Maahus

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Maahus is a queer warrior god who embodies the martial qualities found within the Black LGBTQ+ community.

In biological terms, Maahus personifies the principle of the immune system, thereby signifying the body’s innate strength and power to defend itself. Psychologically, He embodies the courage required for individuals to embrace their true selves openly and symbolizes the personal bravery inherent in the act of coming out. Sociologically, Maahus stands as a figure of community safeguarding, particularly against acts of violence and discrimination like gay bashing. He is invoked as a protector who can be summoned in moments of threat to personal dignity and safety.

The deity’s primary taboo is cowardice, reflecting His role in both external battles and internal struggles against detrimental habits and emotions such as anger, jealousy, substance abuse, impatience, fear, shyness, and addiction. Maahus’s essence is captured in His name, where “Maa” signifies measure, truth, and the transformative power of fire—a metaphor for the burning, searing force of truth. “Hus/hes,” meaning to chant or sing, invokes the power of vocalization to bring forth change and empowerment. Thus, the “song of Maahus” metaphorically uses the sword of righteousness to cut through falsehood and injustice, highlighting His significance as a beacon of truth and protector within the Black queer spiritual tradition presented in the Rainbow Serpent cosmology. This interpretation of Maahus revitalizes His ancient attributes of war and protection and aligns them with struggles for identity, truth, and justice within the Black LGBTQ+ community.