is easier. Ease is not in abundance in this life. When it is, we look at it with gratitude not take it for granted.
After an hour of washing, slicing, frying and tending we had a hearty breakfast hash. I was hungry, and though Pete was still half-asleep I tell him "Honey, I'm warming the car up to eat breakfast. There's a bowl sitting on the chair for you. Fill it when you're ready, see you in the car." As much as possible, we try to keep strongly aromatic smells out of the vardo. The Subaru is our second room.
Dressed in my red fleece robe and old rubber boots, I climbed behind the wheel of our Subaru, Scout, turned the key in the ignition and started her up. It would take a few minutes to warm up the car and while I waited with my bowl of breakfast hash I turned the radio on, pushed buttons for something of interest and hear the unmistakable voice of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Democracy Now! with Amy Goodman was broadcasting a special program for Dr. King's birthday. It was a most unexpected message to accompany our meal and break the night's fast. It was the message that we both needed to remind us: Though this life be not easy, we have more yet to do! And much of it will not be easy.
Click here to listen to the hour long podcast "Special: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in his own words"When Dr. King made the two speeches in 1967, Pete was 18, in the Navy stationed on the Great Lakes just north of Chicago. I was a college student, not yet 20 at the University of Hawaii in Manoa on O'ahu. My brother David, was yet to be drafted and sent to Vietnam but he would be. Martin Luther King Jr.'s eloquent and powerful amassing of the people drew hatred onto him within a year of the speech we listened to in the pale morning light of the man's birthday. He was 39 years old when he was murdered; a man younger than my own son is today.
What have we, Pete and I, done with the message given us as young people at pivotal times in our life: we had the whole of a lifetime to make a difference?
"We must be prepared to match actions with words. By seeking out every creative method of protest possible. These are the times for real choices not false ones. Every man of humane conviction must choose the protest that suits his convictions but we must protest...The war in Vietnam is but a symptom of a far deeper malady within the American spirit and if we ignore this sobering reality we will find ourselves organizing for ... rallies of profound change in American life and policy..."- MLKJ
As I wrote, re-listening to King's speech at Riverside Church, New York April 4, 1967 -- words in protest of America's involvement in Vietnam-- I stop and start again trying to find the phrases that feed my intention now: An old woman reflecting on how I have protested, how I continue to protest. Pete sits on the futon his deck of cards his daily form of active meditation. I apologize for re-winding so many times. He says, "I'm reliving it. Re-live it almost every day in my life."
Pete made choices and took actions that went counter to much of America at the time of the Viet Nam war. He was in the navy but knew in every part of himself he could not and would not go to war. Whenever we talk about the difference between what he did and what my brother did we compare and heal an old trauma. The accumulated reality of their histories as two men born in the same year from two very different cultural beginnings built our shared history. Neither of them could have done what the other did.What is valuable is that we speak of it at different times. We keep to the journey.
"The giant triplets of racism, extreme materialism and militarism are incapable of being conquered. A true revolution of values will soon cause us to question the fairness and justness of the present and past policies ... "
"True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar."- MLKJHow rare or common is our life as a couple? Two revolutionaries living a life in protest to a society addicted to the chemicals once used for warfare and retooled for profit to the same 'giant triplets' of King's sermon, making a life from a wagon. Commitment to a clear and authentic revolution of values at this stage of our lives has resulted in questioning the fairness and justness of definitions of "homeless", "home ownership" "property values""entitlements," versus shared spaces, conscious chemical-free everyday practices, respectful aural sensibility; and caring for and living with the land, and earth as a home for people and kin other than human as well. My Indigenous roots have grown stronger as we are challenged by the rough weather of living on the edge of convention.
We built our small wagon home twelve years ago, but this revolution we are living began decades earlier. For Pete, it was his choices in 1969 to be discharged from the navy that set his course and direction. For me, it was the ending of my careers in corporate and non-profit life and my freelance writing work for the Hawaii Island Journal that were vital ingredients - real choices-- in my revolution.
Viewed through the lens of myth and astrology, the markers as revolutionary are found in the Natal Chart. The process of living out the potentials of a map or natal chart are meaningful, to some, as it is for me because myth (story making) and astrology (curiosity and commitment do study the sky, planets, heavenly bodies) appeal to me. I seek out community to aid me in my curiosity. My Ancestors the Kanaka Maoli were skilled kilo practitioners; experts at observing cycles that repeated over the centuries. Combined with Western astrology, my path as warrior and revolutionary is supported.
These are long term journeys.
Aurora Levins Morales writes in essay "Bigger is Better" in her book Medicine Stories. " In order to stay true to our biggest visions and stay accurate in our day-to-day assessments of our next steps, we need to heal, actively, consciously, continuously."Levins Morales has so much more to say about how she has, and what you may find helpful, in living and sustaining a lifetime of revolutionary commitment. In an earlier version of this post I quoted more of Levins Morales's words, without permission. I have removed those quotes, recognizing my error fueled by my own 'rogue dragon energy' getting the better of me; and suggest buying her book Medicine Stories, instead.
Levins Morales is a valued and much loved mentor to both Pete and me. We are patrons of Levins Morales' work. We contribute to her well-being and her ability to keep writing through Patreon and were in contact with her as she has recently moved back to the mountain of her origin on Puerto Rico Days prior to the earthquakes in Puerto Rico, Levins Morales arrived home. "We are thinking of you," I emailed her, "and your island. Know we have you in our hearts." She replied and said, "Thank you. That means so much to me."
The morning breakfast of root hash and an hour with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fuels us as it also gives us pause to consider how well we have prepared for these lifetimes of challenging work. Pete has written the weekly check to pay our rent here at the campground. The internet connection works from the vardo. I write and glean the benefit of community via this computer assisted network. We have been fed, heat keeps us warm and we're talking about adding some line dancing to up our fun and joy quotient.
"These are the times for real choices not false ones. Every man of humane conviction must choose the protest that suits his convictions but we must protest..." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
To learn more about the astrology of a revolutionary, I suggest reading articles on Black Lilth written by Midara on ElsaElsa. This link will get you to the site, explore Midara's other posts on Black Lilth.
I also recommend reading any and all the writing of Aurora Levins Morales, and in particular her recently updated and expanded book Medicines Stories Essays for Radicals for a poetic and practical guide to a lifetime of revolution.
To read how writing can take on many versions of expressing the same message, click here to read a mythic tale of dragons.
If this post ignites you to choose a protest that suits your conviction, we'd love to hear about it. If this post has led you to resources or insight that could serve you as you continue, or begin, your journey of protest please consider sending us a tip.
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