In Her Image: Finding Heavenly Mother in Scripture, Scholarship, the Arts, & Everyday Life
By In Her Image
In Her Image: Finding Heavenly Mother in Scripture, Scholarship, the Arts, & Everyday LifeMay 19, 2024
122. Embodiment and the Feminine Divine with Amanda Blair
Amanda Lynn Blair joins Jessica Woodbury to discuss how the divine feminine has helped her rethink embodiment, sexuality, the connection between the sacred and profane and the concept of partnership as opposed to patriarchy.
121. Heavenly Mother's Day Talk with Lauren Robinson
The sacrament meeting talk you wish you heard today: another Mother's Day talk about Heavenly Mother!
Jessica Woodbury interviews Lauren Robinson about her talk and two poems she's written with the Divine Feminine in mind.
Happy Heavenly Mother's Day!
120. Heavenly Mother's Day Talk with Kelli Dougal
Happy Mother's Day!
The sacrament meeting talk you wish you heard on Mother's Day.
Kelli Dougal is on Instagram as pocketfulofkelli and her poetry book can be found at https://amzn.to/4aeHIC5
119. Spreading the Knowledge of Our Mother in Heaven with McArthur Krishna
Today McArthur Krishna joins Jessica Woodbury as the first interviewee in the new series on sharing experiences and testimonies of Heavenly Mother. McArthur's background of curating art shows, co-authoring books, and giving firesides celebrating the doctrine of Mother in Heaven make her the perfect candidate to share the ups and downs of spreading the knowledge of Her relationship with us. McArthur shares what it's been like gathering witnesses of the Divine Mother for her latest contribution, Cherish Volume 2: The Love of Our Mother in Heaven. She relates the joy that can be found when we share our love and knowledge of the Mother, holding our light on a candlestick rather than burying it under a bushel.
Purchase Cherish 2 here: https://a.co/d/aPEXR53
118. A Call From the Divine with Jessica Woodbury
BYU Studies article "A Mother There": byustudies.byu.edu/article/a-mother-there-a-survey-of-historical-teachings-about-mother-in-heaven/
If you would like to share an experience on the podcast, please send us an email at inherimagepodcast@gmail.com or a message on Instagram to @inherimagepodcast.
117. The Restoration of All Things
In this episode, Jess offers readings from The Tree at the Center by Kathryn Knight Sonntag, Restoration: God's Call to the 21st Century World by Patrick Q. Mason, Cherish: The Joy of Our Mother in Heaven curated by Ashli Carnicelli, Trina Caudle, and McArthur Krishna, and Mother's Milk: Poems in search of Heavenly Mother by Rachel Hunt Steenblik. The selections of prose and poetry dip into themes of restoration, our work in its unfolding, and God the Mother's all-encompassing love.
116. Inner Goddess Meditation
In this episode Jess leads a short guided meditation to help you reconnect with your core; your essence. Relax and enjoy.
115. Esther and Poetry with Jess
Inspired by Esther's courage and the voices of so many LDS women on the internet over the last few weeks, Jess gets vulnerable and shares some of the poetry she's written over the past couple of years. Some heartbreaking, some fiery, some tender, her poems will likely connect with those traversing the terrain of deconstruction, seeking Heavenly Mother/the Divine Feminine, and/or craving inclusion at the institutional level.
114. Christianity's Sacred Union with Margaret Starbird
Various ancient myths portraying the King's anointing, death, and rebirth come together in one miraculous Easter weekend, with the feminine archetype finally taking her rightful place in the story. In this episode, author and theologian Margaret Starbird joins Meg to share her spiritual and scholarly knowledge of the Divine Feminine as manifest in the Sacred Union of Christ with Mary Magdalene. Margaret shares about how she was inspired to seek the missing piece in the four gospels, and what she discovered in that pursuit. She emphasizes the importance of having the feminine represented in divinity, the yin to the yang, one of the two fishes in the Pisces symbol... the Christ and his Bride.
Margaret's website: http://www.margaretstarbird.net/
"Human One" by Alana Levandoski: watch
"magdalene" by Libbie Schrader: https://vimeo.com/69995141
113. Asenath and Joseph
In this episode, Jess tells the story of Asenath and her husband Joseph. Joseph is a well-known character in the Bible, but much less is known or said about the young Egyptian daughter of a priest he falls in love with. The apocryphal text, "Joseph and Asenath", tells the story of Asenath's conversion and subsequent marriage. Her story includes a week of extreme penitence, a visit from an angel, her receiving a new name, and a miraculous encounter with honeybees. The entire translated text, which dates back to the first centruy AD, can be found at https://archive.org/stream/josephasenathcon00broo/josephasenathcon00broo_djvu.txt
Following this rendition of Asenath's story, Jess shares about an exciting new music project spearheaded by producer Kristina Bishoff (who made the music you hear on this podcast)! DIVINE is the first collection of music about Heavenly Parents and our divine potential. The goal is to release a new song every month starting in May 2024. To help make this dream a reality, and gain access to these incredible songs and other gifts, visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kristinaabishoff/divine
112. Sofianic Wisdom in Waldorf Education and Anthroposophy with Jolene Humes
In this week's episode we join Julene Humes in her journey to the Divine Feminine. We will learn about Waldorf Education as a way of supporting children in their development of the minds, hearts and hands and how this education style has a foundation in Sofianic Wisdom. Julene shares some beautiful ideas in anthroposophy about the Divine Feminine and her story of discovering hidden truths about Heavenly Mother.
111. Amaterasu with Colette Numajiri
In this week's episode, professor and goddess researcher Colette Numajiri joins Meg to share her knowledge of the Japanese Goddess Amaterasu. Amaterasu Omikami ('the Great Divinity Illuminating Heaven') is the most high deity of the Shintō religion. Regarded as the Queen of Heaven, she is embodied as the sun and is depicted as such in Japan's flag. This idea of the sun as a goddess, rather than a god, is rare and may survive from the most archaic of world mythologies. Listen in as Colette and Meg share portions of Her story and reflect on modern iterations and applications as they travel back in time and space to the mythical and religious origins of the land of the rising sun.
Colette is on Instagram as @coco_niji
Find her blog with articles on the goddesses and models from The Goddess Project: Made in Her Image at www.FreeSophia.com
For more from Colette visit https://niji.world/
Love, Jess and Meg
110. Neolithic and Paleolithic Egalitarianism with Amy Allebest
Amy McPhee Allebest, founder and host of the podcast Breaking Down Patriarchy, joins Meg in this episode to share what she has learned about prehistoric egalitarian societies. She highlights the discovery of Venus statues discovered all across Europe, the Near East, and Asia along with other evidence that suggests the practice of goddess worship not only in the Neolithic period, but extending back to Paleolithic times. Amy and Meg discuss the presence and subsequent fading of a belief in Goddesses from various ancient peoples. Looking back through the corridors of history illuminates that though these cultural changes often happen slowly and imperceptibly over hundreds of years, others occur swiftly and intentionally. Seeing these changes in how God has been perceived across the ages gives rise to the hope that one day a female deity will be revered as all-powerful once again, or perhaps even a more insclusive conception of God could materialize.
Amy cites the work of archaologist Marija Gimbutas as well as Angela Saini. We recommend looking up their books for an even deeper dive into the history of patriarchy.
109. Mother, Daughter, Queen and Priestess in Ancient Egypt with Jared Rubalcaba
This presentation was given at the DFW Divine Feminine Conference on April 22, 2023 by Jared Rubalcaba. For more information regarding upcoming tours with Professor Rubalcaba, go to https://www.forbiddenadventure.com
For his online Esoteric Egypt Vol 1 course go to https://projectillumination.thinkific... use code: ladyoflife for 50% off
108. Our Ascent with Pam England
In this episode, Pam and Meg unpack the ancient Mesopotamian story of Inanna's ascent from the underworld. With Inanna, we learn how to rise from our personal dark night of the soul as new, fully embodied creatures.
So many elements of the epic tale are up for interpretation by the listener, yet themes and meanings unveiled by Pam provide invaluable information to the initiate. Her experience as a birth worker and student of mythology combine to provide the listener clues to help navigate their own internal quest.
We hope you've enjoyed this four part series on Inanna, queen of heaven as worshiped in ancient Sumer. Her story has great application to our lives today as we individually and collectively journey from maiden to mother to crone, and it has been a privilege to hear this story from the wise Pam England herself.
For more from Pam including story seminars on navigating initiations, visit pamenglandbirth.com.
Love, Jess and Meg
107. Inanna's Ascent with Pam England
Picking up where she left off two episodes prior, author and birth worker Pam England shares the second half of Inanna's story: her ascent back up from the underworld. We finally learn how Inanna, Queen of heaven and archetypal warrior, goes from dead and decaying in the pit of the underworld to ascending with new wings into her new, fuller reality. Pam, with extensive wisdom gained through her own initiation years ago and subsequent midwifing of others along the path, adds valuable insight into how we can find our way in our present transformations.
Next week, in our final installment of this series on Inanna's story, we will further explore possible applications and gems from the epic tale.
Love, Jess and Meg
106. Our Descent with Pam England
Deep dive with Pam England and Meg into the lessons and symbols found in the story of Inanna's descent. If you missed the telling of the queenly tale, go back to last week's episode for Pam's stirring rendition.
What can be gained from learning of Inanna's initiation? Many elements of the story are up for interpretation by the listener, yet themes and meanings pointed out by Pam provide invaluable help in the process. Her experience as a birth worker and student of mythology combine to give the initiate/listener clues to help navigate their own inward quest.
Pam and Meg will be back next week to move into the second half of the epic: Inanna's Ascent.
Love, Jess and Meg
105. Inanna's Descent with Pam England
In this episode, author and birth worker Pam England performs the epic ancient tale of Inanna's Descent. If you are personally doing through a descent, be it a faith journey, struggle with depression, facing your shadow self, a difficult or unexpected experience, or the transition from maiden to mother, the story of Inanna's descent to the underworld will have special meaning and application for you.
This is the first in a four-part series. In the next episode, Meg and Pam will discuss the symbols and messages found in this part of the story. In part 3, Pam recounts the other half of the story: Inanna's Ascent. Part 4 will review the symbols found in the ascent, tapping into how to arise, reborn and embodied, sovereign and wise.
We invite you to listen with spiritual ears and glean the lessons the Goddess may have for you here.
Love, Jess and Meg
104. Christmas, The Tree of Life, & Heavenly Mother with Mandy Green
We have this extra special treat for you as a Christmas gift from us to you! Learn about how to incorporate the Divine Feminine into your Christmas celebrations with Mandy Green.
Mandy Green has spent the last 8 years learning Hebrew and Greek, studying the Bible in its original languages, visiting ancient temples and becoming an expert in the symbols and key words of the Feminine Divine. She created a platform called Project Illumination to share her knowledge and arm others with tools to be scripturally literate themselves. She is a treat to listen to as she shares her passion of revealing our Heavenly Mother in the texts. You can hear more from Mandy on her podcast Reflecting Light, and connect with her @reflectinglightpodcast.
103. Native American Goddess Introduction
Spider Woman the Earth Goddess, White Bead Woman, Changing Woman, Selu the Corn Goddess, White Buffalo Woman. In this episode, Jess reads from Native American Goddess Tales to give a brief introduction to the Goddesses of various Indigenous tribes. These Goddesses have much to teach us about creation, sovereignty, and fierce compassion.
Read the full stories here: arcadiasystems.org/academia/goddess.html
In Her Image will be back in the new year. Enjoy the holidays!
102. Vasalisa the Wise and Baba Yaga with Amber Richardson
Amber is a facilitator, writer, and performance artist who uses story to design conversations and experiences for women seeking refuge and healing from wounding created inside patriarchal religion. We discuss her calling (as I see it) as a leader in the current wave of Mormon Feminism, seeking Heavenly Mother and expanding the feminine path inside and outside of Mormonism.
Kate comes back as a guest-host to interview and discuss the archetypal story of Vasalisa the Wise and what we can learn from her path and apprenticeship under Baba Yaga in this Russian folk tale.
These and other stories can be found in the book Women Who Run with the Wolves by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes
I think you'll enjoy it!
101. The Wild and Sacred Feminine
Welcome to this summery of Bridget the Goddess of the Celtic Tradition. We get to hear about this goddess of the eternal flame from authors Niki Dewart and Elizabeth Marglin of Mothers Wisdom Deck and the new Wild and Sacred Feminine Deck.
you can buy the deck here
https://www.thewildandsacredfeminine.com/
https://shopgenara.com/products/wild-and-sacred-feminine-deck
The Wild & Sacred Feminine Deck was created to invoke the sacred feminine—the untamable energy that pulses through all things. The feminine creates and transforms, adapts and abides, loves and nourishes.
100. The Hymn of the Pearl with Lori Driggs
Get your own copy with InHerImage discount code at
www.thehymnofthepearl.com/
LORI NIELSEN DRIGGS and her husband, Paul, live in South Jordan, Utah. They are the parents of six children and eight grandchildren. Lori loves learning and studying—especially the scriptures. This beautiful hymn is one of her favorites. She is so grateful to work with Mandy Green, who brought the hymn back to her attention and expanded her love of the scriptures. She feels so blessed to have Tshikamba (the beautiful Melissa Kamba Boggs) bring it to life with her glorious illustrations.
99. Birth Circles/Mother's Blessings
Jess and Meg come together to recount their experiences with birth circles/mother's blessings, including a recent gathering held for Jess. As Jess has prepared to birth her fourth baby, she desired a more deep and connecting experience with other women. She shares what practices were implemented at her circle. Meg gives many ideas from circles she has participated in as well. Whether preparing for birth, celebrating, or mourning another transition or life event, a sacred women's gathering can be a transformative, connecting experience for all involved.
98. Minerva and Arachne with Brynne Canozo
Brynne Canozo relates the Roman myth "Minerva and Arachne." This single story prompts multiple musings between Meg and Brynne. First, Meg recounts the tale's affect on her relationship with sacred clothing. Next, Brynne reflects on the character and motivations of the goddess Minerva (Athena) in the story. And finally, the two discuss what The Weaver could mean and how that title applies to Heavenly Mother.
97. The Goddess Trinity with Stephanie Sorensen
learn about the ancient goddess trinity and how it can help you embrace every new stage of your life with Stephanie Sorensen. Stephanie is passionate about her work as certified yoga teacher, doula, childbirth educator, and personal mentor. Stephanie is the founder of Bhava Birth, a yoga and meditation-based childbirth education course. She believes that birth is a spiritual right of passage and a profound opportunity for personal growth. Her speciality is merging Eastern wisdom with Western research in an effective multidisciplinary approach. Above all else in the birth experience, Stephanie values sovereignty, consent, and whole-body attunement.
IG: sjs_muse (for writing and singing)
@bhava_birth (for birth and rebirth mentoring)
Website: bhavabirth.com
Email: stephanie@bhavabirth.com
96. One Goddess, Many Forms with Jyoti Subramanian
Hindu mythology storyteller Jyoti Subramanian joins Jess in this episode to discuss the nature of Deity and what's in a name. She shares a story involving some of the Hindu Goddesses that touches on what the many forms of God/Goddess can mean for us in our moments of need. Jyoti's Hindu background and passion for storytelling make for a delightful conversation and a great start to our journey into finding Wisdom throughout cultures and traditions.
95. How Do You Experience Truth?
Come with us as we explore what truth is and how we experience it.
Show notes:
Opening credits scriptures
Psalm 85
11 aTruth shall spring out of the bearth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12 Yea, the mother shall give that which is agood; and our land shall yield her increase.
John 8
32 And ye shall aknow the btruth, and the ctruth shall make you dfree
Doctrine and Covenants 88
67 And if your eye be asingle to bglory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light ccomprehendeth all things.
40 For aintelligence cleaveth unto intelligence; bwisdom receiveth wisdom; ctruth embraceth truth; dvirtue loveth virtue; elight cleaveth unto light; fmercy hath gcompassion on mercy and claimeth her own;
Doctrine and Covenants 11
13 Verily, verily, I say unto you, she will impart unto you of her Spirit, which shall aenlighten your bmind, which shall fill your soul with cjoy;
(some pronouns changed to female form)
Interviews with Stephanie Bergeson @stephanie_mk_bergeson, Heidi Pyper @maidentomother, and Brynne Canozo @brynne.capps.canozo
94. Heavenly Mother In All Nations of the Earth
Meg and Jess introduce the direction the podcast will go for the next several episodes. They share scriptures, quotes, and personal reasons for deciding to dedicate the upcoming months to finding the Goddess in various cultures, traditions, and ancient archetypes.
93. Finding Heavenly Mother in Scripture
Welcome back to our new season of In Her Image. Today we will review scriptures about Heavenly Mother in the Old Testament and other historical Hebrew texts. We will also say goodby to Kate as she is leaving the podcast for maternity leave and getting to know Meg Rittmanic as a new podcast host.
These Translations are taken from The Divine Feminine in Biblical Wisdom Literature: Selections Annotated & Explained (SkyLight Illuminations)
https://www.amazon.com/Divine-Feminine-Biblical-Wisdom-Literature/dp/1594731098
92. Death and Rebirth Meditation
Natalie of Natalie Jeanne Art gives us today's installment in our month of meditation. This guided meditation invites you to let something that has been burdening you die in order to make room for new birth and new life... your new life. We hope this series of meditations on divine femininity has been rejouvenating for you.
91. Divine Mother Meditation
Mechelle Wingle, our guest from episode 67 titled The Mother Hunger with Mechelle Wingle, sent us this beautiful meditation to share with you on the podcast. It is the second meditation in a series of four being releasing this month. Enjoy!
90. Moon Meditation
This summer we're switching things up for a few weeks and offering you a series of meditations. Each week will feature a different meditation that relates to the Divine Mother, whether through symbol or guided experience. We hope that each meditation will bring you closer to Her and closer to peace and harmony within yourself. We kick off our "summer of meditations" with a Moon Meditation by Meg Rittmanic.
89. Cherish the Doctrine with Ashli Carnicelli and Trina Caudle
Ashli Carnicelli and Trina Caudle, curators of the newest book Cherish: The Joy of our Heavenly Mother, join me for a discussion on what inspired the book and the process and joy of compiling it.
This book was created with LDS women and men in mind, to help us all put our love into action and demonstrate the broad and holy relationship we can have with our Heavenly Mother.
You can order the book now on Amazon here. And follow/ share on instagram @cherisheddoctrine
88. In All Our Diversity with Melissa TshiKamba
Melissa Tshikamba, an illustrator and figurative artist, joins Jess for a conversation about artwork, divinity, and diversity. Melissa's art reflects sacred imagery, the divine feminine, history, African symbols, mythology, cosmology, Mother Nature, and her ancestral heritage.
Tshikamba was raised in a mixed race, religious family, which instilled in her a love for the Divine. As a visual and kinesthetic learner, she noticed early on there weren’t any images that looked like her, or her siblings. Many religions claim that we are all sons and daughters of a Creator, yet their artwork lacks truth and diversity. This fueled her mission and passion to help shift that narrative and create images that are a better reflection of our human family. (Taken from Melissa's website, https://tshikamba.com/)
See the website for inquiries, prints, and commissions, and browse Melissa's instagram https://www.instagram.com/tshikamba/?hl=en for some truly inspiring art!
87. Beloved Spirit Children, a Reading from Cherish: The Joy of Our Mother in Heaven
We hope you feel your Divine Mother's love today and every day, as you ponder on the truth that YOU are Her beloved spirit child.
86. Dear Mama God with Author Daneen Akers
*Book Discount Code Below!*
Daneen Akers is a writer, producer, and teacher who believes deeply in the power of stories. She grew up in the Seventh Day Adventist faith tradition and along her deconstruction journey heard one verse of a hymn that was flipped to female divine pronouns. She had no idea how powerful it would be in her life to begin to understand the feminine face of God. She is the mother of two children who have been primary motivators for her writing about a faith that works for the common good.
We discuss her most recent publication, a children's book titled Dear Mama God. She shares how her children inspired the book, parenting when your faith has shifted, and why it's important to her to recognize the divinity in femaleness and connect with a Mother Creator.
Daneen has graciously provided a 25% off discount for our listeners! Go to dearmamagod.com at Checkout enter IHI25 (for In Her Image).
AND right now enjoy FREE shipping in the US!
You can also look for her other book Holy Troublemakers & Unconventional Saints
And watch her documentary Seventh Gay Adventists for free online.
You can follow her work on Instagram at @daneenakers and @dearmamagod
85. More Than One Mother in Heaven?? with Author Carol Lynn Pearson
Carol Lynn Pearson graces us on the podcast for the second week in a row to read a section from her book The Ghost of Eternal Polygamy: Haunting the Hearts and Heaven of Mormon Women and Men. She shares chapter 8, titled "Our Mothers Who Art in Heaven".
84. The Ghost of Eternal Polygamy with Author Carol Lynn Pearson
After reading the book The Ghost of Eternal Polygamy this year we knew we needed to address this topic and how it relates to the erasure of a Heavenly Mother in the LDS discourse. We were so pleased and lucky to be able to discuss it with the author herself and get her stories and background. We encourage everyone to read this book for themselves either to understand the pain of others or to feel validation for their own experiences and release the ghost from their psyches.
We hope to someday eradicate the common response that "maybe we don't talk about Heavenly Mother because there are so many of them!"
To find this book as well as Carol Lynn's newest book The Love Map you can go to carollynnpearson.com or Amazon.com
83. The Heart of it All with Jess Burdette
Jess talks about some of her own journey, putting into words some of the most difficult parts to describe as she articulates the journey of seeking Heavenly Mother to someone from the outside looking in. She shares her experience with faith, her evolving relationship with Deity, the pain she's experienced, and the joy. She relates why seeking Heavenly Mother has become important for so many.
82. Resurrection and Healing Through Christ with Meg Rittmanic
A beautiful story of redemption through her Heavenly Team by listener and artist Meg Rittmanic.
One of Meg's favorite resources about finding Mother in Scripture The Divine Feminine in Biblical Wisdom Literature
Watch for more art from Meg on Instagram @sacred.journey.art
81. Her Open-Canon Theology with Poet Tyler Chadwick
In this episode, award-winning writer and English teacher Tyler Chadwick discusses the power of language and the open canon around Heavenly Mother. Walking through his journey of conceptualizing and connecting with The Mother, he describes how he has found Her in poetry. As co-editor of the poetry anthology Dove Song: Heavenly Mother in Mormon Poetry (Peculiar Pages, 2018), with Dayna Patterson and Martin Pulido, he’s felt Her presence in the poetic witness of Mormon poets from the early restoration to today. And as a poet himself, he shares his own witness of the Goddess through delightful poems that appear in his most recent book, Litany with Wings (BCC Press, 2022). Tyler's vision that the seed of the Mother Tree can be planted in our hearts through the word is hope-filled and inspiring.
Visit https://tyler-chadwick.com to find Tyler's books, poetry, and essays.
80. The Scriptures of Women with Jill Opdahl
Jill Opdahl shares her experience of overcoming a 20 year battle with depression that involved understanding her true nature through Heavenly Mother. She is currently studying to become a mental health therapist and shares her insights on Mother God through instagram at @thefeminine.divine
Partly because the current cannon of scriptures are comprised of the testimonies of men, about a male God, to an audience of men; Jill is currently working on a project to collect the experiences and testimonies of Heavenly Mother. Our stories and faith in Mother God can and do strengthen one another and this compilation will someday be a treasure on your bookshelf! If you'd like to contribute or share your experience and testimony in writing, see the linktree on Jill's Instagram page or email her at jillsyourfave@gmail.com
79. What the Goddess Teaches Us with Artist J. Kirk Richards
J Kirk Richards is a LDS artist working in oil paints. He has painted over 2,300 works of art in 23 years and his work engages with themes of antiquity, religion, spirituality, equality, and love. His art is featured at Deseret book as well as found in the Girls' and Boys' guides to Heavenly Mother books. Since the beginning of his career as an artist, the feminine divine has been a popular theme for him. Kirk shares with us his beliefs about Heavenly Mother, how he connects with Her and how God works through him as he paints. We discuss the attributes he feels he has gained from both the women in his life and from our Mother God, particularly that of listening with empathy, yearning and working for equality and loving without judgement.
There are many ways to follow Kirk's work including his instagram page @jkirkrichards. You can visit his art galleries and various shows throughout the year, as well as his art academy with both in person and virtual options.
78. Meditation and the Mother with Yogic Life Coach & Instructor Crystal Schultz
Crystal Schultz shares her journey of finding the Mother through meditation, and discusses how she continues to deepen that relationship through her daily practice. She shares that a focus on freeing the soul to be open to truth allows for self-authorship and yoga- or union with God. Find her on Instagram @crystalmeditates
77. Prophetess, Priestess, and Queen with Aspen Moore
What can we learn of our divine destiny, and the character of our Heavenly Mother by studying the titles of Prophetess, Priestess, and Queen? Aspen Moore is a lover of words, and has created an account on Instagram to share her studies of the Divine Feminine in the scriptures, along the schedule of Come, Follow Me. Her journey to connect with Heavenly Mother started 9 years ago and she has channeled her thirst for understanding into seeing the stories of women in the scriptures and how they are archetypes for our Mother Goddess.
We discuss what it means to be a Prophetess, Priestess, and Queen both anciently and modernly and how Heavenly Mother is leading us into claiming these titles for ourselves. Find more from Aspen @seeking.her.wisdom on Instagram.
*NOTE: We wanted to clarify that although in our discussion we identified Mary Magdalene as the one anointing Christ before his death, it is unclear which Mary was really the one to do so. We still love this example of a woman using her Priestesshood to anoint the Savior and also that women were the first witnesses for his Resurrection as well.
76. To Let the Oppressed Go Free with Luann Purnell
In this episode, Jess speaks with Luann Purnell, who has had special experiences and a growing connection with Heavenly Mother. Luann shares how she was inspired through artwork and dreams to seek Mother God, and relates how Mother helped her in a vulnerable time. She discusses how finding the female half of God helps people embrace their own identities, and expand in love and understanding for others and their journeys. Luann testifies that one of Heavenly Mother's great roles is to relieve the oppressed.
75. Your Divine DNA with Samantha Beach
Samantha Beach is a writer, musician, Clinical Social Worker, Wife, Mother and long time friend of Kate's. It was a treat to chat with her about the impact that understanding our divine worth will have on our confidence before God and others.
We discussed the idea that no matter where you go, because you are a child of Heavenly Parents, They are always with you. Divinity is in your DNA. Your connection with God cannot be measured by anyone else, and your light can never be taken away. To begin to believe these things opens up an entirely different view of self, and can also come with even more decostruction fallout.
Find more of Samantha's words of wisdom on Instagram at @samanthabeach.writes
74. Mary, the Second Eve with Alynne Scirkovich
Jess and Kate interview Alynne Scirkovich, research extraordinaire on all things Eve and Heavenly Mother. In this conversation, Alynne dives into her discoveries from the scriptures, extra-canonical texts, and personal revelation on the parallels between the women protagonists that begin each portion of the Bible-- Eve in the Old Testament, and Mary in the New. She provides insight into how we can learn about the Divine Mother through these women's examples, which in turn inspires introspection on how one can better embody these feminine qualities of unabashed faithfulness and sovereignty.
Wanting more from Alynne? Check out her online course "Our Glorious Mother Eve" at https://ourmothereve-s-school.thinkific.com/courses/glorious-mother-eve
73. DFW Divine Feminine Event
In this weeks' episode, Kate interviews Natalie Nazer Cosby, Kira Woodfield Leeper, and Jess Burdette about an event they are putting on in April 2023 centering the Divine Feminine in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area. From the group's page: "Our mission is to facilitate finding the common threads of feminine divinity throughout time and culture through sharing traditions, art, conversation, and community. We aim to empower everyone to explore their own divinity through an inclusive exploration of The Feminine Divine." Natalie, Kira, and Jess share details of the event, their why, and the scope of various religions and traditions that will be represented through artwork, poetry, dance, and lectures.
We look forward to this celebration, and invite all to participate whether through physical attendance, submitting poetry to be read at the event, or donating/volunteering.
Reserve your free tickets to the event here: https://tinyurl.com/bdfpwawz
Class descriptions and presenter bios: https://www.nataliejeanneart.com/bios
Event schedule: https://tinyurl.com/bd955ry2
General info, including art and poetry submission details: https://www.nataliejeanneart.com/dfwdivinefeminineevent