The Hinbdue AIDS-Goddess...

[MacMorrighan]

Well, this evening I am watching a fascinating film called "The Age of AIDS" on PBS-- and much of the inaction was dumb-founding; especially one Republican sticker that read, horribly, "AIDS: Killing All the Right People" [ie, Gay men]. I even saw that there is a Bhuddist Temple in Thailand (I cannot recall the name) with a shrine at an idol of The Bhudda where the unclaimed cemated remains of people that have died from complications from AIDS where placed as a reminder. This same instigating Bhuddist Monk also created the first HIV/AIDS hospise in which no one is turned away-- how beautiful! So...knowing that Yemaya has an especial concern for people stricken with HIV/AIDS as a Healer-Goddess, I thought I would look into any Hindu Deities, and was gladly shocked by what I had found!

By the way, did you know that researchers have found that people whose ancestors were stricken by the plague during the medieval era, and servived, actually have an immunity to HIV? The plague somehow changed the genetic structure of their cells so that the virus cannot take hold! But, I digress...

In the year 2000 a new Goddess whose primary concern with the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The below article also contains a photo of Her shrine/Temple. In fact, I would love to research her cult, and what offerings are made to Her, etc.! I should also like to see how Her mythology (that is, "sacred narrative") evolves from Her genesis into the future. I should also like to see if She acquires a "Name", or epithet, as it were.

http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2000/02.24/AIDS.html

Hmmm...because, as this article discusses, Deities are created all the time in India (a fascinating culture!), I wonder if any specific Deities of gay Men or Lesbians, or even Bisexuals, have been similarly "created"?

All my love,
Wade

[Meadhbh]

It makes sense that there would be a god or goddess of HIV/AIDS comming along. Deities have a way of comming into being when there is a need for them. There is a need for one now. Like you said there are many gods that are compassionate to people infected with the virus, Bridget doesn't like the whole situation either. Its is good that there is someone for that cause alone.

[MacMorrighan]

It makes sense that there would be a god or goddess of HIV/AIDS comming along. Deities have a way of comming into being when there is a need for them. There is a need for one now. Like you said there are many gods that are compassionate to people infected with the virus, Bridget doesn't like the whole situation either. Its is good that there is someone for that cause alone.

Ditto with Morrighan! it's a shame that no one views Her as a potent Healer-Goddess. And, should someone view Her as such, they are unfrtunately dismissed as heretical (though the terms that are usually used is "Fluffy Bunny" or "wannabe," etc.). Ugh...

[Agaliha]

I wonder if any specific Deities of gay Men or Lesbians, or even Bisexuals, have been similarly "created"?


There is a goddess of the Hijra (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hijra_%28South_Asia%29) people of India--
"In the culture of the Indian subcontinent a hijra (sometimes hijira or hijda) is a physically male or intersex person who is considered a member of "the third sex." They usually refer to themselves as female at the language level; many of them are castrated. Hijras trace their historical roots to Hinduism where they mirrored androgynous deities, as well as to the royal courts of Islamic rulers."
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hijra_%28South_Asia%29)"In Hindu contexts, hijras belong to a special caste and are special devotees of the mother goddess Bahuchara Mata."

Bahuchara Mata is the goddess of the Hijra community of India.
Bahuchara mata is the goddess worshiped by transsexuals. She is seated on a rooster which symbolises innocence. The followers of Bahuchara mata believe in non-violence and consider killing of all animals and creatures a sin. Bahuchara mata is symbolized by a woman who carries a sword on her top right, a text of scriptures on her top left, shows the abhay hasta mudra on her bottom right (showering of blessings) and carries a trident on her bottom left.
In one of the many folk stories associated with Bahuchara mata, the goddess was once a princess who castrated her husband because he preferred going to forest and "behaving as a woman" instead of coming to her bridal bed. In another story, the man who attempted to molest Bahuchara mata was cursed with impotence. He was forgiven only after he gave up his masculinity, dressed as a woman and worshipped the goddess.
The temple of Bahuchara mata is located in Shankhalpoor in Gujarat, India. This holy place is today known as Bahucharaji.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahuchara_Mata"


I really don't find it suprising to see new deities being created. I personally believe all deities were created by people to describe the world, Universe and aspects of humanity. As times change people need new deities to fill the void that the old ones (created long ago in times not really revelant to us now) can't fill. Gods and Goddesses for AIDS and Transgendered and Gay people is just a progression of what's been happening all along-- we're just able to witness their creation while with all the others we can't. Plus it makes sense that this is happening in part of the world really hit by the AIDs crisis. Just my belief. If it helps the people out I don't see anything wrong with them creating and believing in them.

[Verthandi]

Where did you learn that Yemaja/Yemaya is a Hindu goddess? She's a Yoruba goddess of childbirth, not healing. The Yoruba people are from Nigeria, which is not India.

[Agaliha]

Huh? Ohhhh, this?

So...knowing that Yemaya has an especial concern for people stricken with HIV/AIDS as a Healer-Goddess, I thought I would look into any Hindu Deities, and was gladly shocked by what I had found!

I don't think he was saying Yemaya was Hindu... but I don't know. I'm sure he'll clarify.

[Verthandi]

I don't think he was saying Yemaya was Hindu... but I don't know. I'm sure he'll clarify.

So...knowing that Yemaya has an especial concern for people stricken with HIV/AIDS as a Healer-Goddess, I thought I would look into any Hindu Deities, and was gladly shocked by what I had found!
(bolding mine)

How can this not mean that he thinks Yemaja is a Hindu goddess? He knows that she has "as especial" [sic] concern for people with HIV/AIDS (which she doesn't), so he turns to Hindu deities. In any language, the statement that implies and means that the poster is under the assumption that Yemaja is Hindu.

[Agaliha]

The only other way I can see it is like someone saying that the Egyptians had feline deities and so there fore they'd check to see if Mesopotamia did as well, because they are near by geography wise.
I really don't know what he meant, I can't read his mind. I don't see any point in us trying to figure it out. I'll just wait for him to clarify.

[Toby Stimpson]

I don't think the poster was saying that he thought Yemoja was a Hindu Goddess, and to be honest that isnt even what the post is about, if you wish to comment on the PREMISE of the post please do, but please don't troll.

Personally I think it's a genius idea to identify and link a Devi with a plague, because in India where spirituality and religion are key aspects to the society, it will allow the message to get across, especially in a society where the discussion of such things are not popular. I do know though that many times things and Gods are worshipped because of such messages until you almost invest energy into the object and it does become real.

Namaste

Tobias

[_Banbha_]

I don't think the poster was saying that he thought Yemoja was a Hindu Goddess, and to be honest that isnt even what the post is about, if you wish to comment on the PREMISE of the post please do, but please don't troll.

Yes, agreed on both points.

MacMorrighan posted: knowing that Yemaya has an especial concern for people stricken with HIV/AIDS as a Healer-Goddess, I thought I would look into any Hindu DeitiesClearly, MacMorrighan would have inserted the word "other" before "Hindu Deities" if such had been the case. I do not see an issue here at all.

Personally I think it's a genius idea to identify and link a Devi with a plague, because in India where spirituality and religion are key aspects to the society, it will allow the message to get across, especially in a society where the discussion of such things are not popular. I do know though that many times things and Gods are worshipped because of such messages until you almost invest energy into the object and it does become real.
On so many different levels this is a wonderful event in the face of the epidemic crisis.

[MacMorrighan]

Yes, we plan to include an entry abut Bahumacharamata in the ms. I am working on. She is believed to give Her worshippers, the Hijras, the power to bless and to curse (particularly with impotency is they are physically abused by what we would term "rubes"-- which is why they are feared tio an extent, despite the idiots with the you-know-whats to harm them in some way).

I should love to speak with our local Hindu Education Centre and Temple about Her, as well as the Kali Ma and Siva.

Gods and Goddesses for AIDS and Transgendered and Gay people is just a progression of what's been happening all along-- we're just able to witness their creation while with all the others we can't. Plus it makes sense that this is happening in part of the world really hit by the AIDs crisis. Just my belief. If it helps the people out I don't see anything wrong with them creating and believing in them.

Well, if you ask many reductionist Pagans, they will tell you that Gay people not only have no "history", spiritually or otherwise, but that the Gods have no homoerotically inclined aspects (regardless of what extent)!

:rant: A while back, on a rather well known message board community, I had posted something I had recently learned (at that time, several years back) from a book (which I see is highly regarded by a Hellenic Reconstructionist from out East). One of those books was Cassell's Encyclopedia of Queer Myth, Symbol & Spirit, and another author was openly Gay historian and Anthropologist Will Roscoe (who is not as reductionist as many British scholars seem to be-- so often adanced as either disinterested objectivity, or worse, as so-called "academic rigour"). Well, from their reaction you might have thought that I had pulled out their toe nails with rusty pliars!!! They absolutely mocked such authors and texts as entirely unrelable because they were written by, or are, Gay people! Gee...I wonder what the Gay Anthropologist Association would say about that!?!?! Ah...if they wee going to throw in the innate bias" card, I only wish that I had known, at that time, that their "hero" ROnald Hutton, was raised Pagan, and is a Gardnerian HP. As a man who was bashed for being Gay, during college, I have very little tollerance for such attitudes-- regardless of whom-- just because they're Gay! ;) :rant:

Talk to you later,
Wade

[MacMorrighan]

Where did you learn that Yemaja/Yemaya is a Hindu goddess? She's a Yoruba goddess of childbirth, not healing. The Yoruba people are from Nigeria, which is not India.

I never stated that She was Hindu! In fact, She can have associations as a potent Healer-Goddess if the people that worship Her note that She is! According to the authors of Cassell's Encyclopedia of Queer Myth, Symbol & Spirirt, "In a conversation the authors had with a priestess of Lucumi, she spoke of Yemaya's special concern for person's with HIV/AIDS. 'Endless appeals," she said 'should be made to Yemaya. Go to her and speak as a child to its mother. Tell her you did nothing to deserve this [ie, HIV/AIDS] and ask her to wash it away" [pp. 354].

What makes you believe that She has no association with healing, and just child birth?

Take Care,
Wade MacMorrighan

[Chibi-Fallon]

especially one Republican sticker that read, horribly, "AIDS: Killing All the Right People" [ie, Gay men].

I'm sure Frontline didn't say it was a "Republican" bumper sticker. And I'm sure it's not put out by the party. I think right-wing would be more PC. I'm sure there are many republican who would be offended by/don't agree with that.
Despite what everyone seems to think, not all Republicans hate gay people.

[MacMorrighan]

How can this not mean that he thinks Yemaja is a Hindu goddess?

Isn't iut alright to jump between cultures mid-thought? Geeze!

He knows that she has "as especial" [sic] concern for people with HIV/AIDS (which she doesn't)...

Yes She does!

[MacMorrighan]

I'm sure Frontline didn't say it was a "Republican" bumper sticker.

Yes, they did! ;o) And, it wasn't a "bumper" sticker-- just a "sticker" of some sort.

[MacMorrighan]

I don't think the poster was saying that he thought Yemoja was a Hindu Goddess...

Thank you. And, for the record, I do know better than to state that Yemaya is a Hindu Goddess! I am endowed with good sense, after all. ;)

Take Care,
Wade MacMorrighan

[MacMorrighan]

On so many different levels this is a wonderful event in the face of the epidemic crisis.

A friend of mine from out east said he'd read about Her several years ago in a now-defunct Gay & Lesbian local newspaper, so...I thought I'd check the back issues of Iowa's GLBT newspaper, ACCESSLine, which are archived at the state historical building so see if it was mentioned there!

[_Banbha_]

A friend of mine from out east said he'd read about Her several years ago in a now-defunct Gay & Lesbian local newspaper, so...I thought I'd check the back issues of Iowa's GLBT newspaper, ACCESSLine, which are archived at the state historical building so see if it was mentioned there!



umm...do you think by my statement I was doubting the facts presented in your article? :whatgives

I was praising it.

[MacMorrighan]

umm...do you think by my statement I was doubting the facts presented in your article? :whatgives

I was praising it.

Yes, I know! I was just being matter-of-fact. ;)

[Verthandi]

Can you quote the source that says Yemaya is a healer goddes?

This (http://www.swarthmore.edu/Humanities/ychirea1/yemaya.html#yemaya) site talks about how she's a supreme mother goddess and a goddess of childbirth.

This (http://www.sacred-texts.com/afr/yor/yor03.htm) one says that "Yemaja is the goddess of brooks and streams, and presides over ordeals by water."

This (http://www.thaliatook.com/yemaya.html) one again says that she's a Great Mother goddess and patroness of the sea, fish and fishermen, depending on the region.

[Toby Stimpson]

Verthandi...with respect...although I am sure the Mysticwicks community appreciates your willingness to clear misinformation about certain Goddesses, you have thus yet to talk about the actual POST it's self...instead the two tiems you have contributed a post it was to attack trivial parts of the original poster's post. You bring some interesting links about Yemoya, I added them to my favs :D...but what do you think of the PREMISE of this thread...an AIDS goddess....what do you think of that? I know I don't appreciate people nitp[icking little things in a post (even if it is misinformation...this isnt the time or place) unless you do talk a little about your opinion of the post...what do you think?

Namaste

Tobias

[_Banbha_]

Verthandi, these are excellent links. I appreciate them very much. I do believe Galadraal has a point and at the same time I understand your question.

One of your links provides a clue I think... (I haven't read them all yet):

She is motherly and strongly protective, and cares deeply for all Her children, comforting them and cleansing them of sorrow. She is said to be able to cure infertility in women, and cowrie shells represent Her wealth.http://www.thaliatook.com/yemaya.html

The Ocean is healing, a mother is healing emotional hurts, aches, pains and illness. The sea can also turn and be fierce a powerful force to be not to be reckoned with.

The idea that she would heal infertility in women leads to the contemporary connection with Mothers and children they give birth to suffering from HIV/AIDS and seeking comfort, healing and health.

[MacMorrighan]

Can you quote the source that says Yemaya is a healer goddes?

I already have done so, early on in this thread:

In Cassell's Encyclopedia of Queer Myth, Symbol & Spirirt, "In a conversation the authors had with a priestess of Lucumi, she spoke of Yemaya's special concern for person's with HIV/AIDS. 'Endless appeals," she said 'should be made to Yemaya. Go to her and speak as a child to its mother. Tell her you did nothing to deserve this and ask her to wash it away" [pp. 354]. Two of the authors of this well researched volume, happen to be initiates of th Voodou religion-- Randy P. Conner and David Sparks-- authored another book, called [I]Queering Creole Spiritual Traditions: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Participation in African-Inspired Traditions in the America [Forward by Joseph M. Murphey, PhD.] In fact, they reiterate the above quotation in their latter text [pp. 72]. Moreover, as a Water-Goddess, what the Lucumi Priestess said certainly rings true, and is unequivocally correct! After all, why should The Godes be compartmentalized to the point that we go around loudly disclaiming what They can, and cannot, be? :) How pressumptuous of us! *G*

May I ask, however, if you can quote a source that states, unequivocally, that She is not a Healer-Goddess? ;)

Take care,
Wade MacMorrighan

[Agaliha]

I also wanted to add that as times change and humanity is faced with new and often times scary things, their deities adapt and change with them.

One could say it is 1. because the deities are alive and there and are evolving with them or 2. that people are just reshaping the gods they created. I personally agree with #2 as I see all gods as created and not there.

Was Yemaya originally a goddess connected with AIDs? No. But many of her followers are African or of an African descent and many are also afflicted with HIV and AIDs. It makes perfect sense that one of their goddesses, already linked to healing, would adopt a new attribute to help her people.

If you read about history and the early religions, you'd know that things change all the time. Places that weren't waterfarers didn't have deities to protect them on their journies until the people came across boats and eventually sailed the oceans-- it's then that you see water guardians and gods. There are plenty of good books out there that talk about these things (things that many Pagans don't read about or awknowledge) if you're interested.

And I agree with, Galadraal-- this wasn't the point of the thread, perhaps start one of your own about Yemaya?

[Rebecca E.]

It makes sense that there would be a god or goddess of HIV/AIDS comming along. Deities have a way of comming into being when there is a need for them. There is a need for one now.

Especially with the Hindu! What a fascinating faith! I've just started reading about it. I love that there can be just about as many gods as one could want!