This beautiful Liturgy was written by theologian D'vorah J. Gren, founder of The Lilith Institute. She kindly gave it to me when I was working on my book, The Masks of the Goddess.
I've also been privileged to be included in Talking To Goddess, a beautiful collection of blessings, prayers, invocations and other writings by 72 women in 25 spiritual traditions, edited by D'vorah. D'vorah teaches at the California Institute for Integral Studies, and she is also the author of Lilith's Fire: Reclaiming Our Sacred Lifeforce (2000).
Inanna-Ishtar-Lilith-Shekhinah...
She of all knowing, dark wisdom....She of the deep abyss, snake’s descent, owl’s knowing...woman of the dark, the light.
We praise you, we stand in awe marveling at the myriad surprises you hold for us
always respectful of your power, your mystery.
Lilith-Ishtar-Shekhinah, we worship you, in all your aspects; we sing your name.
Walk with us as we yearn to understand you... Never let us forget your presence in, around and through us, as we seek to proclaim and praise you in your many guises, by every name.
Walk with us as we love you, when we are angered by you, when we fail to comprehend you and when we renew our resolve to serve...
Be patient with us as we must be with ourselves, and each other... holding your presence even when we doubt or despair.
Let us continue to walk as healers, casting new roles for ourselves and others, weaving new threads of oneness and wonder
Ishtar-Lilith-Shekhinah, keeper of the mystery.....
Be with us through ecstasy and harmony through death and destruction
And You, Inanna, Ancient Mother who was given the setting up of lamentations, the care of children,
the rejoicing of the heart, the giving of judgments, the stirring of sexuality, the making of decisions.
In the eye of this wisdom, rising forth from the power of your being, your foresight, your intent...how is it we got lost, taken over, subsumed?
How did we ever become convinced we were not worthy to serve you? How did we become silenced?
As we build a new world, allow us to remember our inner strengths, our understanding and compassion. Yet let us not be swayed from our goals, and never let kindness become weakness. Help us to remember the lessons of our strongest foremothers and so defend ourselves when necessary, without apology,
speak for what we believe in, take unpopular action, and take what is rightfully ours with or without “permission.”
Work with us, inspire us, protect us as we weave your work - our work.
Help us, sweet dark lady of the night, holy winged figure of the light—rageful, wise judge, warmest heart, soulful visionary... highest priestess of the Temples to whom every knee must bend and every tongue give homage.
It is your word we write now upon the doorpost of our house and upon our gates…
Your word, acts, images and thoughts we share, rage at, weep with and learn from.
For It is You who makes rise our greatest laughter and love, happiness and peace, passion, tenderness and compassion,
You who sees and gives us our greatest anger and storm, temper and venom, jealousy and vengefulness; You from whom and with whom we learn to combine these things in the best ways possible... as we embody and become You, in Our divine selves.
Sweet, dark goddess/es of the earth and sky, river and mountain, night and day, Heaven & Hell.
We seek to embody your passion, your wisdom, your strength.
Be with us now.
( 2008)