Due to Valentine’s Day blogs and hashtags, a friend learned of the ancient Roman ritual of Lupercalia shared her newfound enthusiasm for it with me. Trusting History.com’s version, this friend somewhat facetiously suggested that we might all want to reinstate Lupercalia instead of engaging in … continue reading »
Category: Mythology
Late Winter Hibernation
A type of hibernation stealthily and persistently came over me in late winter. This was not hibernation of the warm, cozy cave, but rather the sinking into the earth, the mud, the hibernation of moistness cradled in mud. Aquatic frog hibernation, not grizzly or black … continue reading »
Sacred Vulvas and Female History: Interview with Starr Goode
Wow! Holy Sacred Vulvas, Catwoman! It’s not even women’s history month yet, but as we know riches of women’s history are surfacing all over the place in January. Continuing on with the theme of sacred vulvas, I’m happy to offer the content of a phone … continue reading »
Sheela Na Gig Book Review
Right before the historic Women’s Marches, I’m thrilled to be celebrating women both present and past, both sacred and “profane,” and through our shared physical selves and our shared sacred heritage. Today, I offer my review of the new book, Sheela Na Gig: The Dark … continue reading »
A Reminder of Our Inner Power
On Wednesday,the day after the results of the 2016 election—a true hump day for me (suddenly mountains of dread seemed to be everywhere)—I had to be with friends. I couldn’t be alone in my house; alone to stare at the enormity of looming consequences that … continue reading »
Language of Patriarchy, Part 1
The language of patriarchy is distinct, unmistakable, and thus, most importantly, recognizable. Patriarchal language reveres and enshrines double-talk, spin, lies, vitriol, deceit, and deception. Patriarchal language shows itself by being itself: demeaning, debasing, hateful, angry, vulgar, ugly, racist, violent, taunting, controlling, bullying, objectifying, tyrannical, vile, … continue reading »
Research Paper Presentation
This week, I’m off to the University of Idaho to present my research paper, “Cloths of Fate: Inter-weavings of Finnic Goddess Embroidery with Ancestry and Mythology” at the annual meeting of the Pacific Northwest Region American Academy of Religions, Society of Biblical Literature, andAmerican Schools … continue reading »
Stitching Together My Own Female History
o continue our mutual celebration of Women’s History month, in today’s post I’m sharing a particular portion of my own family’s female history. One pair of my great-grandparents through my mother’s line were Finnish. Another pair of great-grandparents through my father’s line were Hungarian.
In … continue reading »
Minoan goddesses & women
Women’s History Month Focus: Minoan females
ontinuing the celebration of all things wonderfully female, both historically and prehistorically, the featured image is from the island of Crete. The ancient civilization of the Minoans (as we now call them) was very women centered. From archaeological finds, … continue reading »
Chinese moon & sun goddesses
ebruary 8th marks the rise of the new moon as well as the start of the Chinese New Year for 2016. Following a luni-solar calendar, Chinese peoples will again celebrate the New Year for 15 consecutive days (a lunar number combined with solar days). The … continue reading »