Girls, Gods and Trance

“Shivering, they say, my face did change to something less than mortal, yet more mighty and beautiful than my corporeal form.  Taller they say I stood with a voice which was not quite my own.  I simply gave myself wholly and gave myself utterly over to the words and inspriation of Leto’s glorious son.”
(Bolina Oceanus, in her essay “For Lo! Apollo is within me” published in Priestesses, Pythonesses & Sibyls)

My previous two blogs looked a little at the Goddess Artemis and how she was venerated by men, something which is often overlooked by those who are reinstating the worship of the old gods today.  Likewise, the worship of her twin brother Apollo provides us with some interesting challenges to modern perceptions of gender within a spiritual and magical setting.  In modern practices it is more often a female Priestess who will open herself up to an invocation of a Goddess into her for the purposes of trance and oracular work.  It is still considered rather avant-garde in some circles for a woman to open herself up for possession by a God (or indeed for a male Priest to have a female Goddess invoked into him).   But why should such a thing be considered innovative today when one of the most famous oracles of the ancient world involved the possession of a Priestess by a male God for the purposes of prophesy?

The Oracle of Delphi was home to the cult of Apollo, twin brother to the goddess Artemis.  These two deities were born to the goddess Leto, through a union with the king of the gods Zeus.  The story of their birth is one an epic one.  Leto is impregnated by Zeus, who is of course married to Hera, goddess of marriage, who was not at all pleased with the news that her husband was to father children with another goddess (yet again, as Zeus often got himself into trouble for fathering children with both mortals and gods!).   She forbade Leto to give birth on solid land and wherever the pregnant goddess went she was made to move on and denied the right to rest and give birth to her children.  In one version of the story Hera instructs the Python of Delphi, a giant serpent, to chase Leto and prevent her from getting rest.  In the end she finds refuge on the floating island of Delos, believed to have once been the body of the star goddess Asteria (sister of Leto) when she, in an effort to escape the advances of Zeus, flung herself into the ocean.  In alternative version we are told that Asteria was turned into a quail by Zeus, when she flung herself into the ocean, or that Zeus helped Leto by turning her into a quail so that she could reach Delos more easily.  Either way, the quail seems to be a key theme in this myth.

When Artemis is born, she then (as she is a god, of course) helps her mother to birth her brother Apollo – and the two would always remain absolutely loyal to each other and to their mother.  As soon as they reached adulthood, they started the process of killing many of those who brought dishonour upon their mother when she was looking for a place to rest and give birth to them.  The first to suffer at their wrath was the Python of Delphi, who had been guarding the oracle there for many years.   The Python, described as a giant serpent or dragon like creature was slayed by the arrows of the twins and Apollo took over the shrine at Delphi, and became the God of the Oracle.

It was said of the Oracle:

“The oracle at Delphi never would have been so much frequented, so famous, and so crowded with offerings from peoples and kings of every land, if all ages had not tested the truth of its prophesies.” (Cicero, On Divination)

In her essay “The Pythia”  Caroline Tully wrote that:~

“A regular Greek priestess’ sphere of influence reached only as far as the temenos walls of her sanctuary.  The authority of the Pythia, or the Priestess of the Delphic Apollo, on the other hand extended much further into areas such as religion, politics, warfare and overseas colonisation.  This was unusual not only for a priestess, but for a woman in what was predominantly patriarchal ancient Greece”.
(Caroline Tully, from The Pythia, published in Priestesses, Pythonesses & Sibyls)

It is clear from these examples that the Oracle of Apollo in Delphi was a very important one, and that it held a lot of power, and that likewise women who held the office of Pythia there, were valued and honoured members of society, whose position gave them a high office in many affairs.  What however is interesting and something I personally believe modern Pagans who do trance work with the gods might wish to take notice of is that arguably the most famous of the oracular priestesses of the ancient world gained their prophesy from a Apollo, a male god.  This was not considered unusual at all in the ancient world and there are examples which illustrate that the pythia did not just speak ‘for’ Apollo, but was actually speaking ‘as’ Apollo:

“The Pythia not only spoke for Apollo, as other priestesses might presume to do for the deities they served, but spoke as Apollo.  Ancient authors believed that she was fully capable for channelling Apollo’s words…”
(Caroline Tully, from The Pythia, published in Priestesses, Pythonesses & Sibyls)

What is described in terms of history and academic research by Caroline Tully, is described in modern experiential terms by modern day Priestess of Apollo, Bolina Oceanus when she wrote in the same anthology:
 

“Becoming a Priestess for Apollo and allowing him to speak through me has allowed me to be free in ways I never expected I could be, but with it I have also been given a great responsibility.  I have to speak his words and I am not allowed to interpret them for others…

I have worked in groups where it was my role to assume the form of a Goddess and enjoyed those rites greatly, though I often found that something was missing or not quite right.  It was only when I first experienced Apollo speaking through me that I gave the matter much thought and realised some very obvious things.  in the ancient magickal and religious practices there were always specific deities who had associations with prophecy, whilst others had specific associations with for example agriculture, love, war or wealth.  This makes for an interesting point to consider, is it all that polite (or for that matter safe!) to invoke deities into ourselves who have no interest in prophesy?)”

(Bolina Oceanus, in her essay “For Lo! Apollo is within me” published in Priestesses, Pythonesses & Sibyls)

So, how do you decide which deities you will allow to possess you for the sake of oracular work?  And how do you test your results?

The Temple of Apollo

 This blog was originally posted to www.sorita.co.uk and is (c) Sorita d’Este 2010

New Age Retailer reviews “Priestesses Pythonesses & Sibyls”

As the darkness and cold continues to descend on us here in the Northern Hemisphere, it is a great time to catch up with reading and studies!  It would also seem that in the last few weeks more reviews of books I have worked on, and other forms of feedback on my work is being brought to my attention.  One such example from the last week are reviews of both HEKATE LIMINAL RITES  and VISIONS OF THE CAILLEACH ( both co-authored with David Rankine) and the anthology PRIESTESSES PYTHONESSES & SIBYLS (which I compiled and edited, with essays with some of the most phenomenal women in the current magical revival alive today!) which appeared in the very popular NEW AGE RETAILER in recent weeks.

This is what the reviewer, Richard Wright (Tranquil Things, Derby Line, Vt)  had to say about this anthology:

This book contains brief contributions from 18 modern pagan priestesses. It draws together their strands of experience and research while also covering a wide range of ancient and modern spiritual traditions from around the world. The editor makes clear that the one aspect they have in common in their roles is their use of trance states, achieved through a wide variety of methods. Three preliminary essays serve as orientation, covering a general background regarding priestesses who speak with and for the gods, the role of the priestess of Delphic Apollo, and women of power in the early Christian church.

Each contributor explains her unique manner of invoking the presence of specific deities. According to one of the writers, once they are present, “Each one has Her own feel, look, way of holding Herself, way of expressing Herself, but still, there is something similar about the process, as an Otherworldly comes into me,” to which she adds, “Entering into that state is not difficult. The ritual leads up to this point, paving the way to the right mindset.” Commenting on the use of ritual, another writer observes, “It really does not matter if deities have an objective external existence or not, as long as the practice itself is psychologically and spiritually beneficial.” The essays make clear that the ritual, no matter what it is, allows three things to fall into place: the metaphysical perspective, the appropriate ego preparation, and the readiness to work with both light and dark aspects of self. The priestess is then able to become a vessel for the incarnation of whatever presence is being invoked.

Priestessess, Pythonesses, & Sibyls is useful as a guide for those wishing to know more about the range of practices currently used by modern priestesses and the traditions from which they have developed. As noted by one of the contributors, “The myriad forms of life, the Divine essence of which is personified as Gods and Goddesses, teach us something of the nature of Divinity which we may find within ourselves and in all things.”

You can read the original review, as well as reviews of many other new titles (including Hekate Liminal Rites) by visiting their website  http://www.newageretailer.com/PageID/466/default.aspx

You can find out more about Priestesses, Pythonesses & Sibyls by going to: http://www.avaloniabooks.co.uk/catalogue/titles/priestesses.htm

Interview with Karagan

For those who missed my chat with Karagan at WitchTalk @ BlogTalkRadio last night (8 November 2009) you can download it as a mpeg from the website, or listen to it at:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/witchtalk/2009/11/08/Dancing-at-the-Crossroads

We ended up chatting about Hekate, Magic, Paganism and Wicca, Drawing Down the Moon and the Pythia … as well as various philosophies and ideas….

Wiccan Rede reviews PPS!

I woke up this morning to sunshine and beautiful blue skies here in the Welsh borders, and to a postal delivery (does this mean the strikes are over?) which included a parcel from the Netherlands containing copies of WICCAN REDE magazine.  This bilingual (Netherlands & English) magazine is published four times a year by “Silver Circle”  and more information can be found at www.silvercircle.org for those interested in subscribing, or in further information.  Producing this book was one of the most amazing experiences for me as a Priestess, and the end result is something I am very proud of – I hope that copies of this book will continue to find their way to women (&men) who will benefit from the experience of the women who contributed so much of themselves to this project and highly recommend it to anyone embarking on a journey of Priesthood into the mysteries, as well as those already there…

The magazine WICCAN REDE (English / Nederlands quarterly, bi lingual and published in the Netherlands) includes the following review of Priestesses Pythonesses and Sibyls in their latest magazine (Samhain 2009):

“This is not the first book Sorita has edited, and she describes this book as follows:

‘Priestesses Pythonesses Sibyls lifts a veils to reveal the mystery of trance as exerpienced by female magickal practitioners today. Through happiness and sorrow, myth and legend, art and poetry, through ritual and dance each woman expresses her own unique and personal transformative experiences of trance. Whether through trance possession, mediumship, Drawing Down the Moon, oracular or mantic states, dance, dreams or formal ceremony the experiences and knowledge gained during trance states can bring dramatic changes to one’s life. The practices represented in this volume are drawn from the experiences and research of more than twenty women from around the world, each providing a unique vision of their own experiences of the Divine.’

In a time when many of us are looking at ways in which we can experience the mysteries first hand this is an invaluable anthology. Beginning with three essays describing historical figures such as the ‘The Pythia of Apollo in Delphi’ (Caroline Tully) the second part is devoted to recollections of personal experience.

From different traditions the essayists let us peek into their ‘kitchens’. From Katie Gerrard writing from the Seidh tradition, to Marielle Holman writing as a dancer, to Naomi Ozaniec as a Priestess of Isis.

Each has describe their own highlights and sometimes lowlights.

Naomi in fact raises the question of the reason for sharing experiences.

“I now find myself wondering which personal stories to share and what purpose might be gained in their telling. The magical injunction: “to be silent” holds much wisdom since intense personal experience is often too intimate to carry a general significance”

Yes it is a dilemma of our times. When to keep silent? I think that the art is to describe something of an experience, which can serve to inspire others. I certainly found this book inspiring and encouraging at the same time.

———-

For more information on this anthology see Priestesses Pythonesses and Sibyls or visit  the Avalonia website at http://www.avaloniabooks.co.uk/catalogue/titles/priestesses.htm for order information etc. (free P&P worldwide on all Avalonia titles!)

Priestesses Pythonesses & Sibyls

Not long now before Priestesses Pythonesses & Sibyls will open for pre-orders over at avalonia books.

There is a lot of excitement about this project – and rightly so, its a very exciting project!!  So as a teaser for those waiting for more information, here’s the general information.  Pre-orders will open on the 21st of November and books will be ready to ship to those who pre-order on the 31st of November, which means that it will (well should, postal services allowing!) get to you in time for the Yule holidays, regardless of where in the world you are.

PRIESTESSES PYTHONESSES & SIBYLS (edited by Sorita d’Este)
Published by Avalonia – www.avaloniabooks.co.uk

Priestesses Pythonesses Sibyls lifts a veil to reveal the mystery of trance as experienced by female magickal practitioners today. Through happiness and sorrow, myth and legend, art and poetry, through ritual and dance each woman expresses her own unique and personal transformative experiences of trance. Whether through trance possession, mediumship, Drawing Down the Moon,  oracular or mantic states, dance, dreams or formal ceremony the experiences and knowledge gained during trance states can bring dramatic changes to one’s life. The practices represented in this volume are drawn from the experiences and research of more than twenty women from around the world, each providing a unique vision of their own experiences of the Divine. 

The book begins with “Ecstatic Histories” a section of three scholarly essays. The first, Mantic Voices by Sorita d’Este provides an overview of the role of mantic priestesses in the major oracles of the ancient world, with a consideration of the resurgence of the role of the priestess in the modern Western magickal traditions.  This is followed by Caroline Tully’s The Pythia exploring the history and role of the Oracle at Delphi and Kim Huggens’ Silent Priestesses which looks at female priests and prophetesses in early Christianity.

Then in “Sacred Utterances”, the second part of this anthology, eighteen modern day Priestesses,  Pythonesses and Sibyls share their own personal experiences, wisdom and research on the practice of trance.  These women come from a wide spectrum of magickal and pagan traditions, including Goddess Spirituality, the  Western Mystery Tradition, Thelema, Wicca, Candomble,  Voudou and Seidr.  Sharing, sometimes for the first time, deep spiritual experiences and insights gained through the work they have performed as  Priestesses serving  in their own unique way, they provide the reader with insights into their practices which could not be found anywhere else.  This section includes essays by authors such as Janet Farrar, Naomi Ozaniec and Vivienne O’Regan, Wiccan Priestesses Galatea, Diane Champigny, Yvonne Aburrow, Emily Ounsted and Sorrell Cochrane, and Priestess of Avalon Jacqui Woodward-Smith. It also includes  Seidr practitioner  Katie Gerrard, Priestess of Apollo Bolina Oceanus, Cathryn Orchard a Priestess of the Gnostic Catholic Church, Voudou hounsi bossal Sophia Fisher, Orixa devotee Andrea Salgado-Reyes, Teacher and Priestess Connia Silver, and dancers Mariëlle Holman and Nina Falaise.

Unique, powerful and insightful, this book expresses the liminal world of trance  in an accessible way for the first time.