The Michigan State Mascot is known as Sparty. Sparty is a beloved figure at Michigan State University and is a symbol of school spirit and pride. He is often seen at sporting events, pep rallies, and other campus activities, rallying the crowd and representing the university. Sparty is a Spartan warrior, inspired by the ancient Greek city-state of Sparta. He is depicted wearing a traditional Greek helmet, a cape, and carrying a shield and spear. His costume is green and white, representing the school colors of Michigan State University.
both genders, the three arrows,
At higher scores she is able to even seize control of whatever remote weapons the opponent might have and, in the case of an opposing Gundam, even the suit itself. Both the Lupus Rex and the Calibarn have extremely dangerous and taxing versions of the in-universe piloting systems installed, and utilize both a large, handheld weapon and remote armaments that initially belonged to other Gundam units.
His costume is green and white, representing the school colors of Michigan State University. Sparty's overall appearance is strong and fierce, which reflects the competitive spirit of the university's athletic teams. The origins of Sparty can be traced back to the mid-20th century.
Archetypal Magic- The Psychopomp
As I'm writing this, the planet Mercury is about to station direct (Mercury stations retrograde about three times a year). It will hang out in a kind of liminal space for a few days before it starts moving forward again. Mercury is my ruling planet (I'm a Gemini rising, to figure out your ruling planet see which planet rules your rising sign) and I've really been embracing my mercurial nature lately. Though it's something we aren't necessarily taught to work with.
Capitalism has taught us to goooo go go, always, and it's a challenge to unwrap the binds of this lesson. Working with the Moon has been a huge tool for me in my efforts to slow down and live cyclically- but Mercury seems to also have some lessons for me. And perhaps for you too.
Mercury, as an archetype, is related to the Greek god Hermes (derived from the Roman, Mercury), channeling, moving through realms, and generally presiding over communication between the otherworld and the material world.
Hermes is a psychopomp. They are one of many psychopomps throughout mythology. But this isn't just a mythological character.
Let me back up- a psychopomp is a “conductor of souls” and is said to guide recently departed souls to the otherworld. They are the bridge between this world and the next. As a Westerner, I immediately think of Hermes or the “Grim Reaper” character with his scythe. But this figure appears throughout history and in many cultural mythologies.
We have Charon who ferries recently departed souls over the river Styx into the underworld (this is the ferryman imagery we see sometimes in art or stories, he requires payment for passage. Often a gold coin under the tongue.) This is also Greek mythology from my understanding which is perhaps why we in the West are so familiar with this image.
Anubis presides over the purification and mummification of the recently departed. This is a dedicated and sacred act. He acts as psychopomp in this way. I've also read (and felt) that Hathor is a guide for the souls who are making their way into the afterlife. Both of these deities come from Egyptian mythology.
One of the primary archangels from Muslim traditions is Azrail who watches over a sacred tree in paradise. When someone is born, a new leaf grows. When it is time for them to pass, the leaf falls from the tree and Azrail comes to collect their soul.
But these messengers don't just come in the form of deities. We often hear cultural stories of bees, birds, and dolphins acting as messengers from the otherworld. They may guide us in our crossing or bring us messages from our ancestors or beloved dead.
Something that isn't explicitly stated in a lot of texts (or I just haven't found this yet, and if you have please send it on over!) is that, not only are these archetypes the ones that cross the dead into the underworld- but they are the conductor of souls into this world as well. It's all the same realm. I felt this very deeply when I was actively doing birthwork. Those that guide the souls out are also the ones that guide the souls in.
Which brings me to embodying these archetypes. Deathworkers, birthworkers, dreamwalkers, and spirit workers all fall under the category of psychopomp in my mind. These are all real world embodiments of this archetype.
A psychopomp is someone who walks between realms. A psychopomp is a mediator between the conscious and the subconscious (something Jung has written about). This figure exists in our modern world and in our day to day.
Bringing it back to Mercury- there is an opportunity to work with the energy of this planet or this archetype to start exploring your own psychopompic depths. In order to do this work or understand this archetype, we need regular periods of withdrawal. Regular periods of going under, going deep, stealing away. In this, I'm also describing the planet's retrograde patterns. When do you need to retrograde? When do you need to go underground?
In feeling in to this archetype, I'm also thinking about tarot (which I read as a series of archetypes we all hold within us). The Death card and The Hermit come to mind for sure, but so does The Fool. The Fool is ether, spirit, and exists in the in-betweens. The Fool is the bridge between one card to the next. The Fool is everywhere and always right around the corner. They absolutely feel mercurial and carry a certain amount of trickster energy to them. Is this an energy you're familiar with? What does it feel like for you?
I also think about the 8 of cups- this card features a cloaked character turning their back on what they've known- in the form of 8 neatly lined up cups- in search of something unknown. They appear to me to be walking into the in-between. Perhaps into unconscious depths. Or maybe into the otherworld or the dreaming.
Here are some reflection questions for you if you'd like to explore this archetype within yourself and within your world.
Do you have a dream practice? How do you dream?
How do you appear in other people's dreams?
Do you have any cultural birth or death practices that feel like they fall under the realm of the psychopomp? What are they?
What are your ancestral or lineage traditions around death and birth?
How do you connect with your ancestors, or guides, or God?
What is your relationship to your subconscious? To the emotions woven throughout your body? To the otherworld?
When do you give yourself time to steal away? Is there a pattern to this?
I'll leave you with a poem written by Leonora Carrington when she worked with Octavio Paz on a stage play called “La Fille de Rappaccini” (based off of a Nathaniel Hawthorn short story- Rappaccini’s Daughter).
It feels very much to me like a poem or a prayer or an evocation to/for the psychopomp.
"My name does not matter
neither my origin
in reality I have no name
I am not man or woman
yesterday or tomorrow
both genders, the three arrows,
the four ages, and the four cardinal directions
converge and dissolve on me"
If this piece resonated with you, I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email if you'd like to be in further communication about this theme.
Sending you warmth and safety.
Stevie Joy Leigh
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The idea for a mascot representing the university's sports teams came about in 1950, and after various discussions and considerations, the Spartan warrior was chosen as the official mascot. Since then, Sparty has become an integral part of the university's identity and tradition. In addition to appearing at sporting events, Sparty also participates in various community events, parades, and fundraisers. He interacts with fans, takes photographs, and embodies the spirit of Michigan State University wherever he goes. Sparty is also involved in charity work and community service, further emphasizing the university's commitment to making a positive impact on society. Being the mascot of a Big Ten university, Sparty has developed a reputation for being one of the most recognizable mascots in college sports. He has received numerous awards and accolades, including being named the "Best Mascot in the Big Ten" multiple times. Sparty has also been inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame, cementing his status as a beloved and iconic figure. Overall, Sparty is a symbol of pride, tradition, and unity at Michigan State University. Whether you're a student, alumnus, or fan, seeing Sparty in action is always a source of excitement and school spirit. He embodies the values and ideals of the university and serves as a rallying point for all Spartans..
Reviews for "Sparty Mania: The Fan Culture Surrounding Michigan State's Mascot"
- John - 2 stars - The Michigan state mascot is just plain ridiculous. I mean, come on, it's a giant, creepy-looking squirrel. It doesn't represent the spirit and pride of Michigan State at all. They could have chosen something more fierce or majestic, like a lion or a Spartan warrior. I cringe every time I see that squirrel on the sidelines during football games.
- Sarah - 1 star - I can't believe that the Michigan state mascot is a squirrel. It's embarrassing. It's like they couldn't come up with anything better and just settled for this random rodent. It's not intimidating or cool, which is what a mascot should be. I would rather see a strong and fierce symbol representing the university than this silly squirrel.
- Mike - 2 stars - As an alumnus of Michigan State, I'm disappointed with the choice of the squirrel as our mascot. It's just not representative of the spirit and tradition of our school. I think they should have gone with something that reflects our agricultural roots or our athletic prowess. The squirrel is just underwhelming and lacks the impact that a mascot should have. I hope they reconsider and choose something more fitting in the future.
- Emily - 1 star - Seriously? A squirrel? That is the best they could come up with? It's so boring and uninspiring. There are so many other options that would have been way cooler and more representative of Michigan State. I can't take it seriously when our mascot is a fluffy-tailed rodent. It's just a real letdown and I hope they reevaluate their choice.