From: ksm@abb-sc.abb-sc.com (Ashley)
Newsgroups: alt.pagan
Subject: Re: Amazons and the Labrys - was: Re: Question/symbol
Date: 7 Jan 93 18:48:03 GMT
Organization: Kaos Laboratories


In article <1igre5INNj4c@unidui.uni-duisburg.de>, hz225wu@unidui.uni-duisburg.de (Micaela Pantke) writes...
>Hi there - Stayka is here!

Greetings and blessings to you Stayka.

(clip)

>ksm@abb-sc.abb-sc.com (Ashley) writes:
>A>
>A> Obvious next question: What is an Amazon? To those I know and myself, 
>A> an Amazon is a very great warrior woman. It is a status earned or born 
>A> to, depending on the person. Many women are warriors, but to be 
>A> confirmed as an Amazon is a *great* honor and anyone who bears that 
>A> title is worthy of *very* deep respect.

>I agree.  But I also do define Amazons very much in the Darkovan way
>(....clip.....), and I must admit that I would have great difficulties 
>to take the Amazon Oath (.....clip....), for it means to renunciate 
>every boon given to you by a man, be it relative or not, even the 
>(sur-)name given to you by your father. (....clip...) Darkovan 
>Renunciates are not only swordwomen, but also midwifes, healers, traders
>and so on. 


	Hmm. I had never heard of any Amazons who based their 
traditions on MZB's or any other fantasy novels. My Amazon friends could 
be described as following a path that is a combination of Z. 
Buddahpest style Dianic Wicca and Amerindian shamanic warrior culture. 
They are extraordinarily powerful and very "earthy". 

	They do not denounce all things male quite like your Darkovan 
Amazons do. In fact they allow select men to be members of their 
tribes/circles and there are even times where a select priest may lead 
an initiation of an Amazon. This happens only when absolutly 
necessary though, men are usually kept separate from the Amazon 
rituals. GreatMother once said something like: "You cannot ignore the 
men `cause that makes you unhealthy and limits your sight. Hell pups, 
if you want to live in a closed box, go kick off! There's a closed box 
for you!!" 

	They may denounce material possessions though, or go through a 
volentary period of hardship to strengthen themselves or gain wisdom 
and power. The traditions value what a person is and not what they own 
or what material they have earned. What one owns that is of value is 
respect, honor and pride. To earn the title of Amazon, one has a lot of 
trials to go through and anyone who has completed them has earned 
great respect and honor by all who know what she is.

> 
>cortese@skid.ps.uci.edu (Janis Maria Cortese) writes about Amazons:
>JMC>
>JMC> I've always held in my mind the image of an Amazon as being a woman 
>JMC> who says, "This is what I am, and it's not changing to suit anyone 
>JMC> else but me.  If you don't like it, look the other way."  Someone who 
>JMC> knows what she is and will defend her self to the death, someone who 
>JMC> won't hide any portion of her self, of alter it to "fit in."
> 
>Yeah, that would be a small part of that which I consider an Amazon,
>because you don't consider any duties coming with the right to call
>yourself Amazon.  Those duties would imply giving any other woman help
>when you are asked for it, and several others I don't seem to recall. 
>But I must note, that I DO adher to the Darkovan way, which does not
>have to be yours. 
> 
>Avarra bless you! 
>                   Stayka deyAvemta (.....clip.....)


	The Amazons I know would own that statement too, and just as 
fiercely. They don't have a duty to defend all women, but they do have 
a loyalty to the members of their tribe/coven and the line of women who 
initiated them (there's a word for that, don't know it). They battle 
wherever the Goddess puts them, from clinics under siege to getting 
President Bill elected, and view their trials and conflicts as a testing 
and purifying experience. They are some of the most loyal, noble and 
trustworthy people I have ever met.

		Is it obvious that I adore my Amazon friends?


	
			- Ashley

P.S. Yes, GreatMother Greywolf, Pythia et all, I'm glorifying you again!