LA area author and radio show host talks about her Pagan/Goddess path

LA area author Karen Tate tells us about her books, life, and Goddess ideals in this two part interview.

Where do you come from and how did your hometown influence you?

You'd probably never guess unless you've heard me mention it in a talk, but I hail from New Orleans, where our feasts consist of crawfish boils and gumbo and we fry our vegetables in batter! It’s right there in the Bible Belt, despite the annual celebration of Mardi Gras with its Pagan roots, the cultural diversity of the Vieux Carre or French Quarter and the nickname, “The Big Easy,” because life is really pretty laid-back. Growing up a Catholic I was very intrigued by the “sisterhood” of the nuns who taught me in school, and influenced by the Virgin Mary whose statues were on our home altars and in our gardens. But I never felt a lot of pressure to conform or become conservative. It wasn't until I left and moved to California that I realized the bubble I lived in never meeting non-Christians, not recognizing and accepting sexism as the norm, and not adequately questioning patriarchal dogma. But that all helps me today remember the thinking that is out there in so much of our country.

Coming from the Bible Belt, what do your family and friends think of your choice of Pagan religion?

It’s a minefield for sure. I remember the day the realization hit home on both sides. A condensed conversation is something like, “When did you become a Democrat and stop believing in God?” and I said, “When did you become a Republican? And how can Billy (our gay relative) even consider becoming a priest in the Catholic Church? They teach he's an abomination. How does he reconcile that?”

I think you get the idea. Maybe some of your readers have been there. Probably the easiest thing to say is we talk about the weather a lot and they assure me they're praying for my soul. Sometimes I bite my tongue, other times I'll say, “Thanks for caring. I love you, but I don’t believe there's a Hell.” (Laughing) While I feel lucky to have escaped that mentality, seriously lucky, I remember the aforementioned “bubble” they live in, never really meeting anyone with ideas not like themselves.

Where do you reside now?

I live in Venice Beach with Roy, my husband of over 25 years and my two feline daughters, Isis and Xena.

How were you introduced to the Goddess/Paganism?

Well, I suspect She was there waiting for me to wake up to Her, hidden behind the veil of the Blessed Virgin. But the idea of Goddess was not mentioned in the Bible Belt of New Orleans you can be assured, at least not when I still lived there. I guess my first conscious awareness of Goddess was feeling called to what turned out to be this “fluff class” about “women and goddess” offered by the Learning Annex. It really had little substance, but it parted the veil on my awareness. Then it was a slippery slope as I found Isis and started traveling to sacred sites as a way for me to validate this new found spirituality.

Who were your early influences?

I have to credit Riane Eisler’s book, “The Chalice and the Blade,” and Merlin Stone’s “When God Was a Woman.” Those appealed to my left brain so I knew there was historical, or as we say, “herstorical” fact for all this and it wasn’t just a feminist fantasy. Marion Zimmer Bradley's "Mists of Avalon" appealed to my right brain as I re-imagined what ancient times might have been like as ancient priestesses held powerful roles in society. Imagine my delight to actually know, talk to and interview Riane Eisler today!

Do you consider yourself a political activist and is this an important part of your spiritual practice?

Yes, I do consider myself a political activist, but it didn’t start out that way. First, finding Goddess was very personal to me as a woman finding empowerment, a loving Mother God, for myself. Discovering archetypes was potent, as Goddess could be a role model of sorts so we might be the best we can be. It was personal. But Goddess as ideal, as the spirituality stands for new values and benchmarks that I believe can uplift humanity and save our world, that’s become a strong motivator as we see the condition of Gaia, women and peoples across the planet. I believe Goddess ideals are about the needs of The Many and not The Few. Obviously then we are concerned environmentalists caring for Mother Earth, we fight for human rights, we struggle for equality, freedom, balance, tolerance and diversity. We fight against oppression and exploitation. In fact, by her many names and faces across cultures and continents, Goddess metaphorically is a poster girl for diversity and tolerance. She shows us there isn’t just one face, one way, so unlike the patriarchal dominator religions that have caused so much damage and have been the cause of so much pain. Goddess ideals suggest we have egalitarian societies, level playing fields employing negotiation and partnership rather than domination and “power over.” There is plenty for all of us if resources are properly distributed. I think it’s very important, for women and Pagans to reconcile their spirituality and their politics so they’re in sync. All our boats should float, not just the privileged. I’m working very hard to help us usher in a caring culture that works for everyone.

Has marriage helped you understand partnership better?

Well, marriage has been so easy with Roy. He is so supportive. He’s right there. He’s my rock. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt I would not have been able to do all the things I’ve done without his help, support, expertise, ingenuity and intuition. Sometimes I believe Goddess has blessed me with this partnership because it gives me time to focus on Her work, but it also gives me insight into how men and women can be so good together. Helping each other. Standing separate when necessary, but strong together. A real team. I’m a strong believer that we all have to learn to balance the masculine and feminine within ourselves and re-learn how to live together as men and women, in healthy relationships based on respect and equality. Isis and Osiris brought us civilization and taught men and women to love each other. I look at their love story and partnership as a role model - without the sad ending due to the jealous brother, of course! And there are so many wonderful men who embrace Goddess, who need Goddess. And they need us women to guide them and be their teachers and partners. Patriarchy has damaged men as much as women. I really recommend Riane Eisler’s book, “The Partnership Way.”

You can read part 2 here.
 

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