Original Resistance: Reclaiming Lilith, Reclaiming Ourselves

By Trista Hendren, Monette Chilson and Christena Ph.D. Cleveland

There is, perhaps, no more powerful archetype of female resistance than Lilith. As women across the globe rise up against the patriarchy, Lilith stands beside them, misogyny’s original challenger. This anthology—a chorus of voices hitting chords of defiance, liberation, anger and joy—reclaims the goodness of women bold enough t

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trista Hendren
• Release date: Jul 5, 2019
• ISBN: 9788293725398

Trista Hendren

Trista Hendren founded Girl God Books in 2011 to support a necessary unraveling of the patriarchal worldview of divinity. Her first book-The Girl God, a children's picture book-was a response to her own daughter's inability to see herself reflected in the Divine. Since then, she has published more than 50 books by a dozen women from across the globe. Originally from Portland, Oregon - she now lives in Bergen, Norway with her family. You can read more about her projects at www.thegirlgod.com.

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©2019 All Rights Reserved

ISBN 978-82-93725-01-5

ISBN 978-82-93725-39-8 (e-book)

All writings and art are the property of individual contributors. All rights reserved. None of the writings or artwork herein may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the author or artist.

www.thegirlgod.com

All writings and art are the property of individual contributors. All rights reserved. None of the writings or artwork herein may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the author or artist.

Praise for Original Resistance

"Everything my feminine soul has been thirsting for is contained in the brimming cup of this book. The Lilith archetype unleashes the wild heart, blows open the gates of the nondual mind, and blesses every cell of the holy, holy body. A fiery elixir of poetry and scholarship, myth and personal narrative, Original Resistance is a call to sacred action riding in on a wave of lovingkindness." -Mirabai Starr, Author of Caravan of No Despair and Wild Mercy

The original warrior goddess: Lilith. This anthology shows the reawakening of the major female archetype of resistance movement against the roots of patriarchy. Through these diverse voices, listen to the murmur of a revolution that lives in the hearts of all women and is now bursting forth in a roar. -HeatherAsh Amara, Author of Warrior Goddess Training

A rich anthology filled with essays, poetry, and art inspired by Lilith, the forgotten first woman of the Old Testament. Lilith’s original story is described in detail, and the personal stories shared by women remind us that we all need to meet Lilith, the first radical feminist to stand aside from the rules of the father God. Read this book and decide for yourself—is Lilith a dangerous outcast, or is she a much-needed companion for women who don’t take it lying down? -Dr Kaalii Cargill, PhD, Author of Don’t Take It Lying Down: Life According to the Goddess

"It’s lovely to see the ways in which the archetype of Lilith continues to speak to women from different cultures and traditions. The beautiful art in Original Resistance adds much to the written accounts of Lilith’s impact and meaning." -Judith Plaskow, Author of The Coming of Lilith: Essays on Feminism, Judaism, and Sexual Ethics

"Female resistance is dangerous. It is also necessary. For far too long the Western Judeo-Christian stigma of Eve as the downfall of humankind has served to oppress women, silence our voices, desecrate our power, annihilate our very existence. As an archetype of female strength and sovereignty, Lilith is the missing link in our spiritual mitochondria. Inviolable. Self-defining. Autonomous. She reminds us that we can, and must, resist any and all attempts to silence our voices, diminish our strength, erase our lived-experience. Original Resistance: Reclaiming Lilith, Reclaiming Ourselves is a veritable feast of artwork, poetry, and prose by visual artists and writers from a wide range of ethnicities, cultures, and countries around the world. It nourishes the soul and inspires us to embrace the wild beauty of our nature, and dance with abandon. Ultimately, it urges us to remember and reclaim our right—our duty—to resist all attempts to oppress and subvert our innate power. Like Lilith, it calls us to denounce the patriarchally-enforced feminine role of subservience, and restore our rightful place in the world." -Mary Saracino, Author of Heretics: A Love Story and The Singing of Swans

"I have to admit I knew very little about Lilith before reading ORIGINAL RESISTANCE: Reclaiming Lilith, Reclaiming Ourselves. For me—once again not consciously realizing it was by patriarchal design—Lilith was no more than a vague name lost somewhere in the dusty bins of mythology. But, as I found myself getting deeper and deeper into this marvelous Girl God anthology, it became clear that Lilith—unlike the Old Testament Eve—is so much more than a myth. She is a very deep and profound truth.

Following the essays, stories, poems and artwork throughout the book I found myself absorbing a virtual symphony of thoughts as the myriad of instruments played a similar note but in completely different voices. And I came to the realization that reclaiming Lilith —especially in this day and age—is essential to life. For she truly is the path of compassion, the driving force of personal sovereignty, the creator of self-determination, the fighter for equality, and the absolutely necessary reclaimer of female erotic power. Yet, as I turned the last page, I saw that Lilith is even more than all that. She is the fundamental driving force of the soul, not only for women, but for all of humankind… And her time has come." -Peter Wilkes, Author of A Woman Called God and Lucifer Eve And Adam

Girl God Books

On the Wings of Isis: Reclaiming the Sovereignty of Auset For centuries, women have lived, fought and died for their equality, independence and sovereignty. Originally known as Auset, the Egyptian Goddess Isis reveals such a path. Unfurl your wings and join an array of strong women who have embodied the Goddess of Ten Thousand Names to celebrate their authentic selves

Inanna's Ascent: Reclaiming Female Power

Inanna's Ascent examines how females can rise from the underworld and reclaim their power, sovereignly expressed through poetry, prose and visual art. All contributors are extraordinary women in their own right, who have been through some difficult life lessons—and are brave enough to share their stories.

Re-visioning Medusa: from Monster to Divine Wisdom A remarkable collection of essays, poems, and art by scholars who have researched Her, artists who have envisioned Her, and women who have known Her in their personal story. All have spoken with Her and share something of their communion in this anthology.

New Love: a reprogramming toolbox for undoing the knots A powerful combination of emotional/spiritual techniques, art and inspiring words for women who wish to move away from patriarchal thought. New Love includes a mixture of compelling thoughts and suggestions for each day, along with a toolbox to help you change the parts of your life you want to heal.

Hearts Aren't Made of Glass

My Journey from Princess of Nothing to Goddess of My Own Damned Life—a memoir of sorts by Trista Hendren.

How to Live Well Despite Capitalist Patriarchy

A book challenging societal assumptions to help women become stronger and break free of their chains.

The Girl God

A book for children young and old, celebrating the Divine Female by Trista Hendren. Magically illustrated by Elisabeth Slettnes with quotes from various faith traditions and feminist thinkers.

Tell Me Why

A feminist twist of the creation story told with love from a mother to her son, in hopes of crafting a different world for them both. Written by Trista Hendren / Illustrated by Elisabeth Slettnes.

My Name is Medusa

The story of the greatly misunderstood Goddess, including why she likes snakes. My Name is Medusa explores the scary dark side, the potency of nature and the importance of dreams. Arna Baartz gorgeously illustrates this tale by Glenys Livingstone, teaching children (big and small) that our power often lies in what we have been taught to fear and revile.

My Name is Inanna

Tamara Albanna weaves the tale of Inanna's despair, strength and triumph—giving children of all ages hope that the dark times in life will pass. Arna Baartz illustrates this journey with gorgeous paintings of the owls, lions, stars, sun and moon that direct Her. My Name is Inanna is dedicated to Tamara's beloved homeland, Iraq—The Cradle of Civilization; the Land of the Goddess.

My Name is Lilith

Whether you are familiar with the legend of Lilith or hearing it for the first time, you will be carried away by this lavishly illustrated tale of the world’s first woman. This creative retelling of Lilith’s role in humanity’s origins will empower girls and boys to seek relationships based on equality rather than hierarchy.

Complete list of Girl God publications at www.thegirlgod.com

Table of Contents

My College Roommate

Foreword by Priscilla Warner

Reclaiming Our Time: Why Women Must Uncover Our Ancient History

Preface by Christena Cleveland, Ph.D.

Birth Mother

Introduction by Monette Chilson

A Note About Styles and Preferences

Trista Hendren

The Song of Lilith

Liliana Kleiner, Ph.D.

The Garden of Lilith

C. Ara Campbell

Ashes and Spark

K. A. Laity

Dare to Say Her Name

Susan Morgaine

Clay, not bone

Donna Snyder

Lilith: The Essence

Maureen Owen

Goddess #5 (from the Goddess series)

Birgit Langhammer

No Turning Back

Birgit Langhammer

Lilith as Sexual Liberator

Joey Morris

Hear Lilith

Patricia Campagna

Daughters of Lilith Can Be Muslim Too

Riem Farahat

Garden of Eden

Asia Morgenthaler

Enough is Enough

Patricia Lynn Reilly

The First Resister: Evoking Lilith for Transformation and Freedom

D’vorah J. Grenn, Ph.D., Kohenet

Another Way

Monette Chilson

Lilith Reviled, La Muerte Revered: Two Rebellious Heroines In My Interfaith Family

Anna Miriam Keller

Lilith Goddess Mask

Lauren Raine

At Last I Grew Wings...

Lauren Raine

And She Shall Be Called

McKenna Revel

Lilith Stained Glass Window

Breanna Bowling

Hymn to Lilith

Nuit Moore

Reclaim Lilith and BE the Original Resistance

Hazel DaHealer

She Meets Herself

Lucy Pierce

Lilith Eve, a Child and a Woman for our Tomorrows

Lizette Galima Tapia-Raquel

The Wisdom of the Snake

Krystal Alexander-Hille

Lilith Speaks

Molly Remer

Daughter of Lilith

Tamara Albanna

The Wound

Lucy Pierce

Eve

Lucy Pierce

The Dark Goddess in the Sky: Black Moon Lilith & Asteroid Lilith 1181

Nicole Fair

Lilith I Am

Arlene Bailey

The Coming of Lilith

Arlene Bailey

My Body, Her Body

Arlene Bailey

Lilith Rising

Arlene Bailey

And I Rise

Arlene Bailey

Journeys from the Wasteland: A Lifelong Conversation with Lilith

Leni Hester

The Deep Within

Lucy Pierce

My Daughter

Terry Whitebeach

Lessons from The Dark Mother

Jaclyn Cherie

Shamelessly Naked

Donna Snyder

Lilith and Eve

Luisah Teish

Ode to Lilith

Joyce McCauley-Benner

Ode to a Sudanese Girl

Joyce McCauley-Benner

The Forgotten First Woman

Arna Baartz

Lilith—Sacred Sovereignty of the Womanspirit

Nuit Moore

Lilith’s Song (Fly Away)

Vicki Scotti

Painting Lilith, Queering Lilith

Rev. Dr. Angela Yarber

Goddess, Demon or Femme Fatale: the Indomitable Lilith in Literature

Dr. Gillian M. E. Alban

The Song of Lilith II

Liliana Kleiner, Ph.D.

Tempest

Mélissa Gustafson

Anointing the Lilith Within

Rita Lucey

Unapologetic

Sinem Alev Wiederkehr

Lilith and the Black Madonna

Susan Scott

Lessons from Lilith

Paige Nolan

Lilith as Archetypal Guide

Lauren Raine

I am Lilith

C. Ara Campbell

The Hag’s Prayer, Hissed from Crone to Innocent

Danielle Dulsky

My Name is Lilith

Arna Baartz

The Outraged Ancestral Mother

Molly Remer

Outraged Ancestral Mother Prayer

Molly Remer

Wind Dancer Wind

Elisabeth Slettnes

The Status Quo Has to Go

Trista Hendren

Joyous Lilith

Nuit Moore

Invocation of Lilith

Nuit Moore

Transforming Vision

Elisabeth Slettnes

Reclaiming Ourselves

Conclusion by Trista Hendren

List of Contributors

Acknowledgements

Stay Tuned

"If the first woman God ever made

was strong enough to turn the world

upside down all alone,

together women ought to be able

to turn it rightside up again."

-Sojourner Truth

My College Roommate

Foreword by Priscilla Warner

In my sixty-five years on earth, I’d barely heard anyone mention her name.

I’d heard of Lilith Fair, a concert tour organized by Sara McLachlan in the late 90’s, featuring a roster of female artists.

But Lilith herself?

We were certainly never on a first name basis, despite the fact that I had studied the Old Testament at a Hebrew Day School, and Lilith was said to have been Adam’s original companion in the Garden of Eden.

Of course, I was mostly taught by stern men wearing black suits back then, and they were clearly not focused on a feminist interpretation of the religion that they dominated so thoroughly.

So when I was asked to write a foreword for this book, for the first time I found myself doing some research on the woman who is now just as relevant – if not more so – than she has been for centuries.

Lilith was Hillary before Hillary, Gloria before Gloria, Oprah before Oprah…

You get the idea.

It’s surprising that I was never drawn to learn about the female archetype said to be the predecessor of every strong woman on earth. Because after sixth grade, my father decided to send me to an all-girl Quaker school. I graduated from that high school with a certain amount of confidence, perhaps because I’d never measured myself against boys academically.

But when I got to college, I became very distracted; I didn’t know who to be in relation to the young men I saw all around me.

I wasn’t used to feeling a man’s gaze upon me in class, as I struggled with an Art History quiz or tried delving into Russian literature.

I could have used a friend like Lilith when I walked across the campus, disoriented and self-conscious.

Lilith would have been a wonderful college roommate.

She would have taught me to wear whatever the hell I wanted to wear.

To cover myself up completely or bare whatever body parts I chose to bare.

I could have dyed my hair any color, tattooed anything I wanted onto myself.

I could have stayed home or partied all night.

I could have slept with a hundred men or remained a virgin.

I could have gained fifty pounds instead of worrying about my waistline.

But better late than never.

Perhaps learning about Lilith in my seventh decade on earth was exactly the right timing for me.

Women are hard on themselves; and they’re sometimes hard on each other.

So I won’t beat myself up about not ushering Lilith into my life when I was younger.

I had other Liliths in my life – the four strong, wise female therapists who helped me heal from hundreds of panic attacks and decades of anxiety.

Deep inside of myself, it turns out that I was also Lilith all along – strong, powerful, sassy, bold, steady in my convictions, joyful and self-accepting.

I just needed a few good women to teach me that.

And one good man.

My husband of thirty-seven years turned out to be a true feminist, since he demanded only one thing of me – that I become the very best version of myself. The person I never even dreamed I could be.

Soft when I want to be soft, kicking and screaming at times, a Buddhisty-Jew, a sensitive artist, a dutiful daughter, a sometimes defiant wife, an advocate for myself, for my husband and our two beautiful sons, an artist, writer, haphazard cook, well meaning friend, frightened, strong, funny, confident and bewildered woman humbled and grateful, nakedly authentic as I face the next chapter of my life.

A Lilith in Priscilla’s clothing.

An illustration by Arna Baartz from My Name is Lilith.

Reclaiming Our Time: Why Women Must Uncover Our Ancient History

Preface by Christena Cleveland, Ph.D.

In the span of one tempestuous January afternoon, I transfigured. In order to retrieve a delivery of books on the Black Madonna, I had just braved the windy inferno that lay between my porch and the cavernous mailbox at the end of my long gravel driveway. After I dried off, I made a cup of cinnamon cardamom tea and settled into the nest of blankets on my kitchen couch. Before studying the text, I decided to casually flip through the books and peruse the illustrations of the Great Black Mother within. And that’s when the shift began. Before I even read anything, my soul immediately recognized that these photos and drawings of ancient Black Madonnas affirmed my questions about the Divine – questions that first surfaced when I was a young girl and were quickly buried.

In Sunday School, I learned that questioning the goodness of a God who murdered the entire world in a flood would not be tolerated. At home, I learned that asking why Dad was the head of everyone, including Mom, was a punishable offense. In my Christian fellowship at college, I learned that wondering why we call God He and why He had to be white would be met with suspicion and social exclusion. So, I placed my questions in a time capsule and buried them deep under the soil of my soul, promising to return to them when it felt safe. As I moved through early adulthood, I was occasionally compelled to peek into the time capsule to retrieve a question. I did this as an unmarried twenty-something when most of my white Christian friends were getting married and I needed to make peace with my seemingly-perpetual singleness. So, I hesitantly opened the lid of the time capsule to liberate a question that had long been silenced. Why does it seem that a woman’s sole purpose is to be a wife and mother?

These reluctant excavations invariably led me to more progressive beliefs. In this case, my questioning led me to finally reject the conservative Judeo-Christian gender roles my parents handed down to me and adopt more progressive ones that allowed me to somewhat engage the joys of singleness and pursue work outside the home. In this way, I was able to create enough wiggle room to work within the patriarchal religious system. I spoke out – I advocated for women, for people of color, for singles, for myself. But as the time passed and I moved onto my thirties, I never felt fully free. And I never asked the deeper questions:

Why does white patriarchy get the last word on the Divine?

Why does white patriarchy get to decide what is sacred and what is profane?

Why