I'm heading out in a little while to a Super Bowl party. Do I care about football? I do not. I couldn't care less, seriously. However the Super Bowl is part of the zeitgeist of my culture. I don't think dipping into the energy for a little while will hurt, and anyway I like the people who will be at the party. Why not?
Professional sports teams are part of the oversoul of the cities they are attached to. Last summer when the Nationals did so well, you could feel it. There was a strong, palpable optimism in the air, a cheerful vibe that is rare in Washington. The day after the Nats lost to the Cardinals, a pall fell over the land. OK that is an exaggeration, but honestly the optimism vanished and we went back to thinking only about the upcoming presidential election. There was even a name for the optimism: Natitude.
Today's game interests me because I know both teams' city souls intimately. I like the east coast/west coast geometry which reminds me of the oppositions in my natal astrology chart. Also, how cool that the coaches are brothers. It's a family feud.
May the best team prevail. In the meantime I'll drink beer and eat salty snacks, cheer when everyone else in the room does, that sort of thing. I will be completely out of my element, hence I will bluff.
The Super Bowl is an American ritual. When I used to teach people how to be active participants in our big Reclaiming rituals, I always said, "If you aren't sure what you should be doing, look around at the people nearby. Do what they're doing."
I will follow my advice tonight. Go Niners. Go Ravens. Hand me another beer, please? Thank you.
Shalom.
3 comments:
I completely ignored the superbowl, but you're right about team energy making a difference in a community. Why that is, I have no idea.
Don't ask me why - but it does.
They televised your Superbowl yesterday here in Australia too. I don't think most of us are up with the complexities of the game but it always looks spectacular.
Post a Comment