Reply #72: Rituals in Context

[bloom]

Some women (and "feminists" even) think that the way to independence is through make-up - a different ritual (whether they call it that or not). Putting toxic chemicals (for the most part - untested, often cancer-causing) on one's face. As a disguise, essentially. So it's the opposite of what this article encourages.

I don't think that it's necessary or necessarily desirable to put menstrual blood on my face - but in the scheme of things - and compared to other things that people do - it's pretty harmless. And it is part of breaking the barrier - so I understand the symbolism involved. And this article is from the 70s when there were more barriers to break. Though I think the barriers are being rebuilt these days.

Women are often taught to hate (and fear?) their bodies. If this ritual helps some women to break through that - so that a normal bodily function loses it's sense of "icky"-ness - that seems like a positive thing - not a stupid thing. Though it is just one possible ritual among countless involving the concept of women getting together and creating bonding experiences - and it just becomes something to focus on - to ridicule - for people who are looking for that.

Compare frolicking in the woods with "frolicking" in a shopping mall - buying all sorts of useless crap. The ritual of consumerism contributes to bringing down the planet. Enjoying the woods and creating bonds based on a shared sense of building each other up instead of tearing each other down are far less stupid in my mind.

And that's nothing to the sports rituals, war rituals, and other competitive-minded things - way beyond stupid.

People come from different perspectives. I live in a world of art and poetry - where the creation of rituals and and enjoying symbolism are pretty normal. Some people have different experiences - are taught that such things are "stupid" or whatever. As if it's "stupid" to enjoy life and creation.

I think it's useful to be open to different avenues of breaking through the crap that is our mainstream, corporate-dominated society - which has many rituals which are truly stupid - of little use and which cause much damage.