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more, or for more information please email Shawna Carol at
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Here are some thoughts about the creation and meaning of each
chant in Goddess Chant (note there are 3 additional chants in the live
version)
Be still and listen
When I say "I am you are Goddess", I am reflecting upon the divinity in
all things and using the "I am" so that each who hears this is affirmed
in their own divinity with the caveat that I name this spiritual
essence, Goddess, awakening the knowledge of the feminine aspect of the
divine.
It is important to recognize that the goddess is not the complete
reverse of God, the Father. Rather than transcendent she is embodied.
Rather than singular, she is in all things. Within this understanding I
wrote "Be Still and Listen."
Make Sacred Space
(call in the four directions) "Make Sacred Space" is a reflection upon
the function of ritual and ceremony and its power to connect us with
Spirit. Within this call and response chant we call in the four
directions: Air, Fire, Water, Earth and the Goddess Herself to be with
us in this ritual celebration of the Divine Feminine. This also
illustrates a key earth-based traditional opening ceremony.
Charge of the Star Goddess
"Charge of the Star Goddess" is a setting of a liturgical text written
by modern day Wiccan, Doreen Valiente, which was popularized in the US
by Starhawk. This piece is a clear and moving articulation of Goddess,
Creator. I received Doreen's permission to set the text to music shortly
before her death in 1999. I consider this musical setting the heart of
Goddess Chant.
Sanctify
"Sanctify" is a rocking inquiry into who has the power to bless, i.e.
sanctify us. Under patriarchy we live with a notion of original sin and
only become blessed by the power of someone higher than us; a priest or
other higher deity such as Mohammed, Jesus, etc. In Goddess theology
each one of us is divine and therefore we have the power to bless, i.e.
make holy, ourselves. I found it incredibly liberating when I realized
as the song says, "ain't nobody gonna sanctify you but yourself."
(This clip is taken from Sacred Fire Choir's terrific album "Ignite"
which can be purchased at CDBaby)
Mother's Gift
This characterizes the endless well of the mother's love in this life
and beyond.
Spirit Song
In "Spirit Song" the singer opens directly in the moment and offers
herself as a vessel for the voice of the Goddess as the priestesses in
ancient times did. Therefore, this piece is different at each
performance as it is a direct communion with the flow of Spirit. Mostly
it is sung without words, but sometimes She speaks through this song.
(Note: a specific repeated arpeggio is provided as the musical context
for this Spirit Song. See score.)
Sacred Pleasure
"Sacred Pleasure" was created while I was engaged in the setting of "The
Charge of the Star Goddess". It was an exuberant chant that just popped
out. It represents the essential teaching from "The Charge of the Star
Goddess" that pleasure is a sacrament and holy and challenges the notion
that pleasure is sinful as extensively reflected in Western monotheism.
These beliefs harken back thousands of years to when the Goddess was
worshiped and sacred pleasure was a common cultural practice.
Praise Her
My understanding of patriarchy is a system of domination, the
cornerstone of which is the systematic devaluation of the feminine. I've
observed in myself and in women I have encountered in many circumstances
that we have internalized this misogyny. If women are to recognize that
we are the Goddess in body, we must directly address this pervasive
system. It occurred to me that the antidote lay in praising one another
and in praising the Goddess. I used a gospel idiom both for its musical
potency and emotional resonance with the countless gospel pieces in
praise of the Lord. The very essence of Goddess Chant is to provide a
liturgical experience that calls upon thousands of years of sacred
Western music in service of the Goddess.
Rise Up
"Rise Up" was influenced by a teaching from a Course in Miracles. I
married the phrase "the past is over it can touch me not"" with my
passionate belief in the power of song to lift our spirits up. It is
Goddess Chant's rocking admonition to celebrate the Now.
Carried By The Love
"Carried By The Love" is actually the weaving of three chants together.
It is a prayer and an invocation that men and women abide in love and
unity as we create a partnership society and as we turn from empire to
Earth community.
Blessed Be
"Blessed Be" came to me during a meditation where I heard a full choir
sing. They were carrying candles into a dark church and heralding the
return of the light after a great time of darkness.
(Note: We often perform "Blessed Be" with a candle lighting
ceremony in the darkened space.)
