Hello! To introduce myself a bit, I’m a pagan American of the Druid variety with a passion for the ideals my country published as its foundation. I therefore worship Liberty as a goddess, and a year or so ago I decided I wanted to make a set of prayer beads and do more regular devotions to Her. Let’s just say that idea has expanded into a giant research project, which is both great and threatens to swamp the original idea.
I decided to create a blog to share my work and organize my research for two reasons. The devotional side is that my intent for doing regular prayers is to strengthen Liberty as a force in both America and the world. I can do this by myself, but I’m just one person. If I share my devotion, maybe I will inspire someone else to do something similar. The practical side is that I already need a way to organize my research and stay focused on my actual goals. It’s very easy for me to keep reading book after blog after website and never actually use all the knowledge. I have to say it takes a certain bravery to put my own thoughts out in the world where I might actually get… feedback.
There are a number of reasons why it’s time, though. Liberty is not something I can do by myself, much as I’d like to think so. It takes a society that values and defends it, particularly from society’s own impulses toward conformity, tribalism, and the sort of monoculture that feels safe and orderly. Liberty the goddess calls for voices to remind society that we can be different and still all be in this together. She is calling me to put my voice out there.
Some plans for the blog:
- A listing of quotes and inspirational words about liberty
- Talk about developing the actual beads and the prayers to go with them
- Reports on the various sources I’m reading and ideas for what to read next
- Talk about liberty in context of current events
- Look for the voices I wasn’t taught to hear (“the old white guys” will be here but I also want women, people of color, less-famous people, ideas from all over the world, etc)
- Talk about how we are and aren’t “walking our talk”
My intent is to post this once I’ve got a couple more things in the pipeline, since I have a bunch of reading and notes to catch up on. So, check back soon for the next installment! Thanks for reading.