Divine Feminine Way Newsletter - Past Issues
|
|
|
| Affirmations for the Everyday Goddess iPhone
|
Available now from Artmagic Publishing The Affirmations for the Everyday Goddess iPhone/iPod Application ($3.99) is published and available for sale at Wisdom Titles or the Apple iPhone App Store (in the lifestyle category).
This beautiful app for the iPhone and iPod features the 22 cards of the Major Arcana and easy to use scrolling chapters with additional explanations for each of the cards. Now you can take these Wisdom Cards anywhere you go and refer to them when you have the time to contemplate their spiritual teachings in more depth. This app is great on its own or as an elegant travel substitute for the deck set at home. The only difference between the printed deck set and the iPhone app is that the app doesn't include the introductory chapter of the guidebook.
|
|
Visionary and Meditative Art by Judy Ambrosio
|
Judy Ambrosio's collages are about healing in all its various forms - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, healing the
earth, the chakras, creating wealth, career, and relationships of your dreams. Judy believes meditating on these images and having them in your life
will help you manifest whatever it is that you are working on and they will enhance your space with positive
affirmations and inspire your customers and patients. You can also see Judy's visionary and meditative art at her website Visions of Healing.net. (Artwork: Feel Free - Fly) |
|
Figurative Goddess Art Paintings by Lori Felix
|
New Visual Gallery Artist Lori Felix
Lori brings to life the goddess in the form of beautiful and symbolic
figurative paintings. Originally from New York but now living in a tiny
town in Mississippi, Lori's goddesses capture the dreamy world of
bayous, rivers and waterways that are a regular part of the
Mississippi landscape. Her paintings are full of textures, colors and
patterns found within nature which are perfect decorative
embellishments for all goddesses. You can also see Lori's figurative goddess art at LorFelix.com. (Artwork, Back Splash)
|
|
Intentional Journals and Card Cases by Dawn Gaskill
|
New Gallery Artist Dawn Gaskill Intentional Journals and Card Cases for Divine Inspiration
Dawn's images blend symbolism and texts from different belief systems and cultures to demonstrate the truth that we are all One. By integrating the activating power of ancient symbols with the creation of your own personal intentions, Dawn's art provides a breakthrough approach for realizing dramatic change in your everyday life. Intentional journals and business card cases make fabulous gift items for the holidays.
You can also see Dawn's intentional journal and card case art at DawnDesigns.com. Dawn just recieved 'Best in Show' at INATS West by New Age Retailer Magazine. (Artwork, Metamorphosis).
|
| Empowerment |
When life is going smoothly, it is easy to go into automatic pilot. You are fully and gainfully employed, all your bills are paid on time, you can even take vacations, all your primary relationships are happy and you are otherwise enjoying life.
What happens when there is an unexpected loss or inevitable setback? What do you rely on as a source of your strength to sustain you?
We are constantly fed messages that we need something outside of us in these challenging situations. We become accustomed to hearing that we are lacking something and whatever "it" is can be bought or sourced externally.
It is during these times of transition that there could be an opportunity for growth and insight into the source of what empowers you. The invitation is to change your vantage point and see that all the resources for you to navigate your challenges are sourced by plugging into a Universal presence inside of you.
Here are the steps of self-empowerment:
When faced with a challenge, start by honoring yourself. Take the time to pause and just breathe. There is no need to do any deep breathing. Instead, take a comfortable seat or even lay down with one hand on your belly and another on your heart and simply enjoy your breath. Let yourself feel anchored into the chair or into the earth if laying down. By merely bringing consciousness to your breath, you initiate a process of awareness to the presence that supports you. You can enhance this process by gradually softening the layers of resistance, stress, tightness and hardness manifested in your face, jaw, throat, chest, stomach and other areas of your body. By beginning to let go of physical clinging, you further the process of yielding to an inner support. Breath by breath you drop deeper into your every expanding source of that which sustains you.
You reinforce a process of reclaiming the source of your power by reflecting and determining one quality of heart or mind that could enable you
to effectively handle the situation you are facing. Take the time as you continue to breathe to reflect on what quality of heart or mind would make a meaningful difference in your life. Perhaps you could cultivate more courage, sensitivity, clarity, more patience or whatever you deem to be appropriate. You then set this seed of intention in your heart and mind and then infuse it with your breath so that there is a unity in your body, mind and heart. You literally call all aspects of yourself into attention as you tap into this wellspring of energy inside of you in service of your intention.
Interestingly, in this process of reflection and then engagement, you will experience inevitable internal shifts. As you draw closer to your heart and what is meaningful, then what you say and do will be aligned with your own wellspring of energy and resources.
If you begin to feel like you are forcing yourself in this process, check to see if are holding your breath or you have been breathing in a shallow way. There are patterns that are both conscious and unconscious that we follow that resist this process. Such patterns may not always be life affirming and may appear as chronic tension in our body and tightness even in our minds. All of this manifests in the breath and blocks us from accessing our source of sustenance.
You may need the assistance of a wise guide to facilitate in accessing your inner resources and optimizing the way you use them. However, ultimately, what enables you to effectively deal with what you are facing is inside of you.
You are completely free to either reinforce old patterns of thought and action or choose to awaken to the realization that the ultimate source of your fulfillment is as close to you as your breath. It is a process of remembering the source of that which sustains you and then taking action to align with it so that you can continue to shift and grow in ways that bring more beauty and love to our shared planet.
Michael Fukumura is a gifted Anusara Yoga Instructor who teaches classes in San Diego and assists students in private yoga therapy lessons. You can find out more about Michael at his website.
Artwork by Pamela Wells.
|
| Featured Product |
The Color of Joy coloring book is the first
release in a new line of inspirational, creative,
and humorous products for women. There are
27 beautiful drawings on large 9x12 inch art
tablet sized pages. With an additional 15 pages
of inspirational text accompanying some of
the drawings. Coloring is the best-kept secret in stress-reduction out there! And the coloring book is an easy way to tap into the creative energy that we're made of, even for the most artistically faint-of-heart. There is no artistic skill level required. Playing with color is an immediate and deeply relaxing and meditative activity. Winner of one of the top 200 moms in business in 2009 by www.StartUpNation.com.
|
| Featured Goddess Organization |
SPICA Way of Light Inspirational Sundays
SPICA (Spirit Present in Consciousness Always) is a proactive, experiential church based in divine mind sciences and mystical wisdom. Our foundation is union with Source through the doorway of the Divine Feminine. Meditative and contemplative practices are embraced as a way to assist each person in their connection with Source. We honor the universal law of love and believe unconditional, loving element of Source resides in every person. Reverend Katherine Torres, Ph.D., provides inspiration on the 4th Sunday of each month and Barbara Hightower, HP, Teacher, provides guidance on the 2nd Sunday of each month from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Myztic Isle Bookstore, 8036 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa, CA, 619-588-6483. Also visit and then subscribe to the FREE Sacred Path eNewsletter.
Rev. Katherine Torres is not only a gifted artist, she counsels, coaches, teaches and writes. In January, 2010 she will be teaching students wanting to obtain a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Spiritual Philosophy and a Doctorate of Divinity at SPICA. Click here to learn more about SPICA and the Way of Light and the Divine Feminine Mysteries.
|
Goddess Events and More Resources
|
Events (at the Goddess Studio in San Diego):
SABBAT CEREMONIES WITH FOX.
Next ritual is a winter solstice/cool yule ritual at the Elder Palms Sanctuary in Vista, Sunday, December 13th with Priestess Fox and Priestess Marcia. 6:30 - 8:30 pm. $20
Turn the wheel and turn within in a ritual celebration of ancient customs and the healing sounds of crystal singing bowls. Email fox@goddessdownload.com to register and receive further details and directions
RSVP's due by December 6, 2009.
Fox has been facilitating rituals since 2000 and has launched a new Goddess loving site with downloadable rituals for esbats and sabbats. Fox believes that everyone can experience and expand their personal magick for greater living, inner peace and healing. Rituals are $2.99 and are yours forever. Upload them to an iPod, mp3 player or burn a cd.
Stellar Consultations by Jannine Oberg
Jannine Oberg, M.S., Astrologer has been inspiring, motivating and educating clients here and abroad about reaching stellar heights in their lives since 1987. Jannine combines her professional training in human resources management (Master's Degree) and career counseling certification with her unique knowledge of astrological personality archetypes. Her innovative Stellar Consultations provide clients with a memorable experience and a portfolio filled with individualized tools to achieve personal and professional success 760-580-2538.
|
| Goddess Services: Intuitive Readings & Tarot Counseling |
Janet Boyer is an intuitive reader, the author of The Back in Time Tarot Book (chosen by OneSpirt Book Club Editors as the #5 Best Book of 2008!) reviewer, and teacher. She is the former Editor of BellaOnline.com, the second largest women's site on the web. Currently, she is Editor of The Tarot Channel, a neat site devoted to all things Tarot.
Janet draws upon her many years of experience and training as a teacher, minister and counselor and offers a number of readings ranging from $5 to $75 depending on the type of reading you desire. To learn more about Janet, her book and intuitive readings see her website JanetBoyer.com.
|
July 2009 Interview with Pamela Wells
Tarot Question and Answer Interview with Tina Swanson, founder of the Tarot Club on Facebook
|
|
Kris Swanson runs the Tarot Club on Facebook. The Tarot Club has over 2,000 active tarot users and is a great place for learning more about the tarot, receiving insight and free tarot readings.
-------------------------------------------------------------
The following is my interview with Pamela Wells; creator of Affirmations for the Everyday Goddess tarot deck. She wrote and designed a spiritual guidebook along with her beautifully illustrated 22 wisdom cards for contemplation & prayer. The following post will be our interview and then members will have a great opportunity to ask Pamela questions thereafter. Pamela has agreed to answer what she can and is really excited to interact with members directly.
Could you please tell us a little bit about your background?
I have been working as a fine artist, commercial illustrator, graphics and web designer for over 20 years. In the emerging field of digital artwork, I have developed my own unique style of painting. My artwork has been published in digital how-to publications and I have written how-to digital articles for both local and national publications.
Why did you decide to create a tarot deck on your own?
Initially I was approached by a publisher to illustrate a tarot deck for women. After doing some initial research by calling about two dozen tarot artists willing to share their experiences, I decided not to. What I heard didn't make business sense for me in royalties (income earned) for the amount of time it would take for me to illustrate a complete tarot set in my detailed, illustrative style. Despite this, I continued painting, and a few years later I signed a contract with a different publisher. About 2 years into the process, they canceled the contract after restructuring the company. So there I was with finished cards and book and no publisher! I was very disappointed but not discouraged.
Fortunately, at the same time I was doing product design work for a client who contracts with overseas manufacturers and I realized I had most of the skills and the financial resources I needed to publish and market the deck myself - graphic design, illustration, writing, prepress and marketing. I created a business plan and the business plan made sense if I contracted the printing with an overseas printer.
What inspired you to create the Affirmations for the Everyday Goddess deck?
It started with a very challenging portfolio review I did through the Society of Illustrators. I was doing a lot of work as a commercial illustrator at the time and after years of doing technical illustrations, I felt it was time to try something more creative. During the portfolio review, I was told I needed to focus on one style I really loved and felt passionate about. It was great advice but I couldn't help but wonder if it would pay the bills especially since the first two paintings were an angel and Sophia, the goddess of wisdom!
CONTINUED.
|
Join Our Mailing List
Sign-up for our free Goddess newsletter, the Divine Feminine Way.
· Insightful opinions from the feminine viewpoint to help improve your quality of life
· Articles about the hidden potential of your own wisdom and how it could help direct your everyday life toward your highest potential
· Tips to increase your ability to translate spiritual guidance through understanding the practice of visionary insight and contemplation
· Artistic reviews about the meaning of visual symbolism and archetypes
· Contributing articles from talented artists and authors
|
|
Dear Reader,
Throughout the Artmagic Publishing site you will find inspirational artwork for sale. The artists at Artmagic Publishing were carefully selected because of their ability to translate archetypal (MYSTICAL) information into a visual composition with a high level of technical skill and quality. All the gifted artists of these works are committed to communicating a message of love, hope and wisdom through their visual creations, creative techniques and personal stories. We hope you find within these meaningful artworks something to reflect on that helps you see at a higher altitude and find the highest Truth whatever your religion or spiritual tradition. We h
Artmagic Publishing
|
Path to Empowerment
The Three Evolutionary Stages to Spiritual Power
By Pamela Wells
This is a remarkable time in human history when an infinite amount of information and knowledge is converging with the freedom to choose what to learn. Many people now have direct access to this infinite information through the Internet and the available time to pursue and cultivate a path to both outer and inner knowledge. Pursuing both forms of knowledge can lead to empowerment and spiritual power if you are willing to take full responsibility for evolving your own consciousness.
Because the path to empowerment is evolutionary, there is a difference between the external power you attain in the world, the inner power (empowerment) you earn from daily self-reflection and the spiritual power you cultivate from having access to your own personal and spiritual authority.
The Three Stages of Evolutionary Power
External power leads you to what you think you desire. The problem with external power is by the time you get there, you realize you want something else. This can result in a lifetime of chasing what you desire while leaving you bankrupt on the inside. Empowerment (inner power) represents mastery of your emotions and thoughts in response to the outer world and gives you direct access to your own personal authority. It aligns you with what you really want which is a positive state of physical, emotional and mental well-being. Spiritual power brings you clarity of thought, inner peace and awakens you to your own divine essence and the divine light in another.
Stage 1 - Power
You learn about how to use your power in the world before you learn about inner power. This learning process is necessary because the human mind needs to be given a container in which to make meaningful connections to things. So, in the first half of life you must develop a strong enough ego to take on the outer world and an adequate sense of personal identity to help you interact and survive in the world. How well you manage your power will be reflected in the outcome of every decision you make. In the physical world of actions and consequences, you will be held responsible for your choices when you act in your own name. Using your power in your own name is most often focused on the satisfaction of endless desires resulting in external wealth but very little inner wealth or happiness.
Power could be directed toward positive actions that support yourself, those you love and all other beings but in these narcissistic times, external power is a grand illusion marketed by sellers. So often what is sold appears to be the answer to what you seek and because it is visible, it seems more useful than mastery of inner power. But as life progresses, issues in relationships regarding use of power, sex, money and self-esteem start to surface and develop into mental, emotional, physical and spiritual problems. It isn't until you experience some kind of failure, loss in a relationship or a challenging illness that you realize your personal power is limited and the physical world cannot be controlled. These difficult experiences can actually become blessings because they provide you with the opportunity to learn about your inner world of emotions and thoughts so the choices you make with your inner power become creative acts of outer power that benefit all.
Buddhist version of POWER the Causes of Suffering - Ignorance of your real nature, egoism, object referral, aversion and fear of death.
Stage 2 - Empowerment (outer power united with inner power)
Either during a personal crisis or by mid-life, your ego is asked to develop an interior dialogue with your inner self and act in accordance with these insights. Empowerment is knowledge of how power works in the world merged with self-knowledge and personal authority. You earn inner power through careful self-reflection and a honest evaluation of your thoughts, emotions and actions. Over time you gain direct access to personal authority - the source for solving life challenges and for pursuing a life with meaning and purpose.
Inner power cultivated with growing consciousness helps your break free from negative thought patterns and leads you to the realization that your conscious actions in the world reflect your interests and passion in living a life congruent with your highest purpose. Self-knowledge and personal authority reward you with a meaningful inner life and outer life that has value and significance for the human community. Your increased self-awareness moves the planet positively forward for all beings.
The journey to empowerment encompasses some of these tasks:
· Liberating yourself from disempowering and limiting beliefs
· Integrating many perceptions and beliefs
· Moving past your personality and embracing your authentic self
· Forgiving and letting go of the past and rejecting victimhood
· Rewriting your personal history
· Discovering your own truths and then being true to yourself
· Taking responsibility for your choices and their consequences
· Being able to stand for your own truth and trusting in life
· Being emotionally rational by striving for objectivity which gives you the power of choice
· Relinquishing sexual power in order to aspire toward personal success and intimate union with other women and men in a way that is not sexual at all
· Standing autonomously and not wavering
Buddhist version of EMPOWERMENT the Laws of Life - Nonviolence, truthfulness, integrity, purity and self-referral.
Stage 3 - Spiritual Power (outer power + inner power + global knowledge and cosmic wisdom)
Spiritual power begins with the recognition that you are responsible for your relationship with a higher power (God). The activation of inner power can lead you to realize your own divine nature since you are the source of your own personal authority. In the process of accessing inner knowledge, you become more aware of the guiding spiritual power of intuitive information. Your intuition (your inner guidance system) is the foundation for building a relationship with the divine in an intimate and manageable format that resonates deeply with your own particular personality.
Spiritual power is about choosing to go beyond yourself and seeing the same divine light in another. Expanding on inner guidance through a spiritual practice will help you become expansive enough to integrate and include all that has ever been. Merging the flow of power, inner power, global knowledge and cosmic wisdom will give you direct access to your own spiritual power.
The journey to spiritual power encompasses some of these tasks:
· Having a passion to know the answer to life's most challenging questions
· Studying the sacred texts of your culture, including them and moving beyond them
· Believing in something greater than yourself
· Recognizing and honoring your connection to the whole cosmos
· Expanding your horizons and awareness by having an open mind
· Creating a sacred space a practicing inner silence
· Releasing your ego's identification with the material world and the mind
· Establishing a contemplative practice to remind you that you are loved and never alone
· Integrating and aligning your outer and inner power with the will of God
· Practicing symbolic sight and embracing spiritual truth
· Surrendering illusions in order to receive divine truth
· Being love and energy to co-create the world you desire
Buddhist version of SPIRITUAL POWER the Rules of Life - Simplicity, contentment, purification, refinement and surrender.
ABOUT AUTHOR AND ARTIST PAMELA WELLS
Pamela Wells has been working as a fine artist, commercial illustrator and graphic web designer for over 20 years and specializes in creative work that leads to greater understanding and awareness. Her goddess art incorporates her interest in the study of transpersonal psychology, integral transformative spiritual practice and the evolution of human consciousness. She cares deeply about both men and women and also about the ecological preservation of the planet which benefits all living things. To order a copy of Pamela's most recent book and card set, Affirmations for the Everyday Goddess, www.ArtmagicPublishing.com
Artwork by Pamela Wells Emperor card from Affirmations for the Everyday Goddess deck. |
Fantasy Goddess Art by Sharon George
An Interview with Fantasy Artist Sharon George
Interview by Pamela Wells
Pamela Wells: Please tell us a little about your creative background and what got you interested in painting and goddess themed compositions?
Sharon George: I drew and painted avidly as a child but somehow it got lost to me. When I was 30 years old, I decided to paint again. I took a drawing class at Glendale Community College along with working full time and raising a daughter. It wasn't easy and I also gave up trying. My instructor, Robert Weaver, pulled me aside at the end of the semester and encouraged me. He told me I had a gift and not to give up on it. Funny, but those few words saw me through some difficult times. I haven't given up!
PW: What do you think has kept you so focused on your goal of using your gifts despite life's challenges?
SG: Well, to be honest, I've not been terribly focused. I've done the best I could given my circumstances, remaining rational in this world while keeping my children fed and sheltered. I am now taking care of my grandchildren as I help my daughter through college. I am still trying to answer my deepest calling to paint. There is so much more I wish I had accomplished and so much I still hope to do.
In fact, when thinking about the greatest artists, I feel the difference between, say, a Pisarro and a "George" is that Pisarro never, ever, even for an instant, lost focus of his goal, which was simply to paint. He painted when there was no food in the house for his children. He painted when his father disowned him, his wife despised him and his children wondered why their father didn't seem to care. He painted when his eyesight gave way and he could hardly see. He painted when the whole world told him he shouldn't and that he wasn't any good. That's incredible courage. To most of us, to society, such behavior appears insane, irresponsibile, and it IS; but it is also the courage to fulfill your inner mission despite your circumstances in the world. It is true faith, true spirituality, a pure response to the calling of your highest self. That is so difficult to do. I believe that is the difference between those of us who attempt to be artists and those whose names are remembered for generations. The degree to which we can master ourselves, to which we can answer our own inner calling, is the degree to which our art shines a light upon the world.
PW: Could you tell us something about your painting technique?
SG: I am a digital artist almost exclusively now. I sketch with pencil on paper then scan my drawings into my computer. I work mostly with Corel Painter and Photopaint. I use Photopaint (Photoshop) for effects and manipulating the images and Painter for the brush painting. Mostly I use the airbrush tool. I work in many layers, applying effects and coats of digital paint on successive layers. In the end, it all gets flattened on the background.
PW: What projects have your worked on in the past and what are you working on now?
SG: For years I drew and painted for my own pleasure. I was able to fit some classes in at Mesa College in San Diego along with working and raising two daughters. In the late 1980s a teacher asked me to join a group of honor students learning computer art. This is back when Microsoft computers functioned by typing commands into a command line. We all opted for the Macintosh which was mouse driven. It was a blast! At that time there were limits of printing art off a Mac. We had to have slides made and the slides printed. It was very primitive. All this landed me a job as Assistant to the Creative Director at Kobey Advertising which runs the swap meet here in San Diego. I learned new software programs there and created brochures, flyers and invitations. It was all great fun. In 1997 I bought a computer, printer, scanner and with my "expertise" opened Gorgeous George Graphics. I worked for myself as a freelance graphic designer and illustrator until 2007.
My true love, however, is what I started as a child - images of women in costumes, surrounded by nature. All my free time was spent drawing and painting goddesses.
PW: Do you have a message that you wish to convey to viewers?
SG: I hope that when people see my art, they recognize the god/goddess within themselves. We are each divine as is every living being in the universe. Our destiny is to uncover and experience that divinity. Some call it god-self, greater self, Buddhahood or God. Whatever you choose to call Spirit and however you approach Spirit, the critical thing is to live Spirit. This is what I attempt to express in my art. Hopefully viewers understand this.
PW: Do you have any suggestions for women who are trying to create or discover their own life purpose? How can women follow their life purpose while balancing responsibilities like children and paying bills?
SG: It is very difficult to strike a balance creating art, when art and creativity by their very nature require obsessive, single-minded focus and a lot of time. That's one part of the whole story. Another route is to enjoy what you're doing whether it be your art or washing dishes for your family. I have a somewhat morose nature, and I have only been able to strike this balance intermittently in my life but I think it is a better way to live. When I use my spirituality and let my inner love guide me, the results are always better. I waste less time, have more to give and feel more fulfilled daily.
PW: What is the inspiration behind the goddess artwork you do?
SG: I believe it's very primal. It has something to do with sex and procreation and creation. It's spiritual. I am moved by ovarian shapes and soft, round s curves, something that feels nurturing, loving and protecting. It's difficult to put it into words, but I feel it. People comment that I never paint men. I've always adored men, but their bodies are hard and sharp. Women are so pleasing to see with our soft layer of fat beneath our skin and our round curves. Our nature is to nurture, to create and protect life and to me, nothing rings more loudly in my heart.
PW: Do you have any suggestions on how women can fill their lives with divine inspiration even when working? What do you do to stay divinely inspired and connected to Goddess Spirit?
SG: I breathe. I breathe consciously into my physical heart, letting go of all stress and filling up with love and gratitude. It only takes a moment but changes the (my) world. This is a technique I've learned in the last year from a metaphysical group my husband and I are presently attending The Heart Space at 7625 Mesa College Drive, San Diego. I've also been a Buddhist for the last 30 years and although I'm no longer connected to the lay organization, I find the principles I've learned there very helpful. I find chanting very helpful. The point is, whatever method of spiritual practice calls you, or works for you, do it! Connect daily to your higher power. Just take the time to center yourself within your divinity. It makes all the difference between a life of frustration and a life constantly broadening with ever greater, more fascinating, beautiful, and encouraging horizons. Someone said, "We all have a hole inside and it's shaped like God." I couldn't agree more.
PW: Where can art collectors purchase your work?
SG: I've been most fortunate that Dr. Doreen Virtue discovered my work online and has commissioned me to do many oracle cards for her. That has led to many other licenses of my work: Hay House, Leanin' Tree and so on. I also sell my prints online www.fantasy-goddess-art.com. I sell at various street fairs and venues that come up. I sell prints, cards, bookmarks and plan to include journals and bags.
|
Reinterpreting Eve
Written by Tabby BiddleNot too far in the past, if a woman was assertive, demanding and purposeful, she was considered a controlling bitch. On the other hand, if a woman complained about her lack of opportunity and played victim, she was considered an annoying whiner. Today, many women are looking to each other for clues as to what it truly means to be a woman.One of the great perks of being a woman is sharing intimately with other women. I have found over and over, no matter if I am talking with a CEO, an accomplished writer, a five-star mom, a longtime healer or a talented artist ... that no matter what their successes, women feel a peculiar sense of self-doubt and inferiority. I have wondered for a long time what this is about.
As someone who studies spirituality and religion, I decided to reflect on our spiritual culture to seek some answers. When focusing on this, I saw that part of the issue could be the many thousands of years we've been living in a patriarchal spiritual, social and cultural system. This isn't a criticism of men by any means, but a pointing out and curiosity about how that system has affected us, both as women and men, from the inside out.
In our culture our greatest spiritual role model, God, is a "He" in imagery and language. "He" is the one we are to please, emulate and be judged by. He is the one we pray to, seek counsel from and look to for solutions. If God is male in imagery and language, wouldn't it make sense that girls and women who are not "hes" would feel a sense of inferiority, self-doubt and perhaps never feel that they are good enough? If this is the case, I wonder if deep down inside women and girls can ever truly feel worthy.
Let's look at another part of our spiritual and cultural heritage that may also be contributing to women's inferiority complex: The story of Adam and Eve. For many of us, we heard this story at a very young age. In my case, I was five. Whether as a child (or adult), we regard the story as myth or truly the creation story, it permeates our culture and has made its way into our unconscious systems. A review...
Woman (Eve) was created out of man (Adam). She was then told by an Almighty man (God) not to pick a forbidden fruit (apple). She picked it (disobedience) - gave it to Adam (unsuspecting innocence) - and from then on was said to have committed the first sin. It was that simple picking (which perhaps was due to pioneering curiosity) that is said to have led to the fall of humanity from paradise and the introduction of evil into the world. Ha!
Assuming Eve as the archetype of woman, woman here is portrayed as undisciplined, disobedient and a sinner. Looking at it this way, it's no wonder that women have an underlying sense of blame, shame and in many cases, a fear of questioning male authority. With this story told to us at an early age, it seems like no mystery that we would internalize this as girls and boys. When reflecting on all of this, my question became, "What happened to the time when the Almighty, the Divine, our spiritual leader was in feminine form? What happened to the honoring of our Mother God, Gaia? What happened to the ancient goddess cultures?"
According to Maria Gimbutas, world-renowned archeologist, matriarchal and goddess-worshipping cultures existed as far back as 6500 B.C. Aside from the questions of why and how the shift happened away from these cultures and toward our modern-day patriarchy, I think it's important to look at how we would feel if our spiritual leader was depicted as a woman and referred to as a "she." Would we feel any different? What is your reaction to even considering this?
There is a book called When God Was a Woman which I have not read yet but have a feeling it might shed some light on the subject. I also know that some will argue that getting caught up in duality, the feminine and masculine, is not helpful. They will say that God is Absolute and holds no gender or form. My feeling is that all the talk in the world about this, before females ever get a chance to see themselves in the image of the Divine is like skipping from kindergarten to college. We've spent the more recent thousands of years seeing our spiritual leader in the image of a male and I think it is going to take more than saying God is Absolute to deconstruct our unconscious belief systems.
Just to make it clear, I am not advocating for erasing a male God nor am I advocating for dethroning him with a female. What I am advocating for is a remembrance and honoring of a Mother God, the Divine Feminine, as his divine and uniquely different partner.
As our hierarchies of power are shaking down and interconnection and interrelatedness are shaking wide, perhaps we have an opportunity to redefine how we see ourselves in the world and how we, as women and men, can move forward together as partners creating a world in balance.
ABOUT WRITER TABBY BIDDLE
Tabby Biddle is a writer and editor specializing in helping women entrepreneurs and emerging authors get their message out. Additionally she is the founder of Lotus Blossom Style, a yoga lifestyle company created to support women in their personal transformation. She lives in Santa Monica, California.
Artwork by Lori Felix, Evangaline.
|
From a Professional Tarot Reader: Picking the Right Tarot Deck
By Karen Howard
Several of my students have asked how to select "the right" Tarot deck. I've explained that there is no single deck that's right for everyone, as we each get something different from every deck we use. I did offer a few suggestions that I'd like to share.
When you are in the market for a deck (Tarot or Oracle), think about the decks you've seen. What decks do the readers you've visited use? Do these decks feel comfortable to you and can you relate to the symbols? Is the size something you can handle-not too big, not too little? Do you already have a deck? If so, what do you like about it? What would you change?
When visiting a retail outlet or going on-line to buy a deck, consider that the packaging will play a major part in attracting your attention. Word of warning: the company marketing the deck is going to put the best looking cards on the box. Therefore it's a good idea to shop where you can actually look at the deck before you pay for it. If the box shows only one or two cards, it makes me wonder what the rest of the deck looks like. I've come home with more than one deck that turned out to be a major disappointment.
What instructions come with the deck? Is it a fully illustrated book or a simple folded sheet? Do the instructions explain what symbols are used on the cards and why they were chosen? If the subject matter is too esoteric for you to comprehend, perhaps this isn't the deck for you. This is particularly important when the deck is based on another source. You might be interested in Roman Gods and Goddesses, for example. Does the book you're considering explain why a particular deity was chosen? Does the book give you information or key words for each card? The more detailed the information given in the book, the better informed you will be to decide if this deck was created for you and your level of expertise.
Really look at the deck. Are you comfortable with the symbols? I have a couple of decks that I do not use for clients because the artwork makes them uncomfortable. Nudity (even in mythology) offends some people. Graphic violence can do the same. If you are purchasing a deck to use with clients, consider their sensitivity. You might purchase a deck for your own personal use, or just to admire the artwork.
I've talked to both experts and beginners, and there is a definite preference for "action figures" - colorful illustrations that show people interacting rather than a simple drawing of, for example, five swords or two wands. Can you see the facial expressions of the people on the cards? Does their body language tell you anything?
As you look at the card, ask yourself if you can read them. If a particular card came up in a reading, how might you interpret it?
Should you buy a used deck? My used Shakespearian deck was purchased for half price at a New Age shop. Some readers believe a deck bonds with its user and a used deck will not work for its next owner. Others believe the first deck should be used, preferably by the reader's teacher.
Buying a deck isn't a simple process. Take your time, and understand that this might be the "right" deck for now, but you might not want to use it in the future. That's okay. What is painful is buying a deck, opening the box and realizing you really don't like this deck and won't be using it. Choose with care.
ABOUT WRITER KAREN HOWARD
This article was reprinted with permission from Psychic-Magic. Psychic-Magic is published twice per year on the winter and wummer solstices. Additional issues may be emailed to you with timely information. Subscription is FREE. To subscribe, send an email with SUBSCRIPTION as the subject.
Artwork by Pamela Wells from the cover of the Affirmations for the Everyday Goddess.
|
|
About Artmagic Publishing
Artmagic Publishing creates and sells visual tools for contemplation
and higher learning in the form of workbooks, fine art cards and
artwork, posters and prints. We believe that higher learning is
enhanced when we honor our feminine way of knowing through our
creativity and inner vision in partnership with the divine masculine
and wisdom teachings from the world's many spiritual traditions. Our
goal is to create visual tools to help you clarify your life situation
as well as provide you with visual and symbolic road maps for exploring
the mysteries of life's meaning and purpose. Our contemplation tools
are designed to guide and inspire you, and hopefully empower you with
self-knowledge and clarity about what is meaningful to you within the
framework of your current spiritual and religious beliefs.
|
Available Now: Affirmations for the Everyday Goddess Spiritual Guidebook and 22 Wisdom Cards for women, spiritual seekers and tarot enthusiasts.
If you have any comments or would like to contribute articles to be published in this newsletter, please contact: ArtmagicPublishing@att.net.
The articles in this newsletter written by Pamela Wells or Michael Fukumura may be reproduced providing individual
author bio and URL credit are given. A text only version is available
at the Artmagic Publishing website.
Goddess News Subscriptions
You are receiving this newsletter because of a stated interest in spiritual issues or this newsletter has been forwarded to you. Please feel free to subscribe or unsubscribe. If someone forwarded this newsletter to you, the unsubscribe button will not remove your email. To remove your email, contact Artmagic Publishing. This email list is strictly confidential and we do not share your email with other companies.
|
|
