What Does 'Dianic' Mean to YOU?

[Snapdragon]

What the initial posts show, I think, is that 'Dianic' is a term that might do with a bit of discussion and definition; it might not mean exactly the same thing to everyone.

For myself, I am drawn here because all my devotional energy goes to the sacred feminine--specifically, Kali. As a Wiccan, I acknowledge the twining of creative Difference at the foundation of Being, but don't feel a need to specifically name these as Goddess and God. This finesses the very real problem of heterosexist bias in the Craft, and any potential affront to transgendered people. Though it might appear to be, this really isn't an ideological response, but a feeling one. What first drew me to the Craft was the beauty of the imagery (visual and written) and the primacy of the sacred feminine.

I want to say a bit about this last point. There was a very thoughtful piece in a recent article at Witchvox by a lady who felt the God was being neglected, possibly creating a sense of inequality within the Craft. I sent her a polite reply, suggesting that the actual, existing imbalance across the world is drastically weighted against the feminine. What appears to be imbalance is actually a beginning to right the dangerous tipping ark on which we all travel. In almost every conceivable way, women get the sharp end of the stick. Thus, a sole focus on Her is neither exclusionary nor unbalanced: it is simply the way we are called to Her worship, and this requires no justification.

Finally, I think Dianic Wicca is an expression and repository of the feminine as engendered energy, and is therefore fully accessible to female, male, and transgendered people.

I hope this thread proves useful.

[RainInanna]

I sent her a polite reply, suggesting that the actual, existing imbalance across the world is drastically weighted against the feminine. What appears to be imbalance is actually a beginning to right the dangerous tipping ark on which we all travel.

To me, Goddess-centered spirituality is that which provides a safe woman-only environment for those of us who feel connected with the Sacred as female. My Goddess contains both masculine and feminine aspects as I do - yin and yang, dark and light, positive and negative, active and passive, etc. Therefore I feel She and I are both balanced within, and that balance is ongoing and flowing, rather than defined by some physical attribute.

I wouldn't consider myself Dianic, as I see it as a specific tradition of Wicca which I am not initiated into. I'm just learning about it, but it seems feminist activism is an important part and as yet at least I haven't gotten into that very much. Still I find it inspirational and hope to learn more, having just joined a Dianic group online.

[Fairy_Princess]

For me it means RUN!

[Philosophia]

Being Dianic, for me, means a specific tradition within the context of witchcraft and/or wicca. But it is also highly individual with many different beliefs and rituals involved within it. Some Dianic groups refuse to allow men within their ranks but others don't. Most only worship a Goddess but I do know some who have Gods within their practice. Feminist activism is a definite part of the Dianic path, as is environmental concern and human rights. Some, though, can be monotheistic and others maybe polytheistic.

It can be really hard to define sometimes because it is such a varied and wide tradition that encompasses a lot of different beliefs.

[EvieLee]

For me, the core of Dianic practice is the inviting and ackowledging of a/the divine feminine energy in one's existance. How one goes about that differs from person to person. An individuals choices in their practices shapes what the rest of their Dianic path looks like - ie whether they include a god or not for one instance.