To the editors:

I have read thoroughly the article “A Silenced Woman” [January 3]. And now I completely understand why victims of rape almost never tell anyone about their pain. It is the same reason why women have been silenced by the church and society in general. The reason is (1) The Supreme Deity is Female and (2) “Man” (generically speaking, that is) has an obsessive fear of death. Wars are prime examples of the expressions of that fear.

The point is that for thousands of years men have, since almost antiquity, envied and feared women; men have systematically stripped women of every single shred of humanness from her very self. Even today, women don’t trust other women. So I say this to you, good Sister Teresita Weind: those of us women who are theologically inclined–meaning, those of us who have been “called”–should form our own churches, and dedicate these Houses of Worship to our own Mother Goddess.

Why should we indeed continue to service any deity and “his” priests, who constantly castigate us simply because we are female; for example, declaring all women “unclean” simply because we menstruate?!?

To back up my statement in fact, read these books: Jambalaya by Luisa Teish; The Crone by Barbara G. Walker; When God Was a Woman by Merlin Stone; The Complete Art of Witchcraft by Sybil Leek: these works, when read carefully and open-mindedly will help those who do not understand to comprehend.

I am sure that when you publish my little thesis in your newspaper (and please try and forward a copy of my letter to the good Sister Teresita Weind), I am certain this little ditty will raise a few eyebrows. Some may even gag or choke with rage. They still have Witch burnings in the law books. Well, so what!

Of course, for when one makes up one’s mind to finally tell the truth, one is bound to make enemies and to keep few friends. So be it.

Gina Taylor

S. Yates

PS: Please be kind enough to forward these prayers to Sister Teresita Weind. And if possible, publish them, with my letter in the editorial pages. I DARE YOU!!!

In the beginning there was AuSet (African; aka Isis, Greek): Oldest of the Old, She was the Goddess, from whom all Becoming Arose. She was the Great Lady, Mistress of the two Lands of Khennemu (African, Land of the Moon; aka Egypt, Greek), Mistress of Shelter, Mistress of Heaven, Mistress of the House of Life, Mistress of the word of God. She was the Unique. In all Her great and wonderful works She was a wiser magician and more excellent than any other God. –Thebes, 14th Century BC

Thou Sun Goddess of Arinna art an honored deity; Thy name is held high among names; Thy divinity is held high among the deities; Nay, among the deities, Thou alone O Sun Goddess art honored; Great art Thou alone O Sun Goddess of Arinna; Nay compared to Thee no deity is as great or honored. –Boghazkoy, Turkey, 15th Century BC

Unto Her who renders decision, Goddess of all things, Unto the Lady of Heaven and Earth who receives supplication; Unto Her who hears petition, who entertains prayer; Unto the compassionate Goddess who loves righteousness; Ishtar the Queen, who suppresses all that is confused. To the Queen of Heaven, the Goddess of the Universe, the One who walked in terrible Chaos and brought life by the Law of Love; And out of Chaos brought us harmony, and from Chaos Thou has led us by the hand. –Babylon, 18th to 7th Centuries BC

Hear O ye regions, the praise of Queen Nana; Magnify the Creatrix; exalt the dignified; exalt the Glorious One; draw nigh to the Mighty Lady. –Sumer, 19th Century BC