Monday, August 16, 2010

Increasing the screen "view" to 150% makes
this easier to read and the images are bigger.

Following the story of how the temple was created, each image is shown with a description and the poem written by the woman portrayed.


The Temple of the Goddess

A sacred journey through the wheel of the year
...from dreams and visions to wisdom and enlightenment.

From the beginning of humankind, sacred temples have been created to honor the Great Mother... the Goddess... Mother Earth. Many of these temples were round and often underground - symbolizing the sacred womb of creation. The Temple of the Goddess is a contemporary expression of the wonders of the cycles of life. Those who enter this space are surrounded with the beauty, wisdom, and healing energy of the feminine divine.

The Temple of the Goddess is a collection of 13 paintings of women who have celebrated and grown together in our journey with the Goddess. The paintings are assembled facing in to create a round room - a sacred sanctuary. The images begin in Spring and travel through the seasons until they reach the end of Winter - and thus begin again. There are smaller panels between each of the 13 which add to the imagery - creating one continuous mural which moves from one goddess to the next... a beautiful flow of seasons, colors, and symbolism which resonates with all who enter.

The four elements and the four directions are honored in each season. Spring: Air/East, Summer: Fire/South, Autumn: Water/West, and Winter: Earth/North. A candle burns on a pedestal in the Center to represent the presence of the Divine - within and without - perceived and embraced by each of us in our own way.

Nature’s seasons bring us experiences and wisdom that relate to our own life journeys. Each of these women identified where she fit in the wheel of the year, and we developed imagery and symbolism that spoke to who she is as a unique individual and her connection to this place.
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The seeds for The Temple of the Goddess were planted in the spring of 1993 when I attended my first UU Womenspirit Gathering at The Mountain in Highlands, NC. There I found women who come together to celebrate their lives as women - and to call the wisdom and joy they find "goddess." I created this artistic installation as an expression of my joy in reclaiming the goddess, and in finding her wonderful qualities in these dear women. The blessings that we received through the creation process, and through sharing the Temple with others, continue to be endless and amazing.

Work began on Spring Equinox of 2002 when I took photos for the first painting. I worked on each painting during the season that it represents, and was deeply conscious of the gifts of the Earth as she slowly transformed around me. The premiere installation was on Spring Equinox of 2003.

The 13 paintings also represent the 13 moons of the year, and each has a beautiful sculptured image of the triple moon above it. The triple moon represents the goddess: birth, life, death... and rebirth. Each month, women are reborn, fill with life, and then let it go. The triple moon is also the three phases in a woman’s life - maiden, mother, and crone.

Upon entering the temple, we begin in Spring and the East. Here we greet the dawn and the gentle morning breezes of Air. We give birth to our Dreams and Visions, and come forth from our cocoons to stretch our Wings of New Life. The earth begins to burst with astounding greens and bright colors, and we enter My Sister’s Garden.

In Summer, the sun climbs higher and takes us to the Fires of South. We reach high into the bright rays of the noon sun where we realize our own Bloom of Radiance! We shine and laugh and dance! We shed the skins of our past and experience Transformation... lifting ourselves high in change and creativity. As the energy of summer builds, we virtually explode with our Rising Power! We are not afraid to speak out for the greatest good.

The seasons turn again and summer fires are cooled in the Cleansing Waters of Autumn. The sun begins to descend in the West. Our spirits find a place of peace. Waves of compassion wash through us and those we love - Healing the Soul. Sitting beside the cool rivers in Meditation, we settle into the gentle flow of letting go. The leaves fall around us as the day draws to an end. The trees offer us a place of Protection and safety... nurturing and grounding us.

Moving deeper into the Earth, we enter Winter. The sun has set and the moon rises. We are within the womb of Mother Earth now, Hearing the Stories of the ancient ones as we nestle together in the warmth of those close to us. It is time to rest. The seeds of our future are filled with wisdom during this time, as we prepare for The Ascent. Venturing out into the dark night, we are guided by Her light and supported by Her wisdom. At the top of our climb, we once again find the light of dawn and the promise of Spring. The joyful crone of Wisdom and Enlightenment beckons us onward to greet our next year of growth!

It is my intention that The Temple of the Goddess continue to be a traveling exhibit, and that it will touch the world in whatever way is most needed. The presence of the sacred feminine has been reclaimed by many after having been denied and suppressed for the past 2,000 years by predominantly patriarchal traditions and religions. We all have male and female energies in our makeup - and to create a society that allows and honors both the feminine and the masculine can only serve to bring harmony and balance and reverence for all.
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In peace, Heather
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(Click on each image for a full size view.)
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"Dreams and Visions"
Spring ~ Air ~ East
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Spring brings rebirth for Mother Earth. She awakens to a new dawn and a world full of new beginnings. In the morning dew and gentle breezes, all life begins to stretch and stir, and we bring our dreams into the light of day. She is Persephone, joyfully returning to her mother, Demeter, after a winter in the underworld... bringing visions of new life!
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With the dawn and return of spring,
She comes.
New love... new growth... new life.
Mother and Father gently
cradle the young ones...
joyfully and patiently waiting to greet...
budding trees... tender flowers... robin's eggs...
and precious new life growing in her womb.
The excitement and wonder of love and life...
the peace in the morning light
knowing that all is well."
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Melissa Christopher & Blake Hoskinson
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"Wings of New Life"
Spring ~ Air ~ East
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Out of the cocoon the butterfly emerges. She is the maiden, she is our daughters, she is the exuberance of youth. She lifts her heart to the morning sun, and stretches her wings to fly on the breath of the wind. She is Cybele, dancing to the music of her life, dancing with drums, flutes, and cymbals. She is the bee goddess, blessing and caring for all the wild things on earth.
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"A bright fresh beginning.
A new leaf is turning each day.
Unsure where I'm heading.
Trusting my heart will lead the right way.
My spirit soars on the wind,
sometimes tumbling and turning.
A new place to land as
each day is dawning.
Safe... and letting it fall where it may."
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Claire Little
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"My Sister's Garden"
Spring ~ Air ~ East
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She tends her plants with gentle hands and nourishing rains as her gardens burst with astounding colors, patterns, and fragrances. She is Flora, "flourishing one," goddess of spring. She embodies fertility, abundance, health, beauty, and generosity. Breathe, grow, and dance in her garden.
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"Seeds stirring in my soul...
tender young roots stretching...
searching for warmth and moisture.
A courageous young sprout finds its way
to the top of my heart and
bursts upward into the light.
Unfold your own beauty...
and then reach for more.
Create your life and create your dreams.
Paint your patterns in the earth.
Lift your faces to the sun, the rain, and the wind.
I will care for you here in the Garden of Life...
for I am your Mother Earth...
a vessel overflowing with love.
Come and grow and be filled."

Kathy Frost
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"Bloom of Radiance"
Summer ~ Fire ~ South
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The noon day sun climbs high, and summer arrives. She is Amaterasu, the Japanese sun goddess, hiding in a cave. Betrayed by those she loves, she has withdrawn her light in anger and rage. They suffer without her, so lure her out with dancing and merriment. As she peeks out, she sees her own shining face in a mirror and comes forth. The world is once again filled with her beauty and radiance!
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"Dark rage, sadness, betrayal.
I have hidden my light and crawled into a cave.
I keep from the world the light that creates life.
Who dares to release me? Why are you laughing?
Why are you singing? What is that glow?
Ah, you trick me with a mirror!
My rage and anger, so red and hot,
are the fire of my soul.
I transform them to passion, creativity, and joy.
I am the flow. I am the shine. I am beauty.
I am radiance. I am the bloom of colors.
My light is life, and my life is light."
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Margo Whitcomb
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"Transformation"
Summer ~ Fire ~ South
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Snake woman sheds her skin and a new being comes forth. She rises from the dry earth and the heat of the mid day sun warms her soul... lifting her to heights of creativity and power. Others may see her as cunning, but her ways are calculated, careful, and smooth. She is the Snake goddess of Knossos, Medusa, and Kali.
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"I am... She Who Knows the
Power of the Feminine Divine.
I am comfortable in my Body and in my Power.
I am Fierce and Unafraid. I am a Snake Handler...
with unabiding faith in my ability
to handle whatever comes my way...
transforming all events into Health and Wholeness.
See my Colors. Feel my Beauty.
Know my Power.
Lose your fear, shed your skin, and
transform your life through Her."
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Nina Benedetto
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"Rising Power"
Summer ~ Fire ~ South
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The heat of summer builds... and explodes! The Earth opens and sends her fires upwards... creating courage and power for those who are willing to embrace it. She is Pele, Athena, Isis, and in mortal form, Joan of Arc.
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"I am fierce, strong, and vibrant.
I will lead the battle with a clear strategy and quick mind...
never turning away from a challenge.
I fight for the freedom of my own soul, and
I fight for those who cannot find their voices.
Do not fear my power, for I am the strength and sacred
wisdom of all who sacrificed for honesty in their lives.
I am lifted high by those who came before me.
I am the most destructive form of the Goddess and yet,
I am also the most compassionate.
By confronting that which is harmful to others,
I cleanse the way for new beginnings.
Without my destruction, there is no rebirth."
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Laura LaTourette
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"Cleansing Waters"
Autumn ~ Water ~ West
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Summer fires are cooled in the cleansing and healing waters... tumulting down around us, through us, and creating the vast oceans of our souls. She is the Orisha: Oshun, Sensuous One... Yemaya, Mother of the Waters... and Oya, Winds of Change.
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"I am the winds and waters of transition and flow.
My hands sculpt powerful currents of wind and waves,
and the voice of my drum guides their direction.
Close your eyes... feel the vibration...
hear the drum and water and wind become one.
Dance to the deepest rhythms of your heart.
Let the winds change the direction of your flow...
and the intensity and purpose of your dance.
Let the waters rush around you and through you...
cleansing your soul and your dancing spirit!
Dance and change with me.
Dance to the rhythms of your life."

Susan Hunt
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"Healing the Soul"
Autumn ~ Water ~ West
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Healing energy channels through her hands and calms the stormy ocean. Her blessings are gentle and loving, and she encourages us to swim to the depths of our souls to find inner peace. She is Mary, Tara, Kuan Yin... She Who Hears The Cries of the World. She carries us over the waters of turmoil and suffering to the shores of peace.
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"Gratitude for sea depths, for soul depths
Gratitude for seal grace, for growth, for change
Praises to the one, the all
Praises to her ~ Reverence
Heart listening ~
She offers companionship, not solutions
Steadfastly standing beside
Heart holding ~ Holding grievers in her lap
Her pearls ~ Pain transmuted to beauty
Blessings ripple forth ~ Starlight of the heart
Soothing..."

Rebecca Reeves
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"Meditation"
Autumn ~ Water ~ West
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She sits in meditation and serenity beside the flowing waters. As the leaves fall and the geese fly, she breathes deeply and lets go. She is Goddess of the Harvest. Her Gratitude basket is filled with the fruits and blessings of the Earth.
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"She is Demeter. She is Mother.
She is at peace.
Witness... The fount and fruition of life.
Past, present, future...
All suspended in this moment out of time."
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Ceci Bonfils
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"Protection"
Autumn ~ Water ~ West
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Strong Tree Mother, rooted deep into the Earth and reaching high into the Sky, provides a safe haven for all her children. Her Turtle breastplate keeps her heart strong, patient, and wise. Her hands dance in the wind, encouraging the brightly colored leaves to fall... settling into a blanket for the coming Winter... knowing that new leaves will be created in the Spring. She is Artemis, Protector, and Goddess of the Wood.
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"The Standing People teach us stability,
longevity, protection, nurturing...
cleanse the air, cool the earth, hold the soil;
nurture everything from tiny insects
to our entire Mother Earth.
Turtle carries her home with her...
where she can retreat when necessary.
But to move forward,
Turtle must stick her neck out!"
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Kate Stockman
Paul, Allen and Paige Stockman
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"Hearing the Stories"
Winter ~ Earth ~ North
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It is winter. It is cold. It is dark. It is time to go within. She gathers her daughters around her... cuddling, laughing, loving... and passing on the ancient stories heard from her own mother. We are warm. We are safe. We are within the womb of the Earth. She is Gaia. She is the Great Mother of Us All.
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"Children... listen well to the elders.
Remember... and bear witness
to the life force born into you
which calls new seed to open in
battered and barren places
so that humanity may be reborn."
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Amy Mitchell ~ Irene Diddy
Emily, Hannah and Abby Mitchell
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"The Ascent"
Winter ~ Earth ~ North
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She boldy ventures forth from the warmth and safety of the cave, and begins her climb. Wrapped in garments of wisdom gained during her time in the darkness, she is sure of her path and unafraid. She climbs with purpose and conviction. She is White Buffalo Woman, Changing Woman, and she is Inanna returning from the Underworld.
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"I am content. I am full. I am crone.
I know where I am going and who I am.
The Light of Her Moon and Stars will guide me.
The Staff of Life will support me.
Feathers of Air and Peace.
Bells of Song and Water.
Strong Tree of Grounding and Support.
Mark of Fire to Ignite and Inspire Creativity.
A soft leather Sole so that I may walk gently on her Earth.
May I walk in Beauty. May I walk in Wisdom.
May I walk in Peace.
May I walk with the Goddess."
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Heather Cramer
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"Wisdom and Enlightenment"
Winter ~ Earth ~ North
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The wise old crone greets us at the pinnacle of our journey... she is the mountaintop. She has found her true self and laughs with joy! She beckons to us to join her, to share the light of her wisdom, and the beauty and honor of the years. She is Hecate: Guardian of the Crossroads, and Morgan Le Fay.
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"Come near, my sisters.
That which you think difficult, is not.
We are all one, whole within and without,
containing cycles of many endings and beginnings.
Choose your path and rejoice in all that is.
Rejoice with gratitude.
Dance with me on the mountain, on the edge.
Free your spirit and rejoice.
Perils have made you strong for the path ahead.
Transform with awareness and acceptance.
Come close, my sisters, share the light...
and allow yourselves to be."
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Betty Brown
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All images are copyrighted by the artist.
Heather Cramer ~ hcramer@nc.rr.com ~ Durham, NC