Greetings L,
Hmmmm. Let's see some historical examples . . .
Prehistoric (especially Neolithic) times: Women were typically the
healers and, in many tribe/clan structures were seers and
fortune-tellers. Fertility cults (the so-called "Venus of Willendorf,"
figures of Astarte, the so-called "Snake Goddess," etc.) were,
naturally, centered around goddesses and featured women in positions of
power -- often priestesses were conducted "services" in song and dance.
In a different family of 'spiritual tradition', the indigenous peoples
of North America had female seers . . . shaman is actually a sex-less
term.
In the lands between the two rivers (Tigress & Euphrates): Sargon's
mother was high priestess. And after capturing Ur, he named his
daughter Enheduanna High Priestess of the moon-god, Nanna. [Source:
http://members.tripod.com/historel/orient/01mesop.htm] Additionally,
priestesses were known to be accountants/administrators of Temple of
Inanna in Sumeria c.3100 B.C.
In Egypt: " . . . there is considerable historical evidence telling of
the role of priests within the priestly hierarchy, the status of the
priestesses was at times equal if not mirror to that of the male
priesthood. The female priestesses held the main function within the
temple's of music and dancing. At Thebes, however, the chief-priestess
of Amun bore the title of 'god's wife'; she was the leader of the female
music-makers who were regarded as the god's harem and were identified
with the goddess Hathor, who was associated with love and music. In the
Twenty-third Dynasty and afterwards such priestesses were practically
rulers of the theocracy, their duties centering around the reverence of
Isis, and many other female and male goddesses and gods."
[Source:
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/egypt/religion/priest.html]
The Oracle at Delphi: "According to the Greek historian Herodotus, the
oracles were delivered by Apollo's priestess, the Pythia, seated on a
tripod and speaking in a trance induced by natural gases seeping through
the rocks. Her mutterings were then interpreted and transmitted to
inquirers by the priests, who rendered them in deliberately vague verse.
Recent scholars say that, upon close study of all of the reliable
evidence, they came to the conclusion that there was no chasm or vapors
involved, and that the Pythia did not go into a trance or frenzy, crying
incoherently. Furthermore, she spoke clearly, coherently, and directly
to the people seeking advice. The oracle at Delphi was consulted before
any important step was taken in affairs of state. Thus it exerted a
powerful influence on the history of the Greeks. The common reverence
for its words, together with the Pythian festivals and games held near
the shrine every four years, made for unity in the political and
religious life of the Greek world."
[Source: www.occultopedia.com/d/delphi.htm]
In Roman Pompeii: On the following web page
[http://myweb.lmu.edu/fjust/Ancient-Pompeii.htm], two inscriptions
regarding priestesses . . .
#1 EVMACHIA * L * F * SACERD * PVBL * NOMINE * SVO * ET
M * NVMISTRI * FRONTONIS * FILI * CHALCIDICVM * CRYPTAM
PORTICVS * CONCORDIAE * AVGVSTAE * PIETATI * SUA
PEQVNIA * FECIT * EADEMQVE * DEDICAVIT
Eumachia, daughter of Lucius [Eumachius], a public
priestess, in her own name and [in the name] of her son,
Marcus Numistrius Fronto, built the chalcidicum, the
porticus, and the crypta at her own expense, and
dedicated them to Concordia Augusta and to Pietas.
#2 MAMIAE P F SACERDOTI PVBLICAE LOCVS SEPVLTVR(ae)
DATVS DECVRIONVM DECRETO
To [the memory of] Mamia, daughter of Publius [Mamius],
a public priestess. A place for burial was given by a
decree
of the decurions [i.e., the city council].
Many of the so-called "neopagan" religions (Asatru, Druidism, Wicca,
etc.) and many religion traditions developed in more modern times --
such as Baha'i, Eckankar, Thelema, Unitarian Universalists -- have women
in positions of spiritual authority and power.
Ahem . . . who did you say spoke for the gods?
True, the three giants of monotheism are patriarchal. But times change
and women have made inroads in the more liberal/modern Jewish and
Christian sects.
Sincerely,
j heuman, Education Curator
Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art
Utah State University
4020 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322-4020
t 435.797.0165 | f 435.797.3423
Education costs money, but then so does ignorance.
Sir Charles Moser, b. 1922
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Museum discussion list
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of L Dewey
> Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2004 7:22 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Hat etiquette and closets
>
> And who, historically, speaks for the god(s)?
> men.
>
> and what do the gods demand (among other things)?
> fealty to men.
>
> -LD
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