Level I Final Project


Part A


Choosing a Goddess.

Congratulations! You've made it half-way through Level I. Now the time has come to
start researching for you final Level I project: a web page dedicated to the Goddess of
your choice. Don't worry, no web skills are necessary. All you need to do is submit your
material to me and I will package it for you. (If you do possess web skills, however, I will
ask you to design your own page, and I will host it here.)



So let's get started! The first step is to choose a Goddess you would like to research.
Hopefully our studies to date in 365 Goddess and in Once and Future Goddess have
brought your attention to at least one Goddess you would like to learn more about. If
you are deliberating between a few Goddesses, you might want to start on Part B to see
what information is available. This may help you decide.

Back to the Top

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part B

Researching Your Goddess.
You won't need more than 5 - 7 paragraphs of material. That may sound like a lot, but
once you read each part of this assignment, you'll see that your project will fill up
quickly. You will probably have more than enough material to use rather than too little.
This is good -- it allows you to choose the very best information for your page. (Read
Part D before you begin your research.)

Your research can take place in at least 3 ways, and you should explore every avenue
available to you: books, the web, and people you know.

Books.
Start with the books you have at home. Both 365 Goddess and Once and Future
Goddess contain an index at the back. Search for your Goddess there. Next, start
pulling books off your shelves. Any luck? Finally try the library. A university library would
be the best bet. Even if you don't have borrowing privileges there, you can skim, take
notes, and photocopy pages of interest.

The Web.
A good place to start searching for information about your Goddess is on the Links page
of our school site. A search through Yahoo or one of the other search engines is bound
to turn up a lot of pages as well -- the real task will be wading through the junk to find
worthwhile material.

People You Know.
Ask myself or any Goddess-friends who live near  you as well. That way you can sneak a peak at their books too and wealth of information too.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part C
What should your project include?

Your project should include: background information about your Goddess, what is
sacred to her, a ritual dedicated to her, 1-3 images of her, and some original art that
you've created. (Don't panic! Read on.) You may also want to include some links to
related sites on the web, but this is optional.

Background Information.
You should mention the culture and era your Goddess originated in, any other
Goddesses she's associated with, any particular influences she's had on culture or art
or religion, how she was worshiped in her time, any festivals associated with her, and so
forth.

Sacred to Her.
Mention any foods, colors, elements, seasons, aspects of human life (birth, death,
marriages), animals, stones, regions (and so forth) that are associated with her or
sacred to her.

Ritual.
Either find or write a ritual dedicated to her. Be sure to state the purpose of the ritual,
any materials needed, the best time for it to be performed, and at least one chant to
use. If you write this ritual yourself, this can be counted as your "original art." Just let me
know when you submit your material. If your ritual is not original, be sure to credit the
author.

Images.
Sacred Source, formerly JBL Statues, has (clearly) given permission for their images to
be used on our webpages. So borrow at will! You may find other images on the web,
either on "free graphics" pages or on someone else's site. As with everything here, be
sure to credit your sources AND be sure to get permission to use any images from
someone else's website. Offer to link their page under the image.

If you are creating a tangible art piece (see next section), you will need to include an
image of that as well. If you have access to a scanner, you can scan your art. Or you
can take a picture and have it developed onto disk. If neither of these options is
available, you can take a picture, send it to me, and I will scan it for you.  

If you are skilled at creating graphics, your original Goddess graphic can count as your
"original art."

Original Art.
Your original art can be anything that you create: a garden patch dedicated to your
Goddess, a dish that you bake, an altar, a drawing, a poster, a statue, a wallhanging, a
dress, a chant, a poem, a ritual, a blessing. If your art is not written, you will need to
provide a photograph or a scanned image so that it can be included in your page. Just
let me know, when you submit your material, which part is your original contribution. And
be sure to relate your creation to the rest of your material. You may need to write a
paragraph describing your project.

Links (optional).
If you include a list of links on your page, make sure they are quality links. Select them
carefully, and direct readers to the exact URL that contains the relevant info, not just to
the main page. Be sure you include the title of the site and a brief description with each
URL, and please be sure you copy the URLs correctly.






--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Part D

Crediting Sources.

I cannot over-emphasize the need to credit your sources. It is of utmost importance to
follow the guidelines listed below when researching and presenting your material. Be
sure to take careful notes on which sources your info comes from, and on which
information is a direct quote, so you can credit the source on your page!

Any words taken directly from a source must be marked with quotation marks AND
credited to that source directly following the quote. For example: "Inanna is one of the
most ancient Goddess es in recorded history," according to Gadon in The Once and
Future Goddess. (If this gets cumbersome, you can use footnotes to refer to your
sources rather than writing out the source each time.)

Minimize the amount of direct quotes you use. Instead, put the information into your own
words. But please note that FACTS and IDEAS also need to be cited by source, unless
you've found the same fact or idea in at least 3 places. For example: Although scholars
debate the date of Inanna's origin, in The Once and Future Goddess, Gadon states that
she is one of the earliest known Goddesses.

You MUST obtain permission to use any material (written or visual) from someone else's
website. Look for the email addresses of the webmaster, and write for permission. State
the nature of this project and who will be able to view it (school members only or the
public), and offer to include a link back to their page directly by the material you use.
Start early, because if you can't obtain permission in time, you can't use the material.
Graphics obtained from a "free site" are the only exception to this rule.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part E

Submitting your material.

Feel free to contact me with any questions you have along the way. I am happy to offer
suggestions and advice. When you are ready to submit your material, please follow
these guidelines.

Electronic format.
Submit as much of your material in electronic format as possible (images and words.)
Word Perfect or MS Word are the preferred word-processing programs, but even email
is better than snail mail. If you do need to send something by snail mail, send it early.

Proofreading.
Check it once, check it twice, SPELL CHECK!!!!! After you spell check, set your page
aside and read it again the next day to spot any errors you missed. Also, please, please
put plenty of space between your paragraphs -- do not send one long page of text
without any breaks!

Whew! I think that about wraps it up. When you're ready, mark your files as "final
project" and send them in.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
END

Namaste My Dear Sister!
Please e-mail me with any concerns or questions!
 

Things you will need to making your drum: Spritzer bottle filled with water, frame, skin, lacings, old towel and a pair of scissors and painters tape.

Instructions:

1- Gather together everything you will need to make your drum in one place.

2- Make holes in your drum skin {See instructions below}

3- Soak your skin, lacings and inner circle for at least 3-5 hours.

4- Take your skin and one set of lacings, and pat off access water with a towel.

5- Lay the skin smooth side down on the towel and place the frame in the middle.

6- Now place the lacing circle in the middle of the frame and untie your lacings,

7- Cut both ends of your lacings into a point so they slide easier into the holes in your drum.

 Making holes in your skin

You may have noticed that all of the holes are in many drums come in sets of two, this is to give the drum extra stretch without tearing, two holes are stronger then one. 

If you skin does not have holes you will need to use make them yourself. This is pretty easy to you. You will need a hammer a nail, and a piece of wood that it is ok to poke through.

You will need to make sets of two holes together all around your skin like the image below. There is no set number of holes just try to space them evenly. like this . .       . .         . .         . . each set of holes approx 4-4.5/5" inches apart and approx 21 sets of holes.

Once this is done: 

Begin by poking one end of your lacing through one of the holes from the outside of the skin and then back inward through the other hole. 

Now tie a knot on the outside of the skin quite tightly. It is important not to have a knot on the inside of the skin as it will make the drum sound funny once it dries.

Now take your lacing and bring it up over the drum and inside the frame and lace it into the circle lacing that is sitting there. 

 first inside the first hole, and back through the second hole, and then back up into the hoop etc....

 Try to keep the hoop centered while you lace it loosely, use your water spritzer bottle if the lacings or drum begins to get dry.

 This process may take a second set of lacings, so just tie a god knot into the first lacing with a second set and complete your work.

 Once you have gone all the way around like you see here, you will be ready to begin tightening your lacings.

 This is best done at a table where you can really see what you are doing or with a partner if possible. 

Find the beginning set of holes and start to pull the lacings a little tighter, not too much at first or it will make your inner circle off center. Slowly make your way around the drum pulling your lacings and making sure that your inner circle is staying in the center as much as possible.

This is the hardest part of making a drum, so be patient with yourself. Try not to pull too hard on the lacings, you do not want to break them, but if you do no need to worry, just tie the two pieces back together and continue on. Once they dry they will be as hard as rock.

Once you have gone around 2-3 times tightening and feel that everything is nice and tight and your circle is as centered as it is going to get you are finished.

Please note: your drum will still feel "loose-ish" this is ok, as it tightens quite a bit as it dries!

 Now that you are done:

Take some painters tape and go all around the outside of your drum so that the edges stay flat while they are drying. painters tape is important because it will not leave any sticky residue on your skin after you take it off--most other tapes will.

You will now need to make a handle  for your drum.

Take some of your extra lacings and tie one of them to the top of your inner circle and then back down the the other side and repeat this a few times, until you like the feel and size of it.

Once this is done you can loop around the do the two sides wrapping and looping in any way that you like. Once it is to your liking you can create a middle part by looping around and around in the center again testing it with your hand until it feels comfortable to hold.

You may decide that you eventually want to cover these with soft leather so it is even more comfortable for your hand to hold them.

 Allow your drum to dry for 24 hours sitting up or hanging on the wall before you play it.

 Making your beater:

Take your stick and wool and place the wool around the top portion of the stick, Like to use hot glue to get it on a bit. 

The cover the wool with your leather.

Now take the sinew provided inthe pouch and wind it around the leather until you feel like it is tight enough.

i also like to squeeze hot glue under the leather and around the edges so the top does not fly off during drumming!

It is now ready to decorate.

Welcome to Level I, Week 16

Part A

Spiritual Rebirth.

Congratulations!

You have journeyed through sixteen weeks of lessons to
complete Level I of The White Moon School of the Feminine Divine~

Although you have probably undergone many spiritual rebirths in your life, your
completion of this level will mark a formal rebirth: you are about to become an
Initiate In the Red Moon Mystery School ~ White Moon Traditions !

As soon as I receive this completed lesson and your final project, I will send
you a box in the mail containing your certificate, your white cord, and some
items for performing your initiation ritual at home.
Take a moment now to reflect back on yourself as you began the first lesson.
In what ways have you changed, internally and externally? What is part of
your daily, weekly, and monthly life now that was not part of your life then?
What is no longer a part of your life now that was a part of your life then?
What knowledge and skills have you learned? How are these valuable to
you?

Take a moment to look forward into your future. What would you like to have
more of in your life? What would you like to have less of? What would you
like to stay the same? What are you looking forward to learning and doing in
Levels II and III?

Write 3 – 5 paragraphs expressing your thoughts on these questions.

Part B

Devotions.

Turn to the Topical Index in the back of your 365 Goddess book and find the
topic “rebirth.” This week, read the entries listed there as part of your
devotional reading. Perhaps one of the mini-rituals will inspire you for the
assignment in Part D. Although you won’t have assignments out of 365
Goddess in Level II, I encourage you to continue reading out of this book if
you have found it valuable.

Write a paragraph about your devotions this week.

Part C

Spirituality and Stein.

Read Stein pages 228 – 255, which will finish the book.

Take a moment to reflect on Stein’s book. What have you found there of value
to your spiritual practice, to your own awakening, and to your empowerment
as a spiritual woman? Which of her suggestions have you incorporated into
your practice and into your life?

Make the effort this week (or in the near future) to stock up on some colored
candles and herbs from your tables of correspondence last week.

Write a paragraph with your comments.

Part D

Ritual.

correspondence, design a candle-based mini-ritual for a specific intent in your
life right now. Choose candle colors (and herbs) that reflect your intent.

Write an outline for a ritual.

Part E

Goddess Studies.

In Gadon, read Chapter 16, “Gaia Consciousness”

Take a moment to reflect on Gadon’s book. What have you found there of
value to your spiritual knowledge and practice, to your own awakening, and to
your empowerment as a spiritual woman? In what ways has your own “Gaia
Consciousness” awakened as a result of reading this book?

Write one or two paragraphs on these topics.

Part F

Moon Chart.
What have you discovered as a result of tracking your changes with the Moon
over the last two months? Please write one or two paragraphs summarizing
your discoveries.

Just a reminder: You must submit your finished project in order to complete
Level I. When you send in your research, be sure to note which part is your
original contribution, and also let me know whether you want your page to be
visible to the public or only to school members. Note which name, if any, you
would like listed on your project.
________________________________________

END OF WEEK 16
END OF LEVEL I

Congratulations again Dear One and continuous Blessings on your Path )0(

Welcome to Lesson 15 )0(
White Moon Tradition ( Copyright Luna Blanca )

Part A

Candles & Herbs:
in Meditation, Prayer,
Ritual, and Magick.

The bright burning flame of a candle and the warm rich scent of burning herbs
assist us in our spiritual practice in many ways. Burning a candle or incense for
an intent is an ancient practice, present in nearly every religion. The intent varies
according to the practice. During meditation, a burning candle may calm our
minds and lead us into a meditative state. During prayer, a candle may represent
a specific request. During ritual, a candle may represent an element, a direction,
a goddess, or a quality. During ritual or magick, a candle may represent
something not-yet-manifested that we would like to manifest in our lives.

In what ways do you currently use candles and incense in your spiritual practice?
Take a moment to reflect. Then write a paragraph.

Part B

Devotions.

Turn to the Topical Index in the back of your 365 Goddess book and find the topic
“magic.” This week, read some or all of the entries listed there as part of your
devotional reading. Perhaps one of the mini-rituals will inspire you for the
assignment in Part D.

Write a paragraph about your devotions this week.

Part C

Candle Magick.

Read Stein pages 213 – 228 on “Candle Magick.”

Even if you don’t plan to incorporate magick per se into your spiritual practice, the
information here about candles and herbs can be incorporated in your prayer,
meditation, and ritual. Carefully consider the color and herb correspondences. Do
these correspondences resonate with you? Or do you have different associations
for these colors and herbs? For example, I primarily associate yellow with
happiness and purple with creativity.
For Part C, re-copy the tables of correspondence from this chapter, substituting
your own associations where appropriate. (Don’t neglect to look in your kitchen
cabinets for common herbs in your life! Add your kitchen herbs to your
correspondence tables too.) Write a paragraph.

Part D

Ritual.

Considering your readings in Stein and in 365 Goddess, and your tables of
correspondence, design a ritual for a specific intent in your life right now. Choose
candle colors and herbs that reflect your intent. (Herbs may be burned on
charcoal, burned via a scented candle, or just sprinkled around your ritual space.)

Please write a ritual outline.

Part E

Goddess Studies.

In Gadon, read Chapter 15, “Reclaiming Her Sacred Iconography. . .”

In what ways are YOU an artist or a prophet? (We each fulfill these functions at
some time, in some way.) Write one or two paragraphs on this topic and in
response to the chapter.

Part F

Research Update.

Just a reminder: You now have one week left to complete your final project. You
may send in your finished project any time between now and the end of week 16.
When you send in your research, be sure to note which part is your original
contribution, and also let me know whether you want your page to be visible to the
public or only to school members

END OF WEEK 15
Have a great week sister~
Nikiah

Level I, Week 14
White Moon Tradition ( Copyright Luna Blanca )

Part A

Riding The Wheel of the Year.

The seasons are not only a reflection of the changes in our lives, they are
often the cause of changes in our attitudes and actions. Have you ever
noticed how the changing seasons affect you? In Winter, of course, I dig out
my winter clothes, find the snow shovel, the sidewalk salt, and the ice
scrapper for my car windows. I start making more soups and hot tea. But also,
I find myself going into “hibernation mode.” I want my home to feel very cozy.
I minimize my out-of-home activities. I stock up on good books and St.
John’s Wort to fend off depression. I let myself get more sleep.

What changes do the seasons bring to you? How does your outlook on life
change through the Wheel of the Year? Write a paragraph or two in response.

Part B

Seasonal Devotions.

Turn to the Topical Index in the back of your 365 Goddess book and find the
topic “changes.” This week, read the last 6 entries listed there as part of your
devotional reading. Perhaps one of the mini-rituals will inspire you for the
assignment in Part D.

Write a paragraph about your devotions this week.

Part C

Kitchen Magick.

Find your notes from Part C last week and choose a seasonal dish to bake
this week. You may wish to choose a dish to complement your ritual in Part
D. Be aware of the season, the magickal quality, and your overall intent in
preparing this dish this week. Consider who will eat this dish, and when. This
dish can be a gift for someone else, or it can be for your family and/or
yourself.

Step One. Preparation. Clean your kitchen, or at least a large enough area to
work in. Try rubbing down your counters with a clean-smelling oil or half a
lemon. Lavender, tea-tree, and peppermint oils work nicely for this purpose.
Consider lighting some candles, smudging, or even setting up a mini kitchen
altar. Gather your ingredients, and prepare yourself too. Focus on your intent.

Step Two. Blessing. Bless your ingredients, your dishes, and your utensils.
Imbue them with your intent and with the magickal quality your dish will carry.
For example, perhaps your intent is to bring healing to a friend, and your
dish will carry curative properties. Visualize healthful properties streaming
into your ingredients and tools. Visualize your friend as he or she will appear
in restored health. Try invoking a Goddess to bless your food ritual. Hold
your hands over the ingredients and chant something like this: with every
mouthful you take, health will come in its wake / every swallow of this stew, will
bring healing to you.

Step Three. Cooking. Remain in a meditative state while cooking. Continue
the chant; try variations of it. Hold the visualization in your mind. As you chop
and stir, focus on the properties the food will bring. Keep an atmosphere of
ritual in the kitchen the entire time the food is cooking. (You might want to
unplug the phone!)

Step Four. Enjoy your bounty and share it with others.

Write a 1-2 paragraph description of this experience.

Part D

Season Ritual.

Read Stein chapter 6, “Wheel of the Year II.”

Considering your readings in Stein and in 365 Goddess this week, construct
another ritual for your current season or an upcoming season. Make sure
that your intent is consistent with the seasonal associations. Write an outline
of a future ritual.

Part E

Goddess Studies.

In Gadon, read Chapter 14, “The Resurrection of the Body. . .”
Write one or two paragraphs in response.

Part F

Research Update.

You now have two weeks left to complete your final project. You may send in
your finished project any time between now and the end of week 16. When
you send in your research, be sure to note which part is your original
contribution. Note which name, if any, you would like listed on your project.

Please let me know how you are progressing. Especially notify me of any
problems you have run into.

END OF WEEK 14
Nikiah

Level I, Week 13
White Moon Traditions ( Copyright Luna Blanca )

Part A

Wheel of the Year.

Just as the Moon is a mirror of the changes in our lives, so are the seasons.
New life starts in Spring, mirroring the births and new beginnings in our lives.
Summer brings maturity, ripeness, reflecting our own maturity and creativity.
Autumn brings harvest, a time of gathering in and enjoying the golden bounty
of our crops and of our lives. Winter is both death and the incubation of new
life, reminding us that we will die and be reborn, spiritually and physically.

As you continue paying attention to the Moon and continue charting your
monthly changes, bring your awareness also to the seasons. What emotional
and sensory associations does each season hold for you? Write down your
reflections.

Part B

Seasonal Devotions.

Turn to the Topical Index in the back of your 365 Goddess book and find the
topic “changes.” This week, read the first 7 entries listed there as part of your
devotional reading. Perhaps one of the mini-rituals will inspire you for the
assignment in Part D.

Write a paragraph about your devotions this week.

Part C

Kitchen Magick.

The hearth used to be the center of the home, and many of us are still
centered in our kitchens. Food prepared over a sacred flame (or burner as the
case may be!) forms a central part of many seasonal celebrations. What
special foods do you associate with each season? For example, you may
associate fresh green salads, watermelon, and corn on the cob with Summer;
pumpkin pie and apple cider with Autumn; Christmas cookies with Winter; and
eggs with Spring.

Take some time to meditate on the seasonal food in your life. Make a list.
Then, take this one step further. If each dish on your list could imbue the eater
with a magickal property, what would that property be? For example, hard
boiled eggs may bring fertility or creativity; apple pie may bring love; a hearty
stew may give health, and so forth. Give this some careful consideration. Next
week, we will prepare our kitchens for cooking with intent.

Write 1-2 paragraphs in response.

Part D

Season Ritual.

Read Stein chapter 5, “Wheel of the Year I.”

Considering your readings in Stein and in 365 Goddess this week, construct a
ritual for your current season or an upcoming season. Make sure that your
intent is consistant with the seasonal associations. Write an outline of a future
ritual.

Part E

Goddess Studies.

In Gadon, read Chapter 13, “The Goddess Within.” Write one or two
paragraphs in response.

END OF WEEK 13

Have a wonderful week!
Nikiah

Level I, Week 12
White Moon Tradition ( Copyright Luna Blanca )

You will need Tape 1 again for Part D

Part A

Dark Moon & Banishing.

The Dark Face of the Moon is a face we all wear at times, a face we
need to turn to at times. “Dark” can have negative cultural
connotations — un-beautiful, un-desirable, gloomy, sinister, or even
evil. These connotations are harmful to people of color, to people with
dark coloring, and harmful as well to each of us. For we each have a
“dark side,” a side of ourselves that needs to be angry, sad, afraid, or
even depressed. Many of us find power in our “darkness,” especially
in our anger. But when these emotions, this power, are denied us,
they become harmful and turn to bitterness, rage, phobia, or even
(self)abuse. In healing and becoming whole, we must become willing
to welcome the darkness as well as the light.

What are the positive connotations of darkness? Darkness is the cool
of the night, the shade of a tree, the shelter of a cave, a womb.
Darkness is rest. Darkness is stillness, possibility, magick. Darkness
is mystery, beauty, divinity. In the darkness, we can find comfort and
the freedom to be who we truly are without fear of judgement or
scrutiny. What other positive connotations does darkness have for
you?

While too much anger, sadness, or fear can be negative, some of
each is healthy. I find that healthy anger helps me to set boundaries.
Often my anger is aroused when someone or something is causing
me harm or putting me or my loved ones in danger. In this case, I see
my anger as a “warning sign,” and use the power of my anger to
remove myself from harm or danger. Fear can work in this same way.

Banishing works along these lines. Is there something in my life that
needs to go away? Then I need to banish that (which literally means
to make something go away). Banishing is a magickal way of setting
a boundary. As long your banishing is a form of protection, no harm
will come from it. I often find myself banishing negative thought
patterns: past events I’m still clinging to in my mind, self-degrading
voices or habits, old bitterness and resentment. Sometimes I will
banish someone’s influence over me. This is not banishing that
person from my life. The intent is not to harm him or her in anyway —
in fact I usually bless the person at the same time I banish his or her
power over me.

The Waning and Dark Moon is a good time for banishing. We will
explore some banishing rituals this week. A note of caution —
banishing should never be performed in fear or anger. You must wait
until you are calm, cool, and collected to perform a banishing ritual.

What do you need to banish from your life? How do you feel about
banishing? Write 1-2 paragraphs in response to this reading.

Part B

Moon Devotions.

Turn to the Topical Index in the back of your 365 Goddess book and
find the topic “banishing.” This week, read all of the entries listed
there as part of your devotional reading. Perhaps one of the
mini-rituals will inspire you for the assignment in the next section.

Write a paragraph about your devotions this week.

In addition, keep practicing your energy projection exercises, at least
three times per week.

Part C

Banishing Ritual.

Read Stein Chapter 9, “Other Rituals.”

Your assignment for Part C is to design a ritual for banishing
something from your life. Consider the suggestions in 365 Goddess
and also consider Stein’s “Letting Go” ritual. This ritual should be
performed during the Waning or Dark Moon at a time when you feel
calm.

If you don’t feel the need to banish anything from your life right now,
or if you are uncomfortable with banishing, design a different type of
ritual, perhaps one that Stein piqued your interested in.

Write an outline of this planned ritual.

Part D

The Magick of Blessing Those That Curse You

We will talk a lot in the course about protecting ourselves from those
who harm us (or who want to harm us). We will talk a lot about
banishing and psychic/spiritual boundary setting. What don’t talk
much about is the deeper magic of blessing those that curse us.

This is only to be done AFTER we have separated ourselves from the
harmful situation and have protected ourselves physically and
spiritually from the one who has done/intends to do us harm. If this is
done before that, it could increase our sense of victimization, so I
repeat, it is ONLY to be done from a place of safety.

What this is best for is releasing ourselves EMOTIONALLY from the
resentment and bitterness that result from the harm that was done to
us. I first became acquainted with this technique in 12 Step programs
(where it’s called “the resentment prayer”), but of course, most of us
will recognize it was a central teaching of Christ’s, and actually it is
much older than that. It is a central part of many religions. I am
currently in a place to do this spiritual work on some people in my life.
I invite as you to join me in this “experiment” of sorts. Try it yourself
and see how well it works.

First of course, you must have someone you still feel angry at
(someone who was abusive to you in some way) long after the event
is over. Next, you make a short list of all the qualities you would like
to have in your OWN life. Here is my list:

health
wealth
serenity
success
respect
love
understanding
happiness

Write these down on a 3X5 card and post it on your wall. Then every
day for the next 2 weeks, pray:
Goddess, please bless __________________ that s/he may have
everything I have and more, including (insert your list). Here’s the
nice part. You don’t have to MEAN it in the beginning. You simply
have to be willing to pray it. Keep praying it even if it seems unjust to
you. Consider it an experiment. See what happens!

Write a paragraph or two in response to this reading.

Part E

Meditation: Moon Journey.

Find a quiet time at least once this week to play exercise 6, the final
exercise on meditation tape 1, one more time. It’s been a month
since you last took this Moon journey, and it’s time to take it again.

Write up your notes from the journey.

Part F

Goddess Studies.

In Gadon, read the introduction to Part Three, “The Re-Emergence of
the Goddess,” and read Chapter 12, “The Way of The Goddess.” Pay
careful attention to the color plates in the middle of the chapter.

Write one or two paragraphs in response.

Part G

Update.

You have now been keeping you Moon Chart for one month. What
trends have you noticed? Send me an update. Also, fill in the dates
for another month of charting and keep looking at the same trends.

How is your project research progressing? Please send me a brief
summary of your difficulties and successes to date. Click Here to
re-read the assignment.

Write about your moon chart progress and write an update on your
final project.

Have a beautiful week!
Nikiah

Level I, Week 11
White Moon Tradition ( Copyright Luna Blanca )

Part A

Celebrating Moon Time

The shame connected with our women’s bodies in modern cultures is a
source of much sorrow for me. That shame is perhaps most strongly
connected to our women’s blood, our natural, regenerative,
reproductive processes.

Our women’s bodies, our regenerative processes - even our Moon
time blood— used to be considered holy, miraculous! Discovering this
information was so healing for me, especially since I had so much
internalized shame around my own body, my natural bodily processes,
my cycles and sexuality.

One theme for our lesson this week is Moon Blessings. How healing it
was when I began to consider my Moonblood a blessing, when I began
to tune in to the heightened psychic awareness and creativity available
to me every month. What a change in attitude that was. I have found
that as long as I am able to take at least one day to rest, to be still, to
sleep more and dream more, then my pain and discomfort is greatly
reduced. Of course I pray that my heavy-flow day falls on a weekend or
on a day that I can take off from work. How I have longed for a culture
when such days could be openly celebrated rather than stolen away.

Part of the Moon Mysteries is the remembrance that in the days before
electric light, in the days where women lived more communally, in
closer daily contact with each other, we all bled together, at the same
time each month. Notice how women who live in the same house tend
to cycle together even today. (Pheromones!) What would it have been
like to live in a time when our Moonblood was honored, was
anticipated, was even celebrated?

Here is a peek into such a culture with another excerpt from Donna
Wilshire’s script. Try reading it aloud!

(excerpted from Virgin, Mother, Crone)

Women,
did you know that our foremothers
spilled their womb blood together
all at the same time?
Oh yes, following the Dark of the Moon

The afternoon before the Dark of the Moon
all women
extinguished their hearth fires
and left their homes
husbands
older children
and came together to claim their Sisterhood.

All of them came
bleeders and non-bleeders,
mothers who were nursing
and crones too old to bleed

All of them came
pouches full of uncooked foods
hanging from their shoulders
enough for four or five days
honey, fruits, cheese, artichokes, olives.

All of them came
to affirm together
that an unbroken stream of kinship
from time out of memory
flowed through their bodies
as though through one.

Before leaving home
they painted their faces and
decorated their bodies
with bangles, necklaces, and rings
belled bracelets,
carved shells and stones
ornaments of copper and gold.
Now they displayed in the streets
preening
enjoying themselves
for themselves.

And then
as the moon withdrew from sight
the women too withdrew from sight
At the Dark of the Moon
the women descended into Hera’s temple
And that close-and-holy dark womb-place
tenderly swallowed them
FOR THEIR TIME OF WISDOM AND POWER
WAS AT HAND
THEIR DRAGON TIME
WAS AT HAND

Sister time was sacred time
time of heightened awareness of Being
time not to be wasted win the regular world
doing ordinary tasks
distracted by small talk
or men.

Inside Hera’s temple
all energies went
into togetherness
into meditation
into openness
into readiness and allowing
All energies went
to experience the Goddess in themselves
to dreaming
to receiving visions and
knowledge of the meaning of life.

Through moonless nights and restful days
they prepared themselves
with graceful, stretching movement,
mediation,
massage,
the music of flutes and drums.
Then as the New Moon arose outside
near dawn, losing its light to the day,
inside
the woman began losing their blood
to the earth.

This is the Blood that promises Life
This is the Blood that promises Sustenance
This is the Blood that promises Rebirth
Renewal
Regeneration

It was dusk when they came out and
went together by New Moon light
to bathe themselves
in the Virgin’s Brook
in the Brook of Freeing Waters

The women immersed themselves in the Virgin Brook
celebrating the sacrament of flow and change
celebrating the transition
from one period to another
letting the free-flowing birthing waters
wash away the old cycle
letting the waters ease them into a new

Please write a paragraph in response to this reading.

Part B

Moon Devotions.

Please turn to the Topical Index in the back of your 365 Goddess book
and find the topic “blessings.” This week, read some or all of the
entries listed there as part of your devotional reading. Perhaps try one
of the mini-rituals suggested.

Write a paragraph about your devotions this week.

How are you progressing with your energy projection exercises? Keep
practicing! And please send me an update.

Part C

Celebrate Your Moon-Blessings!

A Ritual

The silver rays of the Moon have always been associated with
Blessings. We feel lovely Moon-kisses on our faces as we gaze at her
and feel her white light flow into us. The following is a ritual to attract
Moon Blessings into our lives.

You will need:

a silver bowl or basin
(a glass bowl or even a clear drinking glass can be substituted)
spring water
20 pcs. of silver jewelry and/or coins (dimes, nickels, quarters)
at least one white candle (13 white candles would be ideal!)
a white or silver cloth (can be a pillowcase)

This ritual should be performed at night on a Full or Waxing Moon, so
if the Moon is currently in the Waning phase, you will need to postpone
this ritual for a few weeks. You should be able to go outside and catch
Moonbeams in your bowl. You can do this from a window if necessary
or by proxy with white candles. Before you begin, chose a blessing
chant or a Moon chant from 365 Goddess, or write one of your own.
And find the names of some Moon Goddesses to call into your circle!

Ritual Outline:

Gather your items. Purify yourself and your working space and also the
items you will use in your ritual tonight.

Before you cast your circle, meditate and focus on your intent. (This
can be done during a ritual bath.) Surround yourself with white light.

Light all your white candles and ready your space to begin the ritual.
Pour the spring water into your bowl (or glass) and take it outside to
catch Moonbeams. Let the beams illuminate the water for a few
minutes, then bring your basin back inside. Spread out your white cloth
with the bowl in the center and cast your circle.

Call in the energies/presences you wish to join you tonight. Call in a
Moon Goddess for each direction.

Focus your attention on the bowl of water before you. Position the
candles so that their light is reflected in the water. (If you have tall
candles, you may want to put one IN the bowl.) Perform a self-blessing
with this water, feeling the Moon’s energy flowing into you.

Now focus your attention on the silver coins or jewelry before you.
Divide them in half, with an equal number on each side. As you pick up
each piece from the right-hand side, give thanks for a blessing you
currently have in your life, and toss that coin into the water. Feel the
water become even more charged with your current blessings.

Now, focus on the left-hand pile of coins/jewelry. As you pick up each
piece, ask The Goddess for a specific blessing you would like to
receive, then throw that coin into the water. When all the coins are in,
focus on the radiance of all the blessings in your life, those present
and those yet to come. Gently hum to raise energy, then send this
energy back to the Moon, back into the universal pool of blessings.

Give Thanks. Open your circle. Be sure to ground your energy.

Place your charged coins and blessings in a special place. Carry them
with you in times of need, and/or give them away to others! You might
want to use the charged water to take a blessing bath, now or later.

Please write a paragraph in response to this ritual.

Part D

Rites of Passage.

Read Stein Chapter 8, “Rites of Passage II.”

What passages would you like to celebrate in your future? Your
celebration might focus on yourself or on a friend or family memeber.
Your assignment for Part C is to design a ritual for some important
event or passage you foresee in the future.

Write an outline of a planned ritual.

Part E

Goddess Studies.

Read Chapter 11 in Gadon, “Is the Virgin A Goddess?”

Do you feel any special connection to Mary? Was she significant to
you in your childhood? Did this chapter bring a sense of perspective or
healing about our cultural consciousness?

Write a paragraph or two in response to this reading.

If you are interested in Mary as a Goddess figure, you may want to visit
Luna’s website on this subject Mary as Goddess: Virgin, Mother Queen

END OF WEEK 11

Have a wonderful week!
Nikiah

Level I, Week 10
White Moon Tradition ( Copyright Luna Blanca )

Part A

Cycling with The Moon.

She changes everything She touches,
and everything She touches changes

Change. Most of us are uncomfortable with this unavoidable phenomenon.
When times are good, we want to protect what we have. When times are bad,
we’re scared that what’s coming may be even worse. Relationships end. New
people come into our lives. Jobs end. New jobs or projects fill that space. Loved
ones pass over. New babies are born. Children grow up, leave the nest, and
have babies of their own. We age. Our bodies change before our eyes. We
mature. We enjoy our hard-earned wisdom.

The Moon reminds us that the universe is in a state of constant change. She
reminds us that what is empty will become full again, that what is full will pass
away. She dies and is reborn before our eyes in the night skies every month.
She begins as the silvery new Maiden, waxes into the ripe fullness of the
Mother, wanes into the beautiful wise Crone and passes away completely, only
to be reborn again in 3 days time.

The Moon is in us and we are in the Moon. Try reading aloud the following
dramatic script to celebrate the phases of our lives:

(excerpted from Virgin, Mother, Crone by Donna Wilshire)

Remember women
The temple of Hebe is for celebrating
the possibilities, the potential in our lives
For celebrating new beginnings
and belonging-to-ourselves
no matter what our age.

The temple of Teleia is for celebrating
our fertile, giving, minds,
meeting justice, composing songs,
and loving our mature, honeying bodies.

The temple of Hekate is where we learn
not to fear death and dying
but learn to celebrate the sacred darkness
our hearths, wombs, and earth.

Three sacred Persons in Hera
Three sacred phases to our lives
Three temples to help us celebrate ourselves
unify our lives
ease our transitions
from Death
to ReBirth

In the temple of HEBE we celebrate
DEATH of winter
BIRTH of spring
DEATH of childhood
BIRTH of womanhood

In the temple of TELEIA we celebrate
DEATH of carefree youth
BIRTH of others from our bodies
DEATH of belonging to ourselves alone
BIRTH of mature responsibilities
of nurturing others
of fullness
wholeness

In the temple of HEKATE we celebrate
the DYING of our bodies
the BIRTH of Wisdom and healing vision
HEKATE
Goddess of DEAD seeds
She who gives BIRTH
and new life to the DEAD seeds

There are THREE TEMPLES OF DEATH-AND-REBIRTH
for ALL DIES and is Born Again

All nature
dies and is born again
Seeds
die and are born again
Plants
die and are born again
The years
die and are born again
The moon, the sun
die and are born again
We
die and are born again

Mother-Daughter
Mother-Daughter
Mother-Daughter

THREE TEMPLES celebrate
the unbroken cycle of our lives

HEBE
TELEIA
HEKATE

Our lives cycling
The moon cycling
Our lives cycling with the moon, unendingly

The moon
The measure of our lives

Write a response to this reading.

Part B

Moon Devotions.

Turn to the Topical Index in the back of your 365 Goddess book and find the
topic “cycles.” This week, read some or all of the entries listed there as part of
your devotional reading. Perhaps one of the mini-rituals will inspire you for the
assignment in the next section.

Write a paragraph about your devotions this week.
In addition, keep practicing your energy projection exercises, at least three
times per week.

Part C

Rites of Passage.

Read Stein Chapter 7, “Rites of Passage I.”

A few weeks ago we began considering the important changes in our lives, and
how we have celebrated them or would like to celebrate them in the future. We
will continue focusing on these important passages this week and next.

Your assignment for Part C is to commemorate some important change from
your past that was never properly celebrated. This might be the birth of a child,
the passing of a loved one (human or furred). It might be menarche or the onset
of menopause. It might be the beginning or ending of a special relationship.
Whatever you still mourn for or still rejoice in can be celebrated now. Reclaim
yourself and your past through a rite of passage ritual this week.

Write a paragraph about your experience.

Part D

Goddess Studies.

Read Chapter 10 in Gadon, “The Hebrew Goddess and Monotheism.”

Personally, I found this chapter wonderfully healing in helping me to reclaim my
spiritual past. Did this chapter resonate with you in any special way?

Write 1-2 paragraphs in response to the reading.

*Part E *

Final Project.

By this time, you should have chosen the Goddess that you will honor in your
final project. You should also have made some progress on your research.

As a reminder, you can read your Final Project assignment HERE

Write a paragraph updating me with your progress.

END OF WEEK 10

Have a wonderful week!
Nikiah

Level I, Week 9
White Moon Tradition ( Copyright Luna Blanca )

Part A

Working with The Moon.

Over the next month, we will continue our focus on The Moon — how she
waxes and wanes, how our bodies, hearts, and minds respond to her tides.
Continue filling in your Moon Chart. Continue noticing the changes you
experience through the month. Continue being aware of the phase of the
Moon, and continue looking upon her face at night.

The spiritual work we do is influenced by Moon energies. Start incorporating
your awareness of the Moon cycle into your rituals (if you don’t already). As
the Moon cycles through her monthly changes, her energy changes too.

Dark Moon — Time to Rest
New Moon — Time to Begin New Projects; Birth; Attraction
Waxing Moon — Time to Grow; Increase
Full Moon — Time to be Fulfilled; Abundance
Waning Moon — Time to Banish; Decrease
Last Sliver of Moon — Time to Die; Letting Go
Dark Moon — Time to Rest Again

Accordingly, rituals for blessing new projects or bringing something new into
your life should be done on the New or Waxing Moon. Rituals celebrating
fullness and abundance should be done on or before the Full Moon. Rituals
for banishing unwanted influences from your life or letting go of harmful
influences should be done on the Waxing or Dying Moon. Many women find
the Dark Moon (three days before the New Moon) a very powerful time for
ritual; others prefer to rest when the Moon rests. See what feels right for you.

This doesn’t mean that you have to wait a full month before asking for what
you want. You can adjust your intent to the current Moon phase. For example,
if I needed to ask for a raise during a waning cycle, I could instead banish the
condition of being underpaid. Or if I needed to let go of some hurt and anger
during a waxing cycle, I could instead invite in peace and healing.

Write one paragraph the Moon’s energy working in your life this week.

Part B

Moon Devotions.

Turn to the Topical Index in the back of your 365 Goddess book and find the
topic “moon.” This week, read all of the entries listed there as part of your
devotional reading. Try one of the mini-rituals suggested this week.

Write a paragraph about your experiences.
In addition, keep practicing your energy projection exercises, at least three
times per week.

Part C

Moon Symbols.

What symbols do you associate with the Moon? Traditional associations
include: water, the sea, cups, cauldrons, emotions, women’s blood, wombs,
anything white or silver, and anything round (including fruits and vegetables).
Which symbols from your reading this week seem to resonate with you?

Choose one or more symbols to explore this week. Spend some time
meditating on at least one symbol. Explore it through writing, drawing, or
interacting with it in meditation. What does this symbol have to teach you
intuitively?

Write a paragraph about your experience with your chosen symbol(s).

Part D

Moon Feast.

The 365 reading on Ch’ ango mentions moon cakes. Try this traditional
devotion to the Moon this week with a friend, your family, your pets, or even a
Goddess figure or doll:

Prepare a feast of “moon cakes” and “wine.” Let your choice of “cakes” and
“wine” meet your dietary needs, your appetite, or your momentary whim!
Suggestions for cakes include cookies, cupcakes, pancakes, muffins, corn
cakes, potato cakes, rice cakes, tortillas, crepes, bread — any thing small and
round will do! (You may want to decorate your cakes with waxing and waning
crescents.) Wine can be any beverage, from water to juice to wine. Let your
choice of cakes influence your choice of wine!

Next, choose a setting. This celebration should be done at night when the
moon is out, preferably outdoors or near a window where the moon is in view. If
this is not possible, choose white candles and moon symbols to decorate your
space. Choose cups and plates to match your lunar theme. (Even round white
paper plates and clear cups can be symbolic here!)
Set a time for your celebration and decide who you will invite to join your feast.
If you can’t ask a friend or family member, invite your pets! (You might need
special “cakes” and "wine for them!) Or set up an extra plate in front of a
Goddess figure or doll. Remember you can always invite your friends in spirit
too!

The intent of this feast is for blessing and celebration. Choose a chant and a
blessing from 365 Goddess to intone at your feast. Bless your cakes and wine
with a quality you need to ingest (happiness, healing, peace), then eat, drink,
and be merry! The most important thing is to enjoy yourself tonight.

Write a paragraph about your feast.

Part E

Goddess Studies.

Please read Chapter 9 in Gadon, “Demeter’s Mysteries” and envision
yourself partaking of these ancient rites. Describe your imaginary experience
in a paragraph.

This concludes lesson 9
Have a wonderful week!
Nikiah

WELCOME to Week 8 )0(
White Moon Tradition ( Copyright Luna Blanca )

You will need the audio-taped meditation lessons for Part B

Part A

Exploring our connection to the Moon.

Please print out the Moon-chart from the following urls. You will need to give it a minute to load up.
You will need to make or print a few copies of each of these:
MOONCHART I PART I HERE
MOONCHART I PART 2 HERE

The Moon pulls on the tides of the sea, the lifeblood of our planet, and she pulls on our lifeblood as
well. This is true of men and women alike. (Note the legends about the Full Moon and the
heightened activity that takes place at this time of month.) For menstruating women, the
connection is more obvious. Our hormonal cycle is pulled by the moon tides: we bleed, cramp,
experience breast sensitivity, crave chocolate, break out in acne, maybe even grow hair on our
chins. But menstruating or not, we are all influenced by the pull of the moon. This week, we will
start finding out how.

The purpose of the Moon-Chart I sent is to help you notice and track how the Moon cycles effect
you. Before you write anything on your chart, make 3 photocopies of each page, saving the
originals for future copying. Then tape 3 sets of pages together into wide charts so that you can
track your lunar influences over the next few months of Level I.

Filling in the dates.
The first thing to write on your chart are dates. Note where we are in the current Moon Cycle. Is the
Moon new, at first quarter, full, or at third quarter? Then write out the dates of the next month,
beginning at the appropriate point on the chart. For example, if tomorrow is a third quarter moon,
find the third quarter on the chart (towards the end) and write tomorrow’s date there. Then you will
fill up the rest of the chart with the dates from that point on. Now start on the next chart with the new
moon. Your dates may not fit exactly because, contrary to popular belief, there are not exactly 28
days in each Moon Cycle. The cycles vary.

What to track.
What you would like to track is completely up to you. I suggest you first track any overt physical
changes you experience each month. If you are menstruating, track your bleeding days in the first
row of the chart. If you are breast feeding, track that towards the top. Track your usual monthly
symptoms, from PMS to cramps to acne to breast sensitivity. Other suggestions to track: moods,
cravings, appetite, diet change, energy levels, sexual arousal, dreams, psychic ability and
intuition, spacey-ness, inspiration, which astrological sign the moon is passing through. . . . Your
chart has 20 rows. I suggest you track at least 5 different things.

How to fill in the chart.
You may want to use + and – signs, check-marks, and one word responses in the blanks. The main
guideline here is to keep it simple. Place your chart somewhere you will see it everyday, but where
it will still be private. Perhaps in your personal journal or in a book your are reading. Perhaps
taped to the inside of a cabinet or closet door. It doesn’t take a lot of energy to maintain this chart
because you only need to make the effort of paying attention to the items you’re tracking and to
note any noticeable changes.

In addition to maintaining a chart, try to LOOK at the Moon more often. Start becoming more
conscious of her influence on your body and your life. The rewards of exploring our connection to
the Moon can be enormous! Invite her to shine her silvery light on you.

Write 1-2 paragraphs about the beginning of your explorations.

Part B

Moon Ritual.

Read Stein chapter 4, “The Moon and Women’s Lives.”

This week, design and perform a ritual focused on the current Moon cycle: waxing, full, or waning.
Consider Stein’s suggestions, but come up with something of your own. Above all, focus on your
intent and keep your ritual simple. (Getting tired of hearing me say that yet?)

As a side note, one thing I try to remember as I look at the Moon is that she waxes from right to
left, the opposite of our English writing system. So when her crescent is on the right, she is waxing.
When it is on the left, she is waning.

Write 1 – 2 paragraphs about your ritual.

Part C

Goddess Studies.

Read Gadon’s intro to Part Two “The Patriarchal Takeover,” and all of chapter 8, “Sumner: The
Descent of Inanna.”

Write 1 – 3 paragraphs in response to your reading.

Part D

Beginning Your Final Project.

Each level in this course carries a final project. We are now halfway through Level I, and it’s time to
get started on the final project for this level. Please read through the entire assignment before you
begin. This week you should start on Part A and possibly on Part B of the final project.

LEVEL ONE FINAL PROJECT ASSIGNMENT

Write up your preliminary ideas about this project, including the Goddess you chose to focus on
(or the two or three Goddesses you are considering).

Just a gentle reminder; if you are on a payment plan, your tuition is now due.
Thank you sister : )

END OF WEEK 8

Welcome to Level I, Week 7
White Moon Traditions ( Copyright Luna Blanca )

You will need the audio-taped meditation lessons for Part C

Part A

Nourishing Ourselves.

Over the last six weeks, Part A has focused on ways to nourish
ourselves. Take a moment to reflect back on the different tools we
have used: replacing the “junk” in our lives with healthier habits;
creating more silence; focusing on positive images; replacing
negative self-talk with positive affirmations; and evaluating the
activities in our lives as “energy-boosting” or “energy-draining.”

Which of these tools have worked best for you? Which practices have
you made into habit? How has your life changed for the better after
implementing some of these tools? Which tools would you like to use
more often? Write at least a paragraph exploring this.

This week, add at least one “nourishing” activity to your schedule. It
may be a one-time activity or something you’d like to do regularly. But
make it your goal to take care of yourself this week in at least one
more small way: a bath, half an hour outside, getting your hands in
the clay or the paint, coloring with crayons . . . Whatever feels right to
you. Write a paragraph about your experience.

Part B

Goddess Studies.

Read Gadon chapter 7, “Crete: Fulfillment and Flowering.”

As you read, pay careful attention to the symbols mentioned: horns,
caves, butterflies, bulls, labyrinths, and so forth. Which of these
symbols resonate with you? Do any seem to stir up archetypal
memories for you?

Spend some time meditating on at least one symbol. Explore it
through writing, drawing, or interacting with it in meditation. What
does this symbol have to teach you intuitively?

Write a paragraph about your experience with your chosen symbol.

Part C

Meditation: Energy Projection.

Practice projecting your energy with exercise 5 on the meditation tape.
Strive to master the beginning exercises, and then move on to the
more advanced follow up exercises as your skill improves. Energy
projection can be a very difficult skill to master, yet it is of prime
importance for your future spiritual work, and you will improve with
regular practice. I guarantee it!

Set aside at least 3 meditation periods this week to work on energy
projection. And continue practicing this skill in the upcoming weeks.

Write a paragraph describing your efforts.

Part D

Ritual.

Perform a ritual this week that utilizes energy projection in some way:
raise energy for your intent, and send it shooting out into the
universe. Use body movement to strengthen your projection.

Perhaps your ritual will be inspired by a reading from 365 Goddess;
perhaps you would like to commemorate some rite of passage you
considered last week; or perhaps your ritual will be based on the
season of the year or the current situations in your life. As you design
your ritual, keep Stein’s suggestions (from last week’s reading) in
mind, but as always, do what feels right for you, and keep it simple!

Write 1-2 paragraphs describing your ritual.

Part E

Pantheon Research.

This week we continue with our research of non-Indo-European
Goddesses in order to become more aware of World Goddess Culture.
You may research via the internet or via books.

This time, the focus is on Goddesses native to the Pacific Islands.
Find the names of five Pacific Island Goddesses, their stories, and
their attributes. Remember, this is simply an introduction, so this
assignment should be brief.

Summarize you research in a paragraph or two.

END OF WEEK 7

Welcome to week 6 ))O((
White Moon Tradition ( Copyright Luna Blanca )

Part A

Affirmations & Examination.

Affirmations.
This week, continue working with affirmations. Write 3 – 5 new
affirmations, or use last week’s. Again, write your affirmations on a
card, and keep the card somewhere you will see it each day. Repeat
each affirmation at least 5 times a day.

Examination.
Think of your life as a beautiful cauldron. Which activities in your
life add energy-elixir to your cauldron? Which activities ladle your
energy-elixir out? Try writing up this list as a balance sheet with
energy-boosting activities on the left-hand side of your page and
energy-draining activities on the right.

Hmmmm. Which side has the longer list? I think for all of us, the
right-hand list will be longer. Start thinking this week about what
you would like to add to the left-hand side of your list: what else
can you do to nourish yourself? For me, this often takes the form of
more sleep, more exercise, more creative-play time, and more
unstructured time in general. Remember, even half an hour here or
there can make a difference. Give this some serious thought this
week.

Write 1-2 paragraphs about your affirmations & examination.

Part B

Reading About Ritual.

Read Stein page 37 – 44; 45 – 58; 61 – 67.

This reading will complete our explorations of Chapters 2 & 3, filling
in all of the gaps, pages that we have skipped. As you read, jot
down notes about any ideas you would like to incorporate into your
own practice of ritual.

Write a one-paragraph summary/response.
Part C

Casting a Circle, Calling the Directions.

Last week, you explored the 5 Directions in meditation and drew the
symbol that represented each one. This week, cast a circle and call
in the elemental energies of each direction. You may want to tape
your symbols up on the appropriate walls, or you may want to place
them around you on the floor.

Some people cast a circle first, then call in the directions; some call
in the directions, then cast a circle. Do whatever feels most
comfortable for you. But TRY THIS. Instead of just calling in the
direction/element by name, such as, “I call upon North, the Power of
Earth . . .” actually take a moment to STEP INTO that direction in
spirit and bring the essence of that direction back into your circle
with you, much as you did in the last week’s mediation.

Don’t expend too much energy on this circle, because we’ll also be
casting a circle as part of the meditation exercise for this week.

Write a paragraph describing your experience with the elemental
energies in your circle

Part D

Meditation: Raising Energy.

Exercise 4 on the meditation tape 1 is the only exercise that will call
for enough space for you to cast a circle and to move around in it.
In this exercise, you will be raising energy and sending it out for the
intent of your choice (peace, healing, a new job . . .).

Assemble all the items you need to cast a circle (if any) before you
turn on the tape. Wear clothes that are comfortable to move in.
Choose your intent. You should have enough time to cast a circle and
to call in the directions (quickly) once the drumming starts. Then just
follow the instructions on the tape.

Write 1-2 paragraphs in response to this energy-raising experience.

Part E

Goddess Studies.

Read Gadon chapter 6, “Avebury: The Great Seasonal Drama of Her
Life Cycle” and continue your reading in 365 Goddess.

Rite of Passage.
What Rites of Passage have marked your life? Did you receive a
menarche ritual when you first began your moon-blood? Have you
created any rituals for yourself, to celebrate a divorce, a
friendship, a new job, a loss? Births, deaths, marriages? Would you
like to have a croning ritual to mark the change of life?

My onset of women’s blood was not celebrated; in fact it felt
shameful, although I was thrilled to proceed into growing up.
However, I was fortunate enough to celebrate a group menarche
ritual many, many years later as an adult woman. This ritual was
created for all of us who missed out on that as girls. It was such a
powerful healing experience for me.

Write 1-3 paragraphs describing the rituals that have marked the
rites of passage in your life and also considering what rituals you
would like to have for yourself in the future.

Part F

Pantheon Research.

This week we continue with our research of non-Indo-European
Goddesses in order to become more aware of World Goddess Culture.
You may research via the Internet or via books.

This time, the focus is on Goddesses native to Central or South
America. Find the names of five Central or South American
Goddesses, their stories, and their attributes. Remember, this is
simply an introduction, so this assignment should be brief.

Summarize you research in a paragraph or two.

END OF WEEK 6

Have a wonderful week~
Nikiah

Welcome to lesson 5!
White Moon Tradition ( Copyright Luna Blanca )

Part A

Affirmations.

Over the last two weeks we’ve been working on the “I’m beautiful” affirmation. Have
you felt it working? Affirmations can be a powerful tool for shaping consciousness.
At first I was resistant to using affirmations because they seemed simplistic and even
fraudulent in a self-help/new-agey way. But once I tried them, I was amazed at how
powerful they were.

Why do affirmations work? Affirmations are just scripted self-talk. We talk to
ourselves all the time, using scripts that were most likely created in childhood by
other people. Many of these scripts are negative or harmful, as you may have noticed
over the last few weeks as you monitored for negative self-talk. With affirmations, we
write new scripts for ourselves, positive scripts, healing scripts. Most of the
affirmations we want to tell ourselves are already true, we just don’t fully believe
them yet.

One of my favorite, all purpose affirmation is this one: I am loved, I am protected, I am
guided, I am healed; I am centered in the Divine. I know that is already true, but I tend
to forget this and to panic during painful or stressful situations. This affirmation
reminds me that no matter what’s going on in my life, I will be okay.

Another much-used affirmation in my life is: I choose to learn my lessons with the
least amount of pain. This reminds me to let go, to quit fighting the current, to trust
The Divine and see where she leads me.

This week, write 3 – 5 affirmations for yourself. Write them in the first person and use
active verbs. (For example, not I will choose, or I must choose, or I will start
choosing, but I choose.) Write these affirmations on a 3×5 card and put them
somewhere you will see them each day: by your bed, on the bathroom mirror, on
your car steering wheel, on your computer. Repeat each affirmation at least 5 times a
day, either all at once (perhaps during your devotional time) or spread out through the
day (perhaps before every meal).

Write a paragraph about your experience using affirmations this week .

Part B

Dedication (Optional).

Read Stein’s altar dedication ritual page 31 – 33.

Ask yourself if, at this time, you feel called to dedicate your altar, your sacred space,
your house, or yourself for a particular purpose. Perhaps you simply want to dedicate
your spiritual study/practice to your own healing or to the intent of bringing spiritual
balance into your life and/or into the world. Perhaps you feel ready to dedicate you
path to The Goddess (or to Goddess and God together).

Unless you have already been walking this path for quite some time, I suggest that
you do not yet dedicate yourself to a specific Goddess or to a specific role — you will
need more time for exploration before you decide that. If you are feeling uncertain
about performing a dedication, don’t. Simply read the ritual and know that it is there
when/if you ever feel ready to perform it. It is not necessary to do so at this time.

If you do feel ready to perform this dedication, keep it simple. Read through Stein’s
suggestions, but again, avoid scripts. Have all of your materials at hand before you
begin, then invite your creativity to leap up and take you over during the ritual. There
is no wrong way to do any ritual: just be certain you are clear on your intent.

Write 1-2 paragraphs about the reading and/or the ritual you performed.

Part C

Meditation: Exploring the Directions.

Set aside at least two 15 minute time periods this week for meditation in a private,
quiet space where you can play the tape. Go through Exercise 3 on the tape, then
perform the follow up exercise the next time on your own.

Draw out the 5 symbols that came to you in meditation on 5 large pieces of paper.
(You can tape together 4 pieces of printer paper to form one large piece.) Don’t worry
if you lack drawing talent (so do I!).

Try using these drawn symbols the next time you cast a circle. Tape the symbols up
on your walls or place them on the floor, each in the appropriate direction.

Write a summary of your experiences with exploring the directions and what each
direction signifies to you.

Part D

Goddess Studies.

Read Gadon chapter 5, “Malta: The Temple as the Body of the Goddess” and continue
your reading in 365 Goddess.

Let your reading inspire you to mold the body of the Goddess out of playdough, salt
dough, clay (or even bread or cake!). Let your inspiration guide you: think of this as a
playful expression rather than a quest for art. Place your Goddess figure somewhere
safe and admire her often. (Or eat the figure, ingesting her blessings into yourself.)

Write 1-2 paragraphs in response to your reading and one paragraph describing your
sculpting experience.

Part E

Pantheon Research.

This week we continue with our research of non-Indo-European Goddesses in order
to become more aware of World Goddess Culture. You may research via the internet
or via books.

This time, the focus is on Goddesses native to North America. Find the names of five
Native American Goddesses, their stories, and their attributes. Remember, this is
simply an introduction, so this assignment should be brief.

Summarize you research in a paragraph or two

END OF WEEK 5

Please remember that I am here for you if you have questions or concerns : )

Have a wonderful week sister!
Nikiah

WELCOME TO WEEK FOUR!
White Moon Tradition ( Copyright Luna Blanca )

Part A

Self Improvement: Self-Love.

Last week, we added positive images and positive self-talk to our continuing practice of
self-improvement. This week we will focus on beginning to love the parts of our Self we
sometimes hate. Begin by asking yourself what kind of negative self-talk you caught
yourself in last week. Is your negative self-talk focused mostly on appearance, on
ability, on worthiness? Decide what it is about yourself that bothers you most. Is it your
body shape or features? Is it your behavior? Your thinking patterns?

Your assignment is to find a Goddess image (recent or modern) that reminds you of the
trait you despise most about yourself. This can even be a picture of you! Put this image
somewhere where you will see it often, and every time you look at that Goddess,
whisper “I love you.” Try it, even if you don’t believe it! Why should we seek to love the
traits we hate? Every coin has two sides. While a sharp tongue may get you into trouble
one day, it helps you to protect yourself the next. And if you are focusing on physical
appearance, every body is beautiful! Yes, it’s true. You must learn to believe that you are
beautiful inside and out if you ever hope to grow spiritually.

Your next assignment for Part A is to keep looking in the mirror each morning. We will
continue our affirmation from last week, only this week we will change the “you” to “I.”
This is a bit harder. “I am beautiful in every way, just the way I am today.” That’s right!
Say it out loud, often enough, and it will begin to sink in. Besides, it’s true! You ARE
beautiful in every way.
Continue your efforts at positive self-talk through the day. Continue to replace the junk
in your life with self-nurturing. Be good to yourself this week; love yourself! Focus on
the Goddess in You!

For Part A, write a summary of your efforts in self-love this week. Describe the trait that
you are trying to love; describe the image you chose; describe your experiences of
talking to yourself in the mirror.

Part B

Daily Devotions: Mindfulness.

One of my teachers used to say, “If you take time to meditate, you will have time to do
everything else. But if you don’t take time to meditate, you won’t have time to do
anything.” Strangely enough, I’ve found this to be true for myself. I think it has to do
with getting “centered” on a daily basis, “centered” on a daily basis.

Getting “centered” is what our daily practice is about too. Hopefully, over the last 3
weeks, you’ve found a short daily practice that works well for you. We have focused on
consistency of time, place, and action in our daily devotions and on consistency in
practicing each day. Keep this up! Daily practice is the cornerstone of spiritual growth. It
helps us to become “mindful,” to pay attention.

Paying attention. As you go through life each day, start becoming aware of anything
that attracts your attention, even if it doesn’t seem to make sense. A fragment of a song,
a flashing mental image, a moment from a dream. Write these down in your personal
journal.

Once you begin the practice of mindfulness, you will begin to learn things in amazing
ways. Extend the practice of mindfulness to finding new objects for your altar. If a pretty
feather or rock attracts you attention, pick it up! You might be amazed at what you find.
(Be sure to clean the items well.)

Maintaining your altar. I have found it helpful to have a set time each week to maintain
my altar. I do this on Sunday mornings, a time I take for longer spiritual practice. At this
time, I scrape up the candle drippings and incense ash and herb crumbs. I add new
candles, if needed, and I purify my space with salt water or smoke, just as we purified
ourselves in Week 2. Sometimes I will add something new to my altar. Try to incorporate
this “altar maintenance” into your weekly routine.

Write a summary of your experience with mindfulness this week.

Part C

Meditation: Beginning Exercises.

Read Stein pages 34 – 37 on Meditation
and download your meditation exercises here;
Goddess School

Set aside at least two 15 minute time periods this week for meditation in addition to your
devotional time. To meditate, you should be somewhere quiet, safe, and private, where
you won’t be interrupted. Ask those you live with to give you a little time alone. Turn off
your phones, answering machines, and pagers. (If you have small children, this may
need to be early morning or late night.) If you have a portable tape-player, you can be
outdoors. Wherever you are, you will need to play the tape.

Work through the first 2 exercises this week. If Exercise 1 is easy for you, you may
progress quickly onto the next exercise. But if you find it difficult, keep repeating Ex. 1
until you can perform it effortlessly. Skill in meditation cannot be rushed. Be patient with
yourself. Every effort in this direction is a worthwhile effort.

Write a summary of your experiences with the taped exercises this week, especially the
images and symbols that came up in exercise 2

Part D

Short Ritual: Casting a Circle.

The circle is sacred to the Lady . . . It has the shape of the sun and the moon and the
earth. It is the roundness of ripe fruit and the ripening of the womb. Wherever you find a
circle, or make one, there is holy ground.

The Return of the Goddess
Elizabeth Cunningham

Read the last paragraph on page 39 in Stein.
(If you regularly cast a circle as part of your practice, skip ahead to "How do you cast . . .
" below).

What is a cast circle? A cast circle is simply a delineated piece of scared space. When
you cast a circle, you say, this is my place to be sacred, right here, right now. No one can
harm me in any way while I am here. In this moment, where I am standing is
consecrated ground.

As with everything, energy follows intent. Before you do anything else, decide what you
want your circle to do for you. When I cast a circle, I cast it for my “protection, guidance,
and healing.” Think along these lines.

I said that the first time I cast a circle, there was only me, myself, and I standing inside it.
And that is true. Since then, I have learned that I can invite in the Presence of Love, the
Beauty of the Green Earth, the Power of the Ocean, The Goddess (or even a specific
form of the Goddess, like Mother Mary) to join me inside the circle. I can invite in loved
ones, living or dead, to join me in spirit. Don’t let this frighten you. I have yet to see
someone materialize before me, but I have often felt the strength of those I love
supporting me in my scared space. Above all KNOW THIS: only those you invite can
come in. Your circle is there to protect you, and it is a very strong protection. You need
not invite in anyone else if this feels uncomfortable to you.

When and where do you cast a circle? For me, “when” is anytime I feel in need of
protection. No matter where I am or who’s around me, I can silently cast a personal
circle with my mind, around just me. But until you become skilled at regularly casting a
circle, it’s best to do it “when” and “where” you won’t be disturbed. A circle is usually
cast at the beginning of rituals, and some people cast a circle around themselves while
meditating.
How do you cast a circle? Whether you’re an absolute beginner or an experienced adept
at casting circles, experiment with one or more of the following methods. Try something
new! It’s always good to expand our skills. Above all, remember energy follows intent.
Firmly anchor the intent of the circle in your mind. (I usually say, “I cast this circle for my
protection, my guidance, and my healing” as I perform the motions.)

Light a candle and/or some incense in your space. Stand facing North (or East, if that’s
more comfortable for you). Take a few deep breaths to “ground” yourself, and
concentrate on your intent. You will move to your right (clockwise) as you say “I cast
this circle for _______________,” drawing out the circle with one of the following:

Stick of incense.
This is an excellent technique for beginners because in a dark room, you can see the
trail of the glowing incense tip. Extend your arm out straight with the lighted incense
held out straight, like a wand. Slowly turn in a circle, keeping your arm extended, until
you get back to the point you started from. Then say, “The circle is cast.”

Wand or feather.
Extend your arm out straight with your wand or feather held out straight, too. Slowly
turn in a circle, keeping your arm extended, until you get back to the point you started
from. Then say, “The circle is cast.”

Water or smoke.
Using a lighted smudge stick or a small bowl of salt-water, slowly turn in a circle,
sprinkling or smudging as you go, until you get back to the point you started from. Then
say, “The circle is cast.”

Pointed finger.
Extend your arm out straight with your finger pointed. Feel the energy in your finger!
Slowly turn in a circle, keeping your arm extended, until you get back to the point you
started from. Then say, “The circle is cast.”

What to do now? If you are a beginner at casting circles, keep your activities very
simple. Feel the energy of your space. Invite in any one/energy you would like to be
present with you. Perhaps sing a song, pray, meditate, or do a self-blessing. Spend at
least 10 minutes getting comfortable in your space, then get ready to open the circle. (If
you are an adept, do what you usually do. Perhaps try a mini-ritual or a blessing.)

To open the circle, first thank any one/energy you’ve invited to be with you. Say, “Stay if
you will, go if you must.” Then, moving to your left (counter-clockwise), reverse the
process you used to cast the circle. When you get back to the point you started from,
say, “the circle is open.” Continue practicing casting a circle on a regular basis. Continue
experimenting with new methods.

Write a brief summary of this experience.

Part E

Goddess Studies.

Read Chapter 4 in Gadon, “Old Europe: Cosmic Creation and the Maintenance of Life.”
Look carefully at the color plates in the middle of the chapter.

Continue to read a page a day in 365 Goddess, either as part of your devotions or at
another time. Pay attention to any Goddesses that attract you. In 4 more weeks you will
chose a specific Goddess for independent study.

Write one – two paragraphs in response to your reading this week.

Part F

Pantheon Research.

This week we continue with our research of non-Indo-European Goddesses in order to
become more aware of World Goddess Culture. You may research via the internet or via
books.

This time, the focus is on Asian Goddesses. Find the names of five Asian Goddesses,
their stories, and their attributes. Remember, this is simply an introduction, so this
assignment should be brief.

Summarize you research in a paragraph or two

END OF WEEK 4
Have a wonderful week my dear sister.
Nikiah

Welcome to week 3!

White Moon Tradition ( Copyright Luna Blanca )

Part A

Self Improvement: Positive Input.

This week, continue our previous activities that replace the “junk” in our lives with nurturing,
that replace the “noise” in our lives with listening time. Continue to keep notes on your
success with these activities (carrying out your resolutions). If something is clearly not
working for you, make adjustments. And remember, progress, not perfection. Each tiny
success counts!

Positive Images. This week, begin the project of surrounding yourself with positive images of
women, with Goddess images. This need not be costly. If you have a good printer, visit
sacredsource.com online, and print off some images that seem beautiful to you. Or try
photocopying some images from Once and Future Goddess, then coloring them in with
crayons or pencils. If you need to be discreet, keep the images in a notebook or in your
journal, but try, try to find some positive images of women to post around you too.

If you need to put up more-conventional images, try pictures of Mother Mary or of female
saints. The Lycos Picture Gallery is an excellent online source for images of Mary in her full
queenly glory. Pictures of contemporary women you admire or of your female ancestors are
also good to have around. Be creative! You could even try drawing some images yourself.
This week, make it your task to put up at least one positive image where you will see it for
most of the day (over your computer, if you’re like me!).
Positive Talk. You need some positive talk to go along with your positive images. If you
catch yourself in negative self-talk this week (“I’m too fat, I’m so stupid, I can’t do anything
right” and so forth), PUT AN IMMEDIATE STOP TO IT. Tell yourself, “No, I am beautiful, I
am smart, I am good at what I do.” In other words, stop the negative input and immediately
turn it into positive input. In addition, I want you to look yourself in the eyes every morning
and say, “You are beautiful in every way, just as you are today.” This may be very difficult. It
may seem awkward. You may not believe what you say, but trust me on this! If you make a
consistent effort (and again, consistency is key) this positive talk can transform your
self-image, your self-confidence, and your life. It is well worth the effort!

Your Part A assignment then is to keep notes on your continuing efforts to replace the junk
in your life, to keep notes on your efforts to surround yourself with positive images and to fill
your mind with positive talk, and to keep notes on any effects you are noticing in your life.
Write a one paragraph summary.

Part B

Daily Devotions: Making an Altar

Read pages 23 – 30 in Stein’s Casting the Circle. (Stop before the “Altar Dedication.”)

So far we’ve been focusing on consistency of time, place, and action in our daily devotions,
and that’s a practice we will continue throughout this course. This daily practice is the
cornerstone of all our spiritual work, so please treat it seriously and make it a priority in your
life. If you skip your practice one day, make an extra effort to resume it the next. If you are
very short of time one day, try an alternate time or an abbreviated version of your devotions
that day. Good spiritual habits can carry us far, but they are easily broken.

This week your assignment is to create an altar in your daily devotional place. It can be a
“portable” altar if need be. (If you already use an altar in your daily practice, skip ahead to
“practical suggestions” below.) If you are new to altar-making, or would like some fresh
ideas, keep reading. Consider Stein’s suggestions for making an altar. The first priorities
are beauty and personal meaning. Remember that not all altars are obvious to the eye. A
photograph, a lamp or candle, a sea shell, a rock, and a feather arranged on a table top is
as much of an “altar” as an impressive array of magickal tools and symbols is, perhaps
more so!

While it is good to represent each of the four elements — earth, air, fire, and water — it is most
important to create an altar that is beautiful and meaningful to you. So follow your instincts;
follow your heart. What is calling to you to become a part of your altar right now? What is
most treasured and sacred to you? Consider adding it to your altar. Fresh flowers (even
wildflowers) can be wonderful on an altar, as can dried flower heads or other herbs. A bowl or
chalice full of water is lovely. Incense (for me) is essential. And try to add at least one
candle. The number and placement of candles on your altar is entirely up to you. Whatever
feels right. Arrange all your items on a tray and, ta-da, you have an altar! If you need a
portable altar, keep your sacred items in a special box or cloth bag. Store the box or bag in
a special place when your altar is not in use.

Some practical suggestions. After once catching a trunk on fire when a glass candle-holder
broke, I now use a metal cookie sheet under all of my altars (a very cheap and smart
purchase at the local thrift shop!) I also keep my altars away from any loose items that may
fall or blow into my candle flames or glowing incense (curtains, ribbons, drying herbs. . .).
Please be very careful about fire-hazards. Peace of mind about your safety is a basic
requirement for all spiritual work!

If you already use an altar in your daily practice, consider creating a small side altar to
honor your Goddess studies, or place an extra candle and a new symbol on your existing
altar to honor this specific seeking of Her.

For Part B, write a paragraph about your daily practice this week AND write a paragraph
describing your altar (new or old) and its significance to you

Part C

Short Ritual: Self-Blessing.

Read the “Self-Blessing,” pages 58 – 61 in Stein. This will be our ritual for this week.

This Self-Blessing ritual feels so good! Stein is right. You just can’t know how good it feels
until you try it! Not only is this ritual energizing and healing, this is also the beginning of our
work with chakras (using the Eastern 7-Chakra system). Making the Self-Blessing part of
your regular practice right now will make more-complex chakra work much easier later on.

Energy follows intent is a principle of ritual we discussed last week. That applies here too.
Before you begin this ritual, anchor the intent in your mind: to feel blessed! (loved, healed,
balanced . . .). Another important principle of ritual is to keep it simple. Whenever possible,
avoid reading off the words during a ritual. Reading engages the logical part of the mind and
hampers the creative flow of spiritual energy. Personally, I have never had a successful
ritual where I read words off a “cheat sheet.” I learned that the hard way, but I learned it early
on. In all your rituals, allow for spontaneity and intuition to leap up and take you over.
Nothing feels more powerful!

For this Self-Blessing, then, memorize the points on your body, along with a key word for
each point before you begin. This really isn’t difficult. Try this now if you can. Touch the top
of your head and say “me.” Next touch the middle of your brow and say “eye.” Touch your
throat and say “voice.” Touch your heart and say “heart.” Touch your solar plexus and say
“energy center.” Touch your belly and say “belly.” Touch your vagina and say “vagina.”
Touch the palms of your hands and say “hands,” the soles of your feet and say “feet.” Now
touch your crown again and say “me.” Not very difficult, is it? Try that several times before
you begin your ritual. You might even consider what you want to say about each point, but
this isn’t necessary. All you have to remember are the 10 points and the phrases, “Bless me
Mother, for I am your child,” and “Bless my _______ that I may _______________.” Leave
the rest up to your intuition in the moment. Trust yourself!

This ritual is best done at night/in the dark. I like to do it skyclad (in the nude) right after I’ve
stepped out of a bath, in front of a candle, with a bowl of salt water. This ritual can even be
done in the bathroom if privacy is difficult, and the words can be whispered. But saying the
words aloud is more powerful. When you finish the ritual, say a brief prayer of thanks, then
blow out the candle and enjoy your blissful feeling!

Keep this ritual, and the cleansing rituals from last week, handy in your notebook. Whenever
you’re having a really bad day or feel like you’re in a really bad place, try one of these
mini-rituals and notice how powerful the results are!

For Part C, write a summary paragraph about your experience with this ritual (and with any
other mini-rituals you tried this week).

Part D

Goddess Studies.

Read chapter 3 in Gadon, “Çatal Hüyük: Birth, Death, and Regeneration.” Then in a
daydream, imagine yourself as a resident of Çatal Hüyük, either as a priestess or ordinary
citizen. What do you do during your day? How is your daily life different from your daily life
now? Write one – two paragraphs as a first person narrative, telling someone in 2003 about
your life in this city in 7000 BCE. (Or if this seems too intimidating to you, just write a brief
response to the chapter.)

Part E

Pantheon Research.

While Gadon’s book does provide a sweeping history of The Goddess from pre-history
through today, she mainly focuses on Indo-European Goddesses. For the next five lessons,
I will ask you to research non-Indo-European Goddesses in order to become more aware of
World Goddess Culture. You may research via the internet or via books.

This week, the focus is on African Goddesses. Find the names of five African Goddesses,
their stories, and their attributes. Remember, this is simply an introduction, so this
assignment should be brief.

Summarize you research in a paragraph or two

END OF WEEK 3

Have a wonderful week.
Nikiah

Red Moon Mystery School
(Copyright Luna Blanca)

Welcome to week 2!

Part A

Self Improvement: Getting Clean.

The first step in spiritual study is still our minds and bodies. We do this by “turning
down the volume” in our lives, by minimizing negative interference so that we can
listen to what we need to be learning. This stillness is a type of purification, where
we detox from harmful substances that affect all of our senses: hearing, taste,
smell, sight, touch, and psychic/spiritual perception. to a talk show, put in a tape of
feel-good music. Instead of reading the disaster headlines, read one of your texts.
My favorite way to relax in the summer is to take a cool bath by candlelight with
incense burning.
Last week you decided on at least three ways to “get clean,” physically, mentally,
and emotionally. Try to put those resolutions into action this week. Whether
you’ve decided to take an evening walk, turn off the car radio on your commute to
work, or go without fast food, keep a record of how well you stick to your
resolutions each day. (Personally, I keep a check-list in my journal.) Don’t expect
to be perfect, and don’t give up if you “fail.” Any day you carry out even one of
your decisions is a reflection of progress. Everything counts!

But this is only the half of the bargain. The junk in our lives is there for a reason.
Most of it serves to de-stress us. This week, you will need to substitute healthy
destressors for the junk you take away. Instead of the candy bar, eat a juicy piece
of fruit. Instead of listening
So keep notes not only on how you well cut out the junk, but on how well you
take care of yourself this week in healthier ways. Are your efforts being rewarded
with a sense of spiritual refreshment? Write me a brief summary of your
experiments in “getting clean” this week.

Part B

Daily Devotions

Last week we focused on finding a consistent time for devotions. This week, we’ll
focus on finding a consistent place. Privacy and quiet are key. If you have plenty
of both, explore your dwelling for “power spots,” places where you feel peaceful
or energized. Perhaps remake a corner of one room as your meditation spot,
complete with pillows and a little table or stand.
However, if privacy and quiet are a luxury in your house, you will need to be more
creative. Your bedroom is probably the first choice, especially if you have it all to
yourself (or all to yourself at a certain time of day). Also consider the kitchen. If the
kitchen is your domain, perhaps you can reserve a spot at the counter or a corner
of the table as your devotional space. Don’t rule out the bathroom, especially if
you love to take baths like I do. You may even find space in a big walk-in closet!
An outdoor space can be wonderful too, especially if you can find one sheltered
from the weather. The main thing is to find a space where you feel completely
comfortable and safe.

During your devotional time this week, continue reading an entry per day from 365
Goddess, and continue writing in your personal journal. (You don’t need to write a
lot. Even writing a few lines a day is a habit which will prove to be very valuable
later on.) In addition to reading and writing, add these elements into your
devotions this week: ritualize the beginning and ending of your devotional time
and spend 1-5 minutes in prayer and meditation.

Marking the beginning and ending of your devotional time.
The most important element is consistency. Feel free to experiment a bit, but once
you find something that works for you, do it every time. Ritualizing your daily
spiritual time sends clear signals to your subconscious mind that “now is the
time” to connect in stillness. This will help calm your mind and heighten your
awareness. This habit will prove especially valuable later on in your studies. Here
are some suggestions for marking the beginning and ending of your spiritual time:

—light a candle/blow it out
—ring a bell or clap your hands
—say a phrase out loud, like “I am open to receive” then “I close in gratitude”
—perform a certain gesture, like hands open palms up then hands clasped together

It is also helpful to burn the same scent of incense, play the same soft background
music, and/or to sit or stand in the same posture each time. All of these things will
serve to “anchor” the experience of your daily spiritual time. Soon you will be able
to step into this spiritual time very quickly and leave behind the concerns of the
day with ease.

Prayer and Meditation.
If you regularly pray (or would like to start praying), during your devotions is an
excellent time. I pray for loved ones and for specific requests each morning. If
prayer is not part of your belief system, you might take 60 seconds just to send
positive energy out into the world. Someone once said, “prayer is talking;
meditation is listening.” If you are already skilled in meditation techniques, try
blending that practice with your daily devotions. If you are not, take 60 seconds
each day to just listen with the intent of hearing what you need to hear. (We will
start learning some specific meditation techniques in a few weeks.)

It may seem like we’re adding a lot to our devotions this week, but they need not
take any longer than the 15-20 minutes suggested last week. Here are the
suggestions so far: consistency of time and place; mark the beginning of the time
period; read one page; write a few lines in your journal; pray (1-5 minutes);
meditate (1-5 minutes); and mark the closing time.

Write one paragraph about your devotions this week. Describe your place and
your success with the other suggestions.

*Part C

Mini-Ritual.

This week, instead of (or in addition to) trying a mini-ritual from 365 Goddess, try
one or more of the following mini-cleansing rituals. In ritual, the most important
thing to remember is that energy follows intent. As you perform the suggested
actions, focus on cleansing and purifying yourself. You can focus on general
purification to rid yourself of any negativity, or you can focus on cleansing
yourself of something specific, like fatigue, anger, bitterness, jealousy, or
self-destructive behavior. Before you begin any ritual, focus the intent clearly in
your mind, and repeat it to yourself, either aloud or silently. “I cleanse myself of
____________.” (If you’re familiar with some of these exercises, try one you
haven’t tried before.)

Spring water.
Hold a glass of cold, clear spring water in your hands and drink it down with intent.
Imagine the water purifying you inside and out.

Ritual bath.
Run yourself a bath (in a clean tub!) and sprinkle in something that represents
purity to you. Sea salt (or even table salt) is always a good choice. A grated lemon
peel or spritz of lemon juice might be nice. Perhaps a “clean smelling” oil, like
peppermint or bergamot is what you need. Look in your spice cabinet for other
ideas. As you slip into the bath, imagine yourself being purified. Let the water
soak up anything you need to get rid of, then when you’re ready, pull the plug and
watch all that negativity pour down the drain!

Smudging.
Smudging is a symbolic cleansing that can be done with any of the following aids.

Smoke.
A “smudge stick” is a short bundle of herbs, mainly sage, that you can buy in
bookstores and new age shops. Make sure you have a small bowl of sand or
other fire-proof container handy before you light it!

The Exercise
Stand barefoot with your feet shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent. Do some
deep breathing and anchor your intent in your mind. Now light the bundle and
blow on the flames until the herbs are glowing and smoking. (Flames should be
out!) Raise the stick above your head, and in gentle swooping motions, brush the
smoke down your body, to your shoulders, down your arms, down your torso,
down your legs. Brush the smoke over your palms and soles, and down the back
of your body as best you can. All the while say, “With this smoke, I cleanse
myself.” When you finish, put the bundle in a fireproof container, top down, to let it
go out.

This same exercise can be used, substituting smoke with one of the following:

Water.
Mix a small bowl of water and salt. Anchor your intentions in the water, then
sprinkle it over yourself, using the same motions suggested above. “With this
water, I purify myself.” Pour any remaining water down the drain or into a nearby
stream.

Rock, crystal, or feather.
If you have a rock, crystal or feather that is calling to you for this exercise, first
place it in direct sunlight for a hour or longer to “clear” it of any residual energy.
Then perform the above motions. “With this _____, I cleanse myself.” When you
finish, vigorously shake it off. You may want to place it back in sunlight to clear it
again.

Oil.
Is there a certain essential oil that represents purity or cleanliness to you? (For
me these scents are lemon, peppermint, bergamot, and tea tree.) If so, dab a little
on your palms and vigorously rub your palms together, anchoring your intent.
Perform the above exercise by moving your palms over your body, about 4 – 6"
away from your skin. When you finish, shake off your hands, and wash them well.

Your hands.
You don’t even need oil! Your hands alone are powerful enough. Perform the
exercise above, and try to feel the energy move. Shake off and wash your hands
when you’re through.
Write one paragraph describing the experience of your mini-ritual(s).

*Part D

Goddess Studies.

Read chapter two in Gadon, “The Unfolding of Her Mysteries.” This is a very short
chapter, only 4 pages long. Pay special attention to the very last paragraph, then
read the following excerpt from Malcolm Godwin’s The Holy Grail (Labyrinth
Books, 1994, page 24):

There is now enough substantial evidence to confirm that an Earthly Paradise
could have been a historical reality and that many of the [Grail] myths are actually
collective memory traces of that vanished Golden Age. Archaeologists have
recently unearthed the remains of communities in Anatolia, Yugoslavia, Romania
and the western Ukraine, sometimes numbering in the hundreds of thousands.

They were gathered in agricultural paradises and apparently coexisted in peaceful
harmony for almost four thousand years. Within a time span comparable to that
between ancient Egypt and the present moment, these Neolithic peoples evolved
virtually all the major domestic technologies we know of today under the
benevolent religion of a Great Mother/Land Goddess.

Among the over 30,000 artifacts unearthed in the area, now known as Old Europe,
no weapons were found. The very absence of such objects tells us that here we
have discovered a culture which is unlike any previously known. For while these
mysterious peoples had all the technologies to fashion swords and shields they
chose to make comic masks and fish hooks instead.

It would appear that these communities lived in a way that was arguably the most
joyous, peaceful and life-affirmative the world has ever known. Seeing the tiny
altars and vessels used, we can easily imagine that the nurturing and life-giving
spirit of the Goddess must have permeated every aspect of everyday existence.
The evidence available suggests it was an age of partnership, cooperation,
equality, and an overriding sense of shared community.

If you could envision a “Golden Age” for the future, what would that be? Describe
it in a paragraph.

*Part E

Introduction to Woman’s Spirituality.

Read chapter one in Stein’s Casting the Circle, “Women, Ritual, and The
Goddess.” Take notes on anything that sparks your interest as you go. When you
finish the chapter, write one – two paragraphs about any of Stein’s ideas you’d like
to incorporate into your own spiritual practice.

END OF WEEK 2
Have a wonderful week dear Sister!
Nikiah

LEVEL 1, WEEK 1 ~ Red Moon Mystery School in the White Moon Tradition
(Copyright Luna Blanca)

You can begin parts A , D, & E without the texts.

Welcome! I am so pleased you have elected to study with us~

May you find much joy on this Path )O(

Part A

Self Examination: Getting rid of the junk food.
“We are what we eat” is a well-know saying, and we are constantly
told to watch our diets. Most of us know from experience that we feel
better when we don’t eat a lot of sugar, salt, processed foods, fatty
foods or red meat. But what about our mental diets and emotional
diets? We aren’t often reminded to “cut back on advertising,” yet
advertising is the junk food of the soul.

Your assignment this week is to pay attention to what goes into your
body, mind, and soul this week and to decide what kinds of junk food
you’re ready to cut out — at least for a short while. Think about
turning off the TV and the radio and enjoying the silence. Think about
turning off the computer half an hour earlier and spending some time
outside. Think about putting down books and magazines that make
you feel “less-than.” Think about all the ways you can turn a diet of
junk into a diet of soul food.

At the end of the week, write at least three resolutions for what you
are willing to (temporarily) change in your physical, mental, and
emotional diet.

Part B

Daily Devotions.
An important part of spiritual study is daily routine. This week, find a
15-20 minute time period in your schedule that you can spend in
devotions each day. Find a quiet space and a quiet time— try for the
same time each day. This will help you be consistent, and in spiritual
study consistency is key.

This week, your devotions should include the daily reading from 365
Goddess. Try reading the passage, then briefly responding to it in
your journal. This text suggests mini-rituals you can perform to
honor the featured goddess. Choose one ritual to perform this week
(you can modify it in any way that’s comfortable), then write me
about your experience.

At the end of the week, write at least one paragraph about your
experience with daily devotions AND at least one paragraph about
the mini-ritual you tried.

Part C

Goddess Studies.
For Level I, you will be reading and responding to one chapter per
week from Gadon’s Once & Future Goddess. This week, read the
preface, introduction, and Chapter One, “The Ice Age: The Earth as
Mother.” While you read, jot down anything that interests you,
surprises you, or raises questions in your mind. At the end of the
week, write at least two paragraphs in response to the chapter

Part D

Goddess Box.

Creative play is an important part of connecting with The Goddess,
and a Goddess Box is a good place to start. What is a Goddess Box?
This small, beautifully decorated box is a sacred tool for fostering
dreams and letting go of anxiety.
Find a plain but sturdy box with a lid made of any material (even a
clean coffee can will do). It must be big enough to contain slips of
paper and a few sacred treasures, but be small enough to squirrel
away in a private place. Next, find some items to decorate your box.
You might want to paint it or cover it with cloth. I encourage you to
decorate it with markers, glitter, buttons, ribbons, shells, feathers,
paper images of the Goddess — anything that inspires you. In sacred
play we go back to kindergarten and have fun! We don’t worry about
being artistic.

Once you box is complete, write this message inside the lid or in a
slip of paper you will put inside:

This is my Goddess box. Whatever I put inside this box, I give to The
Goddess to nurture or take care of. I place my hopes and dreams, my
anxieties and fears within this box. Once I close the lid, those hopes
and fears are placed in The Goddess’ capable hands. She will show
me what to do next. With this box, I foster trust in my inner-knowing.
I foster my connection to The Divine. So mote it be.

Now you are ready to begin putting your box into action. Add a few
sacred treasures: a pretty rock, a memento from your past, anything
with positive associations for you. Now cut up some slips of paper
and keep them handy. Lastly, ask yourself if anything is weighing
heavily on your heart at this time — a question, a concern, an idea, a
hope. Write those down on slips of paper (take as many as you need)
and put them inside your box.

When the time is right (in a few weeks or months) you might want to
take them out and re-read them and see what happened! This too will
increase your sense of connection. I clean my box out every month
or two.

Write about the experience of making and using your Goddess Box.

Part E

Grounding Exercise.

Grounding is when we find our physical and spiritual center and
anchor our consciousness into that. If you’ve ever taken dance
classes, you will know your center is your balancing point — for most
people just above the navel. Grounding is also when we release
extra energy into the physical and spiritual earth, energy that makes
us agitated and restless. There are many grounding exercises, but
here’s a great beginning one. (You may need to modify it to match
your physical environment.)

Go outside and find a tree you can comfortably sit next to/lean up
against. You may need to go to a park (but it’s important that you feel
peaceful and safe). As you are sitting, close your eyes and take some
deep breaths. Imagine white light surrounding you and know that
you can come to no harm. Imagine a long root growing out of your tail
-bone, into the earth, along with the tree’s roots. Feel the earth
around your new root. Take it at least 4 or 5 ft down. Now with some
audible exhaling, release any pent up energy you’re ready to get rid
of. Send it down into the earth.

Next, become aware of your spine against the tree trunk. Sit up
straight. Feel yourself growing taller. Now imagine your hair
becoming leaves and branches. Feel the air above you. Imagine
positive energy entering your body through your crown (top of your
head). Feel calmness and strength (or whatever qualities you need at
the time) filling you up and flowing down throughout your body.

Next, focus on your center (abdomen or heart area). Find the place
where YOU reside in your body (not your head!). Become aware of
yourself as a bridge between earth and air. Breath until you feel
balanced. Commune with the tree and thank him/her for lending you
awareness. When you feel balanced, draw in your root and your
branches, but know you carry them with you.

Write about the experience of making and using your Goddess Box.

END OF WEEK 1

Have a wonderful week Sister!

Please email your assignment to
lotusbirth@shaw.ca

Blessings
Nikiah