Historical Perspectives: Our Lesbian Foremothers, the Dianics

by Magnolia Stuart

From the earliest Stone Age times and at the very dawn of civilization, the Great Mother was worshipped around the world. Author Diane Stein notes that moon calendars carved on rocks appeared as early as 300,000 BCE.

Our beloved Lady was known throughout the world as The Virgin, the Huntress, Lady of Plenty, Soul of the Wild, Teacher of Knowledge and Knower of Wisdom, the Sacred Dancer, Artemis, and Dia Anna (or Diana). Zsuzsanna Budapest, renowned feminist Witch, writes that the sun was Hers, symbolizing the torch of life, and the moon represented Her healing powers,

According to Budapest, tribes of up to 50 women lived in service to Artemis, working in Her shrines. The tribes, also known as colleges, lived outside of city limits to be closer to the Soul of the Wild. Tribes had totem animals for protection, usually either lions, bears (sacred to Artemis), or wolves (sacred to Hecate). A member of the tribe was free to leave at any time she wished.

In addition to worship, Dianics educated children, hunted and gathered food and herbs, treated the sick, practiced archery and sports, and made weavings. Dianics also wove baskets, made pottery, and practiced the healing arts of witchcraft and midwifery.

Dianics were either celibate or Lesbian, not consorting sexually with men. Although the Great Mother was worshipped by both men and women worldwide, Diana's service and worship was carried out exclusively by women. Diana was not a bearer of children, but the Holy Virgin. Stein notes that "virgin" in those times meant a woman who was free and who owned her body in herself. In the ancient world, the state of virginity was unrelated to sexual activity. Dianics lived in tune with the Earth and with each other. Keeper's of Diana's mysteries ovulated and menstruated together with the cycles of the moon.

Unfortunately, as both Stein and Budapest note, the sands of time have erased the names of particular Dianic priestesses. And "virgin" now tends to just mean someone who has not engaged in sexual intercourse. Only remnants of their culture remain.

However, we honor our Lesbian foremothers whenever we pray out of doors with the Soul of the Wild, howl at the moon, fight ecological destruction, cast spells in nature, and recognize the Deity within.

Sources for this article:

Budapest, Zsuzsanna. The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries: Complete in One Volume. Oakland, CA: Wingbow Press, 1989.

Eisler, Riane. The Chalice and the Blade: Our History, Our Future. San Francisco: Harper Collins Publishers, 1987.

Stein, Diane. Casting the Circle: A Woman's Book of Ritual. Freedom, CA: Crossing Press, 1990.

Stone, Merlin. When God was a Woman. New York, NY: Dorset Press, 1976.

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Last updated: 11-27-95.