Goddess tradition nurtures spirit.

Byline: FROM HEART TO HEART By Wendy Weller For The Register-Guard

Although this is a time of world turmoil, and there has recently been much sadness and uncertainty in my own life, I am actually the most serene that I have ever been.

Things aren't as I want them to be with my family, yet I feel peace, optimism, patience and the contentment that I have always longed for.

I am learning to let go of things that I can't control and to let spirit guide me.

I am learning this because I have found the path of the goddess. Yes, I follow the pagan path - one of the most feared and misunderstood faiths.

I began to learn about the goddess path because my young daughter was interested in it and I wanted to know what it was really about, and I became fascinated with it.

Goddess worship is an Earth-based religion. I've learned to care for and honor the Earth, and learned that in doing so the Earth gives back to me in many ways. It gives me herbs and crystals for healing, and food for nourishment.

It gives me intuition and wisdom.

Caring for the Earth, and receiving back from it, gives me strength and knowledge that I can share with others. Being in tune with the Earth is being in tune with Creator.

The path I follow includes love for my fellow humans and a shared nurturing for children. It is respect for nature and the animal kingdom. It is kindness, acceptance and forgiveness. It is healing.

Through what I have learned so far, I have been able to suggest herbal remedies for illness, or stones that could help to relieve pain or soothe emotions.

I've learned to remain calm in instances where I would not have before, and thus help others to be calm and see situations clearly. I've been able to help others get in touch with spirit. Each time I help someone, I grow stronger in myself.

Through following this path I'm also beginning to learn about, as well as honor and respect, many other faiths.

The goddess faith has brought spirit to my heart, as other faiths have brought spirit to the hearts of their followers. As I see it, the paths of all faiths lead to the same goal.

I not only worship the goddess, but also the pagan God who is reborn each Yule and brings the promise of light and the growth of our crops. Spirit, as I see it, is the promise of light and growth in myself, as I also see that it is in others.

Spirit is light. Spirit in the heart is the light in the heart.

I've been following this path for several years, but just recently truly felt the light in my heart.

I pray that all can feel this wonderful light, and belonging and acceptance for others. With this feeling of love, both received and given, the world could be filled with the tolerance and diversity that I believe Creator meant for us all to have.

Blessed be.

Wendy Weller practices the goddess/pagan tradition and has presented at the interfaith prayer services and on a Two Rivers Interfaith Ministries forum panel. This column is coordinated by TRIM, a network of more than 35 spiritual traditions in area. For more information, call 344-5693 or visit www.interfaith- eugene.org.