Burning Times In the cool of the evening, they used to gather, 'neath the stars in the meadow circling an old oak tree. At the times appointed by the seasons of the earth and the phases of the moon. In the center, often stood a woman, equal with the others respected for her word. One of the many they call the witches, the healers and the teachers of the wisdom of the Earth. And the people grew in the knowledge she gave them, herbs to heal their bodies, smells to make their spirits whole. Hear them chanting healing incantations, calling for the wise ones celebrating in dance and song. Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna There were those who came to power, through domination. They were bonded in their worship of a dead man on a cross. They sought control of the common people by demanding allegiance to the church of Rome. And the Pope he commenced the inquisition, as war against the women whose powers they feared. In this holocaust, in this age of evil, nine million European women they died. And a tale is told of those who by the hundreds, holding hands together chose their deaths in the sea. While chanting the praises of the Mother Goddess, their refusal of betrayal women were dying to be free. Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna Now the Earth is a witch, and we still burn her. Stripping her down with mining and the poison from our wars. Still to us the Earth is a healer, a teacher and a mother. The weaver of a web of light that keeps us all alive. She gives us the vision to see through the chaos, she gives us the courage, it is our will to survive! Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna ZX oct99
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!