Monday, March 25, 2013

Women Clergy Robes And The Modern Pagan

By Christi Larsen


Even modern Christians have an attitude that females should not lead a congregation of believers. Fortunately, women clergy robes can be found in the Pagan and Wiccan community. Both male and female adherents to this path will start out sewing their own robe, but there are also seamstresses which are often found at large gatherings who create beautiful and ornate garments for the purpose of spiritual observance.

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.

Both men and their female counterparts wear similar garments during ritual observance, known as moons or Sabbats. While there is nearly always a Priestess who presides over ritual, many groups have a Priest with her as well. Balance of masculine and feminine energies is very important to followers of the Pagan ways.

This is a beautiful alternative to the traditionally patriarchal religions which have been dominating mankind for the past two thousand years. Traditional religions tend to view women as being inferior to men, and this has resulted in bitterness between the genders. Pagans knew the importance of cooperation, for without it there is no balance.

Even with this focus on balanced energies, Wiccans and Pagans do not discriminate against same-sex unions. Whether the establishment recognizes the union or not, Priests and Priestesses are quite willing to conduct marriage ceremonies for gay people. Recognizing that men and women have different but complimentary energies does not equate to discrimination.

The basic understanding of male and female energies is represented very well in the Asian yin-yang symbol. It shows that both the male active energy, and the female receptive energy, carries a seed of the other within itself. Men have the capacity to be feminine and nurturing, and women have the ability to be powerful and creative. Wiccans believe it is necessary to balance all these elements within the person.

Just as Christianity has various denominations representing different philosophical beliefs, so do Wiccans and Pagans. For example, there are female-only groups who practice a form of Wicca that is frequently referred to as Dianic. Unlike the Christians, Pagans and Wiccans have never gone to a literal physical war with one another over these different ideals.

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.

Self empowerment is necessary to wear women clergy robes. Females who embrace their own personal divinity are able to lead their congregations to a level of wisdom and enlightenment that regards love as the greatest power. The fact of the matter is, no matter what religion one follows, at the core of the philosophy love is always the law.




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