Daughters of Artemis
The founding Coven of the Amazon Tradition
An Intro to the Amazon Tradition
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The Daughters of Artemis Coven
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The Amazon Tradition grew out of the Dianic Tradition of the Wiccan religion. It is a Goddess and nature based spiritual practice for women revolving around four aspects of the Goddess (Maiden, Mistress, Mother, and Matriarch), as these are reflected in the seasons of a women's life, the phases of the moon, and the seasons of the year.
The Thealogy is simple and assumes that "The Goddess" has many names and many faces, and that She is conceptualized by women in many different ways, each being as valid as the next. The major seasonal holy days include Ostara, Plantingmas, Litha, Harvestmas, Mabon, Hallowmas, Yule, and Candlemas. The Ritual Practices involve honoring each aspect of the Goddess in Her season and celebrating the milestone achievements in the ever changing seasons of women's lives. We do not hold secret initiations or make the traditional "challenge" with an athame to enter our circles. Rather, our challenge is to create sacred space where all women and girls are safe to perform Goddess honoring rituals without threat or fear of patriarchal forces. Practicing the Amazon Tradition encourages personal spiritual growth, developing a strong intellect, and building practical witch "crafting" skills in communion with the Goddess and Her women. |
Because of our radical resistance to patriarchal authority and power, we are women who do not quite fit into other religious or spiritual practices. We are tree hugging, dirt worshiping, radical feminists who love the Goddess and her women, and who give women priority in their lives. We also represent a wide range of ages, as well as religious and socioeconomic backgrounds. Most, but not all, are lesbians.
Our Gatherings always include a potluck feast and often conclude with some sort of crafting project. The arts and crafts are a large part of our tradition, and crafting our own magical tools and ritual supplies is a point of pride for us. Our coven sisters are in various stages of crafting their own altar & altar sets, wands, athames, bolines, brooms, etc. In addition, as a way to honor our matroness Goddess Artemis, and because we love the sport, most of us are building our archery skills in magical practice. All women and girls are welcome to gather with us in every ritual, but a traditional Year And A Day Study is required before initiating into the Tradition. In solitary practice the Year And A Day Study can be initiated at any time of the year and is self-taught. Our coven offers a new Year And A Day Study each Spring, and is guided by our ritual priestess, but most of the "study" is self-directed. Initiation means that a woman has dedicated herself to the Goddess and follows the general principles of Goddess thealogy in the Amazon Tradition. For women who enjoy gathering with our coven but are not ready to initiate, they may choose to weave with us in our Coven Weaving ritual once a year on Ostara. The Coven Weaving ritual binds those who participate in a magical bond of coven sisterhood for A Year and A Day. |