My entire path is about activism.
I’d be lying if I said otherwise.
Morrigan and Brighid want me to do Their work, and They want it done everyday. They want me to be a witch, and They have been very clear that to be a witch — to do Their work — I must also be involved in social justice work.
Witchcraft is not just lighting candles and waving wands; witchcraft is blogging and writing and picking up litter; it’s remembering what’s in my bones; it’s helping others. There’s no such thing as being solitary because my every move should be about making the world a better place for people of all species.
Witchcraft is activism. And I’m a witch. I need to be a witch all the time.
It’s not all woo. It’s practical and real and earthy and it’s changing the world. Witchcraft is the act of crafting a new world. Of crafting reality.
That is not limited to magic, to woo, to crystals and fucking glitter. And there is nothing mundane about what I do with my own two corporeal hands; there is nothing mundane about getting dirty in the pursuit of justice.
Somedays I lose hope. Somedays I want to watch the whole world burn, because I come to believe that the only way we’re going to make any fucking progress is to destroy everything and start from scratch.
Today’s one of those days.
But I’m being told to shelve those feelings. I’m being told to grow some ovaries, genderqueer up, and keep fighting.
When the really ironic thing is, in regard to this particular story, this death that has me feeling so upset, I feel there is not much I can do, concretely. I feel rather helpless to do something in Savita’s memory, to do something to help Ireland’s pro-choice movement, and yet that is exactly what Brighid and Morrigan are calling me to do.
Do the work, They say. That is all They say, today. Do the work.
Savita deserves justice. My love urges me to take action.
I will start with prayer. I will start by writing about this. I will start by refusing to shut up. I will start by reaching out to other activists, asking for their help.
Tonight, I will keep the flame in Brighid’s name, for Savita and for Ireland. I will lend the pro-choice movement there my spiritual strength.
Today, and tomorrow, and for as long as it takes, I will work towards justice for Savita. For all cis women, trans men, and genderqueer afab people in Ireland.
Will you join me?
Related articles
- It could have been any of us (deshocks.com)
- Savita’s parents call for changes in Irish abortion law (vancouverdesi.com)
- The killing of Savita Halappanavar (thefword.org.uk)
- Protesters in Ireland demand abortion rights in wake of Savita’s death (socialistworker.co.uk)
- Protest and Vigil for Savita Praveen (cedarlounge.wordpress.com)
Yes I will.
Thank you, Catherine.
I lit a Brighid candle in prayer for Savita, but it was as much for me as anything. Savita’s death hit me HARD, because I only missed her fate by the accident of living in the US, in a town where the hospital is corporate-run rather than church-run. I spent a long time curled up on the floor in front of my altar, crying, before the message finally got through my thick skull. “Yes. It could have been you. It still could if you don’t do something about it.” So I’ve recommitted to fighting against anti-choice extremism and supporting my and others’ rights to our own uteruses.
((((((Stephy)))))) I am so glad that you were living in the US, and that you are alive today, because my life is much richer for knowing you.
This story has galvanized me too, and helped me feel recommitted to the fight. Especially as we do have forces in Canada trying to get fetal personhood opened up for debate in order to re-criminalize abortion — the motion, M312, didn’t pass, but the fight isn’t over.
Regarding what one can do specifically for Ireland and Savita’s memory, I had an email exchange with T. Thorn Coyle and she gave me some good ideas. I’ll be blogging about it in depth tomorrow, once I have my sources and thoughts compiled.
I think, though, what’s also really important is that we support each other. That we don’t forget our fellow warriors; I think with a fight like this, self-care can include caring for other activists.
*more hugs* Sending you love and warmth, Stephy. <3
I think that the thing is, THIS CAN’T HAPPEN AGAIN. Because we can’t let it. Because it could be any one of us. Even if we live in countries where it’s legal, religious hospitals can still refuse, and they’re not getting quieter about it. Keep calm and carry on, my ass. It’s time to get PISSED THE FUCK OFF and FIGHT.
It’s time to get PISSED THE FUCK OFF and FIGHT.
Yes. Get fed up; start a revolution.
I’m with you.
(((Stephy))) I’m glad you’re still with us.