We have prayed and prayed for peace but to no avail as war has held rule for four thousand years. How is this possible when all talk about wanting peace?

We meet in peace groups to discuss how to help end the carnage in the Holy Land. We always remind each other of the ancient Greek women who refused to let their husbands go to war. We each wonder what can be done.

It helps to have the prospective of time, especially the origins of our current civilization, to understand our cultural mindset. Though not often spoken about and left out of religious teachings, the truth is that the Gods of the Hebrews, Muslims and Christians gained power through war. As each is a war God, killing was, and continues to be, done through their worship and in their names. Each either began through violent conquest and/or is responsible for wars and occupation down through history. It is simply not possible to achieve peace when war rules.

Originally the Holy Land belonged to the great Goddess (the museums there have countless relics depicting the divine feminine) but militant invaders slandered her, killed her priestesses and tore down her temples. Women had been the heads of their families and communities but eventually lost all their rights and became the property of their fathers and husbands. It has been forgotten that powerful women once kept balance in the world by right of the divine feminine and mother wisdom. The exile of Goddess along with her feminine sensibilities resulted in the rampant death, torture and destruction that war loves. Until women once again acknowledge the divine in themselves and reclaim their power and authority, until men look at a woman and see the divine, there is little hope for peace.

You can help balance the "power over" drive of testosterone by bringing the divine feminine into your consciousness. It can be the goddess who once was worshipped in the land where you live or from where your ancestors originated or any goddess that might interest you. There is no need to change your religion -- just shift your focus of worship to the divine feminine already there (see below). She has been there all along - hidden.

Set aside a special place for her likeness in your home. Light a candle (or the safer single electric “Christmas decoration” candle) to her and pray for peace for just 5 minutes a day. Do this at the same time everyday until it becomes a habit, for instance, upon arising and/or before going to bed.  Start a goddess study group in your house of worship or on your own. We need her to return as the consequences of perpetuating the existing order is painfully obvious.

May we relight the candles in Goddess’s temples wherever there is war. May we all be so blessed.