Finding the Goddess in You

I have been an utter crank lately. So today I want to be completely positive. I’ve loaded up on chocolate and played some upbeat music (although do you think Britney Spears ripped off the Bellamy Brothers? Difficult to call for me.)

I’ve written before that I have always been closer to male Gods than female Goddesses. I’m trying to work on that. I’m housesitting for a nice lesbian lady who’s house is full of Goddess images and feminine energy. I’m working with my female ancestors more. I’m thinking more about what it means to be a Pagan woman. Yet the thing that is helping me the most is you. Yes, you. The Pagan women I have come to know as friends and internet acquaintances.

Over the past year I’ve managed to meet some phenomenal Pagan women. Some famous, some not. Crones and maidens and mothers and everything inbetween. Women who embody every possible aspect of being female. Women with children. Women who chose to remain childless. Women in long committed relationships, women who create loving fluid relationships, women who are happily alone. Women who work to benefit the community in myriad ways.

The most important of these have been my priestess. Lady Jasmine has been very supportive of me and very patient with me. I am not an easy student to have. I am cranky, opinionated and often silly when I should be serious. Yet she has taught me for this past year with wisdom, humor and a staunch confidence in her views. Which is good because I am an odd Wiccan and a bad student. She has exemplified loyalty, hospitality, friendship, wisdom and discipline. Being her student reminds me that just because my head is full of random trivia doesn’t mean I still don’t have a lot of practical Witchcraft to learn. After leading my first group ritual a few weeks ago I am in awe of the work she puts into every ritual. Being her student has been a great experience for me and I hope I do her honor by living out what she has taught me.

There are many other women in my tradition who are also wise, gracious and have taught me a lot, even without realizing it. Seeing my “mother coven” fall in to preparing for a ritual is amazing. It’s like a small village working coming to life. Astounds me. Not to leave out the men, my priest and the men of my tradition are incredible people, but I just needed to give credit to the women today.

There are the women I have met at festivals and writers I have met through my work at Patheos. They are strong, joyful and compassionate people. All so different and beautiful in their own ways. There are woman I have met through Facebook, through Twitter, through podcasts and as readers of this blog who inspire me everyday.

It’s becoming more and more clear to me that despite what Jean Paul-Satre says, the Goddesses are in other women. They are all around me. They are there in your words, your voices, your faces, your movements, you actions and your spirits. I feel blessed to know the women in my life. I’m the least Goddessy curmudgeon you’ll ever see, but in knowing and interacting with really fabulous Pagan women I think I’m becoming a better woman. I think becoming more feminine when I see the Goddesses in you.

*I didn’t name a bunch of names because I didn’t want to forget anyone. I named my priestess just because she deserves it. Seriously. She puts up with me!