Gnostics and Goddesses

Gemstone charm used by ancient Gnostic sects, carved with the image of Abraxas. 
From the 1901-1906 Jewish Encyclopedia, now in the public domain.

Over the past three years I have been tasked with the study of the Gnostic religion; an ancient version of Christianity. The task was begun as part of a “ deal “ with an acquaintance from overseas. Each time I’ve felt that I met my part of the bargain, a new excuse comes forward from this particular Gnostic for wimping out. The most recent excuse extended the Gnostic study for 100 days, which will end on Tuesday, August 13, 2013. At which point I may discover whether the entire “ bargain “ was just another bible-bender with a phony sales pitch.

Or, will I be pleasantly surprised? By summer’s end, we will perhaps know the answer. Stay tuned, or change the channel … at this point, the Gnostic instructor in my region ( a woman, thanks Goddess ) has recommended a path which lead to Isis. As a creative individual, I will always put my own twist into a sacred study, so it’s not as if I’ve ever been slavishly devoted to Gnosticism at the expense of my own beliefs. And, it’s nice to see the ancient Goddesses included, even if it seems that the energies are “ Marianic “ in nature and not genuine nor pure Goddess energies.

I have, in fact, taken the exercise back to ancient Rome. My “ Isis “ statue is actually a deified Cleopatra, which puts Her smack dab into Rome after the fall of Egypt. The exercise provided the impetus to look up Isis’ festival dates from ancient times, and put them on one of my webpages http://templeisis.info/There are some differences of opinion regarding the festival dates, but Her link to the moon phases is clear, so I have recreated my own version of a “ Kyphi “ oil to anoint candles and light them during Her moon phases.

One thing I do appreciate, in this new research for Isis, is not only that it provides some contrast to the studies of Fortuna, it also provides an alternative to Dianic moon worship. Isis does fill some voids that are not well represented by Diana, such as a link to love, marriage and childbirth as well as the mysteries of the October and November season. So, I cannot say that the Gnosis is without its gifts. I do appreciate the study and my new Gnostic friends. The only difficulty is having to wade through so many layers of Jesus before getting to the Goddess.

Because, on the surface, Gnosticism is really just another branch of Christianity. However, for the Goddess community, the Gnostic studies may possibly offer a doorway between hardcore Christians and Pagan studies.

However, the basis to Gnosis is still Jesus and although Goddesses are mentioned in the bible, the passage which had come to my attention in the past was Dianic … and not particularly flattering to Jesus or his economic misconceptions.

The story begins with Jesus and the apostles coming into Ephesus, performing miracles, and exorcisms. When some of the townspeople believed they had been possessed, they burned their own books of magic valued at 50,000 pieces of silver. In an edited quote:

And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines to Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen.

He called them together…and said: "Men…we have our prosperity by this trade...Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not Gods that are made with hands. So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana…and all Her magnificence." … And when they heard this…they cried out "Great is Diana..!”…all with one voice cried out for about two hours, "Great is Diana…!" 

And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: ‘…what man is there who does not know that the city…is temple guardian of the great Goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Zeus? Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly. For…these men here…are neither robbers of your temple nor blasphemers of your Goddess…if you have any…inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly…And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

The fact is, although Jesus’ ideals were very lofty, he was bad for the economy. His entire financial strategy depended upon people who had more wealth sharing that wealth with him and his followers, in the form of food, lodging, expensive oils and other things. He had no concept of working for a living and acquiring wealth through honest trades within a consumer society which purchased, borrowed and repaid loans. 

Jesus was bad for the economy in ancient times, and this may have been the most salient issue which led to his downfall. The Roman government simply could not afford to bend to his whims. His teachings were bad for the economy in Ephesus and, if history repeats itself, strict adherence these teachings may possibly prove to be detrimental to the economy in the present day. The blending of teachings of Jesus, along with the ancient wisdom regarding commerce influenced by the Goddess religions, may be a strength in Gnostic teachings.