A New Pope

Yesterday the Catholic World elected a new Pope. I watched the pagentry, pomp and circumstance with mixed emotions. 

I was glad to see the Catholic Church elect a Pope from Argentina.  My thoughts had been if the Catholic Church wants to keep moving ahead and growing, they should elect a Pope from lands where people live their faith and practice it.  In my mind that clearly was Latin America.  And that's what they did.  So bully for them. And that's where my enthusiasm ended.  Clearly I do not support a religion or way of life that is steeped in misogyny.

Next I wondered, would I ever live to see the day, where thousands of people are gathered on a hillside worshipping the Goddess, openly?  Would it make media coverage, would the World be rapt in awe as we honor Her presence, Her wisdom, Her ways?  Probably not. 

And it came to me this will not happen for many reasons, first and foremost being, we do not proselytize.  We don't seek to convert.  If you find us we are here, but we will not seek you out.  And it for this reason many of us are drawn to practice the Old Religion, Nature Religions, the Old Ways.  We don't actively seek to infringe our thoughts and beliefs upon others.  We simply seek to practice our ways, in peace.

It struck me odd that Catholicism is growing rapidly in Africa.  When I think of Africa, I think of the Motherland, there's that word "Mother" and of tribal ancient communities.  Why would Catholicism be taking root there?  However we know the power and the long arm of the Church and their missionaries are strong.  It made me a bit a sad to think of Africans in the Motherland coverting to Catholicism.

This morning my Earth Psalm prayer was a good one.  I use my Earth Psalms as an Oracle and I am always pleasantly surprised by what returns.  The ending line in today's prayer was "I await that day Goddess.  I will work and prepare for that day".

And so we continue to work and prepare the way.  Bit by bit little by little, we keep letting the World know we are here, and even more so, SHE is here.

Blessed Be Upon all Pagan, Witches, Believers, Priestesses and Priests, Everywhere.

Priestess Najah

"Drawing Down", Myth, Mythology and Religion

"Arms outstretched wide, I open my Spirit and Being to the Goddess.  I recite "The Charge" fueled with Her presence and feel the glory of the Divine wash over and through me".  It occurs to me that as I describe my ecstatic experience, I use words describing the experience as outside myself, bringing something into myself which is not within me.  Have I done myself a disservice?

Lately my thoughts have been turning to Myths, Mythology and Religion.  I have found myself returning to the powerful PBS series, "The Power of Myth" with Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers.  How refreshing it was for a deep thinker such as myself to find the series online.  I recently reviewed the Episode 5, "Love and the Goddess" and you can view it here:

http://www.veoh.com/watch/v37616713mbPy9YfF

My altar is covered with statues of the Goddess.  She who cannot be named, She of ten thousand names and faces; Yemaya, Isis, Ishtar, Lilith, just for starters.  I call to Her, pray to Her, but am I really calling to a place deep within me?  When I meditate I close my eyes and go within.  All pointers for a making connection with a Higher Power, say to go within.   Perhaps in the ritual of "Drawing Down the Goddess", instead of "Drawing Down", we should be "Drawing Out".  If we are made of Stardust and Earth, She dwells within us.  The Moon reminds of us of what is within.   Tapping into that innate Higher Power is the hard part. Bringing it forth and acknowledging the Power is within us is even harder, all the while maintaining our humility.

And so I venture forth into the morning dawn and dark night, greeting the Sun, the Moon and Stars.   Trying hard to see inside myself, that which exists in timeless, nameless spaces and places.  Let the Moon and Stars remind me of my true Divinity, that which is within and not separate from myself.

Blessed Be and Happy New Moon,
Priestess Najah