Wheel of Fortune

aloeswood

Today's entry from A Year with Rumi speaks of hurt and pain and aloeswood. Aloeswood oil is apparently one of the most sacred of all oils used in ritual and magic and on a par with sandalwood. Aloeswood resin develops as an immune response to a parasite---so it is a fitting metaphor for how pain and suffering can be transmuted and become a healing balm. In ceremonial magic it is considered to be ruled by Jupiter and appropriate for spells of protection.

For today on the altar of the United Congregation of Old Mermaids I place aloes wood incense and extend peace and sweet protection to all.



Stingy Aloeswood
>
> Fear and hurt are lassoes
> drawing you through a door.
>
> Lord, Lord, you say weeping,
> Green herbs sprout where those tears fall.
>
> Dawn comes;blindness drains away.
> Each day is eternity.
>
> Do not avoid your suffering.
> Plunge it into the Nile.
>
> Purify your stubbornness.
> Drown it. Burn it.
>
> Your body is a stingy piece of aloeswood
> that will not let go its healing power
> until you put it in the fire.
>
> That's enough sourness. No more vinegar.
>
> Rumi
>