I believe I mentioned there was recently talk about Miasma on the The Reconstructionist Interfaith List, and since Lisa brought this up on another thread, I thought we should discuss it separate from the “A few FAQ on Miasma in daily & household practice” thread.
Miasma holds little to no moral judgment against the afflicted, except maybe when it is actually the person’s fault. While one must wash away Miasma before approaching the Gods, it is known that (at least in some cases) Miasma can fade on its own, unlike Christian Sin that requires forgiveness.
Maybe people make assumptions because Christians often describe the “forgiveness of Sin” as being washed away with the blood of Jesus. Their symbolism is framed around Miasma with terms like washing away and unclean… and I believe this was done to get ancient people to accept the notion… but the concept of Sin is not the same, nor is it Hellenismos’ equivalent to Christian Sin.
Miasma does, most certainly, cause separation or estrangement from the Gods, but in many cases the only moral affront is approaching the Gods in worship with this uncleanliness on yourself. Miasma is not something that needs you asking the Gods for forgiveness, it is something one needs to wash away on your own… and only maybe with the help of the Gods.
In my own writing I have described Miasma as causing “negative emotional baggage” associated with the human condition. The Greek polytheist author Vlassis Rassias uses stronger, more colorful, language to describe Miasma, but essentially states the same thing. He states Miasma has “animalistic and psychosomatic influences.” He continues with saying Miasma increases “the negative conditions of the specified environment”.
There are some women who claim that certain traditions are more a reflection of antiquated notions of female inferiority, but this just proves their ignorance. I’m sure most women have the sense about them not to attend a social gathering with poor hygiene, why would they dare approach the Gods… regardless of who they are making their offering? Those that want to claim the concept of Miasma places unacceptable negative spin on human processes, or unacceptable negative spin on womanhood (as I have read in other venues), just don’t understand the concept. I’m sure if people put some time to consider it, they would realize we follow many of the “rules” regarding Miasma regularly and without much thought.
Sex, as an example of a natural bodily function, causes Miasma because sex causes you to become unclean and dirty, not because it is wrong. Not to be gross, but a person is certainly not clean if they have a fresh coating of semen and vaginal fluids on various parts of their body. As a rule, all organic fluids (blood, semen, menstrual fluids) and bodily excretions that cause you to be unclean then also causes Miasma. Cleanliness is next to godliness. Uncleanliness causes, or is symptomatic, of negative mental, emotional, or psychological issues. When you are clean, you feel better, and this is a result of a diminished miasmic condition. One person, in an online conversation, described Miasma like accumulating plaque on one’s aura/soul.
Here is a different example… A woman who has been violated becomes contaminated by Miasma. It’s not that she did anything wrong, but it was the evil visited upon her which now forced her to deal with this pollution. If she doesn’t handle it, the negativity from the attack could continue to cause damage, and this includes separation or estrangement from the Divine. The attacker is in an even worse state because of his internal corruption, which caused the attack.
In that particular example I would describe a purification ritual serving a dual purpose. In fact, I would go so far to say that the psychological and emotional trauma are a symptom or manifestation of the Miasma. I don’t believe a person absolutely needs a purification ritual, but it could be the spiritual component for Hellenic Polytheists seeking a holistic approach, when combined with psychological treatment.
The question then becomes, “What is the common factor with all forms of Miasma?” One person explained it to me as shame. Physical uncleanliness is shameful. Violence is shameful. Being consumed by Vice is shameful.
Let’s end this conversation with the idea of using blood in purification rituals. Blood does cause Miasma, and it is suppose to in these types of rituals. Basically, what is done is fighting fire with fire. The blood of a sacrificed animal is sprinkled on the person, or poured over their hands. The Miasma of *that* blood is either considered to bind with the Miasma already contaminating the person, or replacing it… then when the blood is washed off, the preexisting Miasma washes away with the it, and the person is purified. I don’t know anyone doing this, and it should only be done (if at all) in the more extreem cases of contamination.
Tim,
I posted a response to this on my blog and just thought I’d give you a heads-up as a courtesy.
- Annyikha
Annyikha,
With all due respect, your response appears contradictory and paradoxical. On one hand you want to insist that menstrual fluid is not a source of Miasma, but then on the other state that modern sanitary products and hygiene practices will protect, shield, or reduce the exposure of a woman to the miasmic effects of that same menstrual fluid.
Also stated was the lack of evidence clearly identifying menstrual fluid as a source of Miasma. As I noted in our forum conversation, lack of evidence is not evidence. Looking at what Robert Parker writes on the subject, while he also make note of the fact there is no specific documentation, he makes several observations… (1) that menstruation not being a source of Miasma would have been very unusual compared to other neighboring cultures… (2) menstruation is rarely brought up outside of medical records, suggesting it could have been so “secret and shaming” that even sacred law required purity from it… (3) menstruation was described as a form of purification for women, and therefore the waste and discharge should be expected to be impure.
This is not just idol speculation on my part, but a reasoned conclusion given the fact that blood and other bodily fluids and excretions were considered Miasmic. Considering your personal belief all natural fluids are unavoidable, and you seem to want to imply cannot therefore be Miasmic, I can understand your opinion, but your opinion is based on your own personal feelings rather than an actual understanding of Miasma.
There is simply no logical reason to exclude menstrual fluids, especially if menstruation was/is considered a purification process, which we could argue it is even from a modern medical viewpoint, and a woman needs to keep herself clean of it. With all the focus on hygiene and cleanliness, I don’t see how this gets a pass. Of course, in this day an age, and with the availability of good and effective hygiene products, I can’t see any real argument for women needing to abstain from worship either, in so long as they they are keeping themselves clean, which you oddly agree with while still claiming menstrual fluid is not a cause of Miasma.
You seem to want it both ways. You admit your feminist ideology will not allow you to accept menstrual fluid as a source of Miasma, but at the same time insist on rules for handling menstrual fluid be observed.