This year marks seven years since Tumblr user Stenna (they/she) introduced the MAP flag on June 13, 2018. We observe June 13 annually as MAP Flag Day (or MAP Pride Day).
To honor the occasion, I’ve planned a collective ritual. It is a shared hour of focus held simultaneously across many places. I call it the Mapping Hour as a play on the historical “witching hour.” Allies are welcome.
This year’s Mapping Hour centers on the scapegoat—an archetype of unjust blame, and a reflection of how society projects fear, shame, and guilt onto those it marginalizes. This theme strongly applies to MAPs.
The concept of the scapegoat comes from the Yom Kippur ritual. Yom Kippur is Judaism’s holiest day—a time of collective repentance, deep introspection, and return. In the ritual, Azazel receives the scapegoat bearing the sins of the Israelites. For relevant reading, see Leviticus 16 in the Tanakh, as well as Yoma 4 and 6 in the Talmud.
The Hebrew text of Leviticus 16 uses the word ‘aza’zel. Some English translations preserve the name Azazel, while others interpret it as scapegoat; either way, it involves scapegoating. Here is Leviticus 16.7-22 in the JPS Hebrew-English Tanakh:
Aaron shall take the two he-goats and let them stand before the LORD at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting; and he shall place lots upon the two goats, one marked for the LORD and the other marked for Azazel. Aaron shall bring forward the goat designated by lot for the LORD, which he is to offer as a sin offering; while the goat designated by lot for Azazel shall be left standing alive before the LORD, to make expiation with it and to send it off to the wilderness for Azazel. […]
Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat and confess over it all the iniquities and transgressions of the Israelites, whatever their sins, putting them on the head of the goat; and it shall be sent off to the wilderness through a designated man. Thus the goat shall carry on it all their iniquities to an inaccessible region; and the goat shall be set free in the wilderness.
In theory, the scapegoat was released in the wilderness. In practice, however, Yoma 6 records how it was violently “separated limb from limb.”
Image description for the visually impaired: the sigil of Azazel in the colors of the MAP flag, on a black background; art by Blossom (@fl0weringnight@zooey.cat)
As the scapegoat once bore communal guilt, MAPs have long carried society’s condemnation. During this ritual, we send it back—return to sender.
This year’s Mapping Hour unfolds in two sequential phases, each an act of return: First, we release the guilt that was never ours to bear, returning it to its source. Then, we each return to our own inner wholeness—the truth of who we are beneath the blame. As the projection is lifted, the self is reclaimed; it is our teshuvah—not repentance, but restoration.
Mapping Hour will last one hour, starting at 11:00 PM EDT (UTC -4) on June 13. It’s alright if the date is different in your time zone. Join from anywhere with our shared intention. You might journal, pray, meditate, speak verbal affirmations, or use another method that feels right for you.
If you can’t join for the full hour, join for what you can. Even a moment counts. Optionally, you may charge a candle with intention beforehand, then burn it during the hour.
However you participate, your energy matters more than the method or length of time. Let it be a threshold—between projection and truth, between blame and being. As we each cross it, may we return lighter and more whole.
p.s. Some may wonder whether this ritual is antisemitic. I want to clearly say it is not. I oppose unjust scapegoating of people, including the tragic scapegoating of Jewish people throughout history. If anyone has prejudice or hatred toward Jewish people, they’re not invited.
Anticipated Objections & Concerns
“You should do this on Yom Kippur, not on MAP Flag Day.” That’s what I did privately on the night of October 11, 2024. This time, it’s for all MAPs.
“You’re engaging in cultural appropriation.” Azazel is one of my spirit guides, and this Jewish tradition directly involves him.
“Rabbinic interpretations—and even most Kabbalistic interpretations—portray Azazel as dangerous and strongly discourage approaching him. By inviting us to invoke Azazel, you’re misrepresenting Jewish tradition.” You’re correct that Jewish tradition frames Azazel negatively. I’m not interested in Azazel because Jewish lore includes him; rather, the causal relationship is the other way around: I’m interested in Jewish lore because it includes Azazel.
“Are you sure Azazel is alright with this ritual, and with his sigil being colored?” Yes.
“But demons are evil!” So are MAPs, supposedly 😛
“The Stenna flag isn’t the only MAP flag, and I prefer another flag/no flag at all.” You can participate with another flag or no flag at all.
“Association with witchcraft harms our public image.” You don’t have to participate.
“This ritual is sinful/evil according to my religious/spiritual beliefs.” You don’t have to participate.
“This practice is pseudoscientific because no empirical evidence supports its efficacy.” You don’t have to participate.
Blossom’s contact information for art commissions:
@fl0weringnight@zooey.cat
t.me/blossomsgarden
fl0weringnight.straw.page
paypal.me/purplebloss
ko-fi.com/purplkitty
Mx. PDFphile 
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