Happy International Women’s Day!
Years ago, I found myself sitting in a tiny, dark performance venue in NYCs Lower East Side. I was super excited to see the famed Living Theatre perform live! In the 1960s and 70s, the Living Theatre had become known for their experimental and avant-garde style and productions that were anti-war focused and critical of capitalist greed. They were, and remain, theatre for social change.
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After their performance, they held a Q&A with the cast. I distinctly remember one of the younger cast-members who, through clenched teeth and shaking fists, seethed with anger he could hardly contain as he demanded peace and an end to war. Perplexed, I thought to myself, for a company that promotes non-violence, this is such a strange call for peace on behalf of one of their members.
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It was then that I recalled a quote from Brian Browne Walker’s translation of the Hua Hu Ching, “If you want to awaken humanity, then awaken all of yourself. If you want to eliminate the suffering in the world, then eliminate all that is dark and negative in yourself.” I realized then that the world peace many of us seek can only be achieved when enough people commit to cultivating inner peace within themselves. The outer world is a collective reflection of each individual’s inner dramas and inability to face and come to terms with their own deepest fears and demons.
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In a way, this is the essence behind Journey to the Goddess. When I embarked on my pilgrimage to Mary Magdalene’s sacred sites in France back in 2014, I was certain that I was going on this quest to find Her, the “real” Mary Magdalene. But by the end of my journey, I realized that my pilgrimage wasn’t really about Her at all. My outer journey to Mary Magdalen was, in actuality, an inner journey to know what it means to be a woman through the very act of seeking Her.
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Thus, the Journey to the Goddess is a journey of inner awakening. And the Goddess (or god, divinity, or whatever your object of attention), is the vehicle that points the seeker in the direction of this awakening. I believe that such an awakening can cultivate an inner peace to live by, even in the midst of all the challenges the outer world presents.
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It has been eight years since I first embarked on my life-long Journey to the Goddess. I still struggle with my own inner demons and my heart aches for the suffering in the world and also for our Earth Mother. And perhaps a cultivation of inner peace does not preclude compassion for one’s suffering and the suffering of others.
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I fell hope for the future because of the great community of women (and men) around me who are bringing healing to the world, even if in a very (seemingly) small and simple way.
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Over the past few weeks, Deva Premal and Miten have continued to chant the Gayatri mantra for peace; Lama Tsultrim Allione has invited her community to invoke the 13th Tārā, Yülle Gyaljema, “to help end war and the conditions of war”; CODEPINK, the women-led, non-violent movement for peace has continued their call for peace around the world; recognizing that women and children are disproportionately impacted by war and conflict, Women for Women International continues to bring resources and aid to women in these worldwide conflict situations; and finally, the Israel singer Yael Deckelbaum brings together women from warring communities (Israeli and Palestine, for example) to sing for peace. And these are but only a few of the women and women-led groups taking a stand for peace around the world.
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Today, on International Women’s Day, I invite everyone to do one simple thing to get in touch with that peaceful place within.
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This weekend, I’ll be speaking in more detail about my own Journey to the Goddess and how, to my surprise, graduate school has been central to my own spiritual blossoming. Details in the Goddess News section.
Goddess Blessings to all.
🌺 Annalisa, PhD
IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
Journey to the Goddess TV Episodes
Goddess News
What I’m Reading
Feature: Women to Follow
Upcoming Interviews
DON’T FORGET . . .
SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel! It’s Free!
Latest Episode:
Have you ever looked at your tarot cards and wondered if the tarot is sexist?
Dr. Lisa Skura did and decided to explore the origins of the images in one of the oldest known complete tarot decks, the Sola Busca, made in Italy in the 15th century.
Of the 5 (Lisa argues there are 6) female images in the tarot, Lisa uncovers the mythic and historical symbolism roots. She argues that the female images in the tarot go back to pre-patriarchal goddess worship and its usurpation by male-centered fool--hero myths!
The question remains: Even though the tarot as we have it today has sexist roots, can we reclaim it as empowering for women?
Find out in my most recent talk: "Exploring the Myths, Symbols, & Archetypes of the Feminine in the Sola Busca tarot" with Dr. Lisa Skura.
Vintage Episodes:
Back in January 2020, (Oh, those pre-pandemic days), I teamed up with Kris Oster, PhD to devote a 4-part series to "Sacred Pleasure and the Goddess."
In this series, Kris discusses her approach to life and business as she integrates and celebrates sacred pleasure vis-a-vis the divine feminine.
If you’re like me, you have a deep desire and passion for the work you do in the world, but struggle with workaholism, perfectionism, and “the struggle” to get it all done.
If so, then check out this conversation that's sure to give you a deeply connected and sensuously embodied approach to your work.
Goddess News
I’m thrilled to be sharing my Journey to the Goddess origin story with a new audience! Most of all, I look forward to sharing why womb healing is spiritual healing.
To join this free March 12th summit on Lightworkers Journeys of Awakening, register here: https://go.zarastarchild.com/optin-meoz08qv6d
The Association for the Study of Women and Mythology will be holding their 2022 Symposium on April 10th. For Registration, click here: ASWM SYMPOSIUM
“Goddess Embroideries of Ukraine as Prayers for Peace” by Laura Shannon. Originally published on Feminism and Religion.
What I’m Reading
Honestly, I’m in the middle of at least 5 books at the moment. It reminds me of that old adage: You can take the woman out of graduate school, but you can’t take graduate school out of the woman…
“The Making of the Magdalen: Preaching and Popular Devotion in the Later Middle Ages”
I can not say that this is a pleasurable book to read, but it is a meticulously detailed account of—you got it—the making of Mary Magdalene in the mythic imaginations of the Middle Ages. It is rich in source material and offers a nuanced discussion of the many ways that sexist ideas infiltrate the making of Mary Magdalene into both a sinner and a saint. If you’re like me and you have a burning desire to know the difference between the Biblical Mary Magdalene versus the Magdalene that has come down to us today, then this is your book.
Feature: Women to Follow
I remember the first time I encountered CODEPINK. I was rushing to get myself out of Times Square as quickly as possible. I remember stopping in my tracks at the sight of this group of mostly women, dressed in bright pink, protesting for peace and the removal of US troops from Iraq. That memory has stuck with me all these years. Moreover, their clarion call for peace is more and more prescient as endless warring seems to be bringing humanity to the edge of extinction.
Originally started by Jodie Evans, Medea Benjamin, and Gael Murphy, CODEPINK is a national organization with an international reach. Their mission is rooted in and sustained by non-violent principles with one central goal in mind: to support the lives and wellbeing of human and non-human life on earth through the a commitment to peace.
As their website states: “CODEPINK is a women-led grassroots organization working to end U.S. wars and militarism, support peace and human rights initiatives, and redirect our tax dollars into healthcare, education, green jobs and other life-affirming programs.”
Last weekend, CODEPINK protests for peace in Ukraine spread across the world.
Join their movement for peace at: CODEPINK
Upcoming Interviews:
MARCH 2022
Yours Truly!
I’ll be debuting two episodes that focus on my work to “resacralize menstruation.” First up, a presentation of my doctoral work followed by a panel discussion with some amazing women.
In the following episode, I will discuss the origin story and symbolic meanings encoded in my 2018 performance piece, “A Ritual Puja for Menstruation.”