There is a re-emerging interest in the Divine Feminine in popular culture and spirituality. Women and Men are asking: who is The Goddess and where has she been for 2000 years?
Many people don’t even realize that the belief and practice of honoring the divine feminine (typified as Goddess, Mother, Earth, Holy Spirit) is an ancient practice that still exists in many of the world’s religions, and it formulates the very core of today’s popular “Goddess Spirituality” movement.
The Feminine Faces of God with Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway takes a lively, fun, interactive and interfaith approach to discovering the many female faces and names of the divine. It is offered in several formatts and adapted for each audience:
* one-day seminar for clergy, seminarians and spiritual couselors, with insights on how to include the divine feminine in ministry and counseling, with a special focus on addressing women's spirituality.
* one day or half day seminar for women's groups.
(Laurie Sue also addresses aspects of this topic in inspirational talks, lectures and her beliefnet.com group, "Honor the Goddess")
The Feminine Faces of God teaches the historical and religious significance of the Divine Feminine, demystifies the mysteries of Goddess worship and educates about different modalities of Goddess spirituality. The seminar offers a global, historical and interfaith perspective on The Feminine Divine. It also explores how the female aspects of the divine are applicable to men, women and children of all faiths and traditions -- in addition to, not instead of, the male divine.
PART ONE
The History of The Goddess: How and where She began. When did things change and why? What was the series of events that changed the course of the history of worship of The Divine as Feminine? Why was she lost for 2000 years – or was she?
The Mythology of The Goddess: A look at some of the famous mythologies we all grew up with; where did they come from and how do they apply to inclusion of the Goddess in spirituality today. Commentary on where history and mythology meet.
The Many Feminine Faces of God: Introductions to some popular female deities from many cultures. “Biographies” of many Goddesses and other Divine Females, from around the world and through the ages.
PART TWO
The World Religions and The Goddess: What religions actively include the divine feminine today? What is the role of the Goddess in those religions – such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Tibetan Buddhism? What kind of clout and power does the Goddess have? Is she equal and in partnership with her male counterpart and consort? Does she stand-alone? What do people of the world’s religions pray to a Goddess for?
Goddess-Based Pagan Religions: A primer on Wicca, Celtic Paganism, and the general concept of earth-based religion and Goddess Spirituality. Includes insight into the principles and tenants, explains why all work is done in a circle and explores the question is there a difference between a “spell” and a “prayer?” Why some people of the Pagan faith call themselves witches? What is the role of Pagan clergy, what do they call themselves and what is their ordination ceremony like?
PART THREE:
Toward an interfaith inclusion of The Goddess: How to bring the Goddess into interfaith worship and evoke her in ceremony in a natural way. Modes of inclusion – altars, images, stories, prayers, invocations, ceremony.
Women’s Spirituality: Women often take a different approach to spiritual life; our dark nights of the soul and heroine’s journey often happen at the kitchen table, or in between responsibilities for home and family. How can women acknowledge and honor their spiritual needs? How can they include their husbands, mates and children in the journey? How and where can women reach out for spiritual counseling and direction? There is a time honored tradition of women gathering for spiritual sustenance, empowerment and support; how can women enhance their lives and serve their community by creating women’s spirituality groups and sacred circles?
PART FOUR and CLOSING
A Goddess Ritual: Calling upon different faiths and spiritual traditions, an interfaith or non-denominational Goddess ritual that gives a hands-on experience and offers a gentle experience of the Goddess.
Hand Outs:
Book list, prayers, and copies of the ritual.
On the deepest level, this knowledge, understanding and wisdom must be restored to modern consciousness in order for balance, compassion and open-heartedness to once again find its place in humanity. Without the Divine Feminine and the energy of the sacred female, we are not whole –individually or as a planet.
Understanding the nature of the divine feminine and her worship, historically and in our modern culture, can help rectify imbalance in individuals, relationships and our world and bring our western culture into alignment with the consciousness and connectivity that earth-based religions and eastern faiths have never forgotten.
It will also help women in rediscovering an important part of themselves -- their human and divine heritage -- and empower them to get to know the Goddess Within.
