An Auspicious Inauguration, Outdoors

 

I don't know about you but the scene on the national mall for President Joe Biden's inauguration today will  be both awe-inspiring and chilling. Humans won't be allowed to congregate because of the duel threats of a deadly virus,  and domestic terrorists, who represent the virus of hate. Instead there will be 200,000 American flags, a massive display of patriotism but unsettling given the rabid, idolatrous flag-waving which has metastasized during the past four years. 

I am more impressed that the inauguration will be held outdoors, given the risks, even though this has become the tradition. Some have wondered whether this swearing-in ceremony should be moved inside, in light of the attack on Capitol Hill two weeks ago and the concerns about security. No doubt President Biden wants to send a message that thugs and terrorists cannot intimidate him or democracy.

I was interested to see that the term "inauguration" has its origins in the words "augur" and "augury": 

@susie_dent

Etymology of the week: 'inauguration' began with the Roman 'augur', who studied the behaviour of birds for omens about important events. To inaugurate was to 'consecrate by augury' if the signs were good. The bird-diviner was also known as an 'auspex', hence 'auspicious'.

This got me thinking about augury taking place in the "templum", a marked-out exterior space where birds could be observed. The word eventually entered English as temple, a place of worship.

I do like the notion of celebrating en plein air for any auspicious occasion, including worship. I''ll concede that two hundred thousand doves would likely have turned the inauguration into a ___ show (you can fill in the blank), but an open-sky event with perhaps a bird or two flying by is appealing. It's a good omen that this president won't be crowing about his great accomplishments before he's even started in his role.