The role of the goddess in history and lore is vast and multifaceted, spanning across various cultures, religions, and epochs. The depiction and significance of goddesses have evolved, reflecting the values, beliefs, and societal structures of their respective cultures. They have been revered for their power, wisdom, fertility, and as protectors, among other attributes. Here's an overview of how goddesses have thrived and survived in historical and mythical narratives:

1. Representation and Worship

Fertility and Motherhood: In ancient societies, goddesses often embodied fertility and motherhood, crucial for the survival and prosperity of communities. The Earth Mother or Mother Goddess archetypes, seen in figures like Gaia in Greek mythology or Parvati in Hinduism, represent the earth's fertility and the nurturing aspect of nature.

Wisdom and Warfare: Goddesses like Athena in Greek mythology and Saraswati in Hinduism symbolize wisdom, arts, and learning. In contrast, goddesses such as Sekhmet (Egyptian) and Kali (Hindu) embody the fierceness of battle and protection, showing that goddesses could embody both creation and destruction.

Nature and Elements: Many cultures worshipped goddesses associated with natural elements and phenomena, such as storms, rivers, and harvests. These deities were believed to control these aspects of nature, and their favor was sought for good harvests, protection from natural disasters, and ensuring the balance of the natural world.

2. Cultural Integration and Syncretism

Adaptation to Societal Changes: Goddesses thrived in cultures that valued divine femininity and maternal figures. Over time, as societies evolved and new religions and cultural influences emerged, the roles and stories of goddesses adapted. This adaptability allowed for the survival of goddess worship in various forms, even as dominant religious and societal paradigms shifted.

Syncretism: The blending of different religious and cultural traditions often led to the integration of goddesses from various pantheons into a singular or harmonized religious practice. This syncretism allowed for the preservation and transformation of goddess worship, contributing to its resilience across different epochs and cultures.

3. Mythology and Modern Interpretations

Symbolic Significance: In mythology, goddesses often symbolize fundamental human concerns and natural phenomena. Their stories, embodying universal themes of life, death, rebirth, love, and conflict, continue to resonate with people across generations, ensuring their relevance and survival in cultural narratives.

Modern Revival and Feminism: The rise of modern feminist movements has led to a renewed interest in goddess cultures as symbols of female empowerment, wisdom, and independence. This revival has brought goddesses from the periphery to the center in some spiritual practices, highlighting their enduring influence and adaptability.

In summary, the role of the goddess in history and lore is a testament to the enduring power and complexity of female divinity. Through their ability to adapt to societal changes, embody universal themes, and inspire modern movements, goddesses have thrived and survived in the collective human consciousness, continuing to be a source of inspiration, reverence, and study.

 

The Human Condition

.... we are all human and suffer from the human condition.  None of us can escape it.  

We try to live better, to be better to accept others as they are. 

But we do not. 

We judge.  

We try to see the world for what it is and not for what we imagine it to be. 

We do not. 

We instead retain our rose-colored glasses and choose to see the world in the manner most convenient to the truths we have accepted. 

We try to be our best selves.

Sometimes. 

At other times, we act in a manner that is the most self-serving for the moment.  

We are insensitive to our fellow travelers while expecting others to see things from our perspective. 

we suffer from selfishness, are myopic, and cruel. 

We try to do better. 

But we do not change.  

Because we are all human and suffer from the human condition. 

...many miles many roads I have traveled...leading up to today

So it seems that as time passes the path that I am traveling begins to look like the paths before.  Of course the decor is different, but there is a tinge of familiarity to it, like I've seen this before...not exactly the same story...but finally I am recognizing the terrain.

The "One" does not exist, true happiness is found in mutual Acceptance.

-----this was to be published July 29, 2011 @ 4:13am---- but some how got saved instead.. 


No, it's not 4am, more like 2PM, but I've got something on my mind.

The "One" is a fictional character.

A character that plays out in movies, and in life.

In movies, like the Matrix, the "One" will be there to solve the problems and make things whole, right and just.

In life, we think the one is the only other human being on the planet of 6Billion humans that we are "meant" to make a life with.

We talk the "One" in terms of fate. As though it has somehow been predetermined who that "One" is.

On Romance, I am a bit of a pessimist, an anti-romantic of sense. Perhaps aromantic, like asymptomatic or asexual is a better word, but it looks too much like aromatic...so I'm sticking with "anti." This may likely appear sad to some who are the true romantics. Those wonderful souls that keep the rest of us guessing and hoping that maybe somehow our logic is flawed.

Nonetheless life has taught me this, if I am in fact reading the lesson right, there is no "One."

Yes, this is among my more pessimistic views, but I don't believe there is any "One" right person. The right person is the found among the many that will agree to accept you for who you are. 


 For this to work, you too must accept them for who they are. Faults, shortcomings, idiosyncrasies, and all. When people agree to accept each other, things work out for them. It is that power of agreement that facilitates the environment for harmony. 


 When one looks to the their partner and begins to ache and moan about their imperfections, then there is no way it will work. It can't. They disagree about the fundamental thing, truly loving one another. 


Among the most important parts of love is the acceptance.

This choice is an activation of our free will, and the subsequent choice of mutual acceptance is what formulates an environment of harmony that will allow people to be together. 


We often first learn how to do this with our parents as we become adults. We come into adulthood and recognize their flaws. First, in our adolescence, we're angry because how dare they (as parents) hold us to a higher standard than they maintain. 


But then you realize, they have always been the same person. You loved them before, and you love them now. You accept them for who they are. You love them, it's too hard not to.  (Although some try.)

Everything Changes, and stays the same...

It is amazing how we run through life searching for that one thing or that someone that we think will make us happy.

Sadly this thing and this person is impossible to find.  

Unless..., we look first in the mirror and realize that God created us, and that our happiness and satisfaction does not rest with access to the thing, or our satisfaction with another person's behavior, presence, or lack thereof.

At some point we all just need to accept who we are and where we are, and live happily in that moment with the people that we have.

We have the people because of our choices, and sometimes because of choices of those the came before us.  Unfortunately, and contrary to popular belief,  making other choices will yield  the same characters and these new people will be the same as the old, but  with different faces.   We will have wasted our time, our love, our energy and our life seeking while not living.

Accept, adapt, learn to love and be happy.

It is 7am PST, I am 3 hours late... but I am here and will be for some time to come,

I see you..., and I raise you 10 fold.


Namaste

unwanted guests?

sometimes sadness will come upon you, don't own it if you don't want it.
Let it go...
Let it go.

Sadness need not be with you for long unless you entertain it, let it dance with you and be with you, but why would you invite an ex that hurt you to come into your brand new fresh apartment to remind you of how and why you were hurt, and exactly how it feels..., unless you enjoy it.

So don't enjoy it if you don't want it, and if you don't want sadness to take up housekeeping in your heart, don't let it..

Easier said than done,.... I know.

Try anyway.

Lara Logan

WHY?

Why is the issue about maintaining her privacy?

Why is the issue ONLY about female correspondents? Why is the issue about one gender being stronger or weaker than the other?

WHY?

Why are we not publicizing and promoting the fact that the men who did this are inhumane savages!?!

Why are we not focusing on the fact that throughout the world women are minimized, dehumanized, and denigrated and this is how it is done !?!

Why is there no outcry that this behavior is unacceptable!?!

Oh, right we have to worry about this particular victim and keeping it quiet and under control from the media.

Maybe we need a media frenzy so the questions can be asked about not only what happened in the attack... but MOREOVER:
What makes these men, or any men think it is okay to behave this way!?!

That is the real issue isn't it?
Not just the result, but cause itself....!?!

This was not a private occurrence, it happened in the open in a public square to a public figure...no woman is exempt.

If we continue to impose feelings of shame and allow women to feel as if sexual assault-RAPE is a private issue, the longer the problems of sexual assault-RAPE will continue.

Until it becomes as publicly detestable as cannibalism, the behavior that provokes a group of men in "celebration" to sexually assault-RAPE women will prevail.

Media, do your job; Publicize, criticize, demoralize the attackers.

What has happened here is not a private issue of one woman, it is a very serious deservedly public issue of all women everywhere.

We who have not been personally touched (literally) by this attack like to think we are above it, as we sit in our liberal cities discussing the politics of pensions and street cleaning, but the very serious issue of how humans treat each other is going unaddressed.

Can you tell?... I'm livid.

Chrystan