I understand the importance of choosing a living stream Goddess.
I don't want to make this lengthy. I went through a lot as both Traditional Catholic and Russian Orthodox. I need to stay away from Christianity.
On the other hand, it is better to choose a Face of the Divine Mother from a living stream from one's own culture..which, for me would be Mary...to Whom I was devoted all my life until I left Christianity fifteen years ago.
I don't think I can separate Her from Christianity or Jesus.. because of the depth of training and teachings I endured over the years. I don't know that I could separate Her from Mary of Nazareth. I wish I could, I really do. If I couldn't separate Sophia from Gnostic Christianity (where She is a Fallen Aeon) I don't think I could separate Mary from Her Patriarchal story/myth. There is some built in fear/guilt associated with this as well.
I was wondering if you had any further info on Mary/Mari as Dea or would it be a simple matter of calling Her Mari and change the prayers and KNOW that She is not Mary the mother of Jesus?
Also, I do want to order the Gospel.. so, I'm also just checking that you are 'still there', so to speak.
Thank you so much.
Sincerely, Pam
Honored Miss Pam, you say "it is better to choose a Face of the Divine Mother from a living stream from one's own culture", but this is not necessarily the case. A stream from one's own culture can have both advantages and disadvantages. The primary disadvantage is that one may continue to imbue a "familiar" image with patriarchal notions that surround it and that have often been used to "neutralize" images of Dea.
In your case it may well be that the the disadvantages outweigh any advantages and you would be better advised to choose images from outside Christian culture.
The image of thousand-hand Kwan Yin, for example, is such that cannot be confused with a mere human woman, and the sheer depth of Her compassion as well as the omnipotence conveyed in this image may help both to free your mind and recapture your heart.
If you do choose to persevere with Marian images, it would certainly help to use the form Mari or Marya as in the heart invocation (you may find listening to this chant interesting from the point of view of this discussion).
And yes we are certainly still here and still selling The Holy Gospel of our Mohther God Mary of Nazareth vs Mary Creatrix of the Universe
I understand the importance of choosing a living stream Goddess.
I don't want to make this lengthy. I went through a lot as both Traditional Catholic and Russian Orthodox. I need to stay away from Christianity.
On the other hand, it is better to choose a Face of the Divine Mother from a living stream from one's own culture..which, for me would be Mary...to Whom I was devoted all my life until I left Christianity fifteen years ago.
I don't think I can separate Her from Christianity or Jesus.. because of the depth of training and teachings I endured over the years. I don't know that I could separate Her from Mary of Nazareth. I wish I could, I really do. If I couldn't separate Sophia from Gnostic Christianity (where She is a Fallen Aeon) I don't think I could separate Mary from Her Patriarchal story/myth. There is some built in fear/guilt associated with this as well.
I was wondering if you had any further info on Mary/Mari as Dea or would it be a simple matter of calling Her Mari and change the prayers and KNOW that She is not Mary the mother of Jesus?
Also, I do want to order the Gospel.. so, I'm also just checking that you are 'still there', so to speak.
Thank you so much.
Sincerely, Pam
Honored Miss Pam, you say "it is better to choose a Face of the Divine Mother from a living stream from one's own culture", but this is not necessarily the case. A stream from one's own culture can have both advantages and disadvantages. The primary disadvantage is that one may continue to imbue a "familiar" image with patriarchal notions that surround it and that have often been used to "neutralize" images of Dea.
In your case it may well be that the the disadvantages outweigh any advantages and you would be better advised to choose images from outside Christian culture.
The image of thousand-hand Kwan Yin, for example, is such that cannot be confused with a mere human woman, and the sheer depth of Her compassion as well as the omnipotence conveyed in this image may help both to free your mind and recapture your heart.
If you do choose to persevere with Marian images, it would certainly help to use the form Mari or Marya as in the heart invocation (you may find listening to this chant interesting from the point of view of this discussion).
And yes we are certainly still here and still selling The Holy Gospel of our Mohther God 
