Asherah, a Canaanite goddess, makes several appearances in the Bible as a mother goddess and one of the three great goddesses in the Canaanite pantheon. She is associated with sacred trees, lions, and serpents. According to the Bible, Asherah was worshiped alongside Yahweh in His temple in Israel. The Book of Kings mentions that a statue of Asherah was kept in the temple, and female temple personnel wove ritual textiles for her.
Asherah is also linked to cult objects known as Asherah or ashram, often described as poles or stylized trees. These objects are mentioned over thirty times in the Bible, indicating their significance in Israelite worship practices, especially during the pre-monarchic and divided monarchy periods. Despite monotheism’s rise, Asherah played a crucial role in the lives of Israelites for six centuries, acting as a nurturing mother figure.
Sophia as the Embodiment of Wisdom in Christian Theology
Sophia, the Greek word for 'God’s Wisdom,' is referenced numerous times in the Bible, suggesting a female divine presence. Proverbs 8 portrays Sophia as existing alongside God before creation and as the master worker through whom God created. Sirach 24 describes her as eternal and all-encompassing, while the Wisdom of Solomon 7:22-27 names her the 'fashioner' and 'mother' of all good things.
In the New Testament, the apostle Paul refers to Christ as the 'power of God and the Wisdom (Sophia) of God' in 1 Corinthians 1:24. Paul further states in 1 Corinthians 1:30 that Christ 'became for us Wisdom (Sophia) from God.' This depiction of wisdom as a female figure appears in various other scriptures, including Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs, where wisdom is personified as a woman and a bride.
Cultural Suppression and Rediscovery of the Female Divine
The rise of monotheism and patriarchy led to the suppression of female divine figures like Asherah and Sophia. Asherah, once a mother goddess worshiped alongside Yahweh, was gradually erased from mainstream religious practices. Similarly, Sophia, despite her significant presence in the scriptures, was overshadowed by the dominant male imagery of God.
However, recent scholarship and archaeological discoveries have prompted a reevaluation of these suppressed deities. By uncovering ancient texts and artifacts, researchers are beginning to piece together the lost narratives of these powerful female figures. This rediscovery challenges traditional interpretations and opens up new possibilities for understanding the divine more inclusively and holistically.
Theological Implications of a Dual-Gendered Divine Concept
The notion of a dual-gendered divine concept has significant theological implications. It challenges the traditional patriarchal view of a solely male God and introduces the idea of a balanced divine presence that encompasses both masculine and feminine energies. This concept is reflected in nature and within individuals, suggesting a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of divinity.
Incorporating both genders into the divine framework can lead to a more balanced and empathetic approach to spirituality. It acknowledges the importance of feminine qualities, such as nurturing, intuition, and wisdom, alongside traditional masculine attributes like strength and authority. This dual-gendered perspective can foster a deeper connection with the divine and promote a more harmonious spiritual practice.
Modern Reinterpretations and the Revival of the Goddess
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in the divine feminine, as modern reinterpretations seek to revive the goddess figures like Asherah and Sophia. This revival is part of a broader movement that aims to reclaim the lost feminine aspects of spirituality and integrate them into contemporary religious practices.
New spiritual movements and feminist theology are at the forefront of this revival, advocating for a more balanced and inclusive understanding of the divine. By embracing the goddess, modern believers can find inspiration and strength in the feminine divine, reshaping their spiritual journeys and fostering a more holistic approach to faith.
But, what happened?! In the Secret Revelation of John, she does the most unwise thing imaginable! She contradicts the will of the Infinite Spirit and wants to beget an offspring without her male partner’s consideration. This act is contrary to the order of creation, where males and females agree on the idea of creation together.
Not surprisingly, her offspring is a grotesque creature who ends up creating havoc and anguish for all humanity. Maybe we can understand that evil came into the world through willful disobedience, arrogance, or ignorance, but from Wisdom?
In conclusion, Sophia, who was often equated and compared with Jesus, takes on the role of savior by emulating the human condition and showing the way out. Wisdom is ideally prepared to save humanity from its sinful ways precisely because she is wise enough and experienced enough to understand all the tempting ways of the devil.
Sophia humbly repents and shows us how we, too, must turn from identifying ourselves with the lower creation. She reminds us that we are originally the “image and likeness of God” — as promised in Genesis 1. She knows because she was present when God created the world.
In the Secret Revelation of John, we learn about a saving Sophia who teaches us God’s active involvement in the world and assures humanity of the continued existence of God’s order. No, see those with theological studies will want to have you believe it is only God that this is blasphemy but as we continue to do research we realize more and more that this is more of a way to suppress hidden knowledge and wisdom and keep a strong hold through a dominant masculine world which is not healthy for the balance of this reality and as one continues to do more digging they will start to see more and more of the Divine within us as an equal balance so that way we may make the right choices to and the reason for all of this and why this must be revealed and researched more to be understood is because it has always been about balance it has always been about coming back to one's true nature and balance within the cosmos and oneself will start to mimic within one's reality through a conscious effort from the individual to stay aware.
When I first came about this, it was during my time studying mysticism. The Divine has truly revealed a lot to me as I put in the work to search for myself and pray for guidance. Once I did, I was able to break the right side of thinking forced upon all of us as a whole. By putting both the left and right hemispheres of the brain together, I was able to be guided more accurately to the answers I seek, which I wish to guide this coven to do as well because, for me, this is a family as well, and you don't let family stumble in the dark and also why our research must not be biased do to the negative experience of life brought on by the misguidance of others and even tho many will dispute these claims you continue to research for your self find the connection ask to be guided and trust the connection of your soul to the Divine.
Peace and blessed be.
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