“Yemanja/The Awakening of the Heart” by A. Andrew Gonzalez
“Ennoia’s themes are mediation, communication, magic and knowledge. Her symbols are angels. In Gnostic tradition, Ennoia is the Goddess of knowledge, intention and thought. Through Her all things were designed and manifested, including the angels. Through Ennoia we can learn the art of magic and how to communicate with angels as mediators between us and the Gods.
Today is Guardian Angel Day, a time to give thanks to the angels in our lives – those powers and people who protect, inspire and watch over us. One easily adapted tradition from Spain is that of wearing scarves and bells. These represent the beauty and music angels are said to bear into human life.
Second, take a moment to give back to the people in your life who have been like earthly angels (you know, the folks who bring soup when you’re sick, or offer money when funds are tight). Do something really nice for them, or minimally, light a candle on their behalf asking for angelic blessings in their lives.
Finally, try to connect with your guiding guardian angel(s). During your daily prayers or meditation, ask that power to reveal itself in words comfortable to you. Wait, watch and listen. The angel may reveal itself as the sound of bells or quiet music, with radiant light, or in other manifestations. If the being speaks with you, write down the words and ponder them in the days ahead.”
(Patricia Telesco, “365 Goddess: a daily guide to the magic and inspiration of the goddess”.)
According to the blog, Prayers and Reflections, “Ennoia means ‘thought’ Sophia in Her high form as Pleromic, is the first thought (so She is the first Aeon, or Pleroma, and the last one as well). Creation happens in the triad of thought, word, and action.” [1]
“Alchemico d’Amore” by A. Andrew Gonzalez
“The Ennoia is important in Gnostic Magic, because She is the feminine counterpart or spiritual consort of God. She is the Womb of all manifestation, and thus is similar to the Egyptian Goddess Nut or Nuit. In a psychological (Jungian) sense, She is the archetype of the feminine principle.” [2]
I came across a lot of interesting information while researching this Goddess; everything from identifying Her with Sophia and the Holy Spirit, as Divine Female – the Wisdom Goddess who assisted in creation to being stripped of Her holiness, portrayed as foolish, conceiving alone without a male consort resulting malformed creatures and “falls” to the “lower” world, into bondage and even whoredom in need of rescuing (see The Ennoia). In an attempt to demote, degrade and overthrow Her, the patriarchy even splits Her, “Through disconnecting from the divine oneness it is also Sophia who has to exist in two forms: Sofia Ennoia i.e. the High Sofia, Neverending One, The Power of the Thoughts as well as the Low Sofia called the Small Sophia or Sophia of Death. In this way Sophia combines two elements: the divine and the human one.” [3] I even found a few references to Her as being a daughter of Lilith….Not sure if this is a totally different deity or what the deal with that is…a little confusing….
Max Dashú has a lot to say about Her and Her “downfall” and can be read on Suppressedhistories.net by clicking here (scroll down to The Gnostic Goddess).
Sources:
Dashú, Max. Suppressedhistories.net, “Khokhmah and Sophia“.
Landofgoddesses.wordpress.com, “SOPHIA (CHOKMAH/SHEKHINAH)“.
Magdelene.wordpress.com, “Gnostic words for May 14, 2007: Ennead, Ennoia, Epiphanes, Epiphanius, Epinoia, Eros“.
Schuelers.com, “A BRIEF HISTORY OF GNOSTICISM“.
Suggested Links:
Forrest, M. Isidora. Isis Magic: Cultivating a Relationship With the Goddess of 10,000 Names, “The Gnostic Sophia” (p. 193).
Magisteria.wordpress.com, “Ennoia, A Gnostic Tale“.
Metaconscious.tumblr.com, “Ennoia“.
Wikipedia, “Sophia (Gnosticism): The Ennoia“.
The work of Max Dashu is extremely fascinating (for that alone I must thank you.) Evidence that supports his work can be found in the Old Testament: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%208&version=NIV . I have marveled at this passage for many years now.
It seems that no matter how humankind tries to change things to serve their purposes, they seem to overlook details which give them away (modern law enforcement counts on this.) An example is the portrayal of Eve as the weaker sex because she was so easily influenced by the serpent; she was targeted because she was the easiest to deceive, or so the doctrine goes. However, the Genesis story actually suggests that the serpent “targeted” Eve as a strategy for the economy of its effort.
Adam was obviously easily influenced by Eve. Influencing Eve resulted in influencing both. If the serpent had influenced Adam first, would it then also have had to convince Eve (double effort?) It should not be assumed that popular Christian interpretation is held by all who consider these scriptures holy, though. (I felt a need to interject this in fairness to all.) Regardless, the interpretation with the purpose of subordinating women seems quite juvenile. Men (Adam) are not guiltless here.
I really like Max Dashu’s work. She is a teacher, writer, historian, and artist who founded the Suppressed Histories Archives in 1970 (a collection of over 14,000 slides she has photographed and 100 slideshows she has created on global women’s history, archaeology, Goddess traditions, female priests and female shamans) – so naturally, her work is right up my alley 😉
Very deep and insightful view Steve. “Influencing Eve resulted in influencing both. If the serpent had influenced Adam first, would it then also have had to convince Eve (double effort?) ” – I never thought of it like that before…