Here are 14 of my favorite Taras and 4 Protectors just after having danced the 21 praises of Tara full mandala in Phoenix earlier this month. Someone else already went off on how fabulous Tara is (i.e., how fabulous we all are, every single human—each divine!), so I won’t here, but there’s something about dancing the full mandala that… well, we really ARE all Tara: mothers, protectors, divine!

I had to do it. I effing LOVE Xena. My sister (a real live super hero, I kid you not) made me sit down and try it, and despite all the cheez and fake stage-y caca, I totally fell in love with the whole thing. We all have Xena inside us, so up she goes!

Bast, Goddess

of Protection and Pleasure

Bast, Egyptian goddess of sensual pleasure, protector of the household, bringer of health, and the guardian saint of firefighters—she was the original mistress of multi-tasking!

Also called Bastet or Basthet, the goddess Bast is widely known today as the “Cat Goddess”. Legend has it that, by day, Bast would ride through the sky with her father, the sun god Ra, his boat pulling the sun through the sky.

Ever watchful, she protected Ra from his enemies. Thus she became known as the Lady of the East, the Goddess of the Rising Sun, and The Sacred and All-Seeing Eye.

But by night, she was a different creature entirely! Bast transformed herself into a cat (renown for its superb night vision) to guard her father from Apep (also known as Apophis), a serpent who was her father’s greatest enemy.

Ra’s priests burned wax models of the snake and wrote his name with green ink, trying to put a “hex” on him—but to no avail. Finally, with her cat eyes shining in the dark, she managed to kill the evil serpent.

Credited with killing the vile Apep, the goddess Bast ensured the warmth of the sun would continue to bless the delta of the Nile with fertile soil and abundant crops and was honored as a goddess of fertility.

Because of her all-seeing sacred eye (called the utchat) that magically saw through the dark, Bast is one of the few sun goddesses that is also classified as a moon goddess…with her glowing cat’s eye reminding us of the moon that it reflects.

One of the most ancient of the Egyptian goddesses, she is depicted as a slender woman having the head of a domestic cat. Sometimes she is shown holding a sistrum, a rattle used as a musical instrument in ancient times. Agile and lithe, Bast was recognized as the goddess of music and dance.

The worship of Bast began around 3,500 B.C.E., before the invention of writing. In 950 B.C.E. it became the ‘national religion’ when her hometown, Baubastis, became the capitol of Egypt.

Her shrine in Baubastis, fashioned from blocks of pink granite and the lengthy entrance lined with enormous trees, was considered to be one of the most beautiful temples in the world.

The grounds of the templeheld an extensive cat cemetery, where her beloved companions after being mummified, were entombed so they could join Bast in the spirit world.

Cats were honored in the temples of Bast and many felines were in permanent residence there. If a local house caught on fire, the cats would be dispatched to run into the flames, drawing them out of the building. (History’s first record of a fire brigade!)

Undoubtedly many returned to the temple a bit singed, but as heroes of the townspeople. Any unfortunate kitty who perished in the undertaking would be restored to life by the goddess Bast. This is possibly the source of the belief that cats have nine lives.

Consistent with her cat-like image and her status as a fertility goddess, Bast was associated with childbirth, perhaps because of the mother cat’s continuous production of litters and the loving way she fiercely defends and cares for her kittens.

As a gentler, more benevolent, evolution of the lion-headed goddess Sekhmet, her violent and bloody sister who could bring plagues, the goddess Bast could be invoked to prevent the spread of illness.

Most households contained a small statue of Bast as a form of household protection . . . The All-Seeing Eye, to ward off thieves. . . as the Cat Goddess, to keep the house free of snakes. . . and as the healer to ward off infectious diseases.

An amulet with the utchat (all-seeing eye) hung over the door deterred thieves and vandals, placed over the mantel it averted illness, worn around the neck it protected you as you traveled. An amulet featuring a mother cat with several kittens suckling or playing at her feet was often given as a wedding present to a bride, invoking the help of the goddess to insure that a woman would be able to conceive and bear children

Bast, more than any other of the Egyptian goddesses was perceived as a protector and friend of women and young children. It is hardly surprising that the ancient Greeks referred to Bast as “The Egyptian Artemis”.

Does this goddess sound like a gal that the phrase “sex kitten” would be invented for? Hardly! But, of course, there is more to the story than we’ve told so far; we saved the juicy parts for last.

For starters, one of the oldest versions of the goddess Bast was known by the name ‘Pasht’, from which our word passion was derived. (And from which the English term “Puss” may have arisen.)

Her name itself shares the hieroglyph of a bas-jar, a large pottery jar, usually filled with expensive perfume, a valuable commodity in a hot climate. Indeed, her son Nefertem, a sun god, became the Egyptian god of alchemy and perfumes.

It’s not surprising she had a reputation, since she herself had three husbands and was acknowledged as a sexual partner of every god and goddess (explaining her association with lesbians, although bisexuality would be a more accurate description of her nature).

The rituals performed in her temples, designed for healing, protection, and insuring fertility, were decidedly sensual, full of music and dancing The priestesses of Bast, dressed in “her color” which was red, and were the first “strippers”, famous for their erotic dancing.

Many festivals were held in her honor, and they tended to be quite rowdy affairs. During the major festival, thousands of men and women (children weren’t invited) traveled on barges down the river to Baubastis, drinking and partying mightily.

With loud music, women shaking their rattles, others gyrating in dance, and some lifting their skirts while making lewd comments to the townspeople lined up on the riverbank to watch the procession, the feasts of Bast may have been a precursor to the Mardi Gras and Carnivale. Some think that it is even the basis for the word “floats” that describe the decorated rides in a parade.

The Egyptian goddess Bast reminds us of all that is feline and feminine. Her gifts, very cat-like in nature, include the refusal to be at everyone’s beck and call and an insistence on the freedom of expression.

She teaches us to relax and never waste energy, reminding us to luxuriate in beauty, perfume, and to sway in graceful movement. Bast refuses to take anything too seriously.

But most importantly, Bast leads us to accept the true nature of things (ourselves included) and helps us remain unswayed by the opinion of others.

Curled up like a cat lying in the sun, the goddess Bast foms a complete circle . . . a symbol of the eternal.

The above information was found at: http://www.goddessgift.com/goddess-myths/egyptian_goddess_bast.htm

Bastet from: http://inanna.virtualave.net/bastet.html
“Devouring Lady” (from bas, to devour, with feminine ending)

Bast is first and foremost a protectress; specifically of the royal house and the Two Lands. Later she got the life-preserving goddess of joy and protector of women. However, Bast’s original role did not include the “cat as sex symbol” archetype. Worshiped in the Delta city of Bubastis and usually depicted as a cat or in human form with the head of a cat, Bast was seen as a protector of cats and those who cared for them.

More info found at:
http://www.moggies.co.uk/bastet/bastet.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bastet_(mythology)

could upload a picture of ourselves doing something that made us feel like a goddess, however we pictured ourselves and were willing to share it.

I got the idea via this site: http://peasblossom.glogster.com/The-Goddess-Of-Fun/

So go out and have fun! Share when you can! I’ll be doing it too!

Be you, fellow goddesses! Let your light shine!

SOURCE: http://www.dailyom.com/articles/2009/20966.html
ART BY: Dave White http://julesjulian.dk/category/dave-white/

November 19, 2009
Like No One Is Watching
Shake Your Tail Feathers

Most of us express our distinctiveness in many ways throughout our lives. Although, as we proudly share our offbeat traits and preferences with the world, we take great pains to downplay those eccentricities we ourselves deem odd. Instead of living lives colored by these quirky impulses, we seek out socially acceptable outlets for our peculiarities. We may not realize that we are editing ourselves in this way because our individual societal awareness is unintentionally attuned to the attitudes of the people we encounter each day. Over time, we have learned to suppress some of the most fun aspects of individuality. To rediscover and embrace these buried traits, we need only ask ourselves what we would do if we knew for certain that no one would judge our choices.

Visualizing this day without judgment can help you better understand the idiosyncrasies that are an important part of who you are but seldom manifest themselves in your existence. Perhaps you secretly dream of replacing grown-up, conservative clothing in favor of a changing array of costumes. You may envision yourself painting your car electric-green, hugging the trees in a crowded local park, singing joyous songs as you skip through your community, or taking up an exciting hobby like fire spinning. Try not to be surprised, however, if your imagination takes you in unexpectedly simple directions. In your musings, you may see yourself doing things such as breaking out in dance or dying your hair a fun color. Regardless of the nature of your suppressed peculiarities, ask yourself what is really stopping you from making them a part of your life, and then resolve to incorporate at least one into your everyday existence.

Life as we know it is so short. Making the most of years we are granted is a matter of being ourselves even though we know that we will inevitably encounter people who disapprove of our choices. When you shake your tail feathers like no one is watching, you will discover that there are many others who appreciate you because you are willing to let go of any inhibition. By doing this you help others know it is okay. No one else in the world is precisely like you and, each time you revel in this simple fact, you rededicate yourself to the celebration of individuality.

WOW, what a goddess! How blessed I am to have had her model to me life, that EVERYONE is a goddess, that we all have immeasurable power within us at all times!

Much maligned and misunderstood. A worthy, powerful Goddess who rides by my side right now. May I absorb her strength.

“Happy the man who keeps his heart pure from
Guilt and crime!
Him we avengers touch not;
He treads the path of life secure from us.
But woe! Woe!
To him who has done the deed of secret murder.
We, the fearful daughters of Night,
Fasten ourselves upon his whole being.
Thinks he by flight to escape us?
We fly still faster in pursuit,
Twine our snakes around his feet,
And bring him to the ground,
Unwearied we pursue;
No pity checks our courage;
Still on and on, to the end of life
We give him no peace nor rest.”
_Bulfinch
x

I started this club because I wanted to explore the Goddess power within me. I wanted to be inspired by powerful female images. I wanted others to also share in the joy of recognizing our beautiful and unique selves.

The response has been tremendous. I’ve been very proud, and inspired.

The question is: When is it okay to let a goal like this go?

Are some goals on your list more or less permanantly?
Do you keep some goals for the sake of other people?
Do you let some goals go, even though they’ve been wonderful, just because you feel like you’ve “done” them?

I don’t want to diss the goal, or any of the ladies who’ve been doing it with me. But I haven’t really had anything new to say on this goal in a month. Does that mean it is just sitting here taking up space?

Personally, I’ve always enjoyed keeping my list short. I like to be reminded of things I’m actually doing, or actively caring about. If nothing is happening on a goal on your list, do you prefer to move it to the “done” pile, or do you leave it on the active side if your list until you find a 44th thing you want to do and you need to bump some space?

Again… not pushing, just asking. Do team goals mean we have at least some obligation to keep a goal active for the sake of the team? I know for my sake if I “finished” this goal and then others continued on and became active again later, I’d feel sad I missed out.

What do you all think?

my divorce attorney called me – said “hey, we’re headin’ downtown for lunch to ‘said great cafe’ wanna come??”. “Of course” I replied.

i powdered my nose, glossed my lips, straightened my skirt, and headed downtown.

i live in a very small town. my divorce attorney is a local legend here, and causes much comotion anywhere that she goes. but really she is the most laid back, hilarious, down to earth gal – we adore and respect each other immeasurably…..anywhooo we settle outside nicely, beneath the fallin leaves, clear fall day, nice breeze, perfect sun order our shrimp n grits with tea. perfection.

her husband joins us. another local character with a crushed voicebox and notorious reputation as a cantankerous old bastard of a judge. we laughed loudly, languished over our grits, shrimp and tea, talked about love and life and vermouth and conquering difficulties….. he plucked the falling leaves from my hair and smiled at me reflectively and admiringly.

it felt divine. he loves his wife obviously. there was nothing said. but it was the combination of sun, blue sky, fall air, old brick walls, rememberances of whiskey, and crisp fall leaves plucked from my braids. i must say – i felt like a goddess.

a reminder that goddessness is really about inner contentment and appreciation moreso than youth, beauty and perfection.

perfect goddessness = a realization of deep seated contentment

Some information on Goddesses. A Goddess quiz (just for the fun):)
Although My birth Goddess is Persephone the goddess of the Underworld I came out as Aphrodite.

Aphrodite

“the patron Goddess of love, beauty and prostitutes is your ‘inner Goddess’. Though some people might think you are a ditz you have more depth than anyone knows, not to mention the power you wield in your self comfort”