Dancing For The Goddess

One of my favorite memories is when I was 4 twirling across a large stage in front of a huge crowd of parents and grandparents and friends . My ballet company was one of the biggest things in my life at 4 and I remember it still at 52, like it was yesterday.

I danced for love and it came back to me and continues to return.

by Jewel Mathieson We have come to be danced not the pretty dance not the pretty pretty, pick me, pick me dance but the claw our way back into the belly of the sacred, sensual animal dance the unhinged, unplugged, cat is out of its box dance the holding the precious moment in the palms of our hands and feet dance We have come to be danced not the jiffy booby, shake your booty for him dance but the wring the sadness from our skin dance the blow the chip off our shoulder dance the slap the apology from our posture dance We have come to be danced not the monkey see, monkey do dance one, two dance like you one two three, dance like me dance but the grave robber, tomb stalker tearing scabs & scars open dance the rub the rhythm raw against our souls dance WE have come to be danced not the nice invisible, self conscious shuffle but the matted hair flying, voodoo mama shaman shakin’ ancient bones dance the strip us from our casings, return our wings sharpen our claws & tongues dance the shed dead cells and slip into the luminous skin of love dance We have come to be danced not the hold our breath and wallow in the shallow end of the floor dance but the meeting of the trinity: the body, breath & beat dance the shout hallelujah from the top of our thighs dance the mother may I? yes you may take 10 giant leaps dance the Olly Olly Oxen Free Free Free dance the everyone can come to our heaven dance We have come to be danced where the kingdom’s collide in the cathedral of flesh to burn back into the light to unravel, to play, to fly, to pray to root in skin sanctuary We have come to be dance We have come

Later in life , I found myself participating with some Vedic Theater actors . This work was so satisfying for me as a young mother . To express my acting in the Vedic tradition and carry on with theater in a sacred way.

Growing up in a house with two teachers and musician and artist was a great opportunity for me to begin acting in elementary school and bring in my dancing and music.

My father and mother bought me a cello at the age of 7 that was about the size of a small cat.

Music and theater was a portal for me from a young age.

I could go places away from the unexplained life I was living as a young child.

It still does

Back in the early part of 2000, I was asked to participate in a project called the Masks of The Goddess.

This Program was part of what Lauren Rain and Macha Nightmare created and it has continued into a new birth with the Masks of the Numina.

Ann Waters is producing a wonderful Awakening here in Willits with the same artist and shamanic visionary, Lauren Raine. 

I had written to Lauren earlier in the year about this reoccuring dream of a place of power where I often go to collect my energies and visit spirit helpers.

From this dream she told me about a woman who recently passed away after creating a basket mask.

She then was inspired to create this mask below.

Soon after she sent me the next phase of this Medicine Basket Piece.

I was stunned by how exact she had recreated the mask I illustrated in words to her .

The way the womans face came to life through the mask was exactly like how I experience it in my medicine power place.

It is now time for all the participants to collect their work and create their steps and costumes for the March 15th and 16th " Ides of March " Performance .

I had been thinking about my experiences with the Native People of North America and my history living with these amazing people .

Nearly all of us have some indigenous back ground and more and more of us ( like me ) have a whole collection of Nations we represent.

Thank goodness for the openminded people who have continued to pave the way for the Rainbow Bridge.

But dancing this mask is not just about the Native Americans.

The Basket Dance is everywhere as well as the Ghost Dance

If you look you will find that many traditionalists take up the Basket as a symbol of collecting ones "Self".

I am not performing the traditional Ghost Dance as it takes days of dedication to perform this dance .

I am dancing my own Ghost Dance / Round Dance.

A dance where I will find my clarity to forgive those things I could not forgive in the past and to offer up all the strength of universal Truth, as it is endless and the one True thing in life. 

You can see that it is becoming more and more a "thing" to dance out your emotions. 

Zoomba is big as well as the latest 1 million raising.

Gabriel Roth and the 5 Elements of Dance .

The lists continue to grow and with it seeds of hope.

We are returning to Dance and Sing from our Soul.

This medicine is what rocks our Mother Earth and keeps the stars laughing in the sky.

If more were to take time to dance and sing, I wonder what life would be like.

The Awakening is about waking up and seeing we are the keepers of the Future.

We are the chosen ones who hold the keys to unlock ignorance and take responsibility for the future by our own individual responsibility of daily mindfulness.

I am carrying the Medicine Basket in this production.

I carry it for those who have gone before me and for those who are ready to receive it's message.

Make your basket strong with integrity as your pitch .

Carry your emotions like potions of renewal and remember the respect for those who took part in weaving this basket you now take into yourself.

Collect yourself with thanksgiving songs daily and choose your words like gemstones to offer and not to harm others.

I found that many of my medicine friends have passed over since my work years ago.

Dancing this Ghost ( Round ) Dance is not about the 5 days of no sleep and sacrifice,

It is about me remembering. Re "Member" ing who I am as a peace keeper and a wisdom keeper.

It is about sharing my life with others in a healthy and strong way.

It is about balancing this basket and all its endless treasures with such care,

 that it may inspire others can carry their own baskets of truth.

We need nothing other then to realize we contain all we need within .

It is the search with out where we find ourselves lost.

"This is about your song. 

It will lead your feet to find your way home.

Dance your medicine dance and sing your medicine song.

You know the tune .. You know the steps

Twirl and hum

Whistle and sing

Dance and remember you are part of everything.'

M. Youngbear

I chose long ago to take ordination with Nephthys .

She is Isis's twin Sister of the Night .

She carrys the sorrow and protects all beings.

She steers her boat of wisdom on a river of our tears.

Her symbol is a basket or chalice that she carries on her head.

May I be a chalice of endless Light and Song .

May my footsteps be as full as they were when I was twirling around the stage at age 4, and may I remember that the Great Mother is and always will be seeded deep inside my inner temple.

I offer my dance to all people to find the clarity and certainty of Peace and Truth.

This same Peace and Truth that comes with the dawn each day.

Walk in Beauty .

Mana Youngbear A Human Being...

The Hymn of Isis From Thunder, Perfect Mind

The Hymn of Isis
From Thunder, Perfect Mind

Found in the Nag Hammadi Library, which was unearthed in 1945, this selection from the poetic Gnostic text Thunder, Perfect Mind has often been associated with Isis, since it shares many characteristics of a typical Isis aretalogy. This section, and the whole of the poem, have influenced much modern artistic expression, ranging from uses by novelists Toni Morrison, Umberto Eco, and Paulo Coehlo, to filmmaker Jordan Scott (the daughter of Ridley Scott), and by the musical groups, Tulku, Current 93, and Nurse with Wound. The praises of the mysterious Feminine Divinity evoke the universality of Isis in all her manifold forms.

I am the Beginning and the End. I am honored and scorned.
I am the prostitute and the saint. I am married and a maiden.
I am the mother and the daughter. I am the limbs of my mother.
I am barren
and my children are many.
I am she who married magnificently,
and I have no husband.
I am the one who brings children and I do
not bear children.
I am the consolation of labor pains. I am the bride and the bridegroom,
and my husband brought me forth. I am my father’s mother
and my husband’s sister, and he is my child.

I am the incomprehensible silence
and the idea often brought to mind.
I am the voice sounding throughout the world and the word appearing everywhere.
I am the sounding of my name,
For I am knowledge and ignorance.
I am shame and bravery.
I am without shame; I am full of shame.
I am power and I am trepidation.
I am conflict and peace.
Listen to me,
For I am the scandalous and magnificent one.

Statue of Isis-Persephone holding a sistrum, Roman period (180-190 CE). Archaeological Museum in Herakleion, Greece. Excavated from the Temple of the Egyptian Gods, Gortyn, Crete. Photo © 2009, Wolfgang Sauber/Wikimedia Commons.

Dulce Domum, Deena Celeste Butta From the blog of the Fellowship Of Isis.

Our gratitude to Linda Iles for creating such a beautiful cyber Memorial for our beloved family .
Deena has translated to another place of Beauty love truth and wisdom.
her work will always be cherished and remembered.
Mana youngbear Priestess of Isis 

MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013

Dulce Domum, Deena Celeste Butta

Dulce Domum

We honor Deena Celeste Butta of FOI Chicago. Deena was born on June 1, 1950 and passed away on Sunday, January 27, 2013. Offered here are some highlights of Deenas life and work:

Deena participated in Theosofest during July, 1992 which took place in Wheaton, Illinois. This was an annual gathering of the world's religious and spiritual groups for a weekend of sharing. She attended again on June 13, 1993. 

September, 1993 Parliament of World Religions

In 1993, at the Parliament of World’s Religions held in Chicago, Deena was included in the Fellowship of Isis Procession.  Deena also took part in the FOI Mystery play “Judgement of Osiris” known in the FOI Liturgy books as “Judgment of the Earth” that was presented at the Parliament. She performed an Egyptian Dance as part of a presentation during the FOI workshop.

Later in the event, Deena was consecrated as a Hierophant, with Olivia acting as Priestess and then ArchDruid Isaac Bonewits (now ArchDruid Emeritus) and founder of Ár nDraíocht Féin, acting as Priest, with Ruth Dillon assisting as Priestess of Isis. Deena’s husband Ray Butta was ordained into the priesthood at this time. During the Parliament activities, Deena and Olivia participated together in an interview for local Chicago Radio.

InterFaith Day of Prayer: A Search for Vision

FOI Co-founder Olivia Robertson wrote in 1997: "The Rev. Deena Butta has taken part in an important “Day of Prayer, A Search for Vision,” co-sponsored by the Friends of the Parliament of World Religions and Monastic Interreligious Dialogue. Olivia participated in one of these Dialogues, between Buddhists and Christians at the Parliament (of World Religions, 93), including H.H. The Dalai Lama. The organiser of the Day of Prayer was Father von Duerbeck, OSB. As usual the FOI gets a look in at these ecumenical meetings, possibly because of the prestige of the Ancient Egyptian tradition! The programme involved Hindu, Islamic, Jain, Thai Buddhist religions and the FOI, represented by Deena. Deena’s work is greatly assisted by our member the Baron von Huber, Grand Knight Commander of the Order of Tara, who works tirelessly for the world ecumenical movement."

Deena wrote of her part: “Our contribution to the Interfaith Communion celebration at the Lake Street Church on October 5 and 6th was well received. We performed ‘The Opening of the Heart’s Rose’ from “Melusina”. It turned out to be greatly beneficial for us as well, since we all seemed to need some work on our heart chakras. I did ‘Ritual of the Pylons’ at Saint Procopius Abbey’s Day of Prayer last year. It makes sense to do the whole of the Melusina rites in this order - I will know what I will be doing in the next ten years! Baron Von Huber requested an Egyptian Meditation. So we have been very busy promoting FOI. I always emphasize the diversity and individuality aspects, also our personal responsibility toward ‘The Hearth’ however that is perceived; the importance of the arts and the use of the other 90% of the human mind. Also none can posses the only Truth there is, and of course the promotion of (divine) female energy.”

Many news reports were published about the InterFaith Days of Prayer. The Daily Herald Newspaper of Chicago published an article on Feb 16th, 1997, which was titled "Religious Groups Gather for Interfaith Prayer Service" written by Stacy St. Clair. It focused on a day of prayer held at St. Procopius Abbey in Lisle, Illinois. Two quotes are included below from this article:

Deena wrote: “The purpose of the inter-religious prayer day was to stress the similarities between world religions. Though faiths may have different rituals, approaches and clothing, they share the same goal. The Jews praise Yahweh, the Catholic worship Christ and Friends of Isis honor the Goddess. The three boast different titles but embody the same spirit. Sometimes I think what we're really fighting over in some of these religions is the names.”

Father von Duerbeck stated: “The event was sponsored by the Friends of the Parliament for World Religions and Monastic Inter-religious Dialogue. Its purpose mirrors Pope John Paul II’s belief that group prayer fosters understanding.” 

FOI Chicago

Olivia Robertson once wrote of Deena‘s work in Chicago: “Members wishing to participate in the Chicago gathering, also aligned to the World Parliament continuing meetings, should contact Deena. Her rituals are extremely beautiful, meaningful and effective.”

Deena offered classes and workshops throughout the year, besides hostessing Olivia Robertson for a week every September and a week in October in Chicago. A reception was always held in Olivia’s honor, followed by the Equinox Goddess Festival, sponsored by Deena’s lyceum.

During the rest of the year, Deena offered classes both in person and by correspondence centered around the Fellowship of Isis Manifesto, and conferred Adepti degrees, Magi degrees, Solar Alchemy degrees for the FOI Priest/esshood and a structured course for ordination into the FOI Priest/esshood. Deena was publisher and editor of Isis-Seshat Magazine, which Olivia often referred to as “The Personal Post of the Fellowship of Isis.”

Deena was a member of the ArchPriesthood Union, the ArchDruid Union and Grand Commander Union, which form the FOI Foundation Union Triad, joint custodians of the legacy of the Fellowship of Isis. She was also registered as a legal minister through the Temple of Isis in Geyserville, California.

Deena participated in various radio and TV interviews representing the Fellowship of Isis, including a segment of the TV program, “Friday the 13th” which aired on March 12th, 1997 on the Arts and Entertainment cable network as part of a series on “The Unexplained”.

She also served as a member of “United Communities of Spirit - A Global InterFaith Initiative” in which she represented the Fellowship of Isis.

Career

In her professional life, Deena was a Reference Librarian. She attended the Graduate School of Library and Information Science, she was an Alumna of Northwestern University and a member of the President’s Honor Roll, Class of 1978, Regina Dominican University. Deena had been employed at the Glenview Public Library in Chicago since 1997. She was an expert on Genealogy. Deena provided guidance and instruction in genealogical research and taught internet classes in this area. She also annotated new reference books for staff at her workplace. Her thorough research and careful attention to detail carried over beautifully into her work as a Priestess in the Fellowship of Isis.Dulce Domum, Gentle Priestess.

Invocation and Oracle of the Goddess Isis from the Fellowship of Isis Liturgy rite “Dulce Domum. The Soul Returns Home” by FOI Co-Founder Olivia Robertson:

Priestess: (Invocation) Divine Isis, Who doth hold the Ankh, Sign of Life, have pity on our human weakness. We all fear death. There is no creature that will not fight for its life! The most terrible calamities that befall us are yet more acceptable than their ending through even the quickest death. We dread the loss of ourselves, our own consciousness, of all that we know. When we grieve for those who die, truly we fear for ourselves! Thou Who didst shed Thy tears for Thy dead husband Osiris, and Who brought Him to everlasting life, bring us true knowledge.

Oracle: Know that your very love of life, of your own selves, is a surety that you live forever! It is only the body that perishes. Therefore those who dread death the most are those who enjoy life the most! And in that very enjoyment is your salvation. If you see death as an unpredictable but inevitable disaster in the future, soon or far ahead, you naturally dread a sudden end to all you love, a stop to your own individual consciousness. But in verity you can experience your own immortality now! Eternity may be experienced through two passing seconds of earth time. You can awaken from this dream of worldly life into a greater reality. Only veils of ignorance and unconsciousness divide each one of you from your own Immortal Self. Hence death is sin: sin is ignorance. For when you wrongly think: "I am only the brain; I am the body with its senses" you deny your true self through choosing that which is mortal.

Enjoy those delights that belong to the eternal spheres, such as the love and care of each other, of animals and plants: philosophy and religion; the practice of arts and crafts. Thus you will strengthen your spiritual body with the nectar and ambrosia of the Deities. You will learn to participate in heavenly life as your earthly body sleeps. Love, and you are in harmony with Heaven. Be truthful, and you drink of the Water of Life. Laugh, and you laugh with Jove! Weep with compassion, and you mingle your tears with Mine.

Remove then the deadening pall of gloom which stifles your earthly funeral obsequies! Death is for the ignorant. Immortality is for those who know the truth! Develop your psychic and spiritual gifts, so that not only will you recognise this "death" as the impostor it is, but you will help others to lose any fear, but rather look forward to participating in heavenly joys. Reunion with those you love is certain. In your originality is your immortality, for nothing that is original can perish. It is an essential part of the cosmic scheme. Manifest your Divine Origin which is born from the Mother of All, Nuit, Whose children are immortal like onto Herself. Nourish then all good gifts in each person and each being and you strengthen the harmony between the Divine Sphere of Heaven with its transient reflection which is this world. There is no death. Love is eternal. Osiris and I are One. So is it with us all. 

Deena's obituary can be viewed here:  Mrs. Deena Celeste Butta

Directly beneath her photo on the obituary page is a link to light a virtual candle for her.

Photo provided by Deena Butta in 2005 fo

MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 2013 Brigantia 2013, Issue Number 147

Many Thanks to Isiannews.blogspot.com

This is just a portion of the Newsletter. 

Lady Olivia Robertson invites you to read the FOI manifesto and if you agree with is manifesto you may join the FOI.

Teachings are all available to the public at Fellowship Of Isis Central 

 http://lotuspharia.freeyellow.com/thecircleofisis/

Recently the Lyceum for Isaian Society For Integrated Studies joined with Lauren Raine and the Masks of the Goddess Project Numina to produce a Ritual Theater Community Rite This March 15 and 16 at the Willits Community Patrons of Husbandry. This is an open Ritual for our community to bring about the awareness of our Global Changes and how they are reflected in our connection to our own personal responsibility of Inner Reflection. 

As the Magician Says.. As Above So Below. 

As there are no mistakes , the Isain News was published only a few days later.

 This was Our message. 

  

Isian News

Welcome to Isian News, the official newsletter of the Fellowship of Isis. The Fellowship of Isis is an international organization dedicated to promoting awareness of the Goddess. Information presented here is provided directly to us by FOI Co-Founder Olivia Robertson, Temple of Isis, Clonegal Castle, Ireland and members of the Fellowship of Isis. Isian News is published quarterly, Brigantia, Beltane, Lughnasadh and Samhain.

Painting by Lady Olivia Roberston

Please join our Temple Of the Muse for the introduction and letter by Our dear Lady Olivia Robertson, from this issue of Isian News

MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 2013

Brigantia 2013, Issue Number 147

Athena: Arcadian Awakening

VIII. The Azores

Reflections by Olivia Robertson

"To evolve through wider consciousness

is to have greater power to be good or evil."

When I was young I was taught by Spiritual Guides about the evolution of the cosmos.  They used a Woolworth’s corkscrew with a green handle.  I enjoyed my lessons, because I was never commanded to believe anything until I in my own truth agreed with it.  This was unlike any other teaching that I had been subject to.

We began with a circle, a bottle ring that contained all that is. This was our corkscrew pushed together, so that the curves became one.  It was in blackness.  The dark was all right, part of it all.  Then after a period of no-time the circle began to rotate.  As it rotated it began to spread out into spirals – a screw.  The screw began to subdivide into pieces, into every sort of being and thing.  I could think of it going from right to left, as we open a bottle.  Finally everything became scattered all over everywhere, loosely in twos.

Then came a happening, quite recently, on October 5th, 2012.  It was like a spirit of fire going opposite to everything.  This spirit began to make another corkscrew.  It went in the opposite direction, left to right, through our one!  Everything began to get together!  The twos became one, and all existences joined the new corkscrew.  Finally they became two circles again – the mouth of an invisible bottle!  The circle stopped rotating and there was a silence.  This went on until it vanished into darkness.  After ages a new circle formed, and the same process started again.  But each time it was different.

“What then was forever,” I asked, “with spirals changing?” “Consciousness was forever,” I was told.  It was God.  God (God-Goddess) was all that is.  What was changing all the time was consciousness.  Cosmic consciousness was our end and our beginning.  We all came from the One.  So I should give every person and creature and plant - Honour.

All my life I have had psychic visions, but the ones that I most value teach me something that I need to think about.  So I shall share a recent experience, and my reader might help.

Last year, in Chicago at the Alexandria Lyceum of FOI on October 30th, 2011,  I had a beautiful vision at dawn..  From a room behind her there entered a young girl of holiness and innocence. She had amber-coloured hair and she wore a silver-white gown.  I was later given an earthly name from the past, but I shall use “Sophia.” The Divine Wisdom in feminine form.

This year, 2012, I received another visitation from this spiritual being, this time presenting a mystery.  Here it is…  She was on this occasion full of life and energy, as light as a fairy.  Her clothes flowed about her as she played with discs, some very large, some small.  They were all around her.  I wondered what they were – too flat to hold liquid or fruit.  Also they were spinning at various rates into spirals.

The vision faded, but the puzzle remained, and still does.  I related these discs to crop circles which I have visited every year in Wiltshire.  I consulted an occult in Glastonbury who told me she had seen fine golden discs when she was nine years old and these contained teachings.

I imagined primitive islanders before the coming of Westerners finding a ship-wrecked traveller who might have rescued his wind-up gramophone and some records.  When saved by a passing ship he would leave the islanders a record but kept the gramophone.

The priests and wise women on the island would try everything to hear the heavenly singing and orchestra again from the record, but get no results.  The gramophone record would be reverently honoured on their altar, hopefully presented with worship and prayers.

Are we like those islanders with all our evolving science?  We are very clever, but we are like a deaf race left with the score of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.  They could draw equations, numerical and calculus, and create theories from the Score – but would never hear the music.

Such a disc could be held over the heart…. Or used to open doors by pressing a right place…But I believe that only by inspired consciousness shall we find the Unveiled Isis.  But where is our disc?  When Isis is unveiled, both space and time change into a wider sphere – a greater spiral.  We are living in one room in a mighty Temple, surrounded by beautiful mountains, rivers and trees.  And friends we have long forgotten.  Each of us has Awakening at a different time and place – and yet in all time we are there already.

The nice thing about mystical experience is that it is always unexpected.  That is the Divine Surprise. 

For the entire Rites and complete issue of Isian News Visit Isiannews.blogspot.com

Solstice Tree Of Life Rite....

The Tree of Life

Home Athena - Arcadian Awakening Brigid of the Rainbow Planets Dea, Rites and Mysteries of the Goddess Fortuna, Creation Through the Goddess Gaea: Initiations of the Earth Ishtar of the Starry Heavens Isis of Alchemy Maya, Goddess Rites for Solo Use Melusina, Life Centres of the Goddess Nuit of the Milky Way Ordination of Priestesses and Priests Panthea, Initiations and Festivals of the Goddess Psyche, Magical Journeys of the Goddess Rite of Rebirth Sophia, Cosmic Consciousness of the Goddess Sphinx, Goddess Myths and Mysteries Sybil, Oracles of the Goddess Tara of the Oracles The Isis Wedding Rite The Rite of Dana Urania, Ceremonial Magic of the Goddess Initiation and Consecration Rites Rites not Found in FOI Liturgy Books or Manuals Unscripted Rites		Panthea, Initiations and Festivals of the Goddess   Fellowship of Isis Liturgy by Olivia Robertson   Part II. The Star of Ishtar. Eight Seasonal Festivals   The Tree of Life Winter Solstice. 21st - 25th December   Ritual no. 12   ORACLE OF THE GODDESS FRIGGA    Priestess: (Invocation) Holy Frigga, Mother Goddess, whose Consort is the God Odin, we invoke Thy Blessing on Your poor earth that we may redeem her from all the ills we have inflicted upon her in this cruel iron age. Oracle: Be of good heart! An Age of Starry Space has dawned, as was foretold by the Seers of old. As you imagine, so it is. When you fear Ragnarok, the general destruction of Gods and men - lo it is there, not for the Deities who live forever, but with your earthly lives. You have as yet no idea of the power of your imaginations! To imagine is to co-create with the Deities. It is through the Divine Imagination that the galaxies were formed in a swirling of light, and the stars sang and the planets turned about them, for this was the imagining of the mighty Star Deities. It is My Will that My children should create. Artists produce works that show forth the beauty that is inherent in all things, and philosophers through mind make logical systems of thought. Master Builders produce civilizations, and religious teachers give devotees noble religions. But the greatest of all creations and the most despised, is the Family. Mention the family, and the intelligent, the creative, the spiritual, are bored! They feel the Mother was the restriction which they endured in the womb, from which they were glad to escape into the bright light of incarnation! The Wife suggests the binding responsibilities of home and children that distract the pilgrim on his quest for eternity. Indeed, in the day of the Patriarch it was often the practice of seekers for truth to abandon their homes and go forth into the wilderness, there to seek enlightenment, During the Iron Age the way of the monk and the nun, the scholar and the scientist, was regarded as the highest and best path to Heaven. Heaven was the mind, the spirit, the alienation from both earth and the family. But now the time has come, when austere studentship has been achieved, for humanity to discover the Divine Family. Each of us has a Divine Family, whether they are My Families, the Aesir and the Vanir, the Family of the Olympian Gods and Goddesses, the Families of Parvati and Lakshmi of India, or your own true peers. Families do not mean separation, for all beings are akin: by venerating your own mother, you honour all mothers: by loving your wives and husbands, you respect all lovers. Care for your own children, and you care for the offspring of every creature throughout the Universe. Your Spiritual Family will be discovered by you as you tread the Path of the Wise Ones. Drink deep from the Well of Wisdom, but do not ignore the humble, but rather respect the love within them. Therefore, be particularly careful when you do find your Spiritual Family that you give even more love and understanding to your earthly relations and friends! Otherwise you will lose the rainbow bridge with your Spiritual Family, and alienate your earthly friends. The Tree of Life shines through every Being and creature. It shines through Rainbow Bridges of flowing energy, bringing in accord the Almighty Deities and the humblest child and horse and bird and plant. Your pilgrimage will bring you at long last in a spiral from earthly home to Divine Haven. Both are One. Assembly at the gate.  Celebrants including children in many-hued robes and leafy head-garlands, bearing symbolic unwrapped gifts.  Priestess in star crown and blue and white robes, holding wand.  Priest in gold headdress and red robes, with staff.  Maiden and Youth (Lifstrathir and Lif) in white.  Priest strikes ground 3 times with staff. Priest: Fellow Celebrants, at this holy time of the Winter Solstice we are assembled to honour the Tree of Life. When the sun appears lowest in the sky, the stars shine forth in all their glory! The Tree of Life has its roots in the abyss of space and its branches encircle the Universe. Its flowers are the galaxies, and its leaves are all living souls. Priestess: The Tree of Life is reflected about us in the World Tree, named Yggdrasil the Ash by our Norse forebears. Yggdrasil has three roots. One is deep within the earth, encircled by a fiery serpent. The second grows among the four stars of the Southern Cross, in the Realm of Muspell. The third rises from the Himinbiorg, Hill of Heaven, between the three Pole Stars. At the brightest is the well of Ultha. The Rainbow Bridge Bifrost joins these three roots from the North and South through the centre of the earth. The crown of Yggdrasil reaches the stars of Aquila, the eagle, Galactic Centre. Priest: Bifrost also connects the mighty branches of the Tree as it ascends through the Seven Heavens. Souls journey over the Rainbow Bridge higher and higher from Valhalla, home of the valiant Alfheim, wherein dwell the White Elves, Ereidblik the beautiful to Glitnir, glorious with gold and silver. Priestess: And at the Crown of the Tree are three Heavens shining with eternal Light, and these never pass away nor is the Rainbow Bridge to these ever broken. These are Gimlae, Andlang and Vilblain. The Tree is also within ourselves, for our spine is the trunk and our radiant psychic centres are the fruits. Priest: Let us make procession to the Tree that has grown so wonderfully from a small seed shed by the Mother Goddess. Procession to high altar which is draped with red and gold. On it is burning incense and 7 lighted candles. Before it, left, is small tree in tub of earth to be replanted with honour in 12 days; centre, a cauldron of water and cup, and right, a large unlighted candle entwined with mistletoe. There are unlighted candles in circle round temple. Food and drink are ready. Celebrants: (place gifts in and round tree with these words) I offer this gift to Frigga and Odin, the Givers of gifts.  Priestess: (makes loop in air with wand) I invoke the Goddess Frigga! Frigga, Frigga, Frigga, Earth Mother, Blessed be the fruits of Thy womb, Blessed be the paps of the Cow Goddess Audhumla That nourish all creatures. Make our fields to increase and flourish. The earth fruitful and healthy. With shining harvest of shafts of millet, Broad harvests of barley and all grains. Hail to thee, Frigga, Mother of us all! From the dark winter bring forth abundance And bless us with noble progeny. Priest: (lifts staff aloft and makes lightning flash sign) I invoke the God Odin.  We call upon the Mighty Father,  Husband of Frigga, strong to protect.  Father of the Aesir and the Vanir,  Powerful and glorious Deities,  Odin, carry us over the Rainbow Bridge Bifrost  To the beautiful Heavens.  We sing praise of Odin the wise one.  Priestess: Know that Lifthrasir and Lif are the Maiden and Youth who sheltered within the branches of Yggdrasil when the bright planet Asgard fell. They come forth renewed at the birth of the New age. Priestess: (anoints maiden and youth's brows with water saying) May you receive the Water of Life. All brows are anointed. Priest: Fellow Celebrants, let the Divine Mystery of the Tree and the Well be presented. Strikes ground twice with staff. MYSTERY OF THE TREE AND THE WELL Actors: The Wanderer is in black cloak with wide-brimmed black hat concealing face. He holds pilgrim's staff. 3 Women (Spaewives) in black cloaks and hooded faces with bare feet crouch in circle round cauldron. 7 Star Maidens in star crowns and white robes. Wanderer: Weary and heart-sick am I, travelling through mountain torrents, cruel rocks and ice-fields. I have abandoned my loving wife and children for this arduous pilgrimage, seeking for wisdom to cure the ills of mankind! I despair at human folly. Children alone are joyful. But when they reach maturity they are taught of past injustice and, burning with hateful violence, join the bitter warfare of their tribes! The beautiful earth is ravaged through man's greed and envy. Clearly I foresee that such evil seeds can only produce catastrophe. Doom is upon the earth and all its creatures. Why, even this tree before me looks sickly and twisted with pollution! And these three wretched women crouching on the bare earth, meanly clad, feet bare, what refreshment can they draw from this contaminated well! lst Woman: The joy of the morning to you, good Lord! Would you spare a coin for a poor old woman? Wanderer: Greetings to you, Reverend Mother. Alas, I have no coins for you. Bad it is for you in your old age to be reduced to begging in the cold winter. 2nd Woman: A happy marriage for you, fine stranger! Shall I sing you a ballad of lovers who part and meet again? Wanderer: Wrong it is to see a fine woman like yourself reduced to singing love ballads by the dusty wayside! You should be in your own home with a good husband and children. 3rd Woman: Greeting to you, melancholy Wanderer! Would you have good fortune? Shall I read your palm? Wanderer: Sad indeed am I to see a young girl telling fortunes to travellers at the side of the road! You should be with your father and mother, safe, at home. lst Woman: We three are Spaewives who greet strangers at the crossroads. We have some little skill in divination. From the roots of the past come the present. Answer me this, you with all you book learning! What would you give to save the wide earth from destruction? Wanderer: This is easily answered! I would give all I have! lst Woman: You need only give your memory. Wanderer: My memory! It is a rich store. I remember my wife and children who for so long have awaited my return. Yet my own thoughts give me the lie. It is bitter memory of past injuries that cause cruel wars. Take mine if you can! lst Woman: Drink this water. Gives Wanderer water to drink.  He does so. Wanderer: Most strange and wonderful! I am happy for the first time for long years! I feel as I did as a child when I first saw a horse grazing in a glade, its coat dappled by sun through leafy trees. 2nd Woman: The task is not completed. You are joyful. Others remain unhappy. To transform the world you must give up all power and influence! Wanderer: But it was my intention to return to my fellows filled with the wisdom to govern well and to teach the truth! Yet, when so many have tried to change the world through will and intellect and have failed, how may I succeed? I am willing to give up my power, if you can take it. 2nd Woman dips Wanderer's fingertips in water. Wanderer: What is this strength that imbues my limbs and fills my being with glory? Vain are the deliberations and the edicts of rulers and teachers! I shine like the sun and so may awaken the sun in all so may the people govern and teach themselves! 3rd Woman: The task is not yet complete. Your clear mind foresees a terrible doom to fall upon the earth, as a necessary consequence of foolish and evil deeds. Will you surrender your farsighted vision and all faculties of your mind? Wanderer: This would be my death, for I dwell in my mind: it is my heaven. Yet as foresight only shows me inevitable catastrophe, I must surrender that which I value most. Take my mind, if you can! 3rd Woman anoints Wanderer's head and brow with water. Music: Wagner's Valhallah music is suitable. Wanderer: Oh wonder! I stand upon the Hill of Himmelbiorg at the Pole Star! Below me is the Spring of Urtha, and above me spread the radiant branches of Yggdrasil! Bright are the fruits of Immortality, the golden apples of Iduna. Now I feel the Tree within my being. Its fire rises within my spine and the branches spread throughout my body. The fruits thereof glow within me and rays of love spread from my heart. With starlight on my brow I can truly see into the minds of all creatures, and a crown of stars about my head endows me with the wisdom of the Gods. lst Woman: Look within the Well and see yourself. Wanderer: (looks in cauldron) I remember myself. I am the God Odin! lst Woman: You speak the truth. You are Odin the Wanderer Who after the destruction of the ill-fated planet Asgard roamed the stars seeking wisdom. 2nd Woman: You are Odin of The Rainbow Bridge. You bear souls to the seven Heavens on Your magical horse Sleipnir, and endow them with ecstasy through beautiful visions! 3rd Woman: You are Odin the Master Builder of the Halls of the Heavens. For what is divinely imagined must be embodied through all spheres. Those who work with You help to bring heaven upon earth, for what is beautifully pictured must of necessity be manifested. This is the Will of the Mothers, who wish their children to create noble new worlds throughout the Universe. 3 Women rise and throw back hoods. Wanderer: Who are You that tower among the stars, the Well of Truth at your feet? 1st Woman: We are the Norns who determine the destiny of all creatures. My Name is Urtha, which is Fate. 2nd Woman: We are the Norns who bring progeny to every creature, in ever renewing life. My Name is Verthandi, which is Being. 3rd Woman: We are the Norns who nourish the Tree of Life with the Waters of Inspiration. My Name is Skulda, which is Necessity. Odin, return to Frigga and Your children, the Aesir and the Vanir, bright Deities; and bring with You the gifts of wisdom, ecstasy and inspiration to human-kind, that evil be transformed into good, hatred into love, and fear to hope! Wanderer: May the Divine Will be done! Let the Seven Maidens of the Great Bear weave star-rays of harmony, shedding these gifts on earth! Dance of Star Maidens. Music by Sibelius is suitable. End of Mystery Priest: (strikes the ground once with staff) Fellow Celebrants, let us meditate upon the Mystery of the Tree and the Well. Priestess: Let us sit in tranquillity and with eyes shut travel by the Rainbow Bridge to the Fifth Heaven. . . the Heaven Gimlae shall stand when both the lower Heavens and earth shall pass away, and the good and righteous shall inhabit it for all times. Thus spake the Prophetess Volva: "I know where stands a Hall brighter than sunlight, better than gold, in Lee-of-the-Flame, Gimlae: hosts of the righteous shall it inherit, and live in delight everlastingly." *** Meditation Rays of understanding, joy and hope are sent forth. Oracle may be given. Reports. Priest: At the Winter Solstice life is renewed as the sun strengthens on its course. Let Lifthrasir and Lif light the Solar Flame! Strikes ground 3 times. Lif gives Lifthrasir lighted taper and he holds central candle while she lights it. They join fingertips over flame and kiss. Omnes light candles from central flame. Priestess: Let us rejoice! A new Age is born! Omnes hold hands in a circle, and move 3 times round the path of the sun. Priestess: Let the children present the Dance of the Elves, faeries, dwarfs and trolls! Children's dance. Pier Gint, Grieg, is relevant. General dance and song. Gifts are presented. Mulled wine and fruit juice and seasonal fare are enjoyed. Priest and Priestess give thanks to Frigga and Odin and send forth Omnes with blessing. Sources: “The Prose Edda”, Snorri Sturluson, translation by Jean J. Young, University of California Press, Berkeley, 1973. “Gods & Myths of Northern Europe”,H. R. Ellis Davidson, Penguin Books, New York, 1964. “The Libretto of the Ring Cycle”, Wilhelm Richard Wagner, originally published between 1854 and 1874.“Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning", Richard Hinckley Allen, first published G. S. Stechert, 1899, Dover Publications reprint, New York, 1963. Back to Panthea, Initiations and Festivals of the Goddess  Back to Fellowship of Isis Central Home