Buzz Coil: November

Textual Arachne: Blogger Arachne posted a beautiful "Autumn sestina" on Oct. 26, and on Nov. 21, in "Snow," gives a blessing for the first snow of the season.

Immanent Gorgon: The blogger known as The Gorgon begins her Nov. 18 post, "Hecate, the Dark Mother, Waits at a Crossroad," with a long quote from Granny Moon’s Morning Feast, and then blogs about the relationship between Hecate and other Pagan topics in the writings of Walter Scott and Nathaniel Hawthorne. With references to Thanksgiving Day.

Pagan Godspell: Sara Sutterfield Winn’s post of Nov. 13, "Hunting," is beautiful – poetic prose at it’s best. It’s about this time of year, "absorbing the lessions of Samhain." It’s about Keats. And it’s about "Mama"s exquisite squeeze."

At the end of desire: In her Nov. 3 post, "For Lugh,"Blogger Inanna shares the story of how she and her partner found their spiritual teacher embodied in a dog, Lugh, after Samhain 2005, and of Lugh’s mystical bodily departure shortly before Samhain 2007. With photo of Samhain altar.

Peeling a Pomegranate: In her Nov. 8 post, "Things are Complicated," the blogger (not identified by name that I could see, but she’s redesigning her blog) tells about coming to terms with her complicated spiritual world , at least partly through her Kohenet (Hebrew for priestess) training. UPDATE 11/30: Blogger's name is Carly. See comment below :-)

Goddess in a Teapot: Blogger Carolyn Lee Boyd encourages us to rewrite myths and gives as an example, two versions of the Demeter-Persephone myth in her Nov. 18 post, "Every Woman is a Storyteller."

Chess, Goddess and Everything: In a Nov. 18 post, "Nun Advocates Goddess Worship," blogger Jan quotes a LifeSite News article about Sister Elizabeth A. Johnson, who is to be given an Award for Theological Excellence in January. Sr. Elizabeth is a professor at Fordham University and author of the book She Who Is (Crossroad 1993).

As you can imagine, some conventional Catholic sites are going bezonkers over this. For example, Still Running Off at the Keyboard, headlines their story, "Getting Awards for Heresy," and Overheard in the Sacristy, titles their story "Disturbing News from the Life Site" and labels it "heresy."

Dedanaan: whose logo reads,"Myth is what we call other people’s religion," gives a good summary of some current Goddess scholarship in Aine MacDermot’s Nov. 14 post, "Goddess Patterns."

Radical Goddess Thealogy: Blogger Athana points out what she calls "two more media breakthroughs for the goddess!" in her Nov. 9 blog, "Goddess Getting Gargantuan."

Did we miss an item you think is important? We’d like to know about it, so please leave it as a comment.

Post-Feminist?

If you're one of those people who think we're living in a post-feminist world where the goals of feminism have been met, including equality of women in religion, you might want to take a gander at the hostile misogyny with which attempts by women in the Catholic Church to achieve ordination are (still!) being met by some bloggers. Their attacks are aimed at Roman Catholic Womenpriests , which has been ordaining women for several years (without the Pope's blessing, of course). These blogposts focus specifically on recent liturgies and ordinations near Baltimore and in St. Louis . If the bloggers on Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam and Fish in a Barrel (and possibly others others--feel free to go Google) could limit themselves to theological arguments I wouldn't be writing this (not that it wouldn't be an issue – but at least it would represent some attempt at rationality), but they also take the opportunity to attack the women with personal insults. Fish in a Barrel calls the Womenpriests "old biddies," "Crew Cut-feminists," and "dowdy," and maintains that the ordination in a Reform Jewish "congregational building" threatens Catholic-Jewish relations. Ad Majorem accuses the Womenpriests of "playing dress-up" and describes their event as a "wiccan-like retreat," an insult in Ad Majorem's eyes. (For a more balanced account of the Baltimore meeting see the City Paper . )

As long as this kind of nonsense is going on (and it is going on, not only in religion but elsewhere --just watch or read the nightly or daily news) we are not post-feminist and I, for one, will not mellow out, smile, and bat my lashes.

Instead, with this post I honor the brave Womenpriests:

May you be blessed with courage,
strength, and fulfillment.

TAGS:news Womenpriests spiritual feminism women and religion

Goddess Pages: Samhain Issue

Goddess Pages is now both a print and online journal. Some of the articles online are designated "premium articles," which means you pay to read them--through Paypal, which will convert your U.S. or other currency into the British currency listed on the e-journal site.

But there's still plenty of free material on Goddess Pages online and that's what I'll talk about here:

In "Glastonbury Goddess Conference 2007 - a review," Myfanwy Ashley writes of clans, ceremonies, grandmothers, virgins, talks, workshops, dancing, singing, yoga...

"Priestessing Goddess onto the World Stage," by Karen Tate, about the coming-out of the Goddess community, also appeared as a Sept. 11 guest blog here.

"Seeking Goddess in Silence - the Quaker Goddess Network," by Liz Perkins tells how a group of British Quakers with Goddess interests met and grew.

In "Not Right: Part II," Michael Bland explores the "bewitchment of human intelligence by means of language," for which he suggests a remedy. With quotes from philospher Ludwig Wittgenstein.

"Wild Lessons from Herstory," by Theresa Curtis-Diggs, relates attempts at coaxing a garden to grow.

"The Meeting," is autumn fiction about a young woman and a crone from Judith Laura's book, She Lives! The Return of Our Great Mother.

Eleven poems bless this issue:

"Brigantia is..." by Alex Chaloner, "The day after the bonfire" by Alison Leonard, "Sea Mysteries" by Anna McKerrow, "West Kennet Long Barrow" and "Fallen" by Doreen Hopwood, "The Snow Queen's Defence" by Geraldine Charles, "Northern Star (for my father)" by Jacqui Woodward-Smith," Catechism for a Witch's Child" by J. L. Stanley, "Blood Moon" by Michele Darnell-Roberts, "Prayer to Live with Paradox" by Rose Flint, and "Mill Hill" by Sue Oxley.

Global Goddess Oracle: Samhain Issue

The Samhain Issue of Global Goddess Oracle is chock full of goodies.

In another in her "Found Goddesses" series, Barbara Ardinger, Ph.D. introduces us to "Chocolata and Vibrata, Goddesses of Ecstasy."

In "Luck or Karma: Does it matter what you call it?" Caryn Colgan serves up reflections on birds, karma, and destiny, with a dash of quantum physics.

In "History from the Goddess Garden," Judith Hawkins-Tillirson writes:

The supplanting of the Goddess-worshipping civilizations by invading Sky-god followers was so thorough that even Her sacred plants were debased, imbued with connotations despised by the invaders.

A related channeled message is conveyed by Gayle Godwin, in "When History was HerStory."

Deanne Quarry gives us a brief history/herstory of an Autumn holiday in "Halloween:"Its Historical Background."

Discussing another early November holiday in "Los Dias de Los Muertos, Days of the Dead," Dawn "Belladona" Thomas takes us back to the time of the Aztecs, with a side trip to Disney World. Belladona's other contributions to this issue include: "Herb of the Season: Mullein," "Solitary Ritual - Samhain," "Moon Schedule with Planting and Harvesting Days," and "Autumn and Migration in Florida."

In "Middle-age Medicine: Snake-and-Bird Goddesses," Mut Danu prays for an aspect of the Goddess to heal her of middle-age maladies---and her prayers are answered.

Donna Henes memorializes a friend in "Sitting in the Shadows."

Flash Silvermoon shares "N'Awlins on My Mind" a poem/song accompanied by an "organ driven mournful blues sound," with references to Yoruban ancestors, that she plans to include on her next CD.

Other poems include: "Samhain Ancestors" by DancingStar, and "The Sea, My Mother and Me," by Bendis.

Book reviews include: Daniela Schenker's Kuan Yin - Accessing the Power of the Divine Feminine, reviewed by Deanne Quarrie, and Laura Stamp's The Witches of Dixie, reviewed by Dawn Thomas.

Events Coil: Nov.11- Dec. 26

As far as we know, all events we list are open functions; but some may be limited to women or to adults. Please check the websites for group policies. If no country is given, the event is in the USA. All times are local. When listing events for the same date, we have tried to list those occurring first, taking into account time zone differences. If there is a difference between our listings and the listings on the web page linked to, assume their web page is correct, as it may have changed since we listed from it. The next Events Coil is planned for early to mid December and will include events listed here that haven't yet happened, plus new events through late January or early February. If you have an event you want listed in future Events Coils, please leave info a comment. See the end of this Coil for what info we need for listings. A special call-out to Goddess folk in Australia, New Zealand, and other parts of the Southern Hemisphere: we would love to list your upcoming celebrations of the Summer Solstice (and other events through the year, of course.) So leave us a note/url at as a comment and we'll add the info.

Nov. 11, 11 a.m. Veterans Day Service with guest priestess Dianne Kapral, Goddess Temple of Orange County, Irvine CA

Nov. 13, 7 p.m. "Women Healers: Transformative Shamanic arts," with Max Dashu, sponsored by Austin and SA RCG-I circles, Isis Institute of Women's Studies, and Book Woman, Austin TX

Nov. 15, 7 p.m. "Rebel Shamans: Indigenous Women Confront Empire," with Max Dashu, Esperanza Peace and Justice Center, San Antonio TX

Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m. Welcoming the Shekhinah, Mishkan Shekhinah, San Francisco CA

Nov. 18 11 a.m., "Gratitude as an Act of Power," , Goddess Temple of Orange County, Irvine CA

Nov. 19, 7 p.m., "Lilith and Shekhinah" with Deborah Grenn, Ph.D., Center for the Divine Feminine, Palo Alto CA

Nov. 24, time tba, Full Moon on the Mountain, Montreal Reclaiming, Montreal CANADA

Nov. 24, 7 p.m., Full Moon Drumming, Goddess Temple of Orange County, Irvine CA

Nov.24, gather 7 p.m., ritual 7:30 p.m. Full Moon Ritual, Temple of Goddess Spirituality Dedicated to Sekhmet, Indian Springs NV

Nov. 25, 11 a.m., Labyrinth with guest priestess Erin Huey, Goddess Temple of Orange County, Irvine CA

Nov. 27, gather 7:30 p.m. "Celebrate Sappho and the Muses," Daughters of the Goddess (Dianic), San Francisco CA

Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m., "The Canaanite and Hebrew Goddess," with Max Dashu, Goddess Temple of Orange County, Irvine CA

Dec. 3, time tba, Hawaiian Goddesses with Leilani Birely, Center for the Divine Feminine, Palo Alto CA

Dec. 4, 7 p.m. "Rebel Shamans: Indigenous Women Confront Empire" with Max Dashu, Cal State University, Long Beach CA

Dec. 7, 7 p.m. Multicultural Festival of Lights with D'voraKelilah and others, Mishkan Shekhinah, San Francisco CA

Dec. 9, 2-4 p.m. New Moon Healing, Glastonbury Goddess Temple, Glastonbury ENGLAND

Dec. 9, gather 7 p.m. ritual 7:30 p.m. New Moon Women's Mysteries, Temple of Goddess Spirituality Dedicated to Sekhmet, Indian Springs NV

Dec. 11, gather 7:30 p.m., "Celebrate Tonantzin/Guadalupe," Daughters of the Goddess (Dianic), San Francisco CA

Dec. 13, 6-8 p.m., Goddess Cafe, Center for the Divine Feminine, Soquel CA

Dec. 15, 7 p.m. Winter Solstice Ritual & Feast, Temple of Diana, Madison WI

Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m. Women's Healing Circle, Center for the Divine Feminine, San Francisco CA

Dec. 17, time tba, "The Myths of Mary Magdalene," with Kayleen Agbo M.M., Center for the Divine Feminine, Palo Alto CA

Dec. 20, doors open 6:30 p.m. with drum circle, ritual 7 p.m., Winter Solstice with Starhawk & friends, Sebastopol CA

Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m. Winter Solstice Ceremony, Glastonbury Goddess Temple, Glastonbury ENGLAND

Dec. 22, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Community Yule Festival, Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Mt. Horeb WI

Dec. 22, gather 7 p.m., ritual 7:30 p.m. Winter Solstice & Full Moon ritual, Temple of Goddess Spirituality Dedicated to Sekhmet, Indian Springs NV

Dec. 23, 14.00 uur, Winter zonnewende, Avalon-Mystic, Hillgom NEDERLAND

Dec. 23, time tba, Full Moon on the Mountain, Montreal Reclaiming, Montreal CANADA

Ongoing
Australia
Canberra, 10 a.m.most Saturday mornings, Meditation. The Goddess Shrine, Temple of Lunation Magick
Perth (White Gum Valley): Mondays, 6 p.m., Chalice Ceremony, Daughters of Ishtar.

Canada
Sudbury: 1st Friday (Sept.-June) 7:30 p.m., Sudbury Women's Circle.
Hamilton: Saturdays, 4-6 p.m. Open Classes ; gather 6:30-7 p.m. Open Circles , Hamilton Temple, Wiccan Church of Canada.

Sweden
Soderhamn, Mondays, 7-9 p.m., meditation prayer, conversation, Gudinne Templet.

USA
Arlington VA: 3rd Sunday of month, gather 12:45 p.m., ritual 1 p.m. Moonfire CUUPS.
Baltimore MD: Sundays 10 a.m., Rites of Cafeina, Cedar Light Grove (ADF)
Geyersville CA: Sunday Services 2-4 p.m. Temple of Isis
Houston TX: Sundays, 10 a.m. Magdalene Community, Rothko Chapel; Mondays at Noon, Christian feminist theology study group ; 1st &3rd Fridays at Noon, Group studying Gospel of Mary, Brigid's Place, Christ Church Cathedral.
Irvine CA: Sunday Services: 1st Service at 9:30 a.m. inward, meditative; 2nd service at 11 a.m., dancing, drumming, singing; see dates for guest speakers. Goddess Temple of Orange County,
Portland OR: Rituals at new and full moons, quarters and cross-quarters. Full Circle Temple , Tuesdays-Sundays 10 a.m.-10 p.m. "Open to all self-identified women and girls."
Rockville MD: night before new moon, Dark Moon Book Group, Spiral Heart (Reclaiming).
San Francisco CA: Wednesdays, Christian Goddess Rosary, Ebenezer Lutheran Church; 1st Fridays, evenings at various locations, Woman's Spirituality group.
San Francisco CA: New Moon and Full Moon observances, Maa Batakali Cultural Mission.
West Concord MA: 1st Monday, 7-9 p.m. Women's Circles; other ongoing groups include Demeter & Persephone's Circle for mothers and daughters; Council of Mother Bears; Menopause As Spiritual Journey; Menarche, for mothers and Daughter, at Women's Well.

We'll be happy to add your Goddess and spiritual feminist events (and those you know about that are open to the public) no matter where in the world they are. Leave a comment with your event, giving: Name of event, sponsoring organization (if any), town, date, time (if known), and, required: url of website where person can get more info. (Do NOT give street addresses, phone numbers or email addresses. People should go to the website to get that info.) We plan to publish an Events Coil every month.

Matrifocus: Samhain '07 Issue

Reading through the Samhain issue of Matrifocus I am filled with gratitude for the wonderful articles and opinions offered us by this and other Goddess e-journals. I know it’s not Thanksgiving in the States yet, but with the celebration of the last of the Pagan harvest festivals, I feel thankful for these overflowing cornucopias of ideas, poetry, information – and voices.

The editorial for this issue, which is linked at the end of the contents list, is from Feral, who writes that we are "Not Ready for Hospice," as she reflects on a time of struggle, both personal and political.

In "Ninshatapada, Scribe and Poet, Princess and Priestess," Johanna Stuckey writes about ancient Mesopotamian priestesses and poets, and includes several archeological illustrations.

"Rooftop of the World," is Part II of Vicki Noble’s series about her pilgrimage to Nepal and Tibet. In this installment with many pics, Vicki talks about her feelings of unreality, especially during the first week of the Tibet visit when she explored caves, climbed mountains, visited monasteries, and taught Tibetans a contemporary Goddess chant. Creator with Karen Vogel of Motherpeace Tarot, Vicki says she has come to understand the deck in the context of Tibetan Buddhist traditions.

In "The Ground under My Feet," Mary Swander writes about gardening with wild parsnips among the planted okra, tomatoes, white potatoes, and sweet potatoes on land Mary has been planting and harvesting for 20 years.

In Patricia Monaghan’s "Trivia, Goddess of the Crossroads," coping with "green fatigue" and the problems encountered when trying to obtain "environmentally-sensitive appliances" brings a visit from the Goddess, Trivia.

In "Contacting Ancestors," Nancy Vedder-Shults, Ph.D., gives background on attitudes towards ancestors in many cultures, and offers a divination method to help us contact ours.

"Build Better Bones" by Susun Weed focuses on the whole woman, rather than a single condition or disease. Susan includes some fascinating information and 5 steps toward post-menopausal bone health.

"Beltane/Samhain @ EarthGaia," by Australian Glenys Livingstone, shows the relationship among sex, death, Earth, Universe, stardust, biosphere, cosmos–to name a few. Glenys writes:

Where in fact, do we make the cut between self and other, animate and inanimate, human and habitat, earth and cosmos?....Some indigenous religious traditions have stories of the whole Cosmos coming into being, passing away, and regenerating. Recent Western scientific research supports this too....The thinness of the veils between the worlds, the sentience of that space, the cyclical connection of the old and the new are supported from a scientific point of view, and in a multivalent way — for example, recent scientific studies indicate that organic life may be born from inorganic matter....

In "Death and the Elements," Denise Lee takes a look at death through Pagan views and Elements. The pic accompanying the title is the Temperance card from Ellen Lorenzi-Prince’s Tarot of the Crone.

Two "recovering Christians" take a Goddess trip through Turkey in Christi Cook’s article, "A Journey Through Turkey."

"The Bride" by Madelon Wise tells about preparations for a meaningful wedding as viewed by the mother of the bride.

Kerredelune (Cate) shares four poems: "Don’t Wait, "Dancing Lines," Frost in Lanarck," and "Iona Morning."

If the French impressionist artist Claude Monet had been an American photographer, the results might look something like Gwen Padden’s photo essay,"Trail Walking in Southwestern Wisconsin."

This issue’s book reviews are: Eleanor of Aquitaine, Queen of the Troubadors by Jean Markale, reviewed by Barbara Ardinger, Ph.D. and The Pillars of the World Trilogy by Ann Bishop, reviewed by Dahti Blanchard.

And for fun and recreation there’s a java-enabled crossword puzzle by Sage Starwalker, titled "Mancy, Divination Sampler."