Vol 1

Vol 1 #1 - Feminine Mysteries

Crow...are you "cawing" so I may know the secrets of balance within my soul? Or are you sending your "
caw" just to remind me of universal laws? (1)

Without wishing even to suggest that this feature of ARIADNE'S WEB™ carries as lofty an import as the above quote suggests, I do feel that "The View From The Crow's Nest" can add perspective and balance to the variety of views which will be expressed in each issue of this publication. As Editor-in-Chief, I feel deeply a sense of duty and responsibility to give to you, our readers, a broad overview of our themes.

As you may have already surmised, the theme for this, our Premiere Issue of ARIADNE'S WEB™, is The Feminine Mysteries. Why The Feminine Mysteries? The answer to this question could be simply that having been brought up and nurtured by women all my life, I felt it to be a point of honor and good taste to show my respect and gratitude for the lessons they have instilled in me and for the support I continue to receive from them. But that would be much too simple an explanation! More to the point is the fact that the world is sorely in need of "The Healing Power of Sophia" as has been powerfully suggested in the article by Dr. Mark H. Thomas.

A careful study of history will show that when matriarchal energies begin to dominate the consciousness of a patriarchal society, one could realistically expect to see important changes. In our contemporary Western Culture, the Cult of the Matriarch is not only very much alive and well, it is growing in influence. ARIADNE'S WEB™ hopes to play a role in channeling the enormous energies associated with The Feminine which, in a manner of speaking, are simply bursting out at the seems. Having assembled an international panel of contributing editors and writers, as a whole representing a broad spectrum of formal academic and spiritual training, it is fair to say that we are dedicated to the forging of a viable union between the scientific, traditional, and spiritual knowledge of the world's peoples. You, as our audience, will be the final judges of our success or failure in this regard. In the meantime, it is our view that such a union is not only necessary for the health of our planet, but that it is vital to the continued evolution of all living creatures on it. And what better way to begin the forging of this union than through finding common ground in the source of all creation - the Divine and Eternal Mother, the Feminine Face of Divinity? The artwork on our cover, created especially for this occasion, speaks eloquently of the creative and integrative influence of the Eternal Mother.

In the lead article for this Premiere Issue of ARIADNE'S WEB™, Jean-Pierre Bayard, one of the foremost esotericists and Freemasons in France, introduces us to the mysteries of The Black Madonna, the Black Virgin who carries within her "the Light of the World", and from whose bosom we came and to whose bosom we must all return. For, as Esoteric Traditions the world over assert, we must each die to the darkness of our own ignorance if we ever hope to be reborn as spiritually enlightened beings. For his part, the Rev. Dr. Milton R. Shaw gives a Kabbalistic interpretation of the place and role of The Daughters of Eve in our spiritual quest, while in STARLIGHT, Ann A. Burns makes reference to the astrological role of Venus. On the other hand, Genevieve and Babacar Khane underscore the importance of Isis, the ancient Egyptian Goddess, in The Reconquest of Spiritual Unity.

Finally, the article on Angels by Jane M. Howard reminds us of the beneficent power of "angels", while the article on Stress brings us back down to earth by emphasizing the practical importance of using the stresses and strains of life as reminders of the need to remain open and receptive - an attitude known as flexibility. In this vane, we give you some practical advice in DIDYANO. And to drive home the point that spirituality does not have to be an austere, fear-driven practice, we introduce you to Entering The Sanctuary and present, for your spiritual funny bone, MUSTIKUMA.

It would not be fitting to end this premiere presentation of "The View From The Crow's Nest" without mentioning the ecumenical spirit of Esoteric Streams - Schools of Thought. This feature has been created especially to permit traditional spiritual movements to express their points of view without editorial interference - provided, of course, that the articles are not used to attack others, nor are they used to "advertise and commercialize" teachings. In this regard, for this, our Premiere Issue, we are particularly pleased to have The Rose+Croix Martinist Order presented by its leader, who prefers to be known simply as "An Unknown Brother".

Do let us have your comments which will appear regularly in "Our Readers' Voice". Thank you. - OHW.

(1) Quote taken from MEDICINE CARDS by Jamie Sams and David Carson

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