New Age, Alternative,
Metaphysical Publication
Aquarius-Atlanta.com

The Temple of the Goddess

By Heather Cramer

From the beginning of humankind, sacred temples have been created to honor the Great Mother... the Goddess... Mother Earth. Many of these temples were round and often underground – symbolizing the sacred womb of creation.

The “Temple of the Goddess” is a contemporary expression of the wonders of the cycles of life. Those who enter this space are surrounded with the beauty, wisdom, and healing energy of the feminine divine.

The Temple of the Goddess is a collection of thirteen paintings of women who have celebrated and grown together in our journey with the Goddess. The paintings are assembled facing in to create a round room – a sacred sanctuary. The images begin in Spring and travel through the seasons until they reach the end of Winter, and thus begin again. There are smaller panels between each of the thirteen which add to the imagery, creating one continuous mural which moves from one goddess to the next... a beautiful flow of seasons, colors, and symbolism which resonates with all who enter.

The four elements and the four directions are honored in each season. Spring: Air/East, Summer: Fire/South, Autumn: Water/West, and Winter: Earth/North. A candle burns on a pedestal in the center to represent the presence of the Divine – within and without – perceived and embraced each in our own way.

The seeds for the Temple of the Goddess were planted in the spring of 1993 when I attended my first Womenspirit Gathering at The Mountain in Highlands, NC. There I found women who come together to celebrate their lives as women and to call the joy they find “Goddess.” I have created this artistic installation as an expression of my joy in reclaiming the goddess, and in finding her wonderful qualities in these dear women! The blessings that we have received through the creation process, and through sharing the Temple with others, continue to be endless and amazing. Work begin on Spring Equinox of 2002 when I took photos for the first painting. I worked on each painting during the season that it represents, and was deeply conscious of the gifts of the Earth as she slowly transformed around me. The first opening was on Spring Equinox of 2003.

The thirteen paintings also represent the thirteen moons of the year, and each has a beautiful image of the triple moon above it. The triple moon represents the goddess – birth, life, death... and rebirth. Each month, women are reborn, fill with life, and then let it go. The triple moon is also the three phases in a woman's life – maiden, mother, and crone.

Upon entering the temple, we begin in Spring and the East. Here we find the dawn and the gentle morning breezes of Air. We give birth to our Dreams and Visions, and come forth from our cocoons to stretch our Wings of New Life. The earth begins to burst with astounding greens and bright colors... and we enter My Sister's Garden.

In Summer, the sun climbs higher and takes us to the Fires of South. We reach high into the bright rays of the noon sun and shine and laugh and dance! We shed our skins of the past and experience Transformation... lifting ourselves high in change and creativity. As the energy of summer builds, we virtually explode with our Rising Power! We are not afraid to speak out for the greatest good!

The seasons turn again and summer fires are cooled in the Cleansing Waters of Autumn. The sun begins to descend in the West. Waves of compassion wash through us and those we love - Healing the Soul. Sitting beside the cool rivers in Meditation, we settle into the gentle flow of letting go. The leaves fall around us as the day draws to an end. The trees offer us a place of Protection and safety... nurturing and grounding us.

Moving deeper into the Earth, we enter Winter. The sun has set and the moon rises. We are within the womb of Mother Earth now, Hearing the Stories of the ancient ones as we nestle together in the warmth of those close to us. The seeds of our future are filled with wisdom during this time, and we prepare for The Ascent. Venturing out into the dark night, we are guided by her light and supported by her wisdom. At the top of our climb, we once again find the light of dawn and the promise of Spring. The joyful crone of Wisdom and Enlightenment beckons us onward to greet our next year of growth!

It is my intention that The Temple of the Goddess become a traveling exhibit, and that it will touch the world. The presence of the sacred feminine is being reclaimed by many after having been denied for the past 2,000 years by predominant traditional religions. We all have male and female energies in our makeup – and to create a society that allows and honors both the feminine and the masculine can only bring harmony and balance and reverence for all.

For prints and information about The Temple of the Goddess, and the multitudes of other art that Heather Cramer has created over the last decade, contact her at: heathercramer@mindspring.com 770-934-0592