Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Daughters of Eve

Home
Pagan
Changing Culture to Change the World: Honoring the Warrior Spirit of Nelson Mandela

Changing Culture to Change the World: Honoring the Warrior Spirit of Nelson Mandela

Last updated on: December 6, 2013 at 10:45 am by Crystal Blanton

Changing Culture to Change the World: Honoring the Warrior Spirit of Nelson Mandela 2013-12-06T10:45:23-05:00 Crystal Blanton

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I am so very grateful tonight. I am grateful for the opportunities to live, breathe, love, fight, and grow within a society where I am free from the physical chains that have bound my ancestors throughout time. The release from the physical ties that bound us has provided us with the momentum to fight the mental and emotional chains that still exist within the shadows of society and within our collective cultural schema.

Today Nelson Mandela passed away and moved on to rest in the land of the ancestors, in the arms of the divine. And as I am sad today, it is hard to be sad when his life reminds me of the incredible sacrifices others have made for me to be able to be who I am today. It is on the shoulders of the ancestors that I stand, and I am so very honored to live in a world that cultivated the incredible spirits of people like Nelson Mandela, Fred Hampton, Huey Newton, Dr. Cornel West, Dr. Joy DeGruy, Michelle Alexander, Little Bobby Hutton, Bobby Seal, Angela Davis, Kathleen Cleaver, Malcolm, Martin, and so many more that are known to us and unknown; the slaves with no name, the activists, and the revolutionaries.

What a beautiful thing to look back upon the faces of the brave, and know that I have been gifted this chance at life because of those who’ve been willing to lay their lives in front of the bullet for justice.

A celebration of life is the gift that Mandela left, a gift he often was not able to enjoy for himself because he was too busy changing the world.

And so tonight I light up my altar in honor of a true culture changer, a true warrior, a visionary, activist, and divine spirit. I am so forever grateful for the world Nelson Mandela, and others like him, crafted for me.

Flame of the candle illuminates a glow of hope

A spark of hope that lights a vision of love.

Beyond the breath of life, your sacrifice has fueled change for humanity

Touching the hearts of many.

Your fight created life for others, becoming the soil where dreams took root.

In the darkness of night your light of justice has inspired the hearts of the revolutionaries present and future.

In the light of the day, your prayers ignite the passion of love that moves the spirits.

It is on your shoulders that I stand to fulfill my destiny;

it is within your vision that my possibilities were born.

In the collective grief of loss and injustice, may the vibration of our celebration reach the divine plane of the ancestors where you now will reside as one of the Mighty Dead.

May the peace of your manifestation fulfill your warrior spirit, and live in the hearts of those who have come behind you.

May your spirit live on through the visions of hope within others, for your work is not done, and our path is long.

And in the divine passage of your soul from this physical existence, I light this candle to illuminate the glow of hope that still lives on in your honor.

May it be so, as it is now and forever more

So Mote it Be.

picture borrowed with love from T. Thorn Coyle’s blog about Nelson Mandela today. http://www.thorncoyle.com/blog/2013/12/05/mandela-and-me/

Previous Post

November 28, 2013

Big Mama Magic and Holiday Thoughts

Next Post

December 14, 2013 Guest Post: Honoring Troublesome Ancestors by Cecily Joy Williams, M.Div.

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Ancestors Culture goddess justice Magical work Natural hair Paganism parenting ritual service Spiritual Growth Uncategorized Wicca

Select a Month April 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 September 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What was the primary trade route in Biblical times?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Royal Road Mediterranean Route Spice Route Silk Road