Snake Woman Shedding Her Skin

The Goddess we usually call Crone is shown with a young and a middle-aged face
as well. In Goddess spirituality, the idea that the Divine has many faces is
well accepted. We're comfortable with the notion that the Divine appears in
different ways to different people. One of the best characteristics of Goddess
religion, in fact, is this acceptance that others' visions are as valid as your
own most precious beliefs. You don't have to make a strong argument for
ecumenism among truly devoted Goddess worshippers.

For me, though, it was one thing to acknowledge the many-paths-up-the-mountain
argument in the abstract. It was something entirely different to realize it
through direct experience. When I was a Goddess worshipper, I paid lip service
to ecumenism, but I didn't really believe it. I disdained the patriarchal
religions, especially the one that dominates my own culture. I truly believed
that any woman who practiced Christianity, Judaism or Islam was little more
than an obliging doormat. And, even though I didn't express it openly, I felt
that anyone who chose to follow these faiths was misguided, incorrect, and
maybe just a little cowardly not to break free of them. I was even a little
smug about it.

I don't think Goddess cares for self-righteousness, and She had a way of
dealing with my attitude. My love of nature, that had brought me to Goddess in
the first place, led me to the writings of Matthew Fox. Now, how a feminist
Goddess follower ever looked at his writings in the first place, those of a
Christian, and, on top of that, a guy, still amazes me. It happened, as
miracles seem to, inexplicably. I read Fox's book called Original Blessing,
and was captivated from the first paragraph. Fox spoke of the Word of God.
The Word was not just blind acceptance of some ancient mythology, but a living
force of Creation. And Creation itself was not some static event in the
inconceivable past, but a dynamic, moving, ever-new process. The Word was
alive. It was awe, joy, mystery, and ecstasy. I could feel it. I saw the
Word in everything, from tree branches against the gray morning sky to my hands
grasping a pencil. My life of spirit became deeper and richer. Before I had
the chance to catch my breath, I was talking to an Episcopal priest about being
baptized. Goddess, clearly, has a sense of humor. Little Ms. Smarty Pants who
had all the answers woke up one day and found herself turned into a Christian.

Goddess used to be absolutely real for me. Now the Word fills my vision. I
don't see this as one supplanting the other. It's more of a transformation,
where Goddess worshipper became Creation-centered Christian like Snake Woman
shedding Her skin. In no way do I feel I've turned away from Goddess. Goddess
is just no longer how I conceive of the Mystery. It's just a matter of what I
see when I look toward the inexpressible. This spiritual shape-shifting has
made the unity of all light-seeking faiths real for me. We really are all one.
As if we all hear the Cosmic sound and sing back a different note in the
harmony.

So, here I am, in my new skin, still in SisterSpirit, still participating in
circle, still loving Goddess, really, but now as a Christian, with a different
perspective, with added dimension, and reveling in every aspect of the irony.
If you don't believe She changes everything She touches, you'd better look
behind you. May the peace of the Christ be ever in our hearts. Om. Amen.
Blessed be.

--by Silverskye