Onyx, this beautiful stone comes in the common color black, but sometimes in green and a banded onyx called Sardonyx. This stone promotes strength, wise thinking and is great for times of stress, confusion and for aiding in building emotional and physical strength and stamina. This stone is perfect when building your “fort”-itude.
I recently was in a heated discussion with a great friend who is smart and strong willed and our spiritual beliefs came into the discussion and I found myself shrinking and losing ground. I have always been a very devout person when it comes to my personal beliefs. I, personally, am Hellenic. I worship the Ancient Greek Gods and my faith in my Gods has always been and still is without question. However, we learn how important fortitude is and standing behind something you believe and not giving up. While I fully respect my friend and his beliefs he and I always ultimately agree to disagree and act like the heated discussion never happened. A sign of true friendship if I might add. I do, some what, find my fortitude wavers. Not because I have a lack of faith, but purely because it is so difficult being part of the few in a sea of the many.
I am part of an amazing group of people who all worship the Ancient Greek Gods. I find such strength and pride with these people, but when I am home in a very catholic/christian town where I am alone, that fortitude of self is constantly bombarded with people treating my beliefs with very little respect. Yes, I do exclude a few people from this statement, but, on the most part, this statement is true. Being recently faced with the realization of my battle of fortitude I started thinking, “Why do the words and disrespect of others weaken my “Fort” so to speak?” “How can I have the strength of onyx when it comes to my “Fort”?” Well, the answer is simple but not. The answer is in my beliefs. I worship Athena, Goddess of wisdom, strength, fortitude, protectress of cities. The answer to my questions are in fact Fortitude. My faith in my goddess tells me “Know that no matter what others say or feel, you come to me to make sure your fortitude is strong, which means it IS strong.” All in all, what I am trying to say I guess, is that the fact I am questioning my fortitude by praying to Athena proves that there was never any weakness, because in the end, I still turn to MY Gods. Which is all that matters, Right? Whatever you have faith in, find your “Fort” build it up and never let it fall. At least you now know, if you need any extra help, a piece of onyx will be the perfect companion.
This really speaks to me. As a person who can go round and round, “flip flopping” on issues within myself, your post gives me a sense of clarity. One thing I got out of this (which I am not sure you intended) was that so long as we have a stable foundation, a point of reference, we can get through almost anything.
Secondly, it doesn’t matter that you question the gods, because in the end, you still trust Them enough to go to Them for answers. And in doing so, your actions denote that you had never really questioned your most basic principles. I find myself doing the same thing. This was inspiring to read.