Demonology - the understanding of demons and the ways of combating them - is alien to the modern "scientific" mind. But it has a special place in feminine religion.

Demonology - the understanding of demons and the ways of combating them - is alien to the modern "scientific" mind. But it has a special place in feminine religion.

One thing the Gods will give you, no matter what pain you may be subjected to in this life, is the opportunity to experience beauty. They have gone to great pains to interweave this often-monstrous world -- where the insurmountable often weighs against the good odds -- with beauties of various and rich kinds.

The opportunity is there. The question is whether we will take it. That we will experience pain and difficulties is, unfortunately, one of the facts of the pre-Ragnarok world in the Axe Age. Yet within it all, what we come here for is beauty.

It is important to take the time to experience and appreciate that beauty, and to give thanks for it. For with all the bitter, melancholic experiences handed to us, there is, through it all, great, poignant beauty.

In fact, we need the Gods for this as well, because sometimes the beauty of life is so strong and overpowering that it can feel like it could crush it. We must worship, and give back, and express that beauty, in whatever way we can, artistic or not, in order for beauty to have life-bearing effects. For beauty is power. It is the power of the Gods. I am not discussing formal qualities of attractiveness, which many evil things can have. I am talking about the experience of beauty, which allows one to fall in love with life despite its trying frustrations and struggles.

Let us thank the Gods for beauty. And let us welcome it into our life with song and dance and worship and love.

What is polytheism? Lady Aquila explains that it is a propaganda-word designed to confuse and prejudice the complex issue the Multiplicity and the Oneness of the Divine.

Sistahs, I woke up this morning with Leadership Thoughts on my mind...I visualized how a great powerful Queen would wake up and from her window access her Queendom. She would smile in gratitude and with a sense of accomplishment. All of her hard work paid off and now she has the utmost pleasure in witnessing everything she has built! How powerful and free she was in my visualization.

So what is stopping you from ruling your world? This was the question that came to me as I came back to waking reality. Nothing, I said simply. A friend in the Yoruba tradition read me an Odu that spoke of sacrifice, meaning that anything good that can be obtained in this life requires effort and perseverance. I had always remembered this because it has rang true for me. I noticed that when I set out to achieve a goal it was always clear what needed to be sacrificed to move forward yet for many people they can not imagine "giving up" such a thing...

Often, the Queendom is really right around the corner but for some reason many women take the off-road path or they are following someone else's path because a tradition has told them too or societal expectation is that they "should" do this...Again, the question is clear "What is stopping you from ruling your world?" If the Creator who made us wanted us to assume the role of dutiful assistant then why are we capable of GREAT THOUGHTS?! Why not have had us born with the mind that is feeble and only worthy of being told what to do? So many people want you to believe you were never made for a Queendom - that your place is honorably behind them...as if you will attain your purpose assisting them with their purpose. Sistahs, I will tell you a secret - which really is no longer a secret except to us - the Liberation of your consciousness will set the healing of this world in a powerful motion! The minute YOU decided to seek your own DIVINITY the world will rapidly RISE to meet YOU!

The beautiful part of your world is that it will include ALL that you desire. You can reshape it to fit your needs. Nothing is impossible - you are the Creatrix! If you don't know where to begin ask the Creator to sit before you the truth of your life - in this truth you will see what has brought you forth and what has hindered you from there the brave steps of moving forward will begin...I hold the space from my part in the universe and I too am in the process of creating my Queendom. Give thanks.

Sis. C

In your reply to Miss Bull Dyke, you say that the Hebraic traditions "invented polytheism"; yet you also say

"polytheism" in the Hebraic sense of the term has only rarely existed and that in spiritually degenerate societies such as those of the Classical era in Europe. Were the Hebraic traditions wrong to attack polytheism? No, because they were confronted with societies in which the multiplicity of the Divine had been over-literalized to the extent that the sense of the Absolute was almost lost.

So who did invent polytheism - the Jews, or the Graeco-romans? I am not trying to criticize, I just want to learn. Thank you. We were putting this matter in rather "shorthand" terms in our last reply. Let us explain more fully: As the natural decline of the World Cycle proceeds, times arise in which adaptations and simplifications of tradition are needed in order to serve the needs of a lower and simpler humanity. Sometimes there are great waves of simplification that affect much of the world at once - like the one in the 6th millennium BC described in The Feminine Universe. Even at these times some peoples will be left behind and will continue the older traditions. However, such older traditions will be too difficult for the newer humanity, who will therefore increasingly misunderstand and corrupt them. The case in point here is Indo-European patriarchal angelotheism (if we may coin a phrase) which sees God through Her many powers without losing site of Her ultimate Oneness. The main branches of this tradition were the Indian, the Teutonic and the Graeco-Roman (leaving aside the Persian, which had already been reformed by Mazdaeism). The Indian branch was reformed quietly from within, owing to the influence of Buddhism and the work of Vedantins such as Sri Shankaracharya. The Teutonic and "Classical" branches went unreformed and slipped into an increasing literalism. Among the more spiritually educated it never became a true "polytheism" (ie., an idolatrous atheism), but it moved sufficiently in that direction that the Hebraic hyperbole which represented it as such was not too far wrong. In spiritual terms, patriarchal Europe was desperately in need of reform, and that reform came, for better or worse, from the Hebraic camp. Similar movements were undoubtedly present in earlier survivals of pre-Abrahamic traditions among the Jews, but here there comes a complicating factor - that the Jewish hierarchy had an interest in representing any continuance of the Mother Tradition as an idolatrous (ie polytheistic, Absolute-denying) cultus whether that were true or not. We cannot know whether the Hebrew Queen of Heaven cultus had adapted itself to the spiritual needs of the new era. In sum, the concept of "polytheism" is a polemical one, invented by the Hebraists. Even among degenerate cults, few people would actually have applied the term to themselves. Think of it as like "fascism" in current political usage. More of a label used to brand others than a truly descriptive term.

hi, I'm a lesbian bulldyke feminist & drag king super queer & I dig that you've got a brand new womyn-only religion. I have to add tho since I studied feminist studies, the original religion may be "matristic" but not anything like what you want it to be. First of all monotheism is an invention of Jews after Babylonian captivity, and only after Jews came in contact with civilized world of Mesopotamia. All primitive/native religions are animistic and polytheistic (even that is misleading cos they did not have that inflated big almighty god delusion). Second, the old way was never womyn-only or gynocentric, but only egalitarian, with womyn entrusted with mysteries. Third, there was no hierarchy or what you call traditional social orders before patriarchy. People lived peacefully with the Gaia & everyone was equal. I hope you get some enlightenment, this is okay but still classist, elitist and anti-democratic, just like xtianity. And of course our ancient foremothers all believed in evolution and probably attended the Democratic National Convention. Sorry to be a little flippant, but really - what an overwhelming coincidence that the earth's most ancient civilizations just happened to believe exactly what modern liberals believe and to espouse ideologies of the past few centuries of white European thought. There are so many specifics that might be answered here. The idea that "monotheism" was invented by the Abrahamic faiths, for example is a vast oversimplification. It would be much truer to say that polytheism was invented by the Hebraic cultus. What do we mean by that? We mean that outside of the Hebraic sphere the whole monotheist/polytheist pseudo-argument has never existed. All "native" religions recognize multiple powers, but also recognize a supreme unity. So do we. As for ourselves: do we worship one God, or do we call Her three? Or Seven? The question really only arises when one starts treating the matter with an inappropriate literalism. But "polytheism" in the Hebraic sense of the term has only rarely existed and that in spiritually degenerate societies such as those of the Classical era in Europe. Were the hebraic traditions wrong to attack polytheism? No, because they were confronted with societies in which the multiplicity of the Divine had been over-literalized to the extent that the sense of the Absolute was almost lost. But they were certainly wrong when they imagined that Hindus or most native peoples were "polytheist" in that sense. But to say "I believe in polytheism" - a word coined and defined by Hebraists and taking it in precisely the pejorative sense that they rightly condemned - is to say: "I believe in a universe of pure relativity in which there is no center and no Absolute. I believe in a godless universe." Which of course is precisely what large numbers of people do believe: but there is no warrant for projecting those very recent beliefs on our ancient mothers.

A recent blog post led to the following conversation in the commentary, which our readers may find of interest: Sushuri Madonna-chei: And totem animals - oh one can think so much about them. In a way they are akin to guardian janyati, and yet also they are a thing all their own. And somehow it feels that we, being in Culveria [America - ed.], inherit both. Of course the main correspondences of janyati with birds are well enough known: Sai Raya - Eagle
Sai Rhave - Raven
Sai Sushuri - Dove
Sai Vikhe - Hawk
Sai Thame - Swan
Sai Mati - Owl
But who is Sai Candre's bird? Is it the seagull who constantly cries for the island of Avala, the Paradise of the Daughter? Miss Willow Dreamwalker: I think a suitable candidate for Honored Sai Candre is the Loon. The loon has been associated by many cultures with dreaming and the psychic domain. Its haunting voice is akin to a call to the wilds which is also Sai Candre's domain. It doesn't do well on land, but is an excellent swimmer - the best of all birds, it is believed - and water has long been associated as well with the astral plane. I personally find the call of the loon to be the most chilling, beautiful, irresistable calls in the world. The first time I heard it, in fact, I cried for its sheer haunting beauty and pined for it when it stopped. Not the only option for Sai Candre, but I believe it's certainly one of them! Lady Aquila: Of course the birds Miss Sushuri lists are not the only birds related to each of the janyati. Sai Thame, for example is also very strongly associated with the pavanelle (brunette peahen) the nightingale and the swallow, Sai Vikhe with birds of prey in general. Nor are birds necessarily exclusive. The nightingale also has strong Candric associations. The loon seems very likely to be a Candric bird. Sai Candre has an affinity for water birds (as opposed to sea-birds, which tend to be Sushuric) in any case, and is the name not interesting. While it is not actually etymologically linked to "lunar" we should never ignore the sound-associations of words, which are an important aspect of the traditional science of hermeneutics. This makes perfect sense, of course, when one realizes that sounds are subtly linked to the things they name, rather than being mere arbitrary grunts "evoluted" by ape-men.

Love yourself, Love yourself, Love yourself
cause who is going to love you if
you don't love yourself?

Be who you want to be RIGHT NOW!
Stop waiting for tomorrow
Stop worrying about who you use to be.

Everyday do a little to towards your dream
make a vision board and place it within eye's sight of your bed,
gaze, unwavering at your dream vision each day, each moment...
chant "I Love Myself" two thousand times each day until you have no
choice but to believe it!

Stop telling lies about yourself,
stop saying your fat, your broke, your not this or that...
if you can't see yourself right now as a Goddess then
be WILLING to one day see yourself as a Goddess

Drop the dead people,
the people that have stopped living a long time ago,
surround yourself with people who are alive,
who dream and share their dreams,
who respect you enough to not weigh you down constantly
with stagnation and reasons why something can't happen...

Stop worrying about what others will think,
they going to always think what they are going think
AND you are always going to GROW and EXPAND

If your head hurts and your back is aching then
maybe just maybe...you have been trying to fit yourself
into that box again - you know the one that is too small,
so crowded and worthless...
the world can't benefit at all from you playing small...
we NEED you to be a BIG HUGE SHINNING GODDESS

I wish I could say Money doesn't matter, but I would be lying...
I wish I could say Money TOTALLY matters but I would be lying...
Don't settle for less than what you deserve AND
be generous.

Love=Respect
Love=Respect
Love=Respect

Remember how you said you wouldn't do that again,
but you did?
It's ok, you just had to learn that lesson again.
Stop beating yourself up,
even a Goddess has her most human times...

Some of the most fiercest warriors I have ever met
were kind and loving people...
You can be serious and like laughing and smiling...

Pleasure principle:
Wombyn on top,
Wombyn completely satisfied,
Wombyn vibrating with the Light of Spirit!

Create, create, create...
Wombyn are creative beings,
visionaries, dreamers
Bring your dream into our reality,
help us all with your vision...
again, You Are Needed...

Peace and Hugs
Sis. Camara

You ask where cometh the storm that brooding sits within this Byronesque breast, and lovely, I say, I say unto you my Gods are Gods of Thunder and Might, Gods of Wild Wind and Blitzkrieg, Gods of Love So Strange and Potent-Fierce they birth the seed of storm within us all who do them toast and honor. It is but wind seeking return to wind, sunburst seek ascent to Sol, and thunder seeking recoil to its silver-malleted electron-lusty cloud-clamoring lord! These are ancient, beyond-the-bounds-of-the-city Gods! They lead on the train, the endless battle-hoards, the long-line swirling legions of livid spirits, gusty, and lust-filled to fertilize the plains made desolate by over-domestication. I seem citizen, you see but a body, but beloved, within the cloister of these tissues train eager spirals and fierce exultations given but mere loan from Gods who long to see their art given good craze and blazen iteration in an uplift of mad and desperate surprise! For we are the scions of their sublime lineage of night-crafted lunacy and monster-milling molding in the screaming labor of earth's olden days ; and they love to see what imperfect forgings we stumbling make and offer up on altars, all to please them. They have the melee's elemental love-light within, and with angry, benevolent, wit-crafted hands they mold against the storm of being while yet keeping that storm's life alive in the bent and twisted art that, now coiling and climbing like the vine's serpentine foilage, whispers subtle and crafty beauty in the silence after sunset descends. You may now see, standing full and revelation before thee, dear, but a fit in flesh, a great coded spasm given drive and rifled by the strong, mysterious arms of divine giant-killers! I am their oh-so-lowly Midgard kin, an up-and-coming, promising young brat of beauty brooding deep to catch the currents' slip that slides so quickly through my inner being. I'm a bear-skin wearing heath-and-briar priest lodged watch-tower in the evergreen thicket to snare and spin some haggard hymns for my Most-So-Holy Lords and Ladies, who await the odd and raspy song with eager yet old ages tempered storm-ears.

There are some Gods who might simply ask for incense, or perhaps the first stalks of golden grain, or fat of the feasted bull, yet every day I feel the pull to produce storms, to hand back crafted chaos into their baroque and orc-bloodied hands of master craftship. Those hands, having strong shaped the earth, given chance to the gamble, so molding the odds that ever-impossibles might possible-seek with strive, I long to please with my own just-barely-tamed trials of rough and raw-hewn beauty, for they seek that bronco buck in all shapings. Ill has it to kill the life in that which is made, but rather like a wild bison to ride with bold peril against the evening's edge. There, shaking fist at the fires, and glance-turning, spurning the iron-cold glaciers for some glory to be found between. They know that fame is evanescent, but like a fire, is found in how high the flames may lick in that lingering moment of blaze before the black. So against that hard hearth I give Heimdall the oil of night's middling hours that he might vapor-of-the-flame carry it rainbow up star-cobbled roads to the royal, stone-laid fortresses of the mighty Gods. And into their hands of patient hale I entrust these rough-tumbled gems I caliban-carve in my humbled flights of frenzy.

Ye who hang parasite o'er the oak of kin, pruning out its world-wide boughs with sun-robbing shadow, ye mistletoes of mind, darts stealing light from shining, wondrous Baldur, ye kin of Claudius pouring poison in the ears of king and kingdom, corroding out the flesh of commonwealth and replacing with the emblem of your lord and saviour Loki : strife. For you set all asunder, making foes of could-and-would-be friends, turn cracks and crazes to gulfs, rob eyes of wide-open beauty in auto-uglification of world through your own retarded lack of imagination separating same from other in the subfascist quarantine of your racist, trollish minds. And you are the trolls. And you are the ogres. And you are the deformed, cloudy-minded fools made orc through your own dehumanization. For that human cup, so brim with broad flavor, you, O orc-worshipping denizens of shadow, refuse, spilling out mead and smuggling in venom. Venom, venom, to eat out eyes and gnaw the hearts of ears, with ugly, false delusions of smoke-and-vapor lines of small-minded separations. Celebrants of the subhuman, clone-junkies incest-seeking same and same against the different, you are the trolls, you are the ogres, you are the ugly, heartless orcs casting shame on every act of worship you sully. And my rage is Mjollnir, for I shall shut thee up, thy worthless sons of Loki seeing only through eyes of strife ; and I shall grind you to dust and feed your Gods'-gift-spat-upon with spite and cursed darkenment as roots-manure for the all-embracing tree of full relation. For I am kin, you see, to all, and your less-than-fully-human eyes need light from ones such as me, for we the noble tire of your unworthed encroachment on our most and holy sites. If ye try to twain me from my brethren, full brethren, brethren of world and full beyond, then, devotee of strife, receive thy full reward at Mjollnir's mallet, and then be bound, thy noxious Loki-spirit down in Nastrond here with serpents seek your fellows to find, above your worthless master. For your ill-tamed rage and wrath against the weave of braided difference sets your hearts a lowly thrall to wretched nidings. You are disgrace, you are stain, you are sully set to spoil all the good the Gods intend, but, troll's thrall, you shall fail. Turn back now and beg the Gods' forgiveness, if you wish at all their blessings, for their boons are beauty, long art-crafted o'er the ages to awaken and enlighten, and those who shut the eyes of soul and cut short the long arm of love, so that minds melt into narrow alleys of blind, fathoms short of beauty, there to languish -- you set your unholy claws upon the gifts of the Gods, and sure as day shall follow night, for your sacrilege you shall be judged. Set back not the clock of wit and 'ware's advancement, for we are outseekers, embracers of exotic, blending minds and genes with many -- as our Gods command.

We were planning to reply to our recent correspondent on evolution, but as fate would have it, the even more recent contributions, while on a different subject, anticipate and illustrate much of what we have to say. And that is that tradition certainly tends to be opposed to Darwinistic transformist evolutionism (as we have explained before there are circumstances under which the two can be reconciled, though it is unclear why one should wish to do so). But what any legitimate tradition is quite definitely and unequivocally impelled to oppose are such notions as the "evolution of consciousness". Whether or not the human "shell", the animal vehicle, "evolved" from some lower life form (which we consider preposterous, but not inherently incompatible with tradition), what is quite certain is that human consciousness is not becoming more complex. It is becoming simpler. That is why simpler approaches to spirituality are required in the latter age. That is why language - as every linguistic historian is forced to admit - has become progressively simpler over time. That is what is taught by every tradition. However the human body became what it is, the human consciousness became what it is through a process of simplification and reduction. As every authentic tradition attests, "we are less wise than our mothers." That is why we have greater facility with physical and material "science" and less with spiritual wisdom. And that is why a majority of people are even simple enough to treat an exclusively materially-oriented civilization and science as a sign of "progress".

Miss Sarah Andrea Amy writes: Historically it is worth mentioning that the "simple way" gained its popularity in many parts of the world during the early part of the second millennium of the Common Era. In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, a practice called Hesychasm became an important part of monastic living, involving repetitive chanting of the Jesus Prayer using prayer ropes. This was based on beliefs that the very name of Christ is the dwelling in which Jesus is present. Around the same time, during the 12th and 13th centuries Buddhism in East Asia moved from arduous disciplines to the simpler approach that promises the attainment of liberation through chanting. Honen (Japan, 1133-1212) founded the Jodo-shu, the Teaching of the Pure Land. Instead of the harsh practices taught by the Tiantai (Tendai/Cheondae) School, Honen advocated a new way of Buddhism based on the Nembutsu, or the chanting of the Namo Amituofo Fa/Namu Amida Butsu to attain liberation. Later, Nichiren Daishonin came up with another simple way of chanting the Daimoku: Namo Miaofa Lianhua Jing/Namu Myoho Renge Kyo. Both Honen's and Nichiren's sects of Buddhism grew quickly and still remain to be the largest branches of Buddhism in Japan. As you note, such simpler way is suitable for this latter day, the Kali Yuga -- or as the Nichiren Buddhists would refer to the Last Age of the Law. This rather worldwide phenomenon might also account to the simplification of Christianity, including the Protestant Reformation (Sola Fide, Sola Scriptura...) and much later, the Evangelical movement (which has condensed the essence of Christianity into something like the Four Spiritual Laws).

You may be pleased to learn that you can now find the Chapel of Our Mother god on Twitter and Facebook Please pop over and "follow" or "like" our pages. Show your support for Our Dear Mother!

Honored Miss Nightfall writes:

Even the God the Mother videos that I watched use a style of rhetoric (I hesitate to use the word "preaching") very similar to that of evangelical Christianity, such as saying that all you need to do is invite God into your heart/life and God will take care of everything. I've only seen that said in that particular sect of Christianity.

Perhaps it would be interesting to look at the preaching of ISCKON (the "Hare Krishna" movement). This western-popularizing, but largely orthodox Hindu movement uses such appeals as:

Only chant: "Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare" [etc.] and your life will become divine.

Now you could certainly say that this may have been influenced by evangelical preaching, but it is just as much influenced by the mediaeval Caitanya movement which has always advocated chanting as "the one thing needful". Have the two movements anything in common? Yes indeed. They are both recognizing (Caitanya devotees consciously, evangelicals - who, much as they may attempt to reject evolutionism, remain in thrall to progressism - unconsciously) that in this latter age maid is far less capable than she has ever been before in the spiritual domain and that simple methods must be presented to us. Honored Raya Chancandre's preaching on the Kinema (homepage of this site) does not specifically mention chanting as it is intended to appeal to "big tent Deanism", but this specific appeal has long been made by the Sucrishi Movement. Naturally, both ISCKON and the Evangelicals, having made their one, simple demand, add many others once one has signed up for their "churches"! We, on the other hand have no church. Not because we are opposed to them or think their demands for greater sanctity wrong (they may be in some cases but not in principle) but simply because it is not at this time our mission, as a site, to create a church, but to inform and elucidate. There are Deanic and Filianic congregations, both all-female and mixed and we certainly wish them all well. And we think the best of them believe, as we do, that in the absence of a true inherited tradition, and in these latter days of Kali Yuga, the best way is the Gentle Way.

A correspondent writes: Regarding your page on evolution: I've been reading the writings of traditionalists like Schuon and Nasr recently, and have been involved in a dialogue with members of the Traditionalist Studies forum, Dr. James Cutsinger, and members of the Radiance Foundation in NYC. I think there has been a radical misunderstanding of Sri Aurobindo's view of the evolution of consciousness, which does not support Darwinism, is not "transformist" in the Darwinian sense, and does not incorporate ideas of macroevolution in the Darwinian sense. His idea of evolution is also radically diferent from that of de Chardin, Ken Wilber, and other 20th century and New Age thought. Furthermore, I think there is evidence that writers on this website as well as traditionalists - evidence fully within the realm of acceptable (though right at the edge) scientific evidence, which is more than enough to undo Darwinism. however - and this is the best part - it is subtle enough that it can be put forward without the evolutionary believers realizing to what extent it fully and completely undoes the physicalist, scientistic mindset and belief system. It is very simply this - there is excellent evidence showing that parallel to the emergence of increasingly complex forms (and idea which itself has only gained acceptance in the past 10 years) there is an emergence of increasingly complex forms of consciousness, exactly parallel to the forms. Combine this with an indepth understanding of mind-body interaction - in particular, recent discoveries that thought and emotion can have profound effects on the genome - as well as Professor Richard Wiseman's recent concession that the major facts of parapsychology are no longer in dispute - and neo-Darwinian thought is seen to be soon at an end. I would VERY much like to correspond with anybody interested in pursuing this further. My wife and I plan to start producing videos next year illustrating these facts, with the ultimate aim of showing that science is in no way in conflict with metaphysics, as long as science is understood to be a method, not a dogma (as William James once said). Thank you

Dear devotees of Dea, I would like to discuss the subject of Head Covering for Femini and Thame In many patriarchal cultures and religions, females are required to wear distinctive head coverings (not related to head coverings worn for protection from the elements). The female head covering is often explained as a sign of a female's inner conviction and outward compliance with God's commands relating to the natural order and harmonious functioning of the universe. The natural order and harmonious functioning of the universe is understood to mean that males are the natural superiors and females are the natural subordinates. In these patriarchal cultures and religions, only males may hold positions of authority or leadership or power in society (from the emperor down to the head of the household). In discussions relating to matriarchal cultures (in The Feminine Universe, the Filianic Scriptures and Aristasia, we are taught about the Golden Chain of Thame (Order, Harmony). In these matriarchal discussions, we find that in the natural order and harmonious functioning of the universe, femini (both scizomorph and intermorph) hold positions of authority or leadership or power in society (from the empress, down to the head of the household). I was wondering if any distinctive head coverings (related to positions of superiority or related to positions of subordination) are worn by femini in any of these matriarchal cultures. If so, I was also wondering under what circumstances and in what places such "distinctive head coverings" were worn. Rayati, Reverend Mother Georgia

Your site is very interesting, and despite my disagreement with you on a number of issues, I applaud your efforts. One thing I'd like to comment on is that, at least to me, this site seems to take quite a lot of influence from Christianity. Even the God the Mother videos that I watched use a style of rhetoric (I hesitate to use the word "preaching") very similar to that of evangelical Christianity, such as saying that all you need to do is invite God into your heart/life and God will take care of everything. I've only seen that said in that particular sect of Christianity. I'm not sure if this is a good or bad thing. It might be a little "pushy", but it is effective isn't it? My question, though, is about men's worship of Dea. I understand that they are by all means allowed to do so, but what if they have trouble connecting with God-as-Mother? As a woman, I used to have trouble identifying with male deities. Might I man similarly find it difficult to identify/worship a feminine deity? If so, how do you think they should resolve this issue? Thank you, Nightfall Thank you for taking the time to comment. We have no problem with the word "preaching". Making Truth clear and vivid is what we are here for. Similarities to Christianity are often more superficial than real. Case in point "how do we suggest men resolve this issue". We don't. While we believe - and preach - that the of Dea is Absolute Truth, we do not say that it excludes other perspectives. If gentlemen (or anyone else) feel uncomfortable with God as exclusively feminine, let them take a path they find more comfortable. Unlike certain sects, we are not here to force the Good Doctrine upon anyone - but to offer it - with clarity and with uncompromising purity - to those who actually want and need it.

O magnificent Tree of Stars
whose canopy milky way twinkles
in the dark depths beyond Night
whose rich, unfathomed roots run
to the source from which all emerge,
and nourished in the well of wyrd, you blossom,
arbor whose arms hold galaxies,
wood whose sap runs with the mind made mead
in those underground breweries where souls are distilled
and fermented in the afterlife chambers, to soar
within thy heartwood, juice beneath world
and our mind sees them dancing, in truth.
By root or by crown, all good Gods live within Thee,
ward thee, know thee, cherish and love thee
for you are the All's flower and fruit bearing forth!
I am but a small tree, but in thee,
in thee, O yew, O ash of the brightest fiery colors,
I find ample and awe-inspiring reflection.

Kerea 22nd (August 1st) is the Festival of Regeneration, also known as Hiranya - the Golden Festival. Listen to this sermon on this holy and joyful day.

Sistahs, I was on the phone with a good Sistah friend the other night AND we started
talking about Sistah-hood. I mean Sistahs supporting one another, not just buying their stuff or pumping them up but collaborating with them! I really don't bring up the topic often but it is worth a short conversation...There is really no need for the feeling that someone is competing against you or can possibly TAKE anything that has divinely come from you. You are so unique in your creative capacity that out of all the people on the planet your finger prints are unique to you AND only you - so this means AIN'T NOBODY LIKE YOU ON THE EARTH.

As my friend and I spoke I got the message, "There is enough room on the planet for 10 Billion Goddess bringing forth 10 Billion fruits from their wombs! AND from there - THERE IS STILL MORE ROOM!!!" Sistahs, I don't think it is enough to create in silos anymore - we got to start collaborating to put forth even larger fruits of our success. The ole' saying "where two or more are gathered..." is true. Something powerful comes from collaboration.

I know for many of us it is hard to trust...we are suspicious more often than not. I talk to many talented folks that have trouble with their businesses and services - the reason I often see is they have a lack of trust and are closed to collaboration. Maybe this is with good reason but will one incident forever hold you in a pattern of stagnation? Failure often results in learning. I have had a few failed partnerships and often it came down to communication. Here are some of my tips from my own experience:

1. Access if it is the right time for you to collaborate with a partner.

2. Have several conversations with a potential partner. In fact work on a small volunteer project with them to see how you both work together. Volunteer projects are great for this because a good partners will work on any worthwhile project - money related or not with the same amount of zeal and drive for success.

3. What talents are each partner bringing to the table AND are they compatible and somewhat equal? You don't want to get saddled with the bulk of a project while someone is just adding stamps to letters. Plan out what the partnership will look like and see if it is satisfactory for all involved.

4. Be clear about your own personal goals and work ethic. Are you like a "dog-on-a-pant-leg" strictly "A" type who comes to meetings prepared, on-time and ready go, then you probably don't want to partner with someone who is not timely and shows up with more excuses than a plan OR partner with someone who is soooo busy that your project is just one of many on their plate. You don't have to be alike but make sure in the basics you are compatible.

5. Partnership don't have to be life-long. From each project you will learn and perfect your own guidelines for the next project. Don't be afraid to give things a try, just keep in mind your own personal mission - make sure your collaboration fits into that picture as well.

Look forward to seeing more Sistahs working together!

Peace and Hugs,
Sis. Camara

An Aristasian blog post on a flowering cactus elicited the following response which we feel may be of interest to our honored readers: I have been thinking about this question of cactus flowers. It is one, indeed, that was considered in a famous Tellurian poem: . Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness on the desert air. Of course "desert" does not mean a dry sandy place, but the idea is the same! The thought that occurred to me is that the cactus is a plant of Sai Vikhe - in a way, she can be seen almost as the inverse of Sai Sushuri's rose. The rose's flower is her salient point, although her thorns are well known. With the cactus the thorns are the salient - dare I say point? But she also (at least in some cases) has a lovely flower. But only very briefly, and - at least in nature - largely hidden from the eye of the world (that is, from the world's axial being, maid). Sai Vikhe protects Sai Sushuri's flower with thorns, and Sai Sushuri blesses Sai Vikhe's plant with a lovely flower. In old Japan, the Samurai were often compared to the Sakura - the cherry blossom - because they were resplendent and beautiful in their nobility, but destined to bloom but briefly before being cut down. A similar analogy existed in the Motherlands during the perilous centuries following the death of Raihiranya Sai Rayanna. Never again would our whole civilization fall to the Outlander, but the knightly defenders of the Raihir led a dangerous life which rarely ended in a peaceful death. Sai Vikhe's flower blows but brief,
Yet blows exceeding fair.

Dear Chapel Webmistress, Thank you so much for publishing the article Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, An Allegory of God the Daughter. I look forward with great hope and joy to viewing a copy of this wondrous story. Reverend Mother Georgia B. Cobb
The Elegant Lady Feminine Seminary
the_elfs Yahoo Groups Thank you, Reverend Mother. We do hope you will enjoy it. There are those who are put off by anime - by its "cute" rendition of characters and even by the fact that it is animated. We believe that the cult of kawaii (cuteness) in Japan - even when pursued in works less exalted than Nausicaa is an attempt - by no means wholly unconscious - to invoke the spirit of childlike goodness. The cynical West could learn a lot from kawaii.

Sistahs,

I have been working up a sweat lately...I think it is because the planets are truly aligned and now is the time to get things done! Being a single parent, I know what it is like to be tired and have a lot to do AND there is that part of you that wants to move upward and onward. The other day I thought to myself, "I appreciate where I am -what I have come through but I am ready to go to the next level!"

I realized a year ago that great deal of my time was spent trying to manage and solve problems for others when really my life needed some managing and problem solving. The golden rule then became that people will resolve their own issues when they are good and ready. The perfect way to assist is to be the model of peace, harmony, success and prosperity. If I wanted to be a money coach then I would first want to make sure that I have my prosperity in alignment with my consciousness AND make sure that I am successful myself in all areas of abundance. The truth of this can be said for anything.

I know there are many people out there that poo-poo those who choose to live their lives in wholeness - who choose happiness over mental slavery. I think folks get it backwards sometimes - you don't need to devote grueling hours of sweat to a job that you have no passion for in order to pay bills for over-priced things you buy to impress people you don't like. The stress of this passionless cycle could leave you depressed or ill. For many of us however, this is the only way of life we know...many of us have never really thought about doing something with our lives that would bring us joy and happiness...

Sistahs, I am about living my heaven here on earth not in the after-life. My Creator never told me that I needed to suffer and worry for my divinity. I now know that every time I have ended up suffering was because I made some choice at some point that I could not have what I truly desired. I chose lack instead of my divine birth rite of prosperity. Now when I desire the best for myself I go and visualize it AND I take an action towards that visualization. One year I had a big goal - to be financially stable and pay off all my debts. I visualized myself doing it and one day I said to myself, "I want to pay all my bills on time - no late fees." I then visualized all the $$ I would save because I was not paying $20 here and there for fees. I took ACTION and sat down with all my bills and looked at the due dates, wrote the checks or scheduled the payments online and then I was done. I got myself a little file box and started to file away my bills and developed a "one-touch" system - open the bill, write the check & stamp and file! Before I knew it I was on time each month with bills. I started to notice that I have a few extra dollars a month to buy a book or save. I also noticed when I paid on time - folks offered me better rates or no deposit. In the long run it worked for me not against me. Every time I opened a bill I affirmed that I was grateful to be able to pay this bill and pay it on time.

In the man-made world nothing changes, people are forced to suffer with things as they are...In the Spirit world things are changeable - new paths open before your very eyes-miracles take place...you ask AND you receive...Try it! I knew one person who was always slammed at the first of the month with bills and rent. She called all of her accounts and asked for a later billing due dates and most of them changed the due dates on her bills to mid-month! She got so energized that she went and asked for a reduction on another bill and got it! She even asked her boss for a cost of living increase (yes, in a financial slump!) AND she got it! She was not lucky instead she ASKED and she RECEIVED! She also EXPECTED to receive. She said to me that everyday she woke up she expected GREAT and POWERFUL things to take place in her life - that everything that came in contact with her was in alignment with her greatest prosperity. Her world changed as a result.

My son's 16 year old friend said to me about his sales business, "When I get a no, I know a yes is coming soon!" I know this kid is gong to succeed because he knows that the person or situation that is saying "no" is simply not the right person that will say "yes". Learn to discern between healthy criticism and poo-poo advice AND keep going! We are all beautiful individuals living our own unique dream.

I had this song on my mind all day...especially the line "the World is Mine when I wake up!!! I don't need no body telling me the time!...." (video embedded)


Peace and Hugs,
Sis. Camara

She whose barley hair was cut
and changed for living gold
did bid me fare out from her hut
into the mighty cold.
My father took me down to treasure
his father passed to him,
and with my brother, we did measure
out the boons to meet the din
Of endless Winter, tundra's plains,
across whose storms we trekked.
We strove the lovely maiden gain
whose fortunes cold trolls wrecked.
And through it all, you all may see
I did it all for Blessed She.

For Blessed She, belov'd of jewels,
whose charms I heard from Sif.
Twelve trolls I challenged to a duel
upon the ice, beside my skiff
Beyond whose bounds the wretched hag
did spit out dire curses,
I downed all twelve, whose wits were lag,
then with my words did worse her.
Won back the gems the maiden 'dored
that on a golden string did thread,
then waked her brother, blessed Lord
of Harvests who had seemed near dead.
I took her then upon my schoon,
The Gods to bless I gave this boon.

A year or more the Moon did after
ride me in his ivory yacht
up to starry heaven's rafters
and there a riddle-contest fought
With scrivened geezer, throwing puns
my wit could barely answer
then found that castle kingdom run
by He, who's Heaven's Master.
He showed me all the awed estates
that glitter in that land,
with praise where he had once berate
in questions now he took my hand.
For Love he opened all his Gates,
and Blessed She became my Mate.

The sword I'd won on misty paths,
when down I went to nether lands
with blood I'd spilt in my great wrath
that ran in veins of royal Halfdan,
and on the haft of great Mjollnir,
cut its thund'ring wood in two
the Gods' retreat behind Fjolnir
made them tremble in dark rue ;
yet word upon the winds did utter
he who'd bring the blade,
the hand of She who hearts did flutter
would a match be made.
That precious edge that right my wrongs,
I gladly give to sing Her songs.

And so my Bride she'll rightful be:
I, who weathered storms for She.

Tossed within the waves, for you I wept,
the cold sea gave no consolation.
Grasping at what love from you I kept,
the hardened deformed shape of my bastard nation
Swept over and changed that gracious form
whose beauties once you kisses-praised.
A flotsam to each winter's storm
the sea, in rage, like mine, did raise.
The shame of fools who toss their heirlooms
know not shame beside my crimes
which ripped me from thy lovely, fair womb
as Dietrich did our son in dark times.
Though in my rage I won this banish,
Lost have I not this love -- won't vanish.

Have I this day to you my love confessed,
making clear this mirror in which your heart
doth shine as the moon within the sun be dressed,
and the days refresh, despite my long depart?
Have I this night in blackest coal of murk
shown how your charms shine forth like stars?
As sun behind the gates of dawn doth lurk,
behind your absence gloam your powers.
Have I this morn your mourning's weep
wiped clean with hands that love you still?
From deepest wells the love still seep,
as this confession shows my will.
For though you think me gone and parted,
These words, ring true, show love not thwarted.

Some say Love is dead, but it is we who are dead to Love, who ought be served ; and we, the rebels, thirst in drought for it, and what for nought. Say never She forsook us, when we have shunned her from our homes and hearts. Many upon a season, She, riding fairy-train in the night, hath knocked upon which doors might answer, passing by those locked to her visits. Upon Her neck ride golden those kings gifted to stand within Her graces ; and well you might ask, hath your nation earned a place near to Her, or, having given over all or most to Her rival counterfeit standing in lust of gold who, with seduction, takes the nations upon her shoulders as the pelts of a huntsman, willingly declared forfeit? Do not ask for fruits where you have not watered the tree ; beg not for juice when you have burned the orchards and cast out the gardeners. Homes must be full of love from the first womb's welcome, and congresses of law must lay down righteous boons where love may find its soil in justice. Poets must sing of Her, not alone, but in the forum, their masterspiece given fund from the king's treasury, and then, these true words spoken, the folk must abide by them and give their pledge, so that words have world's backing, and are not vain puffs of air, coins cast from a bankrupt mint, and earn no honor in Her eyes. I know that sad smirk you show, the rotted soul of one who thinks such things dreams, and you wonder why in the jaded smoke of neglect's soot the shining glory of the cat-drawn maiden showeth not Her majesty? This is not a matter one man alone may make, for the fabric of our fibres are sewn together, and their tapestries read hymns or curses to She whose blessings we ought seek before declaring Her dead. She reads those long scrolls our deeds of love or hate declare, and published by the nations, her many a fairy servant-maid distributes what boons are deserved, and you may judge by the harvests how She has been pleased. We gather our gambles from the preset odds grown obscure in the times before we met our would-be beloveds, and the chain of those who have handled and handed on the gem we seek well determines its polish and lustre, or powder of cracked chips. Oh, Lady Love may well give pardons, out to homes where she is honored, yet these are but exceptions to the general rule, a welfare distributed to the nations according to their merits as such, and how Love was met in the seasons' rounds of holy feast days. These are not light matters. Many give lip-service but no service beyond, and those who are not willing to plow and sow and thresh in her lush and wondrous fields have little wonder at meagre harvests. Have you watched the harvestman sweat? Have you seen the oxen toil? Where the soil has been stolen from the forest's natural orchards and vineyards, such labors are needed to eke the fruits from dirt too long sunbaked and left to desolation. Have you the strength, the courage, the faith to imagine an Old Growth love in climax state? Let go of mowings which cut down Love's growings. She seeks to seed your hearts with succession's fruits leading on to those misty sunlit forests where elves dance, but her fair folk will not foot-fall rumba on barren plains where life has fled for corruption. Do the Lady service, and call your kinsmen back to true devotion.

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind: An allegory of God the Daughter

The lovely is a land,
a kingdom calling out, wooing
our wonder to gather in waves
of bliss and belonging that lull
the tristened heart to heal.
There is a realm entire of thorns :
Nor fruit nor flower blushes blood
But prick and pain and desolation.
Then numb, and thrashed,
the thorn-torn soul retreats
and wonders why of incarnation.
Breath has been broken,
a branch bough-breached to dust and damned dry.
Where wonders why, why wonders soul
in weeping, dry, the wetness faded :
fades the frail cartilage and callous to atrophy.
There are armies dessicate
juice-drained flesh to dry in zombie-walking,
why-wishing in the dry, whyless woe-lands,
and some so cynic jaded to blaspheme
that gnawed need as this the norm.
No.
There is a land, The Lovely,
flow, and float ; glide, and glow,
where welcome back the winds our breath
in breathe and blessed freshened grace,
to give our soul its celebrate heirlooms.
In love, in love, that lovely trance
that takes you to that land of lovely,
dream the doorway, trance the entrance :
O wild words, woven on a poet's lipped loom, take
Me there, me there, where dance is driven
ever on by flow and fire's
surge most warm that blooms the soul's flesh!
Refresh, refresh, and breathe most dear.
Here is the hollow space within the world's cavern
Whence world takes its wielding breath, to birth
the strong-pound stream rolling flow of full life.
Heaven halved us, envoys made
to make the middle journey, joy
in shuttling, courier, there now here.
We are the waters' carrier,
the well-seeking boys and girls weal to world, from dreams.
These chiseled zeros of breath,
caressed nothings, words
from world to world are ways :
well-reaching, shaped sounds seek
and find that flow to Lovely's land.
What else but lips
that kiss, and tongue that slips
o'er lips of lovers has the power
breath to shape in sensuous grope, to list
and lure the soul in hopeful spell, to bliss?
But this? These lips? These lips.
These slips of sound in rapid rhythm
roaring river toss the soul to this, this bliss.
The Land of Lovely, lovely land
where dance and dream queen-crown Love in worship's pageants.
Bow and bowing, down
to beauty's bosom blessed Lady, Love.
There to Sabbat, soul tends : heal.
The wholeness of spirit's caressed flesh.
Embrace of breath, in the whole souls' congress
coming forward, line by line, to bless,
in bow and kiss, the queen, when She
soul-song of Lovely Land long song shares,
and sway,
sway the souls in waving throng
thigh-strong arms embrace.
This grace and boon is a birth's right written
royal and sealed on the soul's song ; when sung,
the word bewilded,
trance's charm spellbound takes us
there, The Lovely, land of grace
where half our human heart belongs
while living ; the wise live half home
alive, luck collecting, world to weal
with wish of someday soul
homeland wholed, beyond this life,
to live in ever, land : The Lovely.