(by Rumors of the Big Wave)
In the cool of the evening, they used to gather, 'neath 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 stood a woman, equal with the others, and respected for her worth. One of a many we call the Witches, the healers and the teachers of the wisdom of the Earth. The people grew through the knowledge she gave them, herbs to heal their bodies, spells to make their spirits whole. Can’t you hear them chanting healing incantations, calling forth the Wise Ones, celebrating in dance and song? Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna There were those who came to power through domination, and they bonded in the 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 declared an Inquisition, it was war against the women whose power they feared. In this Holocaust against the nature people, nine million European women died. And the tale is told of those who, by the hundreds, holding together, chose their death in the sea While chanting the praises of the Mother Goddess, a refusal of betrayal, women were dying to be free. Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna Now the Earth is a witch, and the men still burn her! Stripping her down with mining and the poisons of their wars. While to us the Earth is a healer, a teacher, a mother. A weaver of the web of life 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! Appropriate for Esbats and for Samhain (since it discusses the Burning Times)