la Vie Sirene volume I issue 2 - RETURN OF THE GODDESS

July 2013・GODDESSES BIRTH OF THE WEST - Greco-Roman roots 5 Gaia through the eyes of artist Josephine Wall 16 Hera 17 Ambrosia recipe 20 Athena & Chicken (recipe) 23 Artemis 29 Persephone Personiphied 31 Persephone’s Pomegranate Martini recipe 36 Wreathed in Beauty - young goddess crafts EUROS - A pan-national pantheon 38 Goddesses of East & West Europe 40 Boldogasszony’s Summer Chimney Cake 41 Female Fencers Get Right to the Point 42 Two Hands + One Heart = Claddagh 43 Tying the Celtic Knot 44 Celtic Oracle Reading from the Mad Mystic FAR, NEAR & MIDDLE - Eastern influences run deep 45 Near East Goddesses 52 Hindu Goddesses 53 Annapooma Devi’s Tahini Dressing recipe from Kathleen Young 54 Classical Dance of India 64 Asian, Southeast Asian & Himalayan Goddesses 66 Stirring it Up - Stirfry recipe from Mermaid Marla 67 Fit for a Goddess - Top 10 Asian Temples DUE NORSE - Deities from colder climes 72 Norse Goddesses 73 Ice Hotels - collage 74 Freyja’s Fabulous Apple Cinnamon Bread & Honey Butter recipes by The Mad Mystic 75 Scandinavian Skijøring OUT OF AFRICA - The ancients of the ancients 78 African & Egyptian Goddesses 80 The Ungoddess Nefertiti 81 Nefertiti Dance - feminine beauty through dance

THE AMERICAS - Old deities of the New World 82 Goddesses of the Americas & Oceana 85 Coconut Cake recipe - an offering to the gods 86 Goddess Envy Kiwi Kooler drink recipe 87 Interview with a Deity - by Bonnie Ramsburg 88 Children of the Corn Mothers by Shannon Lopez 90 Girl with Bow - Archery, a worthwhile aim MODERN GODDESSES - Ordinary women, extraordinary lives 8 Gaia Goddessa - 2 spirits in 1 business 12 Alev Johnson, the Goddess of Living Love 18 Olympic Wrestler Kelsey Campbell 26 Lindie Lila’s Goddess Music 34 YA author of Starcrossed, Jospehine Angelini 48 Andrea de Michaelis’ Goddess Grub 58 Dancing through your Goddess Life with Dolphina 76 Lanie Costeas - the can-do goddess 91 Retro Glamour with Margarita Bloom 94 Marguerite Fair, author of Goddess Intervention DEIFIC OMNIPRESENCE - Goddessness without borders 3 Intro 10 The world’s love goddesses 22 Full Moon Bath 24 Energize Your Inner Goddess by Women as Visionaries’ Lore Raymond 32 Sleep Like A Goddess by Sanndi Thompson 46 Goddess Blooming by Lisa Faulkner 50 The male perspective from Clinton Atkins 51 The Inner Goddess by Lyle Dagnen 56 The Dancer by Marc Prudhon 62 Which Goddess Are You? Quiz by Kathleen Young 70 How to be a Modern Goddess by Dr. Alex Benzer 96 Goddesses of the Silver Screen 98 Tribute to a Goddess - anonymous testimonial 99 Goddessy resources 100 Editor sign-off

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god·dess n.

1. A female being of supernatural powers or attributes.

2. A female being believed to be the source of life and being and worshiped as the principal deity in various religions.

Used with the.

3. A greatly admired or adored woman.

e, Louvre Museum The Winged Victory of Samothrac

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Dear Goddess...es!

by Joy de Vivre

Earth, beauty, motherhood, harvest, home, hearth, healing... unconditional love... These are elements often associated with goddesses, or the concept of The Goddess. Whether the matriarch of a religion or of a household, the incarnation of womanhood’s finest qualities is looked to for protection and compassionate nurturing.

When it comes to personal growth, Tibetan Buddhism goes so far as to cite becoming like the great female Buddhas as one of the highest achievements one can attain; and several monotheistic and bitheistic belief systems turn to a female concept of deity for enlightenment and practicable answers to meet both temporal and spiritual needs.

In this month’s issue we will flirt with a variety of goddess traditions and archetypes -- from those capricious soap opera superhumans of Greco-Roman myth to eastern A model goddess - the versatile Marie Cadieux worship of the sacred feminine to the recent Goddess Movement.

Throughout our journey we will have the opportunity to sample the richness of the art and culture created in the goddess’ name.

Best of all, we’ll meet a variety of extraordinary women who move through their days serving as living proof that we too can embrace and live out the noblest qualities associated with femininity. And what’s more, we can expect our embodiment of these gentle and benevolent characteristics to benefit those around us, and who knows, maybe even heal our world.

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Josephine Wall,

mothering the world through art I thought to start off this month’s issue with information on Gaia, the Greek goddess considered to be the personification of earth itself. In searching for Gaia art I was thrilled to find a few breathtaking Gaia images by one of my favorite artists, Josephine Wall. Her paintings are a perfect example of how pictures can convey more meaning than words could ever hope to. Or so I thought. Reading her descriptions of Gaia filled me with as much wonder as her evocative imagery, and I realized no research or historical explanation or new age narrative could better express the concept of Gaia than Josephine’s own brief captions.

I craved more Jospehineness and was delighted to find an online video interview with her.

Upon watching it I was so overcome by her humility and nurturing kindness that I dashed off an email to Josephine asking her if I could send her a few brief interview questions about Gaia.

Her email response was more intimate and meaningful than any interview could be. I am so humbly grateful to share her words and art with you here today.

Josephine’s image of choice for both her website banner & Facebook page cover image -5-

Hello Joy, So lovely to hear from you, and I am honoured that you want to interview me..!! I am always amazed that people want to do this, as all I am doing is 'playing' every day, and fulfilling my heartfelt desire to be creative..!! I am very happy that you like my work, and thank you for your very kind comments. I will do my best to answer your questions.

I am not sure which interview you watched, but I am always an optimistic, and happy person which you seemed to have picked up. I am never happier than when I am standing in front of my easel with a painting underway, a brush in my hand, and a selection of my favourite colours to choose from.

I do however enjoy time with my family - following my second marriage I now have 5 children and 11 grandchildren which give me great joy. I also have a source The Presence of Gaia of models beyond my wildest “As a new dawn approaches Gaia emerges from our sleeping planet. The radiance of her aura lights up the heavens and her dreams - little ones to put wings 'ʹpresence'ʹ gives confidence to the birds and animals to venture on, and to be riding mythical animals such as unicorns..!! I also forth, secure in the knowledge that she will protect them. A love countryside walks ( I find river of life flows out to all corners of the earth, renewing and nature a source of inspiration ), restoring. What greater 'ʹpresent'ʹ could she give us!” dancing and gardening are my other hobbies amongst others.

I am a great believer in the power of nature, and Gaia as the Earth Mother is symbolic of most of what I hold dear - that there is a power beyond mortal control, and I hope that she will make sure we will take care of our precious planet - the Earth will endure despite man..!! She hopes that we will learn from our mistakes and repair the damage we have already done.

I am very fortunate to have my own gallery ( a dream come true..!! ) and very often I have young , and not so young artists visit me, sometimes for tips and hints on the techniques I use, but most often for advice on how to take their careers forward. I always say to them that all you can do is be true to yourself, enjoy every moment of

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creativity and share your gift with the world - the world needs more artists..!! I always say that I paint the world as I would like it to be rather than how it is. As an artist you are able to create images that portray a world of opportunity, optimism and hope for the future.

Our aim should be that when people view our images they are uplifted and transported to a place that gives them peace, and understanding of what is really important in our lives 'imagination'..!! It is what has made man so successful as a species.

Light & Peace, Josephine.

Breath of Gaia “Gaia, the Greek Goddess, is Mother Earth, the bringer of life and beauty. Where Gaia breathes, she brings new life to a sleeping earth. Renewal springs forth along Gaia'ʹs every path.”

Sadness of Gaia “The Earth Goddess looks on sadly, aware that our human weaknesses will mean many years of education to prevent the ruin of our precious world.”

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Gaia Goddessa

two beings, one spirit Most businesses can not claim that they were born when ‘an elf met a mermaid.’ Then again, most businesses are not Goddessa Gaia. Owners Brittney Asteya and Tarin Still came together to create unique body adornments made from ‘harm-free feathers, upcycled leather, fur, and gem grade healing crystals.’ Their designs are meant to do more than just embellish, they are crafted to be a reflection of the wearer’s spirit and the ‘interconnectedness of all things.’

I have to go for the obvious right off the bat... the name... how did you come up with it?

We actually started off just calling our line Gaia when we began business together a little over a year ago.

We wanted to represent the evolution of the Goddess consciousness in today's world and Gaia is an easy Goddess to connect with as she is all things around us. It naturally transformed into Gaia Goddessa in the first few months of our business exploration together and we haven't looked back since!

How did your elf/mermaid partner team meet?

And how did you decide to go into business together?

We met through mutual friends a couple years back but we really fell into our sisterhood two years ago at a daytime pool party. We both had been creating for some time before then and used to get together for girls wine and craft nights, the energy was great between us and we decided to take the leap to start a business together.

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You take incredible care in making your products, using "harm free feathers, upcycled leather, fur, and healing crystals, etc." How important to you are the materials you use and how do you go about selecting them?

The materials we use are extremely important to us and we take great care in selecting them. We truly believe that everything on this earth carries an energy and we only want to use materials in our product that truly represent a conscious energy of awareness, love and kindness towards all beings.

We use only the highest grade of healing crystals and gems and cleanse each and every one in the ocean before its use on our pieces.

In addition to your Gaia Goddessa Etsy store, you run on anline shop called LoveLife. What can you tell us about that?

Lovelife is a collaboration with some friends of ours, they throw events that we sell our pieces at. Its been a great partnership for both of us as the mantra behind their business is to throw great parties where people can be the wildest expression of themselves.

We will have a bunch of new items coming up for sale on their site within the next couple of weeks!

What do you consider your signature products and how would you describe your style?

Our signature designs are definitely our goddess crowns, its our greatest joy to create pieces that empower women to radiate the true expression of their souls. Each of our pieces are inspired by the world around us, people we meet, the magical world and the unseen. When women put on a crown, this taps into something deep inside, the Goddess within all of us. Our style is hard to define as it changes with the moon, the sun and the stars. Great inspirations are definitely mermaids, elves, trees, the ocean, hawks and owls. You could probably put us somewhere in the goddess mermaid fairy elf free spirit sparkle section.

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I see in your photos that you and your tribe have an incredible spirit and I can tell you are FUN! What sorts of events do you have coming up where people can come and cavort with you?

The world is our Tribe! We definitely have some amazing people in our lives that we are lucky to call family. We just had our last lovelife event of the summer and are now creating our inventory for the rest of festival season! You can catch us floating and spreading sparkles at Lightning in a Bottle. After that we will be hard at work until we take off for Canada where we will be vending at Bass Coast & Shambhala Music Festival in August. For those of you we won't see at LIB, Bass Coast or Shambhala, we will see you on the Playa!

How is Gaia Goddessa evolving and what's in store for her next?

Gaia Goddessa is in a constant state of flux and evolution, we are working with new mentors and learning a lot of crafts that will take our product to the next level. As business owners and goddesses we are always aiming to stay on the path of growth toward the light. We challenge each other to do our best, stay true to our roots and never give up on our dream. We are also expanding into the clothing realm and will some have some exciting things to share with everyone in Canada! We will still be taking custom orders on pieces through July.

Their online store will be on hiatus while they are off on their travels. During that time they will be checking in via their Facebook page.

A little love encyclopedically — It seemed stingy to share just one love goddess with you, so we asked Wikipedia to give us the works! Clearly, there’s plenty to love!

A love deity is a deity in mythology associated with sexual love, lust or sexuality. Love deities are common in mythology and may be found in many polytheistic religions.

Albanian folklore •

Prende, goddess of love

Armenian mythology •

• • •

Xochiquetzal, goddess of fertility, beauty, female sexual power, protection of young mothers, pregnancy, childbirth, and women's crafts Xochipilli, god of love, art, games, beauty, dance, flowers, maize, fertility, and song Tlazolteotl, goddess of lust, carnality, sexual misdeeds Ixcuiname, goddess of the carnality.

• Tiacapan, goddess of sexual passion.

• Teicu, goddess of sexual appetite.

• Tlaco, goddess of sexual longing.

• Xocotzin, goddess of sexual desire.

Buddhism •

Aizen Myō-ō or Rāgarāja, a deity who transforms worldly lust into spiritual awakening; his red-skinned appearance represents suppressed lust and passion

Canaanite mythology • •

• •

Astghik, goddess of fertility and love

Aztec mythology •

Celtic mythology

Astarte, goddess of sexual love, fertility, and warfare Qetesh, goddess of love, beauty and sex

Aine, Irish goddess of love, summer, wealth and sovereignty Cliodhna Irish goddess, sometimes identified as a goddess of love and beauty

Chinese mythology • • •

Yue-Lao, a god of love, who binds two people together with an invisible red string.

Tu Er Shen, a deity who oversees the love between homosexual men.

White Peony (Bai Mudan or Pai Mu-Tan), a goddess who tempts men, especially ascetics.

Egyptian mythology • • •

Bes, god of music, dance, and sexual pleasure Hathor, goddess of the sky, love, beauty, and music Bastet, goddess of felines, love, sexuality, protection, beauty, and dance

Etruscan mythology • •

Albina, goddess of the dawn and protector of ill-fated lovers Turan, goddess of love and vitality

Greek mythology • • •

Aphrodite, goddess of love, lust and beauty.

Philotes, personification of affection, sexual intercourse and friendship.

Hera, goddess of marriage.

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The Erotes • Anteros, god of requited love.

• Eros, god of love,sexual passion and naughty thoughts.

• Himeros, god of sexual desire.

• Hedylogos, god of sweet talk and flattery.

• Hymen, god of weddings and bawdy wedding songs.

• Pothos, god of sexual longing, yearning and desire.

Peitho, personification of persuasion and seduction.

Guaraní mythology •

Kurupi, god of sexuality and fertility

Hindu mythology • •

Kamadeva or Manmadhan or Kama, god of love Rati, goddess of passion and lust

Lithuanian mythology •

Milda, goddess of love and freedom

Roman mythology • • •

Slavic mythology • • • • •

Inanna or Ishtar, goddess of sexual love, fertility, and warfare

• • •

•

Qandisa, goddess of lust who first seduces men then drives them insane

Norse and Germanic mythology •

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Frigg, goddess of romance, marriage, sex and reproduction, married women, household duty, and divination.

Freyja, goddess associated with magic, shamanism, seiðr, sacrifice, war, death, and sexuality.

Freyr, worshipped as a phallic fertility god, he was said to "[bestow] peace and pleasure on mortals" Sjöfn, goddess associated with love

Baron La Croix, loa of the dead and sexuality Baron Samedi, loa of the dead, sex and resurrection Erzulie Freda Dahomey, loa of love, beauty, jewelry, dancing, luxury, and flowers

Yoruba mythology •

Moroccan mythology

Dogoda, Polish spirit of the west wind, associated with love and gentleness Dzydzilelya, Polish goddess of love and marriage and of sexuality and fertility Lada, fakeloric goddess of harmony, merriment, youth, love and beauty Siebog, god of love and marriage Živa, goddess of love and fertility

Vodou

Mesopotamian mythology •

Cupid, the Roman equivalent of the Greek god Eros Venus, the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Aphrodite Suadela, the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Peitho

•

Mami Wata, a pantheon of water deities sometimes associated with love and lust Oshun, goddess of love, intimacy, beauty, wealth and diplomacy

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For the story of a modern living love goddess, see our following post on entertainer & jewelry designer Alev Johnson Background image: Nascita di Venere, painting by Sandro Botticelli, 1486

!e Goddess of Living Love I posted a content call asking Siren School students to nominate a woman whom they felt was a modern goddess incarnate. The following is the first response I received, and certainly the most passionate. After reading about the siren in question, I understood what all the fuss was about, and decided to feature her on our cover. If ever there was a goddess of unconditional love, it is Alev Johnson.

"Good morning! I am the siren that nominated Alev Johnson. How can I possibly write about her without making it sound like I'm gushing, or writing a puff piece about a friend? Simply put, I can't. I do know Alev personally and just last night I was thinking that I'm so fortunate to know her because she is one of the most fascinating people I know. Alev is as you stated, gorgeous, but in addition she is also a very intelligent, sophisticated, and classy lady, with delicate and refined taste. She's incredibly sexy, romantic, and sensuous, as well. In addition, she''s creative, funny, kind, caring, down-to-earth, and one of the most dedicated and hardest working mothers I know. These are the obvious adjectives and nouns that describe her—it's hard not to notice these things about her immediately. However, what I love and admire most about this charming and lovely lady is her love and devotion for her daughter. She has been a single parent since her daughter's birth. Alev has made great sacrifices and overcome difficult challenges for her daughter.

simple, yet great advice, and always has a smile and maintains a positive attitude and outlook on life and would like to open a project to assist the homeless population in Long Beach, CA as well as own her own blues lounge someday. And last, what I love most about this beautiful lady is her ability to be soft and vulnerable. In a world that celebrates being tough and harsh, Alev is humble and soft, the sweetest and affectionate, most willing to be vulnerable person I know. This is why I nominate her to be GODDESS." ~Erica

Now her daughter is an intelligent, beautiful, polite, and well-mannered young lady, who is graduating from high school with very high marks and going on to a university of her choice, to study Animal Science because she loves animals and wishes to be a veterinarian. Alev couldn't be prouder of her daughter. When she speaks of her, she literally beams with obvious pride and joy, and of course, she should. This is the most obvious thing about Alev, her love for her daughter, but this wonderful mother has many sides to her and all of them are quite interesting and fascinating. What fascinates and intrigues me most about her is her dancing. She is a belly dancer. She designs and creates her own costumes, as well as her own line of jewelry! This is one ambitious lady. When she's not busy with her daughter's projects, she is in the middle of many of her own projects. She is also a very kind and caring friend, who saves dogs from being put to sleep, always gives -12-

I left her biological father when she was 9 months old and moved with her to the US when she was 4 1/2 years old. I was a very strict mother. I believe that respect, courtesy and manners should be taught to children at a very early age. I taught her to eat with a knife and fork as soon as she could eat on her own, always taught her to respect others, young or old. I always explained to her that she can only get respect by earning it. Always to treat everyone as she would want to be treated. I never mothered her but gave her lots of love, telling her everyday how loved she is, how proud I was and still am, always kissed her good morning and goodnight, and was always honest with her with anything she would ask about.

She wanted to dance at the age of 6, so I enrolled her at a dance studio and she has been dancing ever since. From classical ballet, jazz, hip hop, modern, tap, Flamenco and even Persian dance till age 13. Then we moved from L.A. to Long Beach and she continued dance at the Renaissance Performing Arts HS, which she will graduated from on June 13th as valedictorian!!! And she will be attending UCSB this August! I can't be more proud!!!!

You do so many things: perform belly dance professionally, design costumes, model, sell your own line of custom-made jewelry, advocate for homeless humans and animals alike... not to mention raising a child as a single mother, how do you do it all?

Please note while enjoying Alev's impassioned answers, that English is not even her native language! Yet another mind-boggling achievement of this living goddess.

Let's start with the toughest question first. Why do you think your friend Erica nominated you to be her choice as the woman she knows who best expresses the term goddess?

Before I moved to the US, I was an immigration officer in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. When I moved here, my whole life felt like it collapsed -- culture shock, hard to find work, especially when you have no family or real friends and a little child. But I never gave up and knew i could make ends meet with dignity.

She always told me how much she respected me and admired me as a dancer, but also for being a strong individual and a loving mother -- for working hard to make ends meet while raising my daughter to become a sweet, kind, smart and loving young lady :) Erica mentioned that by far and away the most important thing in your life is your daughter. Based on your appearance I expected you to have a toddler, but I learned she is graduating from high school! What can you tell us about her and the way you've raised her?

Yes, my daughter is my life, my everything! The moment I was pregnant with her, she was my guardian angel and I knew that my life was going to be filled with lots of love from her.

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Follow Alev on Twitter

What do you do in all your 'free' time *wink*?

Besides all that, I make some time for myself to enjoy the sun, my back yard (I love gardening) and spending quality time with my daughter. In the mornings have my coffee, check my emails, pay bills, take care of my two wonderful dogs, clean the house, run errands and later at night off to work.

Many women face the challenges similar to those you've experienced, but not all have come through them wtih such elan. What advice can you give women who are struggling with challenges?

I started working by passing out flyers for a restaurant with my daughter next to me (no one to watch her) which was one of the hardest times in my life. But then I started making friends and spreading the word that I was looking for work. I worked as a hostess, a server, then as an assistant loan officer and as a second job (besides office work), I was working 5 nights as a bellydancer. By that time my daughter was going to school. I would pick her up, make dinner, get her ready for bed, then went off to work at night.

It wasn't easy, but I feel proud and strong and believe that if I can do it, even without having a college degree, all women and mothers can do it! As long as you set your mind to it and have the will to succeed and love your child more than anything and truly want to raise them by not just feeding, dressing or housing them, but also by teaching them the value of life and that anything we want we need to earn and all is well worth it!

As a mother, what would you like to whare with the generations of women who will follow you?

For those wonderful women and mothers out there I would like to say: •

I maintained two fulltime jobs for about a year and a half till I physically burned out. I decided to continue my belly dance profession and quit my day job so I could be there for my daughter, because i barely got to spend time with her. I created my own business cards and started to advertise my dancing and started dancing at private events, restaurants and night clubs. I couldn't afford to buy my costumes so I made them myself including the accessories, and that's how I started my own line of jewelry.

•

Clearly, all of your activities come from your overflowing heart and creative soul. Are there any projects that you've yearned to take on or experiences you'd like to try?

•

I love anything creative, from gardening, jewelry/costume making, painting, carpentry, you name it! Love them all!

What I would love to do is learn to play the saxophone and travel! I haven't been able to travel and take a vacation in over 7 years and miss it so much! I also have jewelry making with soldering and molds on my wish list, would love to have more options and use my creativity on a higher level.

• •

• • •

Enjoy everyday, spend as much time with your loved ones and your children as you can Teach your children the value of life and give them the freedom in making there own choices, but guide them through it so there choices are wise. Give them lots of love, praise them when they do good but let them earn the praise Be a full time mother but yet make time for yourself to enjoy what you love to do Know that even when hard times hit you, don’t give up because I do believe that the sun will shine after the rain Have your pride, but allow a helping hand when its handed to you through hard times Believe in yourself and your instincts. They will never fail you!

Respect yourself, and allow yourself to make mistakes as long as you learn from them and don’t make the same mistakes And listen to your children and show them that there opinion counts and is respected. Believe it or not, when you respect your children they will respect you back. I always told my daughter to obey my wishes out of respect and not out of fear. That way they trust you in sharing what goes on in their life, mind and heart.

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Wishing all the wonderful women out there a blessed and successful life filled with love, joy and peace!!!

When I wrote to Erica to let her know that I'd interviewed Alev and how touching I found her answers, Erica responded with words too heartwarming not to share in conclusion: "Alev is all love. She always makes everyone feel so incredibly welcome!! My gosh, I've never experienced so much genuine love and affection from anyone before!!

Everytime she sees you, she envelops you as if she hasn't seen you in years when she just saw you a couple of weeks ago!! She gives these wonderful hugs and you always want to keep going back, just to have someone celebrate you that way. Everyone who knows her has nothing but love for her.

All she ever speaks of is her pride and joy, her daughter.

Once she mentioned that that when her daughter went away to college, she was going to travel. I am very excited for her and keep wondering which will be the very first destination she visits. I hope she goes, although I'll miss her terribly when she does. I hope all her wishes come true."

Visit Alev's site for her dance, jewelry-carrying shop & calendar info -15-

Hera Protector of women and marriage, familiar with magic She “is the wife and one of three sisters of Zeus in the Olympian pantheon of Greek mythology and religion. Her chief function is as the goddess of women and marriage. Her counterpart in the religion of ancient Rome was Juno. The cow, lion and the peacock are sacred to her. Hera's mother is Rhea and her father Cronus.

Hera by CG artist Soa Lee

Portrayed as majestic and solemn, often enthroned, and crowned with the polos (a high cylindrical crown worn by several of the Great Goddesses), Hera may bear a pomegranate in her hand, emblem of fertile blood and death and a substitute for the narcotic capsule of the opium poppy.

A scholar of Greek mythology Walter Burkert writes in Greek Religion, "Nevertheless, there are memories of an earlier aniconic representation, as a pillar in Argos and as a plank in Samos."

Hera was known for her jealous and vengeful nature, most notably against Zeus's lovers and offspring, but also against mortals who crossed her, such as Pelias. Paris offended her by choosing Aphrodite as the most beautiful goddess, earning Hera's hatred.” [Wikipedia] Some of the more famous myths featuring the goddess include:-■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Her marriage to Zeus and her earlier seduction by the god in the guise of a cuckoo bird; The birth of Hephaistos who she produced alone and cast from heaven because he was crippled; Her persecution of the consorts of Zeus, especially Leto, Semele and Alkmene; Her persecution of Herakles and Dionysos, the favourite bastard sons of Zeus; The punishment of Ixion, who was chained to a fiery wheel for attempting to violate the goddess; The assisting of the Argonauts in their quest for the golden fleece, their leader Jason being one of her favourites; The judgement of Paris, in which she competed against Aphrodite and Athene for the prize of the golden apple; The Trojan War, in which she assisted the Greeks.

[sources: Theoi.com, GreekMythology.com & Wikipedia]

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Ambrosia — the way to a god’s heart narrative recipe from contributor Susan Brooks Fleming

Editor’s note: This healthful take on the classic recipe is notably sans marshmallows or cream, allowing the fruits alone to tempt and satisfy the tastebuds.

Grandmother always prepared a fruit salad call Ambrosia. Since that is considered what the gods and goddesses dined on, this might be something to share with your readers.

First, there are not specific amounts here. The number of things you use depends on the size of the bowl you wish to fill. At Christmas time, Aunt Joyce and I would sit for hours on the 'day before' preparations peeling oranges.

Peel the oranges with a sharp knife so that all of the white stuff is gone. Section and seed the orange, squeeze the juice after the sections are freed.

If you have chosen to use fresh coconut, which is amazing, crack it, get the white meat out of the layers of shell and grate the coconut. Depending on how well you like coconut, about half a coconut is what you need. We always did half because Grandmother prepared coconut cake as well.

Grandmother always used canned pineapple because for so many years a fresh pineapple wasn't available. The use of canned pineapple (crushed or chunks) removes the need to add sugar to the mixture.

Here’s a quick version for the modern goddess on the go: (by J. deVivre) • • • • • • •

1 can (11 oz) Mandarin oranges, drained 1 can (8 oz) pineapple chunks, drained 1 cup mini marshmallows 1 cup flaked sweetened coconut 1 cup (8 oz) sour cream 1/2 cup chopped pecans a few Maraschino cherries to garnish

Toss it all together, chill for a few hours, serve in bowls. Yield: 4 servings

Have pecans and maraschino cherries in side dishes for garnish. Dad was usually sitting at the dining room table shelling the pecans.

Mix the oranges, pineapple and coconut together. It's best if made the day before and let to chill and soak the flavors together. The nuts and cherries are not added because not everyone wants that on the ambrosia. Once made it's up to the individual how they choose to sweeten or not sweeten the concoction. This is a real fly by the seat of your pants dish.

Interesting ambrosia story. Once when we came back home after the holiday was had a quart jar of ambrosia. It stayed in the refrigeration long enough to ferment. My mother and I divided the jar, deciding that it would be a great lunch. Imagine Dad's surprise when he found us giggling and slightly drunk in the kitchen.

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Going back nearly 2800 years the best athletes in the known world have gathered to compete and prove their skill as Olympians. The ancient games featured athletic events as well chariot racing and tactical sports such as wrestling and the Greek martial art pankration. Yet, despite the substantial number of female athletes participating in sports once labeled for men only, the respected millennia-old sport of wrestling has seen relatively few women competitors. U.S. Olympian Kelsey Campbell intends to change that, while earning Olympic gold in the process. La Vie Sirene is proud to feature the story of this extraordinary athlete and humanitarian.

You have been a major trail blazer in your sport, including being the only female wrestler at your university. How have your challenges improved your performance and vice versa?

I think that the different adversities I faced shaped my appreciation for the sport. Every practice had to mean something because it took everything I had to get to it.

The long bus rides, borrowing wrestling shoes, the fundraisers to raise money... And then, you get there and you realize-I represent women's wrestling. I'm this team's only look at what my half of the sport is all about. If I complain, if I slack off, if I quit, that means all women's wrestling do. It was important to me to represent the sport the best I could. I wasn't trying to break barriers-at the time-I was just trying to string two good days together.

But then I look back and realize what that did for the sport, but also what it did for me. I don't think I'd honestly be an Olympian today if my journey had taken any other course.

unfinished business. The difference is, I'm the only one at my weight right now that has gone there and done that.

That's it. Everything else is up for grabs. I fought with all my heart to do what I did before, and now I'm digging deeper to do it in 2016, but with a medal to follow. I learned mostly that it doesn't take a super human to be the champion. It takes a human making a decision everyday to put themselves in the best position. It takes humility to learn from those around me that have accomplished what I have not. It taught me that any day can be my day (to God be the glory), but that it may or may not be. I love wrestling. I loved it when I wasn't winning. I loved it when I was winning.

Clearly, you are a woman of faith. How does your spirituality drive your decision-making and your attitude towards competition?

Being an Olympian is something akin to being an astronaut. So few of the world's population will ever have that experience. What was it like? And what did it teach you about yourself?

It changed everything and it changed nothing. Once again, there is a responsibility that comes with the title "Olympian." On the other hand, I'm still me and I still have a lot to attain in this sport. A lot of -18-

Making the Olympic Team, of course. I loved giving that victory to God and to those around me that helped pave the way and create the path. There were many involved in that dream realized. Becoming a Christian was the single most important thing. It changed my life. It changed my heart. I forgave and repented and committed my life to something that would dictate every single decision I would make. Having my Dad at the Olympics to watch me on the biggest physical stage in Sport. There are so many. Meeting Kobe Bryant ;) One of your various philanthropic pursuits is work with the Big Brother / Big Sister organization. What do you hope to impart to future generations and what draws you to working with kids?

I literally want to mentor my Little Sister into a woman that is bent on changing the world. I love the hands-on approach of investing real and constant time into an individual. These youths come from situations where every single adult they know has been to jail or is in jail. It doesn't have to be that way for them. I'm incredibly passionate about mentoring youth and would also someday love to start a Foster Care/Orphanage for displaced youth.

It drives me because my motivation is about pleasing God. Honestly. I feel awesome when I see success and accomplish goals. But there's no fooling myself: I truly believe if God does or doesn't have it in the cards for me to go to Rio, then I won't be there. It's not an excuse or a cop-out. It's the reality of what I believe. But I love God so much that I'll live every day, doing my very best to allow that relationship to drive me. To work the hardest. To do my best. To admit my mistakes. To continue to be a student. To not neglect what the Bible calls me to do in being evangelistic and committed to Godly people. I think that sums it up.

What are you looking forward to next?

I am training to be America's first Olympic Gold Medalist.

Whatever else happens along the way, I try to be opportunistic. I'm currently completing an internship with eBay, and coaching on various levels from developmental to elite level wrestlers. I'm also looking to once again pursue my performing side. I would love to get into acting and music again. It really is where my heart is at.

I love that you refer to yourself as a 'music maker.'

What can you tell us about the role of music in your life?

The first thing I ever wanted to do as a young girl was be a famous recording artist. I wanted to write and perform my own music, and choreograph routines for it. I started at a young age and have even recorded some songs.

What I have on YouTube is from high school, but that has always been my dream and what I believe to be my true natural "talent."

You've had so many huge moments in life already.

Which have meant the most to you and how have they affected you?

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Keep tabs on Kelsey’s quest for Olympic gold via her Facebook fan page or website

athena In Greek religion and mythology, Athena is the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, just warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill. Minerva is the Roman goddess identified with Athena.

Athena is also a shrewd companion of heroes and is the goddess of heroic endeavour. She is the virgin patroness of Athens. The Athenians founded the Parthenon on the Acropolis of her namesake city, Athens (Athena Parthenos), in her honour.

Athena's veneration as the patron of Athens seems to have existed from the earliest times, and was so persistent that archaic myths about her were recast to adapt to cultural changes. The city of Athens and the goddess Athena essentially bear the same name.

The more famous myths featuring the goddess Athena include:

• Her birth from the head of Zeus, fully-grown and arrayed in arms; • Her contest with Poseidon for dominion of Athens in which she produced the first olive tree and he the first horse; • The War of the Giants in which she buried Enkelados beneath Mount Etna and made her aigis from the skin of Pallas; • The attempted rape of the goddess by Hephaistos, who spilled his seed upon the earth and produced Erikhthonios, who she then adopted as her own; • The assisting of Perseus in his quest to slay the Gorgon and the Argonauts in their quest for the Golden Fleece; • The assisting of Herakles with his twelve labours; • The weaving contest with Arakhne who was transformed by the goddess into a spider; • The blinding of Teiresias for viewing her naked in the bath; • The Judgement of Paris in which she competed with Hera and Aphrodite for the prize of the golden apple; • The Trojan War where she sided with the Greeks in battle, but attacked their ships with a storm when they failed to punish Oilean Ajax for violating her Trojan shrine. [sources: Wikipedia & Theoi.com]

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Chicken athena Though courageous Athena was a far warrior’s cry from being what one might call a ‘chicken,’ she sure knew how to cook one.

Here’s the Greek recipe created in her name.

Ingredients • • • • • • • •

6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (6 ounces each) 2 medium onions, chopped 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes (not packed in oil), chopped 1/3 cup pitted Greek olives, chopped 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 3 garlic cloves, minced 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions 1

Place chicken in a 3-qt. slow cooker.

2

Add the remaining ingredients.

3

Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or until a thermometer reads 170°.

Yield: 6 servings.

Nutritional Facts: 1 chicken breast half equals 237 calories, 6 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 94 mg cholesterol, 467 mg sodium, 8 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 36 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1 fat. [sources: TasteOfHome.com]

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by Kathleen Young

The full moon is a wonderful time each month for the goddess in you to reconnect to nature and your wild side. The day of, before and after the full moon is an ideal time to attract creativity, love, positive, energy, and abundance. It's a time to meditate, pray, set an intention or merely allow yourself to melt into the blessings of the evening. Just as the sun has it's healing energy sent down from the sky so does the moon. I consider the delicate light rays of the moon bathing is just as important as sun bathing, and contrary to the effects of too much sun I haven't heard of any negative effects of too much moon (unless you watch WAY too much Twilight.).

For those of you who have crystals (and WHO doesn't ?) take them along with you to regenerate their energies in the beams of blessed moonlight. I encourage you to step outside and bathe (did I mention that nude is best?)under the full moon's healing light even if only for a few minutes. Breathe deep, reflect, and allow yourself to soak up the magic. It will be an experience that will only heighten and enrich the glorious goddess you are.

Moonlight is reflected light of the sun absorbed by the moon and showered onto Earth so it's a lovely filtered effect and thus perfect for caressing the goddess and her sensitive skin. This cooling light should be bathed in till the wee hours or as long as you please, retiring right to bed after ...or for you edgier types allow yourself to sleep under the moon for a bit.

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Over the Moon for Artemis Artemis was the greek goddess of the hunt, the moon, virginity, childbirth, animals, the wild, and archery. She was the daughter of Zeus, the god of the skies, and Leto, a titaness daughter of Koios and Phoebe. She was almost the exact opposite of her twin brother, Apollo, who was the god of the Sun, truth, healing, music, and poetry. He was very wild and had lots of affairs with other mortals, nymphs, and gods while Artemis was more serious and was a virgin goddess.

In ancient art Artemis was usually depicted as a girl dressed in a short knee-length chiton and equipped with a hunting bow and quiver of arrows.

Some of the best known myths featuring the goddess include:-■ ■ ■

■

■

■

■ ■

Her birth, immediately following which she assisted her mother in the birth of her twin brother Apollon; The Trojan War where she was beaten by Hera in an angry contest of the gods; The hunter Aktaion who encountered the goddess whilst she was bathing and was turned into a stag; The Aloadai giants who attempted to storm Olympos but were tricked by Artemis into killing each other; The sacrifice of Iphigeneia whom King Agamemnon offered to her for the passage of the Greek fleet to Troy; The giant Orion, a close companion of the goddess, who was slain by the goddess or her jealous brother; The Kalydonian boar sent by Artemis to ravage Kaldyon; The nymph Kallisto, a companion of Artemis, who was seduced by Zeus in the guise of the goddess.

[sources: GreekMythology.Wikia.com & Theoi.com]

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Artist unknown

Energize Your Inner-Goddess with a New Moon Ritual

by Lore Raymond

The New Moon on Monday, July 8, calls on you to energize your dreams into big, BIG and BIGGER! Consider the following ritual to be like taking a MANIFESTATION aerobics class~ but without the huffin’ and puffin’. You are sacredly invited to stretch spiritually and laviesirenely (a new word?!) to don the spiritual mantle of your “inner goddess”. Yes, you heard me.

Blasphemous? No way! Because YOU ARE DIVINE. And your inner-goddess job description is to share, serve, and most importantly, to love, bless, and know abundance!

Preparation 1. What does the word “inner-goddess” conjure up?

After you’ve thought about this, and before July 8, find a Greek restaurant and feast there with a goddess friend and chat about your answer! (And there’s no calorie counting this night because Athena, Nike, and Aphrodite never did.)

2. Explore your closet and drawers for items that make you feel powerful, possible, and peaceful. Look for clothing, shoes, and jewelry that are white and silver.

Now’s the time to get blinged out and diafanous! And since Archangel Haniel reflects the sensitive, watery moon energy, use a moonstone to also connect.

original art by Sanndi Art Mystical Expressions

3. Gather up supplies for your New Moon Energy Ritual: a tray-size mirror (see notes below); sparkling water and 2 bottled waters; Epsom salts; natural sponge; white and silver candle(s); matches or a lighting wand; hand held mirror

The Inner: Breathe. Drink Water. Clear you inner heart space with forgiveness work. Ask yourself: Is there anything or anyone I choose to now forgive for my highest goddess? Forgiveness heals and clears out your lower energies, and makes room for new energies to be seeded, the purpose of a New Moon ritual. The Ho ’opono Ono Prayer is a powerful spiritual took to support you. Click here for the Ho’ opono ono Prayer video.

Create

The Outer:

Create your Inner-Goddess Altar using a mirror; it needs to be flawless, have a sturdy frame the size of a serving tray. (Check out thrift stores for inexpensive finds to be used for future moon rituals.) Using a mirror-tray makes it portable for the outside ceremony, and then inside as a home altar.

Step 1: Breathe. Drink Water. Take a purifying moon bath using Epsom /sea salts and a natural sea sponge. Not a bath person? Take a shower or even an outdoor shower.

Go swimming. Anoint yourself during and after word with an essence that can be also be used in the cleansing of your sacred space. It’s been said that the scents of lavender, lemon balm and calamus are all associated with the new moon. Choose only one or two scents.

A 44-minute Ritual: Clear. Connect. Protect.

Celebrate. Close.

Clear…

Step 2: Go outdoors if at all possible for your ritual. “Plan B” would be to find a place indoors without distractions.

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Then, clear whatever space you’re in using a sage stick or by lighting incense.

I AM peace, I AM. I AM possible, I AM. I AM powerful, I AM. I AM potential, I AM.

Connect: Breathe. Drink water. Ask yourself: What do I seek to manifest in my life right now for my highest goddess? The answers become your intentions for the ritual. With the New Moon looking like a dark, circular chalkboard, she invites you to perhaps: write a new story; to make a new beginning; to ask for a new love; a healing and; a renewed commitment to a previous resolution. It is important to write down your intentions, even a few words because these words support thoughts, which then become things.

Celebrate: Breathe. Drink some sparkling water. There’s nothing to do. Breathe.

Protect: Breathe. Drink water. Light your white and silver candle. Visualize a ring of powerful women, “goddesses” who have loved you, all surrounding and protecting you.

When you have seen them in your mind’s eye and greeted each one with the word “Namaste”, ask each one for a gift to add to the circle of protection. See these “gifts” being symbolically placed on your Inner-goddess Altar. Feel the gathering power of these loving gifts, and the New Moon…her darkness and ancient mystery.

Continue absorbing this energy as you read and say out loud, each one of the goddess affirmations as you look into your hand held mirror:

Close: Breathe. Sit in silence. Feel. Allow your mind to wander. Float. Finally, visualize your original protection circle of goddesses transforming as angels, who then float across the night sky, gently disappearing. You will intuitively know when you are complete. Extinguish your candles, saying a prayer in gratitude with each breath.

How has your Inner-goddess been energized?

Lore is the Founder & Chief Inspirator of Women as Visionaries with Lore Raymond Magazine. Connect with her and share your experience.

Women as Visionaries with Lore Raymond Magazine, like a “spiritual CNN” to empower women through the wisdom of nine gifted contributors; each shares inspiration, information, and resources.

Women as Visionaries, a vibrant open Facebook group for Divine Dialogue where a daily VisionQuestion is asked.

Join Women as Visionaries with Lore Raymond magazine in July to celebrate Freedom through:

Bravery & Courage, Devotion & Determination, Charity & Compassion, Healing & Honoring -25-

The soul and sacred sounds of chantress Lindie Lila What is termed 'world music' is among my favorite genres. With a vocal background in jazz, how did your journey lead you to your current style of choice?

I grew up in a house where my parents loved music, particularly country music. When I studied jazz and Middle Eastern dance it opened my mind to world music.

I have been a student of world music ever since.Through the years I have studied many aspects of sound healing which I now incorporate into my songwriting.

I am very passionate about exotic world music instruments and how one can implement them for the healing benefits of the listener. I put a lot of attention into the production of my music so that it can uplift and raise consciousness. The Goddess energy also influences my music very strongly and because I use chanting as part of my own personal spiritual practice it comes very natural to me to write and channel original chants. I truly enjoy the rich flavor and choices of music instruments available within the scope of the world music genre. I guess my personality is very exotic, spicy and deep, so I resonate with this genre very strongly.

by the untamed elements and majestic natural environment around me.

Nature stimulates my inner fire, my creative force, my flow and it connects me to a deep sense of purpose within my being. It speaks to me in tongues, and gifts me ideas, inspirations and peace. I am head over heels in love with water, the ocean and rivers. I can play for hours in water, float, flow, splash or just walk by the sea and songs will just pour into me or out of me. To me the ocean especially is like a lover that I can never get enough of. My music is often inspired by an experience I have had in nature. My creative force is deeply connected with the pulse and the beauty of Mother Nature.

You have an incredible connection to nature, water, and the pulse of humanity. How do these inspire and shape your creative work?

I often find myself getting lost in the natural environment around me, as if I feel it inside myself, as if I am the ocean, the mountain, the river, the water, the moon, as if there is no separation between us. Nature is a very sensorial and erotic experience to me and I get energized -26-

How have your training and teaching of Middle Eastern dance colored your approach to music making?

Dancing to me is a great source of magic, it shifts energy and stimulates my inner fire, as well as giving me lots of flow and joy! I can’t really separate my music from dancing, and sometimes I will literally dance a song into being. I will move my hips, dance in a circle, shake a rattle and stomp my feet, shimmy and shake to create shapes with my body and this all helps to birth the songs.

While I don’t dance professionally at this stage I am often swaying and swirling about in the house, in the garden, on the beach, in the water, anywhere really.I am just a dancing, singing, music making being and the fact that I qualified as a Belly Dance Instructor has just helped me tremendously with my rhythm in music. It has broadened my creative mind by introducing me to very colorful sound palettes to choose from.

I now find myself seeing music in shapes and patterns, instead of just hearing it in my head. The in-depth training opened my body kinesthetically to experience music on a more holistic level.

I have found chants to be one of the most calming and grounding of music styles and I am so excited about and fascinated by your upcoming e-book coming out in July. As I understand it, each of the lyrics from your new album Sisters of the Moon Goddess Chant are portrayed as a mandala. Please tell us all that you can about this unique project.

In this E-book each of the lyrics on my *Sisters of the Moon* album is portrayed as a mandala. These visual journeys embody the essence of the accompanied songs.

While I was musing the songs into being, I was touched by the fertile and aesthetic grace of the Goddess. I felt a deep urge to draw the shapes of my songs and melodies, weaving them into twirls, circles and sways on paper.

Repetitive rhythmic percussion evolved into gentle geometrical structures, symmetry and form. This in turn urged my body into motion, and I found myself dancing waves of sensuality. Each image became a//mirror into my own inner landscape.

These songs and mandalas are perfect for sacred song circles, ritual dancing, meditation and guided visualization.

They are a source of self-discovery and a means to initiate a deeper connection with the Great Goddess.

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s sample g n o s r e fo ila’s sit L ie d in Visit L

And I imagine you get tons of feedback from fans and listeners who feel the same way. Can you share with us some of the comments you've gotten on your work that have meant the most to you?

Here are a few of my favorites. You can share as much as you like.

"Dear Lila, your new album 'Sisters of the Moon' is infused with beauty and grace, the feel is sublime and etheric. I love your haunting vocals and the talented musicians and singers who joined you, the harmonies are wonderful! 'Gayatri Mantra' is my have so far...

Congratulations on a truly beautiful collection of powerful feminine songs and chants! I looove all the songs, listening to them now! *They evoke such an exquisite mood and ambience that would be perfect for sacred women's gatherings, gentle dance, veils, meditation, yoga...dreaming, ritual. *You've done an amazing thing with this creation and it'll bring joy to many people around the world for years to come. Thank YOU for creating it! xx" ~Keti Sharif , Australia

"I cannot help but feel that a review of your album in anything but poetry would not serve it justice, for poetry is what your music is. Even still, I am left dumbfounded, unable to fathom words that can properly describe this awe-inspiring experience. Still, if I was to describe my feelings, I would use the word, Awen. It is a Welsh word that stands for wisdom, truth, and above all, divine inspiration. The nine tracks of Sisters of the Moon are no less then a spiritual experience. They give the listener a chance to find their most inner sacred place. As I myself lay there, listening to your sublime music (with head phones -as advised!) in both reverence and enthusiasm, I could feel myself strongly connected to my inner sacred spirit. There is an old quote by Bhagavan Nityananda, a wise sage of India. “The Heart is the hub of all sacred places. Go there and roam.” With each track, each sacred chant that connects us to the divine, the passions of your work is evident, for it comes from your heart, a most sacred place. It is because of this, that I feel the magic of your work within my own heart as I lose myself in the music, making this album one of the most awe-inspiring I have come across, and I am honored to have been one of the first to have listened to it. Thank you” ~Jonathan Riojas, Texas "Ahhh…. there is magic on this CD! Smooth, soothing, floating, I cannot even find the right words...one has to listen to absorb this music to feel the magic! Well done!!!

Thank you my dear Lady for another awesome CD!!!! ...

Really I am speechless...The album is awesome! What a wonderful gift you have given us! I slept like a baby last night. I had been having troubled sleep for a couple months. Your voice, your beautiful songs from your soul are very healing. I have a friend I want to gift this album to so will be ordering again soon. you Lindie Lila!

Thank you!" ~Nain Catrin, USA

“Four years ago I was 20 weeks pregnant. They discovered the baby’s kidneys are not working and an abortion was the only outcome. I was devastated. I felt like a murderer. I did not know how to face life again. Mize gave me a cd of Goddess chants. How it changed my life. It gave me peace and acceptance of what happened. The chants carried me through my pain and disappointment. The Goddess chants and Lindie-Lila was put on my path to heal me. I am forever grateful for that. Still today when I am sad and feeling worthless the chants inspire me to be someone, that I have meaning in this life. My children love the chants and I hope it will mean something in their lives too." ~Zelna Coetzer Wiid, South Africa It seems that much of the process involved in creating your music requires quiet time alone to think, meditate, chant, commune with nature, etc.

What do you most enjoy doing with others?

• • • • • • • • •

I love a good time with girlfriends Laughing Dancing Flirting Spending time with babies Snorkeling Picnics Just relaxing with friends and family Getting up to mischief

What is exciting you most these days?

I get very excited to travel to exotic countries, to grow my music into a sustainable career, being in nature. Snow!I recently experienced snow for the first time, loved it!

Living the mystery I guess. Composing more songs and producing them. Oh my I get so excited about so many things, it’s impossible to name them all.

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Persephone Personiphied an untitled retelling of the myth by Lyle Dagnen for Siren Lagoon

Persephone, goddess of spring, wife of Hades, sat playing with two smooth jewels that her husband had recently given to her. She so loved the fields of yellow jonquils in the spring; the stones were amber. Clear and golden. The cold months on earth had frozen the surface of the planet and it was time for her to return to visit her mother Demeter so that she would bless the earth and make it fruitful once again. When she was first brought to the underworld by her love-struck husband she had cried of loneliness and she did not like the dark world. She had thought that her heart might break.

Slowly, day by day, she began to recognize that Hades was remorseful for kidnapping her, but that he could no more let her out of his sight than Artist unknown he could shut down the dreary place he lived. The first thing he had ever given her was a pink stone that was the color of the flowers she had worn in her hair when she was captured. It was warm because he had held it closed in his hand. When she touched his hand to pick up the stone, she noticed that the mighty god held his breath, closing his eyes, enjoying the sensation of her touch.

He worked daily to provide tasty morsels for her to eat. She had not eaten a thing since she came to the underworld. Finally, she ate five ruby red seeds of a pomegranate. He smiled. It was such a lovely smile, she began to see the depth of the man that she at first thought she hated.

On earth Demeter was so grief-stricken that she did not care for the earth and it had become barren. Zeus, king of all the gods, ask what could be done. Demeter wanted her daughter Persephone back. Zeus went to speak to his brother, but he soon recognized that Hades loved Persephone so much that he would never give her up. Finally it was decided that if she had not eaten anything she could come back to earth. The five seeds seemed to doom her to an everlasting life in the dark world and the earth itself would perish. It was decided that she could spend on month for every seed she had eaten with her mother; the rest of the time was to be spent with Hades. Neither Hades or Demeter particularly liked the bargain; however, they agreed.

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As Persephone sat playing with the amber stones she realized that Hades, too, had been thinking about her time on earth. He had walked away rather than sit with her. She had come to know and love this dark, brooding man that was her husband. She loved her time on the surface, but she never regretted when it was time to return to him. She was frustrated because she could not make Hades or Demeter happy.

“Husband” she called as she walked up behind him. “Thank you for the lovely gift.” She placed her hand on his strong back waiting for him to face her.

“Carry them with you” his deep voice rumbled “Think of me when you are away.” He looked over his shoulder at her.

She smiled up at him. “I always think of you. I miss you while I am away.”

He turned, wrapping her in his mighty arms, holding her as close as he dared. “It tears my heart so when you leave me.”

“I will always come back to you” she whispered as she kissed him. The dark god gentled at her caress and her touch.

“Come,” he whispered as his hands held her gently “I'll take you back.”

Persephone knew deep in her heart that this was a gift he was giving her. He would carry her up the long passageway in his black chariot pulled by four mighty black horses that thundered when they ran.

Persephone held tightly to her husband as they began their journey.

As soon as she appeared on the surface, the snow and ice began to melt, spring was on the earth, the growing season at hand.

Demeter was frowning when she saw her son-in-law. For the first time in forever, he did not speak harshly to her. Stepping from the chariot he reached up to lift Persephone to the ground. Before he sent her to her mother, he once again kissed her deeply, pouring all the love he felt for her in his kiss. “I love you, wife” he whispered, which was a gentle roll of thunder.

Persephone, caressed his face. “I love you, husband. I will return to you, my heart already longs for you.”

Hades smiled.

Illamasqua Out of Darkness collection

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Persephone's Pomegranate Martini submitted by her hubby, Hades (Ruler of the Underworld) via Sanndi Thompson of the mortal realm

My soulmate, Persephone makes a mean martini! I am sharing the recipe with you because my beloved is in the Upper world right now, visiting her mother, Demeter since it's Spring.

Anyway here is the recipe: • • •

1 oz.Vodka 1/2 oz. Cointreau orange liqueur 3 oz.pomegranate juice

1.

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker that's 1/4th filled with crushed ice Shake and strain into a cocktail glass Garnish with 3 pomegranates seeds

2.

3.

Green Goddess Cafe, serving diving breakfasts & lunches

Goddess Cafe - A weekly hour long Cafe where women and men get together to discuss all things Goddess. Two women walking other's through what they've been through

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The Sleeping Goddess: Photograph by The Lost Gardens of Heligan

by Sanndi Thompson

The Mattress: Make sure you have a comfortable mattress but one that is not too terribly old.( No goddess should ever have to slumber upon a mattress that is lumpy and bumpy or the bed springs poke through!) Nor should you slide into the middle like a big sink hole is sucking you in. If you don't already have a decent mattress, you may want to consider investing in one at some point. After all, sleep time is the only time our bodies get to truly rest, so why not be good to our bodies? If you can't invest in a new mattress, consider getting one of those memory foam mattress toppers, which is a delightful cushy pad that fits over the top of your mattress. They can be anywhere from 2 inches to 4 inches in thickness. They offer comfort and the feel of luxury and aren't as expensive as investing in a new mattress.

cotton, in a tank top or gown or tee shirt, paired with comfy boxers.(Siren School has an adorable little tank top by the way,hint- hint...) Soft as air cotton items can be just as enjoyable on the skin as satin. Or perhaps you are a sleep in the buff kind of Goddess, which is fine too. The idea is to feel an inner peace about yourself when you head for your royal bed chambers!

The Bed Linens: Perhaps you are the kind of Goddess that likes to slip and slide around on satin sheets, or maybe you prefer the high thread count of Egyptian cotton sheets. Both of these are nice and feel marvelous against the skin! The idea here is to allow yourself to have a set of sheets that makes you and your body look forward to crawling into bed! Also there are cotton Jersey sheets that feel so light and airy soft, like a well worn beloved tee shirt which only become softer and softer the more they are washed. Of course I can't leave out flannel sheets, cozy, warm, and nurturing like a hug. Indulge yourself and let sleeping become an art!

Reading material: I would stay away from newspapers and even some women's magazines due to the negativity in content. Many women's magazine are loaded with messages to us that we aren't good enough, not skinny enough, not beautiful enough, diets, blah blah blah. So why subject our minds and hearts to that before we sleep?So read something that YOU find inspiring. Also writing in a journal is a great way to decompress the tangled thoughts in your head from the day, and is a good way to release some stress, thus inducing a better nights sleep.

Sleepwear: Buy yourself some sleep wear that makes you feel beautiful! A satin night gown or some silky pajamas always feel lovely against the skin and will surely appease your inner goddess.Not that type of glamour Goddess? Well then maybe go for light as air

Background sounds: If you must have some kind of noise while you sleep, I would strongly suggest soft music or nature sounds or something of a serene nature. I personally do not suggest the television as background noise, only because it can be negative and who knows what your subconscious mind is absorbing from television while you slumber! So sounds of water, waves,or music that soothes your soul would be my advice.

Lighting: If you must have some kind of light while you sleep then choose something with low wattage. Maybe a small lamp or nightlight perhaps if you don't like total darkness. Research has shown that a dark bedroom helps to increase our levels of melatonin , which is the natural hormone our bodies produce that helps induce -32-

sleep. So the darker the better. But many like some sort of light, so if that is the case, then choose a lamp that doesn't put out much light. But remember, you are a Goddess and don't have to be afraid of the dark!

Scents: Pillow sachets filled with lavender can be very soothing or pillow spray mists made from aromatherapy oils can add a pleasant atmosphere to the bedroom, helping to induce sleep.

Food and Drink: Try not to eat a big meal before bedtime, as that will interfere with your sleeping. Also don't eat items with caffeine or sugars in them before bedtime either. However some teas such as chamomile are very relaxing to drink at bedtime and help induce sleep.

Amount of Sleep: Goddesses need their sleep! We've heard it our whole lives, get 8 hours of sleep, but easier said than done, right? Getting at least 7-8 hours is what to strive for because a decent amount of sleep increases melatonin (the sleep hormone) which helps repair and regenerate collagen cells which are responsible for the elasticity and tightness of our skin.Getting enough sleep reduces cortisol ( which is a stress hormone) Who wouldn't want to reduce their level of stress hormones? So there ya go Goddesses- get to bed earlier so you will have radiant skin and won't strangle your significant other!

Practice Gratitude: While laying in bed before drifting off to dreamland think of things that you are thankful for. It can be something as simple as having seen a pretty sunset or heard a great song on radio while driving home from work, or your child drew you a picture. Or just the fact that you are safe and laying in bed and have a roof over your head. Try not to think of the things that went wrong that day, instead think of the things that went right! Trust me on this one, there is always something to be thankful for!

Once you’re rested, treat yourself to a jaunt over to Sanndi’s art site

Sanndi Art Mystical Expressions In her “galleries you will gaze upon a multitude of feminine archetypes depicted in various scenarios. From ancient realms where bellydancers dance, to ethereal women in nature, to the occasional mermaid all meant to inspire, empower, and bring a touch of the mystical into your life.”

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How a Girl becomes a Goddess ! Young Adult writing phenom Josephine Angelini turns ancient myth into modern magic with her triumphant trilogy Starcrossed. Our Q&A with her comes just weeks after the publishing of her anxiously awaited final installment, Goddess.

What first triggered your interest in mythology?

I started reading mythology when I was very young. I think it was a combination of being a fantasy geek and the fact that they happened to be on the bookshelf at home. I was really into magic and monsters and Greek mythology had it all—hydras, sirens, Cyclopes, you name it.

Have you had an Orion or Lucas (the books’ leading men) in your own life?

Haha! This is the part where I say that all of my male characters are modeled after my husband and earn major brownie points! Actually, I think that my characters have more of me in them than anyone else, even the guys.

Except Hector. Hector is the guy I wish I could be just for a day. He’s cocky and he always speaks his mind even if other people don’t like what he has to say. He’s a jerk, but in a fun way.

Josephine, your trilogy Starcrossed crosses worlds, races and generations of fans. What sort of influences have inspired you to reach out and express yourself in such an inclusive way?

I actually felt like I couldn’t use as many ethnicities in my book as I would have liked. I made the choice (for plot reasons) to have my characters look like gods from Greek mythology, and the literature describes the gods as white. I am happy, though, that such a diverse fan base has embraced my books. As for my influences, I think I’m just trying to be true to life by including as many different people as I can. Life is multicultural, I think—or at least mine certainly is.

The titles of your trilogy have 'matured' right along with your protagonist Helen Hamilton. First she was Starcrossed - a feeling so many young women can relate to. By Dreamless Helen seemed wiser with much more responsibility. At last she evolved into a Goddess in her own right, so to speak. How have you personally grown in your journey with Helen?

Starcrossed was the first book I ever wrote, and I’ve been learning on the job ever since. I think my writing has grown, and I know that on a personal level I have as well.

By the time I got to Goddess, I was a lot more confident about my storytelling and less worried about what other people thought.

After investing so much love and care into your trilogy has it been hard to say goodbye to it?

I haven’t really said goodbye just yet. I’m thinking about writing prequels to the series, and maybe in a few years I’ll continue with Helen and Lucas’ story as well. At the -34-

end of Goddess they still have a few lingering issues to deal with that would make interesting storylines, I think.

What's on the horizon next? A book tour? A well earned rest? The first few pages of your next popular saga?

Clearly, you devote a lot of time and energy into connecting with your fans. What do you do just for you?

I can’t post the first few pages just yet, but I do have another series waiting in the wings. I’ve titled the first book Crucible, and it’s what I call a fanta-sci series. Part fantasy, part science fiction. I have no idea when it will be coming out—probably not for another year or so.

Hot yoga. There’s nothing like twisting yourself into a pretzel while you’re sweating your brains out. Really puts things into perspective.

STARCROSSED Helen Hamilton has always tried to hide how different she is—no easy feat on an island as small as Nantucket, and only getting harder as she finds herself haunted by hallucinations and vivid nightmares.

It's not until she crosses paths with Lucas Delos at school that Helen's true heritage is finally revealed.

Yet even as Lucas helps her awaken to her startling powers, they can never be together—not unless they can break free from the tragic destiny the Three Fates have in store.

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DREAMLESS

GODDESS

Can true love be forgotten? As the only Scion who can descend into the Underworld, Helen Hamilton has been given a nearly impossible task. By night she wanders through Hades, trying to stop the endless cycle of revenge that has cursed her family.

By day she struggles to overcome the fatigue that is rapidly eroding her sanity. Without Lucas by her side, Helen is not sure she has the strength to go on.

After accidentally unleashing the gods from their captivity on Olympus, Helen must find a way to re-imprison them without starting a devastating war. But the gods are angry, and their thirst for blood already has a body count.

Just as Helen is pushed to her breaking point, a mysterious new Scion comes to her rescue. Funny and brave, Orion shields her from the dangers of the Underworld. But time is running out—a ruthless foe plots against them, and the Furies' cry for blood is growing louder.

As the ancient Greek world collides with the mortal one, Helen's sheltered life on Nantucket descends into chaos. But the hardest task of all will be forgetting Lucas Delos.Josephine Angelini's compelling saga becomes ever more intricate and spellbinding as an unforgettable love triangle emerges and the eternal cycle of revenge intensifies.

Eagerly awaited, this sequel to the internationally bestselling STARCROSSED delivers a gritty, actionpacked love story that exceeds expectation.

To make matters worse, the Oracle reveals that a diabolical Tyrant is lurking among them, which drives a wedge between the once-solid group of friends.

As the gods use the Scions against one another, Lucas's life hangs in the balance. Still unsure whether she loves him or Orion, Helen is forced to make a terrifying decision, for war is coming to her shores.

Wreathed in Beauty

heady projects for young crafty goddesses Perhaps only the toga is a more recognizable symbol of ancient Greek fashion than the laurel leaf crown. The following kid crafts offer a variety of wearable art evocative of Greece’s pantheon.

The Olympic Laurel Victors of the Olympic games were rewarded with the coveted laurel crown, hearkening back to the early Pythian games, considered sacred to the god Apollo. Using a thin wire hanger or thick floral wire, cut wire long enough to go around head with a couple of inches to spare.

Twist together ends of wire to make a loop.

Then go crazy, embellishing with bay leaves affixed with thin floral wire, or artificial leaves that have twistable wire ends.

The Fruits of the vine The Greek pantheon was inhabited by a variety of gods and goddesses all associated with different virtues, vices and aspects of nature.

Head wreaths were common wear for revelers and those performing specific religious rites.

Your little goddess can easily make Dionysis proud with a wreath made of leaves and fruit.

Cut 3 vines or ivy a bit longer than needed to go around the child’s head.

Tie one end together using ribbon or wire and let your young one have fun loosely braiding the vines together. Attach finished end to starting point with wrapped wire or ribbon then let your little one embellish by sticking or tying flowers, berries and leaves into the wreath.

Add hanging ribbons for extra flair.

Golden Fleece Headpiece Greek women coveted gold jewelry and crowns. Your finished headwear may not look quite as opulent as the one shown, but young listeners will love to hear about Jason and the Golden Fleece as they create a golden

adornment of their own. Have crafters begin by cutting a strip of flexible cardboard that is long enough to wrap around their heads, with a bit of an overlap for gluing or stapling later.

Paint entire surface gold. When dry, form the band into a loop and affix ends with glue or staples. Cut round gold paper doilies in half and glue to band, lining up the cut straight edge of the doily with the bottom of the band.

Embellish with gold pipe cleaners as desired, for additional intricacy.

Medusa Tiara Regale young listeners with the grim story of Medusa as they embellish a standard plastic headband with twisted and contorted chenille pipe cleaners. Twist 2 or more pipe cleaners together to simulate the look of the gorgon’s snakes.

Wrap these snakes around the headband, making sure to leave a ‘tail’ which then can curl around their finger to add to the snakelike effect.

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Goddess Paper Dolls Waldorf-inspired Goddesses, Heroines, and Queens from around the world, handmade by Kelli Cymraes Lincoln.

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Goddess Dolls

Goddess Coloring Book

Europa East & West Colored Triple Goddess Tattoo by~roguewyndwalker

EASTERN Europe is a mixture of peoples and languages and cultures. Serbs, Croats, Montenegrans, Albanians, Bulgarians, Romanians, Poles, Hungarians, Czechs, Italians, Lithuanians, Latvians, Estonians, Finns and a variety of other Slavic and non-Slavic peoples make their home there. Ethnicities frequently cross over political boundaries and intermingle.

Anapel, Little Grandmother Known as "Little Grandmother," this Goddess of the Koryak people of Siberia is Matron of reincarnation.

Aspelenie, Hearth Snake Among pre-Christian Lithuanians, Aspelenie was honored as Goddess of Home and Hearth. She took the form of a friendly serpent. The serpent was also considered a servant of the Sun Goddess Saule, and to harm a serpent was a blasphemous offense. While predominantly Christian, there is an active and vocal Pagan resurgence in Lithuania.

Ausrine and Saule, Ladies Bright Saule is the Sun Goddess of ancient Lithuania. Ausrine is Her Daughter, the "Lady of the Morning Star." Saule's husband, Ausrine's father, is Meness the God of the Moon.

Baba Yaga, Lady Circle Generally known in fairy tales as the prototypical Witch in the Woods (see Hansel and Gretel), Baba Yaga is in fact an ancient Triple Goddess. She manifests the traditional three phases of a woman's life: Maiden, Mother and Crone. Many Russian fairy tales recount Her confrontations with the Czar or Czar's son, perhaps obscured recollections of the long-ago overthrow of the native Goddess. Many fairy tales also center on Her maiden aspect, Vasilisa--who usually ends the story in marriage to the Czar or Czar's son.

The Bereginy, Wood Maids The Bereginy, like the Nymphae of Greece and Rome, were spirits of nature. They were honored by women throughout the Slavic regions of Europe even through the Middle Ages. See the Nymphae (Greaco-Roman Goddesses), the Yakshi (Hindu Goddesses) and the Duc Ba (South-East Asian Goddesses).

Bozaloshtsh, Lady Who Cries Crying spirits whose scream announces imminent death are common in European mythology: the Banshee of the Irish is the most well-known. Among the ancient Wend of Germany, Bozaloshtsh was just such a spirit.

Dziewanna, Lady of Spring This Polish Goddess was Matron of Spring and Agriculture. She was especially honored by farmers.

Haltia, Lady of the Home This Goddess of the Home was honored by Baltic Finns.

The Estonians called her Holdja. Her tale contains a cautionary note for those considering a move to a new home....See also Vesta (Graeco-Roman Goddesses).

Koliada, Lady of Time Also known as Koljada, this Russian Goddess is the personification of Time and the Winter Solstice. A special festival was held in Her honor at the Solstice.

Lada, Spring Maiden Lada, Goddess of Spring and Love, was worshipped throughout Lithuania, Poland and Russia. Spring and love are often placed under the auspices of the same Deity, whether male or female, for obvious reasons: spring is the season of reproduction and new life, often outcomes of love.

Mokosh, Lady of Waters This Goddess of Moisture was honored throughout Slavic Europe under a variety of related names. Christian writers as late as the 16th century CE complained that women still honored Mokosh.

The Rusalka, Watery Ones The Rusalka were water spirits honored in Russia.

Fertility is their special domain. The Rusalka would make excellent champions of Russia's struggling Green Movement.

Slatababa, Golden Goddess This tale is told by the Ugric of Russia. It may or may not be based on historical fact.

Suksendal, Night Spirit This evil spirit of the night is feared by the Tartar people of Siberia. Perhaps She is abstract fears of darkness and death given concrete, human form.

The Zorya, Guardians of the Sun The Zorya are ancient Slavic sky and light Goddesses, honored particularly in Russia.Sometimes only two in number, They are usually portrayed as three, a not uncommon number in world mythology.

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WESTERN Europe Aeval, Lady of Sexuality Among the Celts of Ireland, Aeval was the Fairy Queen of Munster. She held a midnight court to determine if husbands were satisfying their wives' sexual needs, or not, as the women charged.

Ain, Lady Law Along with Her sister, She wrote the Brehon Laws, an ancient law code of Celtice Ireland which protected women's rights.

Arduinna, Lady of the Forests The Celts of Gaul (France) honored Her as Goddess of Justice and Childbirth. The Ardennes Forest, named after Her, were Her special domain.

Arianrhod, Silver Wheel Among the Celts of Wales, She was a Goddess of Childbirth, the Moon, Fertility and Fate. She derives Her name from the Milky Way and/or the zodiac.

Banshees, Fairies of the Sidhe Ireland, like many nations, experienced a succession of migrations and invasions. Unlike the pre-Hellenic Greek Titans, Who remained Deities, the ancient Gods and Goddesses of Ireland became demons or fairies. Such is the case with the Banshee, ancient Deities driven underground. Such hills beneath which they make their home are still called sidhe ("shee"), and some Irish still claim decsent from these Deities/fairies; hence the surname, "O'Shea."

especially popular with Roman soldiers. Among the Gaulish Celts themselves, She was worshipped as Goddess of Horses, Asses, Mules, Oxen, and, to an extent, Springs and Rivers.

Mari, Lady Justice She is the Basque Goddess of Rain and Drought. Via the latter, She punishes those guilty of lying, stealing and pride. She assumes many different forms .

Medb, Lady Sovereignty In ancient Ireland, a king was ritually wed to this Goddess (in the person of Her Priestess) to legitimize his reign.

She was considered a Triune Goddess Who oversaw sovereignty, war, sexuality and intoxication. Her name is more recognizable in its phoetic spelling: Maeve.

Morrigan, Mistress War The Morrigan is a Triune Goddess made of three largely autonomous Goddesses. Their names vary, but they are usually called Macha, Badb and Nemain. She/They were War Goddess/es. *Also known as Queen of the goddesses* Sheila-na-gig, The Vulva For obvious reasons, this Celtic Goddess was attacked

by Christian missionaries as vulgar, lutful and demonic.

To the Pagan Celts, however, She was a Goddess of Women and Fertility. [source: OoCities.org]

Beag, Mistress of the Well The Irish Celts said Beag owned a magic well, the Well of Wisdom.

Branwen, Lady Love Her name means "White Breasted" or "White Cow." The ancient Welsh worshipped Her as the daughter of Sea, and as Goddess of the Moon and Love.

Brigid, High One Her name means "High One." The Celts of Ireland knew Her as Triune Goddess of Healing, Poetry and Smithcraft.

See also the Descent of the Gods chapter.

Cerridwen, Lady of Inspiration To the Celts of the British Isles and Brittany, She was Goddess of Wisdom, Poetry and Grain. Her annual slaying of Gwion mimics the change of the seasons. She is often depicted with Her Cauldron of Wisdom.

Danu, Great Mother She is the "Mother of the Gods" of the Tuatha De Danaan, one of the ancient people who settled in Ireland.

Her children and followers were transformed into the Banshee (Profiled above). Under a variety of names, including Anu and Don, Danu was worshipped through pre-Christian Europe.

Epona, Horse Mistress She was the only Celtic Goddess to be honored by the Romans with a temple in their capital city. She was Mother Earth by Jessica Galbreth, the Vintage Angel

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Boldogasszony’s Summer Chimney Cake Kürtőskalács or Chimney Cake is a traditional Hungarian pastry baked over an open fire and smoldering coals. It is formed around wooden spindles and cooked until crispy on the outside while soft and doughy on the inside, rather like a soft pretzel.The pastry was originally born is Transylvania (present day Romania), when the territory was still part of present day Hungary. Legend holds that the recipe was originally created by Szekler families trying to maximize the use of their cooling charcoal. And so they wrapped their stovepipes pastry that cooked as the coals burned themselves out. Eventually, kürtőskalács became a treasured sweet served at weddings and and special occasions in Transylvania and Hungary. Today, Chimney Cake is sold by street vendors at carnivals and fairs by street vendors as well as in bakeries in a variety of countries.

Total Time: 2 hours, Prep time: 1 hour 30 mins Cook time: 20 min, Garnish time: 10 mins, Yield: 6 rolls

Ingredients • • • • • • •

750g flour 2 eggs 60g sugar 100g butter, melted 30g yeast 300ml milk, lukewarm some more melted butter and sugar, for the caramelised surface

Directions 1. Scoop the flour into a bowl and make a small pit into the middle. Put the yeast into the pit, pour the lukewarm milk onto it and mix gently until the yeast dissolves in the milk. Cover the bowl with a tea towel for 10-15 mins to allow the yeast to activate.

2. Mix the butter, sugar and eggs together and pour this mixture into the yeast & flour mix.

Knead these ingredients together and then cover the dough again and allow to rise for 1 hour in a warm place.

3. While dough is rising, create your ‘spindle’ using either paper towel rolls or empty beer cans wrapped in aluminum foil. Be sure to cover completely with the foil.

4. After your dough has risen, place dough ball on a hard even surface and roll out. Cut long

strips from the dough and wrap around your homemade spindles. after brushing spindles with butter in order to ensure pastry slides off easily. Make sure to wrap pastry strips so that dough covers the spindles completely with no space between strips.

5. Bake at 200 degrees for about 15-20 minutes.

Around minute 10, brush pastry with melted butter and roll in sugar or cinnamon/sugar and bake until the sugar is fully caramelized.

6. When fully baked, tap the cake on a hard surface so the pastry will simply slide off of your foil-covered, buttered spindles.

Garnish & Serving • Slice cooled rolls lengthwise down the center on one side • FIll with ice cream and berries of choice • Serve

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Female Fencers Get Right to the Point

The Ladies' Class of the Fencers' Club - Leslie's Weekly, 1888

Think fencing is only for fictional heroines in the days of yore? Do please think again.

The equalizing sporting pursuit Whereas most sports rely on upper body strength, favoring male opponents, fencing relies nearly solely on lower body strength. The amount of brawn needed by a fencer requires the ability to wield a mere 27-ounce sword. Since men and women are nearly equal when it comes to leg strength, and women have a lower center of gravity than men, women may actually have a slight advantage over their male counterparts.

Fencing is a psychological affair, more about outwitting and out-maneuvering one’s opponent than out-muscling them. And women have a long and successful history of outwitting men. (*wink*) -41-

A complete exercise Fencing is a whole body workout that is especially beneficial to the thighs, hips and glutes thanks to the lunges inherent in the sport. It is also a solid aerobic activity involving quickness and agility that burns up to 390 calories per hour. As a martial art, it teaches grace and tactical skills, and is an effective stress reliever.

The gear In addition to your sword of choice, women will want to wear a chest protector. It is a plastic bra of sorts that protects the entire torso, including the breasts. Today’s weapons designed for sport are made of pliable steel that bend as opposed to stab, ensuring the user’s enjoyment of the sport without worry about injury.

A matter of preference Fencing offers a variety of weapon choices for the budding swordsman: foil, sabre and épée. To try your hand at swordplay or find the style that suits you best, simply consult your local fencing school, or even your city’s Parks & Recreation department. You may be surprised at how easy it is to get started.

Two Hands ◆ One Heart The Story of The Claddagh Ring The ring, depicting two hands clutching a heart complete with crown, epitomizes the expression of lasting love and eternal friendship. The heart symbolizes Love, the hands Friendship and the crown Fidelity.

The Story The romantic story of the mystical and beautiful Claddagh Ring began over 300 years ago, in the ancient fishing village of Claddagh just outside the walls of the city of Galway on the west coast of Ireland.

Legend tells us a fishing boat from the village was captured by pirates and the crew taken and sold as slaves. One of the crew, Richard Joyce (who was to have been married that very week,) was sold to a Turkish Gold Smith.

During his captive years never forgetting his girl back home, he made a ring of gold for her.

After many years Richard eventually earned his freedom and returned to Claddagh. To his great Joy he found his girl had never given up hope of seeing him again. He gave her the ring and they were married never to be separated.

The Tradition Worn on the right hand, crown turned inwards, your heart is yet to be occupied.

Worn on the right hand, crown turned outwards shows a special commitment to someone.

Worn on the left hand, Crown turned outwards, Let our love and friendship reign forever, never to be separated.

Story Courtesy of Claddagh.net

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Tying the Knot Celtic knots are a variety of knots and stylized graphical representations of knots used for decoration, used extensively in theCeltic style of Insular art.

These knots are most known for their adaptation for use in the ornamentation of Christian monumentsand manuscripts, such as the 8th-century St. Teilo Gospels, the Book of Kells and the Lindisfarne Gospels. Most are endless knots, and many are varieties of basket weave knots.

The use of interlace patterns had its origins in the artwork of the late Roman Empire. Knot patterns first appeared in the third and fourth centuries AD and can be seen in Roman floor mosaics of that time. Interesting developments in the artistic use of interlaced knot patterns are found in Byzantine architecture and book illumination, Coptic art, Celtic art, Islamic art, Medieval Russian book illumination, Ethiopian art, and European architecture and book illumination.

Spirals, step patterns, and key patterns are dominant motifs in Celtic art before the Christian influence on the Celts, which began around 450 A.D. These designs found their way into early Christian manuscripts and artwork with the addition of depictions from life, such as animals, plants and even humans. In the beginning, the patterns were intricate interwoven cords, called plaits, which can also be found in other areas of Europe, such as Italy, in the 6th century. A fragment of a Gospel Book, now in the Durham Cathedral library and created in northern Britain in the 7th century, contains the earliest example of true knotted designs in the Celtic manner.

Examples of plait work (a woven, unbroken cord design) predate knotwork designs in several cultures around the world,[2] but the broken and reconnected plait work that is characteristic of true knotwork began in northern Italy and southern Gaul and spread toIreland by the 7th century. The style is most commonly associated with the Celtic lands, but it was also practiced extensively in England and was exported to Europe by Irish and Northumbrian monastic activities on the continent. J. Romilly Allen has identified "eight elementary knots which form the basis of nearly all the interlaced patterns in Celtic decorative art". In modern times Celtic art is popularly thought of in terms of national identity and therefore specifically Irish, Scottish or Welsh. [Thanks, Wikipedia] -43-

La Vie Sirene strives to share a variety of cultures and belief systems without bias or preference. We welcome all submissions that come from a place of beneficence and interest in our readers‘ wellbeing. The following Oracle Reading is lovingly offered by The Mad Mystic. [Nota bene: Individuals are solely responsible for their decisions and actions as they relate to this reading.]

This message comes to you from the heart of

Aeracura Celtic Goddess of the Earth Aeracura may appear in your life this month if you are about to experience a great blossoming from within. The most important part of this journey will be to enjoy the journey itself. Have patience as you go through your personal growth process. You will most likely have some sort of goal in mind. If you do, take your time to savor every experience that brings you closer to this goal. If you do not, try something new. Play around with a new idea, learn a new skill, or seek out some new knowledge. When the time is right, you will find that you have burst into full bloom. You will then be ready to share your newfound wisdom with the world.

Namaste Goddess Guidance Oracle Cards by Doreen Virtue - Art by Elizabeth Kyle

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Near East Goddesses Before the Abrahamic religions, the faiths of Sumeria, Babylonia, Akkadia, Phoenicia and Syria, Anatolia, Armenia and Georgia, Arabia and Persia flourished. Records stretching back thousands of years reveal worship of a Mother Goddess by sedentary agricultural peoples. In some areas, the Goddess was accompanied by a Divine Daughter or two, and/or a Consort/Son. Then, like Greece, the Near East was invaded by patriarchal tribes from the north. Gods gained in power... The Goddesses whose stories are told here were powerful and loved in ancient days; one, Asherah, even appears in the Bible...

Anahita, Immaculate One Her name means "Immaculate One." In the Zoroastrian religion, She is a Goddess of the Moon, Fertility and War. She is the Ruler of Water. The ancient Romans and Greeks considered Her the same as Diana/Artemis and Venus/Aphrodite (see Graeco-Roman section).

Her Sister-Goddess was Armaiti (see Creation chapter).

Anath, Bloody Mistress Also known as Anat, She was worshipped throughout Canaan, Syria and Phoenicia. She was a popular Goddess of War and Fertility. She was largely syncretized with Asherah and Astarte (both profiled in this section), and so there is some confusion as to Her myths and relationship to other Deities of the area.

Asherah, Lady Tree Asherah was a Goddess popular with the ancient Israelites, despite their priests' call to remain loyal to Yahweh. Biblical prophets condemn Her repeatedly under the name Ashtoreth; it is the use of this name, a seeming combination of Asherah and Astarte, which has caused so much confusion for modern scholars. See the story of Jezebel and Athaliah in the Descent of the Gods chapter.

Astarte, Lady Queen Astarte, also known as Ashtart, Astart and Aththarth, was a Goddess of the Assyrians. Her worship spread through the ancient Near East, particularly along the Mediterranean coast. She was the Goddess of Fertility, Love, Sacred Sexuality, Sailing and Law. One of Susan Seddon Boulet's most famous paintings depicts this Goddess.

Atargatis, Ocean Mermaid Known to the Romans as Dea Syria, Atargatis was a Goddess of Creation and Fertility. She was usually depicted with a fish tail; hence, Her modern identification as the Mermaid Goddess. Her worship spread to Asia Minor, Greece, Egypt and Rome.

Cybele, Lady Lioness Also known as Kybele and Magna Mater and the Mother of the Gods, the worship of this Goddess spread throughout the Roman Empire.

Her festival came first on the Roman calender. Along with Her Consort, Attis, Cybele was worshipped in wild, emotional, bloody, orgiastic, cathartic ceremonies.

Daena, Lady Guardian Her name means "That Which Has Been Revealed." In Zoroastrian tradition, She is the daughter of Armaiti (see Creation chapter). She is a judge of the dead, who leads them to either Heaven or Hell.

Husbishag, Lady of the Book This Akkadian Goddess of the Underworld keeps a secret book. In it is written the time of death of all living things.

Inanna, Queen of Heaven Inanna is a well-known Sumerian Goddess. Her name is usually translated as "Queen of Heaven." Inanna's Babylonian counterpart was Ishtar. She is the Ruler of the Sky, the Earth and the Fertility of all things. She possesses the power of life and death. The most famous of Inanna's myths tells of Her descent to the Underworld to reclaim Her slain Lover, Dumuzi. The following is a retelling of one of Inanna's lesser-known myths; it might well recount a resurrgence of the Goddess faith following the patriarchal invasions.

Nanshe, Lady of Dreams Also known as Nanshebargunu, this Sumerian-Babylonian Goddess was the interpreter of dreams. At the New Year, She judges each person and always shows compassion towards the weak and poor.

The Pari, Kind Djinn Ancient Persians honored the Pari as benevolent beings formed of fire. They lived on the odor of delicious foods and perfume. They are eternally at war with the evil Pairikas.

Shataqat, Lady Healer The story of Shataqat may be based on a real person. This Syrian myth recounts the exploits of a Healer in search of a cure for a King.

Siduri, Lady of Happiness Siduri is the Goddess of Wine, Wisdom and Merry-making. She recognizes the reality of death and encourages Her followers to enjoy all the pleasures of life. She was honored by the Babylonians, Sumerians and Akkadians. She plays an important role in the EPIC OF GILGAMESH. Tashmetu, Lady Who Listens Tashmetu is said to possess "a wide ear." A compassionate Goddess, She listens to the prayers of Her faithful, and in turn opens their ears to Divine instruction. Her husband is Nebo, God of Teaching and Writing. She was worshipped by the Assyrians, Babylonians and Sumerians.

Tiamat, Mother Dragon Her name means "Bitter Ocean." She may not have been a Goddess, so much as a personification of the primordial waters. The story of Her murder by Marduk, told here, may well recount the overthrow of the Goddess-worshipping culture of ancient Mesopotamia.

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by Lisa Faulkner

GODDESS

Blame the Victim

…I just wanna be a woman.

I felt sucker punched when I read the news about an 11-yearold being blamed for a gang rape by eighteen men. In 2011!

Me too! I ache to be valued and celebrated for our femininity.

Hadn’t anything changed in twenty-eight years?

The earthy sensuality of the song swirled around my body. My butt pressed into the softness of the couch moving in tiny, barely there, circles.

That’s how long it had been since the gang rape that inspired the movie Accused—infamous for it’s “blame the victim” mentality.

My whole body cringed, turning inwards to withdraw from a rape culture that tolerates violence against women. And worse, blames the victim for the clothes she wears, friends she chooses and alcohol she drinks.

From this time, unchained, We’re all looking at a different picture, Through this new frame of mind,

I didn’t want to endure it, not one second more. How do we stop this? What could I do besides sign a petition requesting the New York Times apologize and help foster change?

A thousand flowers could bloom,

I spent hours in research and writing as I sought to understand the incomprehensible.

And I wept. For her. For her parents. For her community. For other victims. For our broken culture. I prayed for her healing.

Poetic. Maybe there was hope to free women and end the blame and violence. The answer is a new perspective— movement away from dominance towards partnership culture (a solution discussed by Rianne Eisler in her books). The path to blossoming through the rising feminine…

It made my head spin. And tortured me to not see a way out. I ached for a sliver of hope, but went to bed unsatisfied.

I longed for this partnership culture. But I didn’t see how to make it happen.

I had so many questions. My nagging brain wouldn’t shut up:

When I mentioned this to Sheila Kelley, founder of S Factor, she suggested that we’d be changing the world together by playing and having fun at an upcoming retreat.

How do we rid our culture of the belief that women are inferior?

How do we move away from patriarchy and misogyny? How do we celebrate the feminine? How do we transform sexual desire, a basic human need, from shameful to sacred?

I finally gave up on sleep and got back up to listen to music, an attempt at distraction.

How to heal?

I felt like Goldilocks; none of my go-to songs worked, not even my ‘warm hug’ song—By Your Side by Sade.

Then a soft, heavy pitter-patter began—Portishead’s Glory Box. I felt a glimmer of calm in my chest. Something about the sound and feel of the song eased my restless irritation.

I’d heard the song before, interpreting it as a woman falling in love. But this time it struck me as more universal from my feminist obsessed brain. Beth Gibbons, the lead singer, and I conversed. …For I’ve been a temptress too long…

Me too. All women have. I’m tired of women’s inferiority, sexual double standards and the shame and blame associated with female sexual desire and power.

Move over, and give us some room.

We will converge together with women from all over the world who are at the same general place that we are in our philosophy of life. Together we will build a culture that values the feminine. This is the way to a partnership world. Women valuing women. Women understanding and valuing men. Men will begin to respect women when we respect and value ourselves. We become what we tolerate. We have tolerated victimization for thousands of years and we have become victims. We have to change that global feminine mind set one woman at a time. As you so beautifully wrote, a happy woman is a magnetic woman. Let’s play and have fun and change the world in Coronado my sweet friend!

I felt myself shaking my head ‘no’ as I read her note. It seemed too simple, particularly to my current left-brain academic mindset.

How could playing together for 72 hours change the world?

Still, I couldn’t wait for those restorative three days of living fully in my feminine without apology. I felt like a fish stranded on the beach just out of reach of water, about to die from lack of oxygen.

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BLOOMING Blooming in Bliss The first morning in the sand I was luxuriating in beach bliss with my sisterhood when Navy Seals interrupted us. I was angry at the intrusion. At having to put on sneakers and march around in cadence. Not just at the male energy. But the military. Talk about a culture of dominance.

On the second morning I refused to participate in the male reindeer games. I danced down the beach by myself, out of earshot of the marching orders. I invited a few friends to join me, but they wanted to participate in the activity.

Towards the end of my play I discovered the group felt my magnetism. A few ladies thought about joining me and one did.

She made my morning! We had an intimate conversation walking back. She confessed something to me that I mirrored to her at breakfast. This lead to a huge breakthrough for her.

The highlight activity for many of us came that afternoon when we danced to live drumming. The male drummers played a blend of African, Brazilian and Cuban beats. Sheila challenged the women to move super slowly to entice the male drummers to match our movement. The drummers tried to compel us to dance fast to their beat.

We danced and played together. It was magic. But then a negative judgmental voice in my head tried to make me feel bad about myself in comparison to one of my classmates: You’re not as pretty, thin, sexy or uninhibited as… I almost got sucked into the competitive mindset. But then I looked around.

Every woman was beautiful and blossoming. We were a field of wild flowers.

We weren’t in competition. We cooperated in our efforts to engage the men. I joined my most uninhibited classmates in the center of the room up close to the drummers. As we danced, it felt like our movement fueled the drumming. The slower we moved the faster they drummed. And then one of the drummers slid out onto the floor onto his back in the middle of our circle drumming at our feet. Worshipping us as goddesses. Talking with the men afterwards confirmed that impression.

That night I couldn’t sleep. I felt dissolved. My inner spirit was so bright, my body couldn’t contain it. It seeped out to connect with the spiritual essence of my sisters and the universe’s divine energy. I understood the concept of ‘Oneness’ like never before.

When the birds began chirping at 5:30 am I got up feeling rested, restored and ready for sensual movement in the sand.

After a short warm-up we were set free to play. I danced with wild-abandon. My inner tiger frolicked in the sand. I felt wild and free. Afterwards, I discovered sand everywhere! In my hair, my ears, my mouth and my pockets. The wild freedom followed me indoors for an incredible dance to Swing by Savage. I was unleashed.

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At our closing circle we each shared a magic moment or what we were most grateful for. For me it was the web of connection I felt. I felt it like a glowing light. How we influenced and supported each other in our journeys.

The cherry on top was witnessing the ripple effect of our radiance in the world. One woman was welcomed home to a pole room. Another had car trouble and when a stranger stopped to help she not only let him but he left feeling on top of the world about himself. Another husband wrote his wife the most beautiful love letter. It spreads to our families and friends.

When we connect with our goddess she shines. We heal ourselves and the world.

Attending a woman’s retreat can catapult you to a new plane of existence. With more love, passion and joy.

Awaken Your Goddess 1. Spend time in nature. Walk barefoot in the grass or sand.

Let yourself connect in a small way with your primal wild side. If you don’t like the feel of the grit on your feet, feel the sun or rain on your face and arms.

2. Give more compliments. And receive them with an open heart without deflection. Savor them.

3. Support women in sisterhood. (And men in brotherhood.) Open doors for each other. Be inspired by Marilyn Monroe. (http://groovenotes.org/how-ellafitzgerald-and-marilyn-monroe-changed-each-otherslives/) We’re all energetically connected. Each with unique and extraordinary spirit.

4. Read a book to awaken your goddess. And change your perceptions. Two classics: Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes. Sacred Pleasure by Rianne Eisler.

5. Choose love over fear. Every day. As much as you can.

Connect with the divine in yourself and the world. This will allow you to give love without expectation. (Listen to I Shall Be Free by Kid Beyond. Dancing to this song last year rocked my world.)

6. Bloom. Know your unique voice, talents and strengths are gifts to the world. Shine and share.

7. Dance. Play. Sing. Share Stories.

Come dance, play, sing & share stories with Lisa at her site - Pole Dancing Professor Head to Heart… Body to Soul… Lessons from the Pole to Fuel Your Feminine Fire and Transform Your Life

A guru, a go-to girl, a goddess... & a really good egg Andrea de Michaelis does it all. And what’s more, she does it with a smile.

Today we talk to her about one of her many healthful helpful enterprises, Goddess Grub — Photo by Debi Buck

A long-running holistic magazine, blogs, a devoted and active Facebook community, clients, life... How would you describe the world you've created and what role does each component play?

It’s definitely been evolutionary, I never planned on doing the work I do, none of it. It’s like spinning plates. First I got one plate/project/component in motion and as I got comfortable and balanced in it, I added another plate, then another, then another. Thirty years later I have an entirely different life, one that I created for myself, brick by brick, plate by plate.

What can you tell us about Goddess Grub? Great name, by the way!

Speaking of plates! I wrote [in the about section of her website] that in my 50’s I had a few bouts of gallstone

pancreatitis brought on by my formerly fatty and meat laden, lumberjack eating habits. After the second bout, I had my gall bladder removed. The surgeon said to me, "now you can eat anything you want and it won't bother you." It was almost criminal to tell that to a woman over 50 who was 50 pounds overweight. But he was only telling me what he'd been taught. A year after the gall bladder had been removed, I had another pancreatitis attack, again caused by fatty foods. That was when I began my own research into what was causing it. I collected recipes and modified to make them lowfat.

Since I already create websites, it was easy to create a site to share what I’d learned.

While so many women are busy expending energies and resources to appear younger, you embrace each new trip around the sun. What have you learned about aging through your work and personal journey?

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That you are literally as young as you feel. Age 61 in 2013, I feel younger than I did at 45. I eat healthier and make my food my medicine. I take vitamins and supplements but no medications. I work out now, I’ve done daily yoga and meditation since 1972. My blood pressure is 110/70, heart rate 64, BMI 25. I’ve got 20 pounds I could lose and don’t care if I do. I stay out of the sun but don’t care if I wrinkle or sag. I’ve learned the more I focus on extracting fun from life, no matter where I find it, the more fun projects I’ll fall in to with people I enjoy working and playing with. A by-product of that is time standing still while you’re in the fun Now. Age is never a topic, unless it’s “look what they said couldn’t be done at this age!” A goddess does not define herself by anyone else’s standards, and she celebrates every stage of life.

When people contact you about Goddess Grub, have you found there is a common theme among their motivations?

Usually a health concern has brought them. They need to restrict their diet to healthy foods and want to make sure it’s flavorful yet easy to prepare. A goddess keeps many plates in the air, so cooking should be simple, luscious and quick. She’s got worlds to conquer!

Have you found any differences between how your female and male fans and clients approach your message?

Many of the men who’ve found the site have come due more to overweight than health problems, and many have been turned on to the site by their goddess partners. Goddesses: your men are trainable, at any age and any stage.

You have an incredible love of life and seem to be so open to learning and growing, regardless of all that you know already. Any little kernels you can share concerning what you've learned about yourself recently?

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Anyone who reads my personal blog knows I just came out of a lively relationship with a man 20 years younger. It challenged every relationship belief I had and took me into a world far more kinetic than my own.

I learned that if I had to survive in the rat race after being out of it 22 years, I’m fit for it and I can keep up with those decades younger. It’s all a mindset, it’s all perception: What do I think is possible? In fact, I’m sitting here typing with hands I was told 20 years ago wouldn’t last me another year without surgery. Good for me for knowing that’s not true.

What excites you most about the prospects of your work?

What excites me most about my work is the people I connect with. I enjoy hearing their stories of what works for them. It excites me when people are excited about nutrition and excited about using the best fuel for their body and getting the most mileage out of their body. A goddess knows to keep herself fully fueled so she can have the most fun for the longest time.

Last, is there anything you'd like to ask our readers?

I’d like them to ask themselves if they are getting the best possible life out of their years. Many health conditions can be prevented and treated with nutrition. I brew a tea or make a soup each day with concentrated veggies and herbs to keep the cells of my body nourished, to keep me vibrant and juicy. Healthy can be easy, quick, fun, luscious and lowfat. I’d like to ask your readers if they feel they are living their most vibrant, their most juicy life?

There’s always more fun to be had and a healthy body lets you stay in the party longer.

Thank you, Joy. Andrea

I recently heard through a friend on one of the social media sites that this publication was looking for a male perspective on the modern goddess. I had never given it much thought before but as I am know for having an opinion on everything I felt compelled to share.

The goddess throughout the ages has obviously had many roles and many faces owing to the diversity of human culture, but at her core I believe she is a force for change, growth and creation. The goddess is not a uniquely female characteristic and so resides in all of us to one degree or another. She is apparent, of course, in the love and protection of those we cherish and in our desire to see vengeance fall upon those who prey on the weak and innocent. However, more subtly, she is there in our desire to build to explore and to make better what is already good. The greatest achievements of human kind can be attributed to her drive for growth. The Great Wall, the Hanging Gardens and all of our modern sky scrappers are but a few of her children.

The goddess, however, is not always a positive force, she can be cloying and overprotective, pushing us to contain and control that which we hold most dear so no harm may befall it.

Oppressive governments, religious fanatics and secret agencies all with the best of intentions will strip you of your freedom for your own good. The goddess is a force of nature and like all such forces must be accepted and appreciated but she must also be respected and, to some extent, feared.

Today's society needs the goddess as much as ever but we must learn to use that drive, that compassion and paranoia to not only expand but also to refine and develop what already is and to protect the balance between progress and tradition.

Clinton Atkins

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by Lyle Dagnen

(Yes, we all have one) Unless you have tied, bound, gagged, and shut in a dark room, your inner goddess, she can lead you in all sorts of wonderful directions. I don't tie, bind or gag mine, she likes it way too much. My inner goddess is the me I want to be, she's how my brain sees me. That always makes looking in a mirror a big surprise. I often have the thought “Who the hell is that?”

When I had to give up smoking cigarettes and later alcohol, she was in a pout for days. Just recently the removal of caffeine had her kicking and screaming. She would probably be called a hedonist 1. ethics a. See utilitarianism - the doctrine that moral value can be defined in terms of pleasure b. the doctrine that the pursuit of pleasure is the highest good 2. the pursuit of pleasure as a matter of principle 3. indulgence in sensual pleasures Looking at the definition she surely is that.

She is like an inner child, constantly wanting to do, to be, to get, to have, everything that crosses her path. She's constantly in an argument with my good sense goddess. Good Sense doesn't have a great deal of patience with her because she has found herself in many pleasurable situations that she has to admit that she does enjoy. While Good Sense is giving me logical reasonable advice, the inner goddess is doing back flips and cheering me on to seek the pleasure. Her motto is to seize the day and squeeze all the goody out of it.

On more than one occasion she has written a check that my body is no longer capable of cashing.

Good Sense and the Inner Goddess are both angels, the inner goddess loses her halo all the time in her messy room. It's tarnished because she often has her hands on it to keep it from slipping away. She lost more than her share of feathers getting into 'stuff' that has resulted so often in a barrel of laughs and fun. Good Sense has all her feathers, they are neat and her halo shines. She has lots of opportunity for naps because so often Inner Goddess is driving the bus.

Inner Goddess led them to Siren Lagoon and all the mermaids and merfellas over there under the willows. It was her idea to build the swing. It's Inner Goddess who writes and Good Sense that does the editing.

Get in touch with your Inner Goddess, and even get to know Good Sense. I have discovered they have lovely tails and are truly mermaid angels in my head.

Once Good Sense got really pissed when some landlubber with no sense of manners said that we were suffering from multiple personality disorder. It was a man...We no longer speak to him.

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INNER GODDESS Solid Perfume infused with aura quartz by The Sage Goddess

Hindu Goddesses Goddesses perform a vital role in Hinduism. Some are Matrikyas, or "Mothers." Each village has its pantheon of guardian Matrikyas.

Some Goddesses are providers of comfort and enlightenment.

Ahalya, Lady Wisdom This myth is an excellent example of patriarchal versus matriarchal values. It may also recount, in the obscure language of myth, the ancient Aryan invasions.

Anumati, Lady Who Favors Her name means "Divine Favor." She is a Moon Goddess. Many Hindu Goddesses are worshipped as givers of wealth, intelligence, prosperity, children, and spiritual enlightenment. Anumati is one such Goddess.

Devi, The Goddess Her name means, literally, "Goddess." She is the sum total of all existence; all derives from Her and all ultimately returns to Her. The Goddesses here profiled are but some of Her infinite number of aspects.

Durga, Lady Destruction This manifestation of Devi was created in a moment of crisis. She is a fierce Goddess with a multitude of Her own manifestations and names. Her creation likely recounts an historical invasion and/or battle, but between whom is difficult to say for certain.

Ganga, Cleansing Stream The Ganges is the Holy River of Hinduism. Bathing in its waters cleanses one of all sins. The Ganges Herself, however, has been terribly polluted by the factories along Her banks. Environmentalists are fighting to restore Her physical purity.

Sarasvati, Lady of Knowledge Her name means "The Flowing One." She is the personification of the Sarasvati River in north-western India. She is the Goddess of Knowledge, Speech and the Arts.

Shakti, Cosmic Energy Shakti is a concept difficult for many Westerners to comprehend, unfortunately. Each God in Hinduism has His Shakti, the very energy of existence. Without His Shakti, the God would be mind without life, without movement, without creativity. Shakti is active, creative energy, while the God is mind (sometimes described as passive energy). Each Goddess profiled here is the Shakti of a God. Quantum physicists seem to have an easier time with this....

Sita, Faithful Wife Sita is an ancient Goddess of the Fields adopted into Hindu folkmythology. She is an incarnation of Lakshmi, the wife of Rama (who is, in turn, an incarnation of Vishnu). The tale told here is my reinterpretation of a famous scene from the RAMAYANA. Usas, Lady of the Dawn Usas is the Goddess of the Dawn. She remains eternally young while men grow old.

Yakshi, Spirits of Air and Tree The Yakshi (singular Yakshini), inhabit the sacred tree of every village. Their male counterparts are the Yaksas. They are similar to the Nymphae (Graeco-Roman section).

Kali, Lady Black Time Kali is the most well-known and least-understood of the Hindu Goddesses. An aspect of Devi, She is often portrayed as a bloodthirsty, barbaric Goddess by those who do not understand Her. Lakshmi, Lady Wealth She is the Goddess of Prosperity and Beauty, the wife of Vishnu. She is said to have arisen from the churning of the primal milk ocean. Sita and Radha are two of Her incarnations, profiled below.

Lalita, The Playful Child Lalita is a woman-child Goddess. She delights in all play and pleasure, both child-like and sexual. The universe is a great toy to Her, created for Her enjoyment.

Parvati, Lady Carnality She is passionate sexuality. Parvati is the wife of Shiva, and ruler of all the elves and spirits of the earth.

Radha, Infinite Love Her name means "Beloved One." In Hindu mythology, She is a milkmaid, the beloved of Krisha. She is an incarnation of Lakshmi, he an incarnation of Vishnu. Throughout Hindu mythology, spousal Goddesses and Gods take on mortality and reunite in human form.

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Tantalize Your Greens with Tahini Tahini Goddess Salad Dressing submitted by Kathleen Young

Ingredients • 2 tablespoons sesame oil (plain) or 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1/4 cup toasted sesame oil (Not plain sesame oil) • 1/2 cup tahini 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar • 1/4 cup water 5 small green onions (white and green parts) • 1 tablespoon lemon juice • 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon soy sauce (shoyu if available) • 3 fresh garlic cloves • 2 teaspoons sesame seeds (toast them first if desired) • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1/4 teaspoon pepper Directions 1. Combine everything in a blender, immersion blender, or food processor.

2. Taste, (dip a leaf or cracker) to adjust flavors. If too thick add water, a tablespoon at a time, until it's the consistency you prefer.

3. Add a teaspoon more vinegar or soy for a stronger flavor.

4. A teaspoon more toasted sesame oil will add a "richer" flavor.

5. Store in the fridge in a jar with a tight fitting lid.

This recipe can be tweaked according to individual tastes and is also great as a dip for chicken or tempura or ANYTHING! Tastes like "Annie's Natural Goddess Dressing" at a fraction of the price.

Goddess Annapoorna Devi is the Hindu goddess of nourishment. Anna means "food" or "grains". Purna means "full, complete and perfect". Physically, Annapurna is described as holding a golden ladle adorned with various kinds of jewels in her right hand and a vessel full of delicious porridge in her left. She is seated on a throne. In some depictions, Lord Shiva is shown standing to her right with a begging bowl, begging her for alms.

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It is said that goddess Annapoorna Devi does not eat a morsel unless all her devotees have been fed in her temple.

The Goddess and Grocer is a local Chicago deli, sandwich shop, bakery, and caterer. We specialize in gourmet foods, desserts, corporate catering, and party catering The Green Goddess opened in May 2009 with a progressive menu that blends New Orleans sensibilities with a wide-ranging sampling of ingredients,

Classical Dances of India been preserved through the centuries and become an important part of our present culture. Each and every classical dance of India is regarded as the specialty of a particular region or tribe and follows its own pattern, be it terms of music, steps, costumes or make-up.

Indian classical dance forms can be traced back to 400 BC, to the times of Natya Sastra of Bharata Muni. In fact, Bharata's Natya Sastra, considered to be the Bible of Indian aestheticians, is the most important source for establishing the characteristics of the dances. At present, some of the popular classical dances of India are Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniattam and Odissi. These dances have, no doubt, brought about a sensation in the western countries as well. Today, each of the popular Indian classical dances has an identity of its own and crossing all the boundaries, is recognized globally.

The dance style described as Bollywood (i.e. that of the boisterous Indian musical spectacle) is not just a new international sensation that's spawned a fitness craze. It's based on an enduring legacy of culturally influenced forms.

Bharatnatyam Native to Tamil Nadu (a state in Southern India), Bharatanatyam is one of the popular Indian classical dance forms. It was previously referred to as Sadir, Dasiattam and Thanjavur Natyam. The dance form demands unconditional and complete dedication from the side of the performer.

Kathak Kathak, which originated in northern India, represents one of the eight forms of Indian classical dances. The name Kathak has been derived from the Sanskrit word 'katha', meaning story. Thus, 'katthaka' means the one who tells a story. Kathak focuses more on the footwork of the dancer.

[source of the following: ILoveIndia.com]

In India, dancing is considered to be an age-old tradition. A land of diverse cultures, traditions and languages, the country has given birth to a large number of classical dances, shaped by the influences of a specific period and environment. These dance forms have

Kathakali The picturesque state of Kerala has gifted India with a dance drama known as Kathakali.

Embedded in stories from the epics, Ramayana, Mahabharata and from the Puranas (ancient scriptures), the dance form is believed to have originated in the 16th century.

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Kuchipudi Kuchipudi was introduced as a dance drama, but its present day dispensation tells a different story altogether. It has now been reduced only to dance form, with the drama missing completely. With proficient training and knowledge, the Kuchipudi dancers have started presenting the dance form in their individualistic ways, today.

Manipuri Manipuri is the classical dance from the Manipur region in the North East. Very much religious and associated to Vaishnav cult of Hinduism, the art form primarily depicts episodes from the life of Lord Vishnu. Manipuri dance style is multifaceted and ranges from the softest feminine to the vigorous masculine.

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Mohiniatam Mohiniattam, in literal terms, means Mohini's dance. Mohini, according to Indian mythology, is a very beautiful woman, who attracts people instantly. She is regarded as an enchantress and thus, Mohiniattam is the dance of the enchantress.

Odissi Based on Natya Shastra, Odissi is regarded as one of the oldest surviving dance forms of India, with well preserved archaeological evidence. It has originated from Orissa and its history can be traced back to the 2nd century BC. The dance form has been extensively depicted in the sculptures of Brahmeswara temple and Sun Temple at Konark.

When she was but a child, she began to dance.

Any music or song, gave her that chance.

All blessed to see her, knew they were given a gift.

Watching her move, your heart and spirit would lift.

Twas as if she was Dance itself, given function and form.

She could drive out your heartaches, push back a storm.

This tiny waif of a girl, if you saw her you could but know.

As she got older, that power could do nothing but grow.

She grew to a young woman, dancing lighter than air.

With a sweet gamin face, and long flowing hair She never did think of leaving her small town.

For people came to see her , from all cities around..

Till one day a man of evil, a man filled with greed.

Saw her dance and thought. "she's is just what I need'.

I can sell tickets, will call her "Natures own flower".

I will get wealth, and I know , money will give me power.

So he walked to the dancer, and took her by the hands.

Said , Come little one, You should be seen in all Lands."

To the great city , he took the dancer , that young girl.

Made up signs,"See the best dancer of this World".

They came and watched, felt a freedom of sense.

As they were all awed by her magnificence.

The Dancer

by Marc Prudhon

The cheering rose up, making such a great sound.

That Ra's sun chariot slowed in its daily round.

Ra looked down to see what could give his horses pause.

'Saw a small woman, thought surely this can't be the cause.

The greedy one came on the stage, committed a great crime.

Saying."She dances better than the Gods of any and all time" When Ra heard this, he became somber and sadden.

He knew those old Gods, such words would not gladden.

With the mans fateful words , upon the stage there appeared.

A Blazing shape , away you must look ere your vision be seared.

It faded down to a woman, of beauty and inhuman grace.

Clothing of gold, daughter of the Nile showing in her face.

"I heard the words of that greedy hearted,evil little man, Tho not your fault, You will have to make a stand.

I am Hathor, Goddess of Beauty Music and Dance.

You need not best me, you will be given the chance.

To follow my movements , throughout my long dance If you do so, then I give my promise to give duty.

To bestow you long life, and never fading beauty".

To the music of spheres, Hathor twirled, danced and leapt.

Beside her, the dancer matched her, movement and step.

The dance left the stage, thru the city. place to place.

None dreamed mere mortal woman could keep up that pace.

As Hathor stopped, Said, You have done your part.

You have matched my dance, yours is a pure heart.

Hathor raised her arms and gave the dancer the spell.

The dancer's tiredness vanished, she suddenly felt well.

As she started to sit, They heard a sound from the sky The wings of a great bird, far to huge to possibly fly.

Twas Garuda, the Bird of Hindu Gods, and up on its Back.

One Burning, One Red Robed, one whose face was black, First walked Agni, God of fire, and none hoped to learn, One gesture from him, the very stones of the city would burn, Robed in Red, Yama , God of Death, from him, none can flee, One touch, one glance of his takes the soul and life from thee,.

Kali, many armed, black face, To whom all Chaos is sweet, Death and destruction , to her , are like fruit and meat, As they approached the dancer, she bowed her head,.

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One look , One gesture of theirs, she would be dead, Kali said "It is good to that the other one left you fresh and alive,, It will make your death sweeter , you cannot hope to survive.

"You cannot out dance me, Mine and the other two Powers, Will bring an end to this city and you in just a few hours.

But , come now,tho your effort is doomed you must try.

To turn us away, win, and then none in this place will die, The Hindu music began, sounds the dancer never before heard, She stood there frozen in shock saying never a word, Kali began her dance, With her many arms and black of face, that dance she gave before Shiva, In the Destroyers Palace, The little dancer watched and in fear she did cower.

To match or beat that dance she had not the power.

As Kali danced, the crowd divided, it did split apart.

And what looked like a man, came forth from its heart.

Blue-skinned and smiling, all his raiment was gleaming.

Strength, hope, and love from him seemed to be streaming.

I am Kubera, no great power, Just Lord of all hidden treasure.

I say unto you, Not even those three can take my full measure.

Powers of Death, Chaos,and Fire are no part of my list.

But I can grant thee this power, those fears to resist.

She felt an up welling of spirit, and suddenly she knew.

How to answer Kali's dance , what she had to try to do.

She moved up by Kali but did not challenge her Dance.

She had but one way, on that she took her chance.

The dancer did not compete, did not enter that strife.

She began her own dance , one of hope,a Paean to LIFE.' She danced of the Love, Of Parent for Child.

Love of Man and Woman, both tender and wild..

She danced of the love that encompasses all.

Emboldened and daring to answer each call.

She danced of the life, so simple yet deep.

Of lovers holding each other while deeply in sleep.

She danced of the truth, that all on the earth.

Whether peasant or King, each has true worth.

Kali's dance faltered and stopped, The three lost their will.

They knew before them danced something no Power could kill.

They went back to Garuda, That great messenger bird.

They left her there dancing and said not one word.

She ceased her dance, looked round, walked down to the crowd.

Where went the God who gave hope and made me so proud?

The people were confused in whole, said "No God did we see" Only one old blind beggar came anywhere close to thee.

Where is he, she asked, and all looked around. no beggar was seen nor ever was found.

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“My life has been the poem I would have writ, But could not both live and utter it.”

Henry David Thoreau

Photos courtesy of Dolphina & Goddess Life -58-

Dancing through your Goddess Life with Dolphina Inspired by Thoreau, she took a year off to pursue the fantasy of island life. During that adventure she adopted the name Dolphina upon being rescued by dolphins following a near-death boating accident.

Her year of living dangerously may be more than a decade in her past, but her infectious love of life continues to grow daily. Now she leads the life of a modern goddess — a lifestyle that she generously shares with women across the globe, creating a veritable empire in the process... just by being her. interview by Joy de Vivre

First of all, I want to say hello to all your readers – I believe we are kindred spirits on this path and I hope we can all inspire each other to live to our fullest potential! I am honored to be a part of la Vie Sirene and am grateful to Joy de Vivre who has given me this wonderful opportunity to share with you all & I must add that she always makes my heart smile!

Dolphina, you've been in the limelight for ages, on TV, in magazines, in your popular dance instruction video series, yet you remain completely down-toearth and approachable. What keeps you grounded?

Thank you! As much as I am constantly amazed by the success of GoddessLife and am beyond humbled by all the women who have been empowered, transformed and healed by The Goddess Workout – I know that the GoddessLife philosophy was a gift given to me to share.

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I’m blessed that it is my path in life to inspire women, but the message doesn’t belong to me…it belongs to the entire GoddessLife Community.

In addition to being a knockout, talented dancer, patient instructor and all around fun gal, you write incredibly well and are endearingly clever. What were the influences that shaped your ability to express yourself so effectively with the written word? And did you ever think of pursuing some sort of writing for a living?

Flattery will get you everywhere! I am a major book nerd and my first childhood ambition was to be an author. My dream was to marry a bellydancer as a child living in Marakech, Morocco, not become one!! I adore the written

word, am constantly underlining while I read and a wellwritten sentence can take my breath away just as an epic sunset. I’m painfully aware I will never possess the writing skills of Anais Nin, Henry David Thoreau, Oscar Wilde, Joseph Campbell or the long list of my favorite authors.

But my writing style amuses me and I have “found my voice” as an author. I am a published author and my book “Bellydance” published by DK has been translated into 13 languages. I recently completed the first draft of my next book that is the definitive of The GoddessLife Lifestyle. It incorporates some exciting new technology in publishing and I cannot wait to share it with my beloved GoddessLife Community!

It seems to me, you were employing the term 'goddess' long before it became a catch phrase. How did that concept first resonate with you to and how did you decide to build a whole movement and business around it.

Thank you. Yes, long time ago (about 10 years:) I introduced the term ‘Goddess’ and also ‘bellydance’ to the current mainstream audience. As I mentioned before, GoddessLife was a gift and is my path in life and I am aware that bellydance and Goddess do not belong to me.

I didn’t decide to build a movement, but I did feel ‘called’ to make it accessible to all women. I had to educate the media, such as “Fitness” magazine that bellydance can be a good workout before it was taught in gyms – during my interview with the journalist, she actually thought bellydance would make your belly fat! I proceeded to explain The GoddessLife philosophy: that I believe all women are inherently Goddesses and when they connect with their feminine being within, a whole new magical world opens. I continued…femininity is often misunderstood and undervalued in our society. It’s not about the color pink and has nothing to do with being submissive to men. It is an energy with many aspects and manifests uniquely within each woman. Bellydance is a fantastic way for women to connect with their femininity as it has for thousands of years. It won’t make your belly fat, but by practicing The Goddess Workout the way I instruct, you will begin by accepting your body as it today and eventually you will grow to love every delicious curve.

Learning to love your body is the most empowering feeling and will lead you to make healthier choices. Goddesses come in all shapes and sizes. Being confident about your body is what makes a woman irresistibly attractive.

The world of belly dance can be a competitive place, yet you are just about the most generous female spirit I have ever come across. What is it about womanhood that has inspired you to reach out to other ladies in such a gracious and supportive way?

The first tenet of The GoddessLife Philosophy is to acknowledge, nurture and embrace your own ‘Goddess’ within. The second is to recognize that all women are Goddesses. Not competing or comparing yourself with other women, but supporting other women during their struggles and celebrating their successes is a cornerstone of GoddessLife. Even what we consider ‘harmless’ gossip about celebrities, women in your office or carpool chips away at your own self-esteem. Whether your thoughts/words are negative about your own body image or are rumors on the cover of a tabloid magazine, the message is destructive. You might feel momentarily better for comparing yourself with another women, but it is temporary and separates us from achieving greatness together. True happiness is always an inside job, but it helps if you surround yourself with positive people that -60-

want your happiness. I believe that one woman is powerful, but a tribe is unstoppable! Honoring the brilliance in other women will help all of us on our path to living our own true potential and together we will really be able to make a difference.

You are the epitome of sugar and spice and everything nice. So what sort of wicked guilty pleasures do you relish? Any vices?

I am a big fan of the actual phrase “guilty pleasures”! I’ve written about it quite often; “We all have guilty pleasures – some that would embarrass us to admit – but should we feel compunction about them? If watching trashy TV shows, eating at fast food restaurants or googling your ex can bring us so much pleasure, then why should it create remorse?”

“Isn’t it tiring trying to be perfect and to always do the right thing? Isn’t there something to be said for the occasional dash of depravity? There is! Not everything we do needs to be productive, lead to a cleaner house or the betterment of humanity. Actually, doing something for the sheer amusement of it is reason enough.”

My guilty pleasures: • Talking to my best girlfriend on a vintage pink rotary phone that’s cord only reaches the fake fur rug on the floor next to it. To speak on the phone, I have to lie on the rug (meaning, no multitasking). It’s decadent in The Valley of the Dolls kind of way.

• Cranking up a cheesy love ballad on my car radio and singing at the top of my lungs.

• Ordering an entire pizza pie and binge watching an entire TV series on Netflix.

• Lingerie, lingerie, lingerie! And more lingerie!

• Dressing up in my finest lingerie, drinking wine, listening to Billie Holiday and reading Anais Nin…with me, myself & I. • Going to bed early. And then sleeping in.

• Dancing on tabletops.

You've done so much it's mind-boggling: created a veritable empire with GoddessLife, published a gorgeous book (which I have and love), host live workshops, have branched out to burlesque, teach surfing, care for the environment. What's left for the goddess who's done it all?

I have so many ideas! However, of all the projects I have created for GoddessLife, I can honestly say that my current expansion and creation of new materials to inspire, support The Online Goddess Workout Teacher -61-

Training Certification program is the most meaningful project I have ever created. I currently have certified Goddess Workout Instructors in Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Australia, Europe and The United States. After taking the online course, many women teach bellydance, but I have helped career coach certified Instructors to create The GoddessLife business of their dreams: writing books, making music, owning dance studios and the list goes on.

The experience of teaching women The Goddess Workout and witnessing them discover their power, as a woman is indescribable. Teaching other women to empower other women – to see them become “The Goddess” in their community is my greatest joy. My new personal motto is, “True leaders do not create more followers, they create more leaders.”

I love the quotes you post. As a prelude to this article I included one by Thoreau that you mentioned is a favorite du jour.

Might you share how it is meaningful to you?

I am a quote collector! My latest favorite quote is by my beloved Henry David Thoreau (who I could extol endlessly for his greatness). HDT believed that being a poet was the highest representative of mankind – closest to ancient seer and prophet. However, the poet’s noblest work, he added as a corollary, was his life; and his poetry would grow out of his life.

Of all my aspirations, callings and desires…I wish for my life to be my poem.

Which Goddess Are You?

by Kathleen Young

This little quiz is to help determine which major goddess you most match. Keep track of the letter at the beginning of your answer. Try to be as honest with yourself as you can. (No one watching...except for the goddesses of course!)

1. In an imaginary house, which would be your favorite room?

a) Your beautiful bedroom with closets bulging with designer clothes, cosmetics and kick ass shoes. b) None of them. Your fav place is the outdoors or garden where you can plant and dig in the fragrant earth. c) The kitchen, surrounded by friends and family and the fragrant smells of home cooking. d) Your peaceful den/study/library with all the access to information via books or internet. e) Your bathroom while you soak in a perfumed bath surrounded by the sounds of soft music, candles & collection of crystals. f) Your arts and crafts studio with all your fun creative projects.

2. You consider men....

a) .. often b) .. somewhat of a puzzle, but they have their uses. c) .. little boys and in a need of a little direction d) .. as a co-fighter against oppression. e) .. and long to find your soulmate. f) .. as ok...as long as they don't try to tame you.

3. Which is the set of characteristics that best describes you? (truthfully!) a) b) c) d) e) f)

Charming, sense of fun, and sensual, Independent mind, love of nature and the outdoors.

Your homey nature and nurturing vibe. People want to confide in you.

Your amazing vision, energy and willingness to “get things done”.

Your healing and psychic talents. Spiritual life.

Creative, imaginative, and sometimes (slightly) temperamental approach to life.

4. Your husband (or significant other) leaves you for another woman. (GASP!) You:

a) Cry a lot, join a gym, get botox and book a speed dating evening with a group of friends.

"Iris Goddess of the Rainbows" by Patricia Semack-Ritter. b) Don't say much, just take off for an adventurous two week trek in the woods. “Iris was a lesser Goddess messenger who traveled to earth on rainbows to relay messages from the Gods. In this painting I've c) Comfort eat your way through your fav caloric treats while consoling draped her in a rainbow and placed her among flowers which have a language of their own.” yourself by saying that you really had “quality time during your relationship and that all things must end. d) Get yourself the MOST amazing cut-throat divorce lawyer and start a support group for women in similar positions. e) Make voodoo dolls of the two of them, stick in pins and then go to psychics to learn what to do next. f) Smash, stomp, burn, pitch out everything he ever gave you. (Valuables too?!?...yes those too.) Then publicly humiliate him by telling him exactly what you think of him in front of friends.

5. How do you want to spend an evening?

a) In the company of a gorgeous man being wined and dined. b) Admiring the sunset on the beach while riding an amazing horse. c) Surrounded by friends while you all chat and sample taste a few new recipes you've whipped up.. d) Taking your business team to dinner to celebrate having saved a small business from an unfair corporate takeover e) Giving healing sessions and psychic energies to a friends who is really in need. f) Going to a Latin club to have a few drinks and try your hand at the flamenco.

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Your Goddess Score Interpretation Add up your scores and you should find that you have a letter that shows up more often that others. That is your goddess energy letter that corresponds to the answers below. If you find that you have an even number of multiple goddesses then you are like many women, changeable and multidimensional.

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More A's means that your goddess is Aphrodite, the goddess of love and sexuality.

More B's means that you are Diana the Huntress, the goddess of the hunt and nature.

More C's means you are Demeter, the Mother Energy of nurturing and protection.

More D's means you are Athena, the Warrior goddess, full of energy and righter of wrongs.

More E's means that you are Hecate, the Wise Womanthe psychic, healer, keeper of knowledge.

More F's means that you are Kali, the Creator/ Destroyer, wild, sexual, dancer, temptress.

Asian Goddesses [Excerpted from the wonderfully detailed list at oocities.org]

In the tales of Europeans, Asia was always a land of the exotic: perfumes, silks, dragons, spices, fantastically wealthy empires, grand palaces, barbarians and scholars and sorcerers. It was a land unknown to Europeans and many Muslims, and so adventures great and fantastic were set there. Folktales and adventure tales are filled with accounts of heroes and heras traveling to "the East" in search of wealth, fame, land and love.

Only a miniscule sampling of that rich heritage is presented here.

The Goddesses profiled are shamanic, Taoist, Buddhist, Shinto and Ainu. Their stories tell of creation, love, enlightenment, war, and nature.

Some are purely mythical tales, some are of political origin, some phenomenological, while others appear to be based on historic persons and incidents; many are an ambiguous mixture of all of these.

Amaterasu, Mistress Sun Her full name is Ama-terasu-o-mi-kami and She is the much-loved, benevolent Goddess of the Sun. She is the highest Deity of the ancient Shinto faith of Japan. Her worship flourished prior to 1945, at which time it was attacked by the occupying American force as too nativistic and nationalistic. Amaterasu, highest expression of the Spirit of Nature, would serve well as Matron of a Japanese environmental movement.

Benten, Lady Fortune Benten, also known as Benzaiten, is the beloved Goddess of Luck of the Shinto faith. Of the Seven Deities of Luck (or Happiness), She is the only female.

Bixia Yuanjin, Princess of Clouds This Chinese Taoist Goddess is Matron of dawn and childbirth, as well as destiny. Dawn and childbirth are two concepts often, and quite understandably, linked in world mythology: the rising of the sun, the bringing of light to the earth, is equated with the child emerging from the darkness of the womb to the light of the world.

Fuji, Mother Mountain Fuji the mountain is well-known in the West, often pictured in travel guides and on post cards. But Fuji (or Fujiyama) is also an ancient fire Goddess of the Ainu, the indigenous people of Japan. Following the arrival of modern Japanese people, the Ainu were decimated and driven north; they now reside on the northern island of Hokkaido.

Inari, Lady Vixen This Shinto Goddess is often personified as a vixen, or female fox.

She is responsible for smithcraft and rice, as well as love and prosperity. Curiously, some myths present Inari as a God, rather than a Goddess.

Artist unknown

Mo Ye, Sword Smith This heroic saga comes to us from China. Mo Ye may have been a real woman, since some elements of Her story are historical; others, though, are quite fantastical and transport the tale into the realm of fantasy and myth.

Jiutinan Xuannu, Dark Maiden This charming love story comes from China. It is also revealing of the traditional role of Chinese women.

Mulhalmoni, Healing Waters This Korean Goddess is the special Matron of women shamans. She is called on especially to heal ailments of the eye .

Nugua, Lady Dragon Ancient China was a Goddess-worshipping culture, perhaps even a matriarchal (mother-ruled) culture. This story of creation comes from that ancient age.

Kamui-fuchi, Lady Hearth This Hearth Goddess of the Ainu people of Japan is known as the Supreme Ancestress. She may be a deified tribal mother, or the spirit of female reproductivity and the home.

Onne-chip-kamui, Grandmother Tree Her name means "Old Boat Goddess" and Her tale comes from the native Ainu of Japan. This is a beautiful story of maturation and exploration.

Kuan-Yin, Merciful One After Amaterasu, Kuan-Yin is the most well-known Asian Goddess in the West. She is worshipped primarily in China, but also in India, Japan (under the name Kwannon), Korea (as Kwanseieun) and South-East Asia. Kuan-Yin is more correctly a Buddhist boddhisattva, rather than a Goddess; however, in scholar analyses of Goddesses (such as David Kinsley's THE GODDESSES' MIRROR), Kuan-Yin is included alongside more recognizable Divine Women, and so She is included here.

Tatsu-ta-hime, Lady Wind This Shinto Goddess oversees the wind and the season of autumn.

Along with the God Tatsua-hiko, faithful pray to Her for an abundant harvest.

Xi Hou, Lady of Ten Suns This Chinese Goddess is the Mother of Ten Suns. The idea of many suns, rather than one, each shining on a different day, is rare but not unheard of.

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South-East Asian Goddesses Agemem, Lady Creatrix Among the Tinguian of the Philippines, She is honored as co-Creatrix of the sun, moon, earth and stars, along with Her husband, Kadaklan.

Amitabha, Merciful Buddha In Indonesia, She is honored as a Lady of "Infinite Light." She saves souls Aponibolinayen, Sun Bride In a reversal of the usual story, this Tinguin tale tells of a mortal woman carried to the heavens. She married the Sun. Ba Ngu', Lady Dolphin The Annam of Indonesia see the dolphin as a benevolent creature.

The dolphin is actually a Goddess, Who rescues sailors. Dead dolphins which are found at sea or wash up on shore are ceremonially buried.

Duc Ba, Spirits of Trees Like the Nymphae (Graeco-Roman Goddesses), Askefruer (Northern European Goddesses), and Yakshi (Hindu Goddesses), the Duc Ba are feminine spirits of trees. They are worshipped by the Annam of Indonesia.

Gimokodan, Lady of the Dead The Bogobo of the Philippines call Her the Gimokodan Woman. She sits beside the River of the Underworld and feeds the spirits of deceased infants.

Jata, Primal Serpent The Dyaks of Borneo worship Her as the serpent Who lived in the primeval waters. Along with the Sun, Mahatala, She created the universe. See Aida Wedo and Ayizan (Central American Goddesses) and Julunggul (Oceanic Goddesses).

Munsumundok, Creatrix This rather grisly story of creation comes from the Dusun of Sarawak, Borneo. It recounts the creation not only of celestial phenomena and humans, but also of trees and food. See also Sago Woman (Descent of the Gods chapter) and Nungui (South American Goddesses).

White Tara Thangka

Himalayan Goddesses Goddesses, or, more correctly, Bodhisattvas, fill a vital role in Tibetan Buddhism. They are considered enlightened beings who aid humans in their release of ego and journey towards union with the Ultimate. One Bodhisattva in particular lies close to the heart of the Tibetan people; the mere utterance of Her name is said to alleviate pain and suffering; She is Tara.

Pajau Yan, Lady Moon Among the Chams of Vietnam, She is a benevolent Goddess of Health, Healing and Good Fortune. A lunar eclipse is Her way of honoring the Sun; She feeds the dead with the fragrant Flowers of Transition.

The Bardo, Ladies Who Guide The Bardo is the after-death state of transition which precedes rebirth. Tibetan Buddhists believe that the deceased must pass certain tests to leave the Bardo and enter the next realm; those who fail are reborn on earth or return as ghosts. The Bardo Goddesses both test and aid the deceased.

Po Ino Nogar, Great One Among Vietnamese and Cambodians, Her name means "Great One." She is a polyandrous Goddess, Who gave people rice.

gLu-maa Ghirdhima, Lady of Music and Song This Goddess of Music and Song is one of the Eight Mothers of Buddhism. She is peaceful and benevolent in nature. She also appears in the Bardo.

Rabia, Reborn Moon This story told by the Ceram of Indonesia bears a striking resemblence to that of Kore/Demeter/Persephone (see GraecoRoman Goddesses) and Kura (Oceanic Goddesses). It is about an Earth Goddess Who sinks into the ground and is then reborn.

Khahdoma, Ladies Occult The Khahdoma are Tantric Deities Who can impart occult powers to Their followers when asked. Some maintain that the Khahdoma are malevolent demons. Others say that there are two kinds of Khahdoma, the "Wisdom Khahdoma" Who reside in another world, and the Khahdoma of our world Who incarnate in women.

Rangda, Lady of Sex and Death On the island of Bali, She is worshipped as a Goddess of Sexuality, Fertility, Lust and the Dead, as well as Magic and Charms.

Sangiyan Sari, Lady Rice The Buginese of the Celebes Islands honor Her as Goddess of Rice.

If She leaves, there will be famine.

Satine, Lady of the Underworld This complex story is told by the Ceram of Indonesia. Satine is the Goddess of the Underworld. She sits on the Ninth Mountain; the dead must cross the other eight Mountains before they reach Her. Usi Afu, Lady Earth Her name means "Lady Earth." With Her husband Usi-Neno, "Lord Sun," She created everything, and continues to impart vitality and fertility.

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Prajnaparamita, Lady of Wisdom This Goddess of Transcendental Wisdom is believed by Tibetan Buddhists to be the incarnation of the perfected wisdom of Yoga. She is called the Mother of the Bodhisattvas. rDo-rje-rnal-hbyor-ma, Lady Truth She is the Goddess of Truth, Spiritual Energy and Knowledge. She dispels ignorance. She is the Guardian of the practices of Tibetan Tantric Yoga.

Tara, the Star Who Leads Across A Savior Goddess much loved by the people, Tara protects humans from dangers both physical & spiritual. The mere utterance of Her name is believed to bring peace and dissipate all danger. Many myths in Hinduism, Jainism and Tantric Buddhism recount Her intercession in the lives of supplicants.

Stirring It Up Something sweet and sour and altogether scrumptious from Mermaid Marla Spellenberg

INGREDIENTS • 5-6 oz pre-cooked, medium shrimp, per person • White rice - sufficient for 2-4 servings • Sauce • 1 TBSP corn starch • 1 TBSP white vinegar • 1 TBSP low salt soy sauce • 1/4 tsp ground ginger • 1 chunk ginger root (size about 3/4 inch round by 1 inch long), peeled and slivered • 1/2 C apricot preserve • 1 C cherry or grape tomatoes (stemmed and washed) • 1 medium onion (yellow or white), peeled and coarsely chopped • 1/2 C dried apricots (quartered) • 1 green bell pepper (optional, add orange or yellow bell peppers) • 1 TBSP Coconut oil (or butter) • 1 can (20 oz.) pineapple chunks, drained (use 1/2 amount for 2 people) • Sea salt

KITCHEN WARE • • • •

Stir-fry pan (wok) or large fry pan Small and large bowls Large strainer Stir fry spatula (wooden if you have it)

Koi Mermaid by Jill Johansen

DIRECTIONS 1. Combine in a small bowl: corn starch, white vinegar, soy sauce and dry ginger.

Stir until smooth; set aside 2. Melt coconut oil over medium-high heat.

Add onion, peppers, slivered ginger root.

Stir-fry for 5 minutes.

3. Add tomatoes, pineapple and shrimp, stirring for 2 minutes.

4. Add sauce from bowl, to stir-fry contents 5. Stir for 1 more minute.

PREPARATION

Serve over steamed rice

• In large bowl, thaw shrimp in cold water, remove any extra shell, legs or tails.

• Rinse and drain, set aside • Remove rice from heat, keep covered until served.

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Fit for a Goddess Asia’s Ten Most Famous Temples [source: touropia]

No other continent on the planet contains so many temples as Asia. This is perhaps not surprising as Asia was the birthplace of most of the world’s mainstream religions as well as many other beliefs. A number of these, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and Taoism, were the inspiration for some of the most famous temples in the world.

10 - Lotus Temple Known as the Lotus Temple due to its flowerlike shape, the Bahá’í House of Worship is the most famous temple of the Bahá’í Faith. The lotus shape of the temple is formed by 27 free-standing marble clad petals arranged in clusters of three to form nine sides. Since its opening in 1986 it has become one of Delhi’s most visited buildings. The lush park around is well landscaped but mostly off-limits.

9 - Ranakpur Temple Dedicated to Adinatha, the Jain Temple in Ranakpur rises majestically from the slope of a hill. The temple is supported by over 1444 marble pillars, carved in exquisite detail. The pillars are all differently carved and no two pillars are the same. The construction of the temple and quadrupled image symbolize the Tirthankara’s conquest of the four cardinal directions and hence the cosmos. The dating of this temple is controversial but it was probably built between the late 14th and mid-15th centuries.

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8 - Taktsang Dzong Situated on the edge of a 900 meter (3,000 feet) cliff, the Taktsang Monastery or Tiger’s Nest creates an impressive sight, and is the unofficial symbol of Bhutan. It is about 2-3 hour, totally up-hill hike from the parking lot to the temple. The original monastery was constructed in the 17th century but most of its buildings were destroyed in a tragic fire in 1998. Since then the temple has been painstakingly restored to its former glory.

7 - Temple of the Emerald Buddha The Wat Phra Kaew or Temple of the Emerald Buddha is a famous temple in Bangkok, located within the grounds of the Grand Palace. The main building is the central ubosoth, which houses The Emerald Buddha. A jade statue adorned in gold clothing it is one of the oldest and most famous Buddha statues in the world.

6 - Temple of Heaven The Temple of Heaven in Beijing is regarded as a Taoist Temple although Chinese Heaven worship pre-dates Taoism. The temple was constructed from 1406 to 1420 during the reign of the Yongle Emperor, who was also responsible for the construction of the Forbidden City in Beijing. Not only a beautiful sight, the temple is also surrounded by a vast public park popular with local residents practicing tai chi in the mornings and on weekends.

5 - Golden Pavilion Kinkaku-ji or the Temple of the Golden Pavilion is the most popular tourist attraction in Kyoto. The pavilion was originally built as a retirement villa for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in the late 14th century, and converted into a Zen temple by his son. Unfortunately, the pavilion was burnt down in 1950 by a young monk who had become obsessed with it. Five years later, the temple was rebuilt as an exact copy of the original. The beautiful landscaping and the reflection of the famous temple on the face of the water make for a striking sight.

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4 - Harmandir Sahib The Harmandir Sahib, better known as the Golden Temple is the main attraction in Amritsar, and the most important religious place to the Sikhs. Construction of the famous temple was begun by Guru Ram Dast in the 16th century and completed by his successor Guru Arjan. In the 19th century, Maharaja Ranjit Singh covered the upper floors of the temple with gold, which gives it its distinctive appearance and English name.

It’s a stunning temple, and always full of thousands of pilgrims from all over India, excited to be at a place that they usually only see on television.

3 - Baalbek Baalbek is a spectacular archaeological site in northeastern Lebanon. From the 1st century BC and over a period of two centuries, the Romans built three temples here: Jupiter, Bacchus and Venus. Created to be the largest temple in the Roman empire, the temple of Jupiter was lined by 54 massive granite columns each of which were 21 meters (70 feet) tall. Only 6 of these colossal columns remain standing but even they are incredibly impressive. The best preserved temple at the site is the Temple of Bacchus built in 150 AD.

2 - Borobudur Located on the Indonesian island of Java, 40 km (25 miles) northwest of Yogyakarta, the Borobudur is the largest and most famous Buddhist temple in Indonesia.

The Borobudur was built over a period of some 75 years in the 8th and 9th centuries by the kingdom of Sailendra, out of an estimated 2 million blocks of stone. It was abandoned in the 14th century for reasons that still remain a mystery and for centuries lay hidden in the jungle under layers of volcanic ash.

1 - Angkor Wat Angkor Wat (”City Temple”) is a vast temple complex at Angkor, built for king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. Angkor Wat stands on a raised terrace above the rest of the city. It is made of three rectangular galleries rising to a central tower, each level higher than the last. It is the only temple at Angkor to have remained a religious center since its construction, first as a Hindu temple then as a Buddhist temple.

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HOW TO BE A MODERN GODDESS

by Dr. Alex Benzer via The Huffington Post

One question arises whenever I pronounce the distinctly un-pithy title of my book for women - 'The Tao of Dating: The Smart Woman's Guide to Embracing Your Inner Goddess and Finding the Fulfillment You Deserve': "What qualifies you to write this book?"

Well, nothing really. See, I actually don't want you to just listen to me and accept everything I say the whole point of the exercise is to figure out stuff for yourself. I present ideas for you to test. If the principles work for you, use them. If not, toss them and use something else. This is the 'be your own damn guru' principle.

Moreover, you may have noticed that I'm a guy.

I'm generally pleased with that situation, intermittent requests to die for my country notwithstanding. However, it poses handicaps when attempting to gain deep insight into the feminine psyche.

That's why I borrow the brains of remarkable women like Marianne Williamson to aid me in the task. She wrote this great book called 'A Woman's Worth' that everybody should read, guys included.

I've also caught glimpses of the goddess and know what she looks like. The Taoist principle at work here says that you can't see a mountain if you're standing on it. You, the goddess, are standing upon the mountain of goddesshood. I, the pilgrim, am looking at you awestruck from the foothills. This means that often I can see and appreciate you better than you can yourself.

Now I know what you're thinking: "Who, me, goddess? I am not pretty enough - it's the pretty ones who have that kind of power." Or, if you're pretty: "Well, I'm pretty, but there's always someone younger, prettier, with smoother skin and a nicer butt." Or: I am not smart enough. Or: I'm

too smart. I'm too young and inexperienced. I'm too old. All the internal chatter is self-contradictory nonsense anyway, so let's just stop it all right now.

That brings us to the first Goddess Principle: 1. The Goddess exists now and only now. Get rid of all the excuses. You are what you've been waiting for. Claim the power and be it.

Eastern traditions like Hinduism and Tantric Buddhism hold that we are all incarnations of the divine. So the goddess already lives within you it's just a matter of acknowledging that presence and revealing it. I love this line from 'A Woman's Worth': 'That's all that separates the queens from the slavegirls: a shift in consciousness from denial to acceptance of personal power.'

Now I don't know how you define 'goddess' for yourself. Maybe it means being the embodiment of compassion, grace, beauty, sensuality, kindness, wisdom, or joy. However you define the term, there is no physical barrier keeping you from expressing those qualities right now - like 7-11, goddess-hood is available to you 24/7. You merely have to choose to express it. That is the second principle: 2. The goddess is service. Service is at once the exercise of her power and the flourishing of it. The more of it you do, the more you grow into your goddess power.

The power of the goddess is the power to elevate those around her -- with something as simple as a word of encouragement, a warm hand on the shoulder, or a look of appreciation. That kind of service is its own reward.

When I think of examples of the goddess, names like Marie Curie, Florence Nightingale and Oprah Winfrey come to mind. Nobody says they're perfect, but they are perfect in giving their particular gift fully.

That motivates the third principle: -70-

...ACCORDING TO A GUY 3. The goddess serves by giving her gift.

Therefore she specializes in the giving of her particular love-infused gift.

Athena, Diana, Aphrodite, Inanna, Guan-Yin -- all are goddesses from different traditions, each with particular attributes: wisdom, love, fertility, compassion, and the all-important bowhunting skills.

Service is not the same as servitude, and you need not be all things to all people, so stick with your strengths. The part about compassion, service and love are never optional, so make sure you have those down. Then specialize: pick some aspect of the goddess that you're already good at and be exceptionally good at it. Once again, Marianne Williamson expresses this more eloquently than I ever could: [The world] will change when every woman gets it that we are all beautiful, powerful and strong. That we deserve love and approval and support. That we would all be glorious if we could only spread our wings. That we are, each one of us, a portion of a great and mighty Goddess self. ('A Woman's Worth,' p32-33)

leaving the directive yang energy at work and to bring more of the receptive yin energy to your hearth. That's a topic for a whole other article. In the meantime, embody those wondrous feminine qualities of softness, grace and receptivity, and we men are putty, I tell you.

5. The goddess leads with love. She does not wait for the world to arrange its circumstances to be just so for her to give her gift.

The first two Goddess Principles established that your gift is ever-present. So what are you waiting for - give it already!

Oh, I see. You're waiting to give your gift to someone who's *worthy*. See, but this is not about commerce or quid pro quo here. This is about you being the ever-shining sun - not because it's a good idea, but rather because it's your nature. This is about your heart being open all the time. The openness and radiance are their own reward. And, as a pleasant side-benefit, the good men will notice and flock to you in droves (if that's what you want).

4. The goddess embodies both feminine and masculine energy, but majors in feminine and minors in masculine in her intimate relations with men.

So practice opening your heart right now. Imagine your child, niece or nephew and the barrierless love you feel for them as they run up to you to give you a flower. How open is your heart now? How ready are you to embrace that child? Does it feel good?

If you're interested in being appealing to men, here's a little secret: we guys like you because you're women! It's an amazing, beautiful thing. We like strength and confidence, too, but more as the spice rather than the main dish (hint: most straight guys aren't not looking for a guy facsimile in a companion).

Then why not practice the openness all the time.

And if you're single, that open, loving version of you is the one you want on display, since it's the most likely version to capture the attention of Mr Right when he saunters along.

It's a challenge, especially with all the masculine energy necessary for success in the modern world. Yet it's well worth your while to practice -71-

In a recent seminar, I elaborated on these concepts. Click here to listen to an excerpt and download the full hourlong version of the 'How to Be A Modern Goddess' teleseminar. I hope you find it useful and uplifting.

T HE N ORSE R EMEMBERS The goddesses of Norse mythology are divided between the Æsir and the Vanir, and sometimes including the jötnar (giants). The dividing line between these groups is less than clear. However, it is usually accepted that the Æsir were warrior gods, while the Vanir were fertility gods. Various other groups of beings, including elves, dwarves and jötnar were probably minor gods, and might have had small cults and sacred places devoted to them. [Wikipedia] The goddesses and their functions • • • • • • • • • • • •

Eir - Goddess of healing. Ēostre- goddess of spring Elli-goddess of old age.

Freya - Goddess of love, fertility, and battle.

Frigg - Goddess of marriage and motherhood.

Gefjun - Goddess of fertility and plough.

Hel - Queen of Neifelheim, the Norse underworld.

Hlín - Goddess of consolation and protection.

Iðunn - Goddess of youth.

Jörð - Goddess of the Earth.

Mother of Þórr by Óðinn.

Lofn - Goddess of forbidden loves.

Nerþus - A goddess mentioned by Nótt - Goddess of night, daughter of Narvi and mother of Auð, Jörð

Art by AteLier da La

• • • • • • • • • •

and Dagr by Naglfari, Annar and Delling, respectively.

Sága - An obscure goddess, possibly another name for Frigg.

Sif - Wife of Thor.

Sjöfn - Goddess of love.

Skaði - Goddess of winter Njörðr's wife.

Snotra - Goddess of prudence.

Sol (Sunna) - Goddess of Sun. Swallowed by Skoll.

Vár - Goddess of contract.

Vör - Goddess of wisdom.

Weth - Goddess of anger

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A collagey peek at Ice Hotels and other frosty delights from Siren’s School’s Chillin’ album on Facebook

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Freyja’s Fabulous Apple Cinnamon Bread With Honey Butter

by The Mad Mystic

Freyja is a Norse Goddess of many talents. She is a protector of those who practice the magickal arts. She presides over matters of love, as well as those involving war. Many people invoke Freyja for help with fertility, but she is also a Goddess of death. The Valkyries, who are both Goddesses of the battlefield and psychopomps, are led by Freyja. Apples are quite sacred to this Lady, so you may prepare this bread in her honor. Serve it with the butter to enhance your offering, for honey contains Freyja’s essence.

For the apple cinnamon bread, you will need: 4 tablespoons softened unsalted butter 1/3 cup canola oil 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla 2 eggs 2 medium Fuji apples 2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1/4 cup buttermilk 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce Combine the butter, oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and eggs in a large bowl, beating well after each addition with a mixer. Cut the core out of the apples. Grate the apples, including the peel, into a separate bowl. Stir the apples and their juice into the wet mixture. Sift the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon into another bowl, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir about half of the dry mixture into the apple mixture, followed by the buttermilk, other half of the dry mixture, and applesauce. Pour the batter into a loaf pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake the bread in a preheated 350 degree oven for approximately 50 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean when it is inserted into the center of the bread. Remove the bread from the pan, and place it on a wire rack to cool.

“Freyja and the Necklace” by James Doyle Penrose (1890)

For the honey butter, you will need: 8 tablespoons softened unsalted butter 1/4 cup butterbean honey 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon Whip the butter, honey, and cinnamon together thoroughly with a mixer. Refrigerate any unused butter for up to 1 week.

You may further honor Freyja by breaking bread with her. This can be done at any time when you are performing a ritual for or with her. As you prepare for your ritual, place a plate containing two pieces of bread with butter on your altar. At some point during the ritual, ask Freyja to partake in a bite to eat with you. She will consume the essence of her piece while you physically savor yours. Once you are completely finished with your ritual, you may enjoy the other piece of bread as well. Namaste.

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Chariots of the Snow Gods Apollo drove a chariot pulled by fiery horses across the sky in order to illumine the earth each day.

Norse goddesses get their spark by skiing pulled by a single horse or several hundred horsepower.

The Scandinavian sport of skikjøring —translated from Norwegian to English as ‘ski driving’— has been around for more than a century. What began as a means of transportation for Scandinavian immigrants and their horses was quickly picked up by the Norse gods and has now become a full-blown sporting spectacle. Minnesota’s most recent ‘loppet,’ the largest skijoring event in the world, attracted approximately 200 dog-skier teams and nearly 5000 spectators. At such competitions both skiers and their dogs must submit to drug testing. Clearly skijoring has become serious business.

At present, the International Federation of Sleddog Sports, which maintains club affiliates in 40 countries, is working with the International Olympic Committee to introduce skijoring into the 2016 Winter Olympics. Their case should no doubt be helped by the fact that skijoring appeared in the 1928 Winter Olympics as a demonstration sport.

It’s become especially popular as an activity for urban goddesses to engage in with their best friend, i.e. any dog over 35 pounds who enjoys running. Most dogs instinctively love to pull and skijorers love to be pulled, making the skijoring relationship a win-win.

To embark on your skijoring career, simply attach a 6-10 shock-cord bungee line to your pup’s chest harnass as well as to your waist, preferably by means of a hook with a releasing carabiner. When you’re ready to whisk away, call out, "Hike!" meaning "Let's go" and your dog will take off with you gleefully in tow....

OK, maybe there is a teeny bit more to it. If you want to do it right, there is equipment designed to ensure your maximum comfort and safety. Click here for the rundown on beginner skijoring tips and let the exhilaration begin... Hike!

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All in a goddess’ day’s work Mega multi-tasker Lanie Costeas is our second Siren School student-nominated ‘modern goddess.’ Read how her friend described her and you’ll understand why: “I think Lanie would be an awesome feature. That woman can accomplish so much in one day, she cooks extravagant meals for dinner as well as her husband’s lunch for the next day, spends hours gardening their food, takes care of several indoor and outdoor cats and an iguana, makes and sells jewelry. And she can do it all in a day. But the other thing is that she and her husband spent their own time and money to catch feral cats to get them fixed and then released them back. They also found the kittens homes as well as kept one I believe. Lanie is just one of the most uplifting people that I know. I met her through my mom at the Renaissance Faire and she is a blast. She always comes with little gifts/favors as well as a trunk full of a mini bar to make her concoctions with. She's great.” ~brandi

We went to Lanie herself to get her perspective on things: Lanie, how would you describe a modern goddess?

I would describe a modern goddess as someone who immerses herself in many creative hobbies and past times that bring her life more joy as well as the lives of other people around her. I think a modern goddess is someone who constantly inspires others and makes them want to live a fuller more creative life.

You're involved in so many different things and fully dive into everything you do. What does a typical Lanie day entail?

I have been taking care of a new litter of feral kittens and a lot of feral cats and with the big garden and other projects in the works I have been crazy busy. I am very passionate about feral cat rescue and have a group of feral cats that I feed and care for daily. Currently, there are around 15 cats or more. I try to spey/neuter as many as possible and feed and care for the colony daily at 7:00am and 7:30pm. I also provide shelter for the cats. I have a custom door on my garage as well as a log cabin heated cat house. I am super passionate about organic gardening and growing my own food as well as cooking my own food from scratch. I am crazy passionate about crafting and making jewelry and always have been. I collect and sell vintage bohemian clothing and sell on eBay. I have a bohemian store called The*Mermaids *Bohemian*Boutique which I maintain weekly. I make

Modern goddess Lanie in a rare moment when she is not doing & creating. The hair clip shown in the background at top is one of her designs. See more samples of her artistry and industrious handiwork on the page following.

my own mermaid and fairy themed jewelry for my store and seek out vintage bohemian clothing to sell in it.

You are an inspiration to those who know you. What and who inspires you?

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What and who inspires me... I am inspired by people who love the planet and all of its life forms. Some of my favorite people who have always inspired me are Jane Goodall, Julia Butterfly Hill and Diane Fossy. Other people who inspire me are people who are into animal rescue or organic gardening, and anyone who is artistic and open minded. I am drawn to people who live to create and make the world a better and more beautiful place.

Most of your activities, while you enjoy them, are uber productive. Is there anything you love to do that has no productive value whatsoever?

I would say that three of my "laid back" passions that do not require a lot of work like the cat rescue/spey-neuter/ adoption, gardening, cooking, crafting, and selling vintage clothing would be collecting Pre Raphaelite Art, seeing live music, and absorbing as much culture as possible. I am an anthropology nut! I love to immerse myself in all cultural traditions. I also love nature and having bonfires.

I have a pretty big collection of Pre-Raphaelite art reproductions in my home and a lot of people call my house The Museum.

What are you most passionate about?

My passions that are not work related would be seeing live music and bands as much as possible. I also love to collect Art and attend Art shows. I love to go to cultural celebrations and am very into anthropology. I love to sit in front of a fire and love nature. I am very passionate about learning as much as I can about other cultures. I love India and I adore attending Indian celebrations. These are some of my main passions. (Music, Art, Nature,)

Another friend summed Lanie up this way: “I refer to Lanie as my most colorful crayon in my box. She has an appreciation for life that few attain. She is generous, creative, caring and exceptional in many ways. Her abilities are vast: cooking, feasting, creating, protecting, She is the personification of passionate. If you need someone in your corner, she's the gal. If you need a kick in the pants, she's the gal. I love Lanie. I call her my mermaid friend. She is one of my greatest treasures The end” ~Lori

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African Goddesses According to generally accepted evolutionary theory, Africa is the ancient home of all human kind--all homo sapiens can trace their descent from the peoples who first walked upright across Africa's mountains and plains... As the oldest inhabited continent, Africa should present us with a rich tradition of mythology, folklore, hero tales and ritual. And, to an extent, it does so... But much of African culture has been lost or altered. Some was lost through natural processes: cultures changed, and so rituals and tales which no longer communicated a society's mores were abandoned.

Aha Njoku, Lady of Yams This popular Goddess is worshipped by the Ibo people of Nigeria.

She is responsible for yams, a central ingredient in the Ibo diet, and the women who care for them.

Aja, Lady of Forest Herbs This forest Goddess is honored by the Yoruba people of Nigeria. She teaches Her faithful the use of medicinal herbs found in the African forests.

Ala, Earth Mother This much-loved Earth Mother is the highest Goddess of the Ibo pantheon of Nigeria. She is responsible for many aspects of civilization, as well as guardianship of women and children in general.

Dziva, Lady Creatrix Dziva is the generally benevolent Creatrix Goddess of the Shona people of Zimbabwe--but there is also an awful aspect to Her nature....

Gbadu, Holy Daughter Gbadu is the daughter of Mawu (profiled below). She is the Goddess of Fate of the Fon (or Dahomey) people of modern Benin, Who is saddened by the fighting among Her Mother's mortal children.

Inkosazana, Lady Heaven She is a popular and much-loved Goddess of the well-known Zulu people of Southern Africa. She is responsible primarily for cereal grains, an important element of the Zulu diet.

Mawu, Lady Supreme Mawu is the Supreme Deity of the Fon (or Dahomey) people of modern Benin. With Her husband, Lisa, She created the universe.

They are sometimes presented as Mawu-Lisa the great androgymous Creator. One of Her daughters is Gbadu (profiled above).

Mother Earth and the Power of One by Lisa Iris

Mbaba Mwana Waresa, Lady Rainbow Mbaba Mwana Waresa is a beloved Goddess of the Zulu people of Southern Africa, primarily because She gave them the gift of beer.

The story of Her search for a husband is well-known, and recently appeared in a beautifully illustrated children's book.

Mella, Courageous Daughter Mella's story is as much folklore as it is myth. She is a deified Queen honored by the Buhera Ba Rowzi people of Zimbabwe.

Minona, Protectress This Protectress of Women is honored by the Fon (or Dahomey) people of Benin. In some tales, She is the Mother of Mawu and the Grandmother of Gbadu (both profiled above).

Oshun, Lady of Sweet Waters Oshun is one of the few native African Goddesses whose name is recognized in the West. She is honored by the Yoruba people of Nigeria primarily as a Goddess of fresh water, an element important to any people. She is also responsible for fertility, love and divination.

Oya, Lady of the River Oya is the Orisha of the Niger River, and Her violent rainstorms are said to be its source. Like Oshun, She is worshipped not only in Africa but in Brazil, where the Amazon is said to be Her river, and where She is equated with the Virgin Mary as Our Lady of La Candelaria.

Egyptian Goddesses Egypt is an ancient land. It is one the most continuously inhabited regions of the world, with an archaeological record stretching back tens of thousands of years. The Nile Valley was one of the first sites at which agriculture was discovered, some nine thousand years ago, along with Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, the He Huang Valley and South-East Asia. (The peoples of Central America discovered the magic of seeds some centuries later.)... The Nile was a clock; it set the pace of the seasons, of the agricultural cycle, and of the lives of the Egyptians themselves. It was their lifesource, and it was benevolent. The River rarely failed the people; it flooded every year, depositing a layer of rich alluvial soil in which the Egyptians grew crops to feed themselves and their children and their cattle. As the River was steady and benevolent, so the Universe was largely perceived to be.

Long considered polytheists, Egyptologists have recently speculated that in fact the Egyptians... believed in a Web of Life, much as many Native Americans and Africans did and still do... Because of the perceived interconnectedness of life, the multifaceted nature of existence, Egyptian Deities rarely fit into neat categories (eg Goddess of the Sun, God of the Moon); rather, They often shared attributes, responsibilities, and even spouses and children.Over the course of some three thousand years, Egypt flourished under the rule of native Pharaohs, Assyrians, Nubians, Greeks and Romans. Only in the fourth century of the common era, under the aegis of Christian Byzantium, were the temples of the Goddesses and Gods closed. The invasion of Muslim Arabs in the seventh century destroyed or drove the few remaining faithful underground. The death of the Old Religion was a long and painful struggle.

Comprehension of Egyptian hieroglyphic script was lost until the nineteenth century. Only then were native myths of Gods and Goddesses, unfiltered by the cultural bias and perceptions of Greeks and Romans, revealed. Only then were centuries of sand brushed away and the temples uncovered.

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Amenti, Lady at the Gates This Goddess of the Underworld was responsible for greeting the dead on their arrival in the West. As is often the case in Egyptian religion, Amenti's place was by no means permanent: other tales say Nut, Hathor, Neith or Ma'at greeted the dead.

Nephthys, Lady of the House Nephthys (or Nebthet) is generally interpreted by Egyptologists as the Dark Twin of Isis. They are sisters married to Their own brothers.

Isis, Osiris, Nephthys and Set are the children of Nut (profiled below) and Geb, the Earth.

Ammit, Devourer of Souls Ancient Egyptians had no conception of Hell or place of punishment; if one died with a soul weighed heavy with sin, the soul was destroyed, devoured by the monster Ammit.

Nut, Celestial Mistress Nut is the Mother of four of the primary Deities of the Egyptian pantheon: Isis, Osiris, Nephthys and Set. Her body is the Sky, Her husband the Earth.

Bast, Sacred Cat Bast ( Bastet, Bastis, Bubastis, Pacht, Ubast) is a name well-known in the West. Family pets so named are not uncommon. Cats, as manifestations of Deity, were sacred; cemeteries of mummified felines have been unearthed by archaeologists. Bast was the daughter and/or wife of Ra, the God of the Sun.

Qetesh, Sacred Love Her name, meaning "Holy One," is usually mistranslated as "Sacred Prostitute." She came to Egypt from the Near East.

Hathor, Lady Mother Hathor is generally presented as a Cow Goddess and Mother Goddess. She is a complex Deity, who is Matron of Love, yet also has a destructive element to Her nature. Some versions of the Egyptian creation myth identify Her as the Primal Creatrix.

Isis, Lady of Life Isis is the most well-known Egyptian Deity. Her worship flourished in Egypt for all of its three thousand years. Her faith eventually spread throughout the Near East and Mediterranean; the roads and ships of the Roman Empire carried Isis to ancient France, Germany and Britain.The image is an oil painting by Jonathon Earl Bowser, entitled ISIS: CHILDREN OF EARTH AND SKY. Ma'at, Cosmic Balance There is much debate among Egyptologists as to whether Ma'at is an "actual" Goddess or only the personification of a concept. Evidence weighs heavily on both sides.

Many Egyptian temples show Her in human form. Yet cosmic balance, right order, natural law, was very much the idea at the heart of Egyptian civilization.

Sekhmet, Fierce Lioness Sekhmet (Sakhmis, Sekhet, Ubastet), is often confused or combined with Bast. Sometimes She is another form of Bast, sometimes another form of Hathor, sometimes an autonomous Goddess.

Seshat, Mistress of Books In very ancient Egypt, priestess and scribe were often one and the same. Seshat's Divine position, and the earthly position of Her priestesses, were eventually taken over by Thoth and His priests.

Taueret, Lady of Birth While Her name is not often recognized, Her manifestation in the form of a hippopotamus often is. She is primarily a Goddess of Midwives and Birth.

Uadjet, Lady Cobra Uadjet is an extremely ancient Goddess of Lower (northern) Egypt.

She is often paired with Nekhbet, and is personified by the uraeus, the cobra on the Pharaoh's crown. She is sometimes called Buto.

Neith, Lady Supreme Neith is a perfect example of the evolving, syncretistic nature of Egyptian religion. She appears in both bovine and human form and Her titles are almost endless.

The rational Greeks, attempting to quantify and contain Her unlimited Divine Essence, equated Her with their Goddess of War and Handicrafts and Civilization, Athena (see Minerva, Graeco-Roman Goddesses).

Nekhbet, Lady Vulture Nekhbet is a very ancient Goddess of Upper (southern) Egypt. In some cosmogonies, She is the Creatrix. She is rarely represented in human form.

Our versatile and glamorous siren sister, Marie Cadieux as Isis -79-

The Beautiful One Has Come... and never left Nefertiti, the un-goddess lives on Little is known about this Egyptian celeb, other than that she married well and bore her husband six daughters. Her stepson, Tutankhamun, yes, King Tut, also remains prominent in modern culture thanks to his own well-preserved likeness and tomb artifacts.

During the fourteenth year of her husband’s reign, Nerfetiti vanished from public record.

Explanatory speculations differ wildly -some claiming she took a new name at the time, that she went on to become a pharaoh herself for a bit following Akhenaten’s death.

Some believe her disappearance was caused by a plague that swept the land.

Ancient Egypt was rife with gods, including the very Pharaoh himself.

But Pharaoh Akhenaten (originally known as Amenhotep IV) and his queen Nefertiti changed all that by worshipping just one god -- Aten, the sun disc. The enduring appeal of Nefertiti, whose name translates to ‘the beautiful one has come’ can be credited in great part to the incredibly well-preserved limestone bust of her, created around 1345 BC by the sculptor Thutmose. Today the piece ranks with Mona Lisa as one of the most recognizable and copied works of art in history.

The Nefertiti mystery continues even now as Dr. Joann Fletcher and a forensic team dedicated twelve years to researching and finding Nefertiti’s tomb, as they claim to have done in their 2003 documentary funded by the Discovery Channel. Based on their findings, the team worked to recreate what they believe to be the face of Nefertiti, complete with the queen’s trademark ‘elegant profile and swan-like neck.’

Regardless of the facts of her life and lineage, one thing is indisputable -- her allure that crosses borders and millennia, and her ongoing reign of our imaginations.

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Sharing the Beauty of Nefertiti through Dance I came across this group on Facebook just as we were finishing this issue of the magazine, and I was so smitten with them I had to find a way to include them. The following is from the Nefertiti Dance website: Nefertiti Dance formed in 2004 in Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia.

There are a number of teachers and we all work together in a co-operative way to promote, perform and teach dance. It is community-based rather than a ‘business’. Nefertiti Dance is primarily a middle eastern and multicultural (Bollywood, Spanish, Hawaiian and Gypsy) dance group but we also have a highly skilled hoop dancer to add zest to our performances!

Middle Eastern Dance incorporates a wide range of 'folk dance' styles from the Persian Gulf, across North Africa, Egypt, Turkey, and Greece. What is known as 'belly dance' is just a small part of this.

Nefertiti Dance provides a range of styles, skills and experience to students and audiences, and we love what we do! We teach safe dance technique and cater for beginners to advanced. We are a friendly and fun-loving group and enjoy regular social get-togethers as well as class.

Nefertiti was a Queen of ancient Egypt, famous for her beauty, and our dance group is named in her honour. As the saying goes, beauty is more than skin deep, and at Nefertiti we focus on developing poise and self-confidence in our students, whilst having a lot of fun.

Nefertiti Dance are the creators of the award winning 'Dugong Rock' dance - a blues/rock number to which we choreographed a belly dance fusion dance!!

[You can see a video sample of it by clicking here.]

OUR TRIP TO EGYPT! Members of our group travelled to Egypt in January 2008 to experience the culture which is so central to Middle Eastern Dance.

We enjoyed many performances by fabulous dancers and musicians from folk to cabaret in style, travelled from Alexandria to Aswan and Luxor to the Sinai, cruised on the Nile watching the ancient land glide by, marveled at the amazing Pharaonic temples and pyramids, and participated in workshops provided by famous dancers in Cairo. It was a wonderful trip, made all the more enjoyable by the very friendly, hospitable and welcoming people of Egypt.

We returned to Australia with a vastly enhanced appreciation of this beautiful dance form and its cultural base.

Find these lovely ladies on their Nerftiti-Dance Facebook page.

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"And the heiress, great in the palace, fair of face, adorned with the double plumes, mistress of happiness, endowed with favours, at hearing whose voice the king rejoices, the chief wife of the king, his beloved, the lady of the two lands, Nefertiti, may she live for ever and always": Inscription on a stelae of Queen Nefertiti's husband Pharaoh Akhenaten

Goddesses of The Americas CENTRAL AMERICA As defined here, Central America includes the cultures/regions of Mexico, Central America proper (or MesoAmerica), and the islands of the Caribbean. For an overview of the Goddesses of Latin America as a whole, see also South American Goddesses.

The most well-known pre-Columbian inhabitants of Central America are the Maya and the Aztecs. The Maya flourished from 250-900 CE... They inherited many of the inventions and innovations of earlier cultures, such as the Olmec and Teotihuacan, but were equally inventive themselves. They developed astronomy, beautiful ceremonial architecture, a complex hieroglyphic writing system and a sophisticated, two-pronged calendrical system. An elite priesthood and nobility ruled over the majority of Maya. For reasons still unclear, the Maya civilization began to decline about 900 CE. Contrary to popular belief, the Maya are not extinct; many still live in the southern provinces of Mexico.

The Aztecs flourished in what is now central Mexico in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries of the common era; their capital, Tenochtitlan, now lies beneath Ciudad de Mexico. The central symbols of their foundation myth--eagle, snake, cactus--now appear on the Mexican flag. A despotic and militaristic people, the Aztecs were gifted agriculturalists, who introduced irrigation, drained swamps, created artificial islands and cultivated all arable land. The Aztecs are most often remembered (and vilified) for their bloody religious rituals, which often centered around live human sacrifice.

The Aztecs, much like the Maya, believed that blood was the life-force of the universe; their Deities needed blood, preferably human, to survive. If the Gods and Goddesses died, there would be no rain, no maize crop, and humans too would die. It was a symbiotic relationship.

The Aztec were finally overthrown by the Spanish in 1521 CE, who were aided by many of the tribes subjugated by the Aztecs.

Aida Wedo, Rainbow Snake This Goddess of Haiti is known as the Rainbow Snake, a common manifestation of Deity in Africa, Oceania and Central and South America. Her husband is Damballa, God of Rivers and Springs.

Anthropologists consider Her the equivalent of the African Mawu Ayizan, Mat of the Earth She, too, is a Serpent Goddess. This creation story comes to us from Haiti.

Hoatziqui, Lady of the Dead This Goddess of the Dead was worshipped by the Opata people of pre-Columbian Mexico. The tale reveals something of Opata relations with their ancient neighbors, the Pima.

Ix Chel, Lady Weaver Ix Chel is a complex Goddess of ancient Mexico. She and still is worshipped by the Putun and Yucatec Maya. The hare is one of Her primary symbols. Her husand is Itzamna, God of the Sun and Creation.

Ixtab, Mistress of Death Two Yucatec Mayan Goddesses share variations on this name: Ixtab and Ix Tab. They may or may not be the same Goddess; from the similarity of Their stories, I have chosen to interpret Them as One, much as the Greek Artemis and Roman Diana are merged as One Deity. Ixtab is the Mayan Goddess of Death, Sacrifice and Suicides.

Loa, Beautiful Lady This Vodoun Goddess of Haiti is much-loved and generally benevolent.

"Loa" is also a general term meaning "spirit" or "deity" or "spirit."

Mayahuel, Many-Breasted This Aztec Goddess of Agriculture is often associated with Chalchiuhtlicue and Tlazolteotl (both profiled in this section). Like Artemis of the Ephesians (see Diana, Graeco-Roman section), She is portrayed with many breasts.

Olosa, Lady Crocodile This Santeria Goddess of Puerto Rico and Haiti uses crocodiles as Her messengers. She is closely associated with Olokun, God of the Sea. Teteoinnan, Lady Midwife This ancient Goddess of the Aztecs is known as "Mother of Sacred Ones." She is a Mother Goddess.

Tlazolteotl, Filth Lady An ancient and much-loved Aztec Goddess, Tlazolteotl was Matron of both Pleasure and Sin, though not in the sense many Christians would think. Her name means "Filth Deity."

Xochiquetzal, Flower Mistress Her name means "Flower Feather." She is the Goddess of Pleasure and Beauty. The Gardens of Xochimilco, south of Ciudad de Mexico, are named for Her.

Chalchiuhtlicue, Lady of Waters This Aztec Goddess, whose name means "Jade Skirt," was Matron of lakes and streams. Her husband is Tlaloc, God of Rain.

Chantico, Lady of the Hearth This Aztec Goddess of the Hearth was a Matron of lapidaries and warriors. She is often associated with the Goddess Xochiquetzal Coatlicue, Serpent Skirt This Aztec Supreme Goddess is the Mother of all Aztec Deities. Her statue now stands in the National Museum of Anthropology in Ciudad de Mexico.

Erzulie, Lady of Love This Vodoun Goddess is worshipped by Haitians as Matron of love, beauty, health and the moon. She is personified as a water snake.Vodoun was originally unique to Haiti, a combination of Catholicism and Yoruban cosmology developed by slaves as a tool of survival and rebellion. It has since been carried by Haitian immigrants to the United States. Karen McCarthy Brown published a critically-acclaimed text about a Voodoo priestess in New York: MAMA LOLA. It is highly recommended.

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SOUTH AMERICA Axomama, Lady of Potatoes Her name means "Potato Mother." Potatoes have been the staple food of the peoples of the Andes since ancient days; they come in a wide variety, which are only now being discovered by distributors in industrialized nations.

Caipora, Lady of the Beasts Among Brazilians, She is a Goddess of the Wilderness. She protects animals from human hunters.

Chasca, Lady of the Dawn Among the Inca of Peru, She was honored as a Goddess of the Dawn and Twilight. She was the special Protectress of virgins and young girls.

Cocamama, Lady of Coca This tale from Peru recounts the creation of that most deliciously addictive food, chocolate. The ancient Peruvians believed coca brought health and happiness.

Mama Pacha, Mother Earth Mama Pacha was the Earth Mother of the Chincha of Peru. She oversees planting and harvesting. Some depict Her as a great dragon Who causes earthquakes.

Mama Quilla, Lady Moon In the Incan tongue, Her name means "Mother Moon" or "Golden Mother." She oversaw marriages, the calendar and feast days.

Nungui, Lady of the Manioc Among the Jivaro of Peru, She is an Earth Goddess Who oversees vegetation. She is honored as the Giver of Civilization. The manioc is Her special plant.

Star Woman, Heavenly Wife This is another tale of a supernatural woman who weds a mortal man. As told by the Chaco, Ge and Apinaye of Brazil, a woman brought agriculture to the people of earth.

Yemanja, Mistress Sea Originally an African Goddess, She is now worshipped through the Carribbean and along the Atlantic coast of South America, particularly in Brazil. She is the benevolent Goddess of the Sea.

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NORTH AMERICA Alahtin, Lady Moon ASGAYA GIGAGEI (Cherokee) The Red Man or Woman evoked in spells to cure the ill. Asgaya Gigagei is either male or female, depending on the sex of the patient.

ATIRA (Pawnee) The Earth, Sacred Mother of every living creature.The Pawnee were hunters. When told to abandon hunting and settle down to farming, their priest replied: "You ask me to plow the ground! Shall I take a knife and tear my mother's bosom? Then when I die she will not take me to her bosom to rest. You ask me to dig for stone! Shall I dig under her skin for her bones? Then when I die I cannot enter her body to be born again. You ask me to cut grass and make hay and sell it, and be rich like white men! But how dare I cut off my mother's hair? It is a bad law and my people cannot obey it."

Bear Maiden, Salmon Mistress Chuginadak, Passionate One Corn Mother, Restorer of Life DEOHAKO (Iroquois/Seneca) Spirits of maize, beans and gourds who live together in a single hill. Searching for dew, the maize spirit Onatha was captured by the evil spirit Hahgwehdaetgah who took her off to the underworld. Sun rescued her, and ever since she has remained in the cornfields until the corn is ripe.

ESTANATLEHI (Navajo) First Woman's adopted daughter. To punish mankind for pride, First Man and First Woman sent a plague of monsters to kill and devour them. The time came when First Woman repented of the evils she and First Man had visited upon men, and she sought a means for their deliverance. First Woman discovered the infant Estanatlehi lying on the ground near First Woman's mountain, and took her in. The infant Estanatlehi grew to adulthood in four days. Making love with the Sun, she gave birth to the Twin Brothers who after many adventures slew the monsters.

FIRST WOMAN (Navajo) In the beginning, First Man and First Woman ascended from the underworld together with Coyote, leading the people through trials and tribulations into the surface world which became their home. Deciding that the sky was too empty with only Sun and Moon, First Man, First Woman and Coyote gathered up glittering stones and placed them in the sky to serve as stars. (Asintmah) GAHE Also GA'AN (Apache) Supernatural beings who dwell inside mountains. The can sometimes be heard dancing and beating drums.

Because they can heal and drive away disease, they are worshipped.

In the ritual dances of the Chiricahua Apache masked dancers painted a different color for each point of the compass represent all the Gahe except the Grey One. The Grey One, though he appears as a clown, is really the mightiest of all the Gahe.

Gendenwitha, Morning Star KACHINAS (Hopi) Nature spirits which inhabit and control everything -animal spirits, spirits of departed ancestors, spirits of natural resources such as wind, rain and thunder. Their exact number is not known, but at least five hundred appear in the mythologies of the different villages.

Maka, Mother Earth MICHABO (Algonquin) The Great Hare. A trickster. A shape-shifter.

Creator of men, the earth, deer, water and fish. Michabo drives away cannibal spirits. In the House of Dawn, Michabo is host to the souls of good men, feeding them succulent fruits and fish.

Minnehaha, Buffalo Bride NOKOMIS (Algonquin) "Grandmother." The Sacred Earth Mother.

Nokomis nurtures all living things.

Norwan, Dancing Porcupine Onenha, Lady Corn Pinga, Lady of the Hunt RAVEN (Northwestern tribes) Another trickster god. Very greedy, forever seeking food. Raven stole the moon from a miser and placed it in the sky.

SEDNA (Inuit/Eskimo) Goddess of the sea and the creatures of the sea. A one-eyed giant. A frightful old hag, but she was young and

beautiful when her father threw her in the sea as a sacrifice. A sorcerer wishing to visit Sedna must pass through the realms of death and then cross an abyss where a wheel of ice spins eternally and a cauldron of seal meat stews endlessly. To return he must cross another abyss on a bridge as narrow as a knife edge.

SELU (Cherokee) "Corn." Sometimes known as First Woman.

Kanati's wife. Selu created corn in secret by rubbing her belly.

SUN (Cherokee) A goddess. When Sun's daughter was bitten by a snake and taken to the Ghost Country, Sun hid herself in grief. The world was ever dark, and Sun's tears became a flood. At last the Cherokee sent their young men and women to heal Sun's grief, which they did with singing and dancing. (Inuit/Eskimo) A beautiful young maiden carrying a torch who is chased through the sky by her brother Aningan, the moon. The planet Jupiter is the mother of the sun and very dangerous to magicians. If they are careless, she will devour their livers.

White Buffalo Woman

Julunggul, Rainbow Serpent Rainbow serpents are a common motif throughout world mythology, but most particularly in Oceania, Africa and South America; universally, they are associated with immortality/rebirth, rain and water. This rainbow serpent, Julunggul, is a great Goddess of the Aborigines of Australia. She oversees the initiation of adolescent boys into manhood.

Kura, Falling Flower Like Kore of Graeco-Roman mythology, Kura fell into the Underworld.

Her story is told by the Maori of New Zealand.

Magigi, Lady of the Flood In many myths, the world is destroyed in punishment for a great sin; usually, a husband and wife survive to repopulate the earth (sometimes a brother and sister, sometimes more than two people).

In the case of this tale from the Caroline Islands, Magigi forsees the flood, and so She and Her husband survive.

The Mar'rallang, Twin Wives This Aboriginal story may upset some feminists: it recounts the marriage of two sisters to one man, who were so alike that they bore the same name. The sameness of the sisters, however, may allude actually to a two-season year, a two-sun cosmology, a dual-ruler system, the dichotomy/unity of life and death, and so on. In Greek mythology, the opposite is common: twin brothers (or a father and son, or uncle and nephew) marry the same woman.

Pele, Fiery Creation Pele is the most well-known Oceanic Goddess. She is the Goddess of Volcanoes, Lava and Volcanic Fire. She can be both benevolent and malevolent, and appears as a hag or young woman.

Purlimil, Flowers of Blood This tragic tale of love and murder comes from Australia. Remember it when next you see a red field of the Flowers of Blood.

Rata, Lady of Inspiration Rata is the Goddess of Inspiration honored by the Hawaiians. In a way, Her role is the same as that of the serpent in the Book of Genesis.

Sinebomatu, Warder of Bwebweso Her name means "Woman of the Northeast Wind." She is honored by the Dobu of Melanesia as the Doorkeeper of the Land of the Dead.

Tei Tituaabine, Mother of Trees She is worshipped by the natives of the Gilbert Islands of Micronesia.

She is a Tree Goddess Whose tale is similar to that of Sago Woman.

G Oceanic Goddesses s Apakura, Vengeful Mother She is a Goddess honored by the Maori of New Zealand. She is one of many mythological mothers Who shaped Their sons for excellence & glory.

Brogla, Spirit of Dance Her name means "Native Companion." She is honored by the Aborigines of Australia. A dancer of great fluidity and beauty, She was taken away by the dancers of nature, the Whirlwinds.

'Eleipaio, Lady Flycatcher She is a Goddess honored by the Hawaiians, particularly canoe builders. This tale is an example of the intertwining of natural phenomena, human experience and mythology.

Haumea, Mother of Hawai'i She is the Mother of Hawaii, Who taught women the correct way to give birth. Her daughters are Pele, the Goddess of Volcanoes, and Hi'iaka, the Goddess of the Hula Hi'iaka, Lady of the Hula She is honored by the Hawaiians. Her name means "Cloudy One," a reference, perhaps, to the clouds of steam which rise when lava meets sea, or to the clouds of soot which rise when Pele's fire burns the forests.

Hine moa, Passionate Princess Hine and Hina are common Goddess names throughout the Pacific; in some cases, the name has become a title, bearing connotations of sacrality, greatness, and femininity. The various Goddesses Hine/ Hina worshipped may simply be aspects of one Great Goddess. This particular Hine is honored by the Maori of New Zealand for Her love, determination and bravery.

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“Joy, I found a recipe for coconut cake that only the gods could love. It is amazing. ~Susan” CAKE INGREDIENTS • 1 Duncan Hines White Cake mix • 3 eggs • 1 cup milk • 1/2 cup vegetable oil • 1 small box vanilla (or almond) pudding (I used vanilla) • 1 teaspoon vanilla (or almond) extract (I used vanilla) DIRECTIONS 1. Mix together all ingredients until smooth and creamy.

2. Pour into a 9 x 13 pan that has been greased and floured. (I used Baker's Joy.) 3. Bake at 350 for 32 - 35 minutes or until tooth pick comes our clean.

FILLING • 1 can of cream of coconut • 1 can of sweetened condensed milk 1. Mix these two ingredients together. Poke holes in the hot cake and slowly pour this mixture over the cake.

2. Let cake cool and then frost with the following: TOPPING • 8 oz. container of Extra Creamy Cool Whip • 12 oz. frozen grated coconut (Sprinkle this over the top of the Cool Whip) Refrigerate at least 8 hours before serving. Even better the next day!

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Kiwi Kooler submitted by Marla Spellenberg

serves 4

INGREDIENTS • 3 C crushed ice • 4 tsp simple syrup (simple sugar syrup - see below) • 8 TBSP crushed Kiwi fruit (about 4 large kiwi) • 3 TBSP lemon juice • 2 bottles chilled plain soda water • Garnish, 4 slices peeled Kiwi SUPPLIES • 4 tall ice tea glasses • 4 tall straws (glass preferred) • Juicer or blender • Ice crusher • Fruit/potato peeler • 1 cup covered container • TBSP/tsp measuring spoons PREPARATION 1. prepare simple syrup ahead, chill (recipe below) 2. peel Kiwi, cut off 4 slices for garnish from one fruit, cut up remaining kiwi and crush in blender in short bursts (small enough so that pieces will go up the straw easily) 3. store covered in one cup container in fridge until use 4. crush ice (or buy bagged crushed ice & re-crush large pieces)

ASSEMBLY (per serving) In a tall ice tea glass, add: • 1 tsp simple syrup • 2 tsp lemon juice • 2 TBSP crushed Kiwi (include some juices and seeds from crushing) Stir together Add 1/4 C crushed ice, Stir Add 1/2 C crushed ice on top of mix (DO NOT STIR) Add GENTLY, soda water to top off Add straw and garnish SIMPLE SYRUP 1:1 ratio (use bar sugar, dissolves quicker) • 1 Cup bar sugar • 1 Cup warm filtered water, or bottled water • Stir until dissolved, store in glass container & refrigerate until use.

If you use regular table sugar: • 1 Cup table sugar (I use cane sugar by "Domino", its organic) • 1 Cup filtered water Bring water to boil add sugar and stir with metal spoon until dissolved, remove from heat and cool, then bottle and refrigerate.

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An Interview with a Deity

by Bonnie Ramsburg

This mere mortal was given a great honor recently. I was allowed to sit down with the Great Pele, the Hawaiian Goddess of fire, lightning, wind and volcanoes. Below is an in depth interview with the goddess also known as Ka wahine ‘ai honua (“the earth-eating woman.”) With a smoking volcano behind me, an ocean with a lightning show going strong, I welcome Pele to our beachside table.

BR: Welcome Pele. First, thank you so much for doing this interview! How are you?

(She nods her head graciously) PELE: Hello Bonnie, I’m fine thank you.

BR: Besides being recognized as the goddess of fire, lightning, wind and volcanoes, what else are you known for? And do you have any siblings?

PELE: I am also known for my creative power, passion, purpose and profound love. I have numerous brothers and sisters. Kane Milohai, Kamohoali’I, Namaka and thirteen sisters named Hi’iaka, just to name a few. (She gives me a wry grin, as if to say, “What can I do?)

BR: Where does a goddess of your stature reside?

PELE: (she laughs and her laughter is like a gentle breeze) Why, in a volcano of course! The mortals believe I live in the Halema’uma’u crater at the summit caldera of Kilauea. It is one of the Earth’s most active volcanoes, but my domain really encompasses all volcanic activity on the Big Island of Hawaii. (She gets an angry look) Unfortunately for me, every incident with a volcanic eruption in Hawaii is blamed on me…supposedly expressing my longing to be with my true love, a young chief named Lohiau. Not only do they think this about me, they believe that I am a fickle and dangerous lover who sometimes kills my husbands.

BR: Is this true?

PELE: Now why would I reveal the truth about that? It keeps things interesting if nobody knows for sure!

BR: True, very true! Pele, there are numerous legends about you and how you came to be a Goddess. Would you tell us about some of them?

PELE: Oh my…..Let’s see….in one version, known as the Expulsion version, my parents are Kanehoalani and Haumea, we live in the mystical land of Kuaihelani, a floating free land, which was in the region of Kahiki. According to this legend, I stayed so close to my mother’s fireplace with the fire-keeper Lono-makua that my older sister Namaka-o-Kahai, a sea goddess, fears that my ambition would smother the homeland, so she drives me away. My brother Kamohoali’I uses a canoe called Honua-I-a-kea to take me, my younger sister Hi’iaka and two other brothers south to the islets above Hawaii. I use the divining rod, Pa’oa to pick my new home. But that witch of a sister pursued us and tore me apart. My bones, KaiwioPele form a hill on Kahikinui, while my spirit escapes to the island of Hawaii.

BR: Oh my Goddess!!!! How horrible!!! Are the other legends any better?

PELE: The Flood version is the other one I’m going to tell you about, and it is all up to the listener to decide which one is worse. In this version, I come from a land said to be “close to the clouds,” with my parents Kane-hoa-lani and Ha-hina-li’I, and my brothers Ka-moho-ali’I and Kahuila-o-ka-lani. I have a daughter Laka and a son Menehune with my husband Wahieloa (also called Wahialoa). Pele-kumu-honua entices my husband away and I travel in search of him. The sea pours from my head, over the land of Kanaloa (perhaps the island now known as Kaho’olawe) and my brothers say: “A sea! a sea! a sea of sharks Forth bursts the sea, Bursts forth over Kanaloa (Kaho’olawe), The sea rises to the hills….”

“Thrice” (according to the chant) the sea floods the land, then recedes.

These floodings are called The-sea-of-Ka-hina-li’i.

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My connection to the sea in this version is passed down from my mother Kahinalii, which is why this particular flood was named Kai a Kahhinalii.

BR: I have no words for this….Which one is the true version?

PELE: I would have to say that I’m partial to the Expulsion version. It makes more sense to me, but then again, why would I tell the exact truth about my origins….I am a Goddess after all!

BR: Pele, it’s said that the old religion was officially abolished in 1819, but people still believed in you. What can you tell us about that time period?

PELE: Oh, those stupid mortal English missionaries! They had to go and ruin everything! In the summer of 1823, William Ellis really got my temper going with his antics. He decided to tour the island to determine locations for mission stations. After his long journey to the volcano Kilauea with little food, Ellis eagerly at the wild berries he found growing there. Now mind you, the berries of the ‘ohelo plant are considered sacred to me, and traditionally prayers and offerings were always made to me before eating the berries. The volcano crater was an active lava lake at the time, and the natives feared my wrath because of this violation. Another event occurred in December of 1824.

The High Chiefess Kapi’olani descended into the Halema’uma’u crater after reciting a Christian prayer instead of the traditional one to me. I still don’t know why I didn’t follow through and kill her like they all predicted. That story was often told by the missionaries to show the superiority of their faith. But my followers fooled them all.

BR: What do you mean?

PELE: I mean that even though Christianity has a foothold in Hawaii, there are still some Hawaiian people that pray to me, they still give offerings and such. And obviously, I’m still very much around. As long as there is a volcano, I will be here.

BR: Wow! What an interview! Once again, thank you so much for allowing me to talk with you. I learned so much and am so awed by what I heard. (All of my information came from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Children of the Corn Mothers

by Shannon Lopez

My feeble attempt at cleverness as it pertains to the title aside, I must forewarn you that this article may contain a possibly disappointing lack of homicidal children and creepy monsters that “walk between the rows”. Have patience, for I may deliver unto you a grim tale indeed, come All Hallows Eve. Until then, what follows will be a juicy bit of Native American Mythology and social history.

Though the “Corn Mother” is a goddess worshipped by many Native American tribes, the primary focus of this article will be the Pueblo Indians of the American Southwest.

Concealed in darkness, buried deep beneath the soil, two sisters were born. They were given each a basket filled with the seeds and the essence of every plant and animal. They were then told to rise up from the earth and give praise to the sun, their father, with song and corn meal. Upon their ascent, the sisters received their names.

The first was called Nautsiti, Mother of the Sun Clan and the other Iatiku, Mother of the Corn Clan.

The sisters then took from their baskets and began to seed the earth with corn. When the corn ripened, they learned to harvest and mill the kernels into flour. They then gave shape to the mountains, streams, and trees.

Next came the animals as the sisters gave life to the elk, hawk, rabbit, deer, turkey, and all other manner of creatures. Then Corn Mother Iatiku took clay and lumber from her baskets and made for mankind the first homes and religious houses, wherein she taught them to worship and honor the Spirits.

Despite all her benevolence to humanity, it came to pass that the youth no longer respected Corn Mother and went so far as to neglect and insult her. Saddened and dismayed, Corn Mother returned to the Underworld and the people suffered a terrible drought and famine. It was only through the diligent prayer and fasting of a medicine man and his companion that Corn Mother was appeased and rain once again came to her people.

As shown in the Story of Creation, as told by the Acoma Pueblo Indians, the role of women in society is not that of submissive servants nor is it of a domineering tyrant.

Gender relations among the Pueblo Indians in general

Corn Dawn Mother by Marti Fenton were seen as rather egalitarian. While they each had their own specific roles in society, such as the women who would run the home and raised the children while the men would hunt and go to war, neither were seen as superior. Age was the determining factor in regard to social stratification; the Elders were revered while the young were expected to pay them homage. Failure to pay respect and to dishonor your elders would, as seen in the story of the Corn Mother, lead to terrible consequences; examples being the withholding of spiritual rites to adulthood or refusal to bless a marriage. In all likelihood, they would receive a well-deserved beating.

In contrast to the European model of Patrilineal family descent, in which the family lineage follows the male line, the Acoma Indians, in particular, were Matrilineal and family history was traced back though the mother.

Relative to their female counterparts in Europe and Asia, the status of the Acoma women was utterly remarkable.

For instance: When a man married he moved in with the family of his wife and was then subject to the rule of the -88-

[For further information regarding the Myths and History of the Pueblo Indians I would highly recommend reading: When Jesus Came, the Corn Mothers Went Away: Marriage, Sexuality, and Power in New Mexico, 1500-1846 by Ramón A. Gutiérrez or visiting the Pueblo Indian website.]

HOMEMADE CORN TORTILLAS

[from sheknows.com]

Ingredients • 2 cups masa harina • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 1-1/3 cups water

Zuni Corn Maiden Kachinas by Alan Lewis oldest female. The women were masters of the house and everything in it. If a couple were to divorce then it was the man who was turned out of the house and returned to his own maternal home . While we may grin and say, “Isn’t that how it is today?”, remember, this was prior to the advent of Women’s Rights and the almighty divorce lawyer.

Needless to say, the coming of the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century would lead to disaster for the Pueblo people. As the brutality suffered by the Native Americans at the hands of the European conquerors is infamous, it should be noted that culture shock befell both sides. When the conquistadors first beheld the Acoma, from their point of view, the men wasted their days hunting (seen as a leisure activity in Europe) while the women dared to wield power that no member of their sex should. As Franciscan missionaries proceeded to ban all worship and totems of the Corn Mother and impose a harsh theocracy as the new system of government, the conquistadors forced the men to work the fields with the women as slaves to the house.

However, in 1680, the various tribes of the Pueblo Indians would unite under a native man named “Pope” and together drove out the Spanish invaders. While the freedom won by the Pueblo Revolt was to only last a short 20 years, the Pueblo Indians managed to prevent the eradication of their faith and to this day, the knowledge and wisdom of the Corn Mother is preserved.

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Directions • In a large bowl, add the masa and the salt, stir to combine.

• Add the water and stir to combine.

If the dough is too dry to hold together, add additional water. If it is too wet, add more masa.

• Form into balls a bit larger than golf balls.

• Prepare a tortilla press by wrapping in plastic wrap or covering with parchment paper.

Place one ball in the center.

• Press, rotate and press again until thin (you can also use a rolling pin).

• Heat a griddle (or cast iron skillet) to a medium-high heat (about 350 degrees F for electric griddles).

• Cook until slightly brown on the bottom (about 30 seconds to a minute) flip and cook on the other side.

Be careful not to overcook Serve warm, preferably with creamery butter

Girl with Bow Every now and then archery enjoys a resurgence -- usually thanks to a blockbuster film or the Olympics. Such is the current case. For those who’ve never tried it, at least not in adulthood, you may be surprised at how enjoyable a sport it can be -- relaxing, precise, quiet, -- just you, your simple equipment, and all of nature’s glory.

The archers of the Americas were masters of the bow long before European cultures began to spread across the continents. In the open plains strong bows of great range were used and in the woodlands where stealth and cunning was needed, lighter bows were used. The final early bow was that of the Eskimos of the Western Hemisphere. The bow of the Eskimos, which was constructed out of spruce tree and sinew, was used for hunting, as well as, warfare. The arrows that they used were either one of two things, driftwood or splintered mammoth bones, held together with feathers from a ptarmigan. The arrows were then tipped with needle like Kiowa girl with bow & arrow bones. The Native Americans became proficient in both the wooden bow and the composite. The bow became such an important tool that it was regarded as a symbol of magic, power, or prowess.

Archery as a sport wasn’t really around in the United States until a group of Philadelphia gentlemen founded the United Bowmen in 1828, a club still in existence today. As the sport became more widely accepted, the National Archery Association was founded in 1879. Any further growth in archery was held back in the 1930s by the Depression. Yet, the sport was preserved by Howard Hill, an excellent bowman, who made short movies about bowhunting and trick shooting. Later, as the devastating effects of the Depression subsided, sportsmen began to take up archery once again.

Scientists began to take interest in the physics behind archery and established a criteria for the efficiency of bows and arrows. Later, scientist/ bowmakers began to experiment with a new material, fiberglass, in the design and manufacturing of bows.

Archery tournaments as we know them can be traced to England, where such events were part of grand community festivals since the seventeenth century. Target archery is perhaps one of the earliest forms of competition archery, which, besides England, is practiced in many other countries. The target archery field is level and clear, with targets of varying distance.

Field archery is just like it sounds. A very irregular shooting ground which provides practical training for field hunters. It is an American sport and, since, very few other countries practice field archery, there is no international tournament. [source: Thinkquest.org]

Sybil ‘Queenie’ Newall was a British archer who won the gold medal at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London at age 53.

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Glamour is in full retro bloom I am in awe of the way Gina, founder of Margarita Bloom Retro Skincare & Bath, runs her business.

She’s sweet, industrious, friendly beyond belief, savvy, and sexier than any of the gals in her fabulous glamourpuss images could ever hope to be. Here’s the downlow on this upbeat beauty maven. ❤ Why beauty products? How did you get started? And where did the name come from?

Funny enough, I was never that much into beauty products when I was a little girl though, I did love my lipstick!! I spent a fair bit of time trying to figure out what I wanted to do. I always knew I wanted to have my own company but just not what I wanted to do. I think it was when I had my first interaction with the Internet that I realized that I could have a bath and body business and really fell in love with the idea! I don't know where I would be without fabulous, fabulous technology. lol...

Oh, the name, it's really quite fabulous, isn't it? I knew I wanted a name that would be unique, something that everybody would go oh, how original but at the same time it had to be something that everybody knew so they could -91-

kind of relate to it. It started with the word "Bloom" because I loved everything that it embodied...fresh, spring, summer, sweet fragrances, fleurs, the beginning of something ah-mazing. Then came...Marguerite...I bet you thought I was going to say Margarita didn't you? My first thought was the name Marguerite....Bloom.... kind of the name of the Margarita Bloom girl...and of course Margarita emerged from the name Marguerite...and Margarita Bloom...bloomed!

When I first learned about the Margarita Bloom line and began to see your Facebook posts, I was amazed at the depth of your cultural references and knowledge, and I figured you to be decades older than the spring chicken you are. What vintage influences have aided in developing your distinct signature style?

Well, I guess that's a compliment on my wonderfully imaginative mind so I'll thank you! lol... Gosh, I really just post or talk about things I love or find interesting. I love learning about tidbits of history, fantasy, science, folklore, pretty clothes, I've always had a thing for ANYTHING Victorian, yummy foods and nibbles make my world go round. I just love learning about new things.

I have never seen anyone so adroit at social media as you. How do you do it all AND handle your beauty lab AND run a company and oh yeah... have a life?!

Aww, thanks! I think. lol... It's simple really...when you love what you do it's not really a job. I enjoy it so much so it's not hard...at least to me it's not! Of course, there are a lot of things in my life that I want to do that I haven't done yet and I always hold those close to my heart on my inner to do list to get done!

Your products are about so much more than just basic skin care. What do you want patrons to experience when using them?

It's true our products are awesome to use by themselves...they smell good...they work fabulously....our peeps always tell us that! but it's also about making our peeps smile, bringing a little joy to their world, spreading good vibes and happiness wherever our potions go. They have cute names like our "Lulu and The Volleyball Player" Coconut Lemongrass Sugar Scrub that bring a delightful smile to their face and they're like little pieces of art that you can display in your home for your friends to look at and when you give your friends some of our potions as gifts you're spreading that happiness.

You are something of a graphics wiz, you're obviously very computer savvy and have a delightful online presence that puts others at ease. If you were to switch careers, what would you choose to do?

Oh, let's see I LOVE candy so I'd probably do something with making chocolate or baking yummy sweets! I do love fashion so that would be something I might be interested in and I seem to have good taste by what my peeps tell me...though I can't draw worth a lick! lol... My gift seems to lie in putting together colors & patterns. I just have this natural instinct when looking at a group of images/ fonts/colors to be able to see if something is going to work or not.

What's in store for the brand in the future?

Well, we're thinking of upgrading our website adding s o m e improvements for our peeps. We had this awesome idea to have a monthly subscription Margarita Bloom Gift Box where you could sign up for 3 month, 6 month or even 12 month subscriptions and get a sweet little box full of some Margarita Bloom Potions, spa accessories, sweet little tidbits, maybe even some candy or lollipops delivered to you every month all wrapped up in love and sunshine in a gorgeous little bag or box. It's a work in progress and of course we always strive to get feedback from our peeps letting us know what they love, or would love to see at Margarita Bloom. We want to have the best potions we can for our peeps!

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sizes and soon after quit drinking soda & tried to incorporate more walking and exercising into my schedule.. It was amazing when I started dropping the weight and now I'm at a size that makes me happy, I'm healthy most importantly and I don't have that dressing room fear I used to get when going to try on new clothes!! lol... The next thing I hope to learn is some yoga!

Other tidbits I hope to have one day...a dressing room the size of a house! lol...no, really!!! That would be perfect.

I would love to visit California and check out all the cool sites.

I would love to eat French Macraons in Paris while flirting with a Parisian hunk. lol... *wink wink* I would love to spend an entire afternoon in an old French book store just breathing in that lovely musty smell while reading tons of gorgeous books and so much more!

Merci, for the opportunity to have this sweet little interview in your magazine! Beyond tickled pink that you wanted to have little ole' me and my beauty company Margarita Bloom featured.

And what about Gina personally? What sort of dreams and plans do you cherish and hope to realize?

Gosh, really the main dream I have personally is to travel.

I want to go everywhere...and see everything! France, Australia, England, the Caribbean! Most definitely I want to visit tons and tons of beaches...if anyone knows me they know I'm a beach kind of girl. I think sand and sunshine are in my blood. giggle...

Before that I had a dream/goal of losing weight... something I've struggled with all my life, although many might have said what weight problem? I did a great job of hiding my weight with baggy clothes. I just never felt comfortable in my skin and when you don't feel comfortable in your own skin it's kind of hard to enjoy your life. I always dreamed of having that surfer girl look....long and lean and looking gorgeous in a bathing suit...on a beach of course! A few years ago, I finally took charge and realized that being overweight by 30 lbs was just too much and I wasn't going to do it anymore!

Strangely enough, mostly due to being on Tumblr, I realized that there were other girls out there that felt like I did about their body and that I wasn't alone. I think that helped me to change my mind set and finally lose the weight.

Plus, putting aside the fact that I wasn't happy with my weight, I was eating way too many unhealthy things. I quit fast food...cold turkey! giggle...started eating more green foods like salads, fruits and veggies, watched my serving -93-

Kisses! xoxo Regina

Pamper yourself with a visit to her yummy site.

And by all means, join her fun & frothy Facebook community

Aphrodite’s Heaven Lush Body Creme

Goddesses of the Silver Screen Demigods come and go, even in Hollywood -- especially in Hollywood.

But the true immortals stand the test of time. At the close of the last millennium the American Film Institute compiled a list of the greatest American screen legends of all time. How many of these would be on your own list?

1. Katharine Hepburn 9. Marlene Dietrich 2. Bette Davis

10.Joan Crawford

3. Audrey Hepburn

11.Barbara Stanwyck

4. Ingrid Bergman

12.Claudette Colbert

5. Greta Garbo

13.Grace Kelly

6. Marilyn Monroe

14.Ginger Rogers

7. Elizabeth Taylor

15.Mae West

8. Judy Garland

16.Vivien Leigh

17.Lillian Gish 18.Shirley Temple 19.Rita Hayworth 20.Lauren Bacall 21.Sophia Loren 22.Jean Harlow 23.Carole Lombard 24.Mary Pickford 25.Ava Gardner

Metro Goldwyn Mayer’s Stable of Stars, 1943

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For images of these immortals as well as a variety of other fan-favorites, we turned to Siren School’s film goddess Facebook photo album of yesteryear

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The Goddess Fair

Go-getter playwright Marguerite Fair (pictured & crowned above, center) rules in her newest production, Goddess Intervention interview by J. deVivre

I love the title of your most recent work, Goddess Intervention. What originally inspired the play?

After almost two years of working on my drama, a play called Your Late Mother, I came to a point where I was going through a transition of personal self-awareness.

The Goddesses in the play all represent me at different points in my life and how the core of my existence has been filled with paradoxes and comedy. The play shows the struggles we women have in the journey to becoming the person that our life experiences have brought us to as we head to the sunset years of our lives. Laughter is a daily joy in my life and so it had to be funny.

I see that you initially created the play as a fundraising event for another project you've been working on.

Did the goddess project behave and dutifully play its part or did it take on a life of its own?

Yes, as it turns out while at the other end of the spectrum of comedy vs. drama, Goddess Intervention has taken on a life of it's own. The Pink Lady is interested in having it done with her theater company once it is up and running.

And how is that other project, Your Late Mother, coming along?

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As a Baby Boomer coming from times when women had two choices in life after high school graduation: You either married or went to college. I married. It has been an amazing journey to see doors open and social changes that have allowed women to evolve. While the process is not finished, we have come a long way because we now realize that we do have choices.

Women are now making better choices. I did not take my writing career seriously until age 48. I have no time to waste and I am grateful to have found organizations that both support and encourage women to be pro-active in taking charge of their careers.

Goddess Intervention A play about four obsessive Goddesses on the funny path to self-realization!

Your Late Mother is a play about a mother who on her last day of life is granted a special wish to heal her broken family. It is a very personal story for me as it is about my relationship with my two sons. I created it to be the kind of ending that made sense to me. I worked on it in collaboration with Kevin Dobson, star of Knots Landing and Kojak, for almost two years. We had five readings for the play, four of which he directed. After creative differences ended our collaboration, I directed the last version with movement at the Little Victory Theatre in Burbank. I've gotten lots of positive feedback about the heart-felt drama. I continue on my journey for fundraising to put it up for a world premiere or find a theater that would like to license it for production.

What did you learn about the goddess archetype through the process of writing and directing the play?

Everything I do creatively turns into an amazing learning process. In writing this play, as with my other work, the voices of the characters are creating the process, so the building of it is an easy process that I just naturally flow with. As a director I learned a great deal about how to effectively get the actors to bring the characters to life.

My main new insight as a director is that it is important to take more time in the casting process. Each Goddess is a complex woman and best served by experienced actors who process the ability to take direction and focus only on their acting and not become distracted by production.

You're involved with Women in Film, the Women's Playwright Initiative and even the Red Hat society.

Throughout your career in the entertainment industry how have you seen the role of women change and evolve?

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What sort of impact did playing goddesses have on your actresses?

I think they were surprised to discover parts of themselves in the Goddesses. They seemed to have a lot of fun once they got into the fun aspect of it. After that aspect, make sure that you take time to edit the work.

Have someone help you with the editing process, but never allow other people to "change" your work or concept of the project. There is a fine line that should not be crossed. I find that in life you have to trust your instincts.

Is there any goddessy guidance or advice you'd like to impart to budding female playwrights?

My advice is to not edit your work in the first draft process. Allow your characters to speak in their unique voices and move the story where it needs to go. Real dialogue is key to having golden characters. After that process is complete and you make certain that the structure works...take time to get proper help with editing. You want a clean play. Also, make sure that you do not compromise your vision especially in a collaborative process..and always have signed contracts detailing what each person's job in that process is. It is easy for lines to get crossed when other people get attached to your work. Never compromise your story and remember be true to yourself.

Tribute to a Goddess Anonymous Testimonial

Sitting here trying to find the words to begin is turning out to be one of the most difficult things I have ever done. This goddess was so important to my life, my development as a person, that mere words begin to be trivial when description is attemped.

A memory that always comes to mind is Grandmother in the ocean, enjoying the waves, squealing with glee as they slap her around. Letting go of the bottom to float in the rolling water.

She loved the water, to go down the river and swim; she took her kids, she taught them to swim.

She was a mermaid. She went to Weeki Wachee Springs to see the mermaid show; she never forgot the show or swimming in the clear spring water. She was a mermaid in every sense of the word.

Life wasn't always kind to her. Her father was shot by an angry, fired, miner and was buried on her sixteenth birthday. She being the oldest of eight children, with one on the way, got a job packing crackers when the family was moved to another town. Later she trained as a telephone operator way back when she was the one to connect all the calls that came to her switch board.

She finished sixth grade, she made the highest score on the teacher aptitude test but needed to stay and help her mother raise the kids. Her mother died the horrible flu epidemic, she chose to put off her marriage so that she could get the kids raised and with a job. Marrying Granddaddy provided a home for the youngest two boys. She had four children on her own; her husband died when my mother was ten years old. She went back to work as the night operator in Warrior, Ala. so that she could be home in the morning to get the kids to school.. She often said when she missed her husband she went to the barn to cry so that the kids never saw her cry. When the job of postmaster came open, at that time appointed by the president of the United States, four men in the community turned down the position so that she could take it because the community so admired how hard she worked and how generous Grandaddy had been during the depression years. She had the most positive, can do anything you set your mind to attitude. It wasn't bad to get knocked down it was bad not to get up and start again.

When other people gave up on me, she never did. She was a great listener, a tremendous adviser. No nonsense advice in a no nonsense world. Even after she had a stroke she was strong and driven. The only thing she ever said to me that was close to criticism was when I announced to the family I was getting married she shouted “It's about time!” She did the hand hem on my wedding dress; it was the last dress she was able to hem for me.

She told me once in a private moment, just the two of us, that the thing in life she most feared was “Not being any use to herself”. She refused to retire until she practiced it. She said she would not sit “With her hands folded doing nothing”. So she took off time and tried out her needle work skills. Satisfied that she could do that, she retired. Needle point, embroidery, crewel work, crochet, adorn the houses of her four children. I still have the remnants of a beaded hand bag she made as a young woman. The taffeta lining is turning to dust, it's wrapped in tissue, a reminder of how she loved pretty things.

There was no bitterness, no regrets, she went places and did things, she laughed, and on occasion she did cry. She did not live by telling people what to do, she showed them by her words, her actions, and her life. She is the only person in my life who loved me without condition. All I had to be was me, her first grandchild. She is the first goddess that I ever knew, she lives with me everyday when I think of her and what she would do. If she were alive to read this she'd pat my hand and say “Thanks snookietooter”.

Someday in a time beyond the gloaming I will join her and we will play in the sea.

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Goddessy Resources Bohemian Goddess Markets

The Goddess Network with Charlene Proctor

Goddess books list on Amazon

Goddess Temple

Goddess Bra - lingerie

Goddess Training for Dummies

Goddess Central

The Goddess Within

The Goddess Collective - Facebook group

Green Goddess restaurant in New Orleans

Goddess Crafts Faire

Holy Clothing - goddessy apparel

Goddess Gift

Open to the Goddess workshops

Goddess Girls series for young readers by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams

Think, Live & Thrive like a Goddess - modern goddess coaching

Goddess Grocer, Chicago The Goddess Imperative - a worldwide alliance The Goddess Guide to Business Bliss The Goddess Project - film documentary

And last, join us in enjoying Dolphina’s original Goddess Workout.

You’re sure to feel like a goddess inside & out

The Earth Goddess at Atlanta Botanical Gardens.

Siren Sanndi shares “She's 25 ft. high, her hair is different vines and plants and it was SO COOL! and she has water flowing out of her hand.”

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Thank you, dear reader, for journeying through another month with la Vie Sirene. So far it’s been substantially more rewarding than I ever imagined... And believe me, I imagined a lot! The private messages I’ve received telling of the inspirations readers have gleaned, the new interests they’ve found, the thrill of empowerment and exhilaration they’ve experienced from submitting an article for the very first time — all of this makes the Herculean task of putting this publication together worth it in spades.

As is our practice, we wrap up each issue with Just Ask Joy questions from readers. Here’s the current crop and their answers, such as they are: “Why did you decide to create a magazine in the first place? What goals do you have for the magazine?”

From day one the motive and inspiration behind the magazine has been twofold: 1. To connect incredibly talented artisans with new fans/customers, 2. To offer those who have been hiding their light and are timid about sharing their words or work an opportunity to stretch their wings and go beyond their comfort zones.

“Is it very difficult to write the magazine and do you enjoy it?” (This one especially tickled me, as it came from an 11 year old.)

For me, YES, it is pretty darn difficult. I spend hours each day just reworking the publishing schedule to accommodate contributors. Coming with ideas for content is also a challenge, but not nearly as tough as the need to follow up with those who want to be included in any given issue. Playing the nag is not my strong suit, but it’s a role I’m currently having to take on. Looks like I’ve got a lot to learn, but yes, I enjoy it immensely :) “I’ve thought of contributing to your magazine but I don’t have any experience. Can I still submit something?”

YES! By all means! We would love to include you... and make you look fabulous in the process. *wink* Looks like I’m out of space.... See you all next month for our Pirate issue. Cheers! ~Joy, your editress

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God may be in the details, but the goddess is in the questions.

Once we begin to ask them, there's no turning back.

—Gloria Steinem