Who is Asherah?
Thirteen years ago, my journey to motherhood began, and in it, so began my journey of discovery. As I was pregnant with my first child, I recall reading "The Book of Virtues" to my unborn child through a little microphone and belly speakers as I sat rocking in the recliner in the nursery. This feeling of worry came over me as I realized I was unsure how I wanted to raise my children with regards to religion/spirituality. I had been raised Lutheran, but I had also traveled the world for work and was fortunate to see a plethora of world religions. I began to study world religions and ask questions.
When my daughter was born, I made a new friend (also a new mother) who happened to be the first atheist I'd ever met. We had many wonderful discussions about morals, goals, beliefs, and motherhood. During this same time, I was reading, "Opposing Viewpoints: World Religions". It was when I was reading the section on Humanism, that I knew it would be the philosophy in how I would raise my kids. I would not indoctrinate them with beliefs, but rather, when I felt they were old enough, we would study world religions together, ask questions, and I would teach them to be critical and free-thinkers in life.
It was during my spiritual journey of discovery and questioning that I learned about Asherah and her relationship to God and the Bible. I highly recommend researching her for yourself. There is a sense of empowerment when we ask questions and find answers. I can understand why she was portrayed as a tree symbol--nature, life, birth, creation, strength, foundation, open, health, beauty, nurturing, and of course...The Tree of Knowledge. It is through her name that I write. Knowing that her voice was silenced years ago, this is my attempt to give her a voice. In doing so, I've found that she is angry...as she has every right to be. But she is also gentle, compassionate, loving, caring, and always a seeker of knowledge and truth.
As I "make waves" in the poems I write, I am reminded of the following quote:
"A sure cure for seasickness is to sit under a tree." -- Spike Milligan
When my daughter was born, I made a new friend (also a new mother) who happened to be the first atheist I'd ever met. We had many wonderful discussions about morals, goals, beliefs, and motherhood. During this same time, I was reading, "Opposing Viewpoints: World Religions". It was when I was reading the section on Humanism, that I knew it would be the philosophy in how I would raise my kids. I would not indoctrinate them with beliefs, but rather, when I felt they were old enough, we would study world religions together, ask questions, and I would teach them to be critical and free-thinkers in life.
It was during my spiritual journey of discovery and questioning that I learned about Asherah and her relationship to God and the Bible. I highly recommend researching her for yourself. There is a sense of empowerment when we ask questions and find answers. I can understand why she was portrayed as a tree symbol--nature, life, birth, creation, strength, foundation, open, health, beauty, nurturing, and of course...The Tree of Knowledge. It is through her name that I write. Knowing that her voice was silenced years ago, this is my attempt to give her a voice. In doing so, I've found that she is angry...as she has every right to be. But she is also gentle, compassionate, loving, caring, and always a seeker of knowledge and truth.
As I "make waves" in the poems I write, I am reminded of the following quote:
"A sure cure for seasickness is to sit under a tree." -- Spike Milligan