Tribe of the Desert Scarab's name represents many things. We are a tribe, a circle of unity. We began our spiritual journey in the magical desert of Arizona. The Latin name for the beetle most often carved is Scarabaeus sacer, which is why the carvings are called 'scarabs." The ancient Egyptian word for beetle was kheper, which meant "to exist." The female beetle, after dropping her eggs in the ground, covers them in excrement on which the larvae feed. As the soft dung ball is rolled across the ground, dust and sand attached to it so that it became hardened and was sometimes equal in size to the beetle. In the mind of the Egyptian this was a thought provoking and impressive achievement that imitated the daily appearance of the sun. This observation prompted the Egyptians to associate the beetle with one of the many aspects of the great sun-god, that of the rising sun, Khepri. According to the Egyptian story of Creation, Khepri says, "I developed myself from the primeval matter which I made, I developed myself out of the primeval matter." This was viewed as a sign of eternal renewal and reemergence of life, a reminder of the life to come. The Egyptians believed the descent under the earth, in the tomb, was only a prologue to rebirth and the endlessness of life. Life and death were in a continual cycle.
We try to keep our purpose balanced through the inspiration of the elements, Earth, Air, Fire, and Water and what they mean to us.
Earth: Community
We need to weave networking webs in our cities, in our towns, in our rural areas. We need these webs to support one another. That is a fundamental belief in TDS. That support will also show those who would restrict our practice that we are not just a few isolated Witches playing on Samhain,, but are a growing congregation of people who adhere to a faith that, while different, is as valid as their own.
Air: Education
We're never going to be able to practice our spiritual paths openly if we don't give the public accurate information about what we do and do not do. Our lives outside the circle and inside the circle is critical. This includes supporting Pagan educational organizations whenever possible.
Fire: Activism
People aren't necessarily going to go out of their way to find out what Pagans really do. We have to have the courage to act on our convictions and do what we can do to educate the public in a positive yet active way. We must educate ourselves in our religious rights and not be afraid of standing up for what is just. We would rather burn again then allow our freedom as Pagans be tread upon.
Water: Charity
We know that what we do returns to us three fold. We believe in 'an harm none do what ye will.' We need to demonstrate this by offering compassion to our communities where it is needed. When we share our own abundance, we show that we trust the Goddess' and Gods to share abundance with us in return. If we don't give we cannot recieve.
Tribal Statement
WHAT IS THE NATURE OF THE DEITY OR DEITIES (I.E. GOD, GODS, HIGHER POWER, ETC.)?
Multiple personal gods (or goddesses) regarded as facets of one God, and/or as separate gods.
The supreme force is the impersonal Ultimate Reality (or life force, ultimate truth, cosmic order, absolute bliss, universal soul), which resides within and/or beyond all.
ARE THERE HUMAN INCARNATIONS OF GOD (OR GODS/GODDESSES)?
No particular Incarnations because God is all and all are God (or God is in all). Calling on a God or Goddess simply aligns our thinking with that represented by the name of that God or Goddess. It also allows us to honor the God or Goddess qualities within.
WHAT ARE THE ORIGINS OF THE PHYSICAL UNIVERSE AND LIFE ON EARTH?
All matter and life forms are manifestations (or illusions) of the eternal Absolute (Ultimate Truth, Universal Soul or Mind, et al).
WHAT HAPPENS TO HUMANS AFTER DEATH?
Rebirths occur (continually, or until all life's lessons are learned and one merges with the life force, or until complete enlightenment and eternal bliss are attained, et al.)
WHY IS THERE TERRIBLE WRONGDOING IN THE WORLD?
Ignorance of one's true existence as pure spirit and as one with the Universal Truth (or Soul, Mind, et al) can lead to wrongdoing. Or, spiritual/cosmic disharmony or imbalance may result in wrongdoing. Not listening to the voice of God, who resides within all, can lead to wrongdoing. Egoism (self importance) leads to desire, craving, and attachments, which can lead to unwholesome thoughts and behavior, i.e. greed, hate, and violence.
Suffering is a state of mind, (or illusion); only our spiritual nature is real. Spiritual or cosmic imbalance and disharmony may result in suffering. Unwholesome thoughts and/or deeds (greed, hatred, and violence) in this or prior lives return as suffering (karma).
Learn all life's lessons through rebirths. Realize your true nature as purely spirit (or soul) and not body, as one with the Absolute, Universal Soul, et al.
Tap the power of the Ultimate (God, or the divine) through intercessory methods such as psychics, channeling, tarot cards, crystals, magic, et al.
POLITICAL ISSUES:
Abortion should be accepted (not proclaimed or treated as immoral.
Homosexual behavior should not be regarded as immoral, or out of harmony.
Traditional roles for women and men should not be encouraged or prescribed.
Divorce and/or remarriage should not be restricted or punished or condemned.
Social betterment programs (e.g. equality, anti-poverty, education) should be fundamental to the belief.
Non-violence (e.g. pacifism, conscientious objector, etc.) should be fundamental to the belief.
Prayer, meditation, or spiritual healing practices should be favored at the exclusion of conventional health treatment (for all serious conditions or certain types of serious conditions).
Revering nature/environment should be fundamental to the belief.
Chi-Kali:
I believe that, aeons and aeons ago, spirits came to this planet, to blend Spirit with matter, thus making planet Earth a truly scared place in our universe. Somehow, many of us lost our God-centeredness, succumbed to the influences of the material world and we have been under its spell ever since. This is why it is imperative to find our spiritual self and not seperate ourselves from it, to live and exist in a spiritual place using any means necessary to in effect, save our lives from what we have become. This is the driving force behind TDS, to help each other find our spiritual place and not drift off into the material traps that hold us down. However, while we exist in the material world we must consistantly remind ourselves not to be caught up in it and allow it to devour us, that is the collective fire behind TDS, helping each other help ourselves.
|
 |
