goddess

a female deity

A goddess is a female deity, in contrast with a male deity known as a "god (male deity)god". A great many cultures have goddesses, sometimes alone, but more often as part of a larger wiktionary:pantheonpantheon that includes both of the conventional genders and in some cases even hermaphroditic (or gender neutral) deities.As the concept of monotheism and polytheism can be relativistic, so too can related concepts be culturally misunderstood. The concept of gender as applied to a god and goddess, may connote deeper tendencies of patriarchy and matriarchy, which may have equivalence to the rift between monotheism and polytheism. The Goddess concept is advocated by modern matriarchs and pantheists as a female version of, or analogue to God, (i.e. the Abrahamic god) who in feminist and other circles is perceived as being rooted in patriarchal concept of dominance— much to the exclusion of feminine concepts.Use of parallel language such as "patriarchy" and "matriarchy" to indicate gender tendencies can add to the misunderstanding of the social organizational preferences of women and men, as evidenced in archaeological and cultural anthropological findings.The feminine-masculine relationship between deifications is sometimes rooted in monism, ("One-ism") rather than through a definitive and rigid concept of monotheism versus polytheism, wherein the Goddess and God are seen as the genders of one transcendental monad.

Hinduism - Hinduism is a complex of various belief systems that sees many gods and goddesses as being representative of and/or emanative from a single source, Brahman, understood either as a formless, infinite, impersonal monad in the Advaita tradition or as a dual God in the form of Lakshmi-Vishnu, Radha-Krishna, Devi-Shiva in Dvaita traditions. Shaktas, worshippers of the Goddess, equate this God with Devi, the mother goddess. Such aspects of One God as male God (Shaktiman) and female energy (Shakti), working as a pair are often envisioned as male gods and their wives and provide many analogues between passive male ground and dynamic female energy. Brahma (god)Brahma pairs with Sarasvati and Shiva with Uma (goddess)Uma, Parvati, or Durga. Kali is a form of Parvati.A further step was taken by the idea of the ''Shaktis''. Their ideology based mainly on tantras sees Shakti as the principle of energy through which all divinity functions, thus showing the masculine to be dependent on the feminine. Indeed, in the great shakta scripture known as the Devi Mahatmya, all the goddesses are shown to be aspects of one presiding female force, one in truth and many in expression, giving the world and the cosmos the galvanic energy for motion. It is expressed through both philosophical tracts and metaphor that the potentiality of masculine being is given actuation by the feminine divine.Local deities of different village regions in India are easily seen by outsiders as their own Goddess in different form, a process that has been called Sanskritization. It comes from a common misunderstanding of various aspects of the same personality as various independent personalities. Others attribute it to the influence of monism or ''Advaita'' which discounts polytheist or monotheist categorization.While the monist forces have led to a fusion between some of the goddesses (108 names are common for many goddesses), centrifugal forces have also resulted in new goddesses and rituals gaining ascendance among the laity in different parts of Hindu world. Thus, the immensely popular goddess Durga was a pre-Vedic goddess who was later fused with Parvati, a process that can be traced through texts such as Kalika Purana (10th century), Durgabhaktitarangini (Vidyapati 15th century), Chandimangal (16th century) etc.

Judaism and Christianity - MonotheismMonotheist cultures, which recognise only one central deity, generally do implicitly or explicitly characterize that deity as male; e.g. in English by using the masculine pronoun, and words like "Father", "Son", and "Lord". This trend has almost entirely excluded the feminine pronoun "she" as sacred, and images such as "Mother", "Daughter", and "Lady" as divine. In some language, this may be nothing more than an artefact of language, which uses the masculine gender also as "default" gender, or for mixed groups. Although mainstream Judaism uses masculine words to describe God, Judaism maintains that God has no gender.While some mystics within the monotheist religions have used markedly feminine terms, e.g. the Collyridians in the time of early Christianity, who viewed Mary, the mother of Jesus Mary as a Goddess, the medieval visionary Julian of Norwich, the Judaism Judaic Shekinah and the Gnostic Sophia (gnosticism)Sophia traditions, and some Sufism Sufi texts in Islam, belief in a feminine deity under Christianity was usually deemed heretical, and characteristic of heresy. Since the 1980s Christian feminists have challenged this view; some such as Mary Daly no longer consider themselves Christian but others continue to seek room within their traditions for the Divine Feminine and for female spiritual leadership. (See thealogy.)

Pre-Islamic Arabia - In the pagan religion prevalent in Arabia before Islam, a number of goddesses were worshipped, including the three referred to as daughters of Allah: Al-Lat, Al-Uzza and Manat. In the 1990s, Salman Rushdie has brought this issue in the limelight. At the core of the argument is the following apocryphal verse which appears as a quotation in The Satanic Verses (novel):: (''tilk-al-gharaniq al-'ula wa inna shafa'ata-hunna la-turtaja'' - p.340 Viking, New York) meaning "These are the exalted females literally, - cranes whose intercession is to be desired." (In Arabic (language)Arabic تلك الغرانيق العلى وإن شفاعتهن لترتجى.) These lines are an antithesis of the strong monotheism that is Islam, and attributing it to the Prophet is blasphemy. The lines however, are part of a historical debate - they appear in the work of two early Arab historians (al-Waqidi, 747-823, and at-Tabari, 839-923), but repudiated by later Islamic scholars. The controversial sentence, known as Satanic Verses in the debate, was well known to Rushdie who wrote a paper on Muhammad for his University of CambridgeCambridge tripos in history.The story is that these lines were inserted into the Qur'an by Muhammad so as to alleviate the persecution of the faithful by those who believed strongly in these goddesses. However, later these lines were recanted::He stands in front of the statues of the Three and announces the abrogation of the verses which Shaitan Satan whispered in his ear. These verses are banished from the true recitation, al qur'an. New verses are thundered in their place. 'Shall He have daughters and you sons?' Mahound recites. 'That would be a fine division! These are but names you have dreamed of, and your fathers. Allah vests no authority on them.' - p.124Muhammad Haykal (author of the "Life of Muhammad") comments that "the story arrested the attention of the western Orientalists who took it as true and repeated it ad nauseam." (Haykal 105). According to Haykal, The controversy over what is known as the "Gharaniq incident" is that it is a fabrication created by the unbelievers of Mecca in the early days of Islam. The main argument against the authenticity of the two verses in Haykal's work and elsewhere is that "its incoherence is evident upon the least scrutiny. It contradicts the infallibility of every prophet in conveying the message of His Lord." (Haykal 107). Haykal then concluded that "this story of the goddesses is a fabrication and a forgery, authored by the enemies of Islam after the first century of Hijrah" (Haykal 144). ? !satanicverses.mihanblog.com

New religious movements -

Wicca and Neopaganism - WiccaWiccan practice generally includes veneration of the Great Goddess along with the Horned God, though Dianic WiccaDianic Wiccans celebrate only the Goddess or goddesses. Wiccan mythology mostly draws on ancient European mythology, which informs other kinds of neopaganism, and other neopagans are interested in reconstructing various ancient pagan religions directly.Many pagans today draw a connection between a Mother Earth goddess and ecological concerns.The Goddess can appear as the "Lady of the Ten Thousand Names", as did Isis. Adherents refer to her as 'Queen of Heaven', 'Lady of the Beasts', 'Creatrix' and just 'the Lady.' Worshippers sometimes approach her through her different aspects, represented by individual goddesses like Sarasvati, Lakshmi, Uma, Kali (of the Hindu tradition) Isis, Guan Yin, Pele (Goddess)Pele or Athena.Some Wiccans perceive the goddess Aradia (goddess)Aradia as a kind of messiah messianic Daughter deity. They revere the ''yoni'' or vulva as a symbol of the Goddess, together with the cowrie shell, the (Moon) Crescent, the Earth, the Serpent, the Tree, the five pointed pentagram and the Eight Pointed Star, the Quartered Circle (compare Celtic Cross), and many animals and birds.

Triple Goddess - symbol.]]Goddesses or demi-goddesses appear in sets of three in a number of ancient European pagan mythologies; these include the Greek ''Erinyes'' (Furies) and ''Moirae'' (Fates); the Norse ''Norns'' (Fates); Brighid and her two sisters, also called Brighid, from Irish or Keltoi mythology, and so on. One might also see the three witches in Shakespeare's Macbeth as following this pattern. Robert Graves popularised the triad of "Maiden" (or "Virgin"), "Mother" and "Crone", and while this idea did not rest on sound scholarship, his poetic inspiration has gained a tenacious hold. Considerable variation in the precise conceptions of these figures exists, as typically occurs in Neopaganism and indeed in pagan religions in general. Some choose to interpret them as three stages in a woman's life, separated by menarche and menopause. Others find this too biologically based and rigid, and prefer a freer interpretation, with the Maiden as birth (independent, self-centred, seeking), the Mother as giving birth (interrelated, compassionate nurturing, creating), and the Crone as death and renewal (wholistic, remote, unknowable) — and all three erotic and wise. Often three of the four phases of the moon (waxing, full, waning) symbolise the three aspects of the Triple Goddess: put together they appear in a single symbol comprising a circle flanked by two mirrored crescents. Some, however, find the triple incomplete, and prefer to add a fourth aspect. This might be a "Dark Goddess" or "Wisewoman", perhaps as suggested by the missing dark of the moon in the symbolism above, or it might be a specifically erotic goddess standing for a phase of life between Maiden (Virgin) and Mother, or a Warrior between Mother and Crone. There is a male counterpart of this in the English poem "The Parlement of the Thre Ages".The Triple Goddess as Maiden, Mother and Crone has also reached modern popular culture, such as Neil Gaiman's own conception of the Furies in ''The Sandman (DC Comics Modern Age)The Sandman'', and elsewhere.

Religious feminism - Main article: Goddess movement''The Goddess movement is a religious movement in the West focused on goddesses or more usually a single "Great Goddess".sectstub

Secular use - The term "goddess" has recently found an ever more popular and secular use to describe female sex appeal the males succumb to. Young single ladies (see Bridget Jones) want to feel like a goddess. Extremely desirable actresses, singers, sportswomen and other lady celebrities are often described by Sunday press as sex goddesses (see Marilyn Monroe, Elle MacPherson, Kylie Minogue, Anna Kournikova, etc.) Several TV advertisements promptly took advantage of this trend (e.g. Gilette Venus ladies' razors).There is also the term "domestic goddess".

See also -

God (male deity)

Charge of the Goddess

Goddess movement

Goddess worship

List of deities

Mythology

!PaganismCategory:GoddessesCate gory:New? !Agede:Göttines:Diosaeo:Diinoj a:女神sl:boginjasv :Gudinna

The Lycian Sanctuary
Official website for the Lycian Tradition of Wicca.
http://www.lycianwicca.org/

Moonlit River: Goddess School, Shamanic Healing, Reiki
Moonlit River is a nondenominational eclectic site. You will find learning, healing and self-growth opportunities. All are welcome who come with an open heart and an open mind. Come in and make yourself at home.
http://www.moonlitriver.com/

The Oklahoma Pagan Association
OKPagan is non-tradition specific. We are a networking group located within Oklahoma. We work with many groups and faith based systems to make available the many programs, classes, events, and opportunities that we offer our communities. Our interest is to make available information on multiple traditions, groups, covens, classes, and events within Oklahoma, to create an atmosphere where people from across the State can come together to experience different faith systems and practices, to help those who are looking for a specific group or class to more easily find it. We have grown exponentially since our start in 1997, and we have all of you to thank for that. We hope to grow even larger and offer more services and provide you even more. In order to do that please help us to further publicize this site by linking to it from your own group or personal web space. The instructions for doing so are found here.
http://www.okpagan.com/

Woman Thou Art God - The University of Mother God Church
Guru Rasa Von Werder's teachings on Matriarchy, Female Empowerment, the Feminine Divine, Yoga, Christianity, Mystical Union, the Beatific Vision, Self Realization, Enlightenment, Visions and Her Dictionary of Dream Symbols.
http://www.womanthouartgod.com/

Divyn Inspiration
A free Adult lifestyles community and online image gallery featuring many of the top model sites featuring beatiful women
http://www.divyn.com/

SunBell Music Presents 'bell the cat' - Songs From The Wild
Twist your mind with award-winning, on the edge, powerful, blazing, colorful, sultry BLUES, ROCK, ALTERNATIVE, POP, ADULT CONTEMPORARY, OUT & PROUD, FOLK ROCK, and TONGUE-IN-CHEEK HUMOROUS musical stories. 'bell the cat' uses creative, artistic expression to heal, journey, share love, laughter, awareness & peace through music on Songs From The Wild. Eclectic music written by Sun Bell.
http://www.sunbellmusic.com/

The Goddess Athena of Sirens
Come, be tempted and find yourself at the mercy of a genuine Female Supremacist. Professional BDSM and Fantasy sessions in San Francisco. Release yourself, there is no shame.
http://www.sfsirens.com/

Hippie Goddess
The Webs first Hippie based nudes website with natural Goddess friendly nude hippie girls
http://www.hippiegoddess.com/

net age
Join the ongoing spiritual development of a global mind change unleashed by the Internet
http://www.netage.org/

Weaving Art Museum
The Weaving Art Museum is a nonprofit art organization dedicated to raising awareness for historic masterpiece weavings from the Near East. A number of virtual galleries present historic masterpieces of textile art and, of course, oriental rugs as well.
http://www.weavingartmuseum.org/

www.metaphysicalsolutions.com
Learn about energy field/karma/space clearing. Ask questions, order essences to empower your energy field. Order absent healing/space clearing sessions
http://www.metaphysicalsolutions.com/

The New Gnosis
Essays on old and contemporary gnosis, on gnosis and politics, occult societies, philosophy and contemporary sources, picture gallery with gnostic-poetic interpretations.
http://www.thenewgnosis.org/

Fantasy and Goddess Art by Sharon George - Digital Painter
Exquisite archival quality prints for sale. Fantasy and goddess art by award winning digital painter Sharon George.
http://www.fantasy-goddess-art.com

Spirit and Flesh
The union of spirit and flesh creates a subtle new harmony. Two unique worlds come together, and through our hearts unite into one.
http://www.spiritandflesh.net/

The Legend of Dagad Trikon
The Legend of Dagad Trikon is an extraordinary synthesis of disparate mythologies, Eastern and Western, into a seamless whole. This gripping and compelling saga unveils a grand quest of self-discovery that kept seekers of spiritual truth in the East and West equally busy for many millennia. Meet a range of unforgettable characters, Lancelot of the Lake and Guinevere in their present-day incarnations, and the Divine Mother in a sari shop.Much of the story in modern times is an account of a search for ten caskets, in which esoteric knowledge was recorded and distributed to the four corners of the earth, by the Avasthas, an enlightened, ancient race who disappeared ten thousand years ago. They hoped that as the cycle of good and evil revolved to a better time, their secrets would help in the battle of good and evil. The Legend of Dagad Trikon is riveting to read, 'unputdownable', as the cliché goes. At its core is the assertion that man can transcend the current limits of the human mind and reach a new level of consciousness, indeed that this is the next stage in the evolution of homo sapiens.
http://www.dagadtrikon.com/

RugKazbah.com
RugKazbah's discussion board focuses on all aspects of the world of Oriental Rugs. Lively topics and posts provide a fresh and unexpurgated look at the market for these art-works, both at auction and private sales, as well as the personalities who revolve in this universe. With detailed information and illustrations, often unavailable through other website or publications, there is something here for everyone who ever wondered: What does that design mean?
http://www.RugKazbah.com/

Sophia Happening
The writings of Tanis Mager. Contemporary feminism and Goddess writings.
http://www.sophiahappening.net

Mary Marzo - Goddess Healing
Holistic Psychotherapy, Goddess Spirituality Workshops, Guided Meditations, Goddess Chants, CDs
http://www.goddesshealing.com/

Covenant of the Goddess
Web site for the covens and other groups in this tradition. Much information about different aspects of Pagan belief and history. One of the most well-established Wiccan groups.
http://www.cog.org/

Bowser, Jonathon
Official homepage of Canadian Artist's Mythical and Goddess art. Including online store, galleries, biography and resume.
http://www.JonathonArt.com

Scriptygoddess
A blog for people who don't know everything about scripts and stuff to learn from each other.
http://www.scriptygoddess.com/

Women in Greek Myths
A who's-who on all females in Greek mythology, with a section on Greek Men, and collection of myths.
http://www.paleothea.com

Goddess 2000 Project
"A Goddess on Every Block!" is a grass-roots spiritual art project with participants in 35 countries. The website has information on creating Goddesses and community.
http://www.goddess2000.org/