INTRODUCTION TO THE OLD RELIGION LESSON 1 I. GODDESS RELIGIONS IN THE OLD WORLD A. Gravettian-Aurignacian Cultures (2!!! "C-#!!! "C$ #. T%e &''er-ale)lit%ic 'eri)*+ t%)ug% ,)st ) its sites %ave een )un* in Eur)'e+ is t%e c)n/ectural )un*ati)n ) t%e religi)n ) t%e G)**ess as it e,erge* in t%e later Ne)lit%ic Age ) t%e Near East. a. T%ere %ave een nu,er)us stu*ies ) ale)lit%ic cultures+ e0'l)rati)ns ) sites )ccu'ie* 1 t%ese 'e)'le+ an* t%e a''arent rites c)nnecte* it% t%e *is')sal ) t%eir *ea*. . In t%ese &''er-ale)lit%ic s)cieties+ t%e c)nce't ) t%e creat)r ) all %u,an lie ,a1 %ave een )r,ulate* 1 t%e clan3s i,age ) ),en+ %) ere t%eir ,)st ancient 'ri,al ancest)rs. (#$ It is elieve* t%at t%e ,)t%er as regar*e* as t%e s)le 'arent ) c%il*ren in t%is culture. (2$ Ancest)r )rs%i' a''ears t) %ave een t%e asis ) sacre* rituals an* ancestr1 is elieve* t) %ave een rec4)ne* t%r)ug% t%e ,atriline. (a$ T%e eginnings ) R),an religi)n ere ase* )n survivals ) t%e Etruscan culture an* ancest)r )rs%i' as t%e earliest )r, ) religi)n in R),e. ($ Even t)*a1+ t%e 5eis% 'e)'le *eter,ine %) is an* is n)t a 5e t%r)ug% t%e ,atriline. 2. T%e ,)st tangile evi*ence su'')rting t%e t%e)r1 t%at t%ese cultures )rs%i''e* a G)**ess is t%e nu,er)us scul'tures ) ),en )un* t%r)ug%)ut ,)st ) Eur)'e an* t%e Near East. S),e ) t%ese scul'tures *ate as ar ac4 as 2+!!! "C. a. T%ese s,all e,ale igurines+ ,a*e ) st)ne+ )ne+ an* cla1+ ,)st ) %ic% are see,ingl1 'regnant+ %ave een )un* t%r)ug%)ut t%e i*es'rea* Gravettian-Aurignacian sites in areas as ar a'art as S'ain+ 6rance+ Ger,an1+ Austria+ an* Russia. (#$ T%ese sites an* igurines a''ear t) s'an a 'eri)* ) at least #!+!!! 1ears. 7. 5)%annes 8aringer+ in %is ))4 3T%e G)*s ) re%ist)ric 8an3 sa1s- 9It a''ears %ig%l1 'r)ale t%en t%at t%e e,ale igurines ere i*)ls ) a Great 8)t%er cult+ 'ractice* 1 t%e n)n-n),a*ic Aurignacian ,a,,)t% %unters %) in%aite* t%e i,,ense Eurasian territ)ries t%at e0ten*e* r), S)ut%ern 6rance t) La4e "ai4al in Sieria.9 a. It as r), t%is La4e "ai4al area in Sieria t%at tries are elieve* t) %ave ,igrate* acr)ss a great lan* ri*ge t) N)rt%
A,erica a)ut t%is ti,e 'eri)*+ an* )r,e* t%e nucleus ) %at as t) ec),e t%e race ) A,erican In*ians. (#$ T%is ten*s t) su'')rt t%e )servati)n t%at Eur)'ean itc%crat an* A,erican In*ian s%a,anis, %ave si,ilar r))ts. ". T%e R))ts ) Western Civili:ati)n #. Western Civili:ati)n egan in 8es)')ta,ia an* t%e Nile ;alle1+ %ere it travele* int) alestine an* Greece. a. 6r), Greece civili:ati)n travele* t) R),e+an* as t%e R),an E,'ire gre it s'rea* t) S'ain+ 6rance+ Ger,an1 an* Englan*. 2. 8es)')ta,ia ( 7!! "C - 7< "C $ a. 8es)')ta,ia (9t%e lan* eteen t%e rivers9$ is t%e na,e use* t) *escrie t%e regi)n eteen t%e Tigris an* Eu'%rates rivers+ t%e s)ut%ern area ) %ic% is ,)stl1 l)l1ing sa,'lan* an* ,ars%es. (#$ T%e ertile lan*s ) 8es)')ta,ia lie eteen t%e *esert an* t%e ,)untains. T%e n)rt%ern 'art %as regular rainall %ile t%e s)ut%ern 'art+ stretc%ing *)n t) t%e Araian Gul+ suers *r1 sc)rc%ing su,,ers r), 8a1 t) Oct)er. (a$ In %at is n) t%e s)ut%ern 'art ) Ira=+ Su,er e0iste* as )ne ) t%e )rl*3s irst civili:ati)ns. . "eteen 2>!! an* 2?!! "C t%e cit1-states ) Su,er ere at t%eir str)ngest an* ealt%iest. (#$ T%e G)**ess as )rs%i''e* un*er vari)us na,es %ic% ere e'it%ets+ )r c%aracteri:ing '%rases+ suc% as 3@ueen ) Heaven3 an* 3La*1 ) t%e Hig% laces3. T%e na,e ) t%e cit1 )r t)n t%at S%e as t%e 'atr)ness )r+ as )ten attac%e* t) Her title ,a4ing Her na,e even ,)re s'eciic. (a$ An e0a,'le ) t%is is t%e te,'le erecte* a)ut 7!!! "C in t%e cit1-state ) &ru4 %ic% as *e*icate* t) t%e @ueen ) Heaven ) Erec%. ($ T%is cit1 as ,a*e a ,a/)r ')er an* rival t) its sister cit1 &r 1 Gilga,es%3s s)n. c. A)ut 27! "C an a,iti)us 4ing+ na,e* Sarg)n+ attac4e* Su,er+ an* ,a*e it 'art ) %is %uge E,'ire. His ca'it)l ) Aga*e gave us t%e na,e 1 %ic% Sarg)ns e,'ire is 4n)n- t%e A44a*ian E,'ire. (#$ T%e A44a*ian E,'ire as t%e irst successul atte,'t t) unite a %uge area un*er t%e rule ) )ne ,an. It eventuall1 gaine* su're,ac1 in a)ut #
($ T%e ne "a1l)nian culture inc)r')rate* t%e Su,erian religi)n+ an* t%e Su,erian language as a*)'te* as t%e language ) t%e liturg1 ,uc% as Latin is use* as t%e language ) liturg1 )r R),an Cat%)lics. (c$ T%e su,erian G)**ess+ un*er t%e na,es Inanna+ Eris4egan an* Irnini+ ev)lve* int) t%e great "a1l)nian G)**ess Is%tar. *. A''r)0i,atel1 #!! "C "a1l)n as sac4e* 1 an In*)-Eur)'ean 'e)'le 4n)n as t%e Hittites %) ca,e r), Anat)lia+ ) t) t%e n)rt%est. (#$ During t%e c)nusi)n t%at ensue*+ t%e Bassites sei:e* t%e t%r)ne ) "a1l)n an* rule* 'eaceull1 )r ?!! 1ears. (a$ Is%tar3s ')er ane* as t%e "a1l)nians ere inluence* 1 t%e arli4e Hittites an* Her te,'les ere ta4en )ver 1 a ,ale-*),inate* 'riest%))*+ %ic% calle* t%e G)**ess Tia,at an* r)te st)ries ) %) t%eir g)* 8ar*u4 %a* 4ille* Her in t%e struggle )r c)ntr)l ) t%e regi)n. e. In t%e centuries )ll)ing ##!7 "C t%e Ass1rians r)se t) ')er an* e0'an*e* int) ,)st ) 8es)')ta,ia r), t%eir %),elan* %ic% la1 eteen t%e cities ) As%er an* Nineve% )n t%e Tigrus River. (#$ In t%e eig%t% centur1+ t%e Ass1rians c)n=uere* ,)st ) S1ria+ alestine+ %)enicia an* %a* inva*e* Eg1't as ar as T%ees (Lu0)r$ e)re t%e Eg1'tians *r)ve t%e, ac4. (a$ L))4ing t) legiti,i:e t%eir ne e,'ire+ t%e1 3,arrie*3 t%eir g)* As%er t) Is%tar+ %)se )ll)ers %a* secretl1 4e't Her )rs%i' alive. ($ T%e /)ining ) As%ur it% Is%tar 'r)*uce* a s)n na,e* Ninurta+ an* t%is is t%e irst )r,all1 rec)r*e* tria* ) G)**ess+ C)ns)rt+ an* Divine C%il* in t%e Near East. (2$ 6r), 7# t) 7< "C ,uc% inter-cit1 arare )ccurre* as t%e Ass1rian e,'ire ell a'art. (a$ In 7< "C Na)nius+ t%e last 4ing ) "a1l)nia+ surren*ere* t) C1rus II ) ersia %) as us1 uil*ing t%e greatest e,'ire ever atte,'te*. 7. Anat)lia a. Anat)lia+ %ic% is als) calle* Asia 8in)r+ is a r)a* 'eninsula /utting estar* r), t%e Asian c)ntinent itsel. T) t%e n)rt% lies t%e "lac4 Sea+ t) t%e s)ut% t%e eastern,)st 'art ) t%e 8e*iterranean. At t%e entrance t) t%e "lac4 Sea are t%e Dar*anelles an* it is %ere t%at Asia c),es cl)sest t) t%e c)ntinent ) Eur)'e. N)t sur'risingl1+ Anat)lia %as ala1s een t%e ,ain lin4 eteen t%e Orient an* t%e Occi*ent. . In Ne)lit%ic Anat)lia ('resent *a1 Tur4e1$ t%e Great G)**ess as )rs%i'e* in t%e s%rines ) Catal Hu1u4 ar)un* !! "C.
c. Anat)lia as inva*e* s),eti,e e)re 2!!! "C 1 t%e In*)Eur)'eans an* a gr)u' ) t%e, settle* in a 'art ) Anat)lia 4n)n as Hatti. T%e inva*ers an* l)cal 'e)'le ca,e t) e 4n)n c)llectivel1 as t%e Hittites. (#$ T%ese are t%e sa,e Hittites %) sac4e* "a1l)nia in #!! "C an* su''resse* t%e )rs%i' ) Is%tar in av)r ) t%eir g)* 8ar*u4. *. 8)st ) t%e reerences t) t%e G)**ess in t%e literature an* te0ts ) Anat)lia allu*e* t) t%e )l*er Hattian *eities *es'ite t%e act t%at t%e )nl1 rec)r*s all)e* t) survive ere ritten ater t%e c)n=uest ) Anat)lia 1 t%e In*)-Eur)'eans. (#$ One ) t%e ,)st i,')rtant e,ale *eities t) survive as t%e Sun G)**ess Arinna. Ater t%e c)n=uest s%e as assigne* a %usan* %) as s1,)li:e* as a st)r, g)*. (a$ At t%e ti,e ) t%e Hittite invasi)ns ) )t%er lan*s+ ,an1 ) t%e 'e)'le %) ere G)**ess-)rs%i''ers ,a1 %ave le* t) t%e est. T%e ren)ne* te,'le ) t%e G)**ess in t%e cit1 ) E'%esus as t%e target ) t%e a')stle aul3s :eal)us ,issi)nar1 e)rts (Acts #<2$. T%is te,'le re,aine* active until 7>! AD. ?. Crete a. T%e Aegean Sea is an area ) t%e 8e*iterranean+ l1ing eteen t%e ,ainlan* ) Greece an* t%e estern c)ast ) Anat)lia. T%e Aegean Sea is *)tte* it% a great nu,er ) ,)untain)us islan*s an* t%e largest ) t%ese is Crete+ %ic% is /ust a)ut ! ,iles s)ut%east ) Greece. (#$ Crete as t%e s)ciet1 t%at is ,)st re'eate*l1 t%)ug%t t) %ave een ,atrilineal an* ')ssil1 ,atriarc%al r), Ne)lit%ic ti,es t) t%e D)rian invasi)n. (a$ Reverance ) t%e *)ule %ea*e* a0 as a s1,)l ) t%e 8)t%er G)**ess an* a reverence )r t%e se0ual vitalit1 ) ulls ere t) n)tale as'ects ) Crete3s earl1 culture. ($ "ull lea'ing is t%)ug%t t) %ave een t%e )rigin ) S'ain3s ullig%ting+ alt%)ug% in Crete t%e ull as never %ar,e*. (2$ Ater vieing t%e artiacts an* ,urals at Bn)ss)s+ t%e Arc%ae)l)gical 8useu, at Ira4li)n an* )t%er ,useu,s in Crete+ t%ere is little *)ut t%at t%e 'rinci'al sacre* eing )n Crete )r several ,illenia as t%e G)**ess an* t%at ),en acte* as Her clerg1. . Eg1't (7#!! t) 7! "C$ a. Eg1't is a %)t+ *esert lan* *ivi*e* 1 t%e ertile valle1 ) t%e Nile river. Har*l1 an1 rain alls t%ere an* t%e su,,ers are sc)rc%ing %)t. Even t)*a1+ ,)st ) Eg1't is ari* *esert. (#$ T%e Cultivati)n+ a stri' ) lan* )n eac% si*e ) t%e Nile
river+ is )ne ) t%e ,)st ertile stretc%es ) lan* in t%e )rl*. (a$ Alt%)ug% t%e Cultivati)n is )nl1 #2 #2 ,iles i*e+ it runs )r a)ut 2! ,iles r), Asan in t%e s)ut% t) t%e r)a* ar,lan*s ) t%e *elta %ere t%e Nile e,'ties int) t%e 8e*iterranean. . In 're%ist)ric Eg1't+ t%e G)**ess %el* sa1 in &''er Eg1't (t%e s)ut%$ as Ne4%et an* S%e as *e'icte* in t%e )r, ) a vulture. (#$ T%e 'e)'le ) L)er Eg1't+ inclu*ing t%e n)rt%ern *elta regi)n+ )rs%i''e* t%e G)**ess as &a Fit (Great Ser'ent$ an* *e'icti)ns ) Her s%) Her as a c)ra. c. 6r), a)ut 7!!! "C )nar* t%e G)**ess as sai* t) %ave e0iste* %en n)t%ing else %a* een create*. (#$ S%e as 4n)n as Nut+ Net+ )r Nit %ic% as 'r)al1 *erive* r), Ne4%et. (a$ Acc)r*ing t) Eg1'tian ,1t%)l)g1+ it as t%e G)**ess %) irst 'ut Ra+ t%e sun g)*+ in t%e s41. ($ Ot%er te0ts ) Eg1't tell ) t%e G)**ess as Hat%)r in t%is r)le as creatri0 ) e0istence+ e0'laining t%at S%e t))4 )r, as a ser'ent at t%e ti,e. *. In Eg1't t%e c)nce't ) t%e G)**ess ala1s re,aine* vital. Eventuall1 t%e G)**ess ev)lve* int) a ,)re c),')site G)**ess 4n)n as Isis. (#$ Isis (Au Set$ inc)r')rate* t%e as'ects ) )t% &a Fit an* Hat%)r. Isis as als) cl)sel1 ass)ciate* it% t%e G)**ess as Nut+ %) as ,1t%)l)gicall1 rec)r*e* as Her 8)t%er in 'aintings Isis ears t%e ings ) Ne4%et. (a$ Isis as als) ass)ciate* it% an)t%er tria* %ic% inclu*e* Her %usan*+ Osiris+ an* t%eir s)n H)rus. ($ Isis3 cult as intr)*uce* int) R),e an* t%e last te,'le ) Isis as cl)se* in 7!!! - 7 "C$ a. T%e ilical lan* ) Canaan+ t%e 3lan* ) ,il4 an* %)ne13 as an area a)ut
As%t)ret%+ As%era%+ Astarte+ Att)ret+ Anat%+ )r si,'l1 as Elat )r "aalat+ s%e as t%e 'rinci'al *eit1 ) suc% great Canaanite cities as T1re+ Si*)n+ Ascal)n+ "et% Anat%+ A'%aca+ "1l)s+ an* As%t)ret% Barnai,. c. In Eg1't+ t%e Heres %a* 4n)n t%e )rs%i' ) t%e G)**ess as Isis )r Hat%)r. 6)r )ur generati)ns t%e1 %a* een living in a lan* %ere ),en %el* a ver1 %ig% status an* t%e ,atrilineal *escent s1ste, c)ntinue* t) uncti)n at ,)st 'eri)*s. (#$ 5u*ging r), t%e nu,er ) Heres %) e,erge* r), Eg1't in t%e E0)*us+ as c),'are* it% t%e a,il1 ) t%e t%e telve s)ns %) su'')se*l1 entere* it )ur generati)ns earlier+ it see,s li4el1 t%at a great nu,er ) t%)se Heres 4n)n as Israelites ,a1 actuall1 %ave een Eg1'tians+ Canaanites+ Se,itic n),a*s an* )t%er G)**ess-)rs%i''ing 'e)'les %) %a* /)ine* t)get%er in Eg1't. *. Arc%ae)l)gical rec)r*s an* artiacts reveal t%at t%e religi)n ) t%e G)**ess still l)uris%e* in ,an1 ) t%e cities ) Canaan even ater t%e Heres inva*e* it an* clai,e* it as t%eir )n )n t%e aut%)rit1 t%at t%eir g)* %a* given it t) t%e,. (#$ An* /ust t) t%e east+ all ,)st at t%eir *))rste' as "a1l)n+ %ere t%e te,'les ) Is%tar ere still g)ing str)ng. . ersia (7!!! - 77# "C$ a. T%r)ug%)ut its earl1 %ist)r1 Iran as )ten inva*e* 1 n),a*ic 'e)'les. (#$ S),e ca,e t%r)ug% t%e Elru: ,)untains east ) t%e Cas'ian Sea. (a$ Ot%ers+ li4e t%e 8e*es an* ersians+ entere* Iran t%r)ug% t%e Caucasus ,)untains in t%e N)rt%est. . "1 t%e
(a$ Eg1't rev)lte* later an* )n its in*e'en*ence )r a s%)rt ti,e+ ut as )rce* ac4 int) t%e e,'ire /ust in ti,e t) e 'art ) t%e 'ri:e )n 1 Ale0an*er t%e Great ) 8ace*)nia %en %e c)n=uere* t%e ersian e,'ire in 77# "C. II. EO8AGOGIC HISTOR O6 THE &NI;ERSAL GODDESS RELIGION A. Deiniti)n ) )e,ag)gic #. Ter, c)ine* 1 Ant)n E%ren:eig a. T%e s'ecial uncti)n ) in*ucing an* s1,)li:ing t%e eg)3s creativit1. (#$ It %as a *rea,li4e 3sli''er13 =ualit1. (a$ One as'ect sli's int) an)t%er /ust li4e a *rea,. ". Legen* ) t%e &niversal G)**ess #. T%e crat is a religi)n %ic% %as an unr)4en tra*iti)n t%at *ates ac4 t) ale)lit%ic ti,es (a''r)0i,atel1 7+!!! 1ears$. a. As t%e last ice age retreate* t%e trie ) n),a*ic %unters )rs%i''e* t%e G)**ess ) t%e Wil* T%ings an* 6ertilit1 an* t%e G)* ) t%e Hunt. (#$ Se,i-'er,anent %),es ere set u' in caves carve* )ut 1 t%e glaciers. (a$ S%a,ans an* S%a,an4a c)n*ucte* rites it%in %ar* t) reac% ')rti)ns ) t%e caves+ %ic% ere 'ainte* it% scenes ) t%e %unt+ ,agical s1,)ls an* t%e tries t)te, ani,als. 2. T%e transiti)n r), Hunter-Gat%erers t) agriculturists as relecte* in t%e c%ange ) t%e 3La*1 ) t%e Wil* T%ings an* 6ertilit13 t) t%e 3"arle1 8)t%er3 an* t%e 3G)* ) t%e Hunt3 t) t%e 3L)r* ) t%e Grain3. a. T%e i,')rtance ) t%e '%ases ) t%e ,))n an* t%e sun as relecte* in t%e rituals t%at ev)lve* ar)un* s)ing+ rea'ing+ an* letting )ut t) 'asture. 7. ;illages gre int) t)ns an* cities an* s)ciet1 c%ange* r), trial t) c),,unal t) uran. a. aintings )n t%e 'lastere* alls ) s%rines *e'icte* t%e G)**ess giving irt% t) t%e Divine C%il* - Her s)n+ c)ns)rt an* see*. (#$ T%e Divine C%il* as e0'ecte* t) ta4e a s'ecial interest in t%e cit1 *ellers+ /ust as His 8)t%er an* 6at%er %a* ta4en an interest in t%e 'e)'le %) live* aa1 r), t%e cities. . 8at%e,atics+ astr)n),1+ ')etr1+ ,usic+ ,e*icine+ an* t%e un*erstan*ing ) t%e )r4ings ) t%e %u,an ,in*+ *evel)'e* si*e 1 si*e it% t%e l)re ) t%e *ee'er ,1steries. ?. 6ar t) t%e east+ n),a*ic tries *ev)te* t%e,selves t) t%e arts
) ar an* c)n=uest. a. Wave ater ave ) invasi)n se't )ver Eur)'e r), t%e "r)n:e Age )nar*. (#$ Warri)r g)*s *r)ve t%e G)**ess3 'e)'le )ut r), t%e ertile l)lan*s an* t%e ine te,'les+ int) t%e %ills an* %ig% ,)untains+ %ere t%e1 eca,e 4n)n as t%e Si*%e+ t%e icts )r i0ies+ an* t%e 6air 6)l4 )r t%e 6airies. . T%e ,1t%)l)gical c1cle ) G)**ess an* C)ns)rt+ 8)t%er an* C%il*+ %ic% %a* %el* sa1 )r 7!+!!! 1ears as c%ange* t) c)n)r, t) t%e values ) t%e c)n=uering 'atriarc%ies. (#$ In Canaan+ a%e% )ug%t a l))*1 attle t) ensure t%at %is )ll)ers %a* 9n) )t%er g)*s e)re ,e.9 (a$ T%e G)**ess as given a ,asculine na,e an* assigne* t%e r)le ) a alse g)*. ($ Al)ng it% t%e su''ressi)n ) t%e G)**ess+ ),en l)st ,)st ) t%e rig%ts t%e1 %a* 'revi)usl1 en/)1e*. (2$ In Greece+ t%e G)**ess in Her ,an1 as'ects+ as 9,arrie*9 t) t%e ne g)*s resulting in t%e Ol1,'ic ant%e)n. (a$ T%e Titans+ %) t%e Ol1,'ians *is'lace* ere ,)re in t)uc% it% t%e 'ri,al as'ects ) t%e G)**ess. (7$ T%e vict)ri)us Celts in Gaul an* t%e "ritis% Isles+ a*)'te* ,an1 eatures ) t%e Ol* Religi)n an* inc)r')rate* t%e, int) t%e Drui*ic 81steries. (a$ T%e 6aerie+ ree*ing cattle in t%e st)n1 %ills an* living in tur-c)vere* r)un* %uts 'reserve* t%e Crat. ($ T%e1 celerate* t%e eig%t easts ) t%e W%eel ) t%e ear it% il* 'r)cessi)ns )n %)rseac4+ singing an* c%anting al)ng t%e a1 an* lig%ting ritual )nires )n t%e ,)untaint)'s. (c$ It as sai* t%at t%e inva*ers )ten /)ine* in t%e revels an* ,an1 rural a,ilies+ al)ng it% s),e r)1alt1+ c)ul* clai, t) %ave 6aerie l))*. (*$ T%e C)llege ) t%e Drui*s an* t%e )etic C)lleges ) Irelan* an* Wales ere sai* t) %ave 'reserve* ,an1 ) t%e )l* ,1steries. . In t%e late #?!!3s t%e Cat%)lic C%urc% atte,'te* t) )literate its c),'etit)rs+ an* t%e )ll)ers ) t%e Ol* Religi)n ere )rce* t) 3g) un*ergr)un*.3 a. T%e1 r)4e u' int) s,all gr)u's calle* C)vens an*+ is)late* r), eac% )t%er+ )r,e* %at )ul* later e 4n)n as t%e 6a,il1 Tra*iti)ns. (#$ Inevital1+ 'arts ) t%e Crat ere )rg)tten )r l)st an* %at survives t)*a1 is rag,entar1.
. Ater nearl1 ive centuries ) 'ersecuti)n an* terr)r+ ca,e t%e Age ) Diselie. a. 8e,)r1 ) t%e True Crat %a* a*e* as n)n-,e,ers %) c)ul* re,e,er %) t%e1 )nce %a* ,et )'enl1 *ie* an* t%)se %) ca,e ater never 4ne ) t%e,. (#$ All t%at as let ere t%e %i*e)us stere)t1'es %ic% ere lu*icr)us+ laug%ale )r /ust 'lain tragic. . Wit% t%e re'eal ) t%e last Witc%crat Act in Englan* in #<?+ t%e Crat starte* t) re-e,erge as an alternative t) a )rl* t%at viee* t%e 'lanet as a res)urce t) e e0'l)ite*. III THE ARCHETE O6 THE GODDESS A. T%e Crat %as ala1s een a religi)n ) ')etr1+ n)t t%e)l)g1. #. T%e ,1t%s+ legen*s+ an* teac%ings are rec)gni:e* as ,eta'%)rs )r 3T%at %ic% cann)t e t)l*3 t%e as)lute realit1 )ur ,in*s can never c),'letel1 e0'ress ecause ) t%e li,itati)ns 'lace* )n it t%r)ug% i)l)g1. a. T%e ,1steries ) t%e as)lute can never e e0'laine* - )nl1 elt )r intuite*. . S1,)ls an* ritual acts are use* t) trigger unusual states ) aareness in %ic% insig%ts t%at g) e1)n* )r*s are reveale*. (#$ W%en t%e '%rase 3secrets t%at cann)t e t)l*3 is use*+ it is n)t a ,atter ) )at%s ta4en )r t%e t%reat ) 'enalties t%at ,ig%t e i,')se*. (a$ T%e true ,eaning is t%at t%e inner 4n)le*ge literall1 cann)t e e0'resse* in )r*s. ($ It can )nl1 e c)nve1e* 1 e0'erience an* n) )ne can legislate %at insig%t an)t%er 'ers)n ,a1 *ra r), an1 given e0'erience. (c$ T%is is %1 t%e Crat is n)t a s'ectat)r religi)n+ %ere 1)u can reuse t) 'ut an1 e)rt in an* gain an1t%ing ,eaningul )r 1)ur )n *evel)',ent. (*$ T%is is als) %1 entrenc%e* 'riest%))*s )ster t%e elie t%at n)n-'riests ,ust g) t%r)ug% a %ierarc%1 ) 'riests+ %ea*s ) c%urc%es+ an* eventuall1 t%r)ug% c%)sen 'r)'%ets an* s)ns ) t%e *eit1 in )r*er t) receive s'ecial attenti)n 1 t%e *eit1. ". T%e 'ri,ar1 s1,)l )r 3t%at %ic% cann)t e t)l*3 in t%e Crat is t%e 8)t%er G)**ess. S%e %as an ininite nu,er ) as'ects an* t%)usan*s ) na,es ecause S%e is t%e realit1 e%in* ,an1 ,eta'%)rs )r t%e creati)n ) t%e universe. #. &nli4e 'atriarc%al s1ste,s+ t%e Crat sees t%e G)**ess as giving irt% t) t%e )rl* rat%er t%an creating it )ut ) n)t%ing.
a. T%e ertile Lan*s ere ,a*e r), Her 6les%+ t%e Waters r), Her )n )*il1 6lui*s+ t%e 8)untains r), Her ")nes+ an* t%e Win*s r), Her )n "reat%. (#$ T%e G)**ess *)es n)t rule t%e )rl*+ S%e IS t%e )rl* an* since S%e gave irt% t) us all+ e %ave t%e ')tential t) rec)nnect it% t%e s'irit ) Her in all Her ,agniicent *iversit1. (2$ Religi)n )r us+ t%en is a ,atter ) relin4ing it% t%e *ivine it%in an* it% Her )uter ,aniestati)ns in all t%e %u,an an* natural )rl*. (a$ One ) t%e asic elies t%at t%e Crat is )un*e* u')n is %at Steart 6arrar call t%e 3T%e)r1 ) Levels3+ %ic% rec)gni:es t%at realit1 e0ists an* )'erates )n ,an1 'lanes. ($ A si,'liie* ut generall1 acce'te* list )ul* e '%1sical+ et%erical+ astral+ ,ental an* s'iritual. (c$ It is rec)gni:e* t%at eac% ) t%ese levels %as its )n las an* t%at t%ese las+ %ile s'ecial t) t%eir )n levels+ are c),'atile it% eac% )t%er an* t%eir ,utual res)nance g)verns t%e interacti)n eteen t%e levels. (*$ T%e ')int ) t%is e0cursi)n int) t%e es)terica ) %) t%e universe )r4s+ is t) ')int )ut t%at e *) n)t se'arate )ur '%1sical e0istence r), )ur s'iritual e0istence. In t%e Crat+ s'irit an* les% are /)ine* t)get%er an* '%1sical as'ects ) eing %u,an suc% as se0 are n)t c)nsi*ere* 3*irt1 3 )r 3sinul3. C. T%e i,')rtance ) t%e Crat )r ),en+ is a *irect )utgr)t% in t%e *ecline ) G)**ess religi)ns an* t%e rise ) G)* *),inate* religi)ns. #. 8ale i,ages ) *ivinit1 are c%aracteri:e* in )t% estern an* eastern religi)ns t)*a1+ an* ),en are t%us *e'rive* ) religi)us ,)*els an* s'iritual s1ste,s t%at can s'ea4 t) e,ale nee*s an* e0'erience. a. In t%e e0tre,es ) ,ale *),inate* religi)ns+ ),en are n)t enc)urage* t) e0'l)re t%eir )n strengt%s an* reali:ati)ns. (#$ T%e1 are taug%t t) su,it t) ,ale aut%)rit1+ t) i*enti1 ,asculine 'erce'ti)ns as t%eir s'iritual i*eals+ t) *en1 t%eir )*ies an* se0ualit1+ an* t) it t%eir insig%ts int) a ,ale ,)l*+ n) ,atter %) lu*icrus t%at ,a1 see,. 2. T%e i,age ) t%e G)**ess ins'ires ),en t) see t%e,selves in a ver1 *ierent lig%t. a. As Daug%ters ) t%e G)**ess+ t%e1 are *ivine+ t%eir )*ies are sacre*+ an* t%e c%anging '%ases ) t%eir lives are %)l1. (#$ T%eir aggressi)n is %ealt%1+ an* t%eir anger can e 'uri1ing. (a$ T%eir ')er t) create an* nurture as ell as t%eir ailit1 t) li,it an* t) *estr)1+ %en necessar1+ is seen as
t%e ver1 )rce t%at sustains all lie. (2$ T%r)ug% t%e G)**ess+ ),en can *isc)ver t%eir strengt%s+ enlig%ten t%eir ,in*s+ )n t%eir )*ies an* celerate t%eir e,)ti)ns. (a$ T%e1 can ,)ve e1)n* narr) c)nstricting r)les an* ec),e %)le 'e)'le. 7. 6)r ),en+ t%e G)**ess is t%e s1,)l ) t%e in,)st sel an* t%e eneicent+ nurturing+ lierating ')er it%in all ),en. a. T%e c)s,)s is ,)*elle* )n t%e e,ale )*1+ %ic% is sacre*. (#$ All '%ases ) lie are sacre* an* age is a lessing+ n)t a curse. (a$ T%e G)**ess *)es n)t li,it ),en t) t%eir )*ies. S%e aa4ens t%eir ,in*s an* s'irits an* e,)ti)ns. ($ T%r)ug% Her+ t%e1 can 4n) t%e ')er ) anger an* aggressi)n+ as ell as t%e ')er ) l)ve. D. T%e I,age ) t%e G)**ess %as a great *eal t) )er ,en as ell as ),en. #. 8en are als) )''resse* in a G)* rule*+ 'atriarc%al s)ciet1. a. 8en are enc)urage* t) i*enti1 it% a ,)*el t%at n) %u,an eing can ')ssil1 live u' t). (#$ 8en are e0'ecte* t) e ,ini-rulers ) t%eir )n ver1 narr) universes. (a$ 8en are internall1 s'lit eteen a s'iritual sel+ t%at is su'')se* t) c)n=uer t%eir aser ani,al instincts+ an* t%eir e,)ti)nal selves. ($ T%e1 are at ar it% t%e,selves. In t%e est+ t%e1 are e0'ecte* t) )verc),e t%e ten*enc1 t) sin+ %ile in t%e east t%e1 ,ust su''ress t%e *esires ) t%e eg). (c$ Nee*less t) sa1+ n) ,an c),es aa1 r), t%is t1'e ) struggle un*a,age*. 2. Ever1 ,ale %) is raise* 1 a ,)t%er+ ill r), irt% carr1 it%in %i, a str)ng e,inine i,'rint. a. T%is is s)+ ecause ),en give irt% t) ,ales+ nurture t%e, at t%eir reast+ an* in )ur culture+ are 'ri,aril1 res')nsile )r t%eir care until t%e1 reac% a*)lescence. (#$ T%e s1,)l ) t%e G)**ess all)s ,en t) e0'erience an* integrate t%e e,inine si*e ) t%eir nature it%)ut *anger ) l)sing t%)se eelings %ic% are t%e t)uc%st)ne ) t%eir ,asculinit1. (a$ T%e G)**ess ec),es t%e ,)t%er %) ill never aan*)n %er c%il* reuse t) nurture %i, %en %e is eeling %is ,)st
vulnerale te,'ers %er /ustice it% c),'assi)n an* un*erstan*ing+ all t%ese in a1s n)t ala1s ')ssile in %u,an ),en an* )t%er ,en. 7. 6)r a ,an+ t%e G)**ess is %is )n %i**en 6e,ale sel+ as ell as eing t%e &niversal Lie )rce. a. S%e e,)*ies all t%e =ualities s)ciet1 teac%es %i, n)t t) rec)gni:e in %i,sel. (#$ His irst e0'erience it% Her ,a1 t%ere)re e s),e%at stere)t1'ical+ in t%at S%e a''ears as t%e c)s,ic l)ver+ t%e gentle nurturer+ t%e eternall1 *esire* Ot%er+ )r t%e 8use. All t%at %e is n)t. (a$ As %e ec),es ,)re %)le an* ec),es aare ) %is )n 3e,ale3 =ualities+ S%e see,s t) c%ange+ t) s%) %i, a ne ace. Ala1s %)l*ing u' a ,irr)r+ S%e s%)s %at ,a1 see, ungras'ale t) %i,. ($ He ,a1 c%ase Her )rever an* S%e ill elu*e %i,+ ut t%r)ug% t%e atte,'t+ %e ill gr) until %e t)) learns t) in* Her it%in. I; THE ARCHETE O6 THE HORNED GOD A. T%e H)rne* G)* is )rn ) a ;irgin 8)t%er #. He is a ,)*el ) ,ale ')er t%at is ree r), at%er-s)n rivalr1 )r 3Oe*i'al3 c)nlicts. a. He %as n) at%er+ ecause He is %is )n at%er. (#$ As He gr)s an* 'asses t%r)ug% t%e c%anges )n t%e W%eel+ He re,ains in relati)ns%i' it% t%e 'ri,e nurturing )rce ) t%e G)**ess. (a$ His ')er is *ran *irectl1 r), t%e G)**ess an* He 'artici'ates in lie t%r)ug% Her. 2. T%e H)rne* G)* re'resents ')erul+ ')sitive ,ale =ualities t%at *erive r), *ee'er s)urces t%an t%e stere)t1'ical vi)lence an* e,)ti)nal cri''ling ) ,en 'resent in )ur s)ciet1. a. W%en a ,an strives t) e,ulate t%e G)*+ %e is ree t) e il* it%)ut eing cruel+ angr1 it%)ut eing vi)lent+ se0ual it%)ut eing c)ercive+ s'iritual it%)ut eing unse0e*+ an* ale t) trul1 l)ve. 7. 6)r ,en t%e G)* is t%e i,age ) inner ')er+ an* ) a ')tenc1 t%at is ,)re t%an ,erel1 se0ual. a. He is t%e un*ivi*e* Sel+ in %ic% ,in* is n)t s'lit r), t%e )*1+ n)r s'irit r), les%. (#$ &nite*+ )t% can uncti)n at t%e 'ea4 ) creative an* e,)ti)nal ')er. . 8en are n)t suservient )r relegate* t) sec)n* class s'iritual
citi:ens%i' )n t%e Crat. (#$ "ut neit%er are t%e1 aut),aticall1 elevate* t) a %ig%er status t%an ),en+ as t%e1 are in )t%er religi)ns. (a$ 8en in t%e Crat ,ust interact it% str)ng+ e,')ere* ),en %) *) n)t 'reten* t) e an1t%ing less t%an %at t%e1 are. ($ 8an1 ,en in* t%is 'r)s'ect *isc)ncerting at irst. ?. 6)r ),en raise* in )ur 'resent culture+ t%e G)* egins as a s1,)l ) all t%)se =ualities t%at %ave een i*entiie* as ,ale+ an* t%at t%e1+ as ),en+ %ave n)t een all)e* )r enc)urage* t) )n. a. T%e s1,)l ) t%e G)*+ li4e t%at ) t%e G)**ess+ is )t% internal an* e0ternal. (#$ T%r)ug% ,e*itati)n an* ritual a ),an inv)4es t%e G)* an* creates %is i,age it%in %ersel. (a$ In t%is a1 s%e c)nnects it% t%)se =ualities t%at s%e ,a1 lac4. (2$ As %er un*erstan*ing ,)ves e1)n* culturall1 i,')se* li,itati)ns %er i,age ) t%e G)* c%anges an* *ee'ens. (a$ He ec),es t%e Creati)n+ %ic% is n)t si,'l1 a re'lica ) )nesel+ ut s),et%ing *ierent an* ) a *ierent )r*er. ($ True Creati)n i,'lies se'arati)n as t%e ver1 act ) irt% is a relin=uis%,ent )r letting g). (c$ T%r)ug% t%e G)*+ ),en 4n) t%is ')er it%in t%e,selves+ an* s)+ li4e t%e G)**ess+ t%e G)* can e,')er ),en. . In t%e Crat+ t%e c)s,)s is n) l)nger ,)*ele* )n e0ternal ,ale c)ntr)l. a. T%e %ierarc%1 is *iss)lve* an* t%e %eavenl1 c%ain ) c),,an* is r)4en. (#$ T%e 9*ivinel1 reveale*9 te0ts are seen as ')etr1 n)t t%e 9)r* ) G)*.9 (a$ Instea*+ a ,an ,ust c)nnect it% t%e G)**ess %) is i,,anent in t%e )rl*+ in nature+ in ),en+ an* in %is )n eelings. ($ S%e is i,,anent in ever1t%ing t%at c%il*%))* religi)ns taug%t nee*e* t) e )verc),e+ transcen*e*+ an* c)n=uere*+ in )r*er t) e l)ve* 1 3G)*3. . T%e ver1 as'ects ) t%e Crat t%at see, t%reatening als) %)l* )ut t) ,en a ne an* virant s'iritual ')ssiilit1 t%at ) %)leness+ c)nnecti)n+ an* ree*),. (#$ 8en ) c)urage in* relati)ns%i's it% str)ng ')erul ),en e0%ilarating an* t%e1 elc),e t%e c%ance t) 4n) t%e 6e,ale
it%in t%e sel. (a$ T%e1 en/)1 t%e c%ance t) gr) e1)n* t%eir culturall1 i,')se* li,itati)ns an* ec),e %)le. c. Wit%in C)vens+ ),en an* ,en can e0'erience gr)u' su'')rt an* t%e aecti)n ) )t%er ),en an* ,en. (#$ T%e1 can interact in situati)ns t%at are n)t c),'etitive )r antag)nistic. (a$ 8en in C)vens can ec),e true rien*s it% )t%er ,en+ it%)ut giving u' an1 'art ) t%e,selves+ )r su/ecting t%e,selves t) *erisi)n )r ri*icule. ;. ETHICS AND ;AL&ES SHARED " 8OST 8E8"ERS O6 THE CRA6T A. T%e et%ics ) t%e Crat are ,)re ')sitive t%an negative. #. Rat%er t%an eing e0%)rte* it% a 'let%)ra ) 9t%)u s%all n)ts9 t%e Crat is gui*e* 1 'rinci'les ,)re al)ng t%e lines ) 9lesse* e t%e1 %)....9 a. T%e Crat is a /)1)us cree* it is als) a s)ciall1 an* ec)l)gicall1 res')nsile )ne. Witc%es *elig%t in t%e )rl* an* t%eir inv)lve,ent in it )n all levels. (#$ T%e1 en/)1 t%eir ,in*s+ t%eir 's1c%es+ t%eir )*ies+ t%eir senses an* sensitivities an* t%e1 *elig%t in relating+ )n all t%ese 'lanes+ it% t%eir ell) creatures an* t%e Eart% Hersel. 2. Wiccans elieve in a /)1ul alance ) all %u,an uncti)ns. a. T%is )utl))4 is 'erectl1 e0'resse* in t%e C%arge ) t%e G)**ess+ %ic% is an integral 'art ) ,)st ) t%e rituals ) all itc%es. (#$ 9Let 81 )rs%i' e it%in t%e %eart t%at re/)ices )r e%)l*+ all acts ) l)ve an* 'leasure are 81 rituals+ an* t%ere)re let t%ere e eaut1 an* strengt%+ ')er an* c),'assi)n+ %)n)r an* %u,ilit1+ ,irt% an* reverence it%in 1)u.9 (a$ T%is 'r)vi*es a ,)*el ) a alance* et%ic %ic% 'resents eig%t =ualities t%at are ')sitive an* n)t restrictive. ($ C),'assi)n ,eans e,'at%1+ n)t c)n*escensi)n %u,ilit1 ,eans a realistic a''raisal ) 1)ur )n stage ) *evel)',ent reverence ,eans a sense ) )n*er. (c$ T%e Wiccan is ala1s c)nsci)us t%at c),'assi)n ,ust e 'artnere* it% ')er+ %u,ilit1 it% %)n)r+ an* reverence it% ,irt%. 7. L)ve ) lie in all its )r,s+ is t%e asic et%ic ) t%e Crat. a. We are )un* t) %)n)r an* res'ect all living t%ings an* t) serve t%e Lie 6)rce. (#$ It %as een sai* t%at e all serve t%e G)**ess+ even i )nl1
as c),')st. ?. Witc%crat rec)gni:es t%at lie ee*s )n lie. a. We ,ust 4ill in )r*er t) survive+ ut lie is never ta4en nee*lessl1+ never s=uan*ere* )r aste*. (#$ T) ensure t%e survival ) t%e s'ecies+ e,ales are n)t %unte* as ga,e+ )r t%e1 s%are t%e sacre* )n* ) ,)t%er%))* it% t%e G)**ess. (a$ Serving t%e Lie 6)rce als) ,eans )r4ing t) 'reserve t%e *iversit1 ) natural lie+ 'reventing t%e ')is)ning ) t%e envir)n,ent an* t%e *estructi)n ) s'ecies. . T%e W)rl* is seen as t%e ,aniestati)n ) t%e G)**ess a. W%at %a''ens in t%e W)rl* is i,')rtant ecause t%e G)**ess is *irectl1 aecte*. (#$ W%ile t%e seas)ns ) t%e 1ear rene t%e G)**ess+ S%e nee*s t%e 'artici'ati)n ) Her creati)ns t) 4ee' t%e c1cle g)ing. (a$ T%is is t%e real uncti)n ) t%e Saats. T%e1 rein)rce t%e ties eteen %u,an4in* an* t%e lanet t%at gives us lie. ($ &nli4e )t%er g)*s+ t%at all) %u,anit1 t) e0ist at t%eir suerance+ t%e G)**ess nee*s us /ust as ,uc% as e nee* Her+ an* e are 'artners in t%e 'ageant ) Lie. . 5ustice is seen as an inner sense t%at eac% act rings a)ut c)nse=uences t%at ,ust e ace* res')nsil1. a. T%is is ase* )n t%e elie t%at all t%ings are inter*e'en*ent an* interrelate*. (#$ T%ere)re+ e are all ,utuall1 res')nsile ecause an act t%at %ar,s an1)ne %ar,s us all. (a$ T%is is su,,e* u' in t%e )r, ) a la 4n)n as Bar,a+ %ic% *ictates t%at all acti)ns ring a)ut c%anges. (2$ T%ere is a sa1ing in t%e Crat t%at illustrates t%e eects ) Bar,a 4n)n as t%e 3T%ree)l* La ) Return3 (a$ 3W%atever is sent )ut is returne* t%ree ti,es )ver.3 ($ It is a s)rt ) a,'liie* 3G)l*en Rule3 . H)n)r is a gui*ing 'rinci'le ) t%e Crat. a. It is an inner sense ) 'ri*e an* sel res'ect (#$ Reusing t) *) an1t%ing %ic% )ul* ,a4e 1)u as%a,e* ) 1)ursel strengt%ens 1)ur ,agical ill an* lea*s t) t%e sel res'ect t%at c),es r), setting 1)ur )n c)urse+ gui*e* 1 1)ur )n inner sense ) rig%t )r r)ng. (a$ T%is ,a4es 1)u rig%tull1 'r)u* ) 'ast acc),'lis%,ents
an* enc)urages 1)u t) sta1 t%e c)urse. . T%e G)**ess is %)n)re* in )nesel an* in )t%ers. (#$ W),en are res'ecte* an* value* )r all t%eir %u,an =ualities. (a$ T%e Sel+ )ne3s in*ivi*ualit1 an* uni=ue a1 ) eing+ is %ig%l1 value*. (2$ Li4e Nature+ t%e G)**ess l)ves *iversit1. (a$ Oneness is attaine* n)t t%r)ug% l)sing t%e Sel+ ut t%r)ug% reali:ing t%e Sel3s ')tential. >. Sel *evel)',ent an* t%e ull reali:atin ) )ne3s uni=ue 1et ,an1 as'ecte* ')tential is a ,)ral *ut1 )r a itc%. a. Lie is seen as a git r), t%e G)**ess an* it is u' t) us t) 'us% t%e ev)luti)n t) ,an4in
(#$ I suering e0ists+ it is n)t )ur tas4 t) rec)ncile )urselves t) it. (a$ We ,ust )r4 )r c%ange in all a1s at %an*. . T%at %ic% %el's t%is ev)luti)n t) c),e a)ut is seen as g))* an* *esirale %ile acti)ns t%at t%art it are t) e av)i*e* ecause eac% ) us is a act)r in t%e c)s,ic ev)luti)nar1 'r)cess. END O6 LESSON #
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