Thursday, 21 March 2013

Women Clergy Robes And The Philosophy Of Balance

By Christi Larsen


There is controversy in the Christian church regarding female lead figures in church, but in the Wiccan community, there are many women clergy robes. Initially, Pagan males and females often create their own ritual clothing. However, as they become better entrenched into the Pagan community as a whole, they often meet up with professionals who create very elaborate and ornamented garments for ritual.

The typical Pagan robe is made from a basic t-shaped pattern, with very little ornamentation. This keeps it simple for neophytes who are just learning what it means to follow this path, and might not know a lot about sewing. As they learn more forms of artistry, many will add beadwork and bordering.

Such a robe is worn by both males and females during rituals honoring either full or new moons, or other celebrations known as Sabbats. Wiccans and Pagans nearly always have a Priest and a Priestess who conducts the ritual. The purpose to this is to maintain the balance of masculine and feminine energies.

It is the belief of many Wiccans that the entirely patriarchal religions which have been a dominating force are unbalanced at their core. The notion that women are inferior to men is abhorrent to these people, who have a deep understanding that males and females truly need each other. These patriarchies have actually created the war between the sexes.

This does not mean that Pagans traditionally judge or discriminate against those who embrace alternative lifestyles. Quite the opposite is true, in fact, as Pagan Priests and Priestesses will often preside over commitment ceremonies for same-sex couples. Balance simply means recognizing that some energies are inherently male or inherently female.

Much like the yin-hang symbol, Wiccans believe that males have an active creative energy while females have a receptive nurturing energy, but each gender has a seed of the other within. Women have a powerful, active, creative side just as men have a nurturing, feminine side. The idea is to recognize, accept, and balance these energies within the individual.

As with Christians, there are variations of philosophies in Wicca. There are even female-only groups who are referred to largely as Dianic groups. Unlike Christianity, however, the different denominations of Wicca have never engaged in armed combat with one another due to their different philosophies.

There is no belief within the Pagan community that their belief should be pushed upon other people. In fact, most Pagans are completely the opposite in their feelings toward proselytizing. It is a very strong Wiccan philosophy that everyone has their own path, and that ultimately all paths lead to the same place.

One requirement to adorn women clergy robes is a commitment to self empowerment and the learning of wisdom. Christianity has largely destroyed the notion of female divinity, and it takes a strong and wise woman to change this perspective in the world. These Wiccan Priestesses wish to change the world perception of them in a loving and positive way.




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