We claim the identity of Priestess as a revolutionary act!
Something different happens when we use the term Priestess instead of Priest, Shaman or even Witch. Priestess or High Priestess are common terms of respect used in the Craft, and we owe a good deal to those who have pioneered the reclaiming of this term in the 20th century. But still, for most people, Priestess is an old fashioned term associated generally with a long-forgotten past. Though pockets of religions and spiritual ways still use, and are currently using it, there remains a mystique around the term similar to the term "Witch". It is time to shine a blinding light upon it, deconstruct and re-construct it, and for those of us who feel the call, to claim our right to this calling. To those that might trivialise this endeavour I say: restoring dignity and purpose to the sacred feminine is an important contribution to our future direction on this planet.
We acknowledge that in Australia we live amidst and are in constant contention with a patriarchal, hierarchical culture under a system of domination and control – perhaps more so now than since the early days of military, penal settlement and colonisation of this land. We also acknowledge that Earth-based spiritual experiences of the sacred masculine, and other sacred non-binary expressions of being, are also an essential part of the Revolution. This Training may refer to, and welcome some of those experiences and expressions, and will generally focus upon the Sacred Feminine as the ground of all being, and use that gendered language.
Why call it Priestessing the Revolution, not Priestesses of the Revolution?
While both are of value, we will begin by focusing upon the action, the “doing” rather than on the identity, the “being”. This might seem counterintuitive to some. Might not our “doing” naturally arise from our “being”?
In a circle of co-conspirators, we each Priestess to the others. If we are all Priestessing our personal sacred feminine already, why train? (Come to the Introduction Workshop "Blossom of Bone" to receive some guidance around this question.) This Training asks us to also Priestess to Revolution. Revolution is called for as the whole fabric of life on the planet comes under great stress. We might spend our lives unfolding how best to serve the Sacred, and Revolution is coming. How might we each best midwife this Revolution? Some are called to frontline action. There would be no Revolution without them. But, who will Priestess to the Frontline Activists? Who will hold space for them when they are exhausted, nurture, restore, inspire and lend magic to their actions? What tools and skills might you bring to best serve that particular Revolution?
Perhaps “doing” and “being” are a dynamic exchange, like breath and the body? Spiritual practices offer us nurture, and challenge, as we spiral around the divine core of our being, solid with the Goddess maxim of “Know Thyself” and exploring our growing edges. We train so that through our sacred leadership, our Priestessing, we are better able to model a way of being through our actions.
Authentic modeling is probably the most effective tool we have for Training in a tradition that is not “of the book” (ie: monotheistic religions that depend upon a sacred text). You will never be told what is authentic for you, though the Training is designed to offer you guidance and support towards that.
Contrary to some mainstream faiths, Margi holds that there is no one way to the Divine Realms. This Training offers only one of many options, and it unique at this time and place.
We hope that in our actions we might explore some genuine expression of the Sacred Feminine – while remaining open to diverse perspectives on what that might look like for others. Our Gender Histories, and our cultural perspectives, our class, and race privileges, all naturally influence our assumptions and experience of the Feminine.
On the term “Priestess”
It is a Revolutionary act to claim and reclaim that "gendered" term.
A note from Margi: Recently I have had to explain my life to Centrelink and at no time did I say “I am a Priestess to my people!” even though Priestessing is what I have been doing since the late 1980s. Still, when describing myself in mainstream situations, I am unlikely to describe myself as a Priestess. Not much legitimacy is lent to most Pagan and Nature-based Spiritual ways, let alone Witchcraft. That is regrettable, and to lend dignity and purpose to this identity is a part of "The Great Turning", Joanna Macey's term for the changes that are necessary to survive Climate Crisis.
You might be ready to explore by “doing” Priestessing without “being” or identifying as Priestess. Training allows you to take that challenge.