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Who is the Goddess?
P.M. Staunton

Ishtar PosterClearly there are thousands of Goddesses. I am interested in the universality of the Goddess. In many cultures a woman's value is intimately connected to her physical attributes and her child producing abilities. This can create in its wake hatred of an 'imperfect' body, insecurity and defining the self through male approval.

Ultimately we must learn to value and love our selves. It is when we have attained this state that we are in a position to truly give ourselves to others.


Women have biological rites of passage. The goddess is often described as the triple Goddess- the virgin the maiden and the crone. These are related to prepuberty, fertile and post menopausal stages of female life. All these stages are transformative and contain within them their own potential for power and wisdom. If one can liberate ones self from a culture that only values young flesh; women can have the chance for contentment and happiness at any age. Looked at from this perspective the crone stage can be perceived as an evolution towards greater wisdom.


From the multi faced Goddess to the one God

The way women are portrayed by powerful religions such as Christianity and Islam has a massive affect on our consciousness. Feminist critiques of the bible and the Koran. describe the destruction of the effigies of the Goddess. Both the bible and the Koran are scathing of sexuality particularly women's eroticism, which is perceived as a danger to the spiritual and mental welfare of man. Religion and culture input into each other. The social systems of patriarchy and capitalism are connected to mainstream religious thought and relate to each other. Although monotheistic religions talk of peace and equality as being a primary aim for human beings, the last two thousand years have seen an increase in conflict between man and nature. and a decline in attitudes to women and women's process. We live in a polluted world where their are conflicts between human beings on various levels. Male centred monotheism implies a feeling of separateness from the universe. Instead of perceiving ourselves as a part of the natural environment, we falsely perceive our selves to be separate entities. Nature is seen, as a force to be controlled not as it really is a part of we.

When women are described in male monotheism, as our Lady in Catholicism, it is in a limited circumscribed way. The result is that the potential divinity and conscious raising qualities of the sex act are denied. Sexuality becomes separated from spirituality. This process is describable in Hegelian thesis anti thesis terms, The Goddess promotes co-operation and connection to the universe, we are all the Goddess, the Goddess is every thing. The one God religions have a hierarchical structure with God at the top, who is separate from man, he constructs the world seemingly for the benefit of man - The Goddess promotes the divinity of procreation, male centred religion views sex as a necessary evil to produce children. Many women's problems stem from a lack of feminine iconography that describe the range of feminine experiences. Women 's sense of them selves is directly affected by religious thought even if they are atheist, these things are ingrained and sewn in to the very fabric of our society. Islam more than Christianity acknowledges the power of female sexuality, and the importance of its suppression.

I believe in the importance of the resurrection of the Goddess in Global and interpersonal terms. Men as well as women can benefit from the life-affirming qualities of the Goddess. The Goddess urges us to enjoy life now to live in present moment and to respect the relationship of ourselves to all things.

Women's social and biological programming predispose them to, have (generally) a more forgiving compassionate nature than men. Domestic violence and mental abuse are common problems in male and female relationships. It is not enough to blame women's caring nature without looking at the problem of male control and violence in the home and family. Why do men do this? How can women attract the right type of man into their life? This is both a pragmatic and metaphysical concern. It is difficult to feel good about ones self if the relationship one is in, is abusive in some way. Experiencing Goddess consciousness invokes a sense of female pride and desire to be worshiped. Through the Goddess women can enjoy relationships with men, People often treat us how we expect to be treated. Low self esteem is a precursor in many cases of domestic violence for victim and aggressor. If you feel like you deserve to get treated like a Queen it is more likely that you will be treated that way. Knowing the Goddess help women challenge preconceptions that lead them to expect to be treated badly by men. If women let the powerful Goddess archetypes into her life then the right men will come.

To have a healthy relationship with a man; a woman must have a sense of her own power and divine nature. I believe many men, (at least unconsciously) have a desire to worship the Goddess via a living woman. It can only benefit both sexes if women open themselves up to the life affirming energies that the Goddess brings.

Although women's value in the work place is rising she is still as under valued at home as ever men will come. This is because Goddess consciousness creates a better relationship with the inner woman, which then reflects into what kind of human beings manifest in her life.


The intelligent body

Women are seen as symbolic of the body and men the mind. Aristotle believed that man provided the spirit to the unborn child while the woman was simply the receptacle for the growing baby. Goddess religions did not condemn the physical body, as with various eastern traditions (all involving worship of female deities) the body is perceived as the vehicle towards enlightenment. Dance was often a way to worship the Goddess in a wide variety of cultures. Physical movements can invoke the goddess into the body as well as keeping the body young and fit and beautiful. The dance done by the priestesses and their congregations has survived today in some forms of eastern women's dances. When these are performed we are paying homage to the divine feminine. Before the spoken language there was dance. Creative physical movement is a way to speak to the Goddess in a language that she understands.

In contemporary society Women's process are frequently seen as disgusting by women and men. Periods are described as a 'curse', pregnancy and birth often become humiliating experiences for some women. Some cultures still retain ancient ideas towards women's processes. For example in many places in the middle east birth is approached as a festival. The occasion frequently involves large amounts of women dancing and singing as the birthing mother effortlessly brings her child into the world (these have been described by dance anthropologist Morroco). What we learn from this is the power of expectation can dictate the way an event is experienced. Like the feminist Adrienne Rich I believe that a lot of the problems for contemporary women in childbirth are associated with a patriarchal cultures negative expectations of the event. Similarity in the book the 'wise wound' the authors suggest that menstruation can be a positive experience. It is only the male defined taboos and idea of uncleanness that eventually manifests itself as pain in the physical body. If one opens up to the Goddess and relates to her. It is possible for these events to become interesting transforming and joyous times. Psychologists suggest that preconceptions are powerful influences on how we interpret any experience. Research suggests that if birth and menstruation are approached with a positive attitude the experience will involve far less pain and suffering, It has been shown that Women who have preconceived ideas that suggest negative outcomes for these events experience more distress as a consequence.

The body is often the locus of emotion pain. In women the physical body is often the source of feelings of dissatisfaction. Even if women have what is considered the perfect physical form, (as illustrated in women's magazines) they often don't feel good about at least one part of their body. A recent survey indicated that 75% of 12-14 year olds would like cosmetic surgery on their bodies. Women collude with men in the process of creating the physical image of the ideal female, which most people can not attain, Why? The idealised feminine Barbie doll image in its allusiveness creates suffering to many women. If the flesh is considered to be with out divinity, then it is not suprising that it forms the basis of unhealthy self-hatred. Of course a good relationship with ones body involves looking after it. Goddess dances (such as belly dancing.) can keep the body young and healthy, this is not just about physical exercise the mind- body -soul connection is being stimulated to provide a holistic way to feel healthy on all three levels of existence. Professional Middle Eastern dancers nearly always look years younger than their chronological age. This is because their dance is constantly reconnecting them to the archetypal Goddess forces that bring strength and feminine power into the body.


Ecstasy; the path to the soul

Goddess religions place a high value on ecstasy. Involving sex, dance, trance and music. Worship was connected with a feeling of spiritual liberation that was intimately connected to the body. Worship in western mainstream culture does not usually involve consciousness-changing states. (With the exemption of some Pentecostal religions.)

Tantricism is bound up with metaphysical ideas of spiritual unity. The sex act is perceived as a re-enactment of the beginning of creation. The women is the female principle or Goddess whilst the man is the male aspect or God. If sex is confined to physical gratification only, it deprives women of the chance to be Goddesses (and men to be Gods). Tantricism involves the male worshipping the female. This type of sex means the couple can have a more respectful and fulfilling relationship outside the sexual arena.

Starhawk has argued that the value of ecstasy in withcraft was high. Witches where often Goddess or nature worshippers.

As society became more influenced by male centred rationalism. The female healer was usurped by the male physician, although valuable information on folk medicine and healing techniques have been lost, modern women are again becoming interested in natural and energetic medicine. The majority of people enrolling on massage, aromatherapy Reiki courses etc are women. In this way we sense the presence of the Goddess moving through women. If the body is ill it is hard to be happy. The Goddess knows this and urges us to find ways to create a reality of mental material and spiritual health.


How the Goddess will help you release your power

The Goddess can help women co create the life they want and assist them to WANT to be happy. The Goddess says' worship me in all acts of love and pleasure.' Women need that permission. Pleasure to many women invokes feeling of guilt. The condition of Motherhood is so unfortunately wrapped up in guilt. The Goddess wants women. To enjoy themselves and to say 'yes' to pleasure. When we are happy and fulfilled, we have so much more to give the world including children. If we feel that we are not getting enough of what we need to be happy we tend to be less generous to our family friends and associates. If a woman does not feel worthy the things that she wants in life will not receive any energy. Feeling worthy involves the three levels of consciousness. We don't often associate spirituality with wealth enjoyment luxury and beauty. The Goddess does not see any discrepancy between wanting to manifest more comfortable material conditions and Goddesses like Lakshmi are all about business success, personal and residential adornment, yet possessing spiritual values at the same time. Living for today in the present moment. Is a feature of the Goddess as is forgiveness, love and personal responsibility.


Living by instinct

Women who are disconnected from their instincts are prone to many unfortunate things in life. Women who choose partners who abuse them or their children have lost their connection to their survival instinct. Female intuition is pure and can not be contaminated only suppressed. If women can learn to listen to their inner Goddess voice, which only wants peace and happiness, then life can be more successful in a number of areas. Women often hold on to patterns, which are destructive and may be formed by abuse in childhood. The Goddess Kali can irradiate and destroy negative ways of being (as she destroyed harmful entities) to allow the space and energy for a more productive life. The Goddess often appears in animal forms such as sekhmet the lion headed Goddess. The Goddess Tara the great compassionate mother makes anxieties disappear in her Green aspect, but she also has wrathful aspects. The Goddess acknowledges legitimate anger and survival strategies. A submissive weak women is in more danger of male abuse and less likely to protect her children than a strong powerful woman who is not afraid to roar like Sekhmet or destroy male demons like Kali to protect herself, and those she loves. Some times ferociousness and animal instinct are required for the affective growth and survival of ones self and ones children.


You are the Goddess

When you connect with powerful divine female archetypes you can truly be a Goddess. Not the sex Goddess of the male media who is disconnected from the birth process, or her opposite the virgin mother who is disconnected from her sexual dimension. The Goddess requires us to look at our selves and have compassion and respect for all her aspects that appear in the beautiful creation that we live in. When we learn to behave in a Manner that respects all life and learn to love our selves in a holistic way, then we can see the Goddess clearly, as we think so shall we be. Being Goddess conscious means that we are indeed the Goddess.

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