Title: OT: Starhawk: FW: [globalnews] Breaking the Evil Spell
Breaking the Evil Spell
by Starhawk
Once upon a time, right now ...
A mighty fortress, built of false ideas and unfulfilled promises,
stood guard over the people. From within, rulers and bankers
demanded tribute from the world. Where people were starving and
thirsty, they raised the price of food and water. They turned
children out of their schools, and the sick out of hospitals. Even
in the rich city where the fortress stood, children went hungry.
And though the people might try to rebel, the fortress was guarded by
many soldiers and stocked with armaments.
But its most powerful weapon was a subtle haze of hopelessness and
apathy which it spewed out into the atmosphere, an evil enchantment
that kept the people going about their daily tasks and following
their accustomed paths, never asking, "Is this where we want to go?"
And when enemies attacked, and made the people fearful, they clung to
the fortress because they could see no alternative, even when the
rulers led them down the path of war.
The fortress seemed invincible. But in deep and subtle ways, it was
flawed. Every broken dream, every cry of despair, opened a new crack.
And finally, the people said, "stop." At first it was just a few
voices, mostly the youth and some of the wild old women. They went
out into the streets, halted the people in their work, and said,
"Open your eyes! Look at where we're going? Is this the road we
want to walk down?"
In that moment, strange elemental beings appeared. With skin of mud,
hair of leaves, brilliantly colored wings and eyes on fire, they wove
and danced through the city, cutting through the web of lies and
awakening the winds to blow away the fog of despair, reminding the
people of what is far more real than gold piled in a vault -- the
living powers of earth, air, fire, and water, and the love and care
human beings can give to these and to one another.
Their songs and cries are the voice of the earth. They call on you,
friend, to stop and ask:
"What are my deepest dreams and desires, for myself, my family, my
people? And why should I ever settle for less? For we too are earth,
air, fire, and water, and we too are love."
There is another way to live. There is a new web we can weave.
Another world, an otherworld, is possible, if you too will dance with
us, speak your truth, add your voice to ours.
What serves life will stand,
What does not will fall.
The power is in your hands,
Love changes all.
Copyright (c) 2002 by Starhawk. All rights reserved.
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Be the change you want to see in the world.
--Gandhi
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