SQUAT

Squat is a parking angel. if you live in manhattan and you own a car that you park on the streets you know how important it is to keep on Squat's good side. angels and gods/goddesses can be bribed for their blessing and good graces, and its a well known fact that Squat has a penchant for chocolate. many times the bribes are in the form of offerings of food and drink. for instance Oshun, an afro-caribbean goddess is known to prefer, among many things, liquor, specifically rum. anyway, when you want to stay on Squat's good side you must always leave her a piece of chocolate when you ask for her help in finding a parking space. its also important to remember that before you leave her the chocolate by the curb next to your parked car, you must take a bite of the chocolate as well. the legend has it that Squat was almost murdered once by an irate person who left a piece of poisoned chocolate, so now she demands a show of good intention with the offering of chocolate. tonite i invoked Squat's help in finding a place to park as i was coming home late from a long day out and hoped to be able to park quickly. sometimes as i am driving home i begin my little meditation to Squat and promise of chocolate as i am getting close to home, and there are times, like tonite, that i swear i am being specifically directed where to go. i literally drove into my neighborhood and right into the only open spot on the block (which if you know street parking in manhattan you can appreciate that it was not an easy thing).
rituals of many kinds involve food and drink, among other things. it allows us to share in the divine in a way that is familiar to us, and which makes us feel more a part of the cosmic in a relevant way. afro-caribbean religions in particular have a way of bringing us closer to the angels, gods/goddesses and saints which we invoke for help in our daily lives, through the ways that we interact with them via rituals and on a daily basis. sharing food and drink is not specifically typical of only the afro-caribbeans; but it seems to have kept us much more in touch with the divine in a way that makes the pantheon more a part of our family, and therefore more apt to offer them the fruits of our larder in a show of hospitality and in a spirit of grace and reverence.