The
A Sacred Stories Magazine Summer 2022
UNABANTU NOKUPHILA What the Goddess of Love and War
Can Teach Us About Unity Consciousness
THE NINE ORDERS
of Angels
The Heart of the Matter for Spiritually Conscious Parents
Motherhood ReWilded A Lasting Legacy
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
with
Valerie Love
WELCOME Welcome to The Owl! A collaborative sharing of contemporary ideas, fresh perceptions, art, beauty, Universal wisdom, and modern inspiration across traditional and nontraditional spiritual and religious teachings. We invite everyone to the table to share in the rich feast of Life and Living.
PUBLISHER
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Sacred Stories
Vik Leigh
EDITORIAL TEAM
COLUMNISTS
Ariel Patricia
Franne Demetrician
Lindsey Brooks
Mary Ellen Lucas
sacredstories.com
Laura Staley
2
The
Come On In & See What's Inside
A Sacred Stories Magazine
features
30
Up Close and Personal with Valerie Love 6 Unabantu Nokuphila 22 An Evolutionary Path to Peace 40 What the Goddess of Love and War Can Teach Us About Unity Consciousness 48 Motherhood ReWilded 60
40
in every issue A Sacred Story 4 WisdomKeepers 30 Artist in Residence 36 The Heart of the Matter 54 Write for Good 66
48
Book Excerpt: The Other Goddess 72 Sacred U Courses 88
3
A Sacred Story by Linda Varos
Simultaneously, everything in my view shifted as if I’d walked into a movie or a dream. All that was unfolding was totally unfamiliar and out of the ordinary. The movement of each natural area that surrounded me became exaggerated. The trees bent and flowed in one direction, while above and around them, a moving energy field appeared. The wild shrubbery below them was also moving rapidly but at a different speed than the trees. Again, I could see their encompassing and flowing energy field dancing in the sun. Lower than the shrubbery were at least two more layers; the wild flowering plants and the green grasses, swaying to their own music, their energy fields caressing and dancing with them. These energy fields were almost clear; yet they were as easy to see as their movements.
It was springtime and a wonderful time for a 6-year-old to explore the unmarked boundaries of her new home property. My mom opened the curtains and doors wide and invited me to play in the yard as she watched from the kitchen window. Everything outdoors was exploding with life. The grasses and trees were bursting with shades of green so bright it almost hurt my eyes. The shrubbery and plants were so alive you could feel their presence surrounding you. A strong breeze made a rustling sound in the trees, almost overwhelming the melodic warbling of the many woodland birds. Every day I couldn’t wait to run outside, open my arms wide to let the sun bathe me with joy, my eyes opened wide as I touched everything in sight. One day while walking along, I felt drawn to a deeper corner of the property. The tall trees arched over the wild shrubbery and made a semi-circle around the grass and flowering weeds. I stopped in the lime green grass center of this semicircle and stood there, frozen in place as if by command. Suddenly a beam of sun entered directly overhead. As if a bucket of liquid gold love had been poured into me, a loving energy came in through my crown and filled me up. Loving hugs and a sense of complete protection filled my body.
Then all of this zoomed out, and I witnessed everything at once. Like a great symphony, they each played their song, moving at different speeds, yet flowing in harmony together. The beauty was overwhelming. I felt it all vibrating through my body, and the ecstasy of the moment lifted me even higher. I felt awestruck, overwhelmed, ecstatic with the vision and the internal 4
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sensations of tremendous, loving support. In an instant a thought poured in, which sticks with me to this day, Oh! This is what’s happening all of the time, only we don’t see it, and no one talks about it!
feel out of my control, I redirect my awareness to the unseen, parallel field of joyful energy, that symphony of beauty and love. It sparks my knowing again and brings me peace. From these experiences, I have learned to see with new eyes; and to know there is a magnificence that is always waiting to uplift us if we desire and are willing to meet it halfway by joyfully
I simply knew. And I knew it was never spoken of. I accepted this unseen field of energy movement as another reality because ‘the knowing’ struck me deep. It not only enlightened, it uplifted me in such a way that I understood I am forever protected as long as I stay connected to the knowledge that it is, it will always be with me.
opening ourselves to receiving.
Linda Varos is an awakening alchemist, and creator/guide of The Path of Personal Shamanism™. She is a modern mystic, clairvoyant-medium, artist, author, energy healing facilitator, and teacher. Linda has worked one-on-one with clients from all over
This moment in timeless time, gave me an instant awareness of an unseen parallel world that is always with us. My child self accepted it as commonplace, which set the path that has continued to unfold through my entire life.
the globe for more than 40 years. Linda is a contributing author to the bestselling book ANGELS: Personal Encounters with Divine Beings of Light, a book in the Common Sentience book series. Contact Linda at lindavaros.love
Because of this experience, and the gift of a wonderful family, I was blessed to live my entire childhood in a complete state of trust, interacting with nature in a ‘friends and family’ sort of way and knowing protection from higher unseen sources was always there for me. Life has provided many gifts and struggles, blessings and lessons learned, errors in judgment, as well as much joy, love, and bliss. In the deepest, darkest moments of conflict, or when things 5
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
with
Valerie Love 6
The OWL Magazine
Valerie Love (aka KAISI) is the author
in Peru, Valerie received the name
of 24 books on practical spirituality,
KAISI, meaning one who plants seeds
magick, the occult, Christian
and nurtures them to grow, a Divine
Witchcraft and the author of the
blueprint for her work of ascending
upcoming book WITCH: Divine
consciousness. As a professionally
Alignments with the Elements,
trained coach, Valerie travels globally
Energies, and Cycles of Nature, a
and leads retreats in exotic and
book in the Common Sentience series.
spiritually charged hot spots for
As an ordained minister of spiritual
women to rise to their zenith and
consciousness, practicing Christian
birth their most magnificent work
Witch, and global retreat leader, her
into the world. She’s affectionately
soul mission is to inspire to freedom.
known as the Divine Midwife of Soul
On one of her Ayahuasca journeys
Destiny. https://valerielove.com
Ariel Patricia: Valerie, it is a pleasure
VL: I was born to a 19-year-old
to speak with you. Please tell us who
single mom who named me after
is Valerie Love?
her favorite soap opera character, Valerie. We lived in Harlem,
Valerie Love: Thank you. I am a
New York City in my maternal
Divine being of magick, love, and
grandparents' home. It was a multi-
power. My name is Love because
generational experience because
I had a sacred download from Spirit.
I lived with my mother who lived
I live magick, and I am here to
with her parents, and then my
exercise Divine power. That is who
grandfather's parents lived upstairs
I am in a nutshell.
in the building. It was a big family with everybody around all the time,
AP: Valerie, that’s powerful and I hope
lots of people coming and going.
empowering to all that are reading. I am sure there is a story to tell that
One summer afternoon when I was
brought you to the place you are
about three years old, we were
today. Let’s begin at the beginning.
coming back from the supermarket,
Tell us about your childhood.
and my mother met a gentleman 7
Up Close and Personal with Valerie Love
from the Jehovah's Witnesses
AP: What were you encouraged to
standing on a street corner. Right
study?
away the faith spoke to my mother because she had a lot of questions
VL: They encouraged me to be
about the nature of life and the
a nurse when really, I'm a writer,
universe, and he had a bible to
I wanted to write. So, in high school,
answer her questions. She converted
I settled on taking stenography and
to that faith, and I grew up in the
secretarial science. That is what
cult of Jehovah's Witnesses.
they called it back in those days. High school was where my gifts of
AP: Tell us more about your
writing started to blossom.
experience growing up as a Jehovah's Witness.
One of my high school teachers said to me, "Hey, you can get a
VL: The Jehovah's Witnesses are
scholarship to college." I was like,
very strict. We were not allowed to
"No way. That's not going to do
celebrate Christmas, Thanksgiving, or
me any good because my mom's
any other holidays. We also weren’t
not letting me go to college." My
allowed to celebrate our birthdays.
teacher talked to my mother.
I didn’t experience holidays or
No, not allowed. I grew up sort of
birthdays again until I left the faith
with an abolishment of the world
when I was 30 years old.
and only the Jehovah's Witness paradigm was what we were
I did everything they told me to do.
exposed to. And that was hard to
They told me to go to school up until
do in New York City.
high school and while I was in high school to study a trade that I could
But one thing that my mother did
apply in the world and make a living.
was she exposed us to culture. She
They didn't allow us to go to college,
took us to the Met, the opera, and
so we didn't go to college. They
the ballet. In New York, there's so
told us to get married to another
much to do and there are so many
Jehovah's Witness, settle down, and
different people. It's a big melting
have a family.
pot, I love it. 8
The OWL Magazine
AP: It's fascinating, especially in a place like New York City that you can be so separated in a sense from the world. Be in the world, but not of the world. How did that happen? Did you question why your f riends celebrated birthdays or could go to college? VL: It was a total indoctrination. There was one central organization that used to be headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, called the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. You could only associate with Jehovah's Witnesses, and they believed everything that you believed. They keep each other accountable and if you're talking about birthdays or about astrology, things that will never be mentioned, then they would say you need to talk to the elders. 9
Up Close and Personal with Valerie Love
We were taught that when we went
school activities or have f riends that
to school to not associate with people
weren’t Witnesses?
that are "of the world." We were to do only the minimum to pass our
VL: I absolutely rebelled, and it
classes - no extracurricular activities.
wasn’t about holidays or birthdays.
After school, you went straight home
High school was a huge turning
and you're with the other Witnesses.
point for me. In high school, I was in the drama club, and I was writing.
There was another aspect to it as
I began to experience growth in
well. My mother was very close with
myself, to discover who I am and
all my teachers. The Witnesses have a
my gifts. This was never allowed
protocol and every year in September
before. It was almost like the birdie
when your child starts school, the
hatching out of the shell and that
Witness parents tell the teacher, "This
was when it really began.
is my Witness child. When you're doing Thanksgiving etc., let my child go out into the hallway." We're also religious and conscientious objectors and we don't do the Pledge of Allegiance, so we never had to stand and do pledges. It was almost like being in the world but not really. I don't know if Witnesses are still able to do this
Mrs. Freeman
because the era I'm speaking of was
Valerie Love
1979 Washington Irving High School Yearbook Photos from classmates.com
the ‘60s and ‘70s. We didn't have the internet or many TV stations for information outside our immediate world.
Something pivotal in my life was when my English teacher Mrs.
AP: Did you ever object or question
Freeman put a note in my student
why you couldn’t participate in
mailbox, "Come to my office at one 10
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o'clock." I was terrified thinking I
that's still a huge jump to who you
did something wrong and bracing
are and the magickal work that you
myself for what was going to
do today.
happen. VL: Ever since I was a little girl, I saw Mrs. Freeman said, "Valerie, your
spirits and experienced things that
writing is amazing. We have this
other people weren't experiencing.
program and it's a three-year
I could look at people and I could
program. You're in the 9th grade and
see what was going on with them.
I pick the top 10 students in the 10th,
I would sit in the Kingdom Hall, and
11th, and 12th grades and they're with
I would look at someone, peering
me for three years. I teach them
energetically, and I could see things.
myself. We'll be reading Chaucer
People were very uncomfortable
and Shakespeare and Poe."
with that. "Tell your child to stop staring at me," they would say.
She was singing the song of my soul when it came to literature
Yet, by the time I turned seven or
and all the books that my mother
eight years old, that was just kind of
would never let me read. But now
beat out of me. "No, no, no spirits,
I would have to read them for school
no anything other than the physical
assignments. Mrs. Freeman changed
world." So, I went f rom being a
my whole world about literature and
magickal child with gifts and
words and the English language.
abilities to being told, "No, that's the
That's my gifting, being a keeper of
devil, that's bad, that's the demons."
the word and writing, speaking, and telling stories, being a lore mistress
My experience was saying one
as I call it.
thing but the information that I was getting f rom the world was saying
AP: So interesting. Mrs. Freeman,
something different. And not just
even her name is symbolic. So now
the world, f rom people I loved. That
you're in high school and your gifts
I would say was the beginning of
are starting to open and you're
the inner conflict between religion
starting to question a little bit. But
and magick. 11
Up Close and Personal with Valerie Love
AP: Did you turn your gifts off then? VL: Oppressed I would say. AP: Oppressed, an interesting word for a witch. So now you're in high school, you're writing, acting, and more of your creative gifts are turning on. You said you were with the Witnesses until you were 30. How did you go from high school to claiming your path as a witch? VL: It still took quite a long time because our unfoldment is this path of the heroine's journey. Yes, I did
Valerie and her family before Valerie left the Witnesses. L to R front row: Valerie’s daughter and maternal grandmother. Top row: Valerie’s younger sister, her mom, and Valerie.
everything they told me to do even though inside something was really stirring. Yet, all my friends were Witnesses, I only knew Witnesses, and I only lived that life practically all of my life. So it was an extremely difficult
experiences and wanting to write but
extraction. And how it unfolded was
I can’t write because the Witnesses
gradual. So first, after high school,
only get their literature from the
I was working, making money, having
Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. As
fun, still going to the Kingdom Hall,
a woman, I also can’t speak and teach
and eventually at 23 years old I got
from the stage unless I’m speaking to
married.
another woman on the stage.
At 29 I was pregnant with my second
So, I couldn’t be a writer or a teacher.
child, my son was two years old,
That was going to be the extent of my
and my husband and I were having
life and I would not have been able to
challenges. I’m also having spiritual
reach my potential. Something about 12
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me knew this and I had a deep sadness.
It was a major unfolding because
There was so much in me, I could feel
when you're that depressed even
it, and I would write in journals, but
getting up and dressed is a big
I couldn't think about writing books. It
deal. It's a God sign. It was giving
felt like a prison and that took me into
me step by step commands in a
a very deep depression after I had the
voice that made me get up and do
baby.
it because I was just so lethargic.
Some people say I was in postpartum
I went outside and the sun was
depression. It was hard, it was very
shining. The voice said, Breathe.
hard. I remember going to the
I took a deep breath, and it was
medicine cabinet one day and there
like I had breathed for the first
was a bottle of the 800 milligrams of
time in my life. Was I holding my
Motrin that they had given me after
breath for 30 years?
the baby for pain. And I remember asking myself, How many would it
Then the voice said, Walk. And
take for me to go to sleep and not
I began walking. To this day, I walk
wake up?
as a healing modality, I walk as a meditation.
As I reached for the bottle, something snatched me back. Who's going to take care of the baby? And who's going to take care of Cory, your three-year-old son? My kids pulled me back from the edge and I realized if I was that close to ending my life, I needed to know what was really going on with me. That’s when I heard from my soul. I was laying in bed one day, and it said, Get up. And I sat up and I looked around and it said, Get dressed. 13
Up Close and Personal with Valerie Love
The voice said, Live or don't live, but
leaving the Witnesses, and that I was
you're not going to do this. This, just
reading these books because she
getting by. That inner teacher and
thought they were very dangerous
guide that we all have, was teaching
books. But my mother found what
me. And it said, Live or don't.
worked for her and now it was time for me to find my path.
It wasn't judgmental in any way. It gave me a choice. It also told me
When a person’s soul wakes up,
I wasn't going to keep doing this half
it's like a bear coming out of
in and half out, just being a zombie.
hibernation, super hungry, so
And that's when I made my decision.
we just started devouring. I was
I'm going to do it. I'm going to live.
devouring books on Buddhism and many other topics. And it was
AP: Valerie, thank you for sharing.
very scary because I kept going
I know your story will help a lot of
deeper. First, I was reading Christian
people. So, you made the decision
inspiration and books on Buddhism.
to live, and you made the decision to
Then metaphysical topics, psychic
tune more fully into your gifts. What
mediumship books, the angel
happened next?
books. One day I was standing in a bookstore, and I wanted to pick up
VL: The first thing I did was start
books on witchcraft and I remember
reading. I couldn't go straight from
something in me said, Oh, no, you're
Fundamentalist Christian to here's
going to the dark side. I was so
how to be a witch, I couldn't do
af raid that I was going to go off an
that. So, some of the first books
abyss or something. But that never
that I picked up were books on
happened. I didn’t grow up with the
Hinduism and Buddhism. They were
concept of hell, as it’s not taught in
safer to me. I could understand the
the Jehovah’s Witness religion. They
teachings of Buddha because he
teach obliteration for those who are
seemed a lot like Christ. The Buddha
unrepentant sinners. I’m thankful
is a symbol of peace and meditation,
I didn’t have hellfire to contend
what can be wrong with that? My
with as I was going through this
mother was very upset that I was
transition. 14
Up Close and Personal with Valerie Love
The more I pressed out of my little
are a witch, whether we want to be
shell, the more I saw that I didn't die
or not.
and the more it emboldened me. And I kept going. And when I found
AP: You say that you are a
books on witchcraft, I thought, It is so
practicing Christian witch. Explain
familiar.
that to us.
AP: Bravo to you Valerie for following
VL: A Christian witch is a person
your soul. What did it feel like when
who understands there is nothing in
you found your calling?
the essence of the witch nor in the essence of Christ that is inherently
VL: The calling found me. It found
conflicting or contradictory. They
me because many times I was lost.
gel rather nicely, in my experience.
I didn't know where I was going or
Christian witches resonate deeply
where it was going to end. It was an
with Christ, and each one in their
unfoldment giving me what I could
own way integrates Christ and the
handle at the time. It wasn’t this big
Craft. A Christian witch has three
blinding moment where everything
possibilities in the way you can
became very clear for me and what
come to this path.
I was going to do with my life. The further down the path I walked, the
One is a person who knows they're
more was revealed to me.
a witch, they’re magickal and aspire to Christ consciousness. That's
AP: Valerie, there is fear and
me. I'm a witch, I'm a magickal
misconceptions surrounding witches.
person, I've always been a magickal
Please tell us what a witch is.
person and I resonate deeply with Christ consciousness, love, and
VL: A witch is an emissary of the
forgiveness. Second, it could be
Goddess, a way shower, teacher, and
a person who is a Christian and
healer. A Divine being inordinately
is drawn to explore the magickal
attuned to nature and magic. Witch
arts and sciences. And then third
is a deep inner knowing. We know, in
there are people who weren’t raised
our heart of hearts, that we indeed
Christian, but who love the saints, 16
Up Close and Personal with Valerie Love
or the Bible, or the lore of the Catholic
a scary path, because witches like
Church. They're very magickal, and
the dark, or feel at home in the
they find that Catholicism feeds their
dark. In Sedona, we love going
soul from a mystical perspective.
out in the wilderness and doing
Catholicism is used here as an example
our rituals at night on the red
since it melds magic and Christ well
rocks and having our fires and all
with the accoutrement, rituals, holy
that. Don't be afraid, you can't be
water, exorcisms, and more.
afraid to be a witch. Keep going, something good is waiting for you
AP: Valerie, what would you say to
around the corner. Keep going.
others on the path? AP: Thank you Valerie for sharing VL: If you’re on the path of the witch -
your wisdom and the heart of the
don't be afraid, keep going. It can be
witch.
FUN FACTS AP: Coffee or tea?
VL: Early bird.
VL: Coffee.
AP: Favorite time?
AP: Beach or mountains?
VL: 5:00 AM every day.
VL: Beach.
AP: Books or movies?
AP: Homebody or globetrotter?
VL: Books.
VL: Oh, globetrotter.
AP: Favorite book?
AP: Favorite place in the world?
VL: Oh, it would have to be the Harry Potter series. Maybe the
VL: Bali, it's my soul home.
Bible. Bible number two after
AP: Early bird or night owl?
Harry Potter. Just kidding.
18
The sun does not shine for a few trees and flowers, but for the wide world’s joy. — Henry Ward Beecher
UNABANTU NOKUPHILA “Where people gather at the Mother of Health”
Named by the renowned Xhosa healer-sangoma, Nolita Mngomezulu. Nokuphila embodies the meaning of her name. Her friends call her ‘The Ubuntu Tree’.
Nokuphila lives between the mountain and the sea, the 7th Sacred Site of Cape Town, she resides in the 4th node, the cultural heart and seat of power.
22
The OWL Magazine
“In Africa, there lives an extraordinary
living places of rest and blessings,
tree. She is queen of the riverbank.
rekindling, and nurturing the soul.
A monarch, whose story stretches
NOKUPHILA AND MIYERE OLE MIANDAZI
back millions of years. In tribal cultures, her mysterious ways have fueled myth and legend. They set her apart from other trees. She is a (Wild)
“Hallo there. May I come in?”
Fig, Queen of Africa’s trees.” I wasn’t sure if it was the echoing
—from 2005 award-winning film, Queen of Trees, depicting the mythology surrounding the Banyan Fig Tree, a tree native to Africa and India
sound or the imposing vision of what I saw before my eyes that mesmerized me more as my eyes accustomed to the silhouette of a tall, red-blanketed
Africa is the birthplace of humanity
figure greeting me from outside the
and is also the harbinger of humanity’s
wrought-iron ‘Moon Gate’ by the back
future. To look forward to a vision of
of the Cape Town Medi-Spa where I
shared peace and unity during these
work. Alongside the historic Belmond
fractured times, we simultaneously
Mount Nelson hotel, it was a fitting
need to look back and draw support
frame for my encounter with this iconic
from our elemental anchors that
figure who would assume a semi-
ground and nourish us during great
mythical status over the following
transformations, back toward the
years. The moon gate, a ‘5 elements’
unique Elder Figs, particularly the
iron rendering of the symbols Earth,
grand old Mother Trees.
Water, Fire, Air, and Space inside the gate which my father had especially
African folklore has long revered
built after an inspiration he had from
and worshiped the fig tree as sacred
the ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’
throughout the continent, as well
movie, made for a surreal backdrop for
as being a medicine chest for most
this auspicious encounter.
ailments, physical, cultural, or spiritual. The wild figs have been places of
I soon learned that the gravity-rich
shelter and healing for hundreds of
voice belonging to this beautiful, tall
years. They are peacekeepers and
Maasai warrior and future lifelong 23
Unabantu Nokuphila
friend was none other than Miyere
I felt electrified. Indeed, I had heard
Ole Miandazi from the plains of
of indigenous people dreaming
Tanzania, a Massai Peace Warrior
wisdoms before and was no stranger
activist walking for Peace and Unity
to this phenomenon after several
throughout Africa.
years of traveling and working with a Khomani San family from the Kalahari.
“I come to pay my respects to the
However, it had taken a full six months
Mother Tree who calls to me in the
of walking and effort for Miyere to
place of dreams and who made my
arrive at his dreaming tree and so the
legs move and has brought me here
gate was instantly opened to welcome
to the far south,” Miyere continued
this peace warrior to enter and share
as if this was a normal track of
his indigenous wisdoms and healing
conversation.
treasure. Approaching the ancient wild fig, Miyere introduced to me in all her arboreal majesty as if for the first time. It was an experience I will never forget. Not that we hadn’t always felt a sense of connection and respect to the ancient wild fig tree. Quite the opposite, yet she kept surprising us with new layers of her puzzle, bringing colorful characters to visit each with a new missing piece. This was clearly a corner piece. “Please never refer to this mother as ‘the tree’ again Ian, for she has a special story and a unique spiritual name. You must uncover that for her work and yours to be made possible. She will reveal her message to you once you start to listen with the ear of your heart 24
The OWL Magazine
and to walk the way the native people
contains powerful anti-inflammatory
do, to walk on the land in the way that
ethno-botanical compounds and
the earth makes you whole once again.”
has been used for centuries by many communities throughout Africa for
Miyere continued, “She also is a great
multiple ailments from wound closing
medicine tree Ian. My people believe
and anti-venom to whooping cough
that this medicine tree was used by
and even assisting optimal childbirth...
NGAI, the One God, who in his form of
literally a medicine chest in our
creating the world put everything in its
integrated wellness center’s back yard!
rightful place. He used the deep water
What a blessing!
seeking roots of this temple tree to send the cattle down from heaven to earth to
With that sharing Miyere bowed his
live alongside us in peace and harmony.
head; placed one leg angled up to
We thank NGAI always on contacting
balance upon the inside of his other
this temple tree which He imbued with
knee in the style of an African yogi
special medicine in her roots to heal
and entered a silent communion that
both our body and mind.”
lasted several hours.
With that he bowed his head and
“Can you see how this sacred Mother
seemed to commune with ‘the tree’
tree has grown a heart Ian?”
then delicately pulled a little of the hanging root stem off and offered me some before placing it in his mouth and starting to chew... “Make tea or eat and all your swellings will be gone,” he clarified, seeing my amazement. I would later confirm personally and with many visiting clients over the years that Miyere’s assertion that this genus of ficus carica/natelensis 25
Unabantu Nokuphila
NOKUPHILA’s FIRST WHISPER
“One day when my world work is done and my people and all the indigenous people are safe once again, when we
One day, a feeling of pride while
have moved again beyond borders,
reflecting on having established one
I will return with my spiritual elders to
of Africa’s first integrated wellness
sit around this great mother, and again
centers was put in check by a definite,
we will feel the spirit of our ancestors
although gentle whisper in my mind.
move us. But for now, we have other
I was leaning against Nokuphila and
work to do...
looking at the Cape Town Medi-Spa when the message arrived, very clear,
“While you must start to listen deeply
although its meaning wasn’t fully
to this healing mother, I must walk and
revealed until 10 years later when
carry the no borders exhibition across
I became fully vegan. It is a message
Africa…however long it takes. Just turn
Nokuphila shared with me then and
within like these inside out figs and
one She keeps repeating:
when the time is right, she will answer your questions and support and guide
“Only when the animals and humans are gathered safely under my branches will the true healing begin.”
you as she does all her children.” And so it was, this peace warrior took off and began another walk from Cape Town to Cairo, the “Ultimate Walk for Humanity”, a walk for a thriving,
Nokuphila loves how Dr. Sailesh
interconnected, borderless world.
Rao founder of Climate Healers defines VEGAN as ‘Vitally Engaged
NOKUPHILA’S MESSAGES
Guardians of Animals and Nature.’
Following Miyere’s first visit Nokuphila
birthing of a post-pandemic vegan
began to whisper her first messages
world will be viewed as the “greatest
and a cascade of spiritual and symbolic
transformation in human history,” and
gifts arrived in the following year,
she has inspired an Ubuntu Pledge to
including the Ubuntu Water Crystal,
support those ready to take this giant
Ubuntu Torch, and the Ubuntu Pledge.
leap for humanity.
She agrees with Dr. Rao, that the
26
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27
Unabantu Nokuphila
CALL TO ACTION—UBUNTU PLEDGE
and it’s called Ubuntu. It connects us all and is a healing gift that holds the
‘I pledge to honor and protect
key to your question.”
all the animals, people, and the planet herself by following an infinitely sustainable, cruelty free vegan lifestyle that heals the climate and restores right relationships in the true spirit of ubuntu.’
MEET NOKUPHILA’S CUSTODIANS “I am blessed to be sharing this
Being chosen as custodian of an
profound moment with our friends
Elder Tree is no small task. Bonding
gathered around the tree at the
with a Mother Tree is a wonderful
Ubuntu Wellness Center. It is
journey of seeding and growth, that
significant that recently a Maasai
blossoms over time, and begins
Warrior dreamed of this sacred tree
with a story.
and walked by foot f rom Kenya to the Cape. The world moves into a
When I first met Archbishop
new phase of global consciousness
Desmond Tutu, I asked a question
as we celebrate the great African
whose brief, enigmatic answer would
philosophy that is Ubuntu: the
in part shape my destiny.
essence of being human. I am what I am because of who we all
“Archbishop, what will save our
are.” —Archbishop Desmond Tutu,
people in South Africa from
December 21, 2012
unending cycles of suffering and violence?”
Nokuphila has become a very real presence in the lives of my vegan
“It’s close by,” he answered, “closer
nutritionist wife Dawn and myself and
than you know. It is here in Africa,
we often begin our days as therapists 28
The OWL Magazine
at the wellness center in silent communion with her. She loves song and gatherings and participating in the healing of all beings. By caring for her over time, and constantly celebrating her, we continue to witness daily blessings and miracles in her presence. Our shared vision of peace, interconnectedness, and compassion remain grounded to this day under her branches. Inspired by vegan visionary visitors to Nokuphila like Dr. Will Tuttle and Phillip Wollen, we believe that the world’s challenges are interconnected and can all only
as a state-registered therapist. Ian established Ubuntu Trust NPO in 2013 to empower vulnerable township women as plant-based gatekeepers to their families and communities. This social enterprise has won multiple awards, including ‘Best Humanitarian 2014,’ ‘Top 50 Global Spas’ and ‘Top 100 Global Healthcare Activators’ at the 2018 World Health and Wellness Congress.
truly be solved if enough of humanity simultaneously adopts plant-based eating and the vegan principles of non-violence 'ahimsa'.
Dawn Macfarlane is a USA-trained plant-based nutritionist, vegan activist, and consultant with over 25 years experience supporting clients transitioning to vibrant health and to become responsible citizens for a healthy earth.
Dawn and Ian are currently busy developing a diabetes reversal program together using affordable healthy vegan foods in Africa which holds much promise and which originated under Nokuphila’s branches in August 2020.
Ian Macfarlane is an entrepreneur, healing practitioner, and vegan activist. Ian established the Ubuntu Wellness Medi-Clinic, Cape Town’s first integrated medical and wellness facility in 2003, where he practices
Instagram: @nokuphila_ubuntuwellnesstree Facebook: @ubuntu108 29
WisdomKeepers
The Nine Orders of Angels by Tricia McCannon
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Angels are Beings of Light, who have a hierarchy. This is not a hierarchy in the human sense of the word, meaning a hierarchy of power, money, race, position in society, or human egos, but rather the unfolding of hierarchy that we see in any evolutionary form. The nine angelic orders are arranged in three distinct triads. Visually, they are seen as each angelic order radiating its essence from the throne of God in everexpanding circles. The highest, or first triad of angels sits toward the center, which is closest to God; the second triad surrounds the first triad; and the third triad surrounds the second one. The first three Orders of Angels, or the first triad, transmit Divine energy outward toward the second triad, which then radiates its energy toward the last and lowest triad of angels. Of the six highest Orders of Angels, none of them look human in their natural forms. As true beings of light, each order chooses a form that serves its celestial function, and if or when they need to descend into the lower worlds of time and space, they can choose to adopt whatever form is most appropriate.
31
The Nine Orders of Angels
The First Triad of Angels
with six wings and a face in the middle
The first triad represents God’s
for Spirit to move into and through
perfection. The three qualities of the
their bodies. The Seraphim’s job is to
first triad are burning love, brilliant
modulate the audible life stream of
light, and perpetual holiness. Of all
God, which then flows out to create
things in existence, love is the Divine
the frequencies that generate all the
power that perhaps transforms us
dimensions.
of their bodies. These are the doorways
most profoundly. This triad includes the Thrones, Seraphim, and Cherubim,
The Cherubim
which are all said to be in direct
The Cherubim are the third Order
communication with Divine unity.
of Angels. These angels look like trapezoid diamonds with a huge
The Thrones
eye of God in the center. Their role
At the center of the circle is Atum,
is to transmute the sound of God or
Sugmad, God, or the Source of all
the audible life stream. The winged
things. From this primary essence
Seraphim send vibrations to the
comes the vibration of love. Thus,
visible light spectrum, which creates
love is the principle expressed by the
144 colors, only 7 of which can be
Thrones, the first Order of Angels. They
perceived in this dimension—the 7
inhabit all the suns in the galaxies
classic colors of the rainbow. But, as
and represent the first emanation
souls move upward into the higher
of light. They sit at the center of all
planes, they can experience more
solar systems, continually giving out
and more vibrancy and color. The
illumination through the sacrifice of
Cherubim are converters of sound into
their own bodies.
light, and they produce the light of the worlds.
The Seraphim
The Second Triad of Angels
The Seraphim are the second Order of Angels, and they express the power of two. These are winged beings and are
This triad includes the Dominions,
not human in appearance. In religious
Virtues, and Powers and represents
literature, they are usually depicted
God’s sovereignty over creation. These 32
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three qualities are limitless power,
matter together at the points of
irresistible force, and eternal justice.
intersection. These are nodal points in the gigantic spider web that links all
The Dominions
dimensions together as the weave of
The Dominions are linked to the
creation.
creation of the intricate web that underlies the visible universes. They
The Virtues
are the connector beings in the matrix
The Virtues are the weavers of the grid
of dark matter, which is the scaffolding
of dark matter, and they weave with
upon which the visible worlds sit.
the energies of love, light, and sound,
Dominions hold the strands of dark
or music. This largely invisible canvas 33
The Nine Orders of Angels
becomes the scaffolding upon which
The Archangels
all of the visible worlds rest.
The prefix “arch” means ruler, so Archangels serve the Divine as
The Powers
powerful rulers of territories. As
The Powers transmute the waves
one might expect, they express
of light and sound into the building
great leadership abilities and
blocks of atomic matter. This brings
often will oversee or regulate
us into the realm of sacred geometry,
the magnetic fields between
which underlies the structure of all
the various heavenly bodies,
matter. Sound has the power to create
including planets, suns, moons,
forms, and then the sound speeds
and even galaxies. By nature,
up or slows down, depending on the
the Archangels are vast and
dimension, or plane, it’s on.
encompassing, so they can act as “umbrella energies” for large
The Third Triad of Angels
projects, especially if they are humanitarian in nature.
The third triad, which is closest to our worldly realms, represents the external
The Angels
actions of God. In this triad are the
The last tier of the nine Orders of
Principalities, Archangels, and Angels.
Angels is simply called Angels.
These three orders are the ones that
This covers a huge territory, and
usually interact with mankind and
foremost among them are our
where we see the kind of human
Guardian Angels. Every person
forms that we have come to associate
who comes to earth arrives with
with angels.
at least one of these beautiful companions, and some people
The Principalities
may even have two or three
The Principalities, or Archii, are
angelic guides. These angels
initiating energies of change. When
are part of our spirit team and
these angelic beings incarnate, they
are here to assist us with our life
are often mystics, philosophers,
missions. We are loved, nurtured,
scientists, or even explorers of greater
and cared for at the highest levels
consciousness.
whether we are aware of it or not. 34
The OWL Magazine
Tricia McCannon is a renowned American clairvoyant, historian, author, and teacher who has traveled the world in search of answers to the greatest Mysteries of the Ages. As a dedicated researcher and mystical symbologist, she is known as “the Mysteries Expert.” She is the author of five acclaimed books including her newest one: Angels: Personal Encounters with Divine Beings of Light, part of our Common Sentience book series.
As we consider the depth and breadth of the Nine Orders of the Angels, it is easy for us to realize that each of these profound and devoted beings is indeed a “messenger of God.” Each one of them, no matter which Order they belong to, are committed to the creation of the universe, and the spiritual evolution of each one of us. Whether functioning as Guardian Angels or helping in the atomic formation of planets, stars, and solar systems, they will use whatever methods are appropriate to help us to become enlightened citizens of the cosmos. As each soul overcomes the inner and outer obstacles of our respective journeys, we each eventually awaken to our Divine natures. 35
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE by Franne Demetrician
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When my Dad died ten years ago,
do it all his life, a life f raught with
we were devastated and in shock. It
many challenges and heartbreaks.
was sudden, and I had no idea how to navigate the ensuing chaos emotionally
“Just keep going.” For some of
and practically. There were many loose
us, that statement results in
ends to tie up with his personal affairs.
the question, “How?” This is the
It was challenging to face practical
question I often asked myself
matters when my heart was broken into
as we moved through the days
a million pieces. I felt the full weight of
and months after his death. It’s a
the loss and felt overwhelmed having
question I think most people can
to address anything but my grief and
relate to, especially in the face of
holding myself and my family together.
the recent incidents in Buffalo,
I felt disabled.
Uvalde, and so many other places worldwide. How do we keep our
As I was showering in preparation for
center when everything around us
Dad’s funeral, I felt overwhelmed with
seems to be crumbling?
yet another flood of emotions and began to cry. This time I felt the loss
New Age advice is usually
and grief full-on and allowed myself to
something like “relax, meditate,
wail. My Dad was beloved by many and
find stillness, breathe, stay positive”
was my hero - the one I turned to when
and an array of pontifications that
I needed a wise voice.
in that moment are not helpful. We are left with the question, “How
I cried out to him, “Daddy, what do we
do I connect to something bigger
do now?”
than myself when my experience at the moment is heartbreaking,
At that moment, in my little shower,
devastating, and excruciatingly
rising through the hot water and steam
painful?” This is the $64,000
cloud, came his advice.
question.
“Just keep going,” he said. I wish I had an easy answer, but this I heard it twice. “Just keep going.”
question lingers in our collective
I knew what he meant as I’d seen him
consciousness as day by day we 37
Artist in Residence
see the losses mounting. Watching
those we love and trust, and seek
the news unfold, I feel my pain in
help to find ways to cope.
response and look to the Heavens tearfully asking the question,
In the book Pillow Thoughts II:
“What do we do now?”
Healing the Heart, author Courtney Peppernell says, “You can’t skip
Going forward with all this
chapters, that’s not how life works.
happening around us requires
You have to read every line, meet
a strategy. We know that life can
every character. You won’t enjoy
and does toss us curveballs. We
all of it. Hell, some chapters will
have a 24-hour news cycle and
make you cry for weeks. You’ll read
rampant social media that sends
things you don’t want to read, have
curveballs coming at us as if it was
moments when you don’t want
Spring training in Florida.
the pages to end. But you have to keep going. Stories keep the world revolving. Live yours. Don’t miss out.“
We need to cultivate the fine art of “keep going.” Each of us will need to find our own safe space,
My final thought is this — when it
practice, and way to be with what
feels like you want to wail and stomp
is presented. But I think one
your feet, arms lifted to the Heavens
important thing we need is each
with the burning question, “What do
other, our communities, and our
we do now?” Listen for the still, small
most intimate and trusted friends
voice that says, “Just keep going.”
and family. And say hi to my Dad for me. These last few years have
Rev. Franne Demetrician is an interfaith minister. She has been a licensed holistic health practitioner since 1995 and wrote a spiritually oriented weekly blog from 2015 -2018. Franne is a working artist, photographer, writer, spiritual counselor, mentor, and teacher.
resulted in what I call “collective trauma,” and I believe we are all suffering f rom some level of PTSD. Adding the trauma of the most recent news, it’s vital that each one of us acknowledge our pain, share our feelings with 38
AN E VOLUTIONARY Path
TO PE ACE by Robert Atkinson
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The OWL Magazine
Living by principles that divide is living
separate from others, except in
with a consciousness of duality. This
our own desired, comfortable,
allows generalizations, stereotypes,
and exclusive groups, and creates
and biases to grow into segregation,
hierarchies, builds systems of injustice,
discrimination, prejudice, hatred,
and distorts the way we relate to each
oppression, racism, and eventually
other and the natural environment.
genocide and war, which endanger our very survival.
The wholeness side of the continuum brings us together as one. Here
However, living by principles that
we view the world with a unitive
unite is living by a consciousness of
consciousness and relate to others and
wholeness. This encourages values
the planet with respect for difference,
that engender respect, appreciation,
integrity, reverence, appreciation,
equality, and cooperation, and leads to
compassion, and collaboration, which
what eventually becomes a pervasive
makes it possible for inclusivity,
harmony and unity in diversity, all
altruism, and love to be writ large.
necessary stepping-stones to peace. This is what the Golden Rule is meant Here we can envision a process
to lead to, unitive justice, global
by which peace and war become
security, and peace on earth, where
opposite extremes on a Consciousness
none of the parts become greater than
Continuum along which all things are
the whole. On the wholeness side of
interconnected and interdependent
the continuum, reality is seen as one,
within a whole. Along this continuum,
and all of Creation as a unified whole,
there are no divisions, only different
what the Buddha referred to when
aspects of one whole representing
he said, “All things originate from one
various attitudes and values, all part
essence, develop according to one law,
of the same reality, that come to
and are destined to one aim.”
prominence depending upon the principles being lived by.
On this holistic side of the continuum, we understand that the imperative of
The duality side of this Consciousness
this moment is seeing each other as
Continuum keeps us apart and
part of the same human family. This is 41
An Evolutionary Path to Peace
where the evolutionary impulse itself
The age-old promise of peace on
leads humanity to greater levels of
earth is what we are evolving into.
advancement toward universal human
What divides us today will be what
rights, gender equality, economic
heals us tomorrow. We are already
equity, a consciousness of world
connected on the consciousness
citizenship, and social, environmental,
continuum, as links in a chain. We
and racial justice, all interconnected
are just looking at the same reality
stepping-stones to peace.
from different places, through different lenses. Further on, in our
We are born with the potential
individual and collective evolution,
to grow toward our inherent
we will all be viewing reality through
wholeness. We all start with this
the eyes of wholeness.
endowed capacity for wholeness that needs to be nurtured and
Adopting a holistic vision
developed, like the acorn that carries
of evolution gives us the
within it the tree it will become. This
understanding that all life comes
is as true on the collective level as on
from the same Source and
the personal level.
is developing toward its own 42
The OWL Magazine
fulfillment, which is meant to manifest
In this holistic perspective, all things
cooperation and harmony within and
go through cycles of birth, growth,
around us. This gives us great hope for
maturity, decline, and renewal.
the future.
Common examples of this are the cycle of the seasons, the rise and
It helps to remember that evolution
fall of civilizations, and the cycle of
in all realms is a gradual process
spiritual epochs.
of growth. Evolution’s trajectory is not a smooth, straight line, as we
Humanity’s collective evolution
witness in this time of lockdowns,
includes periods of struggle and
demonstrations, and confrontations. It
conflict that slow things down,
is rather cyclical, with built-in ups and
but growth spurts follow those
downs. The way to a consciousness
times. This holistic vision of
of wholeness passes through many
evolution, accounting for cycles
cycles of transformation, with adversity
of progress and regress, means
being necessary for progress, and unity
that, over centuries, evolutionary
being the outcome of consciously
advancement can be seen going
confronting opposing forces.
through various stages. After 43
An Evolutionary Path to Peace
millennia of conflict and separation on
This is an unfolding process built
all social levels, having passed beyond
upon the principle of the oneness
the usefulness of unity on just the
of humanity, as noted in this
national level, we are now witnessing
recent statement of the Universal
the arrival of a spiritual springtime
House of Justice, the governing
that is characterizing our time by the
body of the Baha’i international
promise of unity on the global level.
community:
We are entering humanity’s stage
However fitful, the forces working
of maturity, the natural outcome–
in harmony with the spirit of the
and culmination–of where the
age have continued to move
evolutionary impulse has been
humanity towards an age of
leading us.
peace—not merely a peace that rules out armed conflict, but a collective state of being, manifesting unity… [At the same
The sacred story of our time is about the death of old systems that divide and the birth of a new global community that will unite humanity as one family.
time], forces of disintegration regroup and gain ground. [But] the unity of humanity is unstoppable by any human force; the promises made by all the prophets testify to this truth… It is through love for all people that the unity of the world can be realized.
A two-fold process of purging and
World unity is the stepping-stone
reshaping humanity is underway. This
to the age-old vision of peace
will finally bring the opposite extremes
on earth. We have all the tools
of the consciousness continuum
needed to fulfill this promise;
into sharper focus and make the
its realization depends wholly
necessity of living by a consciousness
upon the action we all take
of wholeness crystal clear.
now. To ensure that the rebirth 44
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of the planet happens as gently
Adapted from The Story of Our Time: From Duality to Interconnectedness to Oneness by Robert Atkinson
as possible, love is the sacred activism needed for our time; it is the unifying force that binds the
Robert Atkinson, author, speaker, and developmental psychologist, is a 2017 Nautilus Book Award winner for The Story of Our Time: From Duality to Interconnectedness to Oneness, and a co-editor of Our Moment of Choice: Evolutionary Visions and Hope for the Future. He is also the founder of One Planet Peace Forum, and StoryCommons, an internationally recognized authority on life story interviewing, a pioneer in the techniques of personal myth making and soul making, and a member of the Evolutionary Leaders Circle, a project of the Source of Synergy Foundation.
universe together. Nothing less than the entire world community working together in harmony will enable us to build the culture of wholeness needed for our collective survival. We are at a threshold never before crossed. Our collective coming of age as a single people is at hand. Our challenge is to disregard the fleeting notions of the day, recognize their sharp contrast to the overriding unifying forces of our time, and take the action most needed by each of us – to work across boundaries, across differences. As greater numbers embrace the idea of global citizenship, as this is reflected in various spheres of action, f rom interpersonal to social, a consciousness of wholeness will become as commonly accepted in the near future as nationalism was in the past, bringing us to the verge of world peace. 45
Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you. — Maori Proverb
What the Goddess of Love and War Can Teach Us About Unity Consciousness by Seana Zelazo, LICSW
Inanna, the Goddess of Love and War, depicted on a fragment of a stone relief from Mesopotamia c. 2400 B.C.E.
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The Sumerian goddess Inanna is waking
Here we see how the transformation
up the hearts of her worshippers from
of any kind must begin with self.
all directions of time to help remind us
Inanna embodies the confidence
of our mission and, by extension, her
and self-love that teaches us how
own—a mission to alchemize separation
to live the change we wish to bring
consciousness into unity consciousness.
about. In the lines: “my eyes scan
Known by many epitaphs, including
the earth, I know the length of it,”
the Goddess of Love and War, Inanna
Inanna commands our attention
offers a nuanced way of living love.
with authority, highlighting
Inanna’s love can uplift by transmuting
her well-honed discernment.
lower vibrational frequency through the
The line: “I travel heaven’s pure
weapons of light she carries on her back.
road,” demonstrates Inanna’s alignment with the highest good,
The wisdom of Inanna is preserved
underscoring that her efforts to
through the artwork and writing of
transform separation consciousness
ancient Sumer, including through the
and fear-based thinking are driven
Sumerian poet Enheduanna (who lived
by love, even in her paradoxical role
and wrote between 2285-2250 BCE)
as Goddess of War. The forceful
whose long poem, “Inanna and Ebih,”
aggression of that role is not
captures the intense impact of the
destructive, rather, it depends upon
heart-centered goddess as a warrior of
her skill as a master alchemist. Akin
love. Enheduanna’s[i] poem channels
to the transmutation of base metals
Inanna and describes the goddess
into gold, Inanna as a warrior, can
in a moment of contemplative self-
transform lower vibration into a
awareness and affirmation:
higher vibration, and love is the flame to this end. Hers is not a
my eyes scan the earth
subtle power, it rages through
I know the length of it
the land to alchemize, like a
I travel heaven’s pure road
summer thunderstorm obliterating
I know the depth of it
oppressive humidity.
even the holy Annuna stand in awe of me
Inanna’s many myths reveal her
listen![ii]
powerful attributes. She is a love 49
What the Goddess of Love and War Can Teach Us About Unity Consciousness
warrior who unifies humanity by
shared. While Enki gave Inanna
sharing her gifts with the world.
roughly one hundred me, in “Inanna
In the myth, “Inanna and the God
and the God of Wisdom,” she
of Wisdom,”[iii] we see just how
itemizes the ones which signify her
prepared she is for her role to unite
capacity as a teacher of ascension—
and empower. In this story, Inanna is
the vibrational shift from fear
gifted the me—the spiritual powers
into unconditional love and unity
and sacred arts of civilization—by
consciousness.
her grandfather, Enki, the God of Wisdom (an alchemist himself).
He gave me the staff.
This exchange occurs after Enki
He gave me the holy
gets intoxicated over beers with
measuring rod and line.
his granddaughter. She happily
He gave me the high throne…
takes all the me and begins her
He gave me the princess
journey home. Once Enki sobers
priestess.
up, however, he realizes what he
He gave me the divine queen
has done and sends threatening
priestess.
creatures to Inanna to get the me
He gave me the incantation
back. Ultimately, Inanna perseveres.
priest.
Significantly, Inanna does not keep
He gave me the noble priest…
the me for herself, hoarding them
He gave me truth. [iv]
in her temple. Instead, upon arrival in her city, she immediately shares
These me are highly symbolic.
all the me with her people, knowing
The staff is a kind of magic wand,
that in doing so she brings her
and it signifies her role as an
people together by empowering
alchemist. In sharing this with her
them, and thus advances the
people, she reminds them, that
consciousness of the collective.
they too can alchemize the old paradigm of separation into a new
Inanna understands that they are
one of love. She takes the holy
not meant to be possessively held
measuring rod and line with her to
for self-aggrandizement or other
the underworld in The Descent of
ego-based drives but must be
Inanna. These sacred tools are for 50
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From left to right: Inanna (carrying her weapons on her back), Enki (God of the Watery Deep), Isimud (Enki’s servant). Positioned at Inanna’s feet is her brother, the Sun god Utu. From an Akkadian cylinder seal c. 2300 B.C.E.
51
What the Goddess of Love and War Can Teach Us About Unity Consciousness
taking inventory of and assisting in
ascension of humanity by moving
negotiating the various initiations
into the higher consciousness
we encounter as spiritual warriors.
of unconditional love. Her will is
The high throne represents
strong, and her power is ironclad.
Inanna’s divine nobility, but by
Her heart’s pull to get the me to
sharing it with humanity, she
her own city to share it makes it
reminds us that we are all divine
so. Inanna’s warrior love ultimately
and can create a queendom of
transforms Enki who comes to see
heaven on earth. The gift of priests
the benefit of what she has done
and priestesses highlights Inanna’s
with the me and no longer wants
role as a High Priestess capable of
them back. He declares:
leading the leaders of light. Finally, the gift of truth provides Inanna
Let the me you have taken
with discernment—the ability to
with you remain in the holy
see clearly. She shares all of these
shrine
spiritual powers with her people
of your city…
so they may prepare for their
Let the citizens of your city
ascension.
prosper, Let the children of Uruk
In the myth, when Enki tries
rejoice.
through force to get the me
The people of Uruk are allies
back, our warrior and her faithful
of Eridu.
counselor Ninshubar fight
Let the city of Uruk be
off the attempts. This is what
restored to its great place.
[v]
occurs when we go through a major transformation. In
In Enki’s assertion, we see the
the establishment of a new
power that is Inanna and how
paradigm, it is common to
she is equipped to unite the
experience resistance. Inanna
people of her world. Indeed,
demonstrates warrior strength
her discernment, as captured
in being forcibly loving, never
in Enheduanna’s poetry above,
acquiescing, and keeping her
grants her the ability to see how
intention fixed on aiding in the
to support the collective f rom 52
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a higher perspective. Inanna
pressure to change and transform
uses her strong will and warrior
collectively. As a goddess who
force to get what she wants;
prioritizes the actualization of
unity and unconditional love.
what she wants and as a teacher
She understands that this is an
of ascension, Inanna has returned
internal process, and that to
to guide us and our planet to rise
establish this shift we need to
together as one.
turn inward and unify internally.
[i] Excerpts from Enheduanna’s poem, “Inanna and Ebih,” come from the following translation: Meador, Betty De Shong. Inanna, Lady of Largest Heart: Poems of the Sumerian High Priestess Enheduanna. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2009.
The clash that occurs when Enki first regrets his decision and tries to get the me back through force, and the ultimate harmony between Enki and
[ii] Meador, Betty De Shong. Inanna, Lady of Largest Heart: Poems of the Sumerian High Priestess Enheduanna. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2009. p.96.
herself, is a reconciling of the Divine Masculine and the Divine Feminine. The balancing of the feminine and masculine
but a necessary step for our
[iii] Wolkstein, Diana, and Samuel Noah Kramer. Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth: Her Stories and Hymns from Sumer. New York: Harper & Row, 1983. p. 12-27.
individual journey toward unity
[iv] -----. p.16
consciousness.
[v] ----- p. 27
energy within is not only a major aspect of Inanna’s teaching
Seana Zelazo, LICSW is a psychotherapist, spiritual teacher, mentor, and intuitive channel committed to helping others live unapologetically by restoring balance through the wisdom of the Sumerian Goddess Inanna. Look for her upcoming book The Return of Inanna: The Unapologetic Heroine in 2022. seanazelazo.com
Inanna stands up for herself and what she believes in. She defends herself unapologetically but does so in a way that supports all. Humanity is at a crucial moment in our spiritual evolution, as evidenced by the significant challenges that have transpired on our planet over the last several years. There is a palpable internal 53
The Heart of the Matter for Spiritually Conscious Parents by Mary Ellen Lucas
54
The OWL Magazine
Kindheartedness
Are you familiar with the idiom “out of the mouth of babes?” It doesn’t seem to be used in the vernacular
A ten-year-old boy in conversation
today, but it’s a quaint expression
with his great aunt mentioned a
relevant to today’s column. It
friend from school. She asked what
captures how children, despite their
his friend was like, and he replied,
young age and inexperience in life,
“She’s kindhearted.”
can say the most remarkable things! When a young child expresses a
Surprised to hear his response, she
thought or idea that denotes a
asked, “What does that mean?”
level of maturity and a depth of understanding beyond their years, it
Without hesitation, he responded,
can be startling.
“She’s kind to everyone.”
Television shows and viral
His aunt inquired, “Are you
videos showcase kids saying the
kindhearted?”
darnedest things. Watching kids who are adorably cute, sassy, and
“Of course, I am. I try to be nice to
unpredictably funny is guaranteed
everyone!” He indignantly answered.
to bring a smile to anyone’s face. This young boy understood what it “Out of the mouth of babes”
meant to be kindhearted. Perhaps
indicates something said isn’t just
he can be a gentle reminder that
ordinary but is rather extraordinary.
we too, can choose to be nice to
A child who utters a pearl of wisdom,
everyone!
a nugget of truth, can leave an adult Let Your Heart Speak through
with a jaw-dropping sense of awe.
Your Words To hear from an innocent child, one who isn’t jaded or stunted by
“Our marriage is in serious trouble,”
strident opinions is refreshing. Here
was how a client described
are several true examples of children
her frequent fighting with her
voicing wise thoughts.
husband. 55
The Heart of the Matter for Spiritually Conscious Parents
Admittedly, and with regret, she told
“Stop fighting! Put your heart in
me that they often fought in front
your mouth.” She shouted over her
of their three young children. They
parents.
would both become so heated in the righteousness of their arguments;
My client said she stopped, startled,
that they didn’t notice how upset
amazed by what her little daughter
the children became. Despite being
had articulated.
embarrassed and ashamed, my client couldn’t stop herself from
What a profound understanding
getting hooked into the pattern
by this little one. If mommy’s and
of escalating verbal assaults. The
daddy’s hearts were in their mouths,
day came when their four-year-old
maybe they would stop yelling? If
daughter had had enough.
their hearts were connected to the 56
The OWL Magazine
Compassion
words coming out of their mouths, even if they were angry with each
A ten-year-old boy told his mom
other, would there be a difference?
that one day he was going to make Words spoken from the heart are
her the best Mother’s Day gift ever!
clear, firm, and can be spoken without
Curious, she asked what he was
blame and venomous anger. Her
planning to do. He replied that he was
daughter’s directive helped refocus
going to make her a robot. He would
my client. It gave her the pause she
build it to look just like his uncle, his
needed to come back to her own
mom’s brother who had died. And
heart, to be responsive, not reactive,
not only would the robot look just like
and encouraged her to connect with
him, but he would make the robot
her husband differently.
sound just like him, too.
57
The Heart of the Matter for Spiritually Conscious Parents
“This way,” her son explained, “you
ever get shot by them. Only a
won’t miss him so much.”
policeman or fireman should have a gun. No one in prison. You could
Intuitively, the son honed in on
get permission to own a gun from
a tender place within his mom’s
the President if you’re real good
heart. It was a hidden place, not
and older than 15. They really should
talked about, yet compassionately
make a law that all guns are illegal
her son had perceived a sadness.
except for an emergency.”
Instinctually he wanted to help her feel better. Following his
This child who greets the world
compassionate example, we
with f resh eyes, can offer a new
could be looking for ways to
perspective. He places his trust in
help someone else feel better, to
adults and offers what he considers
brighten someone’s day.
plausible solutions. Maybe this sixyear-old’s innocence can prick our
Innocence
consciences?
Below is a quote from a six-year-
Children as Our Teachers
old in response to the horrific school shooting in Uvalde,
Parents, family members, and
Texas. His ideas expressed to his
educators provide models of what
mother, who also happens to be
children ought to learn. However,
a schoolteacher, were said with
adults need to learn from children,
grave seriousness. We could all
too. Kahlil Gibran’s poem “On
agree that this ought not to be
Children” found in his book The
this boy’s concern, yet it is. Before
Prophet describes how children
reading his words, please set aside
may be given love “…but not your
the quagmire of political debate
thoughts, for they have their own
around guns.
thoughts.”
“All guns should be sent to the
Children’s comments, if we are
President and he should break
listening, may contain golden gems
them so no kid or teacher would
of wisdom that soften our rigid 58
The OWL Magazine
thoughts, help us look afresh, and
occasionally speak with great
see from a different viewpoint,
words of wisdom.
ways to connect with others and
Mary Ellen Lucas, an Interfaith / Interspiritual Minister, believes we can learn to make wiser choices that create pathways of connection and collaboration to ensure a better world for our children. Life on Little Puddle Pond is a series of children’s books she wrote with silly goose playfulness along with meaningful lessons. The books are pre-chapter books and appropriate for children four to eight years old. Available from online retailers worldwide.
the world. The preceding examples stated by young kids, miraculous, small marvels of wonder, remind us of what it is to be kindhearted, heartcentered, and compassionate. They inspire us to take a step back to see with fresh eyes that solutions are achievable. May our ears and hearts be open to allow ourselves to be wonder struck by these young babes who may
59
MOTHERHOOD REWILDED A LASTING LEGACY by Dr. Kristy M. Vanacore
60
The OWL Magazine
Standing at the kitchen sink
to reclaim their natural wild and
mindlessly washing the 89th dish
sovereign states.
of the day while dinner is cooking, there is a brief reprieve. A vision
Humans as a collective are
of wild dreams; the feelings of the
experiencing evolutionary mismatch
gnawing rumblings of a ravenous
as the demands of our modern
soul; the intoxicating aroma of
lifestyle are at odds with our inherent
potent purpose and potential
genetic programming. We eat, move,
percolating under the surface and...
play, sleep, and learn under drastically
bam, it's shattered by a crying kid
different conditions than our ancestors
and a burning casserole. Dutifully
did—the way we were built to live.
returning to responsibilities; the
Parenting is no different as modern
dream is banished until the next
moms are tamed and removed from
stolen moment. At the end of the
natural ways of being. This is precisely
day when collapsing in a state of
why an extraordinary number of
delirious exhaustion, tomorrow
women are disoriented, disconnected,
is dreaded, knowing it will be
devoid of purpose, diseased, and their
Groundhog Day.
children are collateral damage.
Mothers call this living because
Women have been domesticated
we’ve been told this is the only way.
with conditioned beliefs that motherhood will complete them, yet the overwhelming majority of mothers
What if it’s not?
have never felt more fractionated. In the same way that
Modern mothers are energetically
conservationists work to restore
depleted, emotionally numb,
domesticated ecosystems and
physically stagnant, psychologically
animals to their natural untamed
confused, and spiritually asleep. They
healthy states without human
are simultaneously overwhelmed and
intrusion, so, too, can mothers be
underwhelmed, and the guilt of this
rewilded from a state of being
truth consumes them. Remaining
shackled by fear, siphoned of
stuck in the mythical motherhood
life force, verging on extinction,
fantasy leaves women consistently 61
Motherhood ReWilded
falling short and feeling shameful,
Women no longer derive satisfaction
and at times, suicidal.
from their inherited abilities and gifts. Mothers are barraged with mixed
It’s time to debunk the antiquated
messages about their responsibilities.
myth that contemporary women
Stay home with your baby as long
could be completely satisfied and
as you can, but get back to work
fulfilled in their roles as mothers.
immediately; wake up early to get the
It is this myth that creates shame
house clean before work, but sleep
when mothers are naturally desiring
when the baby sleeps; breastfeed for
more, or for those women who
as long as you can, pump at work, but
cannot conceive children for one
don’t let “them” think you need any
reason or another. Motivated by deep
special treatment; be present for your
insecurity, women are desperate to
kids and never miss a school event, but
find the meaning they lack in their
don’t ask for too much time off from
lives. The truth is that although
work; be the work hustler, the home
children may offer meaningful
manager, the kids' chauffer, the Easter
connections in the life of a woman,
Bunny and Santa Claus and the Tooth
they do not give her meaning. A
Fairy, the Pinterest crafter, the PTA
woman’s identity—whether she has
president, the soccer mom, oh and
conceived children or not—has little
don't forget the sexy wife.
to do with her children. This pressure makes it almost This may be a radical idea for some to
impossible to derive any joy and
fathom. After all, women have been
satisfaction from parenting, let
conditioned for generations to adopt
alone life. This modern world has
the role of selfless martyrs who would
not created a safe space for women
burn at the stake for their children.
to develop a healthy expression
Though women are the natural
of femininity. Softness, grace,
creators and direct channels to Spirit
compassion, contemplation and
as a bridge between worlds, imbued
introspection, prayer and meditation,
with the capacity to usher a soul into
nurturance, healing, intuition, and
this world, doing so does not have to
creativity are not valued during these
come at a personal price.
times. Valuation of a women’s worth 62
The OWL Magazine
and contribution is now measured
to learn from elders, our nervous
by career advancement; financial
systems co-regulate with others, yet
independence; incessant striving,
we are so estranged from our roots
thinking, and analyzing; moving
that we try to function in isolation.
hard and fast; washboard abs; and
Lack of kin connections is a significant
copious amounts of wine to offset the
predictor of health issues.
emotional breakdowns. Though reclaiming the “it takes a What’s more, is that women are
village” mentality is critical, a woman
parenting alone without the
must also cultivate a deep relationship
collective wisdom and support of past
with herself. Nowadays women
generations. Yet biologically we are not
rigidly believe the myth that kids
programmed to do it alone. Humans
should be the center of their worlds.
are a species that evolved to live in
However, motherhood offers women
packs or communities. We are meant
an opportunity to rebirth themselves. 63
Motherhood ReWilded
Rediscovering solace in solitude, curiously exploring the inner landscape, listening to desires and needs, and pursuing passions and interests with as much fervor as she cheers on her kid from the stands, will allow a woman to become reacquainted with her true self while offering an authentic and fulfilled mother to her children. Women have also become estranged from their own emotions. Conditioned to believe that they must portray a calm, collected demeanor at all times, women suppress, deny, avoid, and ignore, creating energetic blockages, nervous system imbalances, and inadequate modeling of emotional development for their kids. If children do not witness their
Modern domestication sets up
mothers emoting true feelings,
mothers to fail by suppressing the
honoring their natural rhythms
very things that make them human—
and cycles, navigating challenging
primal instincts, innate wisdom and
circumstances, practicing non-
intuition, and unbounded joy and
reactivity, and cultivating self-
curiosity. Women are taught to rely on
compassion; they will be inept to do
external navigation systems, while our
the same. When children witness
inherently razor-sharp instincts are
their parents’ genuine humanness,
dulled. Our natural essence is tamed,
they recognize that they, too, have
or worse, shut down. Like a wild
permission to be themselves. 64
The OWL Magazine
animal captured and civilized, the
women to trade domestication for
soul will always long to be free.
wild so they may return to their
If children do not see us blazing
roots, rekindle their instincts, and
our own trails, they will never
reclaim their sovereignty. This is the
learn how to do it for themselves.
path of true health and wellness,
At a time when a generation of
and a mother's legacy for her
children are labeled helpless,
children.
hopeless, screen-addicted robots on
Dr. Kristy Vanacore is a spiritual visionary and modern-day medicine woman who weaves ancient wisdom with modern science to empower families to thrive. A prominent trailblazer in the field of holistic psychology for over two decades, Kristy has revolutionized the mental wellness and personal development industries with her innovative offerings. Kristy is the author of ReWilding: A Woman’s Quest to Remember Her Roots, Rekindle Her Instincts, and Reclaim Her Sovereignty. kristyvanacore.com
autopilot swallowing boatloads of psychotropic drugs—it is imperative mothers model an alternative. Now more than ever, kids need to challenge what is fed to them, ask questions with an open mind and heart, and rebel against anything that threatens to control and stifle their life force. Mothers can model what it means for kids to experience the uninhibited joy that comes with the fullness of their soul’s expression. How healthy and evolved we are as women, is what gets engendered in our children. This cannot be taught with words alone; the lessons must be embodied daily. We can only take our kids as far as we have gone, or are willing to go, ourselves. Children must witness a mother’s rewilding to feel confident in theirs. It’s time we rewild the concept of motherhood by encouraging 65
Write for Good by Laura Staley
Several years ago, driving to the grocery store, my daughter sat in the back seat. Her gentle young girls voice got my attention. “Mom, have you been listening to me or listening to the thoughts in your head?” She gently asked. “Oh, yeah. I was listening to the thoughts in my head. I failed to hear anything you just said, and I want to hear what you said. I apologize. Would you mind starting from the beginning?” Then with my presence, I listened to all she happily wanted to share with me. Have the voices in your head talked louder than the person speaking to you?
66
The OWL Magazine
In different situations, you might
unresolved emotional pain. In
notice someone says or does
the inhales and the exhales you
something, and then an internal
can notice the sensations in your
criticizer grabs the megaphone in
body. Maybe your stomach feels
your mind.
queasy. You might be clenching your tush and toes. You might
Sometimes like firefighters, these
observe you do not even feel your
voices swarm into the house of
legs. You can only sense your
your mind with hoses and axes,
arms and shoulders. Experiencing
breaking down doors, attempting
your heart and body through
to contain the backdraft. Now,
interoception can open doors
you find yourself distracted by
to deeper layers of healing and
the roar of the fire and the rush
compassionate presence with
of these firefighters. A fiercely
yourself and others.
critical voice berates what you thought the person said, what the
Can you begin to feel your whole
person is wearing, and what this
body when you listen to other
individual just did with their facial
people?
expressions. Your internal voice fills with self-righteousness about
Learning to listen well may
your point of view, all to protect
include sensing your feet, the
you f rom your own fiery backdraft.
soft texture of the socks on your feet, and how cold, warm, or
Did you know that most of the
sweaty your feet are. Embodied
angsty voices in your mind, were
listening means dropping into an
created to protect you from
awareness of your body which can
feeling pain in your own heart?
quiet the mind as you have given yourself a different task.
Opening the door to the heat, the backdraft of hurts in your heart,
Placing your tongue on the roof
and the different sensations in
of your mouth, parting your lips
your body become courageous
slightly, softening your eyes,
internal work to access your own
and bending your knees, if you 67
Write for Good
happen to be standing, allow you
heart, and then practice being an
to access the pause, a space of
embodied listener can become
neutrality in your body. Breathing
a wonderful gift you can share
and listening from this embodied
easily and generously with others
place broaden your capacity to
in your life.
pay attention. Listening with your whole self in “Between stimulus and response,
suspended time and vast space
there is space. In that space
can become emancipation for
is our power to choose our
your being, a most tender love
response. In our response lies our
offering in a noisy, fiery world.
growth and our freedom.”
The founder of Cherish Your World, Laura Staley passionately supports people thriving by guiding them to a holistic transformation of space, heart, and life. Laura is the published author of four books including Live Inspired which reveals the brave and deep work of self-discovery and her book of short writings and poetry Abundant Heart.
—Viktor Frankl You can begin to create an embodied space for yourself and other people. When was the last time someone listened to you with rapt attention as though you were the only person in their world? How did you know in your soul that the person heard you? What did this experience feel like? I imagine these individuals, who did the listening, offered an embodied presence of stillness, rapt attention, and gentleness in their ability to hear and hold space for you. To be given this incredible gift, to receive it in your 68
No sun outlasts its sunset, but will rise again and bring the dawn. — Maya Angelou
E X C E R P T F RO M
DISCOVERING EROS
before I could even explore who I was
W
and what other paths I might walk hen I was in my late teens
seemed a worse fate than death
and living in communist
itself.
Poland, I observed my
girlfriends offering their virginity
I was looking for other examples
to their boyfriends on their 18th
of what a woman was or could
birthday, then witnessed them
be, but the Communist posters
marching to the altar three months
of well-muscled worker women
later because, of course, they had
driving tractors or waving red flags
fallen pregnant. In those days nearly
didn’t appeal to me. My family was
everyone considered this normal. But
intensely Catholic and I often went
for me the idea of being stuck early
to one of the beautiful baroque
in life in marriage and motherhood
churches in my hometown where 72
The OWL Magazine
I found in the soft and opulent naves
At first, I was fascinated by
images of the two Catholic goddesses,
three Greek goddesses whose
the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene.
stories I read before going to bed. These were Athena,
I had already begun to feel the surge
Aphrodite and Artemis. I admired
of Eros in all its promise and delight,
Athena because, like her, I loved
so I was not keen on imitating the
knowledge, though I thought
example of the virgin mother. I was
her cold and remote. Aphrodite’s
more intrigued by the portrayal of
sensual touch was attractive to
Mary Magdalene, who was prominent
me, while Artemis added a sense
in Jesus’ story yet somehow rejected
of adventure and independence to
and pushed to the side. I asked
the two other goddesses.
myself, was it because she was not a virgin? Could it be that her life
A bit later, I explored more
was much more interesting and her
magically assertive goddesses
wisdom much deeper than what I had
such as Circe and the Hindu erotic
learned in religion classes? Only later
super-heroines Radha, Sundari
in life did I realize that her presence in
and Kali. I didn’t know back then
Christianity—notable as it was, though
about Inanna or Isis and showed
suppressed at the same time—
no interest in them until many
wasn’t that different to the presence
years later. So, while I watched my
of Eros in our lives. I saw that Mary
girlfriends rushing to the altar,
Magdalene represented the possible
I buried myself in books. In the
unification of Eros and spirit, which
meantime, I was playing with Eros
Christianity struggled to accept.
in my imagination. I wondered what it might be like to be with
It took quite a feat of imagination
a tall, handsome Viking. Being
to construe myself differently from
a playful being, Eros likes to be
what I saw around me. I found
engaged with, even if only in the
consolation in studying the myths
mind.
of ancient goddesses, unaware that later in life I would find a source of
At some point I met a Swedish
great wisdom there.
businessman who, out of the blue, 73
THE OTHER GODDESS
showed up in my hometown
I recovered from that ill-fated
and I, knowing nothing about
Swedish affair quickly. My erotic
sensual seduction, took to playing
imagination moved swiftly f rom
with his imagination. It was the
the Viking archetype to a French
time of Elton John’s song Nikita,
libertine archetype, as I explored
and I was not that different
the allure of Frenchmen.
from her—a blonde, dreamy girl
This might seem a rather
walking among Eastern European
flamboyant introduction to
tanks during a time of martial
exploration of the mysterious
law. My seduction of this foreign
avenues of Eros, though with Eros
imaginal worked well enough for
nothing is ever what it seems.
him to jump through the hoops
Eros is as different f rom sexuality
of the Communist bureaucratic
as eroticism is from sex, so Eva
nightmare to invite me to
Pierrakos tells us in her book The
Sweden, based on nothing more
Pathwork of Self-Transformation.
than the short, platonic encounter
The French know this well and for
shared in my hometown. The
that reason prefer to refer to the
affair did not last, as the reality of
beautiful attraction that is the play
living in a Swedish suburb taught
of Eros as erotique, rather than
us he was no Viking and I was not
sexual. Sexual force without the
a Nikita.
erotic element, Pierrakos says, is very animalistc, enjoyable only for
For a while, I thought this to be
a period of time and ultimately
the end of my dream of Eros.
‘utterly selfish’ and meaningless
I returned to Poland to continue
spiritually.
my studies of ancient goddesses until, a few months later, I had
Eros, on the other hand, which
another opportunity to escape the
lives mostly in our imagination,
Communist grayness, this time
manifests as a desire to know
to Paris at a girlfriend’s invitation.
and experience the other. It can
I left Poland with nothing but
manifest as a strong attraction, but
a borrowed suitcase and ten
this is a different level of attraction.
American dollars. Once in Paris,
While sexual attraction can create 74
The OWL Magazine
an intense yet temporary chemistry
the other person better, but also
between two people, erotic
that we have somehow come to
attraction is more focused on the
know ourselves in the process. This
powerful desire to connect with
leaves us mysteriously connected
another, to truly and completely
and bedazzled by the experience
know them. This knowing includes
because it allows us to touch our
sexual union but goes beyond it.
souls and feel a deep if fleeting
Eros, or erotic connection rather
connection with another person.
than chemistry, serves to create a bridge between our being and the
This is a gift that should not be
being of the other on whom our
rejected. Pierrakos calls this ‘the
erotic desire is fixed.
quest for the other soul,’ as the sexual encounter in this case is
Let me give you an example. In an
merely a conduit to the experience
instance of pure sexual attraction,
of a profound connection and
we may experience great sexual
knowing of the soul of another.
pleasure but have no desire to truly
You may not know anything about
know the person. Often we may
the mundane aspects of this other
experience the strange feeling that
person’s life, but you get to know
despite the great sex, we have little
them at a much deeper level, a
to say to each other. In this respect,
level people who have known that
even great sex without a deeper
person for years may never know.
connection is largely meaningless
This is the power of Eros.
and leaves us empty, despite being Yet even Eros, as we well know,
physically satisfied.
wears itself out. Eros loves to be Erotic desire is more fulfilling
playful. Eros loves to be beautiful
because of the presence of a
at all times. Eros loves the new.
deeper connection. For the same
Eros becomes bored if it isn’t
reason, our sexual experiences
constantly curious about the other.
when Eros is present are also
Eros moves on. All the greatest
much deeper and more satisfying.
romances of this world are based
We feel that not only do we know
on Eros and die because of Eros. 75
THE OTHER GODDESS
This is why Pierrakos says romantic
Let me refer you to Pierrakos again:
love is only the final point for those
‘When you find the other soul and
who refuse to evolve spiritually and
meet it, you fulfill your destiny.’
move beyond it. I must admit that without knowing the possibility
Do you dare? Are you prepared to
of something higher, it’s true that
risk all for this ‘complete mutual
romantic love seems like the best
revelation of one soul to another?’
of all possible deals, because what
Because this is what it takes.
usually comes after it is marriage— and few of us know how to sustain
For this revelation to be possible,
Eros in marriage. Alternatively, like
we need to constantly grow and
all great romances, romantic love
move to a higher possibility with
usually comes to an abrupt end.
ourselves and with our partner. This
Fortunately, this is not all we have
requires facing the shadowy parts
available to us. Apart from sexual
of ourselves and healing them.
attraction or the adventurousness
Pierrakos teaches us that truly soulful
of Eros, we also have love. Love,
love is not possible without this. We
Pierrakos tells us, is a ‘permanent
need to grow. We need to attain our
state of the soul.’ What is this
highest possibility. Then, as the great
permanent state of the soul and
tenth-century Tantric philosopher
how we can achieve it? This is
Abhinavagupta once said, ‘You will
the difficult part. We need to be
walk upon this earth as gods.’
willing to do two things: to grow spiritually, which requires us to
In Paris I learned that not even
constantly work on ourselves, and
Eros, without a desire for spiritual
at the same time stay open to Eros.
growth, can hold a relationship for
This also means not being afraid
long. Eros needs to be lived. Without
to completely expose ourselves to
this, life is only a set of mundane
another, including our soul, our
responsibilities. But Eros also needs
darkness, and our ugly parts.
to be entertained at the highest possible level and used to open up
Do you have the desire, the stamina
the new field of divine play, our own
and the courage to do this?
highest possibility. 76
The OWL Magazine
After publishing one article on
beautiful way, several decades later
Eros and spirit, I received many
they met again when the woman
personal confessions of erotic-
was finishing her studies to become
spiritual experiences from readers.
a civil celebrant. She was asked to
They contained experiences
perform her first funeral rites over
through Eros of the mystical that
the body of a man whose body had
happened outside the mundane
been shipped to her location, for
reality of relationships. One woman
reasons unknown to her. The body
shared a beautiful story of an erotic
turned out to be that of her former
encounter that turned out to be
lover with whom she had shared
a moment of self-realization for
the mystical experience triggered
both parties and yet was outside
by Eros.
the understanding of what’s normally called ‘a relationship.’ Like
Another reader, male this time,
many mystical experiences, this
recalled a mystical experience of
one was both life-shattering and
an erotic but not sexual type when
transformative, so that it pierced
he felt the presence of a young
through the walls of the lovers’
Indian woman with long, flowing
perceptions.
hair—first within his own being, then outside himself breathing
Suddenly a new door of perception
at his neck with her hand gently
opened for them and a new, much
resting on his heart. He felt a form
more beautiful holistic and divine
of erotic sensation that shook his
vision of all creation was available to
entire being. He recognized her
them. Their lovemaking experience
as Devi (‘the goddess’ in Sanskrit)
took them out of their bodies and
herself who had come to him in
was later described by this reader
this erotic and beautiful form. For
as a form of grace and benediction.
days he walked the streets weeping
The shattering part of the
with joy, aware that this extremely
experience was also the realization
personal and erotic episode was
that they could not be together,
also mystical in nature and had
as they were otherwise attached
connected him to the feminine in
to other people. In a strange and
its divine form. 77
THE OTHER GODDESS
My own and others’ experiences
into the sea. The story mythically
have convinced me that to
connects Aphrodite’s status as the
entertain Eros at the highest
goddess of beauty with erotic love
possible level, we need to know
by mixing sea foam with sperm.
what shapes the perceptions
This is also the most popular
of Eros in our psyche – and that
image of Aphrodite in Sandro
is why we need to explore the
Botticelli’s painting The Birth of
goddesses of Eros.
Venus. Venus was Aphrodite’s name during the Roman Empire
• APHRODITE
when Rome conquered Greece
The first goddess that we need to
gods. Astrologically, Aphrodite is
and adopted its goddesses and represented by the planet Venus.
explore is Aphrodite, the Ancient
She is often symbolized by a
Greek goddess of beauty, love,
dolphin, rose, swan or shell.
passion and pleasure. The stories of her birth vary, including the one
There is a certain charm and
told in Homer’s The Illiad, which
sensuality in the stories of
describes her as the daughter of
Aphrodite, which are an unending
Zeus and Dione, an Oceanid or
stream of doomed romances.
ocean nymph. The most popular
This is probably why we so easily
myth comes from Hesiod’s
identify with her or, at least, love
eighth-century BCE poem The
to adore her. She arouses us and
Theogony, in which he describes
her romantic adventures provide
the origins of gods and goddesses.
a background for our own failed
My preference is for Hesiod’s
loves and romances. For example,
version simply because it’s more beautiful.
she was forced by Zeus to marry
Hesiod describes Aphrodite as
same time carried on sexy affairs
the ugly Hephaistos, yet at the with the handsome and manly
born f rom the sea foam near the
Aries, God of War, and many
island of Cyprus, where the Titan
others. Despite being a goddess
Cronus killed his father Uranus
of beauty, pleasure and love, it
and threw his father’s genitals 78
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was still not within her powers
by her own desires and in need
to choose her own husband and
of and begging Zeus for help! In
she was often humiliated in her
modern terms, she became the
romantic adventures.
Marilyn Monroe of Olympus— beautiful, yet disempowered and demeaned.
It was not always so. I was surprised to discover that Aphrodite was just another
‘The Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite’
version of an earlier goddess from
is one of the hymns presumably
Sumer known as Inanna, or as the
written by Homer around the
Egyptian goddess Hathor. Like
eighth century BCE. Hawthorne
Inanna and Hathor before her,
examines its 293 lines and
Aphrodite was once also known
discovers that, originally,
as the goddess of war and was a
Aphrodite was described as
force to be reckoned with. Then
‘all-powerful.’ She is Aphrodite
something happened to her and
the Golden who ‘stirs up’ sweet
she lost her power.
longing both in gods and humans, including Zeus himself, whom
While researching this book,
‘she deceives at her pleasure.’
I found a wonderful essay by
At a certain point, the fates are
Susan Hawthorne, ‘The Homeric
reversed and Zeus somehow
Hymn to Aphrodite’ in Goddesses
manages to make Aphrodite fall in
in Myth, History and Culture.
love with a mortal man, Anchises
Hawthorne traces the original
f rom Troy. She falls in love and
archetype of Aphrodite as the
desires Anchises so deeply that
goddess of love and beauty, whose
she pretends to be a mortal
power even Zeus was afraid of, but
woman just so she can share the
who was gradually disempowered.
pleasure of lovemaking with him.
The stories of the all-powerful
As a result of this romance, the
Aphrodite were, no doubt, told
hymn tells us, her human lover
and written by someone else.
gains power and status, whereas
From a position of power, she
she is disgraced as a goddess
moved to one of ridicule, trapped
who has fallen for a mortal. The 79
THE OTHER GODDESS
goddess of love, beauty, pleasure
The entertainment and fashion
and desire falls victim to her own
industries have examples of
powers—or her misused and
Aphrodite-like women who
manipulated powers. What was
have fallen from their places of
once her strength has now become
power. These women, although
her downfall.
adored for their beauty, were also ridiculed and humiliated at times.
In one way, we can agree with
Marilyn Monroe was the classic
Hawthorne’s interpretation of the
example of an Aphrodite-woman;
hymn to Aphrodite. It’s no secret,
so were, less tragically, Elizabeth
and painfully obvious to any
Taylor and many others.
woman, that feminine sensuality and sexuality have been hijacked,
On a more mundane level,
along with the whole idea of the
I observed this ‘fall’ the most
goddess. What it means to be a
brutal way when, as a 21-year-old
sensually empowered woman has
woman, I heard two older men
been defined for us by a generation
talking about an older woman
of patriarchs who have oppressed
who had just come into the store
humanity for too long. By humanity,
they were in. They both had
I mean both women and men.
known her in the past as a great beauty and no doubt had desired
In more modern times, this idea
her back then. They pointed at
has been defined by the media
her and with malicious smiles
and Hollywood in a most devious
exchanged comments about her
way. Then, of course, comes the
age and how ‘nothing was left
fashion industry, which again
of the whore’s looks anymore.’
defines women and their beauty
I doubt the woman was ever a
in extremely limiting ways that
‘whore,’ and the epithet probably
damage lives and people’s self-
came f rom their once-f rustrated
image, and which drain the joy
and unfulfilled desire for her. I was
of life away or even stymy the
stunned not only by the vulgar
possibility of being a beautiful and
brutality of their words, but also
sensually empowered woman.
by how they were completely 80
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missing her current beauty. The
have we entered into a romantic
woman was radiant and graceful
relationship feeling the irresistible
in an almost ephemeral way,
power of Eros and attraction
and her only fault was not being
only to end up crying and feeling
young. Yet this was enough to
humiliated, left to ponder our
berate her as ‘fallen.’
‘mistakes.’
We can also take a more universal
Perhaps staying in power is
approach toward the idea of the
not the lesson of Eros and love.
‘fall of Aphrodite’ the poignant
Perhaps the whole lesson is to
story of a common sense of
surrender power? But surrender
disempowerment that both
to what? Certainly not to another
women and men experience
person—that, we know, is a
when falling in love and falling
mistake. But to what? Perhaps
into desire. According to the
to the loveliness of Eros itself?
tradition of esoteric Hinduism,
Perhaps to the loveliness of the
we become ‘deluded by our
‘sweet longing’ of which the
own power.’ Instead of being in
hymn to Aphrodite speaks?
charge of our gifts, including the
More often than not, we fall in
gift of love and desire, we ‘fall in
love with this feeling, with the
love’ instead of ‘being in love.’
loveliness of the surrender in
This is what I learned from one
love. The ‘falling’ has its own
Parthasarathy, a spiritual master
rewards, but it certainly also has
from India whom I met while
its consequences.
lecturing for Monash University in Malaysia. He said, ‘Do not fall in
• RADHA
love; rise in love.’ This is a simple and life-changing shift in thinking
When we speak of the loveliness of
about being in love—and yet
Eros, we can’t forget the goddess
I have many examples, as does
Radha, who in my opinion is a
everyone else, of how this is the
spiritualized version of Aphrodite.
most difficult thing to do and
The goddesses of ancient Greece
the most deceitful. How often
are like Hollywood stars, while 81
THE OTHER GODDESS
the Hindu goddesses have a
isn’t that different from the loving
connection to the divine realm,
devotion and merging described
and their actions are focused on
by the Sufi poet Rumi, with whom
the domain of the Self, on spiritual
most Westerners are familiar.
improvement, on achieving oneness with the divine—
In Hindu mythology, Radha never
although this does not mean they
lost her power because she never
don’t have frivolous moments or
sought it. Her devotion is her
never misuse their powers.
power. Her devotion is eventually
In popular Hindu mythology,
transformed into divine love.
Radha was a milkmaid who fell in
Her love spiritualizes her. She
love with Lord Krishna. Although
represents the love and bliss of
she was the wife of another
being within proximity of the
man, she became Lord Krishna’s
divine, which leads her to being
consort. In 12th-century poems
one with the divine. Through this
by the poet Jayadeva, Radha
proximity, she herself becomes
is represented as the goddess
divine.
of love and devotion. Radha’s longing and devotion for the
Both Aphrodite and Radha are
beloved are her main attributes.
beloved goddesses because we identify with their love struggles.
Unlike Aphrodite, Radha was
Ah! The misery and ecstasy of
never powerful on her own
romantic love! They do not stop
terms. Quite the opposite, her
themselves when the arrow of
power derives from her love and
Eros arrives. Aphrodite might
devotion for her beloved. She is
become f rustrated when this
the ultimate expression of what in
happens to her, as she is used
Hinduism is called a bhakta, or a
to being in charge, but Radha
person who devotionally worships
just goes for it. She longs for the
a personal god or goddess. The
romantic high. She longs for the
power of a bhakta comes from
erotic high that comes with this.
this devotion, from complete
She spends days dreaming of her
absorption with the beloved, and
beloved, real or imaginary, and 82
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truly and unconditionally believes
intimacy through a romantic
that finding her beloved, being
relationship. She dreams of a
with her beloved, is the most
romantic ‘soulmateship’ at the
important thing in her life. Radha
deepest level.
loves the bliss of romantic love I experienced that feeling after
without bounds.
my divorce f rom an abusive and On a more personal level, Radha
short-lived marriage that forced
represents that part in ourselves
me to redefine what I really
that’s our longing for love,
wanted to give in a relationship
especially for romantic love. She
and what it was that I really valued
longs for her soulmate; and if she
in masculinity. I have always been
doesn’t have one, she longs to
attracted to male energy and
have a soulmate. She is the part of
received the same response from
us that loves being in love.
masculine energy in my life. This relationship was based on a strong
At one level, she can also
and intense attraction. Although
represent our addiction to
that particular marriage was a bad
romance, and she may become
experience, I didn’t want to give up
bored after the romantic interlude
on the loveliness and sexiness of
passes and the more mundane
the merging of the feminine and
realities of the relationship kick in.
masculine in my life. I was very
Instead of facing these realities,
honest with myself at that point.
Radha may choose to move to another romantic high— and
However, I noticed that again and
when that passes, to another one.
again I associated masculinity with
She is that friend who marries
an alpha-type personality that’s
at least four times or who never
often aggressive and, on closer
marries because marriage is too
inspection, in some men a sign of
‘mundane’ for her (or him). On
insecurity. It became clear to me
another level, she might be the
that I did not want that in my life
genuine longing for a ‘true’ love’,
anymore. So I began redefining
a deep sense of connection and
what was really attractive to me. 83
THE OTHER GODDESS
This was not a rational process,
perhaps too much, but that was a
a strategy, a list of things I like in
thing of the past and now he was
men. It was a much more intuitive
happily married to a woman who
process.
had also had an interesting past. Most of all, I was attracted to his
To start with, I gave myself a lot
intelligent face, a certain je ne sais
of space and time away from
qua about his smile, which was
men. I moved in with two other
half-indulgent and half-amused,
women and didn’t date anyone
and to his unquestionable
for some time. Before and after
masculine charm, which I found
work, I meditated a lot. In quiet
irresistible. About nine months
moments, I surrendered to the
later, I met my partner of many
longing for a loving relationship,
years now who pretty much
allowing my imagination to
covers all the qualities I had
flood me with images from
found so irresistible in the man
my subconscious without any
f rom ‘The Portrait of a Casanova,’
intellectual judgement. For
including his male charm and
example, I remembered how
handsomeness.
years earlier I had cut out a picture of a man from the men’s
What I am trying to say here is
magazine section of the Canadian
that I surrendered unconditionally
Maclean’s news magazine. I even
to my longing and was brutally
remembered the name of the
honest with myself. I didn’t
article, ‘The Portrait of a Casanova.’
pretend that I wanted a ‘family man’ or whatever my friends told
‘That’s interesting,’ I thought
me I should be looking for. I let
at the time. Then I let myself
myself long for my idea of a new
wonder what it was about the
man and indulged in that longing.
man that I found so attractive. This man was a bit of a rebel in his
This does not mean that playing
profession, a psychoanalyst who
Radha always brings us what
questioned Freud and definitely
we want. A Radha-person may
his own person. He loved women,
experience a continuous feeling 84
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of longing, the object of which
has forgotten its true purpose and
may not even be identifiable, and
source.
where this feeling is a sense of something absolutely essential
However, as an archetype, Radha
that’s missing in our lives. It’s
has her longing rewarded one way
important to remember that
or another. She eventually merges
this longing can be sublime,
with the beloved or internalizes
as long as it doesn’t lead to
the beloved and transforms
depression, a constant nostalgia
herself because of the love and
or even whinging. Ideally, it can
devotion, fulfilled or not, that she
be transformed into a merging
feels. Ultimately, her longing is her
with the transcendental, with the
method and her liberation.
divine heart itself. In the Catholic tradition Teresa of Avila, a 16th-
into this category.
• EROS AS A ROMANTIC TRAP: THE EXPERIENCE OF APHRODITE AND RADHA
On a more practical level, this
The erotic trap happens whenever
longing can also be transmuted
we become addicted to Eros. This
into identification with a higher
can happen in two ways. Once Eros
goal or a good cause of some
withers, we either move on from
kind, such as the feeling of being
one relationship to another with
protective toward animals, trees,
the hope that the new beginning,
children, or some humanitarian
the new person, can bring the
goal of another kind. From my
sweet and exciting feeling of Eros
spiritual mentor, I have learned
back, or we hold onto the person
that all feelings are a permeation
with whom Eros entered our lives
of divine love. Even the ‘lowest’ or
in a strong and powerful way.
century Spanish saint, and in the Hindu tradition Anandamayi Ma, a 20th-century saint, probably fall
most ‘negativity’ feelings (such as sadness, anger or frustration)
Either way is a trap. In the first
are just a form of divine love that
case, we move forever from one 85
THE OTHER GODDESS
partner to another in our search
all boundaries and judgements,
for Eros, which meets us only
in the seductive promise of an
briefly— and the more we
erotic high and the mysterious
move on, the less Eros cares to
longing that fired up my soul. But
manifest for us. In the second
I was also an Aphrodite, deluded
scenario, we become a romantic
by her own power. I walked into
slave to another in the false
the trap of Eros believing I could
belief that this other will bring
control not only Eros itself, but
us the sweet experience of Eros,
also the outcome of the romance.
which is both deeply erotic and
I believed I could control the
spiritual. In both cases, we forget
powerful attraction and not
that the experience of Eros
respond to it again after the first
is within us—that we are the
encounter. ‘One night,’ I thought,
constant factor, not the other
‘that’s it.’ That night lasted seven
person. But in not knowing it is
years.
we who trigger the experience of Eros within us, we falsely
I could have walked away, but
believe it comes from them.
I didn’t. Willingly, impatiently,
We become a willing addict, a
hungrily, I fell into his body. I fell
willing slave.
into the sweetest darkness of desire. Devouring and predatory,
In my life, I have fallen into that
sweet death by desire—no one
trap once. Instead of theorizing
should underestimate its power.
about it, I will describe how it felt, as I have written it and
Desire is not just lust. It is a
published it in many stories.
profound awakening to the
Once upon a time, as a woman
longings hidden in our soul.
in her mid-30s, I met a man
It defies all obstacles, all
who triggered the experience
prohibitions. It’s a mysterious force
of my own Eros. I was a Radha
more delicious than anything
because I was delighted
society can offer as a bribe to stay
in the suspended state of
away. It rules our whole being. We
consciousness that overrides
are captive and want to stay so. 86
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Dr Joanna Kujawa is an author, scholar, spiritual detective, and author of her bestselling book The Other Goddess: Mary Magdalene and the Goddesses of Eros and Secret Knowledge. As an active academic for over 20 years, she uses her scholarly training to investigate topics other academics often pass over, such as: Can spirituality and sexuality be experienced as one? Who was the real Mary Magdalene? Is there a lineage of Goddesses now resurfacing in our collective experience of spirituality? joannakujawa.com
Even lust is a slave to desire. We lust more because we desire even more, because we want to quench the desire, because it gets us closer to the desire, because we can feel the desire at its peak and hope it will last forever—that we will live forever wanting more of the same sweetness, the same pain. We hope the insane longing will keep the desire eating at us like a strange, painful ecstasy that has to be satisfied but never will be. But we do not believe it. We think we will have this one night, and that the next day we will leave it behind and do what we have always done—travel, study, write. Just this one night of surrender to desire, we think. But we do not know what this means, except that it looks us in our eyes and asks, Do you dare to play with me? This is the trap of Eros, seductive in its beauty and dangerous in its power.
END OF EXCERPT 87
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