Source: The Seattle Times
On January 13, 2001, The Seattle Times reported on "spirituality seekers--many of them young women disillusioned with the female role models in traditional religions--who are engaging in goddess-worship. This sort of goddess-worship [has to do] with the female deities that grace ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Celtic lore...Many of those who revere goddesses are part of Paganism, Wicca, and other 'Earth-based' religions that link daily life with the seasons--which in ancient myths are often controlled by goddesses. Members of the Cauldron of Annwyn Pagan Society consider themselves traditional witches. They sometimes worship gods, but it's Aphrodite, Athena and Diana on which they focus...Today's reverence of the figures of ancient lore is likely spawned by feminism and the rise in popularity of Wicca," says Professor Robert Mathieson of Brown University. He estimates that there are 300,000 followers of branches of goddess-based spirituality. Cauldron devotees use spells as a last resort against people who they feel wronged by. "More often, though, the deities are 'invoked,' as it is called, to bring creativity, peace, and to help someone who is ill."