A Gift for Her Lady

Sister Guinevere's Deanic Tumblr/E-Shrine.

[gospel-of-our-lady]

“Surely the world of Light is filled with wondrous things and resplendent creatures whose colours are lovely beyond the spectrum of this world.”

- Teachings 2:3:12

[blessedbymaveth]

Hail Mari, Rose without thorns; Comfort of the Fallen. Guide us; lost souls, by the Light of Your Love!🌹💖✨ #spirituality #filianism #religion #deanism #faith #mothergod #divinefeminine #goddess #devotion #prayer #heavenlymother https://www.instagram.com/p/BtxH0Wkgvv3/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=dcw8f6r8lt7o

[greenfatfingers]

The emergence of these flowers is the first wholehearted evidence that winter is on its way out. February is the month of the snowdrop, though in in Scotland it is perhaps more March. Quite when this flower will be out is always uncertain. More and more gardens and woodlands are opening to the public at what they hope will be the best time of year, but anything can happen, including vile conditions on the day. . However, galanthophiles, as they like to call themselves - lovers of galanthus (#snowdrop) - are tough, and they are prepared to spend a few hours of acute discomfort examining minute differences between cultivars. Twenty to 30 new ones appear each year, nearly all arising from chance seedlings. They will flatter the owner by being named after themselves or their spouse, their home or village, or some reference point that means a lot to them but nothing to the rest of us. It’s all a little too easy, or so it seems to me. @ChristopherLloyd . Galanthus nivalis, the snowdrop or common snowdrop, is the best-known and most widespread of the 20 species in its genus, Galanthus. Snowdrops are among the first bulbs to bloom in spring and can form impressive carpets of white in areas where they are native or have been naturalised. . #flower_igers #bestflowerspics #igscflowers #flowerlovers #florals #instablooms #quintaflower #blossom #wp_flower #flower_daily #flowerstagram #flower #flowerpower #flowerstalking #mygarden #floral #flowersofinstagram #spring #floweroftheday #flowers #flower_beauties_ #snowdrops #flowers_super_pics #flowermagic #flowerslovers #flowerpot #total_flowers #花 #superb_flowers (at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtVvnERl5La/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=a77xj3chh11l

[rhosyn-o-magdalene]

Help

I visited the temple of my heart and was horrified to discover how dirty I had let it become. There were mountains of dust on the floor and cobwebs coated up walls.How could I have let it fall into this state? I took up a broom and began to sweep.

Then came a knock at the door. I took a glance out the window.

It was Our Lady, in Her robe of purest white, donning the crystal crown shining upon her head. She was here. Now! At the worst of times!

Panicking, I failed to answer. Instead I swept faster and more frantic. I pretended that I was not in, hoping she might come back when it was worthy of Her presence.

“Please let me in, my Child.” She called, softly.

Because of course She knew I was there.

Tears in my eyes, I swept and tidied and scrubbed. All to no avail. My hands were red raw. Still, She stood there, waiting for me. I knew that She would not leave.

Giving in, I opened the door to my neglected temple.

“Kyria,” I wept in shame and fell to my knees; “Forgive me. I didn’t expect you so soon. The place is such a mess!”

But sweet Anna laughed, kindly, and picked up a broom.

“Why do you think I came? Did you think I would leave you to make it ready on your own?” She grinned and took my hand; “Come, my daughter. Let’s work together.”

[underhermantle]

I love this!

[underhermantle]

Last night I visited my heart temple & saw this statue in my mind of the Mother Mari and Daughter Anna. Mari stands behind Anna, taller than Her, with Her hands on Her shoulders. Mari is haloed by the sun and Anna is haloed by the moon. In Anna’s hands, the earth. It was such a beautiful statue. Was thinking I could commission someone to draw it in full colour but I have no idea how much it’d be.

[underhermantle]

I think (some) pagans don’t realise that Deanists aren’t pagan. We’re Deanists. Therefore when you try to see us through a Pagan lens a lot of our beliefs aren’t going to make sense. Yes, some of us align ourselves with paganism (likely because a lot of Deanists are witches, etc) but Deanism as a whole, especially Filianism, isn’t pagan.

[rhosyn-o-magdalene]

Paganism is a loose enough term that there’s nothing wrong with Déanists who feel they do identify with it; as not all forms of Paganism are polytheistic or pantheistic. But you’re right; Déanism itself is not inherently Pagan anymore than Hinduism is (even though they probably were called as such by Christians in the past). I still have a lot of ‘pagan feels’ myself, as I love to connect to the Daughter’s spirit which runs through all of Creation.

It seems to be mainly those who are hard polytheists or pantheists that struggle to grasp the concept of how we view Déa. Which is fine, we don’t ask anyone to try to be Déanists if it doesn’t feel right to them. You believe how you believe and let us do the same.

[underhermantle]

Out of curiosity, what forms of paganism are there that are not pantheistic or polytheistic? In my mind those were the two types of pagan religions that exist. But yes, wonderful addition, thank you sorella <3

[underhermantle]

I think (some) pagans don’t realise that Deanists aren’t pagan. We’re Deanists. Therefore when you try to see us through a Pagan lens a lot of our beliefs aren’t going to make sense. Yes, some of us align ourselves with paganism (likely because a lot of Deanists are witches, etc) but Deanism as a whole, especially Filianism, isn’t pagan.

[rhosyn-o-magdalene]

Paganism is a loose enough term that there’s nothing wrong with Déanists who feel they do identify with it; as not all forms of Paganism are polytheistic or pantheistic. But you’re right; Déanism itself is not inherently Pagan anymore than Hinduism is (even though they probably were called as such by Christians in the past). I still have a lot of ‘pagan feels’ myself, as I love to connect to the Daughter’s spirit which runs through all of Creation.

It seems to be mainly those who are hard polytheists or pantheists that struggle to grasp the concept of how we view Déa. Which is fine, we don’t ask anyone to try to be Déanists if it doesn’t feel right to them. You believe how you believe and let us do the same.

[underhermantle]

I think (some) pagans don’t realise that Deanists aren’t pagan. We’re Deanists. Therefore when you try to see us through a Pagan lens a lot of our beliefs aren’t going to make sense. Yes, some of us align ourselves with paganism (likely because a lot of Deanists are witches, etc) but Deanism as a whole, especially Filianism, isn’t pagan.

[underhermantle]

Would just like to give a shout-out to whoever runs @gospel-of-our-lady. It’s so nice to have a constant stream of scripture in the tags. Keep up the good work <3

[rhosyn-o-magdalene]

You’re welcome!

Also want to add it is a collective blog. So if anyone wants to help out by posting quotes (or even better, image quotes, for Filianic artists out there) they are welcome to join.

[underhermantle]

I had no idea it was you Rose! I was wondering :') And I just might ❤️

[theraccolta]

Creator Spirit all Divine,

Come, visit every soul of Thine,

And fill with Thy celestial flame

The hearts which Thou Thyself didst frame.

[hail-our-heavenly-princess]

Requirements for being a Deanist

I have seen some confusion lately on what beliefs are deanist and which ones arent. I also think Deanism is becoming much too broad of an umbrella term. Deanism has very specific meaning and beliefs that differentiate from other goddess faiths. Very very few religions are truly Deanic, and that’s okay.

For one to be a deanist, you *must* agree on *all* of the following:

1. God is wholly good (omnibenevolent).

2. God is transcendent

3. God is immanent within creation, but doesn’t exist as a physical being. (God is not the universe itself/we do not worship Gaia)

4. God is wholly and exclusively Feminine, in name, form, and pronouns.

5. God exists in and of Herself. She has no consort. One can be a deanist and believe that other gods exist, but they can not be equal to God the Mother.

6. God the Mother is heavenly and Solar.

7. God is all-powerful

8. God is all-knowing

This isn’t meant to disrespect anyone’s beliefs. If you disgrace with these key points, that is quite alright. Do what feels is right in your own heart. Dea is different to different people who worship Her, I only wish to express what makes Deanism “Deanism”.

May She be with you always

[rhosyn-o-magdalene]

Amadéa.

[what-anna-loves]

Questions though about seven and eight? Like, what if you just can’t (or don’t) believe in an all good AND all powerful Being?

[blessedbymaveth]

Hmmm…My guess is since those are the last requirements listed, they are the least to worry about so to speak.

[blessedishername]

I would consider seven and eight essential. They are expounded in both Scripture and Matristic tradition but, moreover (from the standpoint of the general Déanist) they are universally part of the formal, “orthodox” theology of all the major theistic world religions. Outside the work of a relatively small number of avant garde, postwar Western theologians, an entity that is not both omnipotent and omnibenevolent is, definitionally, not God.

[rhosyn-o-magdalene]

What @blessedishername said, pretty much. It’s another point which separates Déanism from just general “goddess worshipper”. If you can’t or don’t believe that Déa is wholly good then you’re not a Déanist - and that’s okay! :)

[wanderingalonelypath]

But Filianists follow the scripture…..not all Deanists do? Tell me if I have this wrong, but I was under the impression that Deanism was an umbrella term, and some traditions under it follow the scripture, but not all of them?

[rhosyn-o-magdalene]

That’s true, not all Déanists follow the Filianic scriptures, but that’s why Race expanded on the point beyond that about the theology of most of the recognised “orthodox” religions who believe in God as benevolent.

I feel it might be a way to safeguard Déanism from being mixed in with people who see their Goddess as amoral or emotionally detached. Or at worst those who believe the Goddess is completely malevolent and guides them to harm others.

[what-anna-loves]

Welp. That means I’m not actually a Déanist then?

Though, my problem isn’t that I don’t think God is wholly benevolent. I absolutely think She is. Which for me calls in to question the idea of Her omnipotence. If She is all benevolent, and all powerful, She would both want to and be able to stop unnecessary suffering. Unnecessary suffering exists, therefore…either She’s either not omnibenevolent or not omnipotent. Since my experience is of Her love, the option I’m leaning toward is “not all powerful”.

Crap. If I’m not actually orthodox enough to be a Déanist, can I still hang out with y’all? Lol. You guys are really cool.

[blessedishername]

I guess one question is, how would a finite being judge what suffering is “unnecessary”? But, as Miss Sushuri Novaranya once wrote,

“Realisation [ie Enlightenment] is not easy. But love is easy. Love cannot really answer the theodicy problem (the problem of evil and the existence of an all-powerful, all-compassionate God). Part of the problem of the late Rajasic world was that questions were posed to exoteric religion that only esotericism (that is to say, Realisation) can answer. And by that time esotericism was long dead in Western religion. …

“The traditional advice, therefore, is to put aside both esotericism and the theodicy problem and simply surrender ourselves to Dea, knowing that She understands everything, that She knows infinitely better than we do and that she is our Compassionate Mother who loves us unconditionally.

“This is spiritual advice, not intellectual. I am certainly not suggesting that we cease discusion of these matters. In fact I think such discussion is very beneficial and hope you will all continue to contribute questions and comments.”

(https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/AristasianSpirituality/conversations/messages/11)

[what-anna-loves]

@blessedishername I suspect Miss Sushuri Novaranya’s advice is wise. Thanks for sharing. It surely makes as much sense as any when dealing with the problem of human evil, at least—acts people commit that boggle the mind with their brutality and callousness. Perhaps surrender is something to which I should aspire. I’m just pretty sure I’m not there, at least not yet?

And it’s so weird. I find that I switch back and forth between two modes—sometimes (wanting to) trust/surrender implicitly and sometimes intellectualize as I did above. It’s confusing. (Though, consensus reality itself is often confusing.)

In the meantime, I have some praying to do about what I consistently, actually believe. And then how to identify.

Thanks, @daughter-of-sophia for your continued welcome. I’m happy to know I still have a sorrella.

[blessedishername]

@sophia-is-love I am often grateful for the experiences I had growing up around a Jewish community, where the tradition has long stressed that we grow closer to God not so much by having answers as by coming together to seek them earnestly. It has always reassured me to see the same spirit honoured in the Matristic writings and I hope that we, as a community, will continue to be able to maintain it.

[hail-our-heavenly-princess]

Requirements for being a Deanist

I have seen some confusion lately on what beliefs are deanist and which ones arent. I also think Deanism is becoming much too broad of an umbrella term. Deanism has very specific meaning and beliefs that differentiate from other goddess faiths. Very very few religions are truly Deanic, and that’s okay.

For one to be a deanist, you *must* agree on *all* of the following:

1. God is wholly good (omnibenevolent).

2. God is transcendent

3. God is immanent within creation, but doesn’t exist as a physical being. (God is not the universe itself/we do not worship Gaia)

4. God is wholly and exclusively Feminine, in name, form, and pronouns.

5. God exists in and of Herself. She has no consort. One can be a deanist and believe that other gods exist, but they can not be equal to God the Mother.

6. God the Mother is heavenly and Solar.

7. God is all-powerful

8. God is all-knowing

This isn’t meant to disrespect anyone’s beliefs. If you disgrace with these key points, that is quite alright. Do what feels is right in your own heart. Dea is different to different people who worship Her, I only wish to express what makes Deanism “Deanism”.

May She be with you always

[rhosyn-o-magdalene]

Amadéa.

[what-anna-loves]

Questions though about seven and eight? Like, what if you just can’t (or don’t) believe in an all good AND all powerful Being?

[blessedbymaveth]

Hmmm…My guess is since those are the last requirements listed, they are the least to worry about so to speak.

[blessedishername]

I would consider seven and eight essential. They are expounded in both Scripture and Matristic tradition but, moreover (from the standpoint of the general Déanist) they are universally part of the formal, “orthodox” theology of all the major theistic world religions. Outside the work of a relatively small number of avant garde, postwar Western theologians, an entity that is not both omnipotent and omnibenevolent is, definitionally, not God.

[rhosyn-o-magdalene]

What @blessedishername said, pretty much. It’s another point which separates Déanism from just general “goddess worshipper”. If you can’t or don’t believe that Déa is wholly good then you’re not a Déanist - and that’s okay! :)

[parthenogenon]

If you don’t mind me asking, why do you worship the sun, but not the earth? Is there any part of Deanism (or a similar tradition/belief, like the kind people keep confusing with Deanism) which considers dark on par with light, e.g. with equal awe/consideration for night, the rest of space, etc. ?

[radfem-deanic-witches]

We don’t actually worship the physical sun or anything in the universe, but we do believe that the sun was created to represent God the Mother, so it’s a symbol rather than actually being Her, as She is pure Spirit and exists beyond time and space, beyond the universe as our Heavenly Mother.

[parthenogenon]

I think that’s the first time I’ve ever heard of a something created to stand for a deity, rather than it being the deity itself, or an idol created by believers. I kind of like that concept.

Thank you!! :)

[radfem-deanic-witches]

You’re very welcome!

And for the Light/Dark thing, I think it’s important to mention that although our Mother is pure Light, the Dark Mother is the darkness that existed before the Light of Our Mother. She is hailed as “Dark beyond the Light and Light beyond the Dark. ” I have often seen it that Goddesses such as Nuit/Nut and also space itself, the dark night sky etc have been used to represent the Dark Mother.

[rhosyn-o-magdalene]

+1 to what @radfem-deanic-witches said. Also just wanted to note that, while we don’t ‘worship’ the sun or the earth or any physical creation - the earth is still valued in Déanism/Filianism, as are all Her inhabitants. We just don’t view Her as the ‘great mother’, but rather as our scripture says it;

“Walk gently on the earth, for the earth is thy sister. And the creatures thereof are thy kin.” - Heart of Water, verse 3.

So she’s like our Big Sis, rather than Mother (who is symbolised by the Sun but not actually the sun if I’m making sense).

[underhermantle]

I think one of the biggest misunderstandings between ourselves and earth worshipping goddessians/pagans is that we do not worship the earth, the sun, or the moon. Because that is such a big part of the aforementioned religions a lot of people seem to have a hard time grasping that we view them in a symbolic manner rather than actually believing they are our deities.

[underhermantle]

So considering many of us use the ECE version of the scriptures now, is it appropriate to refer to Dea as ‘The Goddess’ more frequently? Is that considered Orthodox? Not really sure what I’m asking. Just that I consider myself somewhere in between being Chapel Orthodox and somewhat Madrian (as much as I can be considering I wasn’t there at its conception and it’s not really a thing any more) so I was wondering which version of the Scriptures I should be using. I don’t know. Thoughts?

[blessedishername]

Which version of the Scriptures to use is a personal choice, of course. I will say that the 4th edition ECE (due out this month) removes all instances of ‘the Goddess’ in favour of 'Dea’, because evidence obtained since the 3rd edition was published indicates that use of 'the Goddess’ was almost certainly not original in the text.

[underhermantle]

That’s interesting. Do you know why the Madrians changed God to The Goddess? Was it to appeal to a wider audience (pagans)?

[underhermantle]

Would just like to give a shout-out to whoever runs @gospel-of-our-lady. It’s so nice to have a constant stream of scripture in the tags. Keep up the good work <3

[underhermantle]

An idea: some sort of tool that can convert the profane/secular dates to Filianic dates. I struggle with this and I think many others do too so it’d be a good idea.

[underhermantle]

So considering many of us use the ECE version of the scriptures now, is it appropriate to refer to Dea as ‘The Goddess’ more frequently? Is that considered Orthodox? Not really sure what I’m asking. Just that I consider myself somewhere in between being Chapel Orthodox and somewhat Madrian (as much as I can be considering I wasn’t there at its conception and it’s not really a thing any more) so I was wondering which version of the Scriptures I should be using. I don’t know. Thoughts?

[underhermantle]

I’m starting my new faith journal soon. Kind of like a Book of Shadows for Wiccans & other Witches, but with Filianic stuff: the Wheel of the Year, the catechism, the creed, the Janati, scripture analysis, quotes from the Matrisics and all of you lovelies, hymn lyrics, prayers, etc. Does anyone else keep anything like this?