The Faces of the Goddess

For the first time in a long time, I have resumed my quest for knowledge of the ancient mysteries in a very real way.  When I think of the Great Goddess, I think first of meteorite, and I do believe that the sacred stone of the Kaaba is meteorite.

There are a number of sacred stones that were regarded by the ancients as somehow more than ordinary minerals, and in most cases, dedicated to the Gods or Goddess.  The traditional necklace of power for pagan priestesses (which is one of the most ancient symbols or attributes of the Goddess, and one that had to be surrendered to Death at the Gate by Inanna, is made from alternating Jet and Amber.  Both are transformed substances that originally existing on this Earth in a different form.  Amber is the fossilised resin of Trees and Jet is the fossilised form of Coal.

Meteorites are stones that the ancients experienced as attacks from the Gods or as dangerous gifts from the Gods, huge, heavy stones hurled at the Earth from the heavens.  Throughout the world, one can find meteorite metal mixed into warriors' blades and symbols of kingship or priesthood.

Yet, the ancient Egyptians used Basalt.  It is a much softer medium, of course, kind to the carver, far easier to move or transport once a statue of a God or Goddess has been fashioned, than an enormous hunk of skystone.

The origin of many Gods is perceived or known by tradition as a Cave.  This is true of the Great Mother, the Goddess Cybele, and this is true of Jesus Christ, born in a 'stable' that actually probably originally was a cave behind an Inn in Bethlehem.  The meaning of the town's name is 'House of Meat' and it is very interesting to read the description of Inanna's descent in the context of the significance of the birthplace of the Christ.

For it was in the Underworld, to which access for the Sumerians always was given through a sort of underground house with steps, that Inanna first surrendered all her attributes and symbols of power and then was hung upon a meathook to be tormented by flies.

Rocks, underground temples, caves, goats, wine, evergreens, sacrifices of manhood or womanhood... dismemberment of gods... all these must be explored.

Today I found a quote about goats:  This is from a book entitled 'The Riddle of the Earth' and focuses too much on the religion of the Hebrews, but even so:

Aaron made images of Golden Calves at Mount Sinai, a Volcano, for the same reason, and Mt. Seir, as the passages show, Goat Mountain, was anotgher volcano.  'Little Goats' is still a term employed by the Spaniards to indicate meteors, and comets or meteors, 'gods that came newly up' were the centre of a cult which as dolmens and cromlechs, pillar stones and round temples of upright stone yield evidence, prevailed throughout Europe, particularly in the British Isles, Brittamy and Normandy and are traced as far afield as America, India, and Japan.'

Hell with it... just add photographs of the text for now:

What interests me here most is the term 'little goats' for use with meteorites.

The Crown of the Martyr

As a child, I thought that Martyrdom was quite a logical end to Life.  It represented meaning rather than random Death.  It was the best punctuation for the end of the sentence of Existence on this Earth.  I always have been a deeply spiritual individual, although in time, I came to have little trust in organisations and the 'human' elements in any religion.  My own Faith is Roman Catholic, primarily because of the 'magic' of the Sacraments, and especially the belief in transubstantiation...  Whatever the priest may or may not be in his own time, he holds that incredible power to transform a wafer and a cup of wine into the Body and Blood of God!  The other reason I adhere somewhat to this Faith is the Blessed Virgin.  I do not trust any religion that does not place any Women in high regard. Motherhood is another form of Magic and the Blessed Virgin suffered almost as much as Christ, yielding to the necessity of the Ultimate Sacrifice of her Beloved Son.  That is no small achievement.  I doubt I could watch as my Child met a terrible torture and death!

At the same time, I am some one who has studied and followed the ancient Northern 'Pagan' traditions, who sees Odhinn in the same light as Christ, who has participated in the rites of Muharram and wept for Imam Hussayn.  I do believe there is more than one path to Wisdom and more than one path to find 'nearness to God' or as it is put in Arabic 'qurbatan ilallah'.

Martyrs are extraordinary of course.  I have nothing but admiration for the Martyrs for Palestine.   Martyrdom for a cause that is above and beyond any consideration of personal gain or profit is noble in theory.  The problem is that so often, Causes are controlled by dishonest individuals.  Martyrdom for Freedom from Occupation in Palestine is indeed laudable but who would benefit?  It is not the people of Palestine, but the often corrupt Leaders who purport to represent them who reap any rewards in these cases.  In most cases, it is the People who are punished as well, who carry the burden of the cost.

A childhood hero of mine was the Stuart King, Charles I of England.  He was a true Martyr, who did not falter nor seek mercy when he realised he would be executed by his enemies.  In my own imagination, I have lived through the drama again and again and wondered if I would show any courage or be a coward ultimately.  As people have declared over and over, it is impossible to know until one is tested.  Do I want a martyr's Crown?  It once was thought to be the ultimate goal for any one who had principles, but apart from anything else, the irony is that the older one grows, the less invested one is in sacrificing life for 'ideals'.  Yes, I still have ideals and I wish that the world were different, but what I see in the end is that martyrs for the most part die for a cause that has corrupt elements.  Their hearts are pure, but the cause is NOT pure.

For what or whom would I be willing to die now?  I suppose the answer to that is less clear than it once was.  Circumstances probably would dictate it entirely.  If my daughter's life were in question, I hope I would have the courage to give mine instead.  As far as my other heroes are concerned and their own sacrifices, Odhinn remains very high on the list, although, as a God, he did not perish despite the pain and suffering he offered in sacrifice.  To risk life for wisdom and the knowledge of other realities or worlds still to me is a worthy aim.  Unfortunately, although I suffer from severe chronic pain, that does not catapult nor draw me towards any real enlightenment or vision for the most part, except for one point in hospital when I believe I 'flatlined' briefly and had a very clear and detailed vision of Our Lady and Christ.  The message there, when I asked why one had to suffer so much pain was that pain is what gives us the ability to empathise with other creatures.  Fair enough.  It does make sense!