We are a revival of
the ancient
Cybeline faith, one largely forgotten today but historically one of the
most ancient and enduring religions of the world, the Mother Goddess
tradition. We use the Cybeline version because by classical
times, it was the most widespread but all Mother Goddess traditions
share the same essential elements, a belief in the divine feminine
principle of the universe, that all of us and all we see and experience
are a part of Her and that since we are all part of Her, none are
inferior or superior to others.
In today's neo-pagan
revival there has
been an explosion of Dianic or divine feminine groups sometimes also
known as women's spirituality. These groups are often
fiercely
anti male as a reaction to the 3000 or so years of patriarchal
domination of the mundane and spiritual and seek to replace a
patriarchal world with a matriarchal one. We Cybelines,
believing
at we are all part of the Divine Mother, cannot cut off half the
population of the world but rather seek to restore balance.
While
the Cybeline faith is administered and led by a priestess sisterhood,
our mysteries and celebrations are open to all seekers and anyone may
become an initiate. As in the ancient world, today's
initiates
are not required or expected to denounce whatever other spiritual paths
they embrace.
As you wander the
pages of our website
please bear in mind that although there is much material specific to
the Cybeline sisterhood of priestesses, the religion itself is not an
exclusive women's religion and never was. Our need to call
out
for an awakened restoration of our sisterhood of priestesses in order
to re-establish our faith should not be mistaken for trying to
establish yet another Dianic, no men need apply, version of paganism
but rather our seeking those special women wishing to learn how to
awaken the connection to Her in others that is the birthright of
all. Becoming a Cybeline priestess is not a "club" membership
or
ladder of spiritual superiority, it is making a lifelong commitment to
the restoration of our religion and service to others. It is a
commitment to the celebration of the strengths of feminine thought and
values and restoration of those values in direct answer to the path
that has led to the near destruction of the entire planet.
Gallae and Mellissae historically have always been very spiritual women by their nature, the Gallae were intersexual and transsexual women. These women, often psychic and from pre-history considered natural spiritual leaders, teachers and healers, viewed throughout the ages as possessing the powers to bless and curse and foresee the future, have a rich history that is uniquely their birthright. One of the oldest remaining myths from the "cradle of civilization", present day Iran and Iraq, tells of Inanna's ( The Queen of Heaven) rescue from the underworld by Asushunamir, a twin sexed being of light and beauty, and Inanna's promise to all like her .........transsexuals, intersexuals, and other gender variant people. The Cybeline priestesshood includes those women who strive to change their bodies to reflect their inner womanhood and always has as well as Mellisseae women who celebrate their natural connection to Her. This is important since today many Dianic pagan women's groups have recently rediscovered Cybele yet seek to exclude Her transsexual and intersexual priestesses. Likewise, many transsexual and intersexual women have found Cybele only to attempt to cast Her as a "Tranny Goddess".......both are equally wrong headed. Indeed, recently several transgendered women have come to us, been dismayed that we are not a transgender religion but rather one that embraces transgender, transsexual and intersexual women and left angrily to form their own groups. While we embrace and celebrate the right of anyone to their own path to enlightenment, it would be nice if they stopped representing themselves as our group as they have using our name and resources.
As
reconstructionists,
we have twin goals. We wish to restore and revive the best of
the
ancient practices of a religion that endured more than 8000 years in
the
ancient world and we do extensive original research that supports that
restoration as faithfully to the spirit of the religion as
possible.
We believe that an ancient priestess should recognize our services were
she transplanted to our times. Mother's hand seems to guide
us in
both goals. This website has grown considerably in the past
years,
each day seems to bring new discoveries and insights that eluded others
for more than a hundred years. As our knowledge grows, so we
expand
and examine our practices There is a difference between
researching
the past and putting into practice ancient ways. By doing
both,
we
gain insight and wisdom that escaped those confining themselves to one
or the other.
The links on your
left are your gateway to further exploration of our history and
practices, enjoy and may Magna Mater's blessings be with you.
We also maintain
a yahoo groups email list those interested in discussion of our
traditions
may join at Gallae-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Click to contact us for further information or any questions you may have
Last update: 1/6/08