Reviving the Goddess: A Movie Discussion

125 East State Street,Burlington WI 53105

15 January, 2023

Description

We will watch a unique an intriguing award-winning documentary called The Goddess Remembered. We will reflect on the film and its meaning to us as women today. Past experience with this film have resulted in profound comments, tears and laughter, but most a feeling of inspiration at what we can learn from the sacred value ancient cultures placed on womanhood. Facilitator: Sherry Engstrom is a retired Humanities and sociolgy college teacher and a creative writer. This classic poetic documentary is a salute to 35,000 years of "pre-history," to the values of ancestors only recently remembered, and to the goddess-worshipping religions of the ancient past. Goddess Remembered features Merlin Stone, Carol Christ, Luisah Teish, Starhawk, Charlene Spretnak, and Jean Bolen, who link the loss of goddess-centered societies with today’s environmental crisis. In this film, they propose a return to an interconnected life system, with respect for the Earth and the female, as fundamental to our survival. (55 minutes) Featured Review from imbd.com: "Goddess Remembered" is the first film in a three-part series which illustrates how the feminine divine was worshiped historically and how She is now returning to individual and collective consciousness. The viewer is taken on a tour of the time line of the Goddess' presence throughout human existence, from prehistoric Europe to the modern age all over the world. This is an extremely moving film which reveals that, although Western civilization's gradual increase in more warfare and switch to patriarchal social systems forced Her to veil Herself for centuries, the Goddess is indeed returning into many people's spiritual paths and practices. While some are quick to point to historical inaccuracies, let it be remembered that this documentary is now decades old. Perhaps new knowledge has come to light that was not known at the time of the film's making. And perhaps those who are so quick to criticize have issues with things other than the film itself, for such criticisms are often woven in with statements which suggest attitudes of prejudice or outright hostility towards the movements of women's rights and women's spirituality. This is a film for everyone with an open heart. No matter your gender, gender identity, social and political views, spiritual background, etc, if you have a heart open toward Mother Earth, the Divine Feminine, the Goddess, whatever you choose to call Her, this movie will move you and guide you on your spiritual path. It did for me. This film helped confirm what I'd always known in my heart--I am a Pagan, a servant of the Goddess and God. Blessed be!