“I reject the ordination.”
On my recent trip to the Redwoods of San Francisco for the Goddess Festival International, I was invited under false pretenses to be ordained as a Dianic priestess.
I reject the Dianic ordination. My vision and integrity do not align with the intent and words spoken by Zsuzsanna Budapest.
I have been, and will always be, a Priestess of the Goddess who is Inclusive, Feminist, Intersectional, and in service of the whole Community, not just some parts of the community. And I will never allow myself to be a token, Brown, Indigenous person for any institution.
Rev. Laura González
Ixtlamatketl
Priestess of the Goddess”
Caryn’s note: I was at the festival and see why she rejected the ordination. It is a shame that more effort was not put into making Laura and her team feel included, honored and respected. And what exactly does a Dianic Priestess ordination mean to someone who has decades of studying Women Spirituality, who is an elder well respected in her community, a proud Indigenous Pagan Witch and a supporter of LGBTQIA communities? Those are worthy questions.
A recommendation of Z’s book Aquarian Holy Book of Women’s Mysteries which has been newly released and is part of Women’s Spirituality herstory:
Ten years ago, I reviewed the third edition of this book in which I said,
“In my own opinion, this is probably as close to ‘scripture’ as any pagan will ever get.”
This still holds true. Many years ago, another edition of this book saved my life. I found it, two volumes, one red cover, one purple, in a women’s bookstore in, of all places, Bakersfield, CA nestled between pamphlets on menstrual extraction and New Age topics like astral projection to alien abductions. At the time, I was in a horrible and abusive relationship, like a nightmare from which I couldn’t seem to wake myself. I read these two little books and as I read, I found myself again. I read the words,
Many people ask me why I use the word “witch” so often in The Holy Book. Why don’t I call it “Womanspirit” or “Goddess’s Inner Guide”? Safe, New Age-ish words that don’t threaten anybody. My answer is, I like the word “witch.” It is the only word in English that denotes “woman with spiritual power.” (20)
I realized, I was a witch! I was not powerless. I did the Self Blessing ritual in the book and it was like being reborn. Blessing one’s self ? How is that possible! I’m not in a position to bless myself! How dare I presume …? But I did. I stood naked in front of the mirror with some water and I blessed my eyes to see Her beauty, my nose to smell Her essence, my lips, to speak Her Names … and as I did, I felt lighter. The Goddess was ALIVE and She was in me. “Bless me, Mother, for I am Your child.”
A few months later, I attended a women’s festival in Northern California where Z. led a circle in which I participated. It was exhilarating and confirming. I went home and fled my abuser, who, by the escalation of abuse, might very well have killed me eventually. Daughters of the Goddess don’t tolerate the kind of treatment I was receiving and that’s who I was. By reading The Holy Book of Women’s Mysteries, I awoke the Goddess that was in me all along. It led me to other authors and books and then a new edition of the book came out, and just in time, too because my little red and purple books were being held together with rubber bands from being read and studied.
The Aquarian Holy Book of Women’s Mysteries is the fourth and most recent edition. And again, just in time, because my last copy is now falling apart from being literally read to pieces – by both my daughter (who was conceived using the conception ritual I found in this book!) and myself. This incarnation is glorious. The illustrations, composed of Z.’s mother, Masika Szilagyi’s folk art and photos from NASA of our universe perfectly demonstrate the relationship between earth and the heavens, the ancient and the future, body and spirit amd the soul which holds it all together. In this book is forty years of Women’s History and an infinity of Women’s Future. Because of Z. and this book, my daughter will never have to figure out how shake off the oppression of patriarchal religions – something with which I still struggle sometimes. She was raised with the knowledge found in this book. It is truly a life-changing, soul liberating treasure and I HIGHLY recommend it.” – Z Crow
“Daughters of the Goddess don’t tolerate the kind of treatment I was receiving …”
Let’s awake the Goddess in all of us.
In support of you, Laura.
In support of us all.
– Caryn
