I remember my first exposure to "the Goddess." One of my first life teachers was certainly a "wild woman" before her time.
She taught about the Goddess, healing herbs, women's music festivals, paganism-all kinds of concepts that seemed radical to me at the time. I wouldn't have guessed it, but within a number of years I had embraced many of her interests and values.
Many years later I read what came to be one of the most influential books of my life. I picked up a copy of The Great Cosmic Mother by Sjoo and Mor, and my perspective about women's place in spirituality and history was changed forever. I learned that there actually were cultures long ago that worshiped the Divine in the feminine form, and accorded women the prominent place in society.
According to my studies, and supported by archeological findings, these goddess cultures existed, probably throughout the world, and lasted from mankind's earliest beginnings (although archeological evidence of them begins at about 30,000 BC) through approximately 2400 BC. At this time the male-god worshiping tribes gradually forced the Goddess cultures out of prominence.
Perhaps the greatest insight I received was through being struck by the inspiring values of the goddess-worshiping peoples. Their religions embodied feminine principles that have endured through the ages, although sometimes necessarily underground. Interestingly, these values generally correspond to most of the aspired values of the New Consciousness, and have much in common with the wisdom of the world's courageous indigenous peoples. As we learn from these values, the ancient spiritual wisdom seems to merge with our aspirations of our world for the future.
In studying ancient feminine-honoring civilizations, we see that their various characteristics grouped themselves around certain recurring themes. These themes pervaded most of the Goddess societies, whether in Crete, Sumer (Iraq), Anatolia (Turkey), the British Isles, African countries, the Americas, or eastern Asia. The characteristics that we will cover reflect the most dominant values which seem to surface in the vast amount of studies that are available:
Mysticism Encouraged: Images we have gleaned of the Goddess cultures suggest that ancient people were encouraged to look inside themselves for messages from the "inner" Spirit. Even though the priestesses and leaders of the community were relied on for spiritual wisdom, it was known and emphasized that the Divine dwells within each individual. Much of this contrasts our modern religions where the primary source of guidance is the minister, imam or rabbi.
Invasion of Other Countries Minimized: Archeological findings of goddess civilizations (usually Neolithic) have revealed the absence of large standing armies. This and other indicators suggest that these societies chose not to forcibly invade other lands to impose economic dominance. In our times, when so many nations feel compelled to maintain a military foothold in other countries, this is a refreshing example. It goes without saying too, that many of the Goddess societies were of a pacifist nature. History suggests that military actions in the women-centered lands were primarily defense oriented, the obvious example being the famed Amazons of Libya and Turkey.
Women Empowered: There is obviously much more here than could be said in a single paragraph. Suffice it to say that women were not downtrodden in ancient times. For example, in early Sumer (Iraq), society was clearly matrifocal (women centered). Women managed temples, and generally organized society in a communal manner. They sometimes took two husbands. In their spare time, they developed the world's first written language. Another famous Goddess worshiping community was Crete. Here women presided over religious matters, and were also judges, athletes, business owners, and renowned technology developers. Ancient Cretans were known for dancing and their joyous, peace-loving nature. They shunned temples and often worshiped at shrines in groves, caves or on mountaintops, in harmony with nature.
Earth Viewed as Sacred: Goddess peoples, as do most indigenous peoples, revered nature, seeing the Earth as a manifestation of the Divine, the Goddess. To them "Gaia" was not a "hypothesis." They loved and respected the Earth gifts, and knew of the reciprocal effects resulting from the use of the Earth's resources. Prayer preceded the hunting of animals. Crop rotation and natural fertilizer ensured that the soil would not be destroyed. Harmony was sought with the Earth's moods and habits.
Sexuality Seen as Positive: Consider the Beltane Festival of ancient pagan England. Young women and men met at Avebury circle for dancing. The celebration continued with marriage and sexual rites at the sacred stone henge. The celebration was honored by the community as a sacred expression of the new moon (the Goddess) and the coming of Spring. Also known for its rich sexuality was idyllic Crete. Its artwork and artifacts reflect joyous sexuality, sensual garments and love of the dance. In these lands, the art of love was sacred-not lewd and unspeakable.
Connectedness and Oneness: Ancient people knew that we are all connected together, part of the same living essence. History suggests that the greed and materialism of the succeeding cultures sought to eradicate our remembrance of our spiritual and cosmic connectedness. The sacred truth of oneness does not support class hierarchy, imperialistic rule, or corporate controlled society.
Art and Creativity Nurtured: Art was considered a sacred and awesome expression of the mysteries of life. There is speculation by some that ancient tribal peoples discouraged individual expression and creatively in favor of the need to support community or tribal needs. The diversity of imagery, crafted work and dance that were handed down from these cultures, however, would certainly argue that question.
More Equality: Consistently, studies of Neolithic matrifocal society reveal that life was generally egalitarian. This theme runs through the writing of diverse authors such as Marija Gimbutas (archeologist), Eric Fromm (psychologist) and Sjoo and Mor (historians). This has been established through burial practices and surviving artifacts. Gross exploitation of the masses for the material gratification of the elites (or the women) was not evidenced.
Materialism De-emphasized: These people's spiritual connection to the Divine taught them that accumulation of material possessions is not what brings joy in life. This does not mean that material abundance was not celebrated-but it was not horded at the expense of exploited classes, or the less fortunate. For example, in Sumer, written records show that temple orchards and crops were made available to those in need. This contrasted sharply with the impinging patriarchal territories, whose priestly class took the concept of ownership to a new level.
Inclusive Spirituality: Worshipers of the Goddess know that Inanna, Brigid, Kali and Isis-and Jehovah, Mithra and Shiva were images of the same divine Spirit. They did not fear and criticize the religion of their neighbors, except of course when those religions' followers attempted to convert, subjugate or slaughter them. Their inclusive spirituality taught them that spirituality is universal. And in that way their beliefs seem more genuinely monotheistic than those of our Western religions.
Intuition Honored: We can clearly see that the people of old were intuitive. Their descendants of spirit are the pagan revivalists, the Native Americans, the Sufis, the Taoists, and generally the peoples of indigenous cultures who have retained the time-honored ways. The Goddess peoples were in touch with their hearts and Spirit, and their leaders affirmed their inner sensings and knowings. They had not yet been brainwashed with the premise that scientific and left brain thinking is superior. They were in touch with the earth's energy forces-the underground currents, energy from the planets and stars, and the life force energy that moves through our bodies. The wisdom that was destroyed by their jealous successors, we are only beginning to reabsorb.
All these traits seem to honor the feminine nature-our feminine side. Fortunately, these faculties lie with each of us, female and male. Sometimes they lie dormant, but as community and world spirituality develop, they are yearning to be expressed. To merge with the gentler values of our time and stand firm in the face of the frenzied materialistic front. They are here for us to embrace, and to blend with the values of those who would create a world that honors and sustains all the Earth's peoples.
Rabia Stuve is a seeker of spiritual growth. She has explored many religious, spiritual and mystical paths, and enjoys writing about spirituality and her experiences. She chose her spiritual master, "Sadhguru" and Isha Foundation after spending years of exploring a number of spiritual paths. Rabia now practices Isha Yoga which consists of a powerful meditation technique, Shambhavi Maha Mudra, which can be practiced by anyone and is compatible with all religious and spiritual paths. This Isha Yoga is designed by Sadhguru - Mystic and the founder of Isha Foundation. Sadhguru has called this process "Inner Engineering." Inner Engineering includes a participative class experience and an Online segment for anyone to begin this Yoga practice.
