Woman warrior found in Iranian tomb.
Gender determined by DNA testing, archaeologist says.
From MSNBC.MSN.com
TEHRAN, Iran - These days, Iranian women are not even allowed to watch men compete on the soccer field, but 2,000 years ago they could have been carving the boys to pieces on the battlefield.
DNA tests on the 2,000-year-old bones of a sword-wielding Iranian warrior have revealed the broad-framed skeleton belonged to a woman, an archaeologist working in the northwestern city of Tabriz said Saturday.
“Despite earlier comments that the warrior was a man because of the metal sword, DNA tests showed the skeleton inside the tomb belonged to a female warrior,” Alireza Hojabri-Nobari told the Hambastegi newspaper.
He added that the tomb, which had all the trappings of a warrior’s final resting place, was one of 109 and that DNA tests were being carried out on the other skeletons.
Hambastegi said other ancient tombs believed to belong to women warriors have been unearthed close to the Caspian Sea
Friday, 20 February 2009
CLEOPATRA SCIENTIST, NOT SEDUCTRESS?
By Jennifer Viegas, Discovery News
Dec. 14, 2004 —Medieval Arabic texts suggest that Egyptian queen Cleopatra VII was a brilliant early mathematician, chemist and philosopher who wrote science books and met weekly with a team of scientific experts, according to a forthcoming book.
If historians can verify the medieval accounts, then the real Cleopatra likely bore little resemblance to the sexy seductress described by Greek and Roman scholars.
The book, "Egyptology: The Missing Millennium, Ancient Egypt in Medieval Arabic Writings," will be published in January by the University College London Press. For the book, author Okasha El Daly, an Egyptologist at the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology at University College London, found previously undiscovered medieval Arabic texts, translated them, and analyzed the texts based on his knowledge of early Egyptian history.
El Daly believes the Arab writers had access to first-hand accounts of Cleopatra, and perhaps even books authored by the famous queen herself. He thinks many of these texts no longer exist.
A library at Alexandria was said to have been burned in ancient times, possibly by a Muslim general who wished to destroy texts written before the Koran, according to Lisa Schwappach, curator of the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in California.
El Daly attributes the first Arab account of Cleopatra as a scientist to Al-Masudi, who died in 956 A.D. In his book "Muruj," Al-Masudi wrote of Cleopatra, "She was a sage, a philosopher who elevated the ranks of scholars and enjoyed their company. She also wrote books on medicine, charms and cosmetics, in addition to many other books ascribed to her which are known to those who practice medicine."
Medieval Arab writers such as Al-Bakri, Yaqut, Ibn Al-Ibri, Ibn Duqmaq and Al-Maqrizi also wrote how impressed they were by the queen's building projects. In fact, El Daly believes the earliest Arabic book to mention Cleopatra, a history of Egypt by the Egyptian bishop John of Nikiou, says the queen's building projects in Alexandria were "the like of which had never been seen before."
Yet another Arab historian, Ibn Ab Al-Hakam, credits one of the greatest structures of the ancient world, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, to Cleopatra.
In an interview with Radio Netherlands, El Daly said, "It was not just a lighthouse to guide ships, it was a magnificent telescope and it had a huge lens that could burn the oncoming ships of enemies that were going to attack Egypt."
Other early Arabic sources say Cleopatra created a recipe for a hair loss treatment and even studied gynecology. Writers Ibn Fatik and Ibn Usaybiah indicate that she conducted experiments to determine development stages of the human fetus in the womb.
"Above all, Cleopatra was an alchemist," El Daly told Discovery News. "She invented a tool to analyze liquids. Also, she was not working in a vacuum. There is ample evidence that many women in ancient Egypt served as doctors and were educated in the sciences."
He added, "All of our current knowledge about Cleopatra comes from enemy sources. The Romans were scornful of her and wanted to portray her as this little sexy thing."
El Daly pointed out that coins depicted her as actually being a very plain woman who was not a beauty "in any conventional sense."
Mary Lefkowitz, Andrew W. Mellon professor in the Humanities at the Department of Classical Studies at Wellesley College, disagreed that Romans negatively described Cleopatra.
"Actually, the Romans admired Cleopatra, although they were afraid of her power while it lasted," Lefkowitz told Discovery News.
Lefkowitz added that Cleopatra was a royal name in the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt, so the Arabic texts could have been referring to more than one queen with the same name.
Schwappach, however, believes it is possible that the most famous Cleopatra, Cleopatra VII, was more of a scientist than a seductress.
"That Cleopatra was at least concerned with medicine is evident from her support of the Temple of Hathor at Dendera," Schwappach told Discovery News. "Women, in particular, came to this temple for healing, both physical and mental."
She added, "Cleopatra was educated in the sciences, and no doubt encouraged scientists and discussed their findings and thoughts with them. She would have been an equal among them, not because of her social standing, but because of her intelligence and education."
Dec. 14, 2004 —Medieval Arabic texts suggest that Egyptian queen Cleopatra VII was a brilliant early mathematician, chemist and philosopher who wrote science books and met weekly with a team of scientific experts, according to a forthcoming book.
If historians can verify the medieval accounts, then the real Cleopatra likely bore little resemblance to the sexy seductress described by Greek and Roman scholars.
The book, "Egyptology: The Missing Millennium, Ancient Egypt in Medieval Arabic Writings," will be published in January by the University College London Press. For the book, author Okasha El Daly, an Egyptologist at the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology at University College London, found previously undiscovered medieval Arabic texts, translated them, and analyzed the texts based on his knowledge of early Egyptian history.
El Daly believes the Arab writers had access to first-hand accounts of Cleopatra, and perhaps even books authored by the famous queen herself. He thinks many of these texts no longer exist.
A library at Alexandria was said to have been burned in ancient times, possibly by a Muslim general who wished to destroy texts written before the Koran, according to Lisa Schwappach, curator of the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in California.
El Daly attributes the first Arab account of Cleopatra as a scientist to Al-Masudi, who died in 956 A.D. In his book "Muruj," Al-Masudi wrote of Cleopatra, "She was a sage, a philosopher who elevated the ranks of scholars and enjoyed their company. She also wrote books on medicine, charms and cosmetics, in addition to many other books ascribed to her which are known to those who practice medicine."
Medieval Arab writers such as Al-Bakri, Yaqut, Ibn Al-Ibri, Ibn Duqmaq and Al-Maqrizi also wrote how impressed they were by the queen's building projects. In fact, El Daly believes the earliest Arabic book to mention Cleopatra, a history of Egypt by the Egyptian bishop John of Nikiou, says the queen's building projects in Alexandria were "the like of which had never been seen before."
Yet another Arab historian, Ibn Ab Al-Hakam, credits one of the greatest structures of the ancient world, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, to Cleopatra.
In an interview with Radio Netherlands, El Daly said, "It was not just a lighthouse to guide ships, it was a magnificent telescope and it had a huge lens that could burn the oncoming ships of enemies that were going to attack Egypt."
Other early Arabic sources say Cleopatra created a recipe for a hair loss treatment and even studied gynecology. Writers Ibn Fatik and Ibn Usaybiah indicate that she conducted experiments to determine development stages of the human fetus in the womb.
"Above all, Cleopatra was an alchemist," El Daly told Discovery News. "She invented a tool to analyze liquids. Also, she was not working in a vacuum. There is ample evidence that many women in ancient Egypt served as doctors and were educated in the sciences."
He added, "All of our current knowledge about Cleopatra comes from enemy sources. The Romans were scornful of her and wanted to portray her as this little sexy thing."
El Daly pointed out that coins depicted her as actually being a very plain woman who was not a beauty "in any conventional sense."
Mary Lefkowitz, Andrew W. Mellon professor in the Humanities at the Department of Classical Studies at Wellesley College, disagreed that Romans negatively described Cleopatra.
"Actually, the Romans admired Cleopatra, although they were afraid of her power while it lasted," Lefkowitz told Discovery News.
Lefkowitz added that Cleopatra was a royal name in the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt, so the Arabic texts could have been referring to more than one queen with the same name.
Schwappach, however, believes it is possible that the most famous Cleopatra, Cleopatra VII, was more of a scientist than a seductress.
"That Cleopatra was at least concerned with medicine is evident from her support of the Temple of Hathor at Dendera," Schwappach told Discovery News. "Women, in particular, came to this temple for healing, both physical and mental."
She added, "Cleopatra was educated in the sciences, and no doubt encouraged scientists and discussed their findings and thoughts with them. She would have been an equal among them, not because of her social standing, but because of her intelligence and education."
Friday, 13 February 2009
THE ETERNAL FEMININE DRAWS US HEAVENWARD
The Divine is all inclusive — both masculine and feminine. Since the origins of dualism two aspects, which previously were part of a whole, were torn apart and set up against each other: Light and Darkness, Good and Evil, Birth and Death, Beginning and End. Originally, they were inalienable instruments of the Great Beginning. They could not exist on their own. The patriarchal fear of ego-loss isolated darkness, death and evil and started a crusade against them. Then they became two separate entities. Thus patriarchy is the confirmation of female supremacy. The analogy of all patriarchal religions is striking: all in their own way want to escape from "the cycle of birth, death and women..." On the other hand we find the deep set reverence and recognition of the Great Mother, embodiment of that from which all things emerged in all major religious schools.
HINDUISM
In Hinduism Devi-Matri represents the Great Mother together with Her "Law of the universe": destruction, preservation and rebirth. Tantra practices find their origin in pre-Aryan times, in which the Great Mother was the center of the fertility cult. Originally these three aspects were one, later they separated and the Maha-Devi's power is represented by three forms — Kali (destruction), Lakshmi (preservation) and Parvati (rebirth). Later these aspects were transferred into male gods: Shiva, Brahman and Vishnu. Nowadays the Hindu patheon is cluttered with hundreds of the Mother's "children", showing how much unity has lost itself in diversity. Later emphasis was laid on Purusha-Prakriti (literally meaning Persona-Nature) and Siva-Sakti — Cosmic Consciousness — to such an extent, that the link with the Great Mother as birth-giver was lost. Siva-Sakti is representing two sides of the indivisible whole, in which Siva is static and Sakti the creative power. Kali is the annihilation aspect of Sakti, which in fact is a projection of the destructive aspect of the Great Mother. The ultimate triumph of the Great Mother (in Her manifestation of the goddess Durga) over the "bull-tyrant" Mahisha representing the violent masculine principle. Durga slaying the buffalo-demon is probably the only myth in the world in which the Mother-principle has gained victory over patriarchy.
TAOISM
The memory e.g. realization of the Eternal Mother is most evident in the sayings of Lao-tse, the "founder" of Taoism.
Something mysteriously formed,
Born before heaven and earth.
In the silence and the void,
Standing alone and unchanging,
Ever present and in motion.
Perhaps it is the mother of the ten thousand things.
I do not know its name.
Call it Tao.
For lack of a better word, I call it great.
The beginning of the universe
Is the mother of all things.
Knowing the mother, one also knows the sons.
Knowing the sons, yet remaining in touch with the mother
Brings freedom from the fear of death.
Like in every patriarchal religion the original notion of the Great Mother as the the Ultimate Reality was diverted into some kind of deity or lower goddess. Example is Tianhou or "Empress of Heaven", also called Mazu, which means "grand, old mother". The goddess had a very humble beginning as a local woman with spiritual powers, helping seamen to return to home safely. Later on her divine status was recognized and she became very popular with the Chinese in general. Also known in Taoism is the Queen Mother of the West, a deity who together with her husband ruled over K'un-lun, the most important mountain in China. Almost equal in popularity and possibly more closely related to the original Great Mother is "Sheng-mu" or Holy Mother. In many temples in China she is portrayed with eight female deities around her. Her duty is to help women in pregnancy and birth-giving.
CHRISTIANITY
In "The Gnostic Gospels" Elaine Pagels describes how "in the beginning" not God but the Mother was the Origin of all. The former was a derivative, merely instrumental power whom the Mother had created to administer the universe, but his own self-conception was far more grandiose. They say that he believed that he had made everything by himself, but that, in reality, he had created the world because of Wisdom, his Mother, "infused him with energy" and implanted into him her own ideas. But he was foolish, and acted unconsciously, unaware that the ideas he used came from her: "he was even ignorant of his own Mother" (Hippolytus. Ref.6-33). The tradition of the Mother as the Source out of which everything — including God — is born, had its most prominent traces in Christianity. It is known as the "vierge ouvrante" devotion which was widespread in Europe (Poland, Germany, France, Spain) until the 15th century. Statues reveal Maria with God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost coming out of Her body. It is the most perfect illustration of the Truth ever made.
JUDAISM
New studies such as "Ich verwerfe im Lande die Kriege" by G.Weiler in 1986 reveal, that Hebrews were originally many tribes, worshipping different gods and goddesses, all linked to the primordial Great Mother. The lost Ark of the Covenant symbolizes the lost "Mother of Israel". The former is called the "House of God", which points at the original Mother religion. In ancient tradition "house", like vessel, tomb, cave, chalice etc. all represent the Great Mother. In Solomon's time the Holiest of Holiest of the Temple was called "Womb of Astarte", "House/vessel of God" means the Mother containing her Divine Son. It is emphasized by the fact, that the historic Ark contained a chalice as well as a rod, the latter symbolizing the rule of the Son, JHWH. Still some memory of the motherly matrix may have been there, because in Hebrew "In the beginning" (ruach) can be translated with the word "womb".
In Kabbalah, a Jewish mystical tradition, just below the first Sphere (sefirah) of divine emanation known as Keter (meaning "crown", "summit" or "pinnacle"), lie the two roots of masculine and feminine, known as Hokhmah and Binah. Although they are not masculine and feminine, Hokhmah and Binah are the archetypes of the masculine and feminine. Binah is the Kabbalistic feminine symbol for 'Understanding', a prelude to wisdom. The "female" principle within God is personified and called by the name: Shekhinah (literally "dwelling"), a term familiar from classical rabbinical literature. In the Kabbalah, however, the Shekhinah is not only included as a distinctive principle within the inner divine life, but this distinctive principle is explicitly, and quite graphically, described as female."
BUDDHISM
From the beginning of Buddhism there was a notion of the underlying feminine principle. The Prajnaparamita is said to be "The Mother of the Buddha's" or "The Womb of the Tathagatas". Existence is unfathomable. The origin of Great Mother Buddhism is the Buddha himself who not only proclaimed his Awakening, but subsequently referred it to something beyond: Nirvana. According to the Buddha, Enlightenment has to be put into the context of Emptiness, the Void. Nirvana is not the Ultimate, the Void is the Ultimate. Buddha acknowledged "Darkness" to be the Origin of Light. Buddhism originally was an enterprise entirely aimed at overcoming "the cycle of birth and death" — the feminine aspect of life — "Buddhahood" became a dimension for itself and on its own. The "organic" relationship with the Void was pushed to the background. The Yogacara school re-opened the discussion and emphasized "tathagathagarbha", the Womb from which Buddhahood arises. This school not only restored the original lineage ("Light born out of Darkness"), but had no problems with feminine connotations of the Origin. This tendency later was continued by Vajrayana Buddhism, seen in Borobudur, practiced in Theravada Buddhism and in Japanese esoteric Buddhism. In Tibetan Buddhism the insight in the true nature of existence is the Great Mother, the void state, the Mother of all Creation. The object of ultimate reverence thus being the Womb! In Asia, from time immemorial, the Great Mother has been symbolized by a Lotus flower. "Om mani padme hum" — the jewel in the lotus — means Being emerging from the Cosmic Womb. A closer look at almost all images of the Buddha, e.g. celestial Buddhas, Kuan Yin etc. reveals, that he (she) is sitting on a Lotus. It symbolizes the essence of Great Mother Buddhism. Great Mother Buddhism re-introduces the Mother Principle as the basic ground of existence. In Great Mother Buddhism the "cycle of birth and death" is reunited with its Matrix, overcoming 2000 years of (hidden) dualism. Buddha (Light, Heaven) and earth continuously die in the Great Mother, while being reborn in the selfsame Eternal Moment.
ISLAM
Few know that pre-Islam Arabia was ruled by three goddesses: Allat, al-Uzza and Manaat. Of them Allat was the most important one, was both a fertility and a war goddess. Union of these two aspects is symbolic of the Great Mother. For reasons unknown, only the destructive aspect remained, characterizing Pre-Islamic war-torn times with mass-sacrifices of matriarchy.
Islam thus started as an operation to free people from female dominance, by renouncing the pre-Islamic past and to hide e.g. cover femininity. The first was done through simply declaring the beginning of Islam as the year zero, and the second through imposing the veil upon women. Both the (pre-Islamic) past and femininity are the source of all fear. It is called the "black hole" or the existential darkness... (djahilija). This collective unconsciousness is containing the fear of death — related to primordial anxiety, and has become transformed into the desire for immortality. Paradise is waiting for every god-fearing person (man).
But, the spiritual meaning transcends this all. The holy shrine Ka'aba — the House of God/Baitullah — used to be a pre-Islamic fertility shrine. The key element of the Ka'aba is a meteorite. In many cultures the meteorite is worshipped as directly coming from the realm of darkness: the Mother. This is also true for the black color of the Ka'aba. The identity of the Black Stone with the Great Goddess and with the moon is recognized by the Hulama — the rationalist school of Islam. Seen from this perspective there appears to be a deep wisdom behind the phenomenon of the veiled women. Both the veiled Ka'aba and the women may represent the "absent, unknowable" Mother, they may be synonymous. Consciously or unconsciously Islam may thus have preserved the original matri-centered universe. The invisible women are where it is all about. The male-dominated society moves in a circle around the woman, just as the hadj pilgrims are circling in ecstasy around the Ka'aba. Seven times as it was in the pre-Islamic era...The priests serving the shrine are called "beni shaybah" (sons of the Old Woman)*. Thus in fact women are the center, men are the periphery. Thus, surprisingly, the Divine Feminine has always been present in Islam, seen as a patriarchal religion. The very nature of the feminine in Islam manifests metaphysically and in the inner expression of the religion.
The Divine Masculine and the Divine Feminine express two very distinct aspects of Allah. First, that Allah is Supreme is the principle of masculinity, and that Allah is Infinite is the principle of femininity. Ninety-nine names of Allah in the Qur'an are divided into the names of Majesty (jalal — images of the stern and strict "father") and the names of Beauty (jamal — images of a gentle and loving "mother".).
Sufism, the "mystical Islam", cherishes the esoteric secret of woman. In Sufism, woman is the ultimate secret, for woman is the soul. To the Sufi, Allah has always been the Beloved and the Sufi, the Lover. Allah as the Beloved in Sufi literature, the ma'shuq, is always depicted with female iconography. Fatima, Prophet Muhammad's daughter, is regarded by some Sufis as the first spiritual head (qutb) of their fellowship. Fatima tul Zehra (Fatima the Radiant, Fatima the Brightest Star, Fatima-Star of Venus, Fatima-The Evening Star), the daughter of the Prophet, is the secret in Sufism. She is the Hujjat of 'Ali. In other words, she establishes the esoteric sense of his knowledge and guides those who wish to attain it. Though she was his daughter, the Prophet Muhammad called her Um Abi'ha (mother of her father). What mystery was the Prophet hinting at by this statement?
Beata
February 15, 200
HINDUISM
In Hinduism Devi-Matri represents the Great Mother together with Her "Law of the universe": destruction, preservation and rebirth. Tantra practices find their origin in pre-Aryan times, in which the Great Mother was the center of the fertility cult. Originally these three aspects were one, later they separated and the Maha-Devi's power is represented by three forms — Kali (destruction), Lakshmi (preservation) and Parvati (rebirth). Later these aspects were transferred into male gods: Shiva, Brahman and Vishnu. Nowadays the Hindu patheon is cluttered with hundreds of the Mother's "children", showing how much unity has lost itself in diversity. Later emphasis was laid on Purusha-Prakriti (literally meaning Persona-Nature) and Siva-Sakti — Cosmic Consciousness — to such an extent, that the link with the Great Mother as birth-giver was lost. Siva-Sakti is representing two sides of the indivisible whole, in which Siva is static and Sakti the creative power. Kali is the annihilation aspect of Sakti, which in fact is a projection of the destructive aspect of the Great Mother. The ultimate triumph of the Great Mother (in Her manifestation of the goddess Durga) over the "bull-tyrant" Mahisha representing the violent masculine principle. Durga slaying the buffalo-demon is probably the only myth in the world in which the Mother-principle has gained victory over patriarchy.
TAOISM
The memory e.g. realization of the Eternal Mother is most evident in the sayings of Lao-tse, the "founder" of Taoism.
Something mysteriously formed,
Born before heaven and earth.
In the silence and the void,
Standing alone and unchanging,
Ever present and in motion.
Perhaps it is the mother of the ten thousand things.
I do not know its name.
Call it Tao.
For lack of a better word, I call it great.
The beginning of the universe
Is the mother of all things.
Knowing the mother, one also knows the sons.
Knowing the sons, yet remaining in touch with the mother
Brings freedom from the fear of death.
Like in every patriarchal religion the original notion of the Great Mother as the the Ultimate Reality was diverted into some kind of deity or lower goddess. Example is Tianhou or "Empress of Heaven", also called Mazu, which means "grand, old mother". The goddess had a very humble beginning as a local woman with spiritual powers, helping seamen to return to home safely. Later on her divine status was recognized and she became very popular with the Chinese in general. Also known in Taoism is the Queen Mother of the West, a deity who together with her husband ruled over K'un-lun, the most important mountain in China. Almost equal in popularity and possibly more closely related to the original Great Mother is "Sheng-mu" or Holy Mother. In many temples in China she is portrayed with eight female deities around her. Her duty is to help women in pregnancy and birth-giving.
CHRISTIANITY
In "The Gnostic Gospels" Elaine Pagels describes how "in the beginning" not God but the Mother was the Origin of all. The former was a derivative, merely instrumental power whom the Mother had created to administer the universe, but his own self-conception was far more grandiose. They say that he believed that he had made everything by himself, but that, in reality, he had created the world because of Wisdom, his Mother, "infused him with energy" and implanted into him her own ideas. But he was foolish, and acted unconsciously, unaware that the ideas he used came from her: "he was even ignorant of his own Mother" (Hippolytus. Ref.6-33). The tradition of the Mother as the Source out of which everything — including God — is born, had its most prominent traces in Christianity. It is known as the "vierge ouvrante" devotion which was widespread in Europe (Poland, Germany, France, Spain) until the 15th century. Statues reveal Maria with God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost coming out of Her body. It is the most perfect illustration of the Truth ever made.
JUDAISM
New studies such as "Ich verwerfe im Lande die Kriege" by G.Weiler in 1986 reveal, that Hebrews were originally many tribes, worshipping different gods and goddesses, all linked to the primordial Great Mother. The lost Ark of the Covenant symbolizes the lost "Mother of Israel". The former is called the "House of God", which points at the original Mother religion. In ancient tradition "house", like vessel, tomb, cave, chalice etc. all represent the Great Mother. In Solomon's time the Holiest of Holiest of the Temple was called "Womb of Astarte", "House/vessel of God" means the Mother containing her Divine Son. It is emphasized by the fact, that the historic Ark contained a chalice as well as a rod, the latter symbolizing the rule of the Son, JHWH. Still some memory of the motherly matrix may have been there, because in Hebrew "In the beginning" (ruach) can be translated with the word "womb".
In Kabbalah, a Jewish mystical tradition, just below the first Sphere (sefirah) of divine emanation known as Keter (meaning "crown", "summit" or "pinnacle"), lie the two roots of masculine and feminine, known as Hokhmah and Binah. Although they are not masculine and feminine, Hokhmah and Binah are the archetypes of the masculine and feminine. Binah is the Kabbalistic feminine symbol for 'Understanding', a prelude to wisdom. The "female" principle within God is personified and called by the name: Shekhinah (literally "dwelling"), a term familiar from classical rabbinical literature. In the Kabbalah, however, the Shekhinah is not only included as a distinctive principle within the inner divine life, but this distinctive principle is explicitly, and quite graphically, described as female."
BUDDHISM
From the beginning of Buddhism there was a notion of the underlying feminine principle. The Prajnaparamita is said to be "The Mother of the Buddha's" or "The Womb of the Tathagatas". Existence is unfathomable. The origin of Great Mother Buddhism is the Buddha himself who not only proclaimed his Awakening, but subsequently referred it to something beyond: Nirvana. According to the Buddha, Enlightenment has to be put into the context of Emptiness, the Void. Nirvana is not the Ultimate, the Void is the Ultimate. Buddha acknowledged "Darkness" to be the Origin of Light. Buddhism originally was an enterprise entirely aimed at overcoming "the cycle of birth and death" — the feminine aspect of life — "Buddhahood" became a dimension for itself and on its own. The "organic" relationship with the Void was pushed to the background. The Yogacara school re-opened the discussion and emphasized "tathagathagarbha", the Womb from which Buddhahood arises. This school not only restored the original lineage ("Light born out of Darkness"), but had no problems with feminine connotations of the Origin. This tendency later was continued by Vajrayana Buddhism, seen in Borobudur, practiced in Theravada Buddhism and in Japanese esoteric Buddhism. In Tibetan Buddhism the insight in the true nature of existence is the Great Mother, the void state, the Mother of all Creation. The object of ultimate reverence thus being the Womb! In Asia, from time immemorial, the Great Mother has been symbolized by a Lotus flower. "Om mani padme hum" — the jewel in the lotus — means Being emerging from the Cosmic Womb. A closer look at almost all images of the Buddha, e.g. celestial Buddhas, Kuan Yin etc. reveals, that he (she) is sitting on a Lotus. It symbolizes the essence of Great Mother Buddhism. Great Mother Buddhism re-introduces the Mother Principle as the basic ground of existence. In Great Mother Buddhism the "cycle of birth and death" is reunited with its Matrix, overcoming 2000 years of (hidden) dualism. Buddha (Light, Heaven) and earth continuously die in the Great Mother, while being reborn in the selfsame Eternal Moment.
ISLAM
Few know that pre-Islam Arabia was ruled by three goddesses: Allat, al-Uzza and Manaat. Of them Allat was the most important one, was both a fertility and a war goddess. Union of these two aspects is symbolic of the Great Mother. For reasons unknown, only the destructive aspect remained, characterizing Pre-Islamic war-torn times with mass-sacrifices of matriarchy.
Islam thus started as an operation to free people from female dominance, by renouncing the pre-Islamic past and to hide e.g. cover femininity. The first was done through simply declaring the beginning of Islam as the year zero, and the second through imposing the veil upon women. Both the (pre-Islamic) past and femininity are the source of all fear. It is called the "black hole" or the existential darkness... (djahilija). This collective unconsciousness is containing the fear of death — related to primordial anxiety, and has become transformed into the desire for immortality. Paradise is waiting for every god-fearing person (man).
But, the spiritual meaning transcends this all. The holy shrine Ka'aba — the House of God/Baitullah — used to be a pre-Islamic fertility shrine. The key element of the Ka'aba is a meteorite. In many cultures the meteorite is worshipped as directly coming from the realm of darkness: the Mother. This is also true for the black color of the Ka'aba. The identity of the Black Stone with the Great Goddess and with the moon is recognized by the Hulama — the rationalist school of Islam. Seen from this perspective there appears to be a deep wisdom behind the phenomenon of the veiled women. Both the veiled Ka'aba and the women may represent the "absent, unknowable" Mother, they may be synonymous. Consciously or unconsciously Islam may thus have preserved the original matri-centered universe. The invisible women are where it is all about. The male-dominated society moves in a circle around the woman, just as the hadj pilgrims are circling in ecstasy around the Ka'aba. Seven times as it was in the pre-Islamic era...The priests serving the shrine are called "beni shaybah" (sons of the Old Woman)*. Thus in fact women are the center, men are the periphery. Thus, surprisingly, the Divine Feminine has always been present in Islam, seen as a patriarchal religion. The very nature of the feminine in Islam manifests metaphysically and in the inner expression of the religion.
The Divine Masculine and the Divine Feminine express two very distinct aspects of Allah. First, that Allah is Supreme is the principle of masculinity, and that Allah is Infinite is the principle of femininity. Ninety-nine names of Allah in the Qur'an are divided into the names of Majesty (jalal — images of the stern and strict "father") and the names of Beauty (jamal — images of a gentle and loving "mother".).
Sufism, the "mystical Islam", cherishes the esoteric secret of woman. In Sufism, woman is the ultimate secret, for woman is the soul. To the Sufi, Allah has always been the Beloved and the Sufi, the Lover. Allah as the Beloved in Sufi literature, the ma'shuq, is always depicted with female iconography. Fatima, Prophet Muhammad's daughter, is regarded by some Sufis as the first spiritual head (qutb) of their fellowship. Fatima tul Zehra (Fatima the Radiant, Fatima the Brightest Star, Fatima-Star of Venus, Fatima-The Evening Star), the daughter of the Prophet, is the secret in Sufism. She is the Hujjat of 'Ali. In other words, she establishes the esoteric sense of his knowledge and guides those who wish to attain it. Though she was his daughter, the Prophet Muhammad called her Um Abi'ha (mother of her father). What mystery was the Prophet hinting at by this statement?
Beata
February 15, 200
EVE MOTHER OF ALL LIVING
The Biblical title of Eve, "Mother of All Living," was a translation of Kali Ma's title Jaganmata. She was also known in India as Jiva or Ieva, the Creatress of all manifested forms.(1) In Assyrian scriptures she was entitled Mother-Womb, Creatress of Destiny, who made male and female human beings out of clay, "in pairs she completed them."(2) The first of the bible's two creation myths gives this Assyrian version, significantly changing "she" to "he" (Genesis 1:27).
Side point: One of her Tantric names was Adita Eva: "the Very Beginning."(3) In northern Babylonia, Eve was known as "the divine Lady of Eden," or "Goddess of the Tree of Life."(4) Assyrians called her Nin-Eveh, "Holy Lady Eve," after whom their capital city was named.
The original Eve had no spouse except the serpent, a living phallus she created for her own sexual pleasure.(5) Some ancient peoples regarded the Goddess and her serpent as their first parents.(6) Sacred icons showed the Goddess giving life to a man, while her serpent coiled around the apple tree behind her.(7) Deliberate misinterpretation of such icons produced ideas for revised creation myths like the one in Genesis. Some Jewish traditions of the first century B.C., however, identified Yahweh (Jehovah) with the serpent deity who accompanied the Mother in her garden.(8) Sometimes she was Eve, sometimes her name was given as Nahemah, Naama, or Namrael, who gave birth to Eve and Adam without the help of any male, even the serpent. (9)
Because Jehovah arrogantly pretended to be the sole Creator, Eve was obliged to punish him, according to Gnostic scriptures. Though the Mother of All Living existed before everything, the God forgot she had made him and had given him some of her creative power. "He was even ignorant of his own Mother…. It was because he was foolish and ignorant of his Mother that he said, `I am God; there is none beside me.'" Gnostic texts often who the creator reprimanded and punished for his arrogance by a feminine power greater and older than himself. (10)
Side point: Eve was one of the common Middle-Eastern names of superior feminine power. To the Hittites, she was Hawwah, "Life."(11) To the Persians, she was Hvov, "the Earth."(12) Aramaeans called her Hawah, "Mother of All Living."(13) In Anatolia she was Hebat or Hepat, with a Greek derivative Hebe, "Virgin Mother Earth," with the same relationship to the Great Goddess Hera as Kore-Persephone to Demeter, and Hebe may have been an eponymous ancestress of "Hebrews." A semitic roots of her names was hay, a matrilineal kinship group, once considered the "life" of every tribe by direct descent from the Creatress.(14) The names of Eve, the Serpent, and "Life" are still derived from the same root in Arabic.(15)
The secret of God's "Name of power," the Tetragrammaton, was the three-quarters of it invoked not God, but Eve. YHWH, yod-he-vau-he, from the Hebrew root HWH, meaning both "life" and "woman"—in Latin letters, E-V-E.16 With the addition of an I (yod), it amounted to the Goddess's invocation of her own name as the Word of creation, a common idea in Egypt and other ancient lands. (17)
Gnostic scriptures said Adam was created by the power of Eve's word, not God's. She said, "Adam, live! Rise up upon the earth!" As soon as she spoke the word, her word became reality. Adam rose up and open his eyes. "When he saw her, he said, `You will be called "the mother of the living," because you are the one who gave me life.'"(18)
Adam's name meant he was formed of clay moistened with blood, the female magic of adamah or "bloody clay."(19) He didn't produce the Mother of All Living from his rib; in earlier Mesopotamian stories, he was produced from hers. (See Birth-giving, Male.) His Babylonian predecessor Adapa (or Adamu) was deprived of eternal life not by the Goddess, but by a hostile God.
The biblical idea was a reversal of older myths in which the Goddess brought forth a primal ancestor, then made him her made—the ubiquitous, archetypal divine-incest relationship traceable in every mythology. The reversal was not even original with biblical authors. It was evolved by Aryan patriarchs who called Brahma the primal male ancestor. They claimed their god brought forth the Mother of All Living from his own body, then mated with her, so she gave birth to the rest of the universe.(20) In the Hebraic version, a wombless God made his offspring with his hands, and the actual birth-giving was left to Adam. The bible as revised by patriarchal scribes said nothing about a divine birth-giving, since the scribes were determined to separate the concepts of "deity" and "mother" insofar as possible.
Gnostic scriptures however reverted to the older tradition and said Eve not only created Adam and obtained his admission to heaven; she was the very soul within him, as Shakti was the soul of every Hindu god and yogi. Adam couldn't live without "power from the Mother," so she descended to earth as "the Good Spirit, the Thought of Light called by him `Life' (Hawwa)." She entered into Adam as his guiding spirit of conscience: "It is she who works at the creature, exerts herself on him, sets him in his own perfect temple, enlightens him on the origin of his deficiency, and shows him his (way of) ascent." Through her, Adam was able to rise above the ignorance imposed on him by the male God. (21)
By this Gnostic route came the Midrashic assertion that Adam and Eve were originally androgynous, like Shiva and his Shakti. She dwelt in him, and he in her; they were two souls united in one body, which God later tore apart, depriving them of their bliss of union. Cabalists took up the idea and said the paradise of Eden can be regained only when the two sexes are once more united; even God must be united with his female counterpart, the heavenly Eve called Shekina. (22)
Another Gnostic version of the story made God a true villain, who cursed Adam and Eve and expelled them from paradise out of jealousy of their happiness. He also lusted after the Virgin Eve, raped her, and begot her sons Jahveh and Elohim, whose other names were Cain and Abel. Here was one of several myths that made Eve the mother not only of Adam, but also of Jehovah, and of all the elements as well. The myths went on to say the first of Eve's offspring ruled the male elements of fire and air; the second ruled the female elements earth and water.(23)
Like her prototype Kali Jaganmata, Eve brought forth death as well as life—that is, she brought forth all living forms, all of which were subject to death for the very reason that they were alive. Under patriarchal systems of belief, the fact that every living thing is doomed to die was blamed on the Mother who gave it a finite life.
Instead of blaming God for casting Adam out of the paradise where he might have lived forever, the patriarchs blamed Eve for bringing this about. The Wisdom of Jesus ben Sirach said evil began with Woman (Eve): "because of her we all die."(24) Fathers of the Christian church said Eve conceived by the serpent and brought forth Death. The seeds of all women already existed in Eve, St. John Chrysostom maintained, so that in her sin "the whole female race transgressed." (25)
The Book of Enoch said God created death to punish all humanity for Eve's sin, but many patriarchal thinkers hesitated to blame God even indirectly. The prevalent opinion was that when Eve disobeyed the deity, death somehow just happened.(26) St. Paul blamed only Eve, absolving Adam from guilt for the apple-eating incident: "Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression" (1 Timothy 2:14). A church council announced in 418 A.D. that it was heresy to say death was a natural necessity rather than the result of Eve's disobedience. (27)
This was the real origin of the church fathers' fear and hatred of women, which expanded into a sexist attitude that permeated all of western society: Woman was identified with Death. Her countervailing responsibility for birth was taken away, and the creation of life was laid to the credit of the Father-god, whose priests claimed he could remove the curse of death. As every woman was understood to be an emanation of Eve, Tertullian said to Everywoman:
And do you not know that you are an Eve? The sentence of God on this sex of yours lives in this age; the guilt must of necessarily live too. You are the devil's gateway… the first deserter of the divine law; you are she who persuaded him whom the devil was not valiant enough to attack. You destroyed so easily God's image, man. On account of your desert—that is, death, even the Son of God had to die. (28)
Medieval theologians said Adam was forgivers. Christ descended into hell and rescued Adam along with other biblical patriarchs. He escorted Adam into heaven, saying, "Peace be to thee and to all the just among they sons."(29) But for Eve there was no forgiveness. No peace was offered to her or her daughters. Presumably, they were left behind in hell. Christian theologians espoused the same theory as Persian patriarchs, that heaven was closed to all women except those who were submissive and worshipped their husbands as gods.(30) Even modern theologians naively blame human death on the Edenic sin. Rahner said, "Man's death is the demonstration of the fact that he has fallen away from God… Death is guilt made visible."(31) Theologians have not yet dealt with the question of what "guilt" causes death among non-human creatures.
Actually, churches depend for their very existence on the orthodox myth of Eve. "Take the snake, the fruit-tree, and the woman from the tableau, and we have no fall, no frowning Judge, no Inferno, no everlasting punishment—hence no need of a Savior. Thus the bottom falls out of the whole Christian theology."(32)
Equally destructive to Christian theology would be restoration of books arbitrarily excluded from the canon, such as the Apocalypse of Adam, in which Adam stated that he and Eve were created together but she was his superior. She brought with her "a glory which she had seen in the aeon from which we had come forth. She taught me a word of knowledge…. And we resembled the great eternal angels, for we were higher than the God who had created us."(33)
Some of these once-sacred books made Eve superior to both Adam and the creator. It was she, not God, who gave Adam his soul and brought him to life. It was she, not God, who gave Adam his soul and brought him to life. It was she, not God, who cast down the evil deities from heaven and made them demons. And she, as the eternal female Power, would eventually judge the God she created, find him guilty ofinjustice, and destroy him. (34)
As an allegory, this might reflect a social truth. Fragile constructs of the collective mind, gods are easily destroyed by those who ignore them. Early Gnostic documents show that most women of the ancient world were disposed to ignore the God who was said to have cursed their sex and their descendents forever. Had one of the other versions of the Eve myth prevailed over canonical version, sexual behavior patterns in western civilization almost certainly would have evolved along very different lines. Christianity managed to project man's fear of death onto woman, not to respect her as Kali the Destroyer was respected, but to hate her.
The uncanonical scriptures were no more and no less creditable than the canonical ones. Their picture of Eve as God's stern mother, the defender of mankind against a tyrannical demon-deity, had more adherents in the early Christian centuries than the pictures that is now familiar. One of Christianity's best-kept secrets was that the Mother of All Living was the Creatress who chastised God.
SOURCES
1. Avalon, 120, 278. Avalon, Arthur. Shakti and Shakta. New York: Dover Publications, Inc., 1978.
2. Neumann, G.M., 136. Neumann, Erich. The Great Mother: An Analysis of the Archetype. Princeton N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1963.
3. Waddell, 126. Waddell, L. Austine. Tibetan Buddhism. New York: Dover Publications, 1972.
4. d' Alviella, 153. d' Aviella, Count Goblet. The Migration of Symbols. New York: University Books, 1956.
5. Graves, G.M. 1, 27. Graves, Robert. The Greek Myths (2 vols.). New York: Penguin Books Inc., 1955; Tennant, 154. Tennant, F.R. The Sources of the Doctrines of the Fall and Original Sin. New York: Schocken Books, 1968.
6. J.E. Harrison, 129. Harrison, Jane Ellen. Epilegomena to the Study of Greek Religion, and Themis. New York: University Books Inc., 1962.
7. d'Alviella, 166-67 (4); Lindsay, O.A., 54. Lindsay, Jack. The Origins of Astrology. New York: Barnes & Noble, Inc., 1971.
8. Enslin, C.B., 91. Enslin, Morton Scott. Christian Beginnings. New York: Harper & Bros., 1938.
9. Legge 2, 329. Legge, Francis. Forerunners and Rivals of Christianity (2 vols.). New York: University Books Inc., 1968.
10. Pagels, 30, 52, 57-8. Pagels, Elaine. The Gnostic Gospels. New York: Random House, 1979.
11. Hooke, M.E.M., 112. Hooke, S.H. Middle Eastern Mythology. Harmondsworth, England: Penguin Books Ltd., 1963.
12. Campbell, Oc.M., 210. Campbell, Joseph. The Masks of God: Occidental Mythology. New York: Viking Press, 1964.
13. Pagels, 30. (10) Pagels, Elaine. The Gnostic Gospels. New York: Random House, 1979.
14. Tennant, 26. (5) Tennant, F.R. The Sources of the Doctrines of the Fall and Original Sin. New York: Schocken Books, 1968.
15. Shah, 387. Shah, Idris. The Sufis. London: Octagon Press, 1964.
16. Reinach, 188. Reinach, Salomon. Orpheus. New York: Horace Liveright, Inc., 1930; Cavendish, T., 116. Cavendish, Richard. The Tarot. New York: Harper & Row, 1975.
17. Brandon, 126-27. Brandon, S.G.F. Religion in Ancient History. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1969.
18. Pagels, 30. (10) Pagels, Elaine. The Gnostic Gospels. New York: Random House, 1979.
19. Hooke, M.E.M., 110. . Hooke, S.H. Middle Eastern Mythology. Harmondsworth, England: Penguin Books Ltd., 1963.
20. Larousse, 345. Larousse Encyclopedia of Mythology. London: Hamlyn Publishing Group Ltd., 1968.
21. Jonas, 82, 204. Jonas, Hans. The Gnostic Religion. Boston: Beacon Press, 1980.
22. Ochs, 121. Ochs, Carol. Behind the Sex of God. Boston: Beacon Press, 1977.
23. Jonas, 82, 204. Jonas, Hans. The Gnostic Religion. Boston: Beacon Press, 1980.
24. Malvern, 30. Malvern, Marjorie. Venus in Sackcloth. Carbondale, Ill.: Southern Illinois University Press, 1975.
25. Ashe, 178-79. Ashe, Geoffrey. The Virgin. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1976.
26 Tennant, 207, 244. Nennant, F.R. The Sources of the Doctrines of the Fall and Original Sin. New York: Schocken Books, 1968.
27. H. Smith, 238. Smith, Homer. Man and His Gods. Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1952.
28. Bullough, 114. Bullough, Vern L. The Subordinate Sex. Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1973.
29. de Voragine, 223. de Voragine, Jacobus. The Golden Legend. New York: Longmans, Green & Co., 1941.
30. Campbell, Oc.M., 196. Campbell, Joseph. The Masks of God: Occidental Mythology. New York: Viking Press, 1964.
31. Cavendish, P.E., 28. Cavendish, Richard. The Powers of Evil. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1975.
32. Daly, 69. Daly, Mary. Beyond God the Father. Boston: Beacon Press, 1973.
33. Robinson, 256-57. Robinson, James M. (ed.). The Nag Hammadi Library in English. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1977.
34. Robinson, 172-78. Robinson, James M. (ed.). The Nag Hammadi Library in English. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1977.
Cheers,
Beata
February 15, 2006
Side point: One of her Tantric names was Adita Eva: "the Very Beginning."(3) In northern Babylonia, Eve was known as "the divine Lady of Eden," or "Goddess of the Tree of Life."(4) Assyrians called her Nin-Eveh, "Holy Lady Eve," after whom their capital city was named.
The original Eve had no spouse except the serpent, a living phallus she created for her own sexual pleasure.(5) Some ancient peoples regarded the Goddess and her serpent as their first parents.(6) Sacred icons showed the Goddess giving life to a man, while her serpent coiled around the apple tree behind her.(7) Deliberate misinterpretation of such icons produced ideas for revised creation myths like the one in Genesis. Some Jewish traditions of the first century B.C., however, identified Yahweh (Jehovah) with the serpent deity who accompanied the Mother in her garden.(8) Sometimes she was Eve, sometimes her name was given as Nahemah, Naama, or Namrael, who gave birth to Eve and Adam without the help of any male, even the serpent. (9)
Because Jehovah arrogantly pretended to be the sole Creator, Eve was obliged to punish him, according to Gnostic scriptures. Though the Mother of All Living existed before everything, the God forgot she had made him and had given him some of her creative power. "He was even ignorant of his own Mother…. It was because he was foolish and ignorant of his Mother that he said, `I am God; there is none beside me.'" Gnostic texts often who the creator reprimanded and punished for his arrogance by a feminine power greater and older than himself. (10)
Side point: Eve was one of the common Middle-Eastern names of superior feminine power. To the Hittites, she was Hawwah, "Life."(11) To the Persians, she was Hvov, "the Earth."(12) Aramaeans called her Hawah, "Mother of All Living."(13) In Anatolia she was Hebat or Hepat, with a Greek derivative Hebe, "Virgin Mother Earth," with the same relationship to the Great Goddess Hera as Kore-Persephone to Demeter, and Hebe may have been an eponymous ancestress of "Hebrews." A semitic roots of her names was hay, a matrilineal kinship group, once considered the "life" of every tribe by direct descent from the Creatress.(14) The names of Eve, the Serpent, and "Life" are still derived from the same root in Arabic.(15)
The secret of God's "Name of power," the Tetragrammaton, was the three-quarters of it invoked not God, but Eve. YHWH, yod-he-vau-he, from the Hebrew root HWH, meaning both "life" and "woman"—in Latin letters, E-V-E.16 With the addition of an I (yod), it amounted to the Goddess's invocation of her own name as the Word of creation, a common idea in Egypt and other ancient lands. (17)
Gnostic scriptures said Adam was created by the power of Eve's word, not God's. She said, "Adam, live! Rise up upon the earth!" As soon as she spoke the word, her word became reality. Adam rose up and open his eyes. "When he saw her, he said, `You will be called "the mother of the living," because you are the one who gave me life.'"(18)
Adam's name meant he was formed of clay moistened with blood, the female magic of adamah or "bloody clay."(19) He didn't produce the Mother of All Living from his rib; in earlier Mesopotamian stories, he was produced from hers. (See Birth-giving, Male.) His Babylonian predecessor Adapa (or Adamu) was deprived of eternal life not by the Goddess, but by a hostile God.
The biblical idea was a reversal of older myths in which the Goddess brought forth a primal ancestor, then made him her made—the ubiquitous, archetypal divine-incest relationship traceable in every mythology. The reversal was not even original with biblical authors. It was evolved by Aryan patriarchs who called Brahma the primal male ancestor. They claimed their god brought forth the Mother of All Living from his own body, then mated with her, so she gave birth to the rest of the universe.(20) In the Hebraic version, a wombless God made his offspring with his hands, and the actual birth-giving was left to Adam. The bible as revised by patriarchal scribes said nothing about a divine birth-giving, since the scribes were determined to separate the concepts of "deity" and "mother" insofar as possible.
Gnostic scriptures however reverted to the older tradition and said Eve not only created Adam and obtained his admission to heaven; she was the very soul within him, as Shakti was the soul of every Hindu god and yogi. Adam couldn't live without "power from the Mother," so she descended to earth as "the Good Spirit, the Thought of Light called by him `Life' (Hawwa)." She entered into Adam as his guiding spirit of conscience: "It is she who works at the creature, exerts herself on him, sets him in his own perfect temple, enlightens him on the origin of his deficiency, and shows him his (way of) ascent." Through her, Adam was able to rise above the ignorance imposed on him by the male God. (21)
By this Gnostic route came the Midrashic assertion that Adam and Eve were originally androgynous, like Shiva and his Shakti. She dwelt in him, and he in her; they were two souls united in one body, which God later tore apart, depriving them of their bliss of union. Cabalists took up the idea and said the paradise of Eden can be regained only when the two sexes are once more united; even God must be united with his female counterpart, the heavenly Eve called Shekina. (22)
Another Gnostic version of the story made God a true villain, who cursed Adam and Eve and expelled them from paradise out of jealousy of their happiness. He also lusted after the Virgin Eve, raped her, and begot her sons Jahveh and Elohim, whose other names were Cain and Abel. Here was one of several myths that made Eve the mother not only of Adam, but also of Jehovah, and of all the elements as well. The myths went on to say the first of Eve's offspring ruled the male elements of fire and air; the second ruled the female elements earth and water.(23)
Like her prototype Kali Jaganmata, Eve brought forth death as well as life—that is, she brought forth all living forms, all of which were subject to death for the very reason that they were alive. Under patriarchal systems of belief, the fact that every living thing is doomed to die was blamed on the Mother who gave it a finite life.
Instead of blaming God for casting Adam out of the paradise where he might have lived forever, the patriarchs blamed Eve for bringing this about. The Wisdom of Jesus ben Sirach said evil began with Woman (Eve): "because of her we all die."(24) Fathers of the Christian church said Eve conceived by the serpent and brought forth Death. The seeds of all women already existed in Eve, St. John Chrysostom maintained, so that in her sin "the whole female race transgressed." (25)
The Book of Enoch said God created death to punish all humanity for Eve's sin, but many patriarchal thinkers hesitated to blame God even indirectly. The prevalent opinion was that when Eve disobeyed the deity, death somehow just happened.(26) St. Paul blamed only Eve, absolving Adam from guilt for the apple-eating incident: "Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression" (1 Timothy 2:14). A church council announced in 418 A.D. that it was heresy to say death was a natural necessity rather than the result of Eve's disobedience. (27)
This was the real origin of the church fathers' fear and hatred of women, which expanded into a sexist attitude that permeated all of western society: Woman was identified with Death. Her countervailing responsibility for birth was taken away, and the creation of life was laid to the credit of the Father-god, whose priests claimed he could remove the curse of death. As every woman was understood to be an emanation of Eve, Tertullian said to Everywoman:
And do you not know that you are an Eve? The sentence of God on this sex of yours lives in this age; the guilt must of necessarily live too. You are the devil's gateway… the first deserter of the divine law; you are she who persuaded him whom the devil was not valiant enough to attack. You destroyed so easily God's image, man. On account of your desert—that is, death, even the Son of God had to die. (28)
Medieval theologians said Adam was forgivers. Christ descended into hell and rescued Adam along with other biblical patriarchs. He escorted Adam into heaven, saying, "Peace be to thee and to all the just among they sons."(29) But for Eve there was no forgiveness. No peace was offered to her or her daughters. Presumably, they were left behind in hell. Christian theologians espoused the same theory as Persian patriarchs, that heaven was closed to all women except those who were submissive and worshipped their husbands as gods.(30) Even modern theologians naively blame human death on the Edenic sin. Rahner said, "Man's death is the demonstration of the fact that he has fallen away from God… Death is guilt made visible."(31) Theologians have not yet dealt with the question of what "guilt" causes death among non-human creatures.
Actually, churches depend for their very existence on the orthodox myth of Eve. "Take the snake, the fruit-tree, and the woman from the tableau, and we have no fall, no frowning Judge, no Inferno, no everlasting punishment—hence no need of a Savior. Thus the bottom falls out of the whole Christian theology."(32)
Equally destructive to Christian theology would be restoration of books arbitrarily excluded from the canon, such as the Apocalypse of Adam, in which Adam stated that he and Eve were created together but she was his superior. She brought with her "a glory which she had seen in the aeon from which we had come forth. She taught me a word of knowledge…. And we resembled the great eternal angels, for we were higher than the God who had created us."(33)
Some of these once-sacred books made Eve superior to both Adam and the creator. It was she, not God, who gave Adam his soul and brought him to life. It was she, not God, who gave Adam his soul and brought him to life. It was she, not God, who cast down the evil deities from heaven and made them demons. And she, as the eternal female Power, would eventually judge the God she created, find him guilty ofinjustice, and destroy him. (34)
As an allegory, this might reflect a social truth. Fragile constructs of the collective mind, gods are easily destroyed by those who ignore them. Early Gnostic documents show that most women of the ancient world were disposed to ignore the God who was said to have cursed their sex and their descendents forever. Had one of the other versions of the Eve myth prevailed over canonical version, sexual behavior patterns in western civilization almost certainly would have evolved along very different lines. Christianity managed to project man's fear of death onto woman, not to respect her as Kali the Destroyer was respected, but to hate her.
The uncanonical scriptures were no more and no less creditable than the canonical ones. Their picture of Eve as God's stern mother, the defender of mankind against a tyrannical demon-deity, had more adherents in the early Christian centuries than the pictures that is now familiar. One of Christianity's best-kept secrets was that the Mother of All Living was the Creatress who chastised God.
SOURCES
1. Avalon, 120, 278. Avalon, Arthur. Shakti and Shakta. New York: Dover Publications, Inc., 1978.
2. Neumann, G.M., 136. Neumann, Erich. The Great Mother: An Analysis of the Archetype. Princeton N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1963.
3. Waddell, 126. Waddell, L. Austine. Tibetan Buddhism. New York: Dover Publications, 1972.
4. d' Alviella, 153. d' Aviella, Count Goblet. The Migration of Symbols. New York: University Books, 1956.
5. Graves, G.M. 1, 27. Graves, Robert. The Greek Myths (2 vols.). New York: Penguin Books Inc., 1955; Tennant, 154. Tennant, F.R. The Sources of the Doctrines of the Fall and Original Sin. New York: Schocken Books, 1968.
6. J.E. Harrison, 129. Harrison, Jane Ellen. Epilegomena to the Study of Greek Religion, and Themis. New York: University Books Inc., 1962.
7. d'Alviella, 166-67 (4); Lindsay, O.A., 54. Lindsay, Jack. The Origins of Astrology. New York: Barnes & Noble, Inc., 1971.
8. Enslin, C.B., 91. Enslin, Morton Scott. Christian Beginnings. New York: Harper & Bros., 1938.
9. Legge 2, 329. Legge, Francis. Forerunners and Rivals of Christianity (2 vols.). New York: University Books Inc., 1968.
10. Pagels, 30, 52, 57-8. Pagels, Elaine. The Gnostic Gospels. New York: Random House, 1979.
11. Hooke, M.E.M., 112. Hooke, S.H. Middle Eastern Mythology. Harmondsworth, England: Penguin Books Ltd., 1963.
12. Campbell, Oc.M., 210. Campbell, Joseph. The Masks of God: Occidental Mythology. New York: Viking Press, 1964.
13. Pagels, 30. (10) Pagels, Elaine. The Gnostic Gospels. New York: Random House, 1979.
14. Tennant, 26. (5) Tennant, F.R. The Sources of the Doctrines of the Fall and Original Sin. New York: Schocken Books, 1968.
15. Shah, 387. Shah, Idris. The Sufis. London: Octagon Press, 1964.
16. Reinach, 188. Reinach, Salomon. Orpheus. New York: Horace Liveright, Inc., 1930; Cavendish, T., 116. Cavendish, Richard. The Tarot. New York: Harper & Row, 1975.
17. Brandon, 126-27. Brandon, S.G.F. Religion in Ancient History. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1969.
18. Pagels, 30. (10) Pagels, Elaine. The Gnostic Gospels. New York: Random House, 1979.
19. Hooke, M.E.M., 110. . Hooke, S.H. Middle Eastern Mythology. Harmondsworth, England: Penguin Books Ltd., 1963.
20. Larousse, 345. Larousse Encyclopedia of Mythology. London: Hamlyn Publishing Group Ltd., 1968.
21. Jonas, 82, 204. Jonas, Hans. The Gnostic Religion. Boston: Beacon Press, 1980.
22. Ochs, 121. Ochs, Carol. Behind the Sex of God. Boston: Beacon Press, 1977.
23. Jonas, 82, 204. Jonas, Hans. The Gnostic Religion. Boston: Beacon Press, 1980.
24. Malvern, 30. Malvern, Marjorie. Venus in Sackcloth. Carbondale, Ill.: Southern Illinois University Press, 1975.
25. Ashe, 178-79. Ashe, Geoffrey. The Virgin. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1976.
26 Tennant, 207, 244. Nennant, F.R. The Sources of the Doctrines of the Fall and Original Sin. New York: Schocken Books, 1968.
27. H. Smith, 238. Smith, Homer. Man and His Gods. Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1952.
28. Bullough, 114. Bullough, Vern L. The Subordinate Sex. Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1973.
29. de Voragine, 223. de Voragine, Jacobus. The Golden Legend. New York: Longmans, Green & Co., 1941.
30. Campbell, Oc.M., 196. Campbell, Joseph. The Masks of God: Occidental Mythology. New York: Viking Press, 1964.
31. Cavendish, P.E., 28. Cavendish, Richard. The Powers of Evil. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1975.
32. Daly, 69. Daly, Mary. Beyond God the Father. Boston: Beacon Press, 1973.
33. Robinson, 256-57. Robinson, James M. (ed.). The Nag Hammadi Library in English. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1977.
34. Robinson, 172-78. Robinson, James M. (ed.). The Nag Hammadi Library in English. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1977.
Cheers,
Beata
February 15, 2006
IS THERE ONE VERSION OF MATRIARCHY?
OR CAN WE ACCEPT MANY?
Upon a recent reading, I would like to respond with some thoughtful feedback on your new church which aims to promote Matriarchy within the Celtic-Native American cultures.
PREPOSITION: Anyone who is interested or serious about legitimate Matriarchy.
BEATA: All forms of Matriarchy are legitimate, even those which your post labels as "Feminist-Patriarchy". In short, there is no one "Pure" form of Matriarchy, and any group that purports to claim their version of Matriarchy as more legitimate as someone else's without understanding what Matriarchy entails within a multi-cultural framework will only alienate themselves from the broader Modern Matriarchy Movement, and sets themselves up for failure.
PREPOSITION: In our modern world many people have lost sight of what Matriarchal society is. Most think it to be the female dominating the male, but nothing could be further from the truth. When we think of feminine and masculine energies and attitudes we find that masculine energy tends to be dominating and aggressive in nature while feminine energy tends to be consultive and passive in nature. From this it is easy to see the difference between Matriarchal society and Patriarchal society.
BEATA: This is an inaccurate assumption that is filled with gender stereotypes. A Matriarchal society is just as much about the expression of female power and authority which is very active and prominent as the term "Matriarchy" implies, the Rule of the Mothers from the beginning. Although you may interpret Matriarchy in the manner in which seems to correspond to your cultural beliefs, it does not mean that all Matriarchal cultures operate according to this paradigm, nor should they.
PREPOSITION: Another miss perception is that women must rule in and found Matriarchal systems. The idea that Matriarchy means that women suppress men is nothing more than Feminist-Patriarchy, it is in no way Matriarchy.
BEATA: There are forms of Matriarchy that are Amazonian in character. Again, this is part of the multi-cultural and diverse aspects that exists among different social groups. In the earliest of human civilizations before the advent of the growth of patriarchy, women did rule, were at the center and top in the social order in many cultures. Men may have had some leadership roles, but their power and legitimacy was conferred by women.
PREPOSITION: The Iroquois are a prime example of the Gender Check and Balance System, within their system only men are allowed to hold office and only women are allowed to vote, in essence women, as the voters, poses a great deal of power.
BEATA: This is inaccurate as well. The Iroquois had separate assemblies in which women and men were elected as clan leaders. The women held veto power and could depose a Sachem which was the head tribal chief. Also the women owned the land and houses and could dismiss their husbands at will. The Iroquois Federation did engage in war to resolve conflicts with other Native American tribes, and when the Europeans began to colonize the United States, these inter-tribal conflicts increased which were related to economics and trade.
PREPOSITION: A Matriarchal Culture is most easily defined by a society based on mutual respect of all its members and a leadership system that bases it's decisions on the needs of the people over dogmatic principles. Lineage is measured based upon matriarchal lines, and all
people share equal responsibility regardless of gender.
BEATA: There is much more to a Matriarchal culture than what you have described. There are cultures which contain elements of Matriarchy and yet are not really Matriarchal societies. For example, matrilineal descent in which the lineage is traced through the mother. Such a characteristic does not mean the social group is Matriarchal, it also depends on other features of the systems of social organization within the group. Overall, you have expressed some noble aims for the establishment of a Matriarchal community, but again such communities will always be diverse in nature and one has to take into consideration the historical legacy of patriarchy and its effect on the present ways of thinking and being of both women and men as well as on the macro social institutions in which people interact.
Cheers,
Beata
February 15, 2006
Upon a recent reading, I would like to respond with some thoughtful feedback on your new church which aims to promote Matriarchy within the Celtic-Native American cultures.
PREPOSITION: Anyone who is interested or serious about legitimate Matriarchy.
BEATA: All forms of Matriarchy are legitimate, even those which your post labels as "Feminist-Patriarchy". In short, there is no one "Pure" form of Matriarchy, and any group that purports to claim their version of Matriarchy as more legitimate as someone else's without understanding what Matriarchy entails within a multi-cultural framework will only alienate themselves from the broader Modern Matriarchy Movement, and sets themselves up for failure.
PREPOSITION: In our modern world many people have lost sight of what Matriarchal society is. Most think it to be the female dominating the male, but nothing could be further from the truth. When we think of feminine and masculine energies and attitudes we find that masculine energy tends to be dominating and aggressive in nature while feminine energy tends to be consultive and passive in nature. From this it is easy to see the difference between Matriarchal society and Patriarchal society.
BEATA: This is an inaccurate assumption that is filled with gender stereotypes. A Matriarchal society is just as much about the expression of female power and authority which is very active and prominent as the term "Matriarchy" implies, the Rule of the Mothers from the beginning. Although you may interpret Matriarchy in the manner in which seems to correspond to your cultural beliefs, it does not mean that all Matriarchal cultures operate according to this paradigm, nor should they.
PREPOSITION: Another miss perception is that women must rule in and found Matriarchal systems. The idea that Matriarchy means that women suppress men is nothing more than Feminist-Patriarchy, it is in no way Matriarchy.
BEATA: There are forms of Matriarchy that are Amazonian in character. Again, this is part of the multi-cultural and diverse aspects that exists among different social groups. In the earliest of human civilizations before the advent of the growth of patriarchy, women did rule, were at the center and top in the social order in many cultures. Men may have had some leadership roles, but their power and legitimacy was conferred by women.
PREPOSITION: The Iroquois are a prime example of the Gender Check and Balance System, within their system only men are allowed to hold office and only women are allowed to vote, in essence women, as the voters, poses a great deal of power.
BEATA: This is inaccurate as well. The Iroquois had separate assemblies in which women and men were elected as clan leaders. The women held veto power and could depose a Sachem which was the head tribal chief. Also the women owned the land and houses and could dismiss their husbands at will. The Iroquois Federation did engage in war to resolve conflicts with other Native American tribes, and when the Europeans began to colonize the United States, these inter-tribal conflicts increased which were related to economics and trade.
PREPOSITION: A Matriarchal Culture is most easily defined by a society based on mutual respect of all its members and a leadership system that bases it's decisions on the needs of the people over dogmatic principles. Lineage is measured based upon matriarchal lines, and all
people share equal responsibility regardless of gender.
BEATA: There is much more to a Matriarchal culture than what you have described. There are cultures which contain elements of Matriarchy and yet are not really Matriarchal societies. For example, matrilineal descent in which the lineage is traced through the mother. Such a characteristic does not mean the social group is Matriarchal, it also depends on other features of the systems of social organization within the group. Overall, you have expressed some noble aims for the establishment of a Matriarchal community, but again such communities will always be diverse in nature and one has to take into consideration the historical legacy of patriarchy and its effect on the present ways of thinking and being of both women and men as well as on the macro social institutions in which people interact.
Cheers,
Beata
February 15, 2006
MOTHER OF THE WORLD
THE FEMININE DIVINE & YOGA
WOMAN and THE FEMININE PRINCIPLE – Part I
Selections from the Agni Yoga Series
Presented before the Agni Yoga Society, April 20, 2004
Urusvati treasures thought about the Mother of the World. Women's movements have a special significance for the immediate future. These movements should be understood not as an assertion of supremacy, but as the establishment of justice. Much has been said about co-measurement and equilibrium; precisely for the realization of this principle must the full rights of women be strengthened. One should not think that this will benefit only women; it will promote world equilibrium, and thus is necessary for harmonious evolution. Supermundane I, 38
Armageddon should not be understood as only a physical battle. It is full of incalculable dangers, among which will be epidemics, but the most ruinous consequences will be psychic perversions. People will lose trust in one another, and will compete in doing evil. They will develop a persistent hatred of all except their own kind, and will sink into irresponsibility and depravity.
To all these insanities will be added the most shameful—the intensified competition between male and female. We insist upon equal and full rights for women, but the servants of darkness will expel them from many fields of activity, even where they bring the most benefit. We have spoken about the many maladies in the world, but the renewed struggle between the male and female principles will be the most tragic. It is hard to imagine how disastrous this will be, for it is a struggle against evolution itself! What a high price humanity pays for every such opposition to evolution! In these convulsions the young generations are corrupted.
Plato spoke about beautiful thinking, but what kind of beauty is possible when there is hostility between man and woman? Now is the time to think about equal and full rights, but darkness invades the tensed realms. However, all the dark attacks will serve a certain good purpose, for those who have been humiliated in Kali Yuga will be glorified in Satya Yuga. Supermundane II, 286
The Mother of the World appears as a symbol of the feminine Origin in the new epoch, and the masculine Origin voluntarily returns the treasure of the World to the feminine Origin. Amazons were the embodiment of the strength of the feminine Principle, and now it is necessary to show the aspect of spiritual perfection of woman. Illumination, II:V:2
It is truly told about the power of love for humanity. Can one love a garden and despise its flowers? Can one worship the power of beauty and not show respect for love? I attest that the Power adorning Our Universe is confirmed as Our Mother of the World–the Feminine Origin! Indeed, one may cite many scientific examples indicative of the creative destiny of woman. Those who deny the evidence of woman’s creativeness should reflect that woman gives voluntarily. It does not mean that those who possess the rights are the ones who affirm them. Hence is the woman’s path termed one of voluntary giving. Certainly in Cosmos everything is interwoven, but humanity transgresses the laws of the Higher Reason. Truly, the Feminine Origin is most beautiful! Verily, the pinnacle of Be-ness cannot exist without the Feminine Origin. How badly people have mutilated the great cosmic laws! How far people have departed from Truth! The one who possesses the full Chalice We call a voluntary giver. Infinity I, 156
Each Lord has his keynote. The Epoch of Maitreya proclaims woman. The manifestation of Maitreya is linked with the confirmation of the Mother of the World, in the past, present, and future. The "Book of Life" is so beautiful. Also, why are women often awakened to the Subtle World? Because the work of the heart is most subtle, and thus transcendentalism appears easier for them. Verily, the Era of the Mother of the World is based upon realization of the heart. It is precisely woman alone who can solve the problem of the two worlds. Thus, one can summon woman to understanding through the heart. That will also be useful, primarily because the quality of the heart is eternal. Already there are many heroic deeds among women, but now instead of the stake woman has been accorded the flame of the heart. Let us not forget that for each important achievement the Feminine Principle is essential as a foundation and essence. The heart cannot open to the Subtle World if it is not understood through a special achievement. Heart, 106
The connection between the life of each Servant of Light and the succeeding step reveals a saturated heart striving. Indeed, people debase the feeling of love and interpret vulgarly the great law. But one must harken subtly to the great law. Thus, verily, the Yoga of the Heart brings one to the mighty summits of consciousness far more strongly and speedily than does the Mind, however refined it may be. Therefore, the great Epoch of Woman will be distinguished by greater refinement of feelings and of consciousness. Fiery World III, 116
Hence it is so indispensable to affirm in the spirit the Feminine Principle. For the Banner of the great Equilibrium of the World has been given to woman to uplift. Thus the time has come when woman must fight for the right that was taken away from her and that she did voluntarily give up. How many powerful records fill space with the attainments of the Feminine Principle! As the Teacher creates through the disciples, so does woman create through the masculine principle. Therefore woman flamingly uplifts man. Hence also degeneration, because without true knighthood the spirit cannot rise. Fiery World III, 241
In the future reconstruction of the World, on the higher spheres there will not be access for those who do not understand equilibrium. Long incarnations will be necessary, to study how to create cosmic equilibrium. Indeed, empires have fallen, nations have fallen, countries have been destroyed, all because the great question, that of equilibrium, has been reduced to nothing. Therefore it is so important to affirm the significance of the feminine principle. Precisely, not in the household measuring scale, but in that of the state. If the planet is retained, then future countries will flourish only through equilibrium. We will even admit a preponderance on the side of the feminine principle, because the conflict will be very intense. Indeed, Councils of Ministers will have to include women. Woman, who gives life to a people, must also have a voice in the making of its destiny. Woman must have the right of voice. If woman were accepted as was ordained, the World would be quite differently impregnated. Thus, only affirmation of the law of Existence can restore the order of man. Fiery World III, 347
One should understand the most proximate gifts of evolution: first—psychic energy; second—the woman’s movement; third—cooperation. Each of these gifts must be accepted in full measure, not abstractly. We have many times pointed out the power of psychic energy. Now, just as insistently, should the qualities of the next two distinctions of the age be indicated. Aum, 414
The Mother of the World! It would seem that in one sounding of these words the meaning of the grandeur of the concept would be made clear, but life shows otherwise. Poets and singers frequently glorify woman, but governments are unable to recognize simple equality of rights. It will be a shameful page of history which will record that even now equal rights have not yet been established. Woman’s upbringing and education are not on a level with man’s, and motherhood itself is not protected.
Whoever is first in carrying out such an action of universal import will be proceeding in harmony with evolution. Aum, 415
Woman may be judge as well as legal adviser, for injustice will be diminished when the tribunals themselves shall repel the malign principle. Such a distinction will transform the whole way of life. When I say, "You, women, can comprehend cooperation," I thereby wish to evoke the slumbering fires from the depths of your hearts. Aum, 421
When psychic energy occupies its due position, when woman enters as the protectress of culture, when cooperation is made the basis of the structure—then all life will become transformed. Knowledge and creativeness will occupy their manifest position. I say manifest in this sense, that even amid remote ages may be found examples of understanding of the significance of science and art.
Cooperation reveals easy paths toward perfection. Aum, 424
The question of self-perfection and of national health are closely connected. Let us summon woman to one and to the other. Both tasks are in need not so much of governmental as of family enjoinment. One cannot command purity of thought; one cannot even command purity of speech. One cannot command a healthful cleanliness of the home. Only enlightenment affirms sanity of spirit and body. Aum, 425
Over and above man's work stands the manifestation of woman. She leads, she inspires, she guides on all paths, and she displays an example of synthesis. It is astonishing how quickly she enters any domain. From Earth up to the far-off worlds she succeeds in weaving wings of Light. She knows how to preserve the Chalice in different atmospheres. When We speak about cooperation, We always point to the achievement of woman. The domain of Brotherhood is the field of cooperation. Brotherhood, 282
Beata
February 15, 2006
WOMAN and THE FEMININE PRINCIPLE – Part I
Selections from the Agni Yoga Series
Presented before the Agni Yoga Society, April 20, 2004
Urusvati treasures thought about the Mother of the World. Women's movements have a special significance for the immediate future. These movements should be understood not as an assertion of supremacy, but as the establishment of justice. Much has been said about co-measurement and equilibrium; precisely for the realization of this principle must the full rights of women be strengthened. One should not think that this will benefit only women; it will promote world equilibrium, and thus is necessary for harmonious evolution. Supermundane I, 38
Armageddon should not be understood as only a physical battle. It is full of incalculable dangers, among which will be epidemics, but the most ruinous consequences will be psychic perversions. People will lose trust in one another, and will compete in doing evil. They will develop a persistent hatred of all except their own kind, and will sink into irresponsibility and depravity.
To all these insanities will be added the most shameful—the intensified competition between male and female. We insist upon equal and full rights for women, but the servants of darkness will expel them from many fields of activity, even where they bring the most benefit. We have spoken about the many maladies in the world, but the renewed struggle between the male and female principles will be the most tragic. It is hard to imagine how disastrous this will be, for it is a struggle against evolution itself! What a high price humanity pays for every such opposition to evolution! In these convulsions the young generations are corrupted.
Plato spoke about beautiful thinking, but what kind of beauty is possible when there is hostility between man and woman? Now is the time to think about equal and full rights, but darkness invades the tensed realms. However, all the dark attacks will serve a certain good purpose, for those who have been humiliated in Kali Yuga will be glorified in Satya Yuga. Supermundane II, 286
The Mother of the World appears as a symbol of the feminine Origin in the new epoch, and the masculine Origin voluntarily returns the treasure of the World to the feminine Origin. Amazons were the embodiment of the strength of the feminine Principle, and now it is necessary to show the aspect of spiritual perfection of woman. Illumination, II:V:2
It is truly told about the power of love for humanity. Can one love a garden and despise its flowers? Can one worship the power of beauty and not show respect for love? I attest that the Power adorning Our Universe is confirmed as Our Mother of the World–the Feminine Origin! Indeed, one may cite many scientific examples indicative of the creative destiny of woman. Those who deny the evidence of woman’s creativeness should reflect that woman gives voluntarily. It does not mean that those who possess the rights are the ones who affirm them. Hence is the woman’s path termed one of voluntary giving. Certainly in Cosmos everything is interwoven, but humanity transgresses the laws of the Higher Reason. Truly, the Feminine Origin is most beautiful! Verily, the pinnacle of Be-ness cannot exist without the Feminine Origin. How badly people have mutilated the great cosmic laws! How far people have departed from Truth! The one who possesses the full Chalice We call a voluntary giver. Infinity I, 156
Each Lord has his keynote. The Epoch of Maitreya proclaims woman. The manifestation of Maitreya is linked with the confirmation of the Mother of the World, in the past, present, and future. The "Book of Life" is so beautiful. Also, why are women often awakened to the Subtle World? Because the work of the heart is most subtle, and thus transcendentalism appears easier for them. Verily, the Era of the Mother of the World is based upon realization of the heart. It is precisely woman alone who can solve the problem of the two worlds. Thus, one can summon woman to understanding through the heart. That will also be useful, primarily because the quality of the heart is eternal. Already there are many heroic deeds among women, but now instead of the stake woman has been accorded the flame of the heart. Let us not forget that for each important achievement the Feminine Principle is essential as a foundation and essence. The heart cannot open to the Subtle World if it is not understood through a special achievement. Heart, 106
The connection between the life of each Servant of Light and the succeeding step reveals a saturated heart striving. Indeed, people debase the feeling of love and interpret vulgarly the great law. But one must harken subtly to the great law. Thus, verily, the Yoga of the Heart brings one to the mighty summits of consciousness far more strongly and speedily than does the Mind, however refined it may be. Therefore, the great Epoch of Woman will be distinguished by greater refinement of feelings and of consciousness. Fiery World III, 116
Hence it is so indispensable to affirm in the spirit the Feminine Principle. For the Banner of the great Equilibrium of the World has been given to woman to uplift. Thus the time has come when woman must fight for the right that was taken away from her and that she did voluntarily give up. How many powerful records fill space with the attainments of the Feminine Principle! As the Teacher creates through the disciples, so does woman create through the masculine principle. Therefore woman flamingly uplifts man. Hence also degeneration, because without true knighthood the spirit cannot rise. Fiery World III, 241
In the future reconstruction of the World, on the higher spheres there will not be access for those who do not understand equilibrium. Long incarnations will be necessary, to study how to create cosmic equilibrium. Indeed, empires have fallen, nations have fallen, countries have been destroyed, all because the great question, that of equilibrium, has been reduced to nothing. Therefore it is so important to affirm the significance of the feminine principle. Precisely, not in the household measuring scale, but in that of the state. If the planet is retained, then future countries will flourish only through equilibrium. We will even admit a preponderance on the side of the feminine principle, because the conflict will be very intense. Indeed, Councils of Ministers will have to include women. Woman, who gives life to a people, must also have a voice in the making of its destiny. Woman must have the right of voice. If woman were accepted as was ordained, the World would be quite differently impregnated. Thus, only affirmation of the law of Existence can restore the order of man. Fiery World III, 347
One should understand the most proximate gifts of evolution: first—psychic energy; second—the woman’s movement; third—cooperation. Each of these gifts must be accepted in full measure, not abstractly. We have many times pointed out the power of psychic energy. Now, just as insistently, should the qualities of the next two distinctions of the age be indicated. Aum, 414
The Mother of the World! It would seem that in one sounding of these words the meaning of the grandeur of the concept would be made clear, but life shows otherwise. Poets and singers frequently glorify woman, but governments are unable to recognize simple equality of rights. It will be a shameful page of history which will record that even now equal rights have not yet been established. Woman’s upbringing and education are not on a level with man’s, and motherhood itself is not protected.
Whoever is first in carrying out such an action of universal import will be proceeding in harmony with evolution. Aum, 415
Woman may be judge as well as legal adviser, for injustice will be diminished when the tribunals themselves shall repel the malign principle. Such a distinction will transform the whole way of life. When I say, "You, women, can comprehend cooperation," I thereby wish to evoke the slumbering fires from the depths of your hearts. Aum, 421
When psychic energy occupies its due position, when woman enters as the protectress of culture, when cooperation is made the basis of the structure—then all life will become transformed. Knowledge and creativeness will occupy their manifest position. I say manifest in this sense, that even amid remote ages may be found examples of understanding of the significance of science and art.
Cooperation reveals easy paths toward perfection. Aum, 424
The question of self-perfection and of national health are closely connected. Let us summon woman to one and to the other. Both tasks are in need not so much of governmental as of family enjoinment. One cannot command purity of thought; one cannot even command purity of speech. One cannot command a healthful cleanliness of the home. Only enlightenment affirms sanity of spirit and body. Aum, 425
Over and above man's work stands the manifestation of woman. She leads, she inspires, she guides on all paths, and she displays an example of synthesis. It is astonishing how quickly she enters any domain. From Earth up to the far-off worlds she succeeds in weaving wings of Light. She knows how to preserve the Chalice in different atmospheres. When We speak about cooperation, We always point to the achievement of woman. The domain of Brotherhood is the field of cooperation. Brotherhood, 282
Beata
February 15, 2006
ICONS OF MATRIACHY CONVERSE
DEAR GREAT SOUL BEATA, FINALLY I WAS ABLE TO SETTLE DOWN TO ANSWER YOUR LETTERS. WHAT IS GOING ON WITH TOO MANY DISTRACTIONS? I MUST DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE DEVOTEE SITUATION, AS THEIR PERSONAL PROBLEMS, HANG UPS, FEARS, AND TURMOILS ARE DERAILING THE ATTENTION FROM THE CHURCH. IT GETS ALL MIXED UP WITH THE CHURCH, BUT SOMEHOW I MUST RISE ABOVE WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THEM. OH, HOW PROPHETIC YOUR DREAM WAS! IN THE LAST DAYS THEY HAVE DRIVEN ME TO POINTS OF ANGER. BUT I MUST REALIZE THEY ARE CHILDREN AND DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING! MY COMMENTS BELOW!:
Good morning to you! I am not displeased with you at all, nor did you offend me. In fact, I was impressed with the last e-mail you wrote to me. You are a very gifted spiritual woman, with an important mission to fulfill in this lifetime. I want to thank you for the offer to have me install you into my heart so that we may be closer, but I already feel a stronger connection to you since having those two dreams.
RASA: OK WE ARE CONNECTED, THAT IS TRUE.
Also I have a mother (my birth mother) who is an spiritual initiate and whom you in many ways remind me of. Of course, I would like to get to know you better over time. You have this interesting combination of Eastern/Western religious philosophy coupled with your zeal and passion in working towards Matriarchy. There is much potential in reaching women and men with your work.
At this time, I am in a transition with my work and my life. I am in the process of establishing a non-profit organization to promote the work of Matriarchy and support the growth of community-based organizations some of which will probably feature programs related to expanding Matriarchy because I see many applications to solving social problems, but I need to first develop some multi-cultural models/programs of Matriarchy that these organizations and groups can use and even secure funding for.
RASA: I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR DETAILS OF THIS.
I have been working in the field of social services and community development for many years...
RASA: AGAIN, WOULD LIKE TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU HAVE DONE AND ALSO YOUR EDUCATION
...but what I realized by accident is that there is a grassroots Modern Matriarchy movement in Europe and the United States that I never realized existed until I started doing research out of my own personal interest. In fact, your website was one of the first places where I began to do research.
RASA: THAT MUST HAVE BEEN NOT LONG AGO. I AM DELIGHTED.
What this Modern Matriarchy movement lacks is cohesion and leadership of women.
RASA: UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE YEAR! IF YOU ONLY KNEW WHAT I HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH TO TRY AND GET WOMEN INVOLVED, AND ALL THEY DID UP UNTIL TWO MONTHS AGO, WAS TO ATTACK ME EVERYWHERE, AND MOST NOTABLE - HEAR THIS - ON THE WILLIAM BOND GROUPS WHERE HE GANGED UP ON ME WITH THEM.
SINCE THEN I HAVE SOMEHOW MANAGED TO SILENCE THE WOMEN ON THE BOND GROUPS AND ALSO GET WILLIAM CLOSER TO MY SIDE. HE HAS A GREAT PROBLEM WITH MY CHRISTIANITY AND ALSO HE WAS SAYING THAT 'RASA CANNOT GET ALONG WITH WOMEN' BECAUSE WOMEN WERE ATTACKING ME! HE SAW NUMBERS RATHER THAN QUALITY OF CHARACTER, PURPOSE AND ANOINTING, AND SINCE THERE WERE A FEW OF THEM AND ONE OF ME, FELT HE HAD TO STICK WITH THEM!
I STARTED REACING OUT EVERYWHERE AND WOMEN CLOSED DOORS IN MY FACE, ATTACKING AND PUTTING ME DOWN OR JUST IGNORING ME.
I KNEW OUR MOTHERGOD WANTED TO PULL TOGETHER, GALVANIZE THE MATRIARCHAL MOVEMENT, BUT I FOUND LITTLE SUPPORT, ENCOURAGEMENT OR COOPERATION.
IT SEEMED WHEREVER I WENT WOMEN WANTED TO BELIEVE THEY WERE 'IT' AND THEIR WORK MOST IMPORTANT, AND DID NOT WANT TO GET INVOLVED WITH ME. THEY ALWAYS FOUND SOMETHING ABOUT ME TO CRITICISE. MY DOCTRINE, THE IMAGES ON MY SITE, MY BACKGROUND, ETC. ALWAYS SOMETHING TO PICK ON AND DISTANCE THEMSELVES. I WAS BEGINNING TO BELIEVE I HAD TO DO ALL THAT WAS NEEDED WITH MEN, AS ONLY MEN HELPED A LITTLE BIT (NOT MUCH) BUT AT LEAST THEY WERE WILLING.
FINALLY, AGAIN AS I SAID, IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS, IT SEEMS WILLIAM AND I HAVE STARTED GETTING BETTER LUCK AND THERE IS A BIT OF ENERGY PULLING TOGETHER.
I see you Rasa as someone who is a strong leader in this movement, but can be even stronger with focused efforts and some organizational structure. Perhaps that is why I really had the dream about you. Matriarchy needs to be brought into the mainstream, and FemDom cannot be the face of Matriarchy although it will be one element of it, at the interpersonal level.
RASA: PERHAPS THAT MAN IN YOUR DREAM WAS A SYMBOL OF SOMETHING BIGGER THAN ANY INDIDIVUAL MAN IN THE SARLO WAR. IT IS THE MATRIARCHY/PATRIARCHY WAR AND THE MEN AGAINST MATRIARCHY DESPISE THE SANCTUARY. BUT YET, THEY WANT TO BE DOMINATED, WHICH IS NOT THE RIGHT WAY TO GO, AS WE ARE THEIR SERVANTS IN THIS.
AND THEN AGAIN, THE PATRIARCH FALLS DOWN AND PROVES HIMSELF AS A DEMONIC, AS IN THE WORDS GOD SAID TO ME IN 1971,
'SATAN RULES THE WORLD, AND HE WORKS THROUGH MEN.'
IF WE GET THE SATANIC OUT OF PATRIARCHY AND MEN, THEN, WE HAVE A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH FOR THE PLANET. THAT COULD BE WHAT THIS INVISIBLE POWER IS - THE EXORCIST POWER OF A WOMAN OVER MAN, WHICH GOD GIVES TO THE WOMAN,
'THE WOMAN SHALL CRUSH HIS HEAD.'
Let me tell you this, the other day I was driving on a major street in a city outside of Atlanta. I was at a stoplight near a church, and when I looked at this methodist church it had a billboard sign with big letters up which read: "The Patriarchs": a Video driven bible study. I thought to myself, how interesting this advertisement for this church and the fact that they have produced a video bible study under the name "The Patriarchs". You have produced videos in the past related to FemDom, but why not produce a video which teaches people the connection between Matriarchy and spirituality?
RASA: ALL THESE IDEAS ARE WELL AND GOOD. THEY SHOULD BE DONE! BUT DO YOU REALIZE THERE IS ONE WOMAN SITTING HERE WITH ONE WEBMAN AND NOT MUCH HELP OR DONATIONS FROM ANYONE? JUST WORKING DAY IN AND DAY OUT? BEATA, ARE YOU IMAGINING THAT I HAVE A STAFF OR SOME SUPER RESOURCES?
After all who is the Holy spirit that touches people other than the Divine Feminine? This is not what Christians are taught are they? As you said there is a need for solid doctrine in your teachings. And religion is the biggest barrier for establishing a Modern Matriarchy.
RASA: THIS IS PRECISELY WHAT GOD TOLD ME A COUPLE YEARS AGO. IT IS (IN A DREAM) MY JOB TO REMOVE 5-6 HUGE NAILS FROM THE HEAD OF A WOMAN, THE NAILS THAT ARE HOLDING DOWN A VEIL OVER HER HEAD.
IT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE. MEN ARE RIDICULING ME. BUT THEN - I DO IT. I SURPRIZE MYSELF! AND THEN OTHER MEN RUSH FORWARD AND SAY,
'WE DID NOT DO IT TO HER! (THE NAILS) SHE DID IT TO HERSELF!'
THESE NAILS ARE PRINCIPLES THAT ARE NAILED INTO THE HEADS OF WOMEN - THE PRINCIPLES TAUGHT MOSTLY BY RELIGION. GOD IS FATHER, EVE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FALL OF THE HUMAN RACE, WOMAN MUST FOLLOW MAN, MAN IS HEAD OF THE CHURCH, THE FAMILY ETC. IF WE STOP THIS WE TOP PATRIARCHY.
So you see Rasa, as an instrument of God, you are here to bring illumination of the natural and universal laws and make them relevant to people in this historical period.
RASA: MAKE THEM RELEVANT IS A GOOD STATEMENT (BY THE WAY - DO YOU HAVE A TRACK RECORD FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING, RADIO AND TV APPEARENCES AND THAT SORT OF THING?)
As we know there are many false prophets that exist which are misleading people. Many Christian churches are more concerned with money than the actual salvation of the human being. But how does one know that you are not like the rest?
RASA: YOU HAVE TO RELY ON THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR THAT - WHO WILL TELL YOU ALL THINGS. PRAY AND YOU WILL HAVE MORE DREAMS IF THEY ONES YOU HAVE HAD ARE NOT SUFFICIENT. TAKE NOTHING FOR GRANTED, SEEK OUT THE TRUTH HERE. ASK GOD.
This is one of the challenges and there are many more. Tell me what you think about what I have said to you so far.
RASA: WHAT ARE THE OTHER CHALLENGES? YES, I AM NOT PERFECT. BUT GOD HAS CHOSEN ME TO BRING FORTH SOME IMPORTANT THINGS. HAVE YOU EXAMINED MY BACKGROUND BIOGRAPHY?
TWO THINGS YOU MUST MAKE NOTE OF HERE:
May Mother God bless you,
Beata
February 14, 2006
I also wanted to mention to you that you have a beautiful website with lots of beautiful spiritual pictures and writings. I especially liked the stream of pictures that load on your home page. I did show my mother your website when I was in Boston over the Christmas holidays. And I have been discussing Matriarchy with her. She is like you in the sense that she is well studied in different religions and an experienced spiritual healer.
RASA: MAY I ASK WHAT ARE YOUR AGES?
You and her as well as I have much in common as women even though we are from different cultures.
RASA: WHAT IS YOUR CULTURE? I KNOW ALMOST NOTHING ABOUT YOU.
Before I left Boston, she gave me a book called the "Living Goddess" which discusses the primary Goddesses of the Hindu religion. It was from this book that I posted a couple of stories and prayers on your Anti-Sarlo group.
Thank you for giving me a place on your website. I appreciate very much that you would want to include me on your site. I just went to the page that you dedicated for me and found an e-mail exchange between you and Chris York. In my own discussions with people I have found that many do not understand Matriarchy and tend to view it through the eyes of the academic world and their theories that are developed. This is different from the actual work of Matriarchy that people are establishing in real life.
RASA: THERE ARE SOME HATEFUL BIASES AGAINST WOMEN IN ACADEMIA INCLUDING IN WOMEN'S STUDIES. THEY ARE TRYING TO SAY THERE HAS NEVER BEEN MATRIARCHY - NO PROOF OF IT. THEY POOH POOH MATRIARCAL ARTIFACTS AND ANCIENT WRITINGS. THERE IS AN ATTEMPT TO DISCREDIT THE TRUTH ABOUT MATRIARCHY. MY VOLUNTEERS FOUND A FEW PLACES RIGHT NOW, IN OUR WORLD, THAT PRACTICE MATRIARCHY. WM BOND SAID HE HAS COME ACROSS THE SAME KIND OF PREJUDICE AND HE COULD FIND NO DOOR OPEN ANYWHERE EXCEPT IN FEMDOM. I WAS GETTING PRETTY FRUSTRATED MYSELF, BUT I DECIDED, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, IF GOD WOULD GIVE ME THE POWER, I COULD ESTABLISH IT JUST BY MYSELF AND GOD. AFTER ALL, WE HAD DONE MIRACLES BEFORE. WITH GOD AS THE POWER, AND MYSELF AS INSTRUMENT, I BELIEVED ANYTHING WAS POSSIBLE. BUT WITH YOUR HELP, I AM NOT ALONE. THIS HAS TO BE DONE BY WOMEN. MEN CAN HELP, BUT WOMEN HAVE TO LEAD.
This has led me to believe that a bridge needs to be formed and many things clarified for people so that they can understand Matriarchy from a multi-cultural perspective, and not from the static view of reading a book or solely from the ideas which come from the social scientists. After all, the social scientists go into the communities and various cultures in order to learn and formulate their theories about Matriarchy as well as building on the work of previous scholars.
As I have said to you before, it is very evident to me that you carry much spiritual gifts, I realized that some people do not understand you, where you are coming from or where you are going. But many others admire you if only from the sidelines. You have a unique and powerful personality coming from your connection to the Source, which in many ways knocks people off their feet. It also threatens many males who want to cling to the illusion that I call "Phallic power", but draws other males who desire and long for a connection to the Divine Feminine.
I want to let you know, that if you would like to establish your church at least legally, that I will be willing to help you in this area. In this manner, you can receive donations and sell material related to your work and receive the benefits of tax-exempt status.
RASA: I HAVE BEEN WANTING TO DO THAT FOR YEARS AND MADE SOME ATTEMPTS BUT THEY ALL FELL THROUGH. BOTTOM LINE, BIG MONEY TO LAWYERS I WAS NOT WILLING TO SHELL OUT UNTIL I KNEW WHAT I WAS DOING, AT LEAST.
My professional area of expertise is in forming non-profit organizations and capacity development with community-based organizations.
RASA: PERHAPS YOU CAN SOLVE THIS PROBLEM!
Perhaps in the future you will be instrumental in the formation of Churches of Mother God, or something along that line, which has already started with your African Devotee, Cecilia.
RASA: I AM VERY HAPPY ABOUT CECILIA BUT JUST A WEE BIT CONCERNED. AFTER GIVING ONE SERMON, SHE WANTED A COMPUTER! (AFTER SOME THOUGHT, I SENT HER THE MONEY FOR IT) AS SOON AS WE SPOKE I TOLD HER THERE IS NO SALARY TO THIS JOB. SHE SAID SHE EXPECTED NONE. BUT OVER THERE THEY ARE SO NEEDY THAT GETTING THE BASICS OF LIFE IS A HUGE EFFORT. HOW CAN I EXPECT HER TO DO THIS WORK (I AM TAKING HER WORD FOR THE FACT THAT SHE IS DOING IT....I HAVE NO PROOF OF WHAT SHE IS DOING) WHEN SHE TOLD ME SHE PLANTED 3 ORPHANAGES AND A FEW CHURCHES, AND THIS, WITH NO RESOURCES? AND THEY ARE LUCKY TO FEED THE CHILDREN. A LOT OF THINGS SEEM SO INVITING AND LOVELY ON THE SURFACE, BUT WHEN YOU GO TO DO IT, SOME GLICHES OCCUR. THE GLICH HERE IS THE NEEDINESS OF THOSE IN THE THIRD WORLD. THIS NEEDINESS WILL LEAD THEM TO BEG, BEG, BEG, THIS ONE WOMAN HERE FOR MATERIAL RESOURCES - MONEY. SOMEHOW I FEEL IT IS NOT MY MISSION TO DO THIS . I TOLD CECILIA I WOULD TRANSMIT THE SHAKTI POWER TO THEM - THE POWER BY WHICH THEY COULD HELP THEMSELVES, BUT THIS FELL ON DEAF EARS. THEY ARE SO DESPERATE, THEY WILL JUST KEEP BEGGING. AND TO SAVE MY SANITY, IF IT DOES NOT STOP, I WILL HAVE TO BEGIN IGNORING CECILIA, JUST DELETE HER LETTERS. I AM SORRY TO DO THIS, BUT LIKE I SAID, I WILL NOT TAKE THE TORMENT. PRIMARILY I AM A TEACHER, WARRIOR, INSTRUMENT OF TRANSMISSION OF GOD'S POWER, AND PROMOTER OF A CAUSE. I BELIEVE THAT THE TYPE OF THING CECILIA NEEDS IS RATHER A DIFFERENT SORT OF ORGANIZING ABILITY, THOSE WHO CAN THINK ABOUT MISSION WORK AND GET FUNDING FOR IT. THE ENTIRE THIRD WORLD IS DESPERATE, AND COMPARED TO THEM, WE ARE RICH.
I THINK THE SOLUTION IS THIS: WHEN THIS CHURCH GROWS, WE COLLECT MONEY FROM MEMBERS FOR MISSIONARY WORK, LIKE CECILIA'S CHURCH.
As I said there is much potential for growth and certainly much work to do in bringing forth Matriarchy.
RASA: IT'S A GREAT ADVENTURE THAT I AM GLAD WE ARE ON, AND HAPPY TO HAVE FOUND YOU ALSO! (LOVE, RASA)
Cheers,
Beata
February 13, 2006
I went to bed last night after sending you my dreams. Yes I very much liked the interpretation of my second dream. It all makes sense to me now, especially the man with the business suit who you were speaking to.
The first dream I had was really interesting don't you think? That dream really made a strong impression on me. I kept thinking about the dream for days afterwards. The thing is that you are immersed in two religious systems and cultures, East and West. In the west we are more open about many things including sexuality. But in the East, there are many things that are kept hidden and mysterious. The western man in the dream behaved without respect or reverence in your sanctuary which angered my spirit. In real life, I have a tendency to be hard on these kinds of men, so it didn't surprise me that I immediately began to humiliate the man in the dream. But it was the Indian woman that astounded me the most. She could have been you in a different guise. I know that you have made speeches and recorded them. But I did not understand her power, I did not see where it came from, but I was in awe when the older anglo man feel down by her feet and began to wail around making strange noises from his throat. I had the impression in the dream that the Indian woman caused the man to be affected like this, but to the naked eye, it would appear that she did nothing to him at all. So her power was hidden and not obvious but nevertheless it was there.
I have learned that there are women who have formed sanctuaries in the United States and Western Europe based on the beliefs of the Hindu Goddess Kali and who will use forms of humiliation and physical punishment as a form of atonement and spiritual purification for the male. In this sense the man adopts the role of Jesus Christ who suffered for the sins of "mankind". Such suffering then becomes the route of the man's salvation. But women do not do this in India to my knowledge. So it is a western practice that is combined with FemDom and Hindu beliefs. But in the dream the Indian woman said it was not necessary for the man to reach her in this manner, through the femdom practice. That should be the case, but men being stubborn and full of ego and pride easily become blinded by arrogance and in western culture we are more prone to the display of violence and so often this is the language that many men understand the best.
But then the Indian woman was teaching men in private and women too, again, I was not allowed to enter the church while the men were in the teaching/prayer session. All women were forbidden to enter and so I stayed outside. And then the speeches that the Indian woman made in public was geared toward the behavior and conduct of men toward women and the environment. I think that both women and men, but especially men do need to learn about Matriarchy through spiritual means and to apply these teachings in their life. And this is where you are instrumental because you have already set up a church of Mother God online. But most importantly men have to be touched by the holy spirit or the Shakti in order to begin to act differently so that they will have a shift of consciousness. Both the Holy spirit and the Shakti are attributes of the divine feminine right?
These are just some of the things that has come to mind about the dream. I can't wait to hear what you have to say!
Much love,
Beata
Good morning to you! I am not displeased with you at all, nor did you offend me. In fact, I was impressed with the last e-mail you wrote to me. You are a very gifted spiritual woman, with an important mission to fulfill in this lifetime. I want to thank you for the offer to have me install you into my heart so that we may be closer, but I already feel a stronger connection to you since having those two dreams.
RASA: OK WE ARE CONNECTED, THAT IS TRUE.
Also I have a mother (my birth mother) who is an spiritual initiate and whom you in many ways remind me of. Of course, I would like to get to know you better over time. You have this interesting combination of Eastern/Western religious philosophy coupled with your zeal and passion in working towards Matriarchy. There is much potential in reaching women and men with your work.
At this time, I am in a transition with my work and my life. I am in the process of establishing a non-profit organization to promote the work of Matriarchy and support the growth of community-based organizations some of which will probably feature programs related to expanding Matriarchy because I see many applications to solving social problems, but I need to first develop some multi-cultural models/programs of Matriarchy that these organizations and groups can use and even secure funding for.
RASA: I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR DETAILS OF THIS.
I have been working in the field of social services and community development for many years...
RASA: AGAIN, WOULD LIKE TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU HAVE DONE AND ALSO YOUR EDUCATION
...but what I realized by accident is that there is a grassroots Modern Matriarchy movement in Europe and the United States that I never realized existed until I started doing research out of my own personal interest. In fact, your website was one of the first places where I began to do research.
RASA: THAT MUST HAVE BEEN NOT LONG AGO. I AM DELIGHTED.
What this Modern Matriarchy movement lacks is cohesion and leadership of women.
RASA: UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE YEAR! IF YOU ONLY KNEW WHAT I HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH TO TRY AND GET WOMEN INVOLVED, AND ALL THEY DID UP UNTIL TWO MONTHS AGO, WAS TO ATTACK ME EVERYWHERE, AND MOST NOTABLE - HEAR THIS - ON THE WILLIAM BOND GROUPS WHERE HE GANGED UP ON ME WITH THEM.
SINCE THEN I HAVE SOMEHOW MANAGED TO SILENCE THE WOMEN ON THE BOND GROUPS AND ALSO GET WILLIAM CLOSER TO MY SIDE. HE HAS A GREAT PROBLEM WITH MY CHRISTIANITY AND ALSO HE WAS SAYING THAT 'RASA CANNOT GET ALONG WITH WOMEN' BECAUSE WOMEN WERE ATTACKING ME! HE SAW NUMBERS RATHER THAN QUALITY OF CHARACTER, PURPOSE AND ANOINTING, AND SINCE THERE WERE A FEW OF THEM AND ONE OF ME, FELT HE HAD TO STICK WITH THEM!
I STARTED REACING OUT EVERYWHERE AND WOMEN CLOSED DOORS IN MY FACE, ATTACKING AND PUTTING ME DOWN OR JUST IGNORING ME.
I KNEW OUR MOTHERGOD WANTED TO PULL TOGETHER, GALVANIZE THE MATRIARCHAL MOVEMENT, BUT I FOUND LITTLE SUPPORT, ENCOURAGEMENT OR COOPERATION.
IT SEEMED WHEREVER I WENT WOMEN WANTED TO BELIEVE THEY WERE 'IT' AND THEIR WORK MOST IMPORTANT, AND DID NOT WANT TO GET INVOLVED WITH ME. THEY ALWAYS FOUND SOMETHING ABOUT ME TO CRITICISE. MY DOCTRINE, THE IMAGES ON MY SITE, MY BACKGROUND, ETC. ALWAYS SOMETHING TO PICK ON AND DISTANCE THEMSELVES. I WAS BEGINNING TO BELIEVE I HAD TO DO ALL THAT WAS NEEDED WITH MEN, AS ONLY MEN HELPED A LITTLE BIT (NOT MUCH) BUT AT LEAST THEY WERE WILLING.
FINALLY, AGAIN AS I SAID, IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS, IT SEEMS WILLIAM AND I HAVE STARTED GETTING BETTER LUCK AND THERE IS A BIT OF ENERGY PULLING TOGETHER.
I see you Rasa as someone who is a strong leader in this movement, but can be even stronger with focused efforts and some organizational structure. Perhaps that is why I really had the dream about you. Matriarchy needs to be brought into the mainstream, and FemDom cannot be the face of Matriarchy although it will be one element of it, at the interpersonal level.
RASA: PERHAPS THAT MAN IN YOUR DREAM WAS A SYMBOL OF SOMETHING BIGGER THAN ANY INDIDIVUAL MAN IN THE SARLO WAR. IT IS THE MATRIARCHY/PATRIARCHY WAR AND THE MEN AGAINST MATRIARCHY DESPISE THE SANCTUARY. BUT YET, THEY WANT TO BE DOMINATED, WHICH IS NOT THE RIGHT WAY TO GO, AS WE ARE THEIR SERVANTS IN THIS.
AND THEN AGAIN, THE PATRIARCH FALLS DOWN AND PROVES HIMSELF AS A DEMONIC, AS IN THE WORDS GOD SAID TO ME IN 1971,
'SATAN RULES THE WORLD, AND HE WORKS THROUGH MEN.'
IF WE GET THE SATANIC OUT OF PATRIARCHY AND MEN, THEN, WE HAVE A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH FOR THE PLANET. THAT COULD BE WHAT THIS INVISIBLE POWER IS - THE EXORCIST POWER OF A WOMAN OVER MAN, WHICH GOD GIVES TO THE WOMAN,
'THE WOMAN SHALL CRUSH HIS HEAD.'
Let me tell you this, the other day I was driving on a major street in a city outside of Atlanta. I was at a stoplight near a church, and when I looked at this methodist church it had a billboard sign with big letters up which read: "The Patriarchs": a Video driven bible study. I thought to myself, how interesting this advertisement for this church and the fact that they have produced a video bible study under the name "The Patriarchs". You have produced videos in the past related to FemDom, but why not produce a video which teaches people the connection between Matriarchy and spirituality?
RASA: ALL THESE IDEAS ARE WELL AND GOOD. THEY SHOULD BE DONE! BUT DO YOU REALIZE THERE IS ONE WOMAN SITTING HERE WITH ONE WEBMAN AND NOT MUCH HELP OR DONATIONS FROM ANYONE? JUST WORKING DAY IN AND DAY OUT? BEATA, ARE YOU IMAGINING THAT I HAVE A STAFF OR SOME SUPER RESOURCES?
After all who is the Holy spirit that touches people other than the Divine Feminine? This is not what Christians are taught are they? As you said there is a need for solid doctrine in your teachings. And religion is the biggest barrier for establishing a Modern Matriarchy.
RASA: THIS IS PRECISELY WHAT GOD TOLD ME A COUPLE YEARS AGO. IT IS (IN A DREAM) MY JOB TO REMOVE 5-6 HUGE NAILS FROM THE HEAD OF A WOMAN, THE NAILS THAT ARE HOLDING DOWN A VEIL OVER HER HEAD.
IT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE. MEN ARE RIDICULING ME. BUT THEN - I DO IT. I SURPRIZE MYSELF! AND THEN OTHER MEN RUSH FORWARD AND SAY,
'WE DID NOT DO IT TO HER! (THE NAILS) SHE DID IT TO HERSELF!'
THESE NAILS ARE PRINCIPLES THAT ARE NAILED INTO THE HEADS OF WOMEN - THE PRINCIPLES TAUGHT MOSTLY BY RELIGION. GOD IS FATHER, EVE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FALL OF THE HUMAN RACE, WOMAN MUST FOLLOW MAN, MAN IS HEAD OF THE CHURCH, THE FAMILY ETC. IF WE STOP THIS WE TOP PATRIARCHY.
So you see Rasa, as an instrument of God, you are here to bring illumination of the natural and universal laws and make them relevant to people in this historical period.
RASA: MAKE THEM RELEVANT IS A GOOD STATEMENT (BY THE WAY - DO YOU HAVE A TRACK RECORD FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING, RADIO AND TV APPEARENCES AND THAT SORT OF THING?)
As we know there are many false prophets that exist which are misleading people. Many Christian churches are more concerned with money than the actual salvation of the human being. But how does one know that you are not like the rest?
RASA: YOU HAVE TO RELY ON THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR THAT - WHO WILL TELL YOU ALL THINGS. PRAY AND YOU WILL HAVE MORE DREAMS IF THEY ONES YOU HAVE HAD ARE NOT SUFFICIENT. TAKE NOTHING FOR GRANTED, SEEK OUT THE TRUTH HERE. ASK GOD.
This is one of the challenges and there are many more. Tell me what you think about what I have said to you so far.
RASA: WHAT ARE THE OTHER CHALLENGES? YES, I AM NOT PERFECT. BUT GOD HAS CHOSEN ME TO BRING FORTH SOME IMPORTANT THINGS. HAVE YOU EXAMINED MY BACKGROUND BIOGRAPHY?
TWO THINGS YOU MUST MAKE NOTE OF HERE:
May Mother God bless you,
Beata
February 14, 2006
I also wanted to mention to you that you have a beautiful website with lots of beautiful spiritual pictures and writings. I especially liked the stream of pictures that load on your home page. I did show my mother your website when I was in Boston over the Christmas holidays. And I have been discussing Matriarchy with her. She is like you in the sense that she is well studied in different religions and an experienced spiritual healer.
RASA: MAY I ASK WHAT ARE YOUR AGES?
You and her as well as I have much in common as women even though we are from different cultures.
RASA: WHAT IS YOUR CULTURE? I KNOW ALMOST NOTHING ABOUT YOU.
Before I left Boston, she gave me a book called the "Living Goddess" which discusses the primary Goddesses of the Hindu religion. It was from this book that I posted a couple of stories and prayers on your Anti-Sarlo group.
Thank you for giving me a place on your website. I appreciate very much that you would want to include me on your site. I just went to the page that you dedicated for me and found an e-mail exchange between you and Chris York. In my own discussions with people I have found that many do not understand Matriarchy and tend to view it through the eyes of the academic world and their theories that are developed. This is different from the actual work of Matriarchy that people are establishing in real life.
RASA: THERE ARE SOME HATEFUL BIASES AGAINST WOMEN IN ACADEMIA INCLUDING IN WOMEN'S STUDIES. THEY ARE TRYING TO SAY THERE HAS NEVER BEEN MATRIARCHY - NO PROOF OF IT. THEY POOH POOH MATRIARCAL ARTIFACTS AND ANCIENT WRITINGS. THERE IS AN ATTEMPT TO DISCREDIT THE TRUTH ABOUT MATRIARCHY. MY VOLUNTEERS FOUND A FEW PLACES RIGHT NOW, IN OUR WORLD, THAT PRACTICE MATRIARCHY. WM BOND SAID HE HAS COME ACROSS THE SAME KIND OF PREJUDICE AND HE COULD FIND NO DOOR OPEN ANYWHERE EXCEPT IN FEMDOM. I WAS GETTING PRETTY FRUSTRATED MYSELF, BUT I DECIDED, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, IF GOD WOULD GIVE ME THE POWER, I COULD ESTABLISH IT JUST BY MYSELF AND GOD. AFTER ALL, WE HAD DONE MIRACLES BEFORE. WITH GOD AS THE POWER, AND MYSELF AS INSTRUMENT, I BELIEVED ANYTHING WAS POSSIBLE. BUT WITH YOUR HELP, I AM NOT ALONE. THIS HAS TO BE DONE BY WOMEN. MEN CAN HELP, BUT WOMEN HAVE TO LEAD.
This has led me to believe that a bridge needs to be formed and many things clarified for people so that they can understand Matriarchy from a multi-cultural perspective, and not from the static view of reading a book or solely from the ideas which come from the social scientists. After all, the social scientists go into the communities and various cultures in order to learn and formulate their theories about Matriarchy as well as building on the work of previous scholars.
As I have said to you before, it is very evident to me that you carry much spiritual gifts, I realized that some people do not understand you, where you are coming from or where you are going. But many others admire you if only from the sidelines. You have a unique and powerful personality coming from your connection to the Source, which in many ways knocks people off their feet. It also threatens many males who want to cling to the illusion that I call "Phallic power", but draws other males who desire and long for a connection to the Divine Feminine.
I want to let you know, that if you would like to establish your church at least legally, that I will be willing to help you in this area. In this manner, you can receive donations and sell material related to your work and receive the benefits of tax-exempt status.
RASA: I HAVE BEEN WANTING TO DO THAT FOR YEARS AND MADE SOME ATTEMPTS BUT THEY ALL FELL THROUGH. BOTTOM LINE, BIG MONEY TO LAWYERS I WAS NOT WILLING TO SHELL OUT UNTIL I KNEW WHAT I WAS DOING, AT LEAST.
My professional area of expertise is in forming non-profit organizations and capacity development with community-based organizations.
RASA: PERHAPS YOU CAN SOLVE THIS PROBLEM!
Perhaps in the future you will be instrumental in the formation of Churches of Mother God, or something along that line, which has already started with your African Devotee, Cecilia.
RASA: I AM VERY HAPPY ABOUT CECILIA BUT JUST A WEE BIT CONCERNED. AFTER GIVING ONE SERMON, SHE WANTED A COMPUTER! (AFTER SOME THOUGHT, I SENT HER THE MONEY FOR IT) AS SOON AS WE SPOKE I TOLD HER THERE IS NO SALARY TO THIS JOB. SHE SAID SHE EXPECTED NONE. BUT OVER THERE THEY ARE SO NEEDY THAT GETTING THE BASICS OF LIFE IS A HUGE EFFORT. HOW CAN I EXPECT HER TO DO THIS WORK (I AM TAKING HER WORD FOR THE FACT THAT SHE IS DOING IT....I HAVE NO PROOF OF WHAT SHE IS DOING) WHEN SHE TOLD ME SHE PLANTED 3 ORPHANAGES AND A FEW CHURCHES, AND THIS, WITH NO RESOURCES? AND THEY ARE LUCKY TO FEED THE CHILDREN. A LOT OF THINGS SEEM SO INVITING AND LOVELY ON THE SURFACE, BUT WHEN YOU GO TO DO IT, SOME GLICHES OCCUR. THE GLICH HERE IS THE NEEDINESS OF THOSE IN THE THIRD WORLD. THIS NEEDINESS WILL LEAD THEM TO BEG, BEG, BEG, THIS ONE WOMAN HERE FOR MATERIAL RESOURCES - MONEY. SOMEHOW I FEEL IT IS NOT MY MISSION TO DO THIS . I TOLD CECILIA I WOULD TRANSMIT THE SHAKTI POWER TO THEM - THE POWER BY WHICH THEY COULD HELP THEMSELVES, BUT THIS FELL ON DEAF EARS. THEY ARE SO DESPERATE, THEY WILL JUST KEEP BEGGING. AND TO SAVE MY SANITY, IF IT DOES NOT STOP, I WILL HAVE TO BEGIN IGNORING CECILIA, JUST DELETE HER LETTERS. I AM SORRY TO DO THIS, BUT LIKE I SAID, I WILL NOT TAKE THE TORMENT. PRIMARILY I AM A TEACHER, WARRIOR, INSTRUMENT OF TRANSMISSION OF GOD'S POWER, AND PROMOTER OF A CAUSE. I BELIEVE THAT THE TYPE OF THING CECILIA NEEDS IS RATHER A DIFFERENT SORT OF ORGANIZING ABILITY, THOSE WHO CAN THINK ABOUT MISSION WORK AND GET FUNDING FOR IT. THE ENTIRE THIRD WORLD IS DESPERATE, AND COMPARED TO THEM, WE ARE RICH.
I THINK THE SOLUTION IS THIS: WHEN THIS CHURCH GROWS, WE COLLECT MONEY FROM MEMBERS FOR MISSIONARY WORK, LIKE CECILIA'S CHURCH.
As I said there is much potential for growth and certainly much work to do in bringing forth Matriarchy.
RASA: IT'S A GREAT ADVENTURE THAT I AM GLAD WE ARE ON, AND HAPPY TO HAVE FOUND YOU ALSO! (LOVE, RASA)
Cheers,
Beata
February 13, 2006
I went to bed last night after sending you my dreams. Yes I very much liked the interpretation of my second dream. It all makes sense to me now, especially the man with the business suit who you were speaking to.
The first dream I had was really interesting don't you think? That dream really made a strong impression on me. I kept thinking about the dream for days afterwards. The thing is that you are immersed in two religious systems and cultures, East and West. In the west we are more open about many things including sexuality. But in the East, there are many things that are kept hidden and mysterious. The western man in the dream behaved without respect or reverence in your sanctuary which angered my spirit. In real life, I have a tendency to be hard on these kinds of men, so it didn't surprise me that I immediately began to humiliate the man in the dream. But it was the Indian woman that astounded me the most. She could have been you in a different guise. I know that you have made speeches and recorded them. But I did not understand her power, I did not see where it came from, but I was in awe when the older anglo man feel down by her feet and began to wail around making strange noises from his throat. I had the impression in the dream that the Indian woman caused the man to be affected like this, but to the naked eye, it would appear that she did nothing to him at all. So her power was hidden and not obvious but nevertheless it was there.
I have learned that there are women who have formed sanctuaries in the United States and Western Europe based on the beliefs of the Hindu Goddess Kali and who will use forms of humiliation and physical punishment as a form of atonement and spiritual purification for the male. In this sense the man adopts the role of Jesus Christ who suffered for the sins of "mankind". Such suffering then becomes the route of the man's salvation. But women do not do this in India to my knowledge. So it is a western practice that is combined with FemDom and Hindu beliefs. But in the dream the Indian woman said it was not necessary for the man to reach her in this manner, through the femdom practice. That should be the case, but men being stubborn and full of ego and pride easily become blinded by arrogance and in western culture we are more prone to the display of violence and so often this is the language that many men understand the best.
But then the Indian woman was teaching men in private and women too, again, I was not allowed to enter the church while the men were in the teaching/prayer session. All women were forbidden to enter and so I stayed outside. And then the speeches that the Indian woman made in public was geared toward the behavior and conduct of men toward women and the environment. I think that both women and men, but especially men do need to learn about Matriarchy through spiritual means and to apply these teachings in their life. And this is where you are instrumental because you have already set up a church of Mother God online. But most importantly men have to be touched by the holy spirit or the Shakti in order to begin to act differently so that they will have a shift of consciousness. Both the Holy spirit and the Shakti are attributes of the divine feminine right?
These are just some of the things that has come to mind about the dream. I can't wait to hear what you have to say!
Much love,
Beata
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)