tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47456482352157181252024-03-07T10:39:06.590-05:00Pagans and goddessesHere we talk about the feminine divine and earth-centered spirituality.Barbara Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351113054045427775noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4745648235215718125.post-40357349864317741402023-11-17T19:07:00.003-05:002023-11-17T19:07:59.547-05:00Comparison god to goddess.<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">¨Visual images of the Goddesses stand in stark contrast to the image of God as an old white man, jarring us to question our culture's view that all legitimate power is male and that female power is dangerous and evil. The image of the naked Eve brazenly taking the apple from the serpent, then cowering in shame before a wrathful male God, tells us not only that female will is the source of all the evil in the universe, but also that the naked female body is part of the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">problem. This image communicates to the deep mind the message that female will and female nakedness must be controlled and punished by male authority. In contrast, the Goddesses show us that the female can be symbolic of all that is creative and powerful in the universe. The simplest and most profound meaning of the image of the Goddess is the legitimacy and goodness of female power, the female body, and female will.¨-Carol P. Christ, Rebirth of the Goddess</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6st6gSR9T-bXN3Juv1WwO6c6DQK6GeaxqEioLhI2jSf6Fz26I37opq5n28MB_yt8zLBKxbiHnWl5g_0Q-fkcsQ_Tt6zcsCF6XO4Ms2UH4RQj7dnldVbA-8NaF0tIB_pWOGNk7CK8zrxPU5HrcsLMemyKV4lKpujfsqxb462ZNSr46zkxSefAdblRi_sXP/s640/Kat%20Shaw%20Artist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6st6gSR9T-bXN3Juv1WwO6c6DQK6GeaxqEioLhI2jSf6Fz26I37opq5n28MB_yt8zLBKxbiHnWl5g_0Q-fkcsQ_Tt6zcsCF6XO4Ms2UH4RQj7dnldVbA-8NaF0tIB_pWOGNk7CK8zrxPU5HrcsLMemyKV4lKpujfsqxb462ZNSr46zkxSefAdblRi_sXP/s320/Kat%20Shaw%20Artist.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><p></p>Barbara Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351113054045427775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4745648235215718125.post-85133555441640062882015-01-30T14:51:00.002-05:002015-01-30T14:51:24.249-05:00Moving along my path...I'm not going to keep posting here about goddesses and pagans. It didn't seem to bring that much new information, and I preferred reading to posting.<br />
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So I'm still available on my other 3 blogs:<br />
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<a href="http://blackmtnbarb.blogspot.com/">Alchemy of Clay - about my pottery life</a><br />
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<a href="http://blackmountainbarb.blogspot.com/">Living in Black Mountain NC - mainly photos</a><br />
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<a href="http://boardwalkbarb.blogspot.com/">When I Was 69 - Personal Archives</a>Barbara Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351113054045427775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4745648235215718125.post-76721851989993516252015-01-26T11:44:00.001-05:002015-01-26T11:44:28.171-05:00Sick as a dog...just sayingSo glad I'm not sick as a cat. Who knows what that would be like.<br />
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And I'm grateful for friends who have sent healing energies my way. I have to laugh at one friend who says she wants me to have such good healing that I'll feel better than I did before I got sick. <br />
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I don't post that much about my ailments...which seem to come on more and more often with the years. So perhaps I do post a lot about them. But, tee hee, there's still the delete button.<br />
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Do you journal? I have for years...though there are big gaps. And do you happen to use any divination aids? Divine guidance through cards, pendulums, books, or whatever?<br /><br />I do Tarot cards. They give me insights into what my psyche is needing to hear about...or as Jung would say, my unconscious is talking to my conscious personality. Whatever. These little ideas that are flung out on the table relate to me enough that I can remember them throughout the day or week...and perhaps guide my actions accordingly. I don't believe they tell the future. I often don't even have a question to pose to the cards. I just like having a different view of things pointed out to me.<br />
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So while I'm recuperating, I'll probably have a chance to do a spread. I use the Motherpeace deck, and use the Celtic spread...at least I think that's what it's called. If I'm in a rush, I sometimes just do one card for each direction.<br />
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<br />Barbara Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351113054045427775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4745648235215718125.post-24800709400970888142015-01-20T10:49:00.004-05:002015-01-20T10:49:59.716-05:00Some thoughts with Byron's helpI seem to end up posting links here, more than sharing astute wisdom of my own. Mmmm.<br />
Well, wisdom flows like a river, and the internet has become one of links between us.<br />
Here's <a href="https://myvillagewitch.wordpress.com/2015/01/20/imbolc-is-coming/">H.Byron Ballard's recent post about Imbolc</a>. More on Imbolc will be here soon. From me. I promise.Barbara Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351113054045427775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4745648235215718125.post-53636008975339710892015-01-17T12:02:00.000-05:002015-01-17T12:02:00.155-05:00Divine feminine poetryPoetry by divine feminine friends...<br />
<a href="http://www.goddess-pages.co.uk/index.php/home/item/719-susa-silvermarie-poems">Susa Silvermarie</a><br />
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Yes, you can click and go to the site. It's a divine thing to do!<br />
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<a href="http://www.goddess-pages.co.uk/index.php/home/item/727-grandmother-in-october">Annelinde Metzner </a><br />
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<a href="http://www.goddess-pages.co.uk/">Goddess Pages</a> is an excellent resource from the UK.<br />
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And <a href="http://annelindesworld.blogspot.com/">here's Linda's blog link</a>, where she posts a poem of hers weekly. Barbara Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351113054045427775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4745648235215718125.post-49491707651948262262015-01-15T11:22:00.003-05:002015-01-15T11:22:51.707-05:00Osun celebrationA PBS show about Osun, one of a series about various religious rituals...is available on PBS.org until Jan 28.<br />
<a href="http://video.pbs.org/video/2365384458/">http://video.pbs.org/video/2365384458/</a><br />
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Watch this one to learn about Osun, (say Oshune) the goddess of the waters, from the Yoruba people of Nigeria. <br />
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And go to Nigeria with Americans who are to be initiated as Priestesses and attend the annual Osun festival. If you don't have time to watch the whole 55 minutes, you'll miss some snippets of how a goddess religion has endured, traveled, and adapted.<br />
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I have friends in Asheville, NC who celebrate Osun and have rituals by the waters in our North Carolina mountains...but they didn't get into this movie. I'll post some pictures of our rituals though soon.<br />
<br />Barbara Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351113054045427775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4745648235215718125.post-13078014053073194302015-01-11T15:59:00.001-05:002015-01-11T15:59:07.384-05:00Goddess shows up everywhere<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIfAfJ0rRNp_lmfje95IK56XtzWGKy4_QrP8lCYDdS-pbaEhQIlpUE_BUEhdrNhR9bu02zQMFe43LRAlh9AgAMIz1gs6MGAkCDfL96d5cm7ynQim4skKmfqH0LPGuM7t-zohLK6VfCPLB/s1600/We'Moon+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIfAfJ0rRNp_lmfje95IK56XtzWGKy4_QrP8lCYDdS-pbaEhQIlpUE_BUEhdrNhR9bu02zQMFe43LRAlh9AgAMIz1gs6MGAkCDfL96d5cm7ynQim4skKmfqH0LPGuM7t-zohLK6VfCPLB/s1600/We'Moon%2B2015.jpg" height="320" width="217" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calendar, both as wall style and a spiral bound version, with my friend's poetry included!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEORPcKtUncU9T93mfcFb9IQuGjCqi4g1IJFdn5t-CjL9EIIwBzCecM4MrNgXZA5SiihjnEXMJAeIofb1A2vOQyuzXUHxoskDac6TVUORrnN5gBZ4cKYJK6znn7EHpby-nKIxtDPgm-2VS/s1600/Phoenician+carving+dating+to+the+7th+century+BCE,+found+in+Italy..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEORPcKtUncU9T93mfcFb9IQuGjCqi4g1IJFdn5t-CjL9EIIwBzCecM4MrNgXZA5SiihjnEXMJAeIofb1A2vOQyuzXUHxoskDac6TVUORrnN5gBZ4cKYJK6znn7EHpby-nKIxtDPgm-2VS/s1600/Phoenician+carving+dating+to+the+7th+century+BCE,+found+in+Italy..jpg" height="416" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phoenician carving dating to the 7th century BCE, found in Italy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKRtGnOv5hAvYWQc8J1IaAfjhwRI-YGJC3WZNJPaA79rE6mM1zM5oyvXSiSxemWxl5iPlNQ46FO3uQ1J4Dle5mYL6jeGbcXUvnkWI9YHb5_417GtDe24RVMRJ_RS9B3ZPf7kZ_ymssJUN/s1600/Dextra+Quotskuyva,+Hopi+potter,++sipapu+symbol+.the+womb+of+Mother+Earth+.emergence+of+beings+from+the+underworld.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKRtGnOv5hAvYWQc8J1IaAfjhwRI-YGJC3WZNJPaA79rE6mM1zM5oyvXSiSxemWxl5iPlNQ46FO3uQ1J4Dle5mYL6jeGbcXUvnkWI9YHb5_417GtDe24RVMRJ_RS9B3ZPf7kZ_ymssJUN/s1600/Dextra+Quotskuyva,+Hopi+potter,++sipapu+symbol+.the+womb+of+Mother+Earth+.emergence+of+beings+from+the+underworld.jpg" height="640" width="606" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dextra Quotskuyva, Hopi potter, sipapu symbol .the womb of Mother Earth, emergence of beings from the underworld</td></tr>
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<br />Barbara Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351113054045427775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4745648235215718125.post-6055129115003685982015-01-08T13:09:00.001-05:002015-01-08T13:09:10.455-05:00discussion on pagansI get a newsletter which included this link today. An interesting, and very intellectual discussion about paganism.<br />
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<a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/allergicpagan/2015/01/05/an-atheist-pagan-an-animist-and-a-devotional-polytheist-walk-into-a-ritual/?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Pagan%2001%2008%2015%20%281%29&utm_content=&spMailingID=47772859&spUserID=MTAxODYyNzY0NDc0S0&spJobID=601204150&spReportId=NjAxMjA0MTUwS0">Pagans</a>Barbara Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351113054045427775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4745648235215718125.post-80316704776398059372015-01-02T09:32:00.000-05:002015-01-02T09:32:49.219-05:00She's there inside you all the timeI've perhaps gone over the edge...or maybe my being connected to the Goddess as immanent, as a being with many names but totally inside me all the time, means I don't have this need to connect outside myself as much.<br />
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Yes I still need other people...but not for my spiritual path.<br />
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Awareness, as Buddhists say...just to tune into what is already there. So there's a sense of completeness.<br />
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I didn't feel any of the New Year's push. Certainly not to celebrate one night out of 365. <br />
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I have no sense that waking up yesterday I should look at anything differently, or strive in some way to change either myself or my environment.<br />
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When asked if I had intentions, I kind of mumbled. Nope. I may think up a word that will stand for my direction of my path, but for now I just am walking it. My life continues...seemlessly. <br />
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I have come to terms with the anxieties of changes that are inevitible in my life. When my needs change, then things must also change. Yes it takes effort to settle with what will be most comfortable for me. And that's just the mental/spiritual preparations. The actual work of making changes in my life are still out there. Many hours ahead will require my attention, but I think I'm about ready to move in the direction that is required.<br />
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I've recently witnessed an iPhone that just died. After many hours on one day to get it fixed, there was no resolution. A busy family member spent those hours away from the joys of the season talking to strangers on another phone...and he had a whole week without receiving any phone calls. It would still text and do email but no phone functions. We are servants at times to our gadgets...and I've done the same kind of routine myself...grudgingly, with phones and computers. These are our devices to serve us, but they can sometimes be demanding. <br />
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I remind myself to look within for the spark of love, life, and the connection to my Higher Spirit. She is always there, waiting for me to notice her.<br />
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No matter the spiritual practices that I've been around lately, the talk is always of the Source of spirituality coming from outside ourselves.<br />
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Please stop and listen to the inner Guide, that part of yourself which proves that She exists as much in you as She does in me. I think all religions are based on removing that spark of divinity and placing Her on an altar. It's fine to have external reminders, but we really only need to sit in silence to reconnect with what is always there...a divinity which each of us has inside us, our connection to Source.<br />
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Unfortunately she lets cell phones and computers continue to have their own problems. But it all works out eventually.Barbara Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351113054045427775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4745648235215718125.post-52820531911293024512014-12-24T12:14:00.000-05:002014-12-24T12:14:35.339-05:00The Gift of LoveHappy Christmas Eve to everyone. <br />
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If you celebrate Christmas then I wish tomorrow to bring you lots of blessings. I kind of do, celebrate it, because it's the tradition in which I was raised. Family traditions are hard to phase out.<br />
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And I am in the midst of a Christian family for this holiday, so am being smothered in all the things that that entails. I have no trouble meeting them on praise for Jesus, who was a wonderful loving "enlightened" teacher...with some really wise ideas which have become part of our society for a couple of thousand years. That speaks pretty highly of his message.<br />
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I think that many enlightened teachers have offered us similar messages over time. And when I see a picture of Christ smiling in benevolence, or Quan Yin, or the Buddha, or Meher Baba, or many other enlightened ones, I realize how their love is the message that this season is truly promoting. It's not the gift of things, but the gift of love we can offer to each other.Barbara Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351113054045427775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4745648235215718125.post-83514209693441702652014-12-20T02:00:00.000-05:002014-12-20T02:00:04.601-05:00Science and sprituality of Solstice<br />
There's the scientific part of it.<br />
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<b>December Solstice in Asheville, North Carolina, U.S.A. is on</b><br />
<span class="big">Sunday, December 21, 2014 at 6:03 PM EST</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8AxDbPJydh07yIpi8JYhFT6vClPiO4VEzmVygQZ63CiFLaNEC39MMxfV67QBoOnBGcaybwufYWBJQ8UAC-X_1nVu8J8KIrme9fly1WeZKxCMhl9uZ1l0o2t6vtP5sBddT0VCQjRkcWJE/s1600/DSCN6132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8AxDbPJydh07yIpi8JYhFT6vClPiO4VEzmVygQZ63CiFLaNEC39MMxfV67QBoOnBGcaybwufYWBJQ8UAC-X_1nVu8J8KIrme9fly1WeZKxCMhl9uZ1l0o2t6vtP5sBddT0VCQjRkcWJE/s1600/DSCN6132.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 pm shadows cast northerly on 12/19/14</td></tr>
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<span class="big">Then there's the spiritual part of it.</span><br />
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<span class="big">Our whole planet will stop tilting completely for that moment in time, though fortunately it keeps spinning.</span><br />
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<span class="big">I ask you to observe that moment as a stopping time place for yourself as well.</span><br />
<span class="big">You could stand at attention...lie down, sit in meditation...just something different. Salutations of some kind are due.</span><br />
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<span class="big">See what happens. What is your experience?</span><br />
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<span class="big">I have often marked on a wall or floor where I live, the point that is the furthest the sun reaches on that day, at that time...as it's at its furthest declination to the earth. It returns yearly to that same point on the floor...if I calculate the time right.</span><br />
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<span class="big">Just think of Newgrange and Stonehenge...yep. Those astronomers knew how to calculate the time just fine. Salutations to our wise ancestors. </span> Barbara Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351113054045427775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4745648235215718125.post-55071639138891717922014-12-18T01:00:00.000-05:002014-12-18T01:00:04.811-05:00Contemplation for SolsticeLast year, before setting aside my spiritual interests into this blog, I posted on my "personal blog" about the Winter Solstice <a href="http://boardwalkbarb.blogspot.com/2013/12/celtic-symbols.html">HERE, as well as Newgrange Ireland.</a><br />
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I want to add just a bit more about the triple spirals, which I've copied into a finger labyrinth, a form which is in clay ready to be "walked" with one's fingers, or a pencil or toothpick, around the path of 3 spirals. I've only created a few of these in permanent ceramic shapes, which serve interestingly as trivets or coasters when not in more spiritual use!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQMdnWZKDpkQQTiP-yri7_eF4daRoKG937qYwh5YADQpB2gCYBDV_KmncXcRuw_LmUP1whTBUnqiylg04u4WrKcKNqo95jia9zu-mfjiQagSP1g5qKegxYURK81MJuWiNW7LtpYp6dCP2/s1600/IMG_7304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQMdnWZKDpkQQTiP-yri7_eF4daRoKG937qYwh5YADQpB2gCYBDV_KmncXcRuw_LmUP1whTBUnqiylg04u4WrKcKNqo95jia9zu-mfjiQagSP1g5qKegxYURK81MJuWiNW7LtpYp6dCP2/s1600/IMG_7304.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
The other labyrinths are the design used in the Chartres Cathedral in France...which also can be meditative as you travel it with a small implement between the grooves.<br />
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How do these meditations work? Like all meditations, be sure to set aside some time in which you won't be interrupted.<br />
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One popular way is to have a question in mind when starting...or perhaps an intention. Whenever you meet a turning place, where you have to stop from advancing in the direction you are going, remember that question or intention. Then move on slowly to the next turning. By the time you've turned all those directions, even with just a pencil or toothpick, you've repeated your question/intention many times. Stop at the center. Reflect. Do you know more than when you began? Have you a change to consider? Spend this time wisely, and don't hurry back out. As you move back from center to the outside, again take a moment at each turning.<br />
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If you are like me, you may have many ideas that you didn't have to start with. You may want to repeat these at the turns, so as to remember them. When you finish the labyrinth, you indeed will have traveled to another place with your spirit. Take time in quietness to record what you experienced.<br />
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And munch on something that gives energy, either protein like nuts, or sweets like chocolate, because the body has been serving the higher good of your spirit for the last little while, even if just by sitting and concentrating, rather than walking a full size labyrinth.<br />
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I have no idea if the original creators of the triple spiral had this in mind, but it's become a ritual that I find very fulfilling. What else do you think it might mean? <br />
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<br />Barbara Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351113054045427775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4745648235215718125.post-47989243733845957552014-12-16T09:43:00.000-05:002014-12-16T09:43:00.802-05:00On my listCome over and check out this lovely post that is a book review, but oh my, what a book.<br />
Click here for the blog: <a href="http://windling.typepad.com/blog/2014/12/zoologies.html">On Animals and the Human Spirit</a><br />
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Terri Windling's blog "Myth & Moor" has beautiful thoughts and imagery. And her review of the book <i>Zoologies: On Animals and the Human Spirit</i> by <a href="http://alisonhawthornedeming.com/">Alison Hawthorne Deming</a>, included this quote:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Deming discusses elephants and ants, pigs and oyster, and the animal
nature of human beings. "I am tired," she writes, "of the conventional
palette with which the lives of animals are painted. Most renderings
feel too saturated with gratuitous piety, weighted down by ceaseless
elegy, or boastful about heroic encounters on the last islands of
wilderness. I want something closer to the marrow of our lived days, as
in childhood, when an animal story or encounter could make me
wonderstruck."</blockquote>
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Windling also posts images this time of her dear companion dog, Spencer. The next day she focused on Fairy Tales and wonderful art images. Do look every once in a while to see what she's sharing.<br />
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It took me a night or two before it sunk in, how few animals have encounters with human children, or vice versa, these days.<br />
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Pets become our dear friends, where their own personalities can be expressed.<br />
<br />
How important it is to be quiet when walking in the woods (preferably without a dog) so that you might just chance upon a real live creature of the woods. Our children are chatter boxes. They also live in a life of boxes...homes, schools, SUV's and techno-boxes. No live creatures to cause wonder there.<br />
<br />
And pul-eeze don't tell me the entertainment at an amusement park with doll-like animals can inspire the same awe as rounding a corner and looking into a deer's huge liquid eyes.<br />
<br />
Nor can going to the best zoo, where animals may be treated humanely (what's wrong with that phrase!) but they know they have very few choices like they would have in their natural habitat. That's animal jail, folks. Don't you want to go visit the inmates in a human jail?<br />
<br />
I hope you enjoy Windling's blog, and I think I'm going to be reading the book by Demming.<br />
<br />Barbara Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351113054045427775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4745648235215718125.post-39591949989991255362014-12-14T02:00:00.000-05:002014-12-14T02:00:04.807-05:00Breath and meditationI recently spent all day with another woman, doing a pottery show. I knew it could get stressful, so told my friend that I would be taking intentional meditative moments whenever I could. I would just go "away" and spend a moment or two grounding myself. (I planned to do it at 5 minutes past the hour if possible.) She liked the idea, and I noticed her sitting in a meditative pose with her eyes closed a few times. I could do it just staring into space and saying the mantra I've connected with my own meditative trances.<br />
<br />
Then a few days ago I was pleased to read about breath and meditation. <br />
<div class="blog-head mtm">
<h1 class="blog-title rip" id="title-3495" itemprop="name">
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Just Breathe: The Practice of Permission, Affirmation, & Dedication</span></b></h1>
</div>
<div class="blog-avatar float-l prel" itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person">
<a class="avatar float-l" href="http://witchesandpagans.com/pagan-studies-blogs/wisdom-within.html">
<img alt="Erick DuPree" class="avatar isBlogger" src="http://witchesandpagans.com/images/easyblog_avatar/65_DuPree_ErikDuPreeHeadshot_250px.jpg" height="60" itemprop="image" width="60" />
</a>
</div>
<div class="blog-meta">
<div class="in">
Posted
<span class="blog-author">
by <a href="http://witchesandpagans.com/pagan-studies-blogs/wisdom-within.html" itemprop="author">Erick DuPree</a>
</span>
<span class="blog-created">
on <time datetime="2014-12-09">
Tuesday, 09 December 2014
</time>
</span>
<span class="blog-category">
in <a href="http://witchesandpagans.com/pagan-studies-blogs.html">Studies Blogs</a></span></div>
<div class="in">
<span class="blog-category">on <span id="goog_181470760"></span><span id="goog_181470761"></span> </span><a href="http://witchesandpagans.com/pagan-studies-blogs/wisdom-within/just-breathe-the-practice-of-permission-affirmation-dedication.html">Witches and Pagans link here.</a></div>
</div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Daily Practice is giving ourself the permission to breathe. It is
accepting that the world will keep spinning regardless of whether I am
in it or not, so why not take a moment for myself. It is just one
moment.... And so I ask, are you breathing? Right now,
wherever you might be reading this, are you giving yourself the
permission to breathe just one deep breath with intention? If not, then
let this be your invitation. If that is the only intentional breath you
have taken or will take today, that is good enough, because you are good
enough.</blockquote>
Thanks Erick!<br />
<br />
Since I also have COPD with breathing treatments 3 times a day, as well
as lots of medications, this was an important reminder of the
connection that I haven't been practicing...breath and meditation
together. I usually do my yoga-ish poses before meditating, but don't
do breathing as part of it. No longer!Barbara Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351113054045427775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4745648235215718125.post-26813954057718651352014-12-12T01:00:00.000-05:002014-12-12T01:00:00.759-05:00Sharing a sad ideaI'm sharing this<br />
because I'd just spent a week in "civilization" the paved world that my son and his kids live in. I did insist on a walk in nature one day...and it felt so good for me. My granddaughter could only relate to the swing sets on a playground, and she's 16.<br />
<br />
Trees? Flooded river? Natural spring? Seeing a crane preening? Not so much. <br />
<br />
A couple of days ago I read <a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/shekhinahcalling/2014/12/02/nature-is-for-the-rich/">this blog...</a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Nature is for the rich.</i> This is a fundamental belief of
Capitalism. If you are rich, then you are entitled to natural beauty and
spiritual morning walks. If you are not rich, then nature is a
magnanimous gift the rich can bestow upon you when they feel like it.</blockquote>
This is an excerpt from her posting. Thanks Asa West for your insights, at<a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/shekhinahcalling/"> Shahkinah Calling</a>.<br />
<br />
I do believe being a pagan, loving and being inspired by nature, is inherently everyone's right. But access is sometimes a bit more difficult for those who just have their survival needs met at the basic levels. This is something we have to stand up for, I think.<br />
<br />Barbara Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351113054045427775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4745648235215718125.post-85030398396983928252014-12-10T01:30:00.000-05:002014-12-10T01:30:02.289-05:00Divine Feminine program<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Rj_QSLZaJCxTOp8ed7UsVsIsVMWLvXs8Pgk7K2QDWr5QLFUcoiv8nyJ6-wLDgi4DZkmCMrIlAbZpu7rbFmPX78TCaCso6dE2ZyDFBQHuFRuhV47bwFN8Wv12kP933YGQ7Xw7WBAClNjm/s1600/DSCN6103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Rj_QSLZaJCxTOp8ed7UsVsIsVMWLvXs8Pgk7K2QDWr5QLFUcoiv8nyJ6-wLDgi4DZkmCMrIlAbZpu7rbFmPX78TCaCso6dE2ZyDFBQHuFRuhV47bwFN8Wv12kP933YGQ7Xw7WBAClNjm/s1600/DSCN6103.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Susa Silvermarie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'm am so pleased to have talented friends who put on a great program of poetry and music last Sunday.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_jsn0hnpbk6RTJQvTGlriI7c57HwMPpjxvsR-0wSX77eLwxv7QYDkSoHzVmIPxgeffj3ZlghRqs90H0-fKTPCnMKix4TLQc2YBR-JSps4wVZGaav-dNfZrrSkwzGBO5xYPyTNmJlVBxO/s1600/DSCN6090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_jsn0hnpbk6RTJQvTGlriI7c57HwMPpjxvsR-0wSX77eLwxv7QYDkSoHzVmIPxgeffj3ZlghRqs90H0-fKTPCnMKix4TLQc2YBR-JSps4wVZGaav-dNfZrrSkwzGBO5xYPyTNmJlVBxO/s1600/DSCN6090.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annelinde (Linda) Metzner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I mentioned it <a href="http://boardwalkbarb.blogspot.com/2014/12/poetry-and-song.html">here on another of my blogs.</a><br />
<br />
Linda and Susa both write poetry, and are published in the 2015 WeMoon calendars. That's why the cover was posted, as they sold both wall and book forms of these calendars.<br />
<br />
These are some of the photos I took of the performance.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFn0vXTAvmJl37ZkGaKQr8XciyT8XydLmwW_Rs_imm8hwIbBGzqg0jMW95IbxbL-49typUsPLFGve31IdSbtMWGNNGZDTGJoWOzHsqc5fpBC9fNKXV_c328ykhAdatMAIca37KtPC1kCJS/s1600/IMG_8959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFn0vXTAvmJl37ZkGaKQr8XciyT8XydLmwW_Rs_imm8hwIbBGzqg0jMW95IbxbL-49typUsPLFGve31IdSbtMWGNNGZDTGJoWOzHsqc5fpBC9fNKXV_c328ykhAdatMAIca37KtPC1kCJS/s1600/IMG_8959.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Susa Silvermarie, Annelinde Metzner and Kim Hughes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGx48gm9j9QhZmcHXTHJesxOAmlShMf2Reh_hIKj2gFzUYFyXNTsnJ2CjjOrRW7peGg59imQnjrolThE2SVHUJKsh6OeRP0YBmz6KNSAvCNnIk6YIzQcWbD7rxQXtFpGBE0YG6arSif7TD/s1600/IMG_8991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGx48gm9j9QhZmcHXTHJesxOAmlShMf2Reh_hIKj2gFzUYFyXNTsnJ2CjjOrRW7peGg59imQnjrolThE2SVHUJKsh6OeRP0YBmz6KNSAvCNnIk6YIzQcWbD7rxQXtFpGBE0YG6arSif7TD/s1600/IMG_8991.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim's singing was truly wonderful</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQlWhQ7SnglyMaoDp1dDYXCWBnQKKDpDcRgb9MQXv2atMpcpXWPqJjK02lo8G2YniikWTQYgdiYfQ5XC3C1NyN_7F_13DfGdgPhP_B5wRPNGA7Odv590Gt5IqM6GUdPW2mQsHH3DSa32p/s1600/IMG_8996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQlWhQ7SnglyMaoDp1dDYXCWBnQKKDpDcRgb9MQXv2atMpcpXWPqJjK02lo8G2YniikWTQYgdiYfQ5XC3C1NyN_7F_13DfGdgPhP_B5wRPNGA7Odv590Gt5IqM6GUdPW2mQsHH3DSa32p/s1600/IMG_8996.JPG" height="383" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linda composed the music which Kim sang, and recited poems she wrote also</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDzJzsU-kQKh8uPbSZcJ9DwMdJMV-4f_uBOs3EiZVhwnVEIMphAfVDAePc7fVKAgpO1RXzCmKUECeJGNJ312Nq3etiHTuBBoT7v7Cg26JBeUZ4_BFNVn-OeROS4GIgWCKryADc783P-un/s1600/IMG_9003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDzJzsU-kQKh8uPbSZcJ9DwMdJMV-4f_uBOs3EiZVhwnVEIMphAfVDAePc7fVKAgpO1RXzCmKUECeJGNJ312Nq3etiHTuBBoT7v7Cg26JBeUZ4_BFNVn-OeROS4GIgWCKryADc783P-un/s1600/IMG_9003.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Susa's poetry included her dramatic gestures</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMwWtYVZBhPkxLxz2cj9OtteWNHkuf3Eq9JkYqp0FHDHLQeWpHnEhuSeh9PYCTm9tplZVOzFGugLYYclin3zKYZKkvCjztiGD1Qvkah2mL4j6hcTZJDlk-S0uj2dKVIow0VVssWOGlsOt/s1600/IMG_8985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMwWtYVZBhPkxLxz2cj9OtteWNHkuf3Eq9JkYqp0FHDHLQeWpHnEhuSeh9PYCTm9tplZVOzFGugLYYclin3zKYZKkvCjztiGD1Qvkah2mL4j6hcTZJDlk-S0uj2dKVIow0VVssWOGlsOt/s1600/IMG_8985.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Intermission included lovely snacks with proceeds to benefit the church in which the event was held.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZwjW5yRq7L-G2M-xUmuRttK-8lWpFVPoeQ7RzVwHhiWOtVjdxS8s-cw902uPQpTQ3AJ-do7wRSnTOng_P3daJlBJFAovOy0oExXLNxmmZQC8ktow3L0zrqxhm7Ny1jb89AZCh5dv7lFd/s1600/IMG_8987.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The program about the Divine Feminine attracted many woman and a few men. Shelly speaks with Kim during intermission.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSp2eUB7QtbkfkA9coXKJHjR87w-HaA7f9r6f0KcFFV5j-KQWfaQoTyENNXM-ILGTBEfFcWI-wKPuIVq0jbsZVqG0PequlHR-nFAFsfUjxCRhjCFc_odif3tABOy3jI8GEpa8pL0wCaKm/s1600/IMG_8986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSp2eUB7QtbkfkA9coXKJHjR87w-HaA7f9r6f0KcFFV5j-KQWfaQoTyENNXM-ILGTBEfFcWI-wKPuIVq0jbsZVqG0PequlHR-nFAFsfUjxCRhjCFc_odif3tABOy3jI8GEpa8pL0wCaKm/s1600/IMG_8986.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nels Arnold and Susa had a discussion</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpApy2qp9IfZH6fOjOKazBBVEKCsBD6Ye6S7QE9sUBhfIJ9ee4Q6yP_hE4dEpHwN_UHVgBjvfE1R7yUfJtlArBqToZNQz_DZ95-eJtvzsbSTM3FDPSb3ysQnGnwPrqD8TzVPBbuStB6vu8/s1600/IMG_8956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpApy2qp9IfZH6fOjOKazBBVEKCsBD6Ye6S7QE9sUBhfIJ9ee4Q6yP_hE4dEpHwN_UHVgBjvfE1R7yUfJtlArBqToZNQz_DZ95-eJtvzsbSTM3FDPSb3ysQnGnwPrqD8TzVPBbuStB6vu8/s1600/IMG_8956.JPG" height="283" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three talented women who inspired the audience!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pottery by Nels Arnold</td></tr>
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</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YhQIcv0PoIvXIvXAItjCsRFK0zHROt7KKlHbVRCh-dQIXryZ_ZT0vxLf1gQeKnLa5RgK24kRhBZQYIvGr99hzWTfV-wv55oc64xEz3x0RPjMTGRM13huDPaggo6Gt7tMlGBKMm3LZJ20/s1600/DSCN6092.JPG" height="400" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A simple altar with bowls of water for blessing ourselves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Thank you so much dear powerful, beautiful, goddessing women! The photos are available by request from blackmtnbarb AT gmail DOT com...in higher resolution.Barbara Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351113054045427775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4745648235215718125.post-8334018226660717542014-12-08T01:00:00.000-05:002014-12-08T21:27:36.260-05:00Your personal Spiritual Court.<br />
<br />
Thanks for this concept to -<br />
Ancestor healing web page and blog<a href="http://www.ancestorhealing.org/what-is-my-spiritual-court/"> post here.</a><br />
<br />
One particular quote I'd like to share says:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
When modern peoples, therefore, choose to become initiated into one
of these systems – whether that be Santeria, Druidism, or something else
– what they are actually doing is <b>being adopted into the worship of another culture’s deified ancestors.</b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Now am I saying that there is something wrong with this? Absolutely
not! As anyone who has ever been involved with almost any of these
religions knows, initiation and participation into one of the so-called
“nature-based” polytheisms can be one of the most rewarding, enriching
and transformative experiences you will ever have. If that’s what you
have done, or are considering doing, great!</blockquote>
Check out the whole article, it's enriching!<br />
<br />Barbara Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351113054045427775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4745648235215718125.post-25584649615382436232014-12-04T02:00:00.000-05:002014-12-09T11:58:39.235-05:00Gainism, polytheism and pantheismThat's the site which has lots of FAQ's about pagan topics. And it's a great magazine about Pagans and Witches. I usually call our mother earth, Gaia. I also call pantheism an earth-based religion.
<a href="http://witchesandpagans.com/paganism-101/introduction-to-paganism/286-faq-about-paganism.html">http://witchesandpagans.com/paganism-101/introduction-to-paganism/286-faq-about-paganism.html</a><br />
<br />
<h2 class="bigtext">
<b>Q: What is a Gaian? What is Gaianism?</b></h2>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="bigtext">
A Gaian is a person who focuses his/her spiritual faith upon the Earth
(Gaia.) Gaianism is a growing movement devoted to the creation of an
earth-wise spirituality that honors the Earth and all life as the
primary source, sustainer, and reality for life. Gaians may be Pagans,
Christians (see Creation-Spirituality movement of Matthew Fox),
atheists, Scientific Pantheists, or any other religion/faith that is
willing to focus its energy upon the spirituality of connection with the
biosphere. As a very young offshoot of Paganism, Gaian theology,
philosophy, and ethics are still in a formative stage.</div>
</blockquote>
<h2 class="bigtext">
<b>Q: What are the ethics of polytheistic and pantheistic traditions?</b></h2>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="bigtext">
A: Because each tradition has its own set of ethics, these vary
considerably. Common ethical guidelines include: Treat all sacred
objects, places, and entities with respect. Honor the Earth who gave you
life. Take only what you need, and offer fair return for whatever you
take. Destruction in its proper time can prove beneficial, but do not
destroy anything just for the sake of destruction. Every person contains
a little spark of divinity, so speak to the divine spark in everyone
you meet. Allow others to worship as they choose. Sexuality is a
blessing, not a curse; yet the power to create new life brings with it
the obligation to do so responsibly. Do not meddle with that which you
do not understand.</div>
</blockquote>
==========================<br />
<br />
Polytheism has more than one god or goddess.<br />
<br />
Pantheism is the belief that all living things have the divine within them.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Barbara Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351113054045427775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4745648235215718125.post-4571235575752727302014-12-02T01:00:00.000-05:002014-12-02T09:24:24.064-05:00She's how tall?Seventeen and a half feet tall.<br />
And they've removed her to a museum. That's ok, more people can see her that way.<br />
<br />
The Venus of Laussel<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0-8QFrsi2iBA2bxIqRFb50wlhYrAXwe1K1l3hwQNI1174N9M7mpU0xFix0Qtr98Z6W2vBoEa81T8DCovS7bfQCR90xLKGx4U2bl9b-pOT6iustg-NV5h54lg0l2vm8mEahb9LSbA44jr/s1600/Venus+of+Laussel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0-8QFrsi2iBA2bxIqRFb50wlhYrAXwe1K1l3hwQNI1174N9M7mpU0xFix0Qtr98Z6W2vBoEa81T8DCovS7bfQCR90xLKGx4U2bl9b-pOT6iustg-NV5h54lg0l2vm8mEahb9LSbA44jr/s1600/Venus+of+Laussel.jpg" height="640" width="462" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
From Lisa Sauresson: (Blog posted <a href="http://witchesandpagans.com/sagewoman-blogs/belly-magic/magdalene-formerly-appearing-as.html">Nov 20, 2014 HERE</a>) where she compares Mary Magdalene with the Venus of Laussel.</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Much of what we know about human origins
comes to us from southern France, the prehistoric cave paintings and
engravings discovered there. Our ancestors' art, such as the Venus of
Laussel, shows our original impulse to revere women and the center of
women's bodies.</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<img alt="b2ap3_thumbnail_Venus-de-Laussel-detail-bras.jpg" border="0" src="http://witchesandpagans.com/images/easyblog_images/5325/b2ap3_thumbnail_Venus-de-Laussel-detail-bras.jpg" style="border: 0px currentColor; float: left; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;" title="b2ap3_thumbnail_Venus-de-Laussel-detail-bras.jpg" width="100" />This limestone engraving, discovered in 1911 in the Dordogne, has been a central inspiration for <a href="http://loveyourbelly.com/" target="_blank">The Woman's Belly Book</a>. Seventeen and one-half feet high, the ochre-stained engraving dates back <a href="http://www.musee-aquitaine-bordeaux.fr/en/laussel-venus" target="_blank">25,000 years</a>.</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Venus of Laussel brings forth a
full-figured woman. She rests her left hand on her belly, perhaps
pointing to her navel. Her head turns over her right shoulder; she's
looking at the horn she's holding up in her right hand. Thirteen lines
scratch the horn's surface.</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Who knows what the sculptors had in mind
and heart when they carved out this figure? Who knows what they meant
their work to signify?</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As I see her, this figure is using her
arms and hands to link her belly with the calculation, the calendar,
which is the horn she is holding.</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><img alt="b2ap3_thumbnail_Venus-de-Laussel-detail-tete.jpg" border="0" src="http://witchesandpagans.com/images/easyblog_images/5325/b2ap3_thumbnail_Venus-de-Laussel-detail-tete.jpg" style="border: 0px currentColor; float: left; margin: 5px;" title="b2ap3_thumbnail_Venus-de-Laussel-detail-tete.jpg" width="100" />The
horn's crescent shape reprises a phase of the moon. With a count of
thirteen marks on the horn, the engraving as a whole may be noting the
year's thirteen lunar months as well as women's annual round of thirteen
menstrual cycles.</span></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In effect, this engraving presents the cycles implicit in a woman's body in relation to the cycles marked by celestial bodies.</div>
</blockquote>
<br />
----------------------------<br />
And from Wikipedia:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The <b>Venus of Laussel</b> is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venus_figurines" title="Venus figurines">Venus figurine</a>, a 17.5 foot high <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limestone" title="Limestone">limestone</a> <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bas-relief" title="Bas-relief">bas-relief</a> of a nude female figure, painted with red <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ochre" title="Ochre">ochre</a>. It was carved into a large block of fallen limestone in a rock shelter (<i>abri de Laussel</i><a class="extiw" href="http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abri_de_Cap_Blanc" title="fr:Abri de Cap Blanc">fr:Abri de Cap Blanc</a>) in the commune of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marquay,_Dordogne" title="Marquay, Dordogne">Marquay</a>, in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dordogne" title="Dordogne">Dordogne</a> department of southwestern <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France" title="France">France</a>. The carving is associated with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravettian" title="Gravettian">Gravettian</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upper_Paleolithic" title="Upper Paleolithic">Upper Paleolithic</a> culture (approximately 25,000 years old). It is currently displayed in the <i>Musée d'Aquitaine</i> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bordeaux" title="Bordeaux">Bordeaux</a>, France. </blockquote>
------------------------<br />
<br />
OK, nobody took the stone carving off the wall, in order to get it into a museum, which makes me sigh.<br />
<br />
And it's such a great message 25,000 years later. Women, moon, menstruation (that's her belly that she's got one hand on, and the other, as well as her face pointed at it has the 13 marked moons.<br />
<br />
Yep, we can still understand it's message.<br />
<br />
Thank you very smart people who knew all about what us human women were like. And still are. I absolutely love the photo from Wikipedia, which shows how curved this carving is, since all the others I'd seen are flattened. That's celebration of that belly of a woman. What a wonderful part of our anatomy. Oh dear, I'm editorializing, aren't I?<br />
<br />
<br />Barbara Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351113054045427775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4745648235215718125.post-60224643287978648072014-11-30T02:00:00.000-05:002014-11-30T02:00:06.885-05:00blending attitudes about pagans<h2 class="bigtext">
<b>Q: Can you be a Pagan and a Christian?</b></h2>
<div class="bigtext">
A: Yes. Such people may call themselves Christo-Pagans, Mystic
Christians, or other names reflecting their dual heritage. Angel Wicca
is another popular example. Some Afro-Caribbean religions like Santeria
combine Pagan and Christian elements too. You can blend together aspects
from many different religions according to what feels right to you;
many people do this. In your explorations you might meet a "Jewitch"
studying Judaism and Witchcraft, or a "Pagan Sufi" studying Paganism and
the Sufi branch of Islam, or just about any other combination you can
imagine.<br />
</div>
<div class="bigtext">
</div>
<div class="bigtext">
</div>
<div class="bigtext">
Thanks to:</div>
<div class="bigtext">
— <b>Elizabeth Barrette</b>, lives in central Illinois with
lifepartner, in a large Victorian farmhouse with a yard frequented by
wildlife. An avid wordsmith, she works as a writer and editor, doing
poetry, articles, essays, reviews, interviews, short stories. She is a
former editor of <i>PanGaia</i> magazine and has written several popular books published by Llewellyn including the popular <i>2012 Magical Almanac</i> and <i>Composing Magic</i> and many more. She is a member of <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank" title="Link off site.">The Greenhaven Tradition</a>, and Fieldhaven Coven in central Illinois.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="templatequote">
It is perhaps misleading even to say that there was such a religion
as “paganism” at the beginning of [the Common Era] ... It might be less
confusing to say that the pagans, before their competition with
Christianity, had no religion at all in the sense in which that word is
normally used today. They had no tradition of discourse about ritual or
religious matters (apart from philosophical debate or antiquarian
treatise), no organized system of beliefs to which they were asked to
commit themselves, no authority-structure peculiar to the religious
area, above all no commitment to a particular group of people or set of
ideas other than their family and political context. If this is the
right view of pagan life, it follows that we should look on paganism
quite simply as a religion invented in the course of the second to third
centuries AD, in competition and interaction with Christians, Jews and
others.<br />
<div class="templatequotecite">
—North 1992, 187—88,<span class="reference-text"><span class="citation book"> in Cameron, Alan G.; Long, Jacqueline; Sherry, Lee (1993). <i>Barbarians and Politics at the Court of Arcadius</i>. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="University of California Press">University of California Press</a>. </span></span><cite><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTECameron201126.E2.80.9427_22-0"><span></span></sup></cite></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<b>Wikipedia gives this:</b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Paganism</b> is a broad group of <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Indigenous religion">indigenous</a> and <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Polytheism">historical polytheistic</a> religious traditions—primarily those of cultures known to the <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Classical world">classical world</a>. In a wider sense, paganism has also been understood to include any <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Abrahamic religions">non-Abrahamic</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Folk religion">folk</a>, or <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Ethnic religion">ethnic religion</a>.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Contemporary or modern paganism, also known as neopaganism, is a group of <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="New religious movement">new religious movements</a> influenced by, or claiming to be derived from, the various <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Historical pagan">historical pagan</a> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Religious belief">beliefs</a> of pre-modern Europe.</blockquote>
There is much more discussed <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paganism">on that site.</a><br />
</div>
Barbara Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351113054045427775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4745648235215718125.post-88233327018631834042014-11-26T01:00:00.000-05:002014-11-26T01:00:09.064-05:00Margo AdlerExcerpts from the memorial service recently held for a goddess.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuuJ6DQtHYY&feature=youtu.be">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuuJ6DQtHYY&feature=youtu.be</a><br />
<br />
If you don't know much about Margo, besides having heard her on NPR frequently...go search and learn about a powerful, amusing, dedicated, loving, down-to-earth...woman!Barbara Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351113054045427775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4745648235215718125.post-39622131485226049802014-11-25T02:00:00.000-05:002014-11-25T02:00:07.481-05:00Goddess, God, and Wicca<div class="bigtext">
I spoke up the other night and said "I'm a pagan."<b> </b>This was in answer to someone saying the word as if it were nasty...you know the sneer on someone's face who was brought up believing pagans worshiped the devil...a totally Christian viewpoint. She said she is finding out that "Christian" as a term also has many meanings, depending upon which denomination you might find talking about it. A Catholic and a Baptist certainly say many different things than a Unitarian Universalist Christian.</div>
<div class="bigtext">
<br /></div>
<div class="bigtext">
But as a Pagan, I also embrace the Goddess in Her many aspects (though not all pagans do). Let's look at more information that isn't biased from the Christian perspective. After all, that's probably why you're reading this!</div>
<h2 class="bigtext">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"> -----------------------</span></h2>
<h2 class="bigtext">
<b>Q: Who is the Goddess? The God?</b></h2>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="bigtext">
A: The Goddess is the female aspect of divinity. As Maiden, She is the
perfect innocent child who shows us the simple joys in life. As Mother,
She is the perfect mate and provider who nourishes and guards us. As
Crone, She is the perfect grandmother who teaches us wisdom and leads us
into the next world. The Goddess loves all of us as Her children; all
life comes from Her and eventually returns to Her. The God is the male
aspect of divinity. At different stages, He is the son and the lover of
the Goddess. He teaches us about manhood and fatherhood. As the Horned
One, He reigns over the crops of the field for harvest and the wild
animals for hunting. Together the Goddess and the God bring us blessings
and challenges according to our needs. Their eternal dance marks the
changing seasons, as They each change form and show us Their different
faces.</div>
</blockquote>
<h2 class="bigtext">
<b>Q: What is Witchcraft? Is it the same thing as Wicca?</b></h2>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="bigtext">
A: Witchcraft encompasses several branches of Paganism, one of which is
Wicca. Others include Stregheria (Italian Witchcraft) and a feminist
version that considers every woman a Witch. Not everyone means the same
thing when they say "Witchcraft" – some mean only religion, some mean
magic, and many mean both. The lowercase "witchcraft" may refer simply
to the practice of magic, not to a religion. Usually Witchcraft is a
complex, positive belief system which incorporates a God and a Goddess
venerated through ritual. Wicca follows that paradigm, drawing most of
its content from the works of Gardner and Alexander; modern traditions
include Dianic, Faerie, Eclectic, and even Angel Wicca. The Wiccan
religion incorporates gender equity, immanent divinity and immanent
worth, and the responsible use of magic.</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="bigtext">
<br /></div>
<div class="bigtext">
Again, thanks to <a href="http://witchesandpagans.com/paganism-101/introduction-to-paganism/286-faq-about-paganism.html">http://witchesandpagans.com/paganism-101/introduction-to-paganism/286-faq-about-paganism.html</a></div>
<div class="bigtext">
---------------------------------<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="bigtext">
We shared a little about Pagans before. Still to come...Gainism, polytheism, and magic. (Or you can go look at the site, which I've heard less than 50% of people actually do.) </div>
<div class="bigtext">
<br /></div>
<div class="bigtext">
<br /></div>
Barbara Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351113054045427775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4745648235215718125.post-44284090412874294442014-11-24T01:30:00.000-05:002014-11-24T01:30:04.082-05:00The Great Goddess and her InfluenceI don't need to reiterate all the scholarly work that has been written about the goddess throughout history. And this article is one that I find covers a lot of information.<br />
<br />
The author, <b>Dr. Cristina Biaggi</b> is an artist, sculptor, lecturer
and author/editor whose works are a reflection and an extension of her
lifelong interest in the classics, art and art history, archaeology,
literature, and languages.<br />
<br />
Let's see if you feel like clicking a link today...<br />
<a href="http://www.goddess-pages.co.uk/index.php/2006-issues/1-winter-2006/item/22-the-great-goddess-and-her-influence-herstorically-and-in-the-present">The Great Goddess and Her Influence</a><br />
<br />
It was published in 2006 in the first issue of the magazine "Goddess Pages" which is still available on line. As a matter of fact all issues are available<a href="http://www.goddess-pages.co.uk/?utm_content=buffere336d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer"> here.</a><br />
<br />
I may have more quotes from this site later.<br />
<br />
And Dr. Biaggi is still doing what she does..<a href="http://cristinabiaggi.com/">.here</a> is her web site, and in 2010 she had a blog <a href="http://cristinabiaggi.wordpress.com/">HERE.</a> <br />
That blog has lots of great photos in nature and of goddesses! I'll be reading more of it myself.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Crucifixion_I_th" class="attachment-full" src="http://cristinabiaggi.com/biaggi-content/uploads/2014/05/Crucifixion_I_th.jpg" style="height: 233px;" />Crucifixion Triptych I, 1977<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img class="rg_i" data-src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQIX1EH83a2irBcwaJT_QI2l_5TswkeYkOeIAwrAiR97OIEg_XZ" data-sz="f" name="qcMG_BGuZTDaoM:" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQIX1EH83a2irBcwaJT_QI2l_5TswkeYkOeIAwrAiR97OIEg_XZ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: -5px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />Barbara Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351113054045427775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4745648235215718125.post-23389721939522218272014-11-23T02:00:00.000-05:002014-11-23T02:00:01.318-05:00Women gathering in Her Name<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zDTwnhni2rpXk0WFCGriaaAM3TRG5IKk7J-F8LiBZPFcNomMqT8dWAJpTBxBGlxiyOp4BIpiIDOabB5KLOcy32aLJLYfxdlR5_KM_12R8XZFD5PozXB0OWadMOgQg7AzB-hMo1kUmdQP/s1600/RiseUpgroup+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zDTwnhni2rpXk0WFCGriaaAM3TRG5IKk7J-F8LiBZPFcNomMqT8dWAJpTBxBGlxiyOp4BIpiIDOabB5KLOcy32aLJLYfxdlR5_KM_12R8XZFD5PozXB0OWadMOgQg7AzB-hMo1kUmdQP/s1600/RiseUpgroup+6.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ramya, Barbara, Judy,(in back) Jane, Linda, Louise?, Heidi, Mamie, Byron. Front row, Annie, Rita, Joni, Su, and Teresa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
In 2010, this great group of women met for 8 sessions of a class that focused upon goddess her-stories that ranged throughout the world, from Mary Magdelene to Pele'.<br />
<br />
Sadly, two of these gorgeous women have passed beyond the veil, as they say. We miss them both.<br />
<br />
I no longer have red hair...indeed in the 4 years after this I've let it grow out and is totally white now, and long. I do still have a tummy that likes to peak out from below my shirt. I won't say what has been happening in any of the other women's lives...and I also am sad that I haven't had any continuing touch with several of them.<br />
<br />
This class studied a Unitarian Universalist curriculum "Rise Up and Call Her Name." It was taught with variations based on the desires of the class and the facilitators. Three wonderful dedicated women shared the duties of presentations, and we were all so grateful to Byron, Linda and Mamie.<br />
<br />
What was important about this class (as well as many others shared by women through UU curriculums) is that it helps women speak together and learn more of the powerful her-stories of goddesses.<br />
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This last year Linda and Byron taught another class to encourage a new generation of women and their daughters to learn through song, dance, art and crafts...and we elders certainly enjoyed it as well.<br />
<br />Barbara Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351113054045427775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4745648235215718125.post-2726964149708792142014-11-22T01:00:00.000-05:002014-11-22T01:00:04.192-05:00The Divine Feminine<div class="docBox " id="urf-chapter-description">
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<span style="color: #6e1919;">The following article is the introduction on a web site by the same name, which began in 2009 and continues (intermittently it seems) with dialog and courses. The organizer is Joy Reichard, of San Mateo, CA. <a href="http://www.meetup.com/Divine-Feminine-Wisdom/">http://www.meetup.com/Divine-Feminine-Wisdom/</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6e1919;">The voice of the <b>Divine Feminine</b>
is re-emerging in human consciousness bringing with Her a new vision of
the sacredness and unity of life. Her voice is needed during these
chaotic times. Our stressful, fast paced culture that emphasizes
masculine ideals such as competitiveness, control and domination often
confuses and dis-empowers women. Confused as to what is appropriate
feminine behavior, many women become over-involved in care taking
others, are afraid to say no, or to set healthy boundaries. Unsatisfied
needs and/or unexpressed rage can lead to fatigue, indecisiveness, a
lack of enthusiasm and depression. Or it can manifest as the martyr, the
victim, the saboteur or the “bitch.”These negative character traits are
destructive whether we act them out, or are victimized by them when
they erupt in others.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #6e1919;">By reclaiming the images and mythologies of the <b>Divine Feminine</b>
from around the globe we rediscover Her wisdom, Her rich symbolism and
Her life-affirming traits that offer positive role models and guidance
to modern women and men. By honoring the <b>Divine Feminine</b>
we remember to honor ourselves, our bodies, our ability to feel deeply
and express our feelings, and our feminine ways of knowing. We remember
to value motherhood and children, as well as all living beings with who
we share this beautiful but increasingly fragile planet. By honoring the
<b>Divine Feminine</b> we take time to remember the Great
Mother of us all who has provided for all living beings for eons; She
who is both abundant and unpredictable in her terrible but awesome
beauty. As we reclaim the Divine Feminine, we reclaim the divine that is
within each woman, and each man who opens to Her, enabling us to
reconnect to ourselves, the sensuality of our bodies and to our feminine
wisdom as we can claim, or reclaim, our personal power and our passion
for life. The message of the <b>Divine Feminine</b> is one of
peace, compassion, and respect for all life. She is ancient and wise,
and she is very present within each one of us right now.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #6e1919;">Join me in exploring the wisdom of the <b>Divine Feminine</b>
that has been passed down through the ages and is flavored with
contemporary philosophy, theology, psychology and creative expression.
This Meetup sponsors a monthly <i><b>In Her Name Circle</b></i> celebrating a manifestation of the <b>Divine Feminine</b> . These Circles evolved from a growing need for women to gather together to honor the <b>Divine Feminine</b> and the divine within. We meet on the second Friday of the month.</span></blockquote>
<b>The IN HER NAME CIRCLE will resume </b><br />
<b>January 23, 2015 </b><br />
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Relationships are important for women, and circles provide a
natural way for women to gather and create a safe place to greet old
friends and make new ones. In circle <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">women find</a> the confidence to speak freely from the heart and know that they will be heard, if not always agreed with. </blockquote>
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300 East Santa Inez Ave., San Mateo, CA
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<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="event-map-link">As I just tumped my laptop upside down to get the piece of rice cake out of the crack in the keyboard, I also checked in on Facebook. So there was a post about Starhawk.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="event-map-link"><br />She was my introduction to goddesses, divine feminine and eco-feminism...as well as lots of other things. Check out this article, I won't copy it here...it's probably copyrighted anyway.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="event-map-link"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/antonia-blumberg/starhawk-pagan-leader_b_6189566.html">9 Lessons in Spiritual Leadership From Starhawk</a> </span></span>
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Barbara Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351113054045427775noreply@blogger.com0