Circles of Love

Addendum to 9-18-6 post from China

I'm posting this addendum to the newsletter of 9-18-06 in order to let you know about some important presentations by members of my community  it s an unnamed, diverse community that has grown from my years of work with Images of Divinity, from the 2005 Black Madonna Conference,  from the Circles of Love work that s been going on since then and from my current writing.  It turns about to be too much for just one newsletter.

To keep this one manageable, I m only going to put in the briefest of descriptions along with links that will take you to an expanded newsletter on my website.

Now the events and the links:

Our friend Lisa Rafel, who just returned from singing with shamans in Mongolia,  is leading a Fall Equinox event this Saturday night, September 23, in Oakland. Lisa Rafel performed and wove the music of her Tibetan bowls throughout our summer, 2005 Black Madonna Conference. it will be extraordinary, knowing Lisa and the performers and musicians she's assembled, including the remarkable improvisationalist, Rhiannon; master Didgeridoo recording artist, Stephen Kent; Oshun Priestess and storyteller, Luisah Teish; vocalist and award winning song writer, Judith-Kate Friedman, recording artist percussionist and pianist, Geoffrey Gordon; ritualist and percussionist,. Click here for details and  online ticket purchase and  more on Lisa .

For those who wish to join  the next Circle of Love, it s scheduled for September 28 at 6:30 PM at the home of Lisa Rafel. These circles are inspired by our mutual love and interest in the Dark Mother. If you have any questions, please email jlkiley@pacbell.net

Our friend and IOD Advisor Judith Tripp will lead a Women's
Dream Quest at    Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, October 27 -28.
Spend the night in the nave of Grace Cathedral; participate in life-enriching and empowering practices. Click for more on Judith. [2]

Also at Grace Cathedral, November 10th and 11th,  our colleague Rev. Lauren Artress's Veriditas Labyrinth Pilgrimage.  Click for more [3]

I also want to be sure you know about the work of Reda Rackley, who has helped guide me through Love Cemetery in more ways than one.  Reda, from a white family of slaveholders in Georgia, has been trained and initiated in the ancient African Dagara tradition of divination with the Ancestors.  Her lineage comes down through Malidoma Some, the acclaimed teacher and author (Of Water and the Spirits, Penguin).  She ll be leading a retreat, Eros in a World on Fire: Living Radical Visions of Grace, Beauty and Love on February 24th-26th, 2006 in Arizona. Click for more 

A Must Read:   For the sake of our planet and all life, I want
to be sure you know about my friend Mary Evelyn Tucker's critically important and wonderful new book of Thomas Berry's essays, Evening Thoughts.   To read more and order the book
online, click here .

It's been such a pleasure to be in touch.  Thank you to all who've written back with congratulations on the new book and offers of help!  I'm stopping here, only because of time.  I could continue this list and keep going for another day, so much good work is being done.

You can always give us feedback on this blog, including other news and events.  Just click the  comment button below the post.  This what the Circles of Love blog is for!

News from China Galland

Dear Friends,

Greetings!  I'm writing this short note to let you know
that, thanks to your amazing outpouring of support, I ve
finished the manuscript and handed in Love Cemetery (subtitle
TBA),  formerly titled The Keepers of Love to the publisher. 
The book is on its way to copyediting here in San Francisco.
Thank you one and all!

Writing is not only the act of sitting alone in one's room
with pen and paper or a computer, it depends on a
community that supports the work of locating and listening to
the many strands of the story, weaving them together and
bringing something of value home to share.

This book about a hidden, lost, historic, African American
burial ground in East Texas has been, and continues to be a
great teacher.  I look forward to presenting both the book and
the story of its creation at a series of events that will begin
unfolding in June, 2007, when the book is released. You'll hear
more from me about specific events when the time comes.

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As this International Day to Save Darfur ends and the many
vigils, rallies, concerts, and services around the globe are
ending, it is critically important that we stay focused on
stopping the genocide in Darfur.   The U.N. peacekeeping force
for Darfur is the only measure that will provide the security
the people of Darfur desperately need.

But peacekeeping troops won't be deployed until the Sudanese
government permits them. This means pressure from the
international community is more important than ever. Please
visit http://www.savedarfur.org  for more information.

Rwandan genocide survivor, Freddy Umutanguha, said:  "In 1994,
the world left Rwandans to their fate and a million people were
murdered. Today, the world must stop genocide in Darfur. "

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Linda Tillery and Ann Jefferson are teaching their fantastic
singing and scholarship class again, starting September
27th, at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley,  From
Slaveships to Juke Joints and Sanctuaries. I say fantastic
because I took it last fall and I speak from experience.  Run,
don't walk, to sign up for their course. Keep your spirits up
and your heart strong by singing with Ann and Linda through this
fall s elections. African American spirituals are what got
people through hard times before and they can help us get
through what we re going through in this country now.  Sing and
shout, speak up, make yourself heard.  GIVE VOICE!

This is a rare opportunity to study with Linda Tillery and Rev.
Ann Jefferson in a weekly classroom setting. These two amazing
women and amazing musicians first teamed up for our  Black
Madonna, Womb of God Conference last summer at the GTU and had
the crowd dancing in the aisles before the opening talks

Visit   http://www.culturalheritagechoir.com/class.shtml  for
more.

And, yes, we are planning  a Black Madonna conference for next
summer (2007) We ll keep you informed in future newsletters, on
my website   and on this blog.

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Our good friend and extraordinary international peace
activist, Sandy Butler, writes:
"Please join us on September 24th for a Community Tashlich Observance at 3 p.m.  at the Emeryville Marina. BAWIB has prepared a rich and powerful ritual to help us all move  through these dispiriting times with renewed commitment to our work as peacemakers and activists. We look forward to seeing you at the Emeryville Marina.

Salaam/Shalom,
Bay Area Women in Black"

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Go to the Bioneers website and see the remarkable program they re presenting this year, at the 17th Annual Bioneers Conference in San Rafael, CA, October 20th through 22nd, 2006:  www.bioneers.org.  Founders Nina Simons and Kenny Ausabel are doing it again, presenting the cutting edge conference of the year by connecting environment,
health, social justice, and spirit.   I hope to see you there.

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Also, coming Octob1er 14th at the Mill Valley Film Festival is
our friend Rosemary Rawliffe s Women of Tibet film project.  It
consists of three one-hour documentary films revealing potent
historical moments of past and contemporary Tibet. The films
touch on themes of women's endurance and their struggle for
freedom, social justice, peace, and human rights. Set against
the stunning backdrop of the Himalayas, the Women of Tibet film
trilogy shows the strength and perseverance of a people
dedicated to the principles of peace, non-violence, and
compassion.

Women of Tibet: Gyalyum Chemo-The Great Mother is now airing
on the PBS national network. Check here for PBS Air Dates and
Station Finder [8].  The Great Mother is being screened at the
MV Film Festival at the Rafael Theater at 3 p.m., on Saturday,
October 14th.  I've been invited to be on a panel to discuss
the film afterward with the filmmaker.

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Friends, you may not hear from me again for a
while.  Though Love Cemetery  is  finished,   there are multiple
deadlines that go along with production.  Also, I m writing a
new introduction for a new edition of Longing For Darkness that
will come out in June, 2007 as well.  Hence the long silences.

Please post your own responses, comments, questions.

With all best wishes and deep gratitude
China

For more about The Keepers of Love project, click here

Photo: Willie Mae Brown, a member of the descendent community of Love Cemetery.  Photo by China

Anne Lamott's July 14th Quiet Revolution

Dear Friends, 

This is an experiment... I'm learning to post and this is part of what I was trying to put up on our blog.  Bear with me.  I will add Anne Lamott's whole article once I find it again. 

I want you to know about a few upcoming events:

*May 13-14th, 2006 The Sustainable World Symposium and Festival                             A Dynamic Conference on
Today's Most Critical Global Issues, Solutions and Actions May 13-14, 2006 San Francisco
St. Mary's Cathedral Conference Center www.swcoalition.org

I'm teaching my class on THE BLACK MADONNA  July 31- Aug 4th, 2006                                                                          again at the Pacific School of Religion                                        Graduate Theological Union                                             1798 Scenic Ave., Berkeley, CA 94709 see the course description on line at www.psr.edu                          Come one, come all!  Walk the Labyrinth at St. Gregory's in San Francisco, read the Secret Life of Bees, and find out what the Black Madonna has to do with Mary Magdalene, New Orleans, Darfur, Iraq and racism.  Did you know that there's an emerging New Civil Rights Movement in this country?                                                 July 31st- August 4th,  8:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.            brown bag lunch & discussion follows.

*July 14th, 2006, Anne Lamott proposes a Bastille Day, Quiet Revolution.  It sounds like a great idea, only she doesn't say where, just meet at noon on Bastille Day.   I bet we can figure this out.  With hopes for a turnout of 20 million, we can't all meet at her house, or mine for that matter, so let's meet at every town hall, city square, and place of public gathering.      

Please read Anne's delightful article and get in the spirit!  I will post it at the end of this entry

An Update from China Galland

On the Air

The first—and very exciting— piece of news is that I’ll be on KQED radio’s morning call-in show, Forum, this coming Monday, December 5^th at 9AM. The topic of the show—“Faith and Feminism”— is one that’s been getting a lot of attention recently thanks to my friend Helen LaKelly Hunt’s new book, Faith and Feminism: A Holy Alliance.  Helen’s book is an illuminating look at the alliance between spiritual conviction and social action that traces the origins of the American feminist movement to its faith-based roots.  Helen and I will be joined on the show by Letty Cottin Pogrebin, founder of Ms. Magazine and of the National Women's Political Caucus and Christine Grumm, CEO of Woman's Funding Network.  Please tune in and call in if you can.  If your schedule doesn’t let you, you can listen to the show over the internet on KQED’s website: http://www.kqed.org/programs/program-landing.jsp?progID=RD19.

Women’s Leadership and Spirituality

This segment of Forum is part of an ongoing dialogue that Helen and I and others have been involved in with for quite a while. Last summer, following the conference on "Awakening the Energy for Change: the Black Madonna and the Womb of God" last June, I asked several friends to join me in exploring women leadership and spirituality in a continuing dialogue group.  Last week, I participated in a day-long conference at the California Institute of Integral Studies that featured Helen discussing her book.  Next January, I’ll be facilitating a private retreat on the women’s leadership.  Many of these interweaving themes: social change, gender, reclaiming spirituality from the grip of dogmatic, institutionalized religion have been at the heart of my work for many years, all the way back to my first book, Women in the Wilderness (1980).  Writing this, I find myself reflecting on the surprising journey from that book to my current one, The Keepers of Love. The connection lies in my commitment to give voice to whatever seems to be excluded from or marginalized, silenced and ignored by the dominant culture.

East Texas

Even as I’m writing the book, with a deadline approaching, work on Love Cemetery continues. Early next year, the chief archeologist of the Texas Historical Commission (a state agency) will visit Love with a piece of technology that will allow us to locate and map the full complement of graves in the cemetery, without disturbing the sites in any way. The great-grandson of the last chief of the Caddo Tribe will also visit.  The Caddoes were the main Native American tribe in the area. Because we’ve already found one grave that belongs to a Native American woman, it’s essential that we invite Native people into the process of reclaiming Love. The whole point of The Keepers of Love—the project and the book—is to reclaim, reconcile and heal.

From Slave Ships to Sanctuary

That’s the name of the class that I’ve been taking from Linda Tillery, musicologist, singer and Bay Area Treasure and Ann Jefferson director of worship at Pacific School of Religion, music director at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Marin City and Images of Divinity advisor. The class is subtitled “A Survey of African American Spirituals,” but actually, it’s a container for the deep spirit of liberation and freedom that every soul longs for. We’ve been learning these amazing songs and something about their history and development.  Their use as coded instructions and information for runaway slaves (“Follow the Drinking Gourd…” “Run, Mary, Run…”) is just one way that that the genius of the African-American diaspora was able to gather the shards of the shattered African experience and forge them in the heat of suffering into an utterly unique oral tradition that ensured the survival of the culture and became a source of inspiration for all people.

Attending Linda’s class has deepened my understanding of the African-American spiritual experience that surrounds me when I attend  Black Baptist church services in East Texas where, inevitably, I’m the only white person.  I encourage all of you to go to Linda’s website (see link above) and find out about her upcoming concerts or classes. Also, follow Ann's extraordinary choral direction, singing and composing at St. Andrew's. Watch for their upcoming concerts, like one on January 8, 2006, with the legendary singer, Odetta.

Please take advantage of the “comment” feature of this blog (below) to respond to this—or any previous—posting.

Fierce Compassion

Dear Friends,

I was honored to sit in yet another kind of Circle of Love the other night, a small circle of IOD Advisors and members of our conference committee.  I'm writing to let you know how we’re continuing to build on the powerful energy of June 18^th, 2005, "Awakening the Energy for Change, the Black Madonna and the Womb of God" conference.  This was our second meeting to discuss our plans for the next conference.  We decided that with our conference having sold out and been attended so enthusiastically by over 250 people, we want to have a longer event.  We need a budgeted conference coordinator and the time to plan.  At present we’re looking at late winter or early spring of 2007.  We are not planning one next summer.  For summer of 2006, I’ve once again submitted my course on the Black Madonna and the Womb of God at GTU.

Another focus of discussion that night in our circle centered around the experience that many of us have had "explaining" or defining what a Black or Dark Madonna is. She is the historical figure of Mary, the mother of Jesus in the Christian, Islamic, and Judaic traditions, depicted as dark or black. But what is that darkness, why is she black or dark?  That's the question that's being asked.  There are many reasons:  she symbolizes the fertile darkness of the earth, the darkness seeds need to grow, the darkness of the womb, the darkness needed for life and for light, the darkness of shades of human skin -  brown, red, yellow and black. Her darkness is good, dynamic, life-affirming.  The Madonna is dark or black at different sacred sites for different reasons, there is no one answer.  And there are parallel images to the dark mother/Madonna that are found in other religions.  They can provide points of connection and bridges of understanding to cultures outside our own.

Our discussion then turned to "fierce compassion," the subject of my last book, The Bond Between Women. “Fierce compassion” is a Buddhist concept.  It refers first of all to the motivation for one's actions which need always, always to be based in love, no matter how difficult and trying the circumstances. Fierce compassion is a compassion born out of a love that is fearless.   The liveliest part of our exchange centered around idea that the Dark or Black Madonna symbolizes "fierce compassion" in our own western traditions, including Christianity. 

Many of us in the circle that night have felt a need to take action, to work more diligently for the transformation of the suffering that surrounds us.  But what action?  How do we discern right action?  We each are dedicated to  peace in the world, but which actions can we take that are efficacious and healing?  How do we discern our motives?  How do we know that we are basing our actions in love as opposed to fooling ourselves and being driven unconsciously by anger or greed or hatred?  We see the effect daily of people acting out of anger, pouring gasoline on the fires of conflict around the world.  But how do we confront situations that are truly provocative and outrageous?  How can we transform difficult emotions into loving kindness?  Our task is to become genuinely motivated out of love, to cut through the knot of anger when it arises. These are not simple matters, these answers come over time.

This Dark Mother/Madonna encompasses fierce compassion, she knows it intimately. We resolved for the moment to put our emphasis on sitting,reflecting, praying, sharing, and drawing upon the wisdom of the circle. We want to continue to learn how to "Choose love when there's reason to hate."   "Choosing love when there's reason to hate" are the words of Sam Adkins, a man who lived through the experience of being enslaved in the South.  They follow me me always. I interviewed his grandaughter for the book I'm now writing, The Keepers of Love is also an historic black cemetery in East Texas where I have deep kinship and involvement in the community.

To get back to our recent evening together again as a Circle, this “blog” gives you a slice of our ongoing conversations. In posting this summary, we’re continuing to build on the extraordinary energy we all shared at the conference.  The conference was aptly named “Awakening the Energy for Change…….”  It has awakened something in us.  We came away from the conference feeling so affirmed by the rightness of that rich gathering.   We were reminded of that awakening even more the other night.  We left feeling that no matter how imperfect we are, it's time to purify our hearts and come to the aid of our tattered democracy---with fierce compassion.  Join us in continuing to learn to choose not only love, but to choose hope:  democracy is still within our grasp.

Blessings,

China Galland

Sandy Butler's Report from Israel/Palestine

What follows is a report given by our friend, colleague and member of a Circle of Love, Sandy Butler to Bay Area Women in Black about her recent trip to an international gathering of Women in Black in Jerusalem. The photo of the gathering in Oakland shows Annie Hallatt's giant Black Madonna puppets which Bay Area Women in Black carry when they perform their vigils. For more on this organization, visit their website 

Today marks the end of the month of Elul, a period that precedes the
Days of Awe, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Preparation for the holidays
begin with Tish B'Av, a time of mourning that traditionally marks the
destruction of the first and second temples.

This year, during Tish B'Av, in the Old City of Jerusalem, I was
surrounded by tens of thousands of Israeli settlers lamenting the Gaza
pullout, praying to the messiah to rescue them from what they
considered an equivalent disaster to the fall of the ancient Temples.
I watched them, stunned by their piety, certainty and messianic fervor.

And in subsequent days,  as I saw the realities of daily life for
Palestinian people in the West Bank--the checkpoints,
the border patrols, the separate and unequal systems of roads,
the home demolitions, the confiscation of land expropriated to expand
Israeli illegal housing developments, I was forced to look squarely at
the cruelty of life under Israeli Occupation.

I saw a growing militarized environment, young Israeli soldiers with
rifles a ubiquitous presence.

I saw a series of concrete barriers separating people from land, past
from future, a blank impassive wall straddling two worlds,
the wounds of each echoing and magnifying one another.

I saw violence done to the soil and to the people, as the knifepoint
edge of the bulldozers slice through land that has been at rest for
centuries, carving up the ancestors and their memories, leaving behind 
demolished carcasses of stone and concrete,

As the days passed, my own ancient temple of beliefs, an already shaky
structure, constructed of assumptions, the patriotism of novel and
song, heroic and valiant tales that had been so much a part of my
identity and pride--- crumbled, in slow heart breaking motion, like the
Palestinian homes that litter the landscape.

And in the rubble beneath my feet are the Israeli and Palestinian facts
on the ground. The lives on the ground.

During the month of Elul, when Jews are asked to turn and face
themselves, their fault lines, collapsed stories, and  question
what in the broken, littered landscape of their lives needs release,
what must be re-built with compassion for our failures, how to 
re-dedicate our lives to our best selves, and how to hold to the
discipline needed to reach towards wholeness.

During Tishrei, the month that follows Elul, exactly forty days after
Tish B'Av, comes the holiday of Sukkot,  a time where Jews build a
fragile house, open to the heavens, its borders permeable, welcoming
all who wish to enter.

Sukkot closes the parenthesis opened at Tish B'Av. The season begins
with the collapse of a solid edifice, and ends with the construction of
a flimsy dwelling, symbolizing the fragility and impermance of life.

In an flimsy open tent, in the relentless heat of a Jerusalem summer,
more than 700 women from 40 countries gathered together. I sat with
seasoned veterans of peace and justice activism who displayed the faith
that allows them to hold a vision of a world women are struggling to
bring into existence, while remaining unsentimental and pragmatic as we
work together in the world that does.

The sukkah embodies that which is really powerful and where true
security lies, when we share our small shaky houses.

We found shelter, strength and one another in that fragile Sukkah,
eager smiles, shared water bottles, digital pictures, animated
converation the adhesive that created this temporary moment of
sanctuary.

Phrases continue to resonate within me, providing a basis for my
thinking and my action.

We must move from protest to resistance.
We cannot erase ourselves as we organize.
We must reject loyalties that create barriers to peace.
Breaking the law allows the breaking of order--- and dis-order is a
step towards the future.
Public opinion is stronger than military action.

As I prepare to spend these next ten days in prayer and reflection,
  I want to end with the words of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel;

“Prayer is meaningless unless it is subversive, unless it seeks to
overthrow and to ruin the pyramids of callousness, hatred, opportunism
and falsehood."

So- for me, in this final day before the start of Rosh Hashanah, this
trip to I/P  has deepened my obligation to place myself squarely within
that which is subversive-- in order to be a part of re-creating a
spiritual, lesbian- feminist Jewish identity, practice, politics and
future.

May it be so.

Welcome

Dear Friends, Conference Attendees and Circle Members:

Like the roof lifted off one of the flooded homes in New Orleans revealing a dozen people up to their necks in water, our illusions about race, poverty, and equality in this country have been ripped away by Katrina. Over and over we see where our policies and practices have left many in the African American community—isolated, without means or mobility, dying right in front of our eyes. These unavoidable realities are now the stuff of daily television, radio, print, and internet discussions all over the country. The racism and environmental policies that many of us wanted to ignore or deny are front and center right now. Even the news anchors—from all sides of the political spectrum—are outraged at the slowness of the federal government to mobilize until several days after Katrina hit. The heartbreaking news from Louisiana and the Gulf Coast’s devastation brings the need for profound change in our society right into our living rooms. But how to bring that change about?

We started this page on Circles as part of our vision from our June 18th, 2005 conference “Awakening the Energy For Change: The Black Madonna and the Womb of God.” It’s one thing to know that change is needed, it’s another thing to have the energy to change, first of all ourselves. This is why ongoing circles were part of my vision for growing that extraordinary energy from our sold-out conference. Circles can provide a form in which look deeply at our country, our community, and ourselves. We started this private page on our website to foster connection and dialogue amongst those who attended the conference and to give attendees a way to continue to be in contact. I’m writing today to tell you that we’re changing this format to a blog—an on-line journal for our circles as they grow. We’re shifting so that everyone who comes to this page can more easily read the earlier entries and see each other’s email addresses rather than having to click on individual messages one by one.

I’ve been part of a Circle of Love ever since the conference. I chose this name for our circles in order to provide an antidote to the fear and terror that we’re constantly bombarded with theses days. We need cells of love to “combat” terrorist cells, many said just after 9/11, most famously, Marianne Williamson on Oprah and most beautifully by Lucie Blue in her song "Cells of Love."

I’ve suggested that the Circles of Love focus on the theme of reconciliation and sit with the question, “With whom do I need to be reconciled?” We’ve been meeting in the East Bay since our June conference, and will be meeting again next week, mid-September, 2005. Once the group further solidifies, our intention is to split up into three groups that meet in the East Bay, North Bay (Petaluma and parts north) and Marin. Another group is trying to form in the South Bay.

A second small East Bay Circle of Love met in July, with Sandy Butler and Margi Adam. They skipped an August meeting as Sandy was is the spokeswoman for Women in Black in the Bay Area, and Bay Area Women in Black were selected to represent the United States at the International Conference of Women in Black in Jerusalem in August, 2005. We look forward to Sandy’s news from Jerusalem and to continuing growing Circles of Love in collaboration.

Rev. Sandy Gess of Oakland and Weave of Faith, has continued to convene her ongoing Black Madonna Circle that grew out of our Black Madonna Study Group meetings in Berkeley and Mill Valley over the last two years. Please see the entries posted below. (all entries from June 18-August 4 are in a separate post below). Shortly after our conference, I wrote out guidelines for “Circles of Love” meetings. Please let us know if you’re meeting, when and where.

Sandy Gess has volunteered to be our circle coordinator and will be checking and answering inquiries on our blog. You can reach her at sjgess@earthlink.net or by phone at (510) 482-9319. I will be focused primarily on finishing the book, The Keepers of Love, soon due at the publisher (Harper San Francisco). Our accompanying documentary for television and IOD’s Three Year Plan, including our next conference are also in the works. To be sure that you personally receive notice of upcoming events and conference dates, please sign up for our group mailer service (our private list is never sold or shared). Click here to join

Blessings

China

Guidelines for Circles

I'm asking those in the Circles of Love to please observe a few guidelines, please build an altar to the divine feminine, preferably the dark divine feminine, whether that is the Black Madonna or the great Hopi Crow Mother... or the Earth herself. Please be respectful and accepting of what other people hold sacred (within reason)... even if it's different than what you might choose to revere. please have at least 10 minutes if not 20 minutes of silent reflection. please go around in the circle and let people speak without interruption for their turn. Discussion can come after everyone has shared, if it needs to. It's fine to time shares...some people do that, and ring a warning bell, for example if each person can share for 5 minutes....at 4 minutes, there's a warning bell so that people know that they need to wrap up. Please give time to sitting with the question...."with whom do I need to be reconciled?" and write in your own journal or paper you've brought to the group about that. This is for you. You can share it if you like or not. Remember always, you are in charge. Feeling safe in a small group is essential. Confidentiality is critical to group harmony and safety. My deep belief is that reconciliation is at the heart of the work that must be done now.... and I'll be saying more about this in the letter I'm sending out to the newsletter list, along with a brief conference report. A good and reliable guide for circle work is Christina Baldwin's book, ""Calling the Circle, the First and Future Culture" and the pamplet that's been produced from her book about guidelines for circles, called PeerSpirit. For the booklet, which costs about $7, you can go to http://www.peerspirit.com/ or call 360. 321.8404

Previous Posts through August 4, 2005

Previous Posts through August 4, 2005:

Setting up this Circle Date: 14 Jun 2005 Name Corey Fischer (China's husband and your friendly webmaven) Message I've been having a wonderful time creating this virtual space for you to share your writings, thoughts, dreams.... This is my way of supporting my beloved wife's work which I feel is tremendously important for all of us, men and women, in these times. Enjoy!

Starting a Circle in the North Bay Date: 19 Jun 2005 Name Marylou Message My only regret at the wonderful conference is that we did not have a chance to connect geographically. Is there anyone else in the North Bay who is interested in starting a circle?

Our Collective Vision & Journey Session Date: 20 Jun 2005 Time: 02:23:27 -0400 Name Ann McCoy and Comma Williams, Presenters Message We loved our session and everyone of you! Thanks for your patience as we adapted the space to our needs as we co-created our experience. Our original plan was to have some time to talk together about our experiences...so how about we do it now?!!! We invite you to share your experiences - we all benefit from the truth as it arises. In particular, we want to encourage you to share how you are moving this into your life. As to the future, who knows, if you want to do more work together let us know. Wishing you well, blessings on your path, with love, Comma, and Ann

Re: Deepest Heart Felt Gratitude Date: 21 Jun 2005 Time: 11:13:05 -0400 Name Reda Rackley Message Dearest Sisters and Brothers, I wish to thank all of you that put so much time, energy, love, commitment, blood, sweat, and tears into bringing the Sacred Feminine to for so many people to experience. It has been a very long time since I have felt that stirred and so deeply inspired to do even more to dancing Mama back into the homes and hearts of all humans. Thank you thank you thank you.

Re: Starting a Circle in the North Bay Date: 21 Jun 2005 Time: 11:13:20 -0400 Name Naomi Lombardi Plager Message Hi Black Madonna Sisters, I am putting together a Black Madonna circle in the East Bay. Currently I live in the Berkeley Hills. (I am moving August 1, not sure where but still in the Berkeley area-does anyone have a room for rent?). I have pilgrimed to the Black Madonna in the native land of my Mother and Italian Grandmother. It is truly a moving experience of the journey home to myself/ourselves. I am looking to organize a support/transformative group that includes dancing/drumming to elevate our spiritual energy. Please email or call, 510-524-5786. Warmly, Naomi

Searching for a way to contact Mary Beth Moser, Megan Watterson and Danielle Drake-Burnette Date: 21 Jun 2005 Time: 18:33:49 -0400 Name Barbara Getost (Conference attendee) Message I attended each of your precious presentations last w/e @ the Black Madonna Conf. I have specific questions and feedback for ea. of you, individually ...... but ALAS no way of contacting you. Please e-mail me at : barbara@pregnantearth.com (Be sure to put something about Black Madonna in the subject line or you many get routed into my spam folder!) IMPORTANT: If anyone else reads this and can help putting me in contact with any or all three of these marvellous ladies .... please feel free to do so. Thank-you, so, so very much ...... In Peace, Barbara

A Circle Date: 22 Jun 2005 Time: 01:27:07 -0400 Name Terry Message I live in the South Bay and attended the Saturday Conference. More dialogue would be a good start.

Re: A Circle Date: 22 Jun 2005 Time: 10:05:32 -0400 Name China Message I'm delighted that people are beginning to use this new feature of our website! Circles are forming in the East Bay and the North Bay as well. Plus, another circle formed in Sandy Butler's workshop on Saturday, "Praying With Our Feet" before participants even left the room. Blessings to all and a big bow of gratitude China

Re: contact information for Mary Beth Moser : Date: 22 Jun 2005 Time: 14:52:22 -0400 Name Mary Beth Moser Message Dear Barbara, THANK YOU for your kind words! And for your presence at the event, and at my presentation on the Black Madonna of Oropa, Italy! I realized I was remiss in having my contact information available. . . Here it is: Mary Beth Moser, blackmadonna@comcast.net, P.O. Box 1953, Vashon Island, WA 98070; http://blackmadonna.home.comcast.net/ To order a copy of Honoring Darkness: Exploring the Power of Black Madonnas in Italy, http://deamadrepublishing.home.comcast.net/

Re: Starting a Circle in the North Bay Date: 22 Jun 2005 Time: 23:58:17 -0400 Name jess Message Where in the North Bay? I am interested and live in Mill Valley.

Re: Starting a Circle in the North Bay Date: 23 Jun 2005 Time: 21:24:07 -0400 Name Marylou Message I live in Sebastopol. I can drive.

Black Madonna Conference Date: 26 Jun 2005 Time: 17:30:31 -0400 Name Carol Newhouse Message These are questions I have been thinking about and were raised and accentualted by the conference. I would welcome any input or discussion. Is the Dark Mother the shadow side of the White Goddess? OR is she a fully embodied version of our woman's experience,the sickness or disease AND the cure? If she is the whole thing, the truly divine Mother not just an aspect of her,then why is she called the dark mother? Is perhaps the Dark Mother a racial or cultural representation? ........ the Mother being called Dark because she is from a place that had dark skinned women worshiping her there? Like Guadalupe? or Isis? Is the Dark Mother the same Mother Goddess white women worship but with dark skin? Or is she really different spiritually?

The Dark Mother : Date: 29 Jun 2005 Time: 23:02:52 -0400 Name china Message Dear Carol Newhouse, You've raised an interesting set of questions. All I can say is that after years of study and research from a variety of perspectives, I'm concluded that for myself, the Divine is an enormous multi-faceted gem that each tradition or perspective reflects. Each facet catches light in a different way, revealing yet another aspect of the divine---all facets being the multiplicity of ways of looking into this great, precious jewel we call the Divine. Astrophysics has shown us that over 90% of what exists in the universe is beyond the range of the human eye. The luminous world, that which we can perceive, is less than 10% of what exists. Given this phenomena I sometimes say that darkness is invisible light. This is I'm sure more poetic than scientifically accurate, but it points to what I've concluded: darkness and light are part of a continuum, they fall at different places on the larger spectrum. They are not separate or in opposition to one another or positive or negative. From my perspective, they are simply different places on that continuum of what can and cannot be perceived by the human eye. Different cultures assign darkness and light different meanings. In pre-Indo-European culture, the root of the word for black meant "gleaming," again presenting us with the poetic image of lightness and darkness being contained in one another and not separate from each other. I hope this is useful. Best, China Galland

Re: Starting a Circle in the North Bay Date: 29 Jun 2005 Time: 23:14:20 -0400 Name China Message Hi Marylou....! The statue you gave me is SO exquisite, thank you again and again. I took it with me to the meeting of our conference planning group and placed it on the altar. No one else had seen such an unusual statue either, the way the silver is set on it. I will be taking it to the Buddhist group I sit with in hopes of finding out more about it. I suspect that the deity is Vajrasattva, one of the Buddhas one prays to especially for purification. It is a great gift and I am treasuring it! I'm thinking about the circles and would love to hear from you if you get one going.... I think that the "Jess" from Mill Valley, is actually one of the members of our conference planning committee. Naomi's in the East Bay... I would love to think of some intentionality to the groups---support for spiritual practice, especially geared to reconciliation....with one's self and others. Without that, you and I both know there can be no peace. Much more to be said on this. if you form one please keep me posted....if there's another conference, it could be the time and place circles come together for nourishment and inspiration.... Thank you so much for being in my class. It meant a lot to me. to be continued. all best and blessings, China

Re: Starting a Circle in the North Bay Date: 30 Jun 2005 Time: 22:44:50 -0400 Name Elaine in San Rafael Message I would be interested in a North Bay Circle

Re: Starting a Circle in the North Bay Date: 06 Jul 2005 Time: 12:53:48 -0400 Name Marylou Message I heard rumors that a circle in Petaluma might be forming and that would be fairly central for all of us. Does anyone know of this? Have any ideas? Where could we meet?

Re: Starting a Circle in the North Bay?East Bay Date: 13 Jul 2005 Time: 21:27:16 -0400 Name carol Carlisle Albany Message I live in Albany East Bay and am interested in a Circle.I was so full after the Conference it is very important to keep the energy flowing. Are there circles already started I may join. if not I can host one here. Blessings All, Carol Carlisle Call at (510)528-9310 or email carolisle@earthlink.net

dark Mother Date: 14 Jul 2005 Time: 10:57:40 -0400 Name Deborah Rose Message I want to jump in and respond to Carol's wonderful questions but first to say thanks to Mary Beth Mosher for leading me to this site and congratulations to China - and all the many many people who produced a conference that was clearly quite amazing and that unfortunately I did not attend! In my own experience Carol's questions are the "medicine" of the Black Madonna - that is, we tend to see her through the filter of white consciousness where white is normative and so we think oh she must be the shadow or just representing dark skinned people. Whatever our skin color, because white has been dominant, it is hard to reconcile darkness and femaleness with divinity. That is what is so provocative about the Black Madonna icons - they shatter our (mostly unconscious) illusions about the nature of reality. Certainly that is what happened for me in encountering the Black Madonna - and yes in white culture she does hold the shadow aspects - and ironically, as China and Lucia and others have pointed out, for us today, that often means resistance to oppression, equality, justice. She holds ths whole, all that has been marginilized, But also important to say like any good icon she means many things to many people. In France during the Middle Ages she was used by the ruling class and seen by the Revolutionaries as an embodiment of the status quo. Obviously we see in her something very different.

Re: Starting a Circle in the North Bay?East Bay Date: 26 Jul 2005 Time: 21:53:00 -0400 Name China Message Carol, thank you for writing and for offering to host a circle....! One group has started in the East Bay....though I think they've got their maximum number for the moment. Hmmm.... this is interesting. Okay, I'm going to do a group email anyway....are you on our list? You go to our website and on the home page, click on "join us" and that will sign you up for a free and occasional newsletter. I'm in the midst of getting one ready to go out, so I'm going to add your note from this posting so that if there are others there in the East Bay they can get in touch with you directly. This is exciting! Thank you for your enthusiasm and openness. By doing this, we're learning how to connect people and we're continuing to grow what I called for at the conference---"Circles of Love." I'm asking those in the Circles of Love to please observe a few guidelines, please build an altar to the divine feminine, preferably the dark divine feminine, whether that is the Black Madonna or the great Hopi Crow Mother... or the Earth herself. Please be respectful and accepting of what other people hold sacred (within reason)... even if it's different than what you might choose to revere. please have at least 10 minutes if not 20 minutes of silent reflection. please go around in the circle and let people speak without interruption for their turn. Discussion can come after everyone has shared, if it needs to. It's fine to time shares...some people do that, and ring a warning bell, for example if each person can share for 5 minutes....at 4 minutes, there's a warning bell so that people know that they need to wrap up. Please give time to sitting with the question...."with whom do I need to be reconciled?" and write in your own journal or paper you've brought to the group about that. This is for you. You can share it if you like or not. Remember always, you are in charge. Feeling safe in a small group is essential. Confidentiality is critical to group harmony and safety. My deep belief is that reconciliation is at the heart of the work that must be done now.... and I'll be saying more about this in the letter I'm sending out to the newsletter list, along with a brief conference report. A good and reliable guide for circle work is Christina Baldwin's "Calling the Circle, the First and Future Culture" book and the pamplet that's been produced from her book about guidelines for circles, called PeerSpirit...for the booklet, which costs about $7, you can write to Peer Spirit, Box 550 Langley, WA 98260 or call 360/321-8404 for Christina's "Calling the Circle" Foundation. There, hopefully this is enough that you can get started. Also, hopefully you will get a response to your message when I send it out as part of my newsletter. That goes to about 500 people around the country, but we've put in whatever email addresses we've gotten from the conference, so the local folks will get it too. Please, if you have any more feedback about the conference, about what worked for you, about why you still felt full weeks later.... it would be wonderful and important for us to know. We know about the logistical glitches, I know that I went on with my thank yous to long....but clearly something spoke to you and so you want to have a circle... yes? Thank you for caring and for reaching out. Your response will help guide us in this growing process. All best, China

Re: Black Madonna Conference Date: 03 Aug 2005 Time: 03:57:54 -0400 Name I am Janie Rezner of Mendocino . . . Message I was very grateful for the Conference--what a blessing to gather together with other wonderful women honoring the Sacred Feminine--and such colorful and beautiful art and music. And, the puppets were simply magnificant! I loved your thoughtful questions, Carol and I think they point directly to Lucia Chiavola Birnbaum's work. I'd like to share a little of it. This comes from an overview of her coming book "The Future has an Ancient Heart" which I just happened to read recently: "World geneticists have confirmed african origins of all humans in the DNA, and DNA is inherited via the mother. My historical research in countries around the Mediterranean substantiates that africans brought with them(on their migration paths) a memory of the earliest venerations we know, that of an african dark mother, a memory expressed in signs, notably the pubic V and the color ochre red. . . ." Lucia continues, "The part of this story I want to tell as a feminist cultural historian refers to the places I had explored earlier but viewed after 2001 through the lens of the documented premise of african origins of all humans and african migrations after 60,000-50,000 BCE to every continent, as well as to explore the hypothesis that everyone on earth carries, in cellular and/or cultural memory . .a remembrance of the african dark mother. . . . . the hypothesis that black madonnas, and other dark women divinities of the world are our most visible evidence of the memory of our ancient african mother. . . that the values that people in subaltern cultures associated with black madonnas are: justice with compassion/nurturance/healing, equality, and transformation. . . .and when dominant cultures suppressed or modified the values of the dark mother, her values persisted in strong peasant women in the middle ages, and are apparent in modern feminism, ecology, and nonviolent movements." This is just a bit from Lucia's overview, but her words resonates very strongly in my own heart. I really appreciate being able to communicate in this manner. My own spiritual journey for the past 25 years has been about "heralding the return of the Great Mother from the depths of soul to awakening consciousness." Many Blessings, Janie Rezner www.janierezner.com

Circle in the East Bay Date: 04 Aug 2005 Time: 03:40:45 -0400 Name Sandy Gess Message Hi. For folk who are interested in a Circle in the East Bay, we started a Black Madonna Meditation Circle before the Conference - as part of the gatherings of Weave of Faith-Christian Feminist Community. We started with China's blessing, after some many of us had been part of a Circle she had organized in the East Bay. Weave of Faith has been meeting for over 12 years in Oakland as an independent woman's worshipping community which, while grounded in the judeo-christian tradition, integrates women's spirituality and provides an environment for women to explore our own theologies, seeking the feminine face of God in all of Her manifestations. Our Black Madonna Meditation Circle meets once a month - alternating between gathering in a space which we rent at a local church in Oakland, and member homes. Right now, our members come from various traditions: Methodist, Quaker, Catholic, United Church of Christ, Baptist - all are women who have made personal pilgrimmages to experience the Black Madonna, bringing much to our gatherings. The Circle has become very important in our personal and spiritual lives and is a source of tremendous support. Email me if you would like to find out more about our Circle or call our Weave of Faith message phone (510) 482-9319. Welcome!