The Tome of Luminosity

28 August 2009 - I was recently revisiting the Netjeru comics.  Jenny Mathiasson gives the Egyptian gods and goddesses such human-like personalities, and it was while reading the old comics that I thought:  Is Mary human-like?  Does Mary like us to be quiet in our dedication to Her?  Should we only offer Her bread and fresh water?  Should I be so nit-picky about the words that I speak to Her?  Is the image I have of Her even remotely close to accurate?

Of course we may never truly know what She looked like or how She acted, but I find most references to Mary to be a drag, really.  All those paintings and prayers and songs, they don't boost, they preach, and make Her seem as though She is an untouchable deity, something out of human reach.  I don't want to think of Mary that way, and I certainly don't want to think of Her in the past tense.  The image I hold of Her deep in my heart is that She is a woman just like myself who walks this Earth and does "normal" things, with an occasional miracle thrown in every now and then.  I see Mary as a young woman who loves her music loud, as a middle-aged soccer mom who loves shopping, and as a lively grandmother-like lady who enjoys bingo.  Would it be so wrong of me to adorn Her alter with yarn in colours of bright fluorescent green, beer, a pair of sunglasses, chocolate, red stilettos, knitting needles, a cup of tea, a Prada purse, black garters, rock music -- the things I enjoy, the things my mother enjoys, the things my grandmother enjoyed during her life?

Would it be so wrong of me to worship Mary the way I see fit?

For some strange reason I'm filled with the notion that I have to sit in quiet prayer to Her.  Why I can't I pray to Her when I'm screaming like a mad woman at a rock concert; why can't I give Her offerings when I'm running through Taco Bell at one in the morning; why can't I exalt Her when my lover and I are having sex?

Really, does Mary CARE what and how Her reverence is done?

So long as Her honour and glory and messages are being respected, She could care less, I'm sure.  And if not, She'll let you know!  If you think Mary, in any of her many faces, would feel content with an offering of mashed potatoes, then a plate of mashed potatoes, even instant, is what you should offer Her.

20 August 2009 - I've decided that I am going to spend one day, 24 hours, of my vacation in September in silent contemplation.  Phone, MP3 player, computer, TV, everything will be turned off.  Just me and the quietness of my being.  Oh, and a pen and paper.  =)

There's something I'm missing from Her, something I don't know, and all I can do, really, is shut the world and myself down for a while, and just simply focus all that I am on Her.

22 July 2009 - Goodness!  It's been over a month since I last updated.  For that I am sorry, but do understand that I have a day job.  Of course, I would like nothing but to sit in quiet prayer all day (much like the Poor Clares), unfortunately life doesn't work that way.  Maybe after I win the lottery.  =)

I have been busy putting all of my prayers together and sorting through them all.  It's amazing how many copies of one prayer one can manage to get their hands on.  Though,is there really such a thing as too many prayers to Our Lady?  I think not.  All of the prayers that I have gone through thus far have been placed in the Prayers section.

I have also included photos of my own altar in the Altars section.  I have included descriptions of what you're looking at, and it is my hope that they inspire you to create your own sacred space for Mary.