The Goddess House

Goddess and the Garden at Autumn

2012-02-24T13:41:00.000+10:30

Lughnasadh has come and gone, and with it being some three weeks out from the Autumn Equinox, the weather seems to be heating up. On a whole, the Summer has been rather mild, however, as temperatures steadily climb skyward, it is as if we are given a timely reminder that Summer has not finished with us yet.

When it comes to the Wheel of the Year, Mother Earth seems to rebel against being told when her seasonal wheel will turn - it is not a mere six months difference between hemispheres, nor will she produce "appropriate" weather just because we are planning something allegedly in honour of her (with our mined crystals and parafin candles). One of the best ways I have found in honouring Mother Earth is attempting to return some life to my long neglected garden, and in doing so, ensuring that at least some of the plants I add provide food and shelted to the native species, as well as for myself.

When I first bought my place, I had dreams of turning my patch of dirt into something resembling the ancient hanging gardens of Babylon, a cornucopia of smells and tastes, with a vege garden overflowing with more produce that I would know what to do with. In reality, things did not happen quite as you plan, and some six years later, whilst not quite a dust bowl, every Summer the Goddess reminds me who is in charge.

She is far from the “Gentle Goddess of the Green Earth” that I often come across in other people's invocations. To me, she resembles some beast out of a science fiction novel whose eyes shot gamma rays that destroyed everything in sight. Images of the Egyptian Goddess Sekhmet also came to mind – the lion headed Goddess seeking revenge on mankind and who was only calmed when the people managed to get her drunk.

We tend to be too complacent when it comes to Wheel of the Year relying solely on what the books and internet sites tell us instead of going out into nature herself. We declimatise ourselves by being locked away with our central heating and air conditioning. Whether global warming or a natural cycle, our seasons are changing and Mother Earth cannot be expected to always have the seasons arrive on cue.

While my garden might not resemble my dream Garden of Eden this time around, there is always next year. My mother always said that gardening was a very hit and miss affair when you first start out. And with each cycle of the turning wheel I find that I gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of not only my own self, but also of my place in the web of life. I am slowly learning what will survive in my little patch of dirt and what is not suited. For everything is interconnected and I am just one small part of the whole.

The Eleusinian Mysteries

2012-02-16T08:09:00.000+10:30

As the hours of daylight are slowly getting less as the sun pulls itself away from the earth, I am reminded of the Greek myth of the descent of Kore (maiden) into the Underworld and the wandering of Demeter, her mother, which caused the land to go barren. This myth was enacted in what was referred to as the Eleusinian Mysteries, that took place in a town of a similar name about 24 kms from Athens, in what was believed to be in the heart of the wheat and barley growing region. It is little wonder therefore that Demeter was the Goddess associated with grain and fertility, as well as her name meaning "spelt mother" (spelt is a hardy variety of wheat).

Each year, when it was time for the crops to be sown, in the month of Boedromion (September in Greek), this was the time of year for the Mysteries to be held. It all stems from the myth of Demeter and Persephone, when Hades, took Persephone (Kore "maiden") down into the underworld. Demeter searched the world looking for her daughter, and while she searched Demeter neglected her duties and let the earth go barren. The gods were worried and Zeus, who had witnessed the abduction, intervened. Before she went back to the world of the living, Hades gave Persephone a pomegranate to eat, thus she would always be connected to his realm and had to stay there one-third of the year. This symbolic death and rebirth is the time the seed lies in the earth and then comes to life, reborn, as was Persephone. This was the basis of the cult, a fulfilling and happy afterlife.

The ceremony began in Athens, and all those participating purified themselves by bathing in the sea, they also sacrificed a piglet. All sacred and secret objects that were to be used in the ceremonies, were kept in the Eleusinion (a temple located at the foot of the Acropolis in Athens). These objects had been brought from Eleusis some days prior to the start of the celebration. It was from the Kerameikos (the ancient cemetery of Athens) that the great procession of initiates started.

The "Mysteries" were given this name (in Greek musteriai, from mustes, ("an initiate"). As the procession proceeded on route to Eleusis the participants would, at a certain place, shout obscenities. This was a re-enactment of an old mythical woman called "Iambe" who was said to have made Demeter smile, at a time when she was full of sorrow for the loss of her daughter Persephone.

Also during the procession their would be shouts of Iakch' o Iakche, which was related to an equivocal deity, referring to "Iacchus" who was identified with Dionysys, but in some versions said to be the son of Persephone or Demeter.

When the procession reached Eleusis they would rest and make ready for the next day, which was a day of fasting (Demeter did this when in mourning for Persephone). Once this part of the ceremony was over, the initiates drank a special brew of barley water mixed with penny-royal called, kykeon (a creeping mint cultivated for its supposed medicinal properties). The climax of the ceremony took place in the "Telesterion" (initiation hall).

During the 5th century BCE, "Ictinos" designed a huge hall which would hold several thousand people. In this hall, the secret and sacred objects were shown to the initiated, and also the priestesses would reveal the vision of the holy night, which is thought to have been a fire symbolizing life after death. These rituals were kept secret, shown only to the initiated, and it was totally forbidden to speak of them publicly.

Source:

The Eleusinian Mysteries

Autumn and the Goddess

2012-02-08T14:30:00.000+10:30

The weather here in South Australia is really doing its own thing. February is usually our hottest month of the year, heralding in temperatures in the high 30Cs and even 40Cs (that is around 100F for those more familiar with the fahrenheit temperatures), yet so far this month, the average temperature being only in the low to mid 20Cs. Whilst I am not one who enjoys the heat, I cannot help to be somewhat suspicious as to whether our hot weather is not in fact "lurking" somewhere, ready to appear when we least expect it.

The harvest festival of Lughnasadh (which occurs around 1 February in the Souther Hemisphere) is usually the time when whatever has not already been gathered, is basically annihilated by the hot weather, often leaving little if anything in the garden to offer up as a libation unless it is bought. This year, with only a handful of extremely hot days, the libation altar was overflowing with various offerings including corn cobs from my own garden.

With Lughnasadh now having passed, and with the cooler than normal weather, it is rather evident that Autumn is on its way. Whilst traditionally a time more associated with the harvest of the fruit (as opposed to grain) and here in South Australia, the time of the grape harvest, it is the ancient Eleusinian Mystery rites that centre around the adbuction of Kore (Persephone) and the mourning of Demeter (her mother).

When Hades (the Lord of the Underworld) abducted Persephone, it set in motion a chain of events that eventually led to the Earth falling into darkness each Winter as this was the time that Demeter wandered the Earth mourning at the loss of her daughter. Within subsequent Goddess traditions, this time of the year is associated with that of the Dark Mother, the Crone aspect of the Triple Goddess. The Goddess appears not carrying a basket of flowers, or indicating her bountiful and abundance nature, but a sickle and scythe. She has now arrive to reap what has been sown, to reclaim what is hers ... and there is nothing that we can do to stop her.

Autumn marks the time for the inward journey to commence. It is also the time when the hours of darkness and the hours of light are equal, the time of perfect balance.

Two candles should be lit at this time of duality - one in harvest colours for Demeter, the other in either deep purple or black for Persephone. A perfect libation drink is that of pomegranate juice. You may wish to meditate on the darker aspects of your own soul and ask yourself the following:

Is there a pain you've been longing to get rid of?

Is there anger and frustration that you've been unable to move past?

Is there someone who has hurt you, but you have not told them how you feel?

Now is the time to take this energy and turn it to your own purposes. Take any pain inside you, and reverse it so that it becomes a positive experience. If you are not suffering from anything hurtful, count your blessings, and reflect on a time in your life when you were not so fortunate.

To Demeter Eleusinia. O universal mother,

Deo famed, august, the source of wealth, and various named:

great nurse, all-bounteous, blessed and divine, who joyest in peace; to nourish corn is thine.

Goddess of seed, of fruits abundant, fair, harvest and threshing are thy constant care.

Lovely delightful queen, by all desired, who dwellest in Eleusis' holy vales retired.

Nurse of all mortals, who benignant mind first ploughing oxen to the yoke confined; and gave to men what nature's wants require, with plenteous means of bliss, which all desire.

In verdure flourishing, in glory bright, assessor of great Bromios [Dionysos] bearing light: rejoicing in the reapers' sickles, kind, whose nature lucid, earthly, pure, we find.

Prolific, venerable, nurse divine, thy daughter loving, holy Koure [Persephone].

A car with Drakones (Dragon-Serpents) yoked 'tis thine to guide, and, orgies singing, round thy throne to ride.

Only-begotten, much-producing queen, all flowers are thine, and fruits of lovely green.

Bright Goddess, come, with summer's rich increase swelling and pregnant, leading smiling peace; come with fair concord and imperial health, and join with these a needful store of wealth.

Orphic Hymn 40 to Demeter (trans. Taylor) (Greek hymns c3rd BC to 2nd AD)

Sacred Painting

2012-02-06T19:37:00.000+10:30

I do not consider myself an "artist" -- in fact my "training" (for want of a better word) is limited to a couple of sketching classes as an elective when I was at school. But every now and then I feel inspired to pick up the brush and paint.

For the Temple of the Dark Moon's annual Hekate Supper, I painted a rather rustic looking strophalos, or "Hekate's Wheel" that is an emblem of the initiatory lunar Goddess Hekate in her aspect of Diana Lucifera. The 2nd centtury Alexandrian text, the Chaldean Oracle, described the emblem as a labyrinthine serpent (emblematic of rebirth) surrounding a spiral, symbolic of the Ignges - "Whirlings" or emanations of Divine thought.

And about three years ago for an upcoming workshop day in honour of the Egyptian Goddess Hathor, who personifies the principles of love, joy, beauty, music, and motherhood. She was one of the most important and popular deities throughout the history of Ancient Egypt. Hathor was worshiped by Royalty and common people alike in whose tombs she is depicted as "Mistress of the West" welcoming the dead into the next life. In other roles she was a goddess of music, dance, foreign lands and fertility who helped women in childbirth, as well as the patron goddess of miners.

One of my proudest achievements has been my "Dreaming of Malta" painting that I finished in only two days, working from a picture where the sleeping figure is actually facing the other way.The most spectacular monument in Malta is the enormous, labyrinthine underground sanctuary known as the Hypogeum. This more than 6,000 square meter, three level monolith may have been the ceremonial center of the island long ago.

This catacomb-like structure seems to have been at once temple, tomb and healing center. The main hall leads into the oracle room where two identical small sculptures of a woman were found lying on the floor where they were probably left when the shrine was abandoned.

The dreamer is lying on her side on a low couch, one enormous right forearm underneath her head, the other draped across her heavy breast. She is ample-hipped and topless. Dressed in a full length, bell-shaped skirt she clearly appears to be asleep, almost visibly dreaming. The figures were probably part of a ceremony of dream incubation.

My latest work in progress is of the ancient Egyptian Goddess Neith, believed to be one of the creator of the Gods (depending on which legend you are reading). Very little is actually recorded about her however she is considered to be linked to Goddess such as Ishtar and Inanna who are associated with both love and war.

Soft Moon Shining

2012-01-29T16:28:00.000+10:30

My beloved Divine Mother
Dance with me
    under the soft moon shining
    in the wide open fields
      far beyond the toil and trouble
      of my busy mind

Dance with me
    before the night grows old
      while the winds of love
      still bow the grasses
        and the coyotes howl for you
        to step their way

Dance with me my beloved
    while the Mystery's Edge
      still flirts in the shadow
        of your radiant light

By Ethan Walker III from his beautiful devotional book Soft Moon Shining

Goddess of Autumn

2012-01-26T14:54:00.000+10:30

A poem by Viviane Crowley

I am the Waning Moon, the Goddess who is fading from the land

In the Springtime I sought my Lord and mated with him beneath the trees and stars

At Bealtaine I wed my Lord beneath the first blossoms of the hawthorn tree

And in the Summertime I ripened the apples in the orchards and the fruit grew round and strong

At the corn harvest I cut down my Lord that by his death our people might be fed

And now in the Autumn time I descend beneath the Earth

To dwell with my Lord in his dark kingdom until our child is born

At the Winter Solstice I will bring forth the child and renew your hope

And at Candlemas I myself will return to renew the land.

I leave you, but I return to you

When you see my power fade and the leaves fall from the trees

When snow obliterates like death all trace of me upon the Earth

Then look for me in the Moon and in the heavens, you will see the soul of me

Soaring still among the stars and in that darkest time

When the Moon is covered by shadow and there is no trace of me in Heaven or on Earth

When you look outward and your lives seem cold and dark and barren

Let not despair eat at your hearts.

For when I am hidden I am but renewing

When I am waning I am making ready for return

Remember my promise and look within you

And there you will find the spirit of me

Awaiting those who will seek

For by the well-spring of your being I await you always.

I am Diana in Heaven and on Earth, Persephone

And within you that dark Hecate

Triple am I - the One in Three

My body the Earth My soul the Moon

And within thine innermost self

The eternal spirit of me.

Shedding Light on Ourselves

2012-01-26T14:25:00.000+10:30

When we choose that which is not best for us,

there can be a deep seated part of us that does not want to heal.

In almost every case, we know what is best for us in our lives, from the relationships we create to the food we eat. Still, somewhat mysteriously, it is often difficult to make the right choices for ourselves. We find ourselves hanging out with someone who leaves us feeling drained or choosing to eat fast food over a salad. We go through phases where we stop doing yoga or taking vitamins, even though we feel so much better when we do. Often we have no idea why we continue to make the less enlightened choice, but it is important that we inquire into ourselves to find out.

When we choose that which is not best for us, the truth can be that there is a deep seated part of us that does not want to heal. We may say it is because we do not have the time or the energy or the resources, but the real truth is that when we do not take care of ourselves we are falling prey to self-sabotage. Self-sabotage happens unconsciously, which is why it is so difficult to see that we are doing it.

The important thing to realize is that this very part of us that resists our healing is the part that most needs our attention and love. Even as it appears to be working against us, if we can simply bring it into the light of our consciousness, it can become our greatest ally. It carries the information we need to move to the next level in our healing process.

When we recognize that we are not making healthy choices, we might even say out loud, “I am not taking care of myself.”

Sometimes this is the jolt we need to wake up to what is actually happening. Next we can sit ourselves down in meditation, with a journal, or with a trusted friend to explore the matter more thoroughly. Just shining the light of our awareness on the source of our resistance is sometimes enough to dispel its power. At other times, further effort is required. Either way, we need not fear these parts that do not want to heal. We only need to take them under our wing and bring them with us into the light.

Source: Daily Om

Embracing Your Muse

2012-01-14T13:02:00.001+10:30

Nearly all creative possibilities are related to the Muses that inspire us.

Inspiration is an intangible yet inseparable part of the creative process. The ancient Greeks believed that all creation, whether artistic or scientific in nature, was motivated by Goddesses who served as the literal embodiment of inspiration. These were the Muses—the givers of the creative spark.

We still rely on Muses to drive the creative process, though ours may take a diverse range of forms. People we meet, intriguing ideas, movies, books, nature, and cultural ideals all have the potential to awaken our imaginative minds. When we are touched by our muses, we understand viscerally that we are capable of producing our own unique kind of greatness.

Many people move through life unaware of the presence of their Muse. This lack of awareness can be compounded by the fact that we may have one Muse that remains with us throughout our lives, multiple muses that inspire us concurrently, several Muses that come and go as necessary, or a single muse that touches us briefly at specific moments.

You will know that you have found your Muse when you encounter a force that makes you feel courageous enough to broaden the range of your creativity. The presence of this force will erase your self-doubt and motivate you to give your thoughts and feelings form.

Should your Muse continue to elude you, however, there are steps you can take to increase your chances of falling under its inspired influence. If you surround yourself with people who support you, keep a pen and paper handy, immerse yourself in culture, and brainstorm frequently, you will soon reconnect with your Muse.

Once you have identified your muse, embrace it by giving yourself over to the creative inspiration it provides. No matter what you are moved to create, you will find that neither fear nor criticism can penetrate the wonderful bliss that goes hand in hand with the act of taking an idea and turning it into something the whole world can enjoy.

Source: Daily Om

Invocation to Sekhmet

2012-01-13T11:01:00.001+10:30

As it was at Memphis,

So be it now!

Hear me, I beseech Thee,

O Powerful One!

Lady of Rekht,

Lady of Pekhet,

Lady of Set,

Lady of Rehesaui,

Lady of Tchar and of Sehert!

Mother in the Horizon of Heaven,

In the Boat of Millions of Years,

Thou art the Great Defender!

Thou art Overthrower of Qetu!

Preserve us from the evil chamber

of the souls of Hes-hra!

Deliver us from

the abode of Fiends!

O Thou Who Art

Sekhmet, Life-Giver to the Gods,

Sekhmet, Lady of Flame,

Sekhmet, Great One of Magic,

Sekhmet, Eternal Is Thy Name!

O, Hear me now!

Sekhmet, With Lioness head,

Sekhmet, Whose Colour is Red,

Sekhmet, Daughter of Ra,

Sekhmet, Consort of Ptah,

Sekhmet, Mighty is Thy Name!

O, Hear me now!

Sekhmet, Goddess of Pestilence,

Sekhmet, Goddess of Wars,

Sekhmet, Queen of the Wastelands,

Sekhmet, Terrible is thy Name!

O, Come to me!

Sekhmet, Destroyer of Rebellions,

Sekhmet, Scorching Eye of Ra,

Sekhmet, Protector, Ruler,

Sekhmet, Holy is Thy Name!

O, Reveal Thyself to me!

Sekhmet, Mother of the Gods,

Sekhmet, Mistress of the Crowns,

Sekhmet, Thou art called Only One,

Sekhmet, Beloved is Thy Name!

Possess me now, O Great One!

Sekhmet, Greater than Isis,

Sekhmet, Greater than Hathor,

Sekhmet, Greater than Bast,

Sekhmet, Greater than Maat,

Sekhmet, Mysterious is Thy Name!

I am lost in mystery!

Sekhmet, Pre-eminent One,

Sekhmet, Light beyond Darkness,

Sekhmet, Sovereign of Her Father,

Sekhmet, Hidden is Thy Name!

Rapturous my dying!

Lady of Amt,

Lady of Manu,

Lady of Sa,

Lady of Tep-nef,

Lady of Heaven!

Thou art Ammi-seshet,

Destroyer, Upholder!

Thou art the Terror

Before Which fiends tremble!

Thou art Lust!

Thou art Life!

Ever-Burning ONE!

Tekaharesa-Pusaremkakaremet,

Sefi-per-em-Hes-Hra-Hapu-Tchef-f,

Mistress of Enchantments,

Source and Word of Power,

Forbidden is Thy Name!

I am the sealed one!

Do not consume us

With Thy Fire,

Give us Light!

O Lady, Mightier than the Gods,

Adoration rises unto Thee!

All beings hail Thee!

O Lady, Mightier than the Gods!

Preserved beyond Death,

That Secret Name,

O Being Called Sekhmet.

At the Throne of Silence,

even, shall no more

be spoken than

Encircling One!

I lose myself in Thee!

Messengers from the Wilderness

2012-01-10T04:58:00.001+10:30

A plant is a weed only within a certain context;

one person's weed is another person’s wildflower.

Simply expressed, a weed is any plant that grows where it is not wanted. Weeds are defined by their tendency to flourish at the expense of a gardener’s overall vision, and we tend to battle their presence in our yards. It is interesting to consider, though, that a plant is a weed only within a certain context, which is to say that one person’s weed is another person’s wildflower.

Dandelion Salad

Most of us have pulled at least one dandelion up by its roots and disposed of it in the interest of preserving the look of a perfect green lawn, yet the dandelion is good medicine, packed with healing properties and vitamin-rich leaves that are a delicious, spicy surprise in a summer salad. In the wild, there is no such thing as a weed because the overall vision is in the hands of Mother Nature, who accommodates and incorporates all forms of life. In nature, balance is achieved over the long term, without the aid, or interference, of a human supervisor.

While one plant may prevail over others for a certain period of time, eventually it will reach an apex and then it will naturally decline, allowing for other forms to be born and survive. This self-regulating realm was the first garden of our ancestors, who learned the art of agriculture from studying the forests and fields of the as yet uncultivated earth.

In a sense, weeds are harbingers of this wildness, pushing their way into our well-ordered plots, undermining more delicate flora, and flourishing in spite of us. The next time you see a weed, you might want to look deeply into its roots, discover its name, its habits, and its possible uses. Instead of seeing an unwanted intruder, you might see a healer offering its leaves for a medicinal tea or its flowers for a colorful salad.

At the very least, if you look long enough, you will see a messenger from the wilderness of Mother Earth, reminding you that, even in the most carefully controlled garden, she cannot be completely ruled out.

Source: Daily Om

Invocation to Bast

2012-01-06T08:23:00.000+10:30

You move silently in the night
When shadows shift in dim moonlight
You lie in ambush biding your time
You are Bast, the cat divine

The enemies of Light and Ma'at
Are desperate not to cross your path
For while you move on velvet paws
You rend your foes with deadly claws

Only fools judge you by your size
Thinking you naught but the doom of mice
While you slay creatures of decay and strife
You are Bast, the Daughter of the Light

Bast - a Solar and Lunar Goddess

2012-01-06T08:18:00.000+10:30

Bast is a Kemetic (ancient Egyptian) Goddess worshiped at Bubastis in the Nile Delta where she was enthroned as the cat-headed incarnation of Isis, or alternately as the seated sacred cat. In ancient artwork, Bast is typically shown as a beautiful girl with the head of a cat. she is commonly shown with black, white, yellow, or glowing skin, but often she is depicted fully in cat form.

Bast was said to be the daughter of Ra, though long after he created the primal Gods. She was originally a sun goddess, but after contact with the Greeks, she changed to a Moon Goddess, probably due to the Greeks associating her with Artemis, although some sources connect Bast with the ancient Egyptian Godddess Neith. Like Artemis, Bast was a wild Goddess. To those who were in her favour, she gave great blessings, but her wrath was legendary and she was sometimes listed as one of Ra's avenging Deities who punish the sinful and the enemies of Egypt.

She was also the Egyptian Goddess of pleasure, music, dancing and joy, associated with cats, the rising sun, the moon, truth, enlightenment, lesbians, sexuality, physical pleasures, fertility, bounty, birth, plenty, the household and protector of the home, civilization, creation, music, dance, the arts, hemp, and the battler of serpents which attack the Sun God. Bast also viewed as the beneficent side of the lioness Goddess Sekhmet.

Sopdet - The Goddess of the New Year

2011-12-30T10:08:00.000+10:30

Sopdet (Sepdet, Sothis) personified the 'dog star' Sirius. This star was the most important of the stars to the ancient Egyptians, and the heliacal rising of this star came at the time of inundation and the start of the Egyptian New Year. As a Goddess of the inundation, she was a Goddess of fertility. She also was linked to the pharaoh and his journey in the afterlife.

She was represented as a woman with a star on top of her head dress, or as a seated cow with a plant between her horns as depicted on an ivory tablet of King Djer. The plant may have been symbolic of the year, and thus linking her to the yearly rising of Sirius and the New Year. She was very occasionally depicted as a large dog, or in Roman times, as the goddess Isis-Sopdet, she was shown riding side-saddle on a large dog.

Sirius was both the most important star of ancient Egyptian astronomy, and one of the Decans (star groups into which the night sky was divided, with each group appearing for ten days annually). The heliacal rising (the first night that Sirius is seen, just before dawn) was noticed every year during July, and the Egyptians used this to mark the start of the New Year (wp rnpt, 'The Opening of the Year').

It was celebrated with a festival known as 'The Coming of Sopdet'.

"The time period between Sothic risings is called the Sothic Cycle and it is one of the tools Egyptologists use to create a chronology of Egyptian history." -- Sopdet, April McDevitt

Source: Sopdet, Goddess of Sirius, New Year and Inundation by Caroline Seawright

Yemaya Blessing of the Waters

2011-12-28T20:23:00.000+10:30

On Monday, 9 January 2012, the first public Full Moon Gathering hosted by the Temple of the Dark Moon together The Goddess House will be hosting a special gathering down at Grange Beach, Adelaide which will be dedicated to the Africo-Carribean Goddess Yemaya.

Yemaya, or Ymoja as she was known to the Yoruban people of West Africa, was the Mother of the Ogun River and referrred to as the "Mother of the Waters". This is because she was said to have given birth to the world's waters ... and that new springs would appear whenever she turned over in her sleep, and springs would gush forth whenever she walked.

We meet at the jetty just prior to 8.00pm where we will then move down to the sands where the ritual will take place.

While this is a free event, participants are asked to bring an offering that will be given to Yemaya (a shell, flower, stone, seashell etc - she also likes champers). A libation of melon will be provided afterwards.

O Mother of Waters!
Great is your power, your strength, and your light...
Let your greatness be the greatest wealth you dispense to me...
surrounded by sweet melodies springing from your own self...

“Prayer to Yemanja” (Zolrak)

The chant we will be using on the night can be found here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlvF0qXttqA

The words are:
Yemaya assesso, assesso Yemaya
Yemaya olodo, olodo Yemaya.

Summer and the Mother Goddess

2011-10-24T20:53:00.001+10:30

The Spring (Vernal) Equinox has passed and as the sacred Wheel turns, Summer is around the corner, with it the festival of Bealtaine. It is time for the young Mother Goddess to step forward and to take the reigns. The following is an excerpt from The Gaia Tradition: Celebrating the Earth in Her Seasons by Kisma Stephanich(Llewellyn Publications, 1991) that is most appropriate to share at this time of the year.

Summer is a combustion of activity. The warmth of the Sun dances across the deserts, caresses the trees of the forests and sparkles off the movement of the waters in the oceans as it rises and splashes against the shoreline or softly gurgles and rushes on downstream. All life is in full celebration of active energy.

This is the season of healing. Dis-ease is the racing of the mind, mind exhaustion. We have now entered the phase of body action and/or awareness. We shed cumbersome clothing and expose our skin to the elements with relish. The Sun becomes our focus as we bathe in its fiery rays, allowing the richness of the Sun’s force to soak into our pores, empowering us with new zest and enthusiasm. After a wonderful day at play, we are charged with energy and feel as if there is nothing we cannot accomplish. Through our play, we release the stagnate energy held within each cell, and allow the electrical synapse. The action of our internal fire roaring to life engulfs and burns away the blockages of the mind.

Summer is perhaps the only season that we, as a whole people, get immersed in. We join the dance and seem to live in the here and now. If in the Spring we joined with the energy of a positive mindset, the Summer becomes the action or active energy required to manifest our goals in the physical. With a positive attitude already seeded in our cell memory, we can take the necessary steps imperative to set into motion and bring to fruition those areas of our life that must be tended to. With the added energy of the Sun, we can easily overcome the obstacles that once seemed monumental. Because our energy is at its annual all-time high, we can tie up any loose ends without feeling pulled on or overburdened.

Action. Action. Action is the key at this time.

Fire is the element of Summer. Fire is the symbol of transmutation. Thus, one of the main tools can be used at this time is the candle, for the substance of a candle becomes transmuted by burning and changes into light.

In Europe there was a mysterious fraternity of the Rosicrucians who were sometimes called Philosophi per ignem, the fire philosophers, whose main symbol was the flame of transmutation. By their beliefs and practices, these occult philosophers sought to transmute that which was based into something better in order to attain illumination and enlightenment. They had a mystic saying or motto: Igne Natura renovatur integra, “All Nature is renewed by fire”.

Fire was considered to be the most spiritual of the elements because the use of fire is one of the things which most markedly distinguishes man from best. The burning of candles and lamps in temples and churches throughout the world was not done merely for the mundane purpose of having light, but as an honouring of the above philosophy.

“It is important to remember that during this waxing month of Summer, you should be conscious of your own fire and the flame of the candle, bonfire, hearth fire, lightning and starlight and sunlight, becoming one with all ire and one with illuminate spirit of the Goddess.”

Nearing the end of the Year

2011-10-23T09:36:00.000+10:30

With it also being November already, it is hard to believe that the end of the year is only about 10 weeks away. I am wondering just where the time has gone and what have I done with nearly a whole year's worth. In reality however, a lot has been happening, especially behind the scenes, even if the result of which is not easily noticed at this stage.

February saw the resumption of devotional services to the Goddess at The Goddess House, something that I am rather passionate about as I personally do not believe that there is enough "giving back" or even a simple "thank you" shown in a lot of spiritual practices.

Every Full Moon we are encouraged to write our petitions, our requests, our needs in order for the Goddess, or whatever Deity we align ourselves with .. however, how often do we actually give of ourselves for the sake of giving ... with no strings attached? This has proven to be a rather difficult concept for some people to comprehend which is one of the purposes the devotional services were reinstated.

Then coinciding with each devotional service was the healing circle for this was the part of many Goddess Temples of Old, providing the free usage of specific priestesses to the community as a whole in the form of healing. For me, this was a natural expansion of my own healing work anyway that often takes place behind the scenes - however it was wonderful to be able to share how a seemingly simple technique could react so powerfully.

As the Wheel of Time keeps turning and with the end of the year fast approaching, the November service at The Goddess House (that will take place on 8 November 2011 from 7.30pm) will actually be the last one for this year. Therefore this service will be an especially wonderful one, even though at the time of writing this blog entry, the theme has yet to be decided.

I do hope to see you there.

Goddess Prayer Beads

2011-10-09T17:35:00.000+10:30

Strings of beads are used in various religions and spiritual traditions as a way of counting when reciting a mantra, a prayer, or even blessings, with two examples being rosary beads (used within the Catholic faith) and mala beads (within Buddhism). The beads can also be used when giving thanks as well as assisting when aligning one's self with the Divine.

Goddess beads can be used in a similar way, with the colour of the beads being up to the individual. However, recently beads in honour of the Moon Goddess were made where the beads used reflected her triple nature of Maiden (white), Mother (red) and Crone (black), with 13 of each colour being used - representing the 13 months contained within a lunar year.

Between each bead a silver spacer bead was placed and between each section of coloured beads, two spacers either side of a decorative bead were used.

Opalence beads were used to at the end to represent the moon in general. Other decorative beads can also be added depending on what is available and the desire/purpose intended for the beads.

Once completed, the beads will be blessed during the energies of the next Full Moon before being used.

Celtic Warrior Goddesses

2011-10-09T16:35:00.001+10:30

Cartimandua

With the theme for this month's devotional service at The Goddess House being "Warrior Goddess", the following is an extract from Merlin Stone's Ancient Mirrors of Womanhood about the Celtic Warrior Goddess.

In ancient Europe the major Deity was the Great Earth Mother. The first works of art were of female figures and images of a fertility nature represented by female genitals or breasts. The Earth Mother represented sensuality, the erotic, regeneration and fertility. She was the relatedness of all life forms and in later agricultural societies a pregnant woman symbolised this.

With the coming of warrior people from Europe, the male dominated hierarchical culture had an impact on the lands of the Earth Mother. Tribes, such as the Celts, mixed with the existing Goddess people, absorbing the Goddess knowledge and balanced the Earth Mother with the Sky Father concept. They produced a culture which existed on hunting and agriculture where men and women represented as equals.

Modron's Well

Ancient sacred springs and healing centres of the Goddess became dedicated to the Christian saints, sometimes taking the Goddess names directly, such as the many wells of Saint Bridget in Ireland, and Saint Modron's Well in Cornwell. The landscape itself was also seen as the sacred body of the Great Mother with the mountains and rivers holding Her life. Great stone monuments and megaliths focuses on the Earth's energies and harmonised it with the cosmic forces.

The most ancient Celtic Goddess is Danu, the Mother of the Tuatha de Danaans. She is said to have brought the dawn of being for those who dwelled upon Her banks, giving them sustenance and life. She was first mentioned in the Irish Lebor Gabala (Book of Invasions), dated around 1000 AD. The Welsh Mabinogion call her Don and this image of the Goddess probably originated during the periods when the Celtic tribes inhabited mainland Europe, with Danu being closely linked with the River Danube. In places like Brittany She was Ana or Anna, who became Saint Anne.

Sxathach

Midsummer's Eve is said to be the holiest of Danu's holy days and worshippers carrying torches of straw made their way up the mountainsides to bless the new cattle and the newly planted seed, for this was the day that the children of Mother Danu had first set foot upon Irish soil.

The Great Mother often took on the Triple Goddess manifestations (maiden, mother and hag) in many deities like Bridget, Macha and Morgan. These related to the different phases of the moon and the seasons of the year's working cycle which corresponded with birth, death and rebirth. The Hag of the winter was always reborn as the Maiden of spring, just as the full moon of the Mother becomes the dark moon of the old Hag, and then returning to the new moon of the Maiden.

Another aspect of the Goddess is the ability to shape change. The Morrighan and Cerridwen transform themselves into numerous animals, while Macha, the Caillech Bheur and Rhiannon take the form of horses. This shape changing aspect of the Goddess is one that recurs repeatedly and unless it is viewed as a poetic metaphor, it may have encouraged those who worship the Goddess to treat all animals with respect and caution.

Maeve

Warrior women are found in the descriptions of Scathach, Aoife, Medb (Maeve) and the nine Gwyddynod of Gloucester. Actual historical records of the actions of Boudicca, the Queen of the Iceni tribe who led the rebellion against the Romans in 61 CE, and of Cartimandua, Queen of the Brigates, who signed a peace treaty with Claudius of Rome, suggest that the more legendary figures were based on historic realities. Another warrior figure was Tailltiu who was said to be the mother of Lugh and is honoured at the Feast of Lughnasadh. The prehistoric mound of Newgrange in Ireland is said to be associated with the Goddess Grainne.

The changing nature of the Goddess saw Her as mating then replacing the husband with her son, or even staying independent for a time. Nothing is static in the laws of nature, the wheel spins, growth comes from change. It can be hard to define any Celtic Goddess clearly as She so often changes from one character to another, defying definition. Sovereignty of the land is one of Her major roles. This means that the Goddess is the land and any king or any man who wishes to understand his harmony with the land or who needs to see his responsibility to the land and all life force, must undertake a trial or sacred marriage with the Goddess.

In modern times the Goddess is re-emerging and being defined. She is a symbol of the feminine principle and archetype in both men and women, and with forces or regeneration.

October Devotional Service - Warrior Goddesses

2011-09-24T17:31:00.000+09:30

Athena

As the sacred Wheel of the Year having turned to the Spring Equinox, the time when the hours of lightness and darkness are equal for a short period of time before the energies tip and rush towards the Summer Solistice, I thought that an appropriate theme for the October Devotional Service to be held at The Goddess House would be that of the warrior Goddesses.

There are many such Goddesses with Athena being the first which comes to mind. Bursting forth from her father's head (that of Zeus), Athena was fully armed and grown with weapons given by her mother, Metis. The namesake of the Greek capital, Athena was considered to be the Goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, warfare, strength, strategy, female arts, crafts, justice and skill.

The Greek philosopher Plato (429–347 BC) identified Athena with the Libyan Deity Neith, a War Goddess and huntress Deity of the Egyptians since the ancient Pre-Dynastic period, who was also identified with weaving.

Durga

In Hindu mythology, the warrior goddess is that of Durga (whose name means the inaccessible" or "the invincible"). An embodiment of shakit, the creative feminine force, Durga exists in a state of independence from the Universe and anything/anybody else, and of fierce compassion. The Dark Mother, Kali, is considered by Hindus to be an aspect of Durga. She is thus considered the fiercer, demon-fighting form of Shiva's wife, Pavati. Durga manifests fearlessness and patience, and never loses her sense of humor, even during spiritual battles of epic proportion.

Within Celtic legend numerous Warrior Goddesses can be found, both factual and in myth - starting with Queen Boudica of the Iceni who led a revolt against the Romans in 60-61 CE. Another factual queen, although possibly not in the same class as Boudica was Cartimandua, the leader of the northern Brigante tribe. Unlike Boudica who fought against Rome, Cartimandua preferred an "honourable surrender". Later she was described as a "traitor" for handing over the Celtic chieftain Caratacus, who fougth a guerrilla styled war against the Romans.

Scathach

Across th waters in Ireland, we find Medb (Maeve) the daughter of the Irish High King (Eochu Fedlech of the 1st century BCE) who is more commonly associated with the Celtic myth "Tain Bo Cuailnge" (The Cattle Raid of Cooley) where she compared her wealth with that of her lover, Ailill.

From the Scottish isle of Skye, comes the great initiator and Warrior Goddess, Scathach who was said to have trained many warriors including the Irish hero Cuchulainn at her stronghold, Dunscaith.

All these Goddesses and more will be honoured during the October devotional service - Tuesday, 11 October 2011.

The Goddess House devotional services are open to all women on the second Tuesday evening of each month - a fee of $10.00 is asked to help cover the cost of handouts which are provided.

A healing circle is also included in each service, free of charge. To have names added to the healing list, please contact the Priestess in Residence.

September Devotional Service - Tara

2011-09-11T17:28:00.003+09:30

The Goddess who will form the central theme for September's devotional service at The Goddess House will be the Bodhisattva Tara, and in particular the Green Tara(the Buddha of enlightened activity), as there are actually many different forms of Tara.

More information about the Green Tara can be found in a previous posting about her.

Some of the forms of Tara include:

White Tara - who is known for compassion, long life, healing and serenity; also known as The Wish-fulfilling Wheel, or Cintachakra,

Red Tara - a fierce aspect associated with magnetizing all good things,

Black Tara - associated with power,

Yellow Tara - associated with wealth and prosperity; and
Blue Tara - associated with transmutation of anger.

Tara embodies many of the qualities of feminine principle. She is known as the Mother of Mercy and Compassion. She is the source, the female aspect of the Universe, which gives birth to warmth, compassion and relief from bad karma as experienced by ordinary beings in cyclic existence. She engenders, nourishes, smiles at the vitality of creation, and has sympathy for all beings as a mother does for her children. As Green Tara, she offers succor and protection from all the unfortunate circumstances one can encounter within the samsaric world. As White Tara, she expresses maternal compassion and offers healing to beings who are hurt or wounded, either physically or psychically. As Red Tara she teaches discriminating awareness about created phenomena, and how to turn raw desire into compassion and love. As Blue Tara, she becomes a protector in the Nyingma lineage, who expresses a ferocious, wrathful, female energy whose invocation destroys all Dharmic obstacles and engenders good luck and swift spiritual awakening.

The mantra associated with the Green Tara that we will be chanting on Tuesday night will be:

Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha.

The central part of Tara’s mantra is a loving play on her name. According to Sangharakshita, a traditional explanation of the mantra is that the variations of her name represent three progressive stages of salvation.

1. Tāre represents salvation from mundane dangers and suffering. Tara is seem as a savioress who can give aid from material threats such as floods, crime, wild animals, and traffic accidents. Tara is therefore said to protect against ordinary worldly dangers.

2. Tuttāre represents deliverance into the spiritual path conceived in terms of individual salvation. In traditional terms, this is the path of the Arhant, which leads to individual liberation from suffering. This is seen in Mahayana Buddhism as a kind of enlightenment in which compassion does not figure strongly. Tara therefore offers individual protection from the spiritual dangers of greed, hatred, and delusion: the three factors that cause us individual suffering.

3. Lastly, ture represents the culmination of the spiritual path in terms of deliverance into the altruistic path of universal salvation – the Bodhisattva path. In the Bodhisattva path we aspire for personal enlightenment, but we also connect compassionately with the sufferings of others, and strive to liberate them at the same time as we seek enlightenment ourselves. Tara therefore delivers us from a narrow conception of the spiritual life. She saves us from the notion that spiritual progress is about narrowly liberating ourselves from our own suffering, and instead leads us to see that true spiritual progress involves having compassion for others.

Part of the devotional service also includes a healing circle. To have your name added to the list for monthly healing energy, please contact Priestess in Residence. This is a free service to the community offered by The Goddess House.

Source: Wildmind Buddhist Meditations

Spring Equinox, Eggs and Seeds

2011-09-03T16:09:00.002+09:30

With the Spring (or Vernal) Equinox just around the corner for those of us residing south of the equator, there are still two traditional symbols associated with this festival - that of the egg and the seed.

Eggs are one of the symbols of this festival since they represent new life and potential. Folklore tells us (combining two themes of the season) that eggs balance on their ends most easily at equinox. Femininst author, Z Budapest, in her book Grandmother of Time says that eggs were dyed red (the color of life) on the Festival of Astarte (17 March, close to the time of the Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere).

The beautifully decorated eggs from the Ukraine (pysanky) are covered with magical symbols for protection, fertility, wisdom, strength and other qualities. They are given as gifts and used as charms.

Seeds are like eggs. While eggs contain the promise of new animal life, seeds hold the potential of a new plant. In ancient Italy in the spring, women planted gardens of Adonis. They filled urns with grain seeds, kept the in the dark and watered them every two days. This custom persists in Sicily. Women plant seeds of grains — lentils, fennel, lettuce or flowers — in baskets and pots. When they sprout, the stalks are tied with red ribbons and the gardens are placed on graves on Good Friday (again, which falls around the time of the Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere). They symbolize the triumph of life over death.

Source: School of the Seasons

Prayer to the Goddess

2011-09-03T16:00:00.001+09:30

Oh Goddess,
You Yourself are the Creator. Everything that happens is by Your Doing.
There is no one except You.

You created the creation; You behold it and understand it.
Amongst all is the Light--You are that Light.
By this Illumination, that Light is radiant within all.
The Goddess is the Greatest of the Great. No one calls Her any less.
No one can estimate Her Worth. By speaking of Her, Her Greatness is not increased.
You are the One True Mistress of all the other beings, of so many worlds.
Come, my dear sisters and spiritual companions; hug me close in your embrace.

You have so many Creative Powers, Mistress; Your Bountiful Blessings are so Great.
So many of Your beings and creatures praise You day and night.
You have so many forms and colors, so many classes, high and low.
Meeting the True One, Truth wells up. The truthful are absorbed into the True Goddess.
Upon that Highest Plane of Sublime Beauty, stands the Grove of the Goddess.
By true actions, this human body is obtained,
And the door within ourselves which leads to the Grove of the Goddess, is found.
The True Goddess Herself knows all; She makes no mistakes.
She is the Great Gardener of the Universe.
First, She prepares the ground, and then She plants the Seed of the True Name.
The nine treasures are produced from Name of the One Goddess.
The blind have forgotten the Name of the Goddess.
Their comings and goings in reincarnation do not end;
Through death and rebirth, they are wasting away.
Without the Word of the Goddess, people wander lost in reincarnation.
Through the love of duality, multitudes have been drowned.
O mind, swim across, by focusing your consciousness on Her names.
As it pleases You, Mistress, You save me. There is no other for me at all.
In front of me, I see the forest burning; behind me, I see green plants sprouting.
We shall merge into the One from whom we came.
The True One is pervading each and every heart.
She Herself unites us in Union with Herself;
The True Mansion of Her Presence is close at hand.

With each and every breath, I dwell upon You; I shall never forget You.
The more the Goddess dwells within the mind,
The more the lover of the Goddess drinks in the Ambrosial Nectar.
Mind and body are Yours; You are my Mistress.
Please rid me of my hate, my jealousy, and my ignorance, and let me merge with You.
Everyone belongs to the One who rules the Universe.
The lover of the Goddess practices good deeds, and the truth is revealed in the heart.
True is the reputation of the true, within whom truth abides.
Those who meet the True Goddess are not separated again;
They come to dwell in the home of the self deep within.
O mind, don't cry out that you are hungry, always hungry; stop complaining.
The One who created the infinite species of beings gives sustenance to all.
The Fearless Goddess is forever Merciful; She takes care of all.

O lover of the Goddess, She understands, and finds the Door of Liberation.
Those who keep the Goddess enshrined within their hearts are said to be blessed.
Placing mind and body in offering before the Goddess,
They conquer and eradicate jealousy from within.
Blessed and acclaimed is that lover of the Goddess, who shall never be defeated.
Those who receive Her Grace find Her;
Without Her Grace, She cannot be found.
In the Grove of the Goddess, peace is found,
Meditating on Her nine billion names night and day.
The truthful ones are not stained by hate.
Meditating on the Goddess, their minds remain pure;
The lovers of the Goddess shed their ego; attuned to her orgasm, they find peace.
The One Goddess is the Giver of all; She Herself bestows all blessings.
No one else has any say in this; She gives just as She pleases.

O mind, vibrate and meditate forever on the Goddess; seek the Protection of Her Grove.
The Mistress of the Universe is the Treasure of Excellence; Her limits cannot be found.
She is not obtained by mouthing mere words, but by rooting out jealousy from within.
By Goddess' Grace, one remains blended with the True Name of the Creatrix;
This mind is very powerful; we cannot escape it just by trying.
In the love of duality, people suffer in pain, condemned to terrible punishment.
O mind, give up the love of duality.
The Goddess dwells within you; serving the Goddess, you shall find peace.
Engrossed in jealousy, the world perishes.
It dies and is re-born; it continues coming and going in reincarnation.
The self-willed do not recognize the Goddess;
They forfeit their honor, and depart in disgrace.

The True Queen has written Her Order, which no one can erase.
The self-willed do not obtain the Grove of the Goddess' Presence.
The false are plundered by falsehood.
Engrossed in egotism, the world perishes.
Without the Goddess, there is utter darkness.
In emotional attachment to one lover, they have forgotten the Great Giver, the Giver of Peace.
Those who serve the True Goddess are saved;
They keep the True Goddess enshrined in their hearts.
By Her Grace, we find the Queen, and reflect on the True Word of the Goddess.
The desires of the mind are fulfilled, when one is filled to overflowing with Her orgasm.
One who fears, loves, and is devoted to the Dear Goddess day and night,
Sees Her always close at hand.
Doubt runs far away from the bodies of those,
Whose minds remain forever attuned to the True Word of the Goddess.
The Immaculate Mistress is found. She is True; She is the Ocean of Excellence.
Those who remain awake and aware are saved, while those who sleep are plundered.
They do not recognize the True Word of the Goddess, and like a dream, their lives fade away.
Like guests in a deserted house, they leave just exactly as they have come.

Source: Book of the Goddess by Anna Livia Plurabelle

The Green Tara

2011-08-20T08:22:00.003+09:30

The September devotional service held at The Goddess House will be in honour of the Bodhisattva of compassion and action, the Green Tara, one of some 21 aspects of Tara herself.

Tara is the much-loved Tibetan Buddhist Mother Goddess. she represents all that is and her energy can permeate all things. Tara is worshiped in both mild and wild forms, and exists in a rainbow of colours based on various attributes. The Green and White Tara of the Tibetan Tantric tradition are the most popular forms, with Green Tara seen as her fiercer, most dynamic form.

As Green Tara, she is a Goddess of action, great strength and special protective powers who wards off evil and shields you from spiritual harm. The mythic tale of her origins is that she was born from the tears shed by Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of compassion, as a gift to end the suffering of all creation. The tears trickling down the left side of the Buddha’s face formed the motherly and mature White Tara, and the salty drops on the right birthed the fearless and young Green Tara.

Some believe however that she was a human princess who lives a life of total service, compassion and the highest spiritual aspiration, dedicated to serving the Buddhist Monks. Because of her path, she earned the right to be reborn in male form and teach the ways of the Buddha. She decided to remain in female form.

She is an extremely powerful Deity when it comes to handling bad news and high stress situations that may involve perceived danger or threat to your physical or emotional well-being. She is the all-embracing, all-knowing mother savour who takes us in her arms at our hour of greatest need and fees our souls with manna (energy) to help us cope, and get through the physical and emotional reality of a crisis. She represents the ultimate protection and grace of the cosmic mother into whose spiritual arms you can run and rest.

The mantra for the Green Tara is - Om Tara Tu Tara Ture Soha

Hekate - The Goddess of the Crossroads

2011-08-20T07:52:00.000+09:30

For the third year, The Goddess House, together with the Temple of the Dark Moon, hosted a Hekate's Supper on 13 August, a day auspicious to Hekate herself, in particular as Hekate Soteira ("saviour").

Oftern considered to be a Crone Goddess who is associated with the Underworld, death and destruction, it is refreshing that through the work of modern researchers, in particular Sorita d'Este and David Rankine of Avalonia Publishing, that this "Crone" perception is being dismissed.

As d'Este has indicated in various online blogs and discussion groups, the majority of historial references to Hekate have largerly indicted that she was in fact perceived as a Maiden Goddess, and that the "Crone" association is actually a modern one, possibly due to her connection with the Underworld I would personally guess.

Whatever the reasoning and how people perceive this multi-faceted Goddess, on the 13 August we held a Supper ritual in her honour whereby 12 people gathered to honour various aspects of the Mistress of the triple realms and took a journey with her.

We honoured Hekate Crataris, the Mighty One; Kleidouchos, the key bearer; Trikephalus, the triple headed one; Chthonia, Mistress of the Underworld; as well as Prytania, Trimorphos, Enodia and Trioditis amongst others.

Affter our journey with Hekate and her various aspects, the many offerings were placed upon the outside offering table and we continued the celebration with a Greek inspired feast as the brazier burned away the early Spring chill.

Early Spring by Alfred Lord Tennyson

2011-07-31T09:26:00.001+09:30

Once more the Heavenly Power
Makes all things new,
And domes the red-plowed hills
With loving blue;
The blackbirds have their wills,
The throstles too.

Opens a door in Heaven;

From skies of glass
A Jacob's ladder falls
On greening grass,
And o'er the mountain-walls
Young angels pass.

Before them fleets the shower,

And burst the buds,
And shine the level lands,
And flash the floods;
The stars are from their hands
Flung through the woods,

The woods with living airs

How softly fanned,
Light airs from where the deep,
All down the sand,
Is breathing in his sleep,
Heard by the land.

O, follow, leaping blood,
The season's lure!
O heart, look down and up,
Serene, secure,
Warm as the crocus cup,
Like snow-drops, pure!

Past, Future glimpse and fade
Through some slight spell,
A gleam from yonder vale,
Some far blue fell;
And sympathies, how frail,
In sound and smell!

Till at thy chuckled note,

Thou twinkling bird,
The fairy fancies range,
And, lightly stirred,
Ring little bells of change
From word to word.

For now the Heavenly Power
Makes all things new,
And thaws the cold, and fills
The flower with dew;
The blackbirds have their wills,
The poets too.

by Alfred Lord Tennyson (1809 to 1892)

Imbolc in the Southern Hemisphere

2011-07-19T18:15:00.003+09:30

As the first rays of the morning sun creeps through the gap of houses and across my back yard, the ground almost shivers with anticipation of its subtle warmth. Winter is finally losing its grip upon the land, making way for Imbolc, the season of rebirth.

It is within a collection of Irish medieval myths known as “Tochmarc Emire” that the word “Imbolc” is first mentioned. Within the story of the wooing of Emer by the Ulster hero Cu Chulainn, Emer sets a series of challenges for the young hero include him going sleepless for a year. The calendar she refers to is denoted by the “opening of the four seasons”, with one of these seasons being named as Imbolc, marking the beginning of Spring when “the sheep are milked and Spring’s beginning".

Imbolc is also associated with Brighid, who later became St Brigid, with her sacred day, known as Là Fhèill Brìghde in Scots Gaelic or Lá Fhéile Bríde in Ireland, is celebrated on either 1 or 2 February (the time of Imbolc in the Northern Hemisphere). Said to be the daughter of the Dagdha, a chief God of the mythic Tuatha de Danann, Brighid has many roles that include being the patron of poetry, crafts (including smithing, dying, weaving and brewing), and seers. She is also a Goddess of healing who protects women during childbirth, as well as being a fertility spirit, and promoting the welfare of livestock, especially cattle.

In “Carmina Gadelica”, Alexander Carmichael indicates that Brighid is the Mother Goddess of Ireland who “breathes life into the mouth of dead Winter”, a theme which is echoed amongst the outer isles of Scotland, associating Brighid with another “Mother Goddess”, that of the Scottish Cailleach.

With her appearance reflecting the bleakness of Winter, there is an aspect of the Cailleach whose actions on Imbolc is said to foretell the weather for the rest of the year. If Imbolc is a nice day, the Cailleach, as a storm spirit, will come out into the sunshine whereby she will bring bad luck for the rest of the year.

The more common story however that is the Cailleach Berra imprisons the beautiful young Goddess of Spring, Bride, inside her stronghold beneath Ben Nevis (the tallest mountain in Scotland). During her imprisonment, Bride is set with an impossible task to washing a brown fleece in a nearby stream in order to turn it white. It is, however, with the help of a kindly stranger, who later reveals himself as “Father Winter” that Bride succeeds in the task, just as Spring finally overcomes Winter. Father Winter presents Bride with some snowdrops and advise her that should “Berra scold you, give her these flowers and if she asks where you found them tell her that they came from the green rustling fir-woods. Tell her also that the cress is springing up on the banks of the streams …”

When Bride relays this message, Berra is said to fly into a flurry because it meant that her antithesis and son, Angus MacOg, was on his way to rescue Bride.

A few years ago, as part of our Imbolc ritual, my coven enacted out the mythic transition between the Cailleach of Winter and Brighid, the Maid of Spring. The altar was covered with a white altar cloth and decorated with seasonal flowers from my own garden. Candles representing the desires we wished Brighid to strengthen with her returning light were lit and placed upon the altar. The Cailleach then faced the younger Goddess and reluctantly released her grasp on the seasons, allowing Brighid’s green mantle to begin creeping across the land again. As she departed, we thanked the Cailleach with calls of “Beannachd Leibh, a' chailleach.” (Blessings go with you, Old One).

References:

"Visions of the Cailleach: Exploring the Myths, Folklore and Legends of the Pre-eminent Celtic Hag Goddess" by Sorita d'Este and David Rankine

"Stations of the Sun" by Ronald Hutton

Please Call me by my True Names

2011-07-09T14:27:00.003+09:30

From: Peace is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life by Thich Nhat Hanh

In Plum Village, where I live in France, we receive many letters from the refugee camps in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines, hundreds each week. It is very painful to read them, but we have to do it, we have to be in contact. We try our best to help, but the suffering is enormous, and sometimes we are discouraged. It is said that half the boat people die in the ocean. Only half arrive at the shores in Southeast Asia, and even then they may not be safe.

There are many young girls, boat people, who are raped by sea pirates. Even though the United Nations and many countries try to help the government of Thailand prevent that kind of piracy, sea pirates continue to inflict much suffering on the refugees. One day we received a letter telling us about a young girl on a small boat who was raped by a Thai pirate. She was only twelve, and she jumped into the ocean and drowned herself.

When you first learn of something like that, you get angry at the pirate. You naturally take the side of the girl. As you look more deeply you will see it differently. If you take the side of the little girl, then it is easy. You only have to take a gun and shoot the pirate. But we cannot do that. In my meditation I saw that if I had been born in the village of the pirate and raised in the same conditions as he was, there is a great likelihood that I would become a pirate. I saw that many babies are born along the Gulf of Siam, hundreds every day, and if we educators, social workers, politicians, and others do not do something about the situation, in twenty-five years a number of them will become sea pirates. That is certain. If you or I were born today in those fishing villages, we may become sea pirates in twenty-five years. If you take a gun and shoot the pirate, all of us are to some extent responsible for this state of affairs.

After a long meditation, I wrote this poem. In it, there are three people: the twelve-year-old girl, the pirate, and me. Can we look at each other and recognize ourselves in each other? The tide of the poem is "Please Call Me by My True Names," because I have so many names. When I hear one of the of these names, I have to say, "Yes."

Call Me by My True Names

Do not say that I'll depart tomorrow
because even today I still arrive.

Look deeply: I arrive in every second
to be a bud on a spring branch,
to be a tiny bird, with wings still fragile,
learning to sing in my new nest,
to be a caterpillar in the heart of a flower,
to be a jewel hiding itself in a stone.

I still arrive, in order to laugh and to cry,
in order to fear and to hope.
The rhythm of my heart is the birth and
death of all that are alive.

I am the mayfly metamorphosing on the surface of the river,
and I am the bird which, when spring comes, arrives in time to eat the mayfly.

I am the frog swimming happily in the clear pond,
and I am also the grass-snake who, approaching in silence, feeds itself on the frog.

I am the child in Uganda, all skin and bones, my legs as thin as bamboo sticks,
and I am the arms merchant, selling deadly weapons to Uganda.

I am the twelve-year-old girl, refugee on a small boat,
who throws herself into the ocean after being raped by a sea pirate,
and I am the pirate, my heart not yet capable of seeing and loving.

I am a member of the politburo, with plenty of power in my hands,
and I am the man who has to pay his "debt of blood" to, my people,
dying slowly in a forced labor camp.

My joy is like spring, so warm it makes flowers bloom in all walks of life.
My pain if like a river of tears, so full it fills the four oceans.

Please call me by my true names,
so I can hear all my cries and laughs at once,
so I can see that my joy and pain are one.

Please call me by my true names,
so I can wake up,
and so the door of my heart can be left open,
the door of compassion.

Thich Nhat Hanh

Source: Quiet Spaces

In Honour of Kuan Yin

2011-07-09T14:22:00.001+09:30

Altar ready for the July Devotional Service

With the next devotional service only a few days away, finally a decision has been made as to what aspect of the Goddess will be honoured next Tuesday night. The start of this new financial year, as with any time of change, seems to have brought with it a number of huge personal shifts of late. Not only have people been required to move in order to seek a better standard of living, but even amongst the people I know, a number of beloved ones have passed on. Added to this the spiralling increase in a lack of tolerance towards our follow brothers and sisters ... regardless of gender, race or religious/spiritual orientation.

Could all these upheavals have something to do with the number of eclipses as well as other astrological events we have been subjected to this year?
Could it also have something to do with the countdown to December 2012?

Whatever the cause or reason, I feel it is time that we pause and draw breath. Regardless of how someone else treats us, as spiritual beings, we do not need to recipicate in the same manner. Insteads, compassion should be what we are aiming for. After all, we are often only exposed to the end result (someone's action)without knowing what they have actually gone through themselves ... in such circumstances, the poem "Please call me by my True Names" by Thich Nhat Hanh comes to mind wherein he challlenges us to look beyond the offending action and to comtemplate on the possible circumstances that may have actually led up to it.

With the idea of compassion in mind, I thought a service in honour of Kuan Yin would be most appropriate. A bodhisattva (a being who "heistates to enter the state of Nirvana" as they wish to save humanity from suffering), Kuan Yin's gifts to us it that of inner tranquility which is brought about through deep understanding, compassion and wisdom, all of which are empowered by action which is found within each and everyone of us. As each of us are born from wholeness, Kuan Yin helps us return to this centre of conception and completion.

While there are many chants praising Kuan Yin, the most significant is "Ta Pei Chou" or "Dharani of Great Compassion". So powerful is this chant that if uttered correctly, it is said to cause one's very own consciousness to be permeated with divine light.

The following are some various prayers and chants written in honour of Kuan Yin

I call upon the Goddess Kuan Yin,Mother of Compassion, who hearsAnd answers the cries of all hearts,Who carries the pearl of illuminationAnd pours forth a stream of healing waters.Bless me with your spiritual peace.

Mother of Mercy, Compassionate Lady Kuan Yin

You who hears the weeping world

And comforts its souls

Come on the dragon’s breath!

Come to answer our prayers!

Come to soothe our pain!

Jade Goddess, who never refuses a prayer,

We ask for peace,

For banishment of fear, anger and hatred.

For your love and compassion

To be poured out upon the Earth and us all.

Gracious Kuan Yin we ask for your blessing today and every day.

Goddess of compassion,
You who are all to me,

All that is, and all that shall be.Come, Eternal Protector!

Come as the scent of sacred Lotus,

With love and compassion,

Do be with me now, I pray!

Oh Blessed Kuan Yin.

Invocation to the Goddess

2011-07-07T20:33:00.002+09:30

Invocation to the Goddess

(Shekhinah Mountainwater)

I am one with thee, Goddess, and thou art one with me.

Thy power is my power.

Thy gifts course through me in poetry and beauty.

Thy breath is my breath.

My thoughts are of thee.

My ears hear thee.

My voice speaks and sings of thee.

My arms reach out to embrace thee.

My hands do thy work.

My heart loves through thee.

My stomach partakes of thee.

My womb and sex reveal thine inmost mystery.

My bowels know thee through death and rebirth.

My legs bend to kneel beside thee.

My feet walk and dance thy path.

Let me be ever filled

With thy glorious, divine life.

Wild Grief

2011-07-07T19:24:00.000+09:30

Author Unknown

Your wild grief scares me
It flows from you like
so many liquids
and pours hard and fast.
I intrude on it,
like stepping in milk that isn’t mine and
treading it into your carpet.
Back and forth I trudge.
Like a great beast
in the final throws of death.
That great gold spear that
pierces your lungs and
up it comes.
All that bile and froth that was hidden.
You are no longer who you were.
And I, unable to reach out with my hands
and take your shoulders and calm you
with all that mass of hair
so tangled and forlorn,
slink away to nurse my own.
It is quiet and faint and
will always dwell
deep in my heart.

Source: Agitation of Hands

The Lost Goddess of Israel

2011-06-28T14:54:00.001+09:30

And [the king] set a graven image of Asherah, that he had made,

in the house of which the Lord said to David and Solomon his son,

"In this House, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen

out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever."

-- II Kings 21:7

Asherah is arguably the most important Goddess in the Canaanite pantheon. The prototypical mother of gods and humans and consort of the chief God, El, she is also the mistress of the sea and the land, and protector of all living things. We have long known Asherah from the immense library of thirteenth-century cuneiform tablets found in Syria at the site of Ugarit. But there are also more than 40 references to Asherah in the Old Testament. What could she have meant to the people of monotheistic ancient Israel?

A bit too much, apparently, at least according to the authors of the biblical texts, who attack her relentlessly. They praise Asa, king of Judah (911-870 B.C.), for removing his mother Ma'acah from official duties after "she had an abominable image made for Asherah" (I Kings 15.13, II Chronicles 15.6). They condemn the long-reigning Manas'seh of Judah (698-642) for doing "what was evil in the sight of the Lord" in "making an Asherah" (II Kings 21.7). And they trumpet the achievements of Josiah (639-609), including the destruction of offerings made to Asherah at the temple in Jerusalem, the abolition of "the Asherah from the house of the Lord," and demolition of a shrine there in which women "did weaving for Asherah" (II Kings 23). These passages reflect both the worship of Asherah and efforts to stamp out her cult during in the Iron Age. But it was only in the succeeding Persian period, after the fall of Judah in 586 B.C. and the exile in Babylon, that Asherah virtually disappeared.

Ultimately, the campaign to eliminate the goddess has failed. "Asherah was buried long ago by the Establishment," declares respected biblical scholar William H. Dever. "Now, archaeology has excavated her." Dever is quite certain that he knows who the Asherah of ancient Israel and of the biblical texts is--she is the wife or consort of Yahweh, the one god of Israel. Many of his colleagues would agree.

Sandra Scham, the editor of Near Eastern Archaeology and a contributing editor to ARCHAEOLOGY, teaches biblical archaeology at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Further Reading

William H. Dever, Did God Have a Wife?: Archaeology and Folk Religion in Ancient Israel, Eerdmans Press, 2005
Susan Ackerman, Under Every Green Tree, Scholars Press, 1992
Carol Meyers, Households and Holiness: the Religious Culture of Isrealite Women, Fortress Press, 2005
Diana Edelman, The Triumph of Elohim: From Yahwisms to Judaisms, Eerdmans Press, 1996
Mark Smith, The Early History of God: Yahweh and the Other Deities in Ancient Israel, Eerdmans Press, 2002

Source: Archaeology.org

Winter and the Time of the Death Hag

2011-06-15T07:55:00.000+09:30

Autumn has now given way to Winter. The hours of daylight are noticeably shorter and temperatures lower. The leaves are falling steadily from the trees, leaving them as bare skeletons. We have entered the time of the Death Hag, She who rules the barren earth.

The following is an excerpt from “The Gaia Tradition: Celebrating the Earth in Her Seasons” by Kisma Stephanich that is most appropriate to share at this time of the year.

In the Winter, all life slows down, breathing is laboured, silence. Everywhere the stark land stretches. All is dormant, awaiting the rebirth of the Sun, awaiting the gentle touching fingertips of the solar rays when they reach down and caress the land, planting their essence of warmth to germinate the seeds burrowed deep in the Mother’s womb.

Dark and mysterious is the energy at this time of the year, drawing us deep into the centre of our own core to dwell quietly with our Shadow. During this tine we taste the bile of our essence and eventually regurgitate it into the light. Until then, we quietly use our senses to listen and wait patiently for the Spring.

Now we stand still. We have no choice but to examine our mortality and dream of days filled with sunshine. Death and dreams. Both, if used during this season, will teach us much about our ego and our relationship to others, and, most importantly, our understanding of life.

Though it is important to work with death and dreams, it is also important to understand the correspondences associated with this season to become more intimate with it, allowing us to understand this phase of life. The correspondences of Winter are:

· Season of spirit, dreaming and death

· Repose, regeneration, midnight, dark Moon

· Mountains, rock, structure, soil, gnomes.

· The direction is Winter is South in the Southern Hemisphere.

Earth is the body of the Mother, the life support system we live on. The Earth reflects strength, growth, nature, sustenance, mountains, forest groves, fields, rocks and sandy stones. It is the element of silence, birth and death.

Winter – we have entered the realm of the subconscious, the occult. The deep intensity of our desires is penetrated. We can learn how to be temperate with our emotions and aware of those feelings of vengefulness and sarcasm.

We have access to submerge our awareness deep into the core of our being. If we use the energy wisely, we can expose that which has been developed secretly and kept undercover from our own consciousness, and transmit those secrets of self by undergoing an arduous regeneration process which can end in either death (if the secrets be of a negative nature) or birth (if they are positive).

So in essence, this energy is pure for us to investigate through deep research those areas of our psyche that like to hide. It is a time for spiritual and physical regeneration, psychological rebirth and/or degeneration and death.

Honouring Some Amazing Women

2011-05-31T07:37:00.000+09:30

Mary Wollstonecraft

At the May service of The Goddess House, not only were the grandmothers of our blood line honoured, but also women we found inspirational as well as some of the many brave women throughout time who put their lives on the line for women's rights and a better quality of life. One of these woman was 18th century British writer and philosopher Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797).

Best known for "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman" (published in 1792), Wollstonecraft argued that women are not naturally inferior to men, but appear to be only because they lack education. She suggested that both men and women should be treated as rational beings and imagines a social order founded on reason.

Wollstonecraft was quoted as saying "I do not wish women to have power over men, but over themselves." Very wise words indeed,

More information about Mary Wollstonecraft can be found - History Guide and BBC History.

Sojourner Truth

Another amazing woman was Sojourner Truth (1797-1883), the self-given name (from 1843 onwards) of Isabella Baumfree, an African-American abolitionist and women's rights activist. Born into slavery, Truth escaped with her infant daughter to freedom in 1826.

After going to court to recover her son, she became the first black woman to win such a case against a white man. Her best-known extemporaneous speech on racial inequalities, "Ain't I a Woman?", was delivered in 1851 at the Ohio Women's Rights Convention. The speech follows:

"Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that 'twixt the negroes of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what's all this here talking about?

That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?

Then they talk about this thing in the head; what's this they call it? [member of audience whispers, "intellect"] That's it, honey. What's that got to do with women's rights or negroes' rights? If my cup won't hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn't you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full?

Then that little man in black there, he says women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.

If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back , and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them.

Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain't got nothing more to say."

Source: Women in History

Mary Lee

Closer to home was South Australian Suffragette, Mary Lee (1821-1909). Born in Ireland, Lee migrated to Australia in 1879 and in 1883 became active in the ladies' committee of the Social Purity Society which advocated changes to the law relating to the social and legal status of young women, as well as the end to child labour in order to protect girls from abuse and preventing them from becoming prostitutes or child brides.

The group's success was a passage in the 1885 Criminal Law Consolidation Amendment Act that raised the age of consent from 13 to 16.

More information about Mary Lee can be found - South Australian History

The Goddess House would like to thank Tara-Jade for bringing these women, amongst others, to our honouring service, and reminding us of the important role they played in order for women to have what are considered these days as basic rights.

Call and Response with the Gemini New Moon

2011-05-31T07:36:00.000+09:30

It’s another new moon: when the magically minded make wishes and astrologers attempt to divine this cycle’s intentions. But fates are personal. Even if a new moon chart could be forced to describe them all, no single astrologer could tell that many stories. The wishes you make now may indeed be super-powered, but if you don’t have a strong relationship with the archetypes, don’t expect special favours.

If you rarely spend quality time with your siblings or neighbours, don’t expect them to leap at the chance to board your aging dog. New Moons are potent times to forge new alliances with the gods. Visit the invisible world. Bow and open yourself to their touch. Make an offering. Humans have been rendezvousing with these archetypes for thousands of years. When you call out to the gods, they do respond!

Calling Gemini

Gemini travels at an exhilarating pace. He makes the most of unexpected opportunities. Just last week at a wine auction in Province, he picked up some wild gossip that soon brought down a minister. This morning, in the jungles of Brazil, he discovered a plant that can cure the terminally serious of their deficient humour. His words are sharp as a quill’s point. His hands turn quick as the pages of an absorbing mystery. His eyes flash like twin stars.

Just think of what you can accomplish in alliance with this archetype! Gemini’s New Moon brings the year’s best opportunity to stretch your mind. Challenge yourself to learn something new. It doesn’t have to be complicated or deep—catching up on the latest cultural memes or mastering five new options on your cell phone could have surprising benefits for your brain. Succumbing to gossip or sarcasm are signs that your mind is bored, in need of more interesting stimuli. If you’re nervous, stressed or scattering your energy, can you turn the present moment into a learning opportunity?

While the rest of the world is sleeping, Gemini is often reading. He speaks all languages and manages to know a little bit about everything. He’s a brilliant storyteller and frequent Wikipedia contributor. He’s playful too. He loves shooting marbles and tonight he’s building a glow-in-the-dark kite. As a toddler, he palled around with that mischievous monkey, Curious George. Once they were supposed to deliver newspapers. It was Gemini who pointed out the river in the distance: "Aren’t you curious what it’s like over there?" At the river, it was Gemini who figured out how to fold their undelivered papers into a clever fleet of little boats. And later that day, it was Gemini who fed the bugle to the ostrich—after the circus owner warned them: "An ostrich will eat anything!" "Well…aren’t you curious to see if that’s true?"

One year I discovered a secret about Gemini: he loves silence too. This perpetually busy messenger loves what you can learn by listening. When the Sun entered Gemini that year, I was invited to a living room satsang. I sat for a long while in silence with a group of other seekers, each of us sinking into our own pools of dark treasure. One meditator began crying, another felt a strange buzzing in her body, another discovered old insecurities. "There is something to explore, right here, right now," urged our Zen teacher. "Nowhere to go," she said, "you’re already here." And to each physical sensation or emotional wounding that came up, she would offer a Gemini message: "Get curious. Be with it. Observe it, without trying to manipulate it into anything else." We all learned plenty that night.

As we head into the next few turbulent weeks of eclipses, silence may be the smartest way to get Gemini on our side. Not a dull silence, but an expectant one, fuelled by fresh curiosity. Sit quietly with whatever is true right now. Whether you’re happy, sad, harried, wounded, or somewhere in between, before you ride on the wings of Mercury toward something new, and you will, because that’s what we do in Gemini’s cycle, sanctify your experience of this New Moon with some quiet curiosity. Spend five or fifteen minutes to just be. Close your eyes. Listen to the sounds coming from the street beyond your door. Feel the air. Can you notice how it’s gently touching your skin? Tune into your body. Is there tightness anywhere? Numbness? Or are there pleasant sensations? Let your body communicate. It’s telling you exactly what’s going on in your life right now. Ah… how nice to be the one who is listening.

Gemini’s Response

Of course Gemini always adds a few surprises of his own. Waiting for his response is the fun part. No way can I predict how he’ll arrive. Gemini frequently appears as youths and travellers—also liars and thieves! He rules siblings, neighbours, tradesmen, journalists and gossips—an encounter with any one of these might be particularly significant. Gemini is a Trickster too. To keep you from settling into humdrum views, he just might pull the rug out from under you—which is one way to keep your world fresh and new. Those who accuse Gemini of being fickle misunderstand him. The ancients used to swear their honour by Gemini, ending their oaths with "By Gemini!"(which later became "By Jiminy!") This cycle, end your promises this way too. And keep an eye out for the winged messenger.

Source: Dana Gerhardt

A Day with Dark Goddesses

2011-05-29T16:23:00.000+09:30

Dark Goddess altar

Saturday, 28 May 2011, saw this year's Dark Goddess workshop taking place, an almost annual workshop where up to six different Goddesses who fall under the guise of being "dark", have their myths explored and are met through various exercises and meditations. What, however, makes a Goddess "dark"?

In our modern Pagan interpretations there tends to be a general misconception as to who exactly is a "dark" Goddess. If the Goddess is depicted as a phase of the Moon,, then the Dark Goddess is often associated with the waning phase, that generally relating to the Crone, Hag or Death Bringer. However such as description does not fit Goddesses such as Lilith, Pele or even Sekhmet ... all of whom are classifed as being "dark".

A "dark" Goddess may (or may not) reside in the Underworld, where we have to spiral down through our subconscious to reach her, passing our fears along the way. She can be found deep in the forests or on some isolated part of the coast where we must journey, passing obstacles along the way.

She is the shapeshifting sorceress who forces us to look into the mirror of our souls where our true self will be exposed, or who entices us to take a sip of brew from her cauldron on Inner Knowledge. She can gently guide us through life changing decisions or push us off the plank into the abyss, knowing all along that through such action we will somehow find the courage and strength to survive.

She is also the most ancient one, whose bones make up the very earth that we walk upon, chthonic in nature, the creatrix of the Universe, of sound and even the very language which we use.

The Dark Goddess is she who confronts us, who taunts us and teases us when we resign to our conformed existence. She is the one who beckons us to express our inner nature, the explore what has been repressed and forgotten. It is the Dark Goddess who destroys our stagnation in order for us to be free.

I walk with the Goddess

2011-05-25T13:12:00.002+09:30

So much has happened over the last few weeks that it is difficult to find the time at the moment to blog, in particular to even refresh my thoughts as to my recent trip to Melbourne where I attended the Goddess Gathering.

After this weekend and once my workshop on the Dark Goddess has been completed, I envisage that more time will be found so that I can give the Gathering justice.

In the meantime, I thought I would share some photos I took around Gaia's Garden, the wonderful venue where the Goddess Gathering was held. The garden was simply a heavenly retreat of gorgeous Goddess statues and imagery settled amongst lush greenery.

During the weekend we sung a number of Goddess orientated songs, one in particular was by Kellianna and Leanda Walker called "I walk with the Goddess" ..

"I walk with the Goddess
The Goddess she walks with me
She is the clouds up in the clear blue sky
She is the ground beneath my feet
She is the oceans and the falling rain
She is the spark that lights my way."

Considering the setting we were in, it was easy to "walk with the Goddess" during the weekend as she was everywhere.

Tanit - the Great Goddess of Carthage

2011-05-17T13:47:00.000+09:30

Tanit, or Tanith, is the Great Goddess of Carthage, worshipped there as its chief Deity. She is a Sky Goddess who ruled over the Sun, Stars, and Moon; and as a Mother Goddess She was invoked for fertility. The palm tree is Hers, as the desert version of the Tree of Life; and as symbolic of the life-force of the Earth the serpent is Hers as well—in fact Her name means "Serpent Lady".

Tanit is identified with both Ashtart (Astarte) and Athirat, and Her other symbols include the dove, grapes and the pomegranate (both symbolic of fruitfulness and fertility), the crescent moon, and, like Ashtart, the lion.

Carthage was a city of the Phoenician colony in northern Africa, not far from the modern city of Tunis in Tunisia. Carthage, the Roman rendition of the Phoenician name Karthadasht, which means "New Town", was founded in around the 9th century BCE, by Dido ("Giver" or "Grantor [of prayers]", or alternately "Wanderer") or Elissa (from the Phoenician Elishat), the daughter of the King of Tyre in Roman legend. Dido, however, being also used as an epithet of the Phoenician Moon-Goddess, is probably to be considered an aspect of or alternate name for Tanit, the patron Goddess of Carthage. Worship of Tanit dates to the 5th century BCE, and it is unsure whether Tanit was a local deity adapted by the Phoenician colonists or a version of Ashtart/Athirat they had brought with them from Phoenicia.

Tanit was the highest Deity of that city, called "the Lady of Carthage". With Her consort Ba'al-Hammon, the God of the Sky, She watched over and protected Carthage. As a protective Deity She had some martial aspects, and like Ashtart could be depicted riding a lion holding a spear or long sceptre. In Carthage She was said to have an Oracle; perhaps this is connected to Her role as Star-Goddess.

Tanit has Her own abstract symbol, peculiarly Hers (and accordingly called the "symbol of Tanit"): a triangle with a circle at the top, with a horizontal line between the two; sometimes two additional vertical bars come from the ends of the horizontal. This has been interpreted as either a stylization of an altar, or a woman or Goddess in a long dress, Her arms upraised in an attitude of worship or blessing. Some stelae do show a more realistic depiction of the Goddess in this attitude, so my money is on it as an abstract depiction of a woman. This symbol is found all over Carthage, though there is only one example of it in Phoenicia itself.

Tanit was identified with Aphrodite, Demeter, and Artemis by the Greeks and with Juno by the Romans, especially their Juno Lucina, Goddess of Light and Childbirth. The Romans also associated Her with the Magna Mater, the Great Mother, Rhea or Cybele.

Source: Obscure Goddesses

Blood Mysteries

2011-05-03T20:40:00.000+09:30

In the beginning, according to the Wise Woman tradition, everything began, as everything does, at birth. The Great Mother of All gave birth and the earth appeared out of the void. Then the Great Mother of All gave birth again, and again, and again, and people, and animals, and plants appeared on the earth. They were all very hungry. "What shall we eat?" they asked the Great Mother. "Now you eat me," she said, smiling. Soon there were a very great many lives, but the Great Mother of All was enjoying creating and giving birth so much that she didn't want to stop. "Ah," she said smiling, "now I eat you." And so she still does.

We all come from the same mother. She is the wise woman. We all return to her embrace, her bloody-rich womb place, when we die. Every woman is a whole/holy form of her, able to be whole/holy mother of all life, able to be whole/holy destroyer of life. Her power is her blood that flows and flows, her blood which is life and gives life. Every woman's menstrual blood and birth-time blood is a holy mystery.

What are the blood mysteries? Why are they central to the understanding of the Wise Woman tradition.

Blood mysteries teach that menstrual blood and birthing blood are holy blood, power blood, healing blood. The blood mysteries teach us to remember that life and healing come from and return to woman, to the wise woman, to the woman who bleeds and bleeds. And does not die.

Blood mysteries reveal that menstrual (moontime) blood and birth blood are so holy, so full of potential, so full of the void, that they are to be used only to heal, to heal by nourishing. Holy woman-blood is nourishing blood, blood of love, blood of abundance, blood that heals the earth.

Blood mysteries recall the immense power of the bleeding woman. Power enough to share in great nourishing give-away from mother to matrix, give-away of nourisher to nourisher. When we bleed into the ground (in reality or fantasy) our power regrounds as our blood flows through the personal root chakra and into the earth.

Bleeding into the ground, bleeding freely, we know ourselves as women, as nourishers of life, as givers of nourishment to the plants, givers of holy nourishment: our moontime blood.

I am woman giving away nourishment to ensure this planet's life. With my moontime power, my blood, with my birthing power, my blood, I feed the earth who feeds us all. Every month I remember: I am woman. I am earth. I am life. I am nourishment. I am change.

I am woman, blatantly and repeatedly confronted with my changes: hormonal harmonics stirring moon time visions, ovulatory oracles, pre-menstrual crazies, orgasmic knowings, birth ecstasies, breast-feeding bliss, menopausal moods.

I am wholeness. I am woman. I know life, death, pain, and health in my marrow, in my womb. I know the bloody places: the narrow space between life and death, the bloody place of birth, the bloody mess of nourishing life, the bloody flow of letting life go. I am woman. My blood is power. Peaceful power. Peaceful blood.

My blood is holy nourishment. My blood nourishes the growing fetus. My blood becomes milk to nourish the young child. My blood flows into the ground as holy nourishment for the Great Mother, Gaia, Mother Earth.

Gaia, whose ways are bloody. Woman, whose ways are bloody. Blood of nourishment. But bloody. Bloody menstrual blood, bloody birth blood. Blood of peace, nourishing blood. Blood of health/wholeness/holiness, not of sacrifice. The Wise Woman tradition is a bloody-handed woman, a bloody-thighed woman, a woman who gives birth, a woman who sees to the other side of things.

Health/wholeness/holiness is always changing. Life is mysterious, moving in spirals of change. Spirals moving to, through, from the void. Change making the hole so we can see the holy healthy gift of our wholeness.

"Sit, sister, here on the soft green moss, and give your sacred moon blood to the earth, back again to the spiral of life. Let flow your womb's blood red to the green and brown of earth. Sit here. Relax and close your eyes and let the visions come. Rest now and give your moon blood to nourish the mother who nourishes us. Relax and let the visions come."

The time of menstrual bleeding, according to the Wise Woman tradition, is a time of visions. Any woman who pays attention to these visions will find the power of shamans, witch doctors, medicine wo/men.

"Add a bit of red leaf to your herbal mixtures, any red leaf except poison ivy. That will make the medicine strong," says a friend, apprentice to a Native American shaman. And the wise woman inside me whispers: "They do this to evoke the power of menstrual blood."

These are the natural powers of menstruating, menopausal, and post-menopausal women:

* Oneness with the earth as a responsive nurturing presence
* Communication with plants, animals, rocks
* Weather making
* Shape shifting
* Invisibility
* Communication with fairies, devas, elves, dragons, unicorns
* Foreknowledge
* Acutely sensitive senses of smell, taste, hearing, sight, touch
* Healing

The Wise Woman tradition understands healing/wholing as blood mysteries. The blood of birth and death, and the blood of nourishment, these are the natural knowledge of women, these are the things that make us wise.

Source: "Healing Wise: A Wise Woman Herbal" by Susun Weed

Prayer of Becoming

2011-04-25T10:27:00.000+09:30

In sharing the following Prayer of Becoming - I thought I would mention here that this Prayer (or statement), is a simple little exercise you might to perform before your altar or sacred space.

Basically all that is involved is as you speak the words, to think about what you are saying .. how do they resonate with you? Do you actually believe in the words?

If you feel that there are certain words which make you feel uncomfortable or unsure of, then have a go at writing your own Prayer of Becoming.

==================================

Prayer of Becoming

May clarity grow within Me
Open my eyes to life's many Wonders
May I feel the pulse of all creation within Me

Open my spirit to Awareness
Fill my heart with Understanding
May my life be of service to Earth and the Goddess

Open my ears to the needs of those around Me
Make my hands strong & gentle in Your Service
May I remember always, the Goddess works through Me

Breathing in the Goddess

2011-04-25T10:23:00.002+09:30

This exercise has been taken from Z Budapest's Dianic University sample lecture. I personally like it because it helps to make us aware of the Universe, the cosmos around us - not to mention our place within it.

=======================

Hold up your hands to the Heavens and breathe in deeply seven times, each time follow your breath with your consciousness to each part of your body, starting from the head, moving to your throat, your heart, your breasts your solar plexus, to your genitals and finally to your feet. With each breath you are bringing in blessings from the Universe.

When you have felt a deep inner calm, and are filled with a simple of peaceful glow, kiss your hands. Yes. Plant a big kiss, one each hand, now. Don't ask. Just do.

Say:
Everything that is mine is thine,
Everything that is thine is mine,
tout tout throughout and about*.

This is a very to-the-point identification with the Deity ritual. Feel the self-kiss on your lips. Smell the scent of your own flesh. Know that's it's you that you have kissed. Feel compassion towards that woman. Imagine all the works your hands have been doing for you. We are made of the same stuff as the Universe. Everything in us is the same as what is in the stars and planets, and in all life on Earth, and wherever else there may be life.

Imagine! You are made of stars. You are the reason why gases congealed and created planets and stars exploded, and re-gathered again. You are the end result of billion and billions of years of evolution. You are the crowning of many, many deaths. You are standing on the bones of your ancestors. Let this sink in.

*Note: The last line of this invocation is from a very old chant which was recorded in a witch trial. So you are not only offering yourself to the Goddess, and receiving all from the Goddess. You are also joining in the dance which the Wytches of old danced with each other and with their Goddess. Think about this also.

In Silent Contemplation

2011-04-09T17:18:00.001+09:30

As the venue used by The Goddess House for our monthly devotional services and healing circles is the covenstead of the Temple of the Dark Moon runs, this means that just prior to each service I strip the Temple's altar and create something more fitting for The Goddess House.

Usually the altar resembles something of a gathering of Goddesses as I love sharing my collection of statues with others. For the upcoming April service however, I decided to make the focal point the beautiful piece of artwork that was gifted to The Goddess House by a regular attendee, Tara-Jade.

Adding a beautiful lotus candle that I recently found in my local Asian grocers, surrounded by devotional candles for all those who will be attending on Tuesday night, I cannot wait to see what my creation actually looks like in the subtle hue of the flickering candles.

As we will also be including a special rite in honour of the passing of Merlin Stone, I have added to the altar two statues of the more ancient Goddesses that I have, being what Marija Gimbutas described as a Snake Goddess (left of picture) and and Bird headed Goddess.

Now that the altar has been prepared, all that is left for me to do is to finalise the handouts for the month and decide what passages from Stone's books "When God was a Woman" and "Ancient Mirrors of Womanhood" I will share ....

Prayers to the Goddess

2011-04-01T08:18:00.002+10:30

Throughout time and across the ages there have been recorded various praises, chants and prayers written to the various guises of the Goddess. In the West, those from the Catholic faith will be familiar with the "Hail Mary" prayer ..

"Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with Thee,

Blessed are Thou, Amongst Women,

And Blessed in the Fruit of thy Womb, Jesus;

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners,

Now, and at the hour of our death, Amen."

Within the lands of the East, mantras are used, even today, many directly connected with the Goddess :

Green Tara

to Kali-Ma ... "Om Kreem Kalikaye Namah"

to the Green Tara ... "Om Tāre Tuttāre Ture Svāhā"

There is also the "Four Great Goddess Mantras" which are HRIM, KRIM, HUM, and SHRIM that govern the prime forms of energy as magnetic force, electrical force, heat, and delight. These four mantras can be used together with OM to get an extremely powerful mantra:

OM HRIM KRIM HUM SHRIM!

This brings about an integral development of body, mind and soul in harmony with the Divine or inner Self.

There can also be found numerous sacred writings about the Goddess ...

"Yah Devi sarva bhuteshu,

vishnumayeti shabditaa

Namastasyai, namastasyai,

namastasyai namoh namaha"

(This Goddess, who in all things, exists as the very form of God.

I bow to you, I bow to you, I bow to you, again and again."

- Yah Devi (This Goddess) by Krishna Das, "Pilgrim Heart".

And to Inanna, as recorded in "Inanna: Queen of Heaven and Earth" by Diane Wolkstein ...

Inanna

"Mighty, majestic and radiant,

You shine brilliantly in the evening,

You brighen the day at dawn,

You stand in the heavens like the sun and the moon,

Your wonders are known both above and below,

To the greatness of the Holy Priestess of Heaven,

To you, Inanna, I sing."

All of these can be used in our daily devotions to the Great Mother.

In Honour of Merlin Stone

2011-03-20T18:37:00.003+10:30

"Yet rather than calling the earliest religions, which embraced such an open acceptance of all human sexuality, 'fertility cults', we might consider the religions of today as strange in that they seem to associate shame and even sin with the very process of conceiving new human life. Perhaps centuries from now scholars and historians will be classifying them as 'sterility cults."

- Merlin Stone ("When God was a Woman")

On 23 February 2011, sculptor, professor in art and art history, and feminist author, Merlin Stone, passed away. She was 80 years of age and had been suffering a long illness along with complications due to dementia.

Ms Stone came to the attention of many through her ground breaking work, "When God was a Woman" that was first published in the US in the late 1970s. (This book had been published earlier in the UK under the title of "The Paradise Papers: Suppression of Women's Rites"). Regardless of title, this book described Stone's theory of how the Hebrews suppressed allegedly goddess-based religions practiced in Canaan and how their reaction to what she asserts as being the existing matriarchial and matrilineal societal structures shaped Judaism and, thus, Christianity.

Stone's hypotheses were considered to be radical at the time of the publication of this book for they challenged the accepted views of antiquity, and as such they caused much controversy. This is because Stone spoke clearly and simply to women raised in traditional Judeo-Christian traditions, and made the concept of a female Deity accessible. This book, "When God Was a Woman", had a profound effect on the emerging Goddess culture of the 1970s and 80s.

My introduction to Merlin Stone's work however came via her later book "Ancient Mirrors of Womanhood", published in the 1990s, which contained with the collection of ancient images of women as Goddesses and heroines brings together legends, rituals, and prayers from places such as China, Celtic Europe, South America, Africa, India, North America, Scandinavia, and even Japan. The Goddess was supreme, alive and happening. She was all arounds us, waiting for us to rejoin with her.

On 10 April, another feminist author, Z Budapest, has called for a global remembrance of Merlin Stone. As the next service at The Goddess House will be taking place on Tuesday, 12 April 2011, I have decided that we will honour Ms Stone's work on that evening by the sharing of various parts from her books - The Goddess House will also make these books available to attendees who may not be familiar with her work.

The Goddess House devotional services take place on the second Tuesday evening of each month, fromo 7.30pm to 9.00pm, located at the rear of a private residence in Parafield Gardens, 20 minutes north of Adelaide's CBD. Please contact the Priestess in Residence for more information.

Reflections on Autumn and the Goddess Oya

2011-03-19T12:10:00.000+10:30

In looking for a suitable Goddess associated with the Autumn Equinox and the season of change,

I came across this wonderful piece written by Asha Oshun'Mali that I thought I would share.

Autumn is the season of change. Perhaps, because I was born in this season; is why I find it to be such a powerful one. Autumn brings to my mind, the power of the Goddess Oya. Oya, the Yoruba Goddess of the winds of change, is one of the most powerful orishas of the Yoruba pantheon. In myth, Oya is said to be one of the three wives of the god Shango-the patron of thunder and lightning.

Her sister Oshun, one of Sango’s other wives, is the Goddess of birth, love, creativity, sexuality, and growth, often associated with spring and summer. Oya however, is the sizzling sound you hear just before lightening strikes, (her husband goes no where with out her) the tornado, hurricane and typhoon; and the raging wind-even when no storms are near.

Because the Goddess Oya brings change, she is often associated with the Autumn season. The burgundy, gold, brown, and red leaves of autumn are said to be the skirt she wears when she travels on earth.

Like her number, nine the numerological digit of change, Oya brings ending to things which must transform in order to grow. For women, Oya blends the power of femininity with the power of leadership development and business acumen. She is symbolic of the female politician, female warrior and the marketplace woman.

Oya’s Autumn is the season when women begin to define for themselves who they are. I feel this is this is fitting for women who are entering or in their thirties. It is the thirties that womanhood looses the timidity of the twenties and true female power is claimed.

Oya, while a warrior woman, does not launch an attack against maleness. Instead, Oya symbolizes the ability of a woman to delve deeply within her own internal self to unearth her own true self.

If her sister Oshun is symbolized by the butterfly, Oya symbolizes the call for the caterpillar to enter its cocoon. In this moment of dormancy, serious contemplation leads to realizations of profound truth. The soul moves beyond the realm of outwardly focused ego concerns, into the deeper space of consciousness that build toward expansion and growth. Trivial pursuits are cast away and that which is most important to self development takes precedent over those things which are done simply to please others.

Oya symbolizes also, the power and majesty of high adulthood. Responsibility becomes that not only which must be done, but that which is a joy to do. Oya twist the leaves of life into true purpose and she shows us the hidden meaning and value of our destinies.

Oya also guards the gates of the cemetery. She guards the ancestral realm and thus the continuity of that which was with that which is sure to come. Therefore, like autumn and her number nine, Oya helps us recognize that all things change in preparation for new beginnings.

She also helps us realize, that like the colors of Autumn, change need not be a bad thing. Instead, Oya calls on us to view change as a many splendid season, prime for a colorful array of beauty, grace, and personal growth.

Source: Spiritual Now

Charge of the Autumn Goddess

2011-03-19T11:56:00.001+10:30

I am the Waning Moon, the Goddess who is fading from the land.

In the Springtime I sought my Lord and mated with him beneath the trees and stars.

At Bealtaine I wed my Lord beneath the first blossoms of the hawthorn tree.

And in the Summertime I ripened the apples in the orchards and the fruit grew round and strong like the seed within my womb.

At the corn harvest I cut down my Lord, that by his death our people might be fed.

And now in the Autumn time I descend beneath the Earth

To dwell with my Lord in his dark kingdom until our child is born.

At the Winter Solstice I will bring forth the child and renew your hope

and at Imbolg I myself will return to renew the land.

I leave you, but I return to you ....

Source: "Wicca: Old Religion for a New Age" by Vivianne Crowley

Half-Full Consciousness - Starting from Empty

2011-03-17T14:30:00.001+10:30

We are all familiar with the metaphorical story of two people looking at the same glass and one perceiving it as half-full while the other sees it as half-empty. As much as we’ve heard this, it’s still a valuable exercise to really observe our minds and notice whether we are engaged in half-full or half-empty thinking. People will refer to themselves as being of one type or the other as if it was a permanent characteristic, but we are all capable of shifting into a half-full consciousness if we simply make the effort.

When we look at our lives with half-empty consciousness, we perceive a lack and think that the other half of what we want is missing. We are coming from a position of expectation and entitlement. On the other hand, when we look at our lives as half-full we perceive fullness. It is as if we recognize that our cup could be fully empty and so we are grateful for what we see as bounty—not something we expect or believe we are owed, but a gift. In half-full consciousness, we count our blessings. When we look at our lives we see all the elements that are in place and all the things we do have. This doesn’t necessarily mean we don’t seek more, but we seek from a place of fullness instead of from a place of lack. This fullness draws positive energy into our lives and often attracts more abundance.

If you would like to begin to make the shift into half-full consciousness, try imagining your life as an empty glass. This is your life without all the people you know, the work you do, your home, or your current state of physical wellbeing. This is just an empty, open space waiting to be filled. Once you have that feeling of openness in your mind, begin filling it with all the people, things, and places that make up your life. You may be surprised to find your glass overflowing.

Source: Daily Om

The Need for Self Healing

2011-03-10T18:27:00.001+10:30

At the recent devotional service held at The Goddess House, a small, yet dedicated group of women gathered to attune themselves to the energy of the Divine Feminine. Upon the uprising of the incense smoke,our voices also seemed to soar as we sang a number of the sacred songs that have been written.

Altar with unlit devotional candles

With the theme for the month being that of the upcoming Autumn Equinox, we spoke about the importance of bringing balance into our lives - whether it a balance between work and play, family and sacred "me" time, or even our mundane external lives and that of our spiritual, internal lives ... all of which are as equally important as the other.

Without any forward planning, 8 March was also International Women's Day and it was interesting to reflect back on how much we seem to take for granted these days compared to our fore-mothers only about a century ago. Whilst we may have the right to vote and to work, working women are still, more often than not, being paid less than their male counterparts of a similar position.

Athena and Kali with the
blessing bowl

Also, there is still the lack of affordable, not to mention assessible, childcare available despite various government's promises. Added to this is the increasing cost of living forcing many mothers back to work, some often facing criticism ... and those who don't often find that their decision to be a stay-at-home mother is also criticised ... so it is very much a "dammed if you do and a dammed if you don't" situation ... no wonder the modern woman is so stressed out!!

For these reasons and more, it is increasingly important for women to allow themselves some sacred "me" time. As an old saying goes ...

"Heal thy Self ..."

With women making up the larger percentage of carers and being in the various caring professions (paid or not, skilled or not), it is important that to ensure we are able to properly care about those we love, or those whose care we are responsible for, that we look after No.1 first. For when we feel relaxed and healed, we can then share this with others.

Hathor, Goddess of Women

Women being women however usually tend to put our own selves last - but not at The Goddess House. A sacred space is constructed every month for women to gather to "heal" themselves. For those who are not able to physically attend, just prior to each service, healing requests are taken via our FaceBook page or can be emailed direct to the Priestess in Residence. All requests are then offered up to the Great Goddess near the conclusion of each monthly service. A free service that is open to all and with there being no limit to the number of requests being made, not who for - human, animal, environmental, victims of wars and/or natural disasters.

Women are also encouraged to join with us on the "astral", so to speak. As we meet on the second Tuesday of each month, if you are able to, why create your own sacred devotional service, whether on your own or with a group of female friends. All you need is a candle (for focus) and some sacred "me" time to sit and honour the Great Goddess. Some suggestions as to how you can do this can be found here.

Next month's service will focus on Samhain, and the Goddesses of the Underworld such as the beautiful Persephone.

International Women's Day 2011

2011-03-08T07:47:00.000+10:30

International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on 8 March across the world.

IWD is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women in the past, present and future. It is a day when women are recognised for their achievements, regardless of divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political.

It is an occasion for looking back on past struggles and accomplishments, and more importantly, for looking ahead to the untapped potential and opportunities that await future generations of women.

In 1910, Clara Zetkin, the leader of the Women’s Office for the Social Democratic Party in Germany tabled the idea of an International Women’s Day at the second International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen. The proposal received unanimous assent from over one hundred women representing seventeen countries.

The very first International Women’s day was held the following year on March 19th. Meetings and protests were held across Europe with the largest street demonstration attracting 30,000 women. The day sparked great public debate, and advocates drew attention to the absolute necessity of extending the right to vote to women to make parliament more democratic. In 1913, IWD was transferred to March 8th and has been held on this day ever since.

In 1975, during the UN International Year for Women, the United Nations held its first official celebrations International Women’s Day. Two years later, in December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace to be observed by Member States. In adopting this resolution, the General Assembly recognised the role of women in peace efforts and development and urged an end to discrimination and an increase of support for women’s full and equal participation.

Since those early years, International Women’s Day has assumed a new global dimension for women in developed and developing countries alike. The growing international women’s movement, which has been strengthened by four global United Nation’s women’s conferences, has helped make the commemoration a rallying point to build support for women’s rights and participation in the political and economic arenas. Increasingly, International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.

UN General Assembly adopted a resolution inviting Member States to proclaim a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace – International Women’s Day – to be observed on any day of the year in accordance with their historical and national traditions. Since then, the United Nations Organisation has observed March 8th as International Women’s Day. The purpose of this day is to recognise the fact that securing peace and social progress and the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms require the active participation, equality and development of women; and to acknowledge the contribution of women to strengthening international peace and security.

For the women of the world, the symbolism of International Women’s Day has a wider meaning. It is an occasion to review how far women have come in their struggle for equality, peace and development. It is also an opportunity to unite, network and mobilise for meaningful change.

Source: International Women's Day

March Devotional Service at The Goddess House

2011-03-06T09:16:00.004+10:30

March, the month considered to have been named after the Roman God of War, Mars, who was also associated with conquest and heroism. However, an earlier version of Mars seems to indicate that he was in fact Deity associated with fertility and agricultural Deity. This means that Mars, along with other Deities such as Ceres and Cybele, oversaw the new growth of Spring, and encouraged the continuation of life (fertility, sex, procreation in human, plant and animal realms).

March, at The Goddess House, contains the Autumn Equinox and it is this Sabbat that will form the theme of the next devotional service that will be taking place on 8 March.

The Equinoxes are times when the hours of darkness and light are equal .. and it is this concept of balance, of equilibrium that will form the basis of the March devotional service at The Goddess House.

One of the more Goddesses to work with in relation to balane and equilibrium is the Egyptian Goddess of the Scales Herself - Ma'at. Also considered to be a personification of the concepts of "truth", "justice" and "right action", She was the Goddess of the physical and moral law of Egypt, of order and truth.

Ma'at was depicted in the form of a woman wearing her symbol which is the “Shu” or ostrich feather. The feather implies air and the breath of life, implicate in the terms found in ancient Egyptian text, like “breathing in Ma’at”.

Another symbol of Ma’at is the primeval mound upon which the Creator God is said to have stood at the beginning of time. It was from this mound that when the world was created and chaos was eliminated so that the principles of Ma'at were set in place. The Egyptians believed that if the pharaoh ever failed to live by and maintain Ma’at that chaos would return to Egypt and that the world would be destroyed. The success of the pharoah’s reign would be measured by how well he did this.

Scenes depicted in the “Book of the Dead” show the judgement of the deceased within the “Great Hall of the Two Truths”. Here Anubis, the Guardian of the Duat (the Egyptian Underworld) would lead the deceased to have their heart weighed against Ma’at feather. If the heart of the deceased are as "light as a feather", they were granted eternal life in the Duat as the near-weightlessness of their heart indicated that their souls were not burdened with was and evil. If their heart however did not "measure up", the soul of the deceased would be consumed by the Goddess Ammit.

Ma’at embodied the concepts of truth, justice and cosmic order. She was mentioned in the “Pyramid Texts” as standing behind Ra, implying that she is the source of his power, determining the course his boat took across the sky each day. In this context, she is described as giving delight to Ra and giving “life to his nostrils” (reiterating the importance of breath).

The Goddess House is located only 20 minutes north of Adelaide's CBD, at the rear of a private residence. If you are interested in attending our March devotional service, please contact the Priestess in Residence for details or visit the above page on devotional services.

Autumn and the Goddess

2011-02-20T11:07:00.000+10:30

Autumn is the secret time, for it is the twilight of seasons when we are caught between life and death. The turning of the wheel takes us down into the centre of women power. If compared to a woman’s moon cycle, Autumn is the Waning Moon, the time of bleeding, of the womb, of the blood mysteries.

It is the time of intense colour, the turning of leaf colours, the shedding and releasing. All life surrenders, leaving behind the stillness of action, and prepares to enter the silence, the season of death.

The journey into darkness becomes an intensive time. As power woman walks her path, she must be willing to release the extra baggage from her life and open to the changes that are smouldering just beneath the surface. Being within her power and yet available to others is the balancing of Temperance. It is the wisdom of the Crone that teaches us how to endure and pass through the season of release most effectively and make peace with the Death while welcoming Change.

Women often refer to this current age as “the time of Kali”. Because of this claim, people are calling up Kali (one of the most extreme aspects of the Crone) to aid them. Women are instructed to call upon Her violence and destruction, beg for her protection against the recumbent male of ignorance, seclusion, and oppression. Women are told it is okay to call in the most raw destructive force and use it against life! This is ignorance, for a woman who chooses to evoke Kali into the Earth’s plane in such a hostile manner has not learned the lesson of healing herself, finding her balance within, taking back her power and spreading the knowledge and wisdom of the Goddess. Rather, the women who choose to evoke Kali in such a hostile way are lost in their own rage. These women are still giving away their power; they are still giving away the management of their lives to their patriarchy.

If we call up the mighty Crone for her destructive power, then we must be willing to accept the mighty consequences of using negativity. The healed woman, the whole woman, the power woman, knows that it is the wisdom of the Crone that must be used. The Temperance of finding the perfect knowledge in which to use the wisdom in order to gain the utopia women have known is possible to have here on Earth. It is this wisdom and balance that will bring the darkness and the light back into balance, female and male into balance.

The world does not want an angry Goddess on their hands. Look how long we have revolted against the angry God of the patriarchal. We are doing the same thing they did. We are striving for domination through the power of the Crone aspect of the Goddess. We are so out of control in our rage, so swept away by our selfishness, that we want to risk losing utopia.

Find the love, the life, the heart of what all this is about. It is the nuclear family we have been working towards. Women, our power, our wisdom, our insight, our knowledge, our love, our heart is what is the shift of this new age into being. Not fighting. No being better than or more powerful than the male. And definitely not using the Goddess against mankind. She will retreat from us if we continue to manifest Her in this way. Can’t you hear her crying? Can’t you hear her whispering to us, asking us not to be so ignorant, to stop being daughters of men and begin being Her?

If, during the season of the Crone, we take the time to journey deep within our psyches, She will bring us face to face with anger and rage. She will shed her waning light upon it and teach us how to release it and absolve it into darkness. The Crone gives us the wisdom to understand and teaches us to know.

We must approach this master out of extreme respect. We must be willing to look back at the aged and see the worth in their eyes, their lives and seek to understand the experiences they have had, for in understanding the experience we gain knowledge of what not to repeat, or what can be changed to make it better.

All answers lie within. This is the season of release, of travelling deep in our being that we may find Pandora’s Box and open it. We will find that amid the waning light, the decay, the changing, there is substance, power and enlightenment. It is during the time of release, the time of introspection when active energy is slowing down, that we have the opportunity to seek interior recesses of life. The power woman knows that this is where the key to all lies buried, and so rejoices in the waning and finds release.

Source: "The Gaia Tradition: Celebrating the Earth in Her Seasons" by Kisna Stepanich

Sacred Symbols of the Goddess - the Labrys

2011-02-20T10:47:00.001+10:30

The Labyrs, Sagarus, Halbryce, and Labyris are all names for symmetrical double-headed axe that was known to the Classical Greeks as “pelekus”, and whilst a version is still used in woodcutting and forestry today, the symbolism of the labyrs axe dates back to the early Goddess civilizations found around the Mediterranean.

In ancient Minoan, Thracian and Greek religion, mythology, and art, dating from the Middle Bronze Age (3,000 to 600 BCE) onwards, and surviving in the Byzantine Empire, the labyrs can be found, as well as in specific African religions, such as Shango, where it also contains an element of religious symbolism.

The term, and the symbol, is most closely associated in historical records with the Minoan civilization, which reached its peak in the 2^nd millennium BCE, and specifically with the worship of a Goddess. Some Minoan labrys have been found which are taller than a human, over six metres tall, and have been thought to may have been used during sacrifices, that of bulls which were also considered to be sacred the Goddess.

The labrys symbol has been found widely in the Bronze Age aarchaeological recovery at the Palace of Knossos on the island of Crete. According to archaeological finds oh the island, this double-axe was used specifically by Minoan priestesses for ceremonial uses. Of all the Minoan religious symbols, the axe was the holiest. To find such an axe in the hands of a Minoan woman would suggest strongly that she held a powerful position within the Minoan culture.

The labyrs was the sacred axe of the ancient Minoan Goddess, a symbol of authority, as well as that of sacred transformation with the double axe head being thought to represent a butterfly.

Women today, especially those who are not afraid of expressin their own opinion regardless of whether it coincides with the whims of others are often been referred to rudely, as "old battle-axes". When the above information about the sacred labrys is taken in to consideration, this alleged "insult" actually could imply something completely different - an aspect of "cultural memory" as Abby Willowroot points out.

Oh Great Goddess, Mother of All
May I shed the past like the Snake
Revealing a sacred transformation

Oh Great Goddess, Mother of All
May the life force of the Bull
Give me strength and courage

Oh Great Goddess, Mother of All
May the spirit of your sacred Dove
Sharpen my insight and vision

Oh Great Goddess, Mother of All
May I live in harmony your Earth
Remembering to honour all life

Oh Great Goddess, Mother of All
May I be strong as the Amazons
Pure in purpose, vision and loyalty

Oh Great Goddess, Mother of All
May I be wise as your Priestesses
Honouring each cycle of the Moon.

(by Abby Willowroot)

Sources: Wikipedia and Spiral Goddess

Aphrodite - the Greek Goddess of the Heart

2011-02-10T13:35:00.001+10:30

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, the Greek Goddess of love, beauty and sexuality seems to be everywhere. Together with her Roman equilvant, Venus, images of hearts and the brilliant red rose are abound.

Historically, the worship of Aphrodite in Greece was imported from, or at least influenced by, the Phoenicia cult of Astarte. According to Hesiod's "Theogony", Aphrodite was born when Cronos cut of the genitals of his father, Uranus, and threw them into the ocean. From the foam of the waves emerged the beautiful Aphrodite.

Her great beauty caused an element of fear amongst the Greek Olympian Gods in that the other Goddesses would become jealous of her, so Zeus married Aphrodite off to Hephaestus, the lame God. This marriage of convenience did not prevent the beautiful Goddess from taking other lovers, including the God of War, Ares, as well as mortal men such as Anchises. Aphrodite also became instrumental in the "Eros and Psyche" legend, and later was both the lover as well as the mother of Adonis. Many lesser beings were said to be children of Aphrodite.

Aphrodite is also known as "Cytherea" (Lady of Cythera) and "Cypris" (Lady of Cyprus) after the two sites which claimed to be the place of her birth.

Sacred to Aphrodite are myrtle trees, doves and sparrows, horses and swans.

Source:Wikipedia

Devotional Services about to commence

2011-02-01T19:16:00.002+10:30

After a number of months of preparation, the recommencement of devotional services to the Great Goddess held at The Goddess House is fast approaching ... next Tuesday evening as a matter of fact.

Rarely do we, especially women, allow time for ourselves, and even less time for our own spirituality. More often than not we are caught up doing spiritual work for someone else, in ways which may not necessary hold any real connection to us. Or when we find that we do have time on our hands, the problem arises as to where to start ... These devotional services that are be held at The Goddess House are aimed to provide a solution to that.

Allowing women to take an hour and a half out for themselves once per month is not a lot to ask for. In providing a friendly and supportive venue, it is my aim as Priestess in Residence to help those women who attend these services to connect with the Great Goddess, the Divine Feminine, through whatever guise or aspect that they feel comfortable.

Throughout history, the Divine Feminine was been known by numerous names, spanning the diversity of human spiritual and religious beliefs, from the known to the unknown and forgotten, from the real to the abstract. When today in the fast paced 21st century, She is around us, with us, and even worshipped within various cultures. This means that the whole concept of the Divine Feminine, the Great Goddess, cannot simply be dismissed as some romantic notion of a distant age .. She is very real today as She has always been.

Regardless of background, spiritual or religious persuasion, if you feel the call to honour the Great Goddess through the sacred act of a devotional service, then you are welcome to attend at The Goddess House on the second Tuesday evening of each month were such services, together with a healing circle and the sharing of sacred Goddess lore will be undertaken.

Please contact the Priestess in Residence for more information.

Aquarius New Moon: Vessels for Living Water

2011-02-01T18:57:00.000+10:30

by Jean Hinson Lall

The New Moon occurs on 3 February (1:01pm here in Adelaide, South Australia) and will occur in the sign of Aquarius, the third and last of the Air signs in the Zodiac, which is often thought to represent the highest development of the intellect – dry, cool, remote, impersonal and objective. Its image, however, is not that of the tweedy scholar lugging a briefcase or a white-coated scientist loading data into a laptop, but that of a lightly-clad human figure carrying vessels of water from which the contents are being poured forth.

What is this water? According to ancient philosophy Water is one of the four Elements, or ‘roots,’ from which everything is compounded. In many creation narratives water is the primordial substance, the first matter from which all else proceeds. It is mother, nourishment, the process of growth, the joy and juice of life. It cleanses and purifies, mediates renewal and rebirth, confers blessing and sanctification. And at the end of life it receives us into itself again. Water is the principle of flow, the possibility for things to find their proper level, to adapt and to yield.

Astrologically, Water is often interpreted in personal terms as emotion, feeling, desire, attachment, compassion and sacrifice; and indeed the Water signs do describe and mediate emotional development. At another level, though, Water is connected with Wisdom and with the joy of being in the presence of God. This duality in the meaning of Water is reflected in the notion (found in several cultural traditions) that there are both Higher and Lower Waters.

Physical water, an essential part of our own bodily makeup, is found in rivers, streams, lakes, oceans, wells and springs, and descends as rain from above. Spiritual water, an equally vital part of our nature, is replenished through prayer and study, music and art, contemplation and pilgrimage, devotion and ritual, celebration and divination. Like rain, it comes to us as a gift from above, in the form of visions, teachings, inspiration, clarity of understanding, healing and renewal, mystical union with the divine and communion with our fellow creatures. The soul’s thirst for God can be quenched only by the "living waters" that flow from the divine source.

Whatever intellectual, political, artistic or community work we are engaged in, now is the time astrologically to realize more fully the spiritual purpose that lies at the heart of that endeavor and the source from which it springs. Rather than having to be laboriously extracted, calculated or figured out, this understanding should pour forth into the receptive mind and soul like a stream of living water.

Lughnasadh/Lammas blessings ...

2011-01-31T21:15:00.000+10:30

Feel Me now as Bountiful Mother
I am fertility and creativity.
I am the abundance of the harvest.
I am the abundance of life.
I create and nurture all being.
My golden cloak is the ripening grain.
Pause a moment whenever you eat
Feel My presence
I am your nurturing Mother.

Source: Wendy Andrews

Anahita - Ancient Persian Goddess

2011-01-29T12:22:00.000+10:30

Here at The Goddess House we honour all aspects of the Divine Feminine, the Great Mother, and today I am delighted to announced that we took delivery of a representation of Anahita, an ancient Persian Goddess who was associated with water, fertility and war, as well as being the patroness of women.

With her name meaning "the immaculate one", Anahita was often portrayed as a virgin (not belonging by any man), wearing a golden cloak and a diamond tiara. She was also know as Lady of the Lions, or Lady of the Beasts, she is associated with rivers and lakes, the waters of birth, and as such was also depicted carrying a water pitcher.

Animals considered sacred to Anahita were the dove and the peacock.

When, in about the 6th century BCE, Persia conquered Babylonia, Anahita started to show similarities with the Babylonian Goddess Ishtar, who was also a virgin warrior Goddess. During the reign of Persian king Artaxerxes (436-358 BCE) many temples were erected in the honour of Anahita; in Soesa, Ecbatana, and in Babylon.

In 2005 archaeologists underearthed a small statue in the Czechoslovakian town of Mlada Boleslav, which they believed to depict the ancient Persian fertility goddess Anahita. The statuette, which originally served as a seal, is made of white gypsum and portrays a kneeling woman dressed in a green cloak and wearing a gold chain. Further, what you see under her skirt, so to speak, is very explicit. All those features suggest that it is a rendering of the ancient Persian goddess of water and fertility, and patroness of women, Anahita. It is believed to have been made in Iran in the 4th or 5th century CE at the time of the Sasanian dynasty. Archaeologist Petr Charvat indicated:

"The object was brought to this country from Iran most probably via the countries around the Black Sea sometime in the 5th century by a high-ranking officer of the Roman or Byzantine army who could have been of Iranian descent."

The following poem is based on a Persian folk song, from an Avestan (from eastern Iran) Invocation to Anahita:

Mighty Anahita with splendor will shine,
Incarnated as a youthful divine.
Full of charm her beauty she will display,
Her hip with charming belt she will array.
Straight-figured, she is as noble bride,
Freeborn, herself in puckered dress will hide.
Her cloak is all decorated with gold,
With precious dress Anahita we shall behold.

The Goddess House

Goddess and the Garden at Autumn

The Eleusinian Mysteries

Autumn and the Goddess

Sacred Painting

Soft Moon Shining

Goddess of Autumn

Shedding Light on Ourselves

Embracing Your Muse

Invocation to Sekhmet

Messengers from the Wilderness

Invocation to Bast

Bast - a Solar and Lunar Goddess

Sopdet - The Goddess of the New Year

Yemaya Blessing of the Waters

Summer and the Mother Goddess

Nearing the end of the Year

Goddess Prayer Beads

Celtic Warrior Goddesses

October Devotional Service - Warrior Goddesses

September Devotional Service - Tara

Spring Equinox, Eggs and Seeds

Prayer to the Goddess

The Green Tara

Hekate - The Goddess of the Crossroads

Early Spring by Alfred Lord Tennyson

Imbolc in the Southern Hemisphere

Please Call me by my True Names

In Honour of Kuan Yin

Invocation to the Goddess

Wild Grief

The Lost Goddess of Israel

Winter and the Time of the Death Hag

Honouring Some Amazing Women

Call and Response with the Gemini New Moon

A Day with Dark Goddesses

I walk with the Goddess

Tanit - the Great Goddess of Carthage

Blood Mysteries

Prayer of Becoming

Breathing in the Goddess

In Silent Contemplation

Prayers to the Goddess

In Honour of Merlin Stone

Reflections on Autumn and the Goddess Oya

Charge of the Autumn Goddess

Half-Full Consciousness - Starting from Empty

The Need for Self Healing

International Women's Day 2011

March Devotional Service at The Goddess House

Autumn and the Goddess

Sacred Symbols of the Goddess - the Labrys

Oh Great Goddess, Mother of AllMay I shed the past like the SnakeRevealing a sacred transformation

Oh Great Goddess, Mother of AllMay the life force of the BullGive me strength and courage

Oh Great Goddess, Mother of AllMay the spirit of your sacred DoveSharpen my insight and vision

Oh Great Goddess, Mother of AllMay I live in harmony your EarthRemembering to honour all life

Oh Great Goddess, Mother of AllMay I be strong as the AmazonsPure in purpose, vision and loyalty

Oh Great Goddess, Mother of AllMay I be wise as your PriestessesHonouring each cycle of the Moon.

(by Abby Willowroot)

Aphrodite - the Greek Goddess of the Heart

Devotional Services about to commence

Aquarius New Moon: Vessels for Living Water

by Jean Hinson Lall

Lughnasadh/Lammas blessings ...

Anahita - Ancient Persian Goddess

Oh Great Goddess, Mother of All
May I shed the past like the Snake
Revealing a sacred transformation

Oh Great Goddess, Mother of All
May the life force of the Bull
Give me strength and courage

Oh Great Goddess, Mother of All
May the spirit of your sacred Dove
Sharpen my insight and vision

Oh Great Goddess, Mother of All
May I live in harmony your Earth
Remembering to honour all life

Oh Great Goddess, Mother of All
May I be strong as the Amazons
Pure in purpose, vision and loyalty

Oh Great Goddess, Mother of All
May I be wise as your Priestesses
Honouring each cycle of the Moon.