Highlights from the Gathering

Summary of Discussion

As with all similar events it is not possible to capture every thought or feeling expressed, and it is almost impossible to put into words the energy generated by the collective, the community that emerged. What I have attempted here is an overview from the tapes that allows each of us to tune into what was happening at that time. We are working from the tapes and hope to have them up as podcasts very soon.

This highlight is about the first question posed at the Goddess Gathering.

1. What do we mean when we talk about Goddess and/or The Divine Feminine?
Panel: Dr Patricia Rose (Spiritual Guide and Facilitator)
Jane Meredith (Priestess, Author and Facilitator)
White Sophia (Clare) (High Priestess)

Dr. Patricia Rose commenced the conversation by demonstrating the difference between meaning and ‘significance’ and asked the difference between the meaning of ‘Goddess’ and the signifier or the significance of that word for each of us. Cosmos, Earth, Matter, The Whole, Interconnectedness of all of these, Unifying Principle, Dynamic Unfolding, Rhythm and cycle of Life, Mystery Awe and Wonder. Goddess is the whole of nature that gives energy to the universe.

WHAT DOES "GODDESS" SIGNIFY FOR ME?
1. Earth/Cosmos/Matter
2. The interconnectedness of Earth/Cosmos/Matter
3. The unifying principle of Earth/Cosmos/Matter
4. The dynamic unfolding of Earth/Cosmos/Matter
5. The rhythm/cycle of Earthly/Cosmic Life
6. The mystery of Earth/Cosmos/Matter

For me, the signifier "Goddess" is almost identical to the signifier "Nature".

"Goddess is not simply conceived of as being immanent in the world, but rather the whole of nature, the cosmos and the world are thealogically conceived of as the living body of the Goddess".   (Paul Reid-Bowen, Goddess as Nature. Aldershot, Ashgate, 2007:70.)

"Goddess is the firm foundation of changing life"; "the organism uniting the cells of the earth body".   (Carol Christ, Rebirth of the Goddess. New York, Routledge, 1997:106.)

Each of these claims stresses that the Goddess is thealogically conceived of as an energy, a living organism or a body that serves to unite the diverse and changing elements of the world - Goddess as "the soul of nature that gives life to the universe".   (The Charge of the Goddess.)

Does all of this mean that Goddess would/could have no existence apart from Nature? Yes. My personal framework is a pantheistic one. Pantheism is a profound religious reverence for the Universe/Nature in its own right; total immanence.

WHY DO I USE THE TERM "GODDESS" AT ALL?
• The phenomenon we observe in the Earth/Cosmos is a mystery. It is awesome.
• Because it is mysterious and awesome, we draw on the realm of religious/sacred language to name it, for sacred language best expresses these concepts.
• The best expression of sacred language to capture this sacred essence, and the best signifier, for me, and for today, is "Goddess".

Jane Merideth inspired us with ‘The Charge of the Goddess’ which was breathtaking in its poetry and drama.  She then took us on a ride on a ferris wheel where at each point we stopped there was meaning and significance and at the same time each place was the whole.  Each is its own and at the same time a part. This was a wonderful way to think about the seasons, the elements and the holism of life.

White Sophia shared her journey to and with the Goddess to her place as High Priestess where she is both in the care of the Mother and mother to her coven.

I came to the Goddess very young, and was inspired by a quote I heard, along the lines of "every woman alive knows something of the Goddess".  I waited until my mid-20s before I was ready to study about the Goddess in earnest, and for me that meant pursuing witchcraft. For me, this is a tradition that takes the spirituality of the Goddess and gives you the tools to learn about her, and work with her. The tools we use are all about empowerment. I gave the example of the athame  (ritual sword). I held it aloft and said "I am Artemis, and I will protect you". With the wand, I said "I am Aphrodite; love as you will for I love you all". The bowl, a vessel for water, for me symbolizes my current work with the Goddess Isis, in teaching, healing and magic. And I brought some dried mint from my garden, to remind us of the bounty of Gaia. In learning to teach the craft, I have realized that no one can tell you how to see the Goddess. Indeed, she walks beside us and is a real and important part of our everyday lives.

Following the presentations there were discussions in small groups . A summary of these conversations is as follows:
• The Goddess is life as imagined as the feminine
• Goddess is current not a past practice being rehashed
• Understanding the Goddess is about me valuing myself as a women – connection
• I wasn’t excluded by language by the Christian church however once I found the female language – AHA!!!
• What attracted me to the Goddess was the language, the feminine aspect, the mythology and the image of a nurturing Mother.
• We have used the concept of ‘god’ to fill the gaps of what we don’t know; Goddess is more than filling the gaps.
• Goddess is a driving force within me which is whole and part of the whole
• She is a celebration of women’s voice and truth