"New Age" is hot these days. So hot, in fact, that "traditionally" religious people are accepting and even practicing various new age aspects. We all know where to find our closest new age shop, and where to go for tarot classes and full moon circles. Crystals and incense (and the people who use them) aren't as strange and weird as they were just a few years ago. Bumper stickers that proclaim "God is coming and boy is SHE pissed!" are common.

No matter what tradition or accoutrements of "new age" you are familiar with or practice, what I've observed is central to this movement is a re connection with Spirit. As Wiccans, we know that everyone's path to/with Spirit is unique and vital; as in, there are many ways to the top of the mountain...what matters is that you get there, not how you get there. For a growing number of people, this re-connection isn't about traditional Western religion (Christianity) but about finding one's personal relationship with All That Is.

For hundreds of years, people have been told that All That Is is called God. Fine. Call It what you will. Spirit is known by many names. The problem has been the belief that God is a male figure, that men are created in this Male-God image, and women are simply the side creations meant to serve and amuse men.

I pause here to say I am not a "radical feminist," nor even a feminist. But I cannot help but see what this male-domination has done to women. We all know a woman (or several) who allow a man to use and abuse her. Why? Because she somehow feels he has a right, or that she isn't good enough and deserves such treatment. Yes, possibly her family life growing up taught her such low self-esteem, but who taught her family such things? Religious teachings. Now, I realize that there are many, many good Christians who would never condone men mistreating women, and Jesus certainly did not. The problem is inherent in the assumption of a belief system that women are somehow lesser than men. Once this belief is ingrained, any hope of true equality is lost. Someone who believes themself to be created "first" and another to be created "from them" can never really accept the other as equal.

I do believe we, as a society, have made very impressive advances in equality. Of course, we have such a long way to go. I also know that I am sounding very (!) disparaging of Christianity. While I take exception to some of its basic teachings (such as the role of women to men) I cannot say that it hasn't done good for many people. As I stated before, everyone needs/wants a path to Spirit (or perhaps they don't), and if for someone Christianity is it, that is how they should live.

I admit that the Wiccan practice of holding all religions sacred to their practioners is hard...something I keep reminding myself, especially when I think of all the reasons *I* don't like a particular religion. But I suppose that's how it is for us all.

Now, back to why Goddess is important.

The rising popularity of the Goddess, and Goddess worship, is a sign that women (for it is mostly women who worship Her, although there are many men as well) need a connection to Spirit that honors them. For too long women's only "allowable" religious figure has been Mary, a woman valued because she gave birth to an important man. And she is still a level below the central male god figure. As women gain status and power in the secular world, is it any wonder they crave a similar feeling of empowerment in the religious world?

Whether one honors God or Goddess, one is still honoring Spirit. All That Is. By any name, It is the same. But in our culture, the gender of the name *is* important. It is a form of empowerment. Since Spirit is All That Is, Spirit can take on any form, and gender that will bring It closer to us. Goddess worship is not about crazy women with pointy hats dancing around in a circle, plotting to kill men. It is about a sincere desire of women to connect with Spirit, to feel all the power, emotion and value that is womanhood. Women need that. For too long we've been told to be quiet, to do as we're told, to let the strong man take care of us. Enough. Let us speak up when needed, do what we feel is right, and take care of ourselves first; then we can come to a man as an equal, sharing the joys and burdens of relationships, parenting or a household. If men and women are going to fight it out, whether "it" be for a job, etc., let it be on equal footing. Only when we can all see each other as equal can we know true joy; and that means not only men believing women to be equal but women believing that they are.

Blessed Be.