Gaia: Women's Mysteries

Re: Plans for Autumn?

http://persephonethegoddess.gaia.com — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 23:51:40 GMT

I've actually been going through a major cleaning in my home and getting rid of a lot of stuff I don't need. I've pared down my herbal garden and getting it ready for the winter.

I've already made plans that this time next year I will not be at my current job, I'm actually giving it til end of January because by then, I should have my finances in order, and the holidays will be over. I'm keeping myself open to opportunity, and if something bigger and brighter happens, I can choose either to stay on or move on. Either way, I know I can't continue the way things have been. It's good to know I have a choice and a way out when the need arises.

I am currently going to be traveling the next couple of months so I'm really excited about that. Seeing the leaves change makes me sad even though logically I know spring is just around the corner and less than 6 months away. Still, I get a bit melancholy with the days getting shorter and getting colder and seeing bare trees. People just don't seem that happy in the cold here.

My altar is a work in progress. I'm looking for new material to place on the altar, something fall-like. Right now it's a rather rich light green which I love, and I'd like to find a rich wine or brown heavy silk for my altar. I guess I'm not ready yet to give up summer!

As for Samhain, I will be celebrating it in Mexico along with the Day of the Dead. I'm very excited about that, as they treat the Day of the Dead with much reverence and celebration. I can't think of a better place to be -- save for New Orleans which has a similar attitude towards life and death.

Re: Which Goddesses are most meaningful to you?

http://thebeltanepapers.gaia.com — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 04:29:39 GMT

Dear Valarie,

The dissertation sounds fascinating! Would you consider possibly writing an article for the magazine or perhaps something smaller for the blog?

What a wonderful experience it must have been to interview all those women!

Best,
Diane with The Beltane Papers

Re: Which Goddesses are most meaningful to you?

http://heartfire.gaia.com — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 03:27:01 GMT

Blessings, all ladies,

I am glad to have found this group. Personally, I'm fond of Brigid (the goddess of ironworking and also creativity), especially for my Irish heritage. Also, lately I've discovered Hecate, the underworld goddess who presides over the crossroads of life. And who hasn't had to face a "fork in the road" or two?

I recently completed a Ph.D., and my dissertation is about the experiences of 15 women who transitioned from Judeo-Christianity to Paganism. It was fascinating to hear their personal stories of their paths, and of the goddesses that resonated with each of them.

So, I look forward to reading others' stories, and wish you all well.

Valarie

Re: Plans for Autumn?

http://carolynlboyd.gaia.com — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 21:06:31 GMT

I love all these stories! They are wonderful! The rituals and ceremonies that we make for ourselves are so rich and delightful and important. So many of us grew up thinking that we had to follow the liturgies that others created and have found that making our own are really such creative and meaningful acts. Even though nature is starting to sleep, autumn seems like such an alive time full of such beauty. I'm glad you all have found this pod!

Re: Plans for Autumn?

http://thebeltanepapers.gaia.com — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 03:05:34 GMT

It's so nice to hear that Ilse and Deborah, you have both gone out to celebrate in nature. I have an acquaintance I made this summer at a retreat in upstate New York, the space is gorgeous -- the land has a labyrinth and is located in the mountains. In fact, we stayed in a yurt but that is getting off subject. And she said she bought the land in September and then added, "you know, the sucker time of the year." Of course she meant when the leaves are changing colors in the mountains like that, who can resist?

Autumn seems like a time of slowing down but for me it usually means projects start speeding up, and of course, to me it makes sense to start cleaning indoors for all the holidays that will be right around the corner.

Diane

Re: Plans for Autumn?

http://yhd52754.gaia.com — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 23:53:51 GMT

I am new here and I am still in my first year of "recognizing" my pagan side. I say it that way, because although I can see I have always been this way, I didn't realize what this way was until last fall. I have had for 20 years a sacred place, where a split in the stream comes back together. On the side closest to my gravel bar sheltered cove, is a little waterfall that runs by my rock alter. I have a witness tree with a sitting rock below it that looks out on the slower water that pools there.

So, I have tried to make some recognition of the solstice's and the equinox's. The most recent was the Autumn Equinox which as I am sure everyone here already knows is the period when day and night are equal. On that morning, I put on one of my favorite T-Shirts that shows the Equinoxes and Solstices with a Sun in the center that I got from Whole Foods and went off hiking while listening to my new CD of the Abraham-Hick's Amazing Power of the Emotions new release.

On my way to my sacred place, I collected appropriate objects. A Yucca seed pod, a spray of Yellow flowers that are in profuse bloom at this time, a bright Red leaf, a switch of seeded grass, the fruits of a Blackberry Lily, an Acorn w/cap and a snowy White Owl's feather to set upon my rock alter. I placed my little Black metal bucket with Jack-O-Lantern Smile and Green interior there as well. The Orange colored, Pumpkin fragranced votive candle was then placed within and I lit the flame, thinking that Autumn subdues the sun's light, which I actually noticed in that place as I sat in meditation on that favorite sitting rock within hearing of the stream's little falls.

Then, I spent about 10 mins in comtemplation, realizing I am now in the Autumn of my life. By contrasting this with my in-laws current state of winter, with gratitude and relief, I realized that this is my peak, my time of harvest. That there are over 20 years left before my season begins to turn towards winter. I still have a long time before the final letting go...

May all of your days be equally meaningful ...

Deborah

Re: Plans for Autumn?

http://ilsemulder.gaia.com — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 20:25:39 GMT

I've collected wood branches and leaves in order to honour the Fall. I'm going to make a staff (walking stick) out of one of the branches.

Re: Plans for Autumn?

http://carolynlboyd.gaia.com — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 18:29:24 GMT

I am working on building my new blogsite Goddess in a Teapot and become a bit more creative than I have been the past year or so. Also, my son is just starting high school, so I want to help him have a good first year. Other than that, I plan to enjoy autumn's gifts here in New England -- the leaves, the pumpkins, the cool mornings and evenings. Of course, we also do a lot of storing up for winter here since we never know when we may be snowbound once November 1 comes.

Re: Books for those starting out on the path of women's spiritual

http://thebeltanepapers.gaia.com — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 14:50:10 GMT

Hello Suzette!

Thanks for the big frequency hugs!

I am so sorry, but with summer's busy activities, I've neglected the pod! Please forgive me.

Hoping to get the conversation going again here with you lovely and conscious ladies :)

Best,
Diane

Plans for Autumn?

http://thebeltanepapers.gaia.com — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 14:48:00 GMT

Diane writes:

Hello there, everyone!

We've gotten some new members but there's been no recent discussion.

With Autumn truly here, do any of you have specific plans? I know I like to do "Fall Cleaning," rather than Spring Cleaning, to get the apartment ready for the holidays (which begin with Samhain/Halloween)! Anyone else?

Best,
Diane

Re: A question to think about

http://buddingspritelet.gaia.com — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 16:29:42 GMT

Hi All,
My thoughts on this:)
Women are the caretakers and nurturers of the universe and without our wisdom being heard, well, we see where we are... so, for there to be real change, women must reclaim and honor our sacredness and gifts, and come together in light, spirit, peace and love. From there, men and women can again co-create:)
Love and peaches,
Sprite

Re: A question to think about

http://sharesuzzwirexistez.gaia.com — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 22:06:05 GMT

Global level,
I think wimen's role in the universe is best coupled with men's role.

Individual level
I think the wimen is to give Life, to Create, to Nurture, to Keep Cosmic Order (personal level, couple level, family level and social level)...

From my understanding, our major duty as wimen in this Planet and this Era is:

To Recreate the Sound of Cosmos

In order to achieve this mission on a personal level, I work on being coherent with my actions and my word; to keep The Observer awake and to try not to take sides (not judgment). The rest, I think comes naturaly and spontaneously if one has good intentions and good mental images of what reality might be in order to achieve a specific action or a global one.

Re: Books for those starting out on the path of women's spiritual

http://sharesuzzwirexistez.gaia.com — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 21:50:40 GMT

Hello my dear path companions!

here with another title to the list:

"The Woman in the Shaman's Body" by Barbara Tedlock.

Big frequecy sincronyzed hugs!

/suzz

Re: Books for those starting out on the path of women's spiritual

http://thebeltanepapers.gaia.com — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 11:24:33 GMT

Diane writes:

Hi Kris! Thanks for joining our pod!

Yes, Drawing Down the Moon is a treasure. I love the resource guide. The book was updated and came out last fall -- I met Margot Adler at NYC's Pagan Pride and she signed my copy :)

Re: A question to think about

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 05:46:58 GMT

To empower and inspire women. To remind them of their innate divinity, beauty and strength, which society, the media and so on have tried to disown us of.

Re: Books for those starting out on the path of women's spiritual

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 05:44:43 GMT

Great lists!

I would include Margot Adler's Drawing Down the Moon and Barbara Walker's Women's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets. Both are invaluable resources.

Can't remember if anyone mentioned When God was a Woman.

A book that I love which is fascinating and somewhat related: Blood, Bread and Roses: How Menstruation Created The World. (I think that's the title!)

Re: Which Goddesses are most meaningful to you?

http://thebeltanepapers.gaia.com — Thu, 31 May 2007 13:44:33 GMT

Diane says:

Well, I can't help but choose the goddess Diana -- for obvious reasons ;) In fact, I was lucky enough to find a beautiful print of the goddess with "Diane" underneath. That print hangs in my office.

I just tried to post a pic of it, but it didn't go through in this post. I'll add it to one of The Beltane Paper's pix.

Re: Books for those starting out on the path of women's spiritual

http://thebeltanepapers.gaia.com — Wed, 30 May 2007 01:19:23 GMT

Hi Carolyn,

OK, this is Diane and my list would also include Z Budapest's book as well as the Great Cosmic Mother (what a treasure!)

But I also love, love, love Z. Budapest's Grandmother of Time book. My copy is so well-worn, it's even stained with essential oils...

I also think any type of Calendar and Festival book is great to have as well, to learn what the original holidays were associated with festivals we still celebrate today. A great site for that is www.schooloftheseasons.com.

Which Goddesses are most meaningful to you?

http://thebeltanepapers.gaia.com — Tue, 29 May 2007 23:44:08 GMT

Carolyn says... I have found that I will feel a real connection to specific Goddesses from various times and cultures at different times of my life. Are there Goddess you feel speak to you specially? Why?

Books for those starting out on the path of women's spirituality

http://thebeltanepapers.gaia.com — Tue, 29 May 2007 23:36:47 GMT

Carolyn says...

Are there books that you would recommend for people who have recently discovered women's spiritulity?

Here's my answer:

There are quite a few books that I found to be essential as I started out on the path of women's spirituality. Among them are:

The Spiral Dance by Starhawk
The Language of the Goddess and Living Goddesses by Marija Gimbutas
The Once and Future Goddess by Elinor Gadon
The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries by Z Budapest
The Great Cosmic Mother by Monica Sjoo and Barbara Mor

There are so many wonderful books, I'm sure others can list many more!