Recently, I’ve been developing a series of classes to be presented at The Enchanted Cottage based on Denise Linn’s book, Secrets and Mysteries, The Glory and Pleasure of Being a Woman. What a fantastic book! I wish I had discovered it years ago! This book really gets you in touch with your femininity and is wonderful for any Goddess-in-the-making. I consider it an essential guidebook for all modern goddesses.
You know who they are: smart, sexy, savvy, and even better, they know who they are.
Only the first chapter of Secrets and Mysteries is about actual Goddesses. The rest of the book is filled with information that can turn any woman into a Goddess herself. There are make-up tips, a whole chapter on Sacred Sexuality, interesting tips on how to connect to your spirit allies and much more. It’s a must have for every woman.
FACT: (excerpted in part from Secrets and Mysteries)
According to research from various sites around the world, more and more archaeologists are beginning to agree with art historian Merlin Stone, who states, “At the very dawn of religion, God was a woman.” Goddess worship can be linked back to the Paleolithic period, as early as 2,000,000 B.C.E, until LESS THAN 5,000 years ago, when God became a man.
It seems to me that most would find this to be an interesting fact.
Being born a female has always been something that I’ve cherished, but that little fact that the dominance of the patriarchal, male God is a relatively recent development is fascinating to me, having grown up with a God as a Father figure. What was it like when the perception nearly everywhere was that God had the Heart of a Woman? How has knowing God as a man affected women today? Ponder that for just a moment.
It is my hope for all women that at some point in their lives they begin to awaken the power of the Divine Feminine, the Goddess within. One way to do this is to learn how ancient cultures depicted the Goddess in her many forms. Each Goddess can be thought of as a specific archetype, which can be called upon when the need arises, during difficult times of transition or other periods in your life.
For me, researching the different Goddesses has been exciting and fun, but also deeply transformative of my vision of what it means to be a woman.
Today, with the resources available for free on the Internet, it really is easy to discover a lot of fascinating and revealing information about the Goddess. As part of the series of classes I have developed, called The Goddess Series, we will be examining many Goddesses and how to awaken and incorporate Her Divine energy in our own lives as women (only the first class is on Goddesses, in other classes we will explore such topics as connecting with your spirit allies, secrets of the shamanness, awakening the Warrior Woman, Sacred Sexuality, and much more). Here is a brief look at some of the major Goddesses of history to get you started on your own search. I found this information at www.Goddess-Power.com (used by permission).
Athena exhibits an extroverted and independent temperament. She is the Goddess of wisdom and civilization. Call on Her in any matter concerning your career or when you are motivated by the desire for achievement or acquiring knowledge. Athena possesses a keen intellect and is concerned with education, culture, social issues and politics.
Artemis possesses an introverted and independent temperament (polar opposite to Athena) She represents the Goddess of Nature, concerned with matters of the outdoors, animals, environmental protection and women’s communities. She is practical, adventurous, athletic and preferring solitude. She symbolizes regenerative earth power over all living things.
Hera possesses an extroverted temperament and a focus on issue of outer world control and power. She is traditionally the Goddess of marriage, concerned with partnership and her relationship as wife to a man. She faces life challenges regarding power, status and leadership. Hera belongs to the relationship-oriented ‘vulnerable’ goddess category, suffering humiliation by her god husband, Zeus. Hera had allegedly led a conspiracy against Zeus as an act of revenge.
Aphrodite possesses an extroverted temperament and focuses on relationships and love. She is traditionally considered the Goddess of love. Her primary concerns and interests are mature, adult relationships, romance, sexuality, beauty and the arts. One account of Aphrodite’s birth states that she rose up from the foam on the ocean as a naked and fully developed beautiful woman; and she rode on a scallop shell.
Demeter possesses an introverted temperament (opposite to Aphrodite). A kind, gentle-soul, she re-paid people well for even the smallest favors. She is concerned with bearing, raising and nurturing children and family. Hers is a contained ‘mother love’. Her awareness is diffuse. Demeter belongs to the category of ‘vulnerable’ goddess--she was raped and impregnated by Poseidon as well as by Zeus. Her daughter, Persephone, was taken from her and, and although she was returned for awhile, she was forced to leave her mother, for a portion of every year to live as Goddess of the Underworld with Hades.
Hestia possesses an introverted temperament and is focused on her inner, spiritual world. Hestia is an archetype of inner centeredness. She was known to be mild mannered, upstanding, charitable, as well as a protector. She is the least known of the Olympian goddesses primarily because she never takes part in any disputes or wars. She minds her own business amidst a family of goddesses and gods who engage in ‘high drama’. Similarly to Athena and Artemis she resists the amorous advances of men, therefore, placing her in the ‘virgin’ goddess category. Her energy is impersonal and detached. Her awareness is focused. Hestia’s focus is for herself. She is grounded and her life has meaning. The goddess, Hestia did not take a partner.
After you research the Goddesses and what they represent (I used Wikipedia.com) begin to identify the connection you feel and start to call in the Goddess Power to You. Examine your life right now. What character traits, represented by the Goddesses of the ancient world are the ones you need most? After doing some research and finding a Goddess who represents most completely the energy you need to manifest now, do additional research about Her. Read about Her history and how the ancient cultures worshipped Her. Meditate on Her power and visualize yourself taking on this power in your own life. Then you will be able to invoke the Goddess power most suitable for your situation.
You will be amazed at how this will affect your self-esteem and give you strength, and radiating beauty.
Calling In the Goddess
Sometimes it is necessary to call upon The Goddess or Goddesses. Activating her strength and beauty can change any circumstance. You will need to think about who you will have at your ceremony, if anyone, and gather any tools that will help you to focus.
Set Your Intention: Why do you want to call in The Goddess energy? What attributes do you need to bring into your Being right now? Whether it’s leaving a bad relationship, starting a new business, moving into a new home, starting a family, or attracting a lover, set your intention before you begin.
Decide Which Goddess to Call In: If you trying to leave a destructive relationship, you need the power and courage to do so. You may want to call in Kali. Starting a new business endeavor? Seek Lakshmi. Do you want to start a family? Try calling in Demeter. Want to attract a lover? Try Venus, Aphrodite or Lilith. It’s important to research the different Goddesses for this exercise. What attributes to you need to bring into your Being right now?
Prepare: Decide what tools you will need. Make a shopping list. Decide if you will invite anyone. You may want candles, paper, a pen, essential oils or incense. It’s whatever YOU think you might need and what inspires you.
Purification: It is important to have a clear space. Remove clutter, sweep, and remove distractions. You may also use sage to clear the space. (This can be purchased locally at Enchanted Cottage at 30 H st 93301) You may also consider clearing the space with a bell by ringing it with the intention of creating a nice, peaceful, environment.
Ceremony: Decide if you will be alone or with others. You may simply light a candle for The Goddess. You may want to write out your prayers and wishes and place under your candle. If your ceremony involves others, you can set it up any way you choose. In class, we each select a Goddess and walk up to the altar and light a candle. We may even drum together. This ceremony can take any direction you want.
Invocation: You may say a simple phrase such as:
Aphrodite, Goddess of Beauty and Inner Passion, I invite you into my life. Aid me in attracting my perfect mate. I accept and graciously receive all you bring to me in the areas of femininity, sensuality, inner beauty, and creativity. Thank you Aphrodite.
Be Still: It’s important to take a moment in the silence after the ceremony to listen to any messages that may be there. It is often, in the silence, as Denise mentions in her book, that the Spirit is the strongest.
Integration: Take time to give thanks for the blessings that have and will continue to come out of this ceremony. Take a moment to ask yourself, “How can I bring these qualities into my life?’ What actions do I need to take? According to Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D., author of Goddesses in Everywoman, “Goddess-archetypes … are powerful personality shapers. These goddesses determine what deeply motivates and fulfills us — and they differ in different women.” She goes on to say, “When a woman makes an intuitive connection between the characteristics, symbols and myths of a particular goddess and herself, the Aha! that results is empowering and revealing of her own strengths and susceptibilities.”
Have fun with your Goddess Ceremony. Research the different Goddesses and what they represent. You can do this process over and over as you need to. You are invited to my class starting June 3rd that meets on Wednesday evenings to learn more about Denise Linn’s book Secrets and Mysteries, The Glory and Pleasure of Being a Woman. We meet at 30 H St. at 7 pm. Signing up is easy! 323-9929 Advance registration required.