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Fierce and Beneficent Female Figures and their Evolution from Prehistory into Modern Folkloric Witches and Fairies and their Enduring Iconography

Many Neolithic cultures were equalitarian and matrilocal.  After the migrations of the patriarchal Proto-Indo-Europeans throughout Europe, South Asia, and elsewhere, the cultures and the religions of the indigenous peoples were changed.  “Great”-Goddesses of the life continuum which were worshipped by the indigenous peoples were assimilated into pantheons dominated by male deities.

At this time, the “group”-Goddesses, which would have had many powers and functions in the Neolithic, were likely demoted to fairies and often to witches.  Many of these historic figures had avian characteristics, as did thousands of figurines excavated from the European Neolithic: they had wings and they could fly.  Thus, they carried on some of the attributes of Neolithic female figures.  These groups of female figures may have represented aspects of the divine and often the power of renewal.

Starr Goode will share her knowledge of British and Irish Sheela- na-gigs and their ancient origins; Dawn Work-MaKinne will discuss the Celto-Germanic (and Italic) Three Mothers, with information from her Kore-Award winning doctoral dissertation; Mary Beth Moser will present on Tyrolean Anguane, and Miriam Robbins Dexter will discuss Romanian Zâne, Latvian and Lithuanian Laumas and Raganas, Indic Yogīṇīs and Yakṣīṇīs, and Slavic Vili and Rusalki.

This panel features Kore Award winners Dawn-Work Makinne and Mary Beth Moser, and Sarasvati Nonfiction Book Award winners Miriam Robbins Dexter (2012) and Starr Goode (2018).

WOMAN AND EARTH-CENTERED MYTHOLOGIES;  TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND SACRED KINSHIP BETWEEN WOMEN, PLANTS AND ANIMALS

Joan Marler moderates this important panel for our upcoming conference in March.  Scholars bring the perspective of archaeomythology, which combines archaeological and folklore evidence with information about sacred stories and images.

• Joan Cichon, “Celebrating Goddess, Women, Plants and Animals:  Bronze Age Cretan Iconography as seen through an Archaeomythological Perspective“
• Mara Lynn Keller, “Divine Mistress of Animals in Ancient Greece”
• Susan Moulton, “Unbridling the Past: Reconsidering Animal Imagery in Paleolithic Cave Paintings”
• Elisabeth Sikie, “The Personhood of Nature and an Indigenous Consciousness of Communion Stories of Bees and Glaciers”
• Moderator:  Joan Marler

Indigenous Women’s Resistance: A Model of Embeddedness

Those of us involved in the field of Matriarchal Studies know that around the world, Indigenous women frequently take potent leadership in the resistance movements of their communities, often against extremely unequal and often violent corporate powers such as multinational oil and gas companies, large agribusiness monopolies, and State-sponsored entities who cooperate in the exploitation of land and natural resources. I have long been intrigued by the indomitable strength and fearless courage demonstrated by such women, even though they seem in so many ways to be less fortunate than women in the global North of European ancestry. Where do they get their nerve—their “empowerment”?

I believe the answer is their unbroken connection to Mother Earth or Mother Nature, including the lived experienced that they are part and parcel of Her body and therefore MUST protect the land, water, air, animals, and people—at all costs. And I believe that this “protectors” mindset is part of an ancient, shared experience of all humanity (before patriarchy) as “mother-centered” or matriarchal, valuing peace, harmony, ritual and embeddedness in nature.

Vicki Noble is a feminist healer and wisdom teacher, co-creator of Motherpeace and author of numerous books, including Shakti Woman and The Double Goddess. For decades she has traveled and taught internationally. Her books are translated ad published in various languages. Retired from teaching as a graduate professor in two Women’s Spirituality Masters Programs in California, she teaches regularly in Europe. At home she works as a professional astrologer and healer, adapting Tibetal Bucchist Dakini practices for her Goddess students and holding private intensives in Santa Cruz, California.

Vicki’s presentation at our conference is included in the Matriarchal Studies Panel “Motherhood, Resistance, and Matriarchal Politics.”

Animal Oracles: Divinatory Practices for Tapping Your Inner Wisdom

Seers throughout the ages have used many types of animal, bird, and insect oracles in their divination. For this workshop, we will practice a deuchainn divination employed by the ancient Celts (a chance meeting with a creature, adapted for indoors) as well as animal mudras from India (special Hindu hand positions) as methods for tapping our inner wisdom. Such embodied oracles help us turn inward to develop deep listening, deep vision, and deep sensing of our insight. Opening to our inner depths in this way allows us to set priorities, meet challenges, and find creative solutions. This workshop is an ideal introduction for those who are just beginning to perform oracles as well as an opportunity for those experienced with divination to find fresh inspiration. Come and sink deeply into your inner knowing, fine-tune your life’s trajectory, and renew your connection with Spirit.

Named a “Wisdom Keeper of the Goddess Spirituality Movement” in 2013, Nancy Vedder-Shults, Ph.D, is the author of The World is Your Oracle: Divinatory Practices for Tapping Your Inner Wisdom (Fair Winds Press: 2017). This innovative book presents 40 multicultural techniques, 1/3 visual, 1/3 auditory, and 1/3 kinesthetic. Nancy writes for SageWoman Magazine and Feminism and Religion. One of her articles appears in ASWM’s Proceedings Volume II, Vibrant Voices:  Women, Myth, and the Arts. She also recorded Chants for the Queen Heaven, a CD of Goddess songs from around the world. Learn more at Mama’s Minstrel