Wisdom doesn’t care whose clothes She wears: maybe She wears a set of Carhartts and a pair of sh!t-covered boots, sometimes She wears a bejeweled crown, and sometimes She wears a kid’s onesie. But Her words, whether they come out of a farmer, a king, or a kid, are always prudent and well-timed. We become wise when we recognize Her and heed Her.

Dreams are important in Near and Middle Eastern polytheistic traditions, and as a qadish I have made it a habit to write down and examine my dreams almost every morning. This morning I dreamed that I worked in a dark classroom for toddlers. I went outside to take a break and, because it was night in the dream and there were no streetlights, I couldn't see too well. In the dark, I accidentally rubbed up against poison ivy. When I returned to the classroom, I scrubbed and scrubbed, but I knew that my efforts would only further the soon-to-be rash. A toddler woke up from a nap and sneaked over to where I scrubbed feverishly. He climbed atop a step-stool and pulled down a bottle of rubbing alcohol, and he said, quite articulately for a toddler: "Here. You need this. I had poison ivy once and this worked." And then I remembered that I had heard that poison ivy was caused by a volatile oil in the plant and that the alcohol would dissolve the oil. (Granted this is not medical advice, nor is it intended to cure anyone: if you have poison ivy, see your doctor!) I thanked the kid and used the alcohol, and I was fine.

In analyzing this dream, I was struck that such sage advice would come from the mouth of a three-year-old. And I was reminded, once again, of the nature of Wisdom. I have heard her words out of any and everyone, saint to sinner, rich to poor, young to old, Christian to Buddhist, friend to foe, and even from random people in supermarkets. Indeed, sometimes I have cringed and whinged at Her choice of mouthpiece, but sometimes the messenger is part of the message. What a miraculous world that we live in, what wondrous people surround us, and how great are Lady Wisdom's words when they are gifted so freely.

Lady Wisdom appears in Proverbs in the Hebrew Bible/Christian Old Testament:

Doth not Wisdom cry? And understanding put forth her voice?
She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
'Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing forward or perverse in them.
They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.'
For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
(Proverbs 8: 1-11, King James Version)

Scholars theorize that the Hebrew goddess Asherah, and the earlier Canaanite-Ugaritic goddess Athiratu, is indeed the Lady Wisdom in Proverbs. I know a few of you may be cringing and whinging at a Bible verse right here in this forum, but the words are still wise. She may wear a heavy cloak and sometimes stay partially hidden, but She is present still.

In what ways have you heard Her voice?

Today is

The 4th day of the month of Khiyyaru, in Shanatu 85. This means that the new moon was four days ago, and it began the month of Khiyyaru. The Canaanite city of Ugarit was rediscovered 85 years ago. Our next holiday, 'Ashuru Shamnu, the Festival of Oil, begins in three days--on the secular calendar this year it will take place on the evening of January 18, 2013.

Image Credits

Painting "Die klugen und törichten Jungfrauen" by Friedrich Wilhelm Schadow in 1838-1842 and is in public domain.