Group Helps Women Find Empowerment Through Nature, Goddesses

December 22, 2009

Author: Jonathan Morales

Source: Contra Costa Times

http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_14051400?source=most_emailed

The holiday triumvirate of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa dominate December, leaving the winter solstice — which occurred Monday — as just another day to cross off the calendar.

But for a group of East Bay women, the official start of winter and the longest night of the year was a time for prayer, song, dance and reflection.

"The days are short and the nights are long, so that's symbolic of a very introspective time and contemplative (time), although it's also the return of the sun," said Leilani Birely, a Lafayette resident who is the leader, or high priestess, of Daughters of the Goddess, a religious group in the Wiccan and pagan traditions.

The group is Dianic, focusing solely on female goddesses from all cultures worldwide. Members refer to that collection of goddesses as the singular "goddess."

The goal, Birely said, is to educate the public about the goddess, help women empower themselves and, most of all, promote a celebration of and reverence for nature.