Glossary - exWitch Australia (formerly 'Born Again Pagan')

LEGEND OF THE GODDESS

In Wicca, a Gardnerian and Alexandrian mystery play based loosely on the classical Greek myth ofPersephone's descent to the where she becomes the bride of Hades.

The Greek tradition was almost certainly derived from an older, near eastern, Mesopotamian tradition, extending back in time not less than five millennia, in which the Sumerian Queen of Heaven, Inana, descends to the to challenge its dark queen, Ereshkigal. In Babylonian mythology, Inana becomes Ishtar.

In Wiccan tradition, the Horned God, in his winter aspect as Lord of Death, replaces Hades. This also reflects the Mesopotamian myth in which the consort of the Queen of Heaven subsequently takes her place on an annual sojourn into the .

The High Priestess playing the part of the Goddess is dressed in seven veils to represent the seven emblems of power which were stripped from Inana/Ishtar one by one as she passed through the seven portals of the . She is then challenged by the Guardian of the Portal{s) whereupon she removes her veils, is bound, and led before the altar of the god. Here she is symbolically scourged before her emblems of power are returned to her in rebirth.

Many Wiccan Coven may enact the mystery play in mime or using the spoken word. According to the Gardnerian Book of Shadows it should be mimed to an accompanying narrative.

see also: ELEUSINIAN MYSTERIES

PLEASE NOTE:
One of the major problems with 'defining' Paganism and/or its beliefs and practices is that it is an 'organic' movement, in that it is undergoing constant change and re-evaluation from within, and as such any 'one-size-fits-all' approach to understanding Paganism will be found wanting.

Due to the very 'organic' nature of Paganism, and the many differing Paths and Traditions within it, in many cases no one definition may be universally accepted by all Pagans. Therefore, where such cases of possible conflicting and/or contradictory meanings of certain terms occur I have endevoured to give not only the generally accepted meaning, but also any major 'variations' in belief and/or practice.

Christians who believe this difference in meaning of certain key terms, beliefs and practices to be unique to Paganism need to remember that such conflicts also arise within the Body of Christ - the Church. Take for instance the differing practices amongst Christians concerning Baptism and the different attitudes towards women in the clergy.

- Jean-Luc