Hello dear organisers of the Goddess conference,
I would love to introduce myself and offer my talent, my insights and dedication to be considered to contribute to the Goddess conference.
The last few years I have been on a journey of discovery, guided from within, and this resulted in a lecture and a set of Songs for these times, both dedicated to an authentic way of living, healing and a true honouring of what it means to be human.
I explain both here underneath the picture. I hope you consider this offering and either way I hope perhaps we can build a relationship together that goes beyond the 2024 conference.
One more thing about me before I tell you about my work: I'm born in Belgium but am currently living in Ireland where I am very much touched by this sacred land and it's many powerful unseen realms. Living here connects me to the sacred mission of Avalon and the clash of paradigms.
Talk: The erasing of woman throughout history
A deep dive into the depths of archaeology, mythology and the origins of written language.
My journey started when I wondered that, if 'God' had set a dresscode for women, surely there must be a dresscode for men somewhere. Having earned a masters in the Archaeology of the Near East in my twenties in Belgium, I went out to look for proof in the early written records of Sumer and Mesopotamia and I found the first mention of a dresscode for women in the Middle Assyrian laws which relates to different classes of women. As a matter of fact, it says that 'free', married women were supposed to wear veils when out and about (men should veil their wives). Slave women would be badly punished if they were found to wear a veil. And for example a man could make his concubines into wives by the act of veiling them.
This got me thinking and down the rabbit hole I went researching what turned out to be the introduction of state and patriarchy. Little did I know that I was about to meet the goddess. All my research led me to a -for me at the time - stunning discovery, namely, that there once was a goddess culture, that the female principle in all her different qualities was once revered as the origin of life. But more interestingly, I started understanding how this way of life has been erased on purpose. I don't know the purpose (well, not exactly) but I can see, based on the archaeological record and on mythology, that the knowledge, awareness and celebration of this life-giving principle has been erased.
It was then that I started coming across books like The Chalice and the blade, and Maria Gimbutas The living goddesses.
They helped me a lot to understand that I was on the right track.
I came to my conclusion in my own way and much of that I would love to share with your audience, if you think this is something they would be interested in.
I find this so important because so many people don't know how much effort has gone into hiding this information from us. It makes one think why, why is this information so important that it is so carefully hidden. I believe it empowers people to have a bit of background into this erasure.
So this is where I found myself, seeing all this, and I can’t help myself wanting to share the lies. Many people suffer because they are not aware of these lies upon which our modern-day worldview is based.
My lecture is based on archaeological evidence, timelines, mythological references and linguistics. I stay far away from controversy nor do I want to convince anyone. I merely give the evidence in images, old texts and pieces of history so people can build their own understanding.
I do involve our natural ability of psychic awareness, and I focus on the consequences of the erasure of this awareness, on our mental health, the planet's health and the quality of life in our disconnected communities.
This lecture is about an hour and a half. If I have more time I can also go into the origin of the myths, the role of the serpent, the meaning/symbolism of the tree of life, Lilith and how she was made from lies, rewriting history, etc... As you probably know this is a well that doesn't dry up.
This research has greatly strengthened my spiritual journey and has given me courage and endurance and this is what I would like to offer others as well.
What's more real
Music: Songs for these times
Healing songs dealing with surrender, the path back to ourselves, the undoing of the deception, trusting our intuition, and the going within.
I named this set Songs for these times because I found the songs were messages from my higher self and I was benefitting so much from their wisdom. I found them healing, and thought maybe other people could also find solace and encouragement in these words. I notice on my concerts that adult men and women are sitting in silence and breathing my music into their hearts. It is much needed medicine for today's world.
Some other titles of my songs are
*We are love
I also have a set of mantra's, this is a new-ish project, where people can sing along with meaningful heartbased songs, affirmations. I did it the first time in the end of October and I was told people cried in the audience, men and women.
It touches me that grown men can feel my music. They come and thank me afterwards. You can listen to a snippet here:
We are love
I hope this wasn't too long, and I hope you get a sense of who I am and what I am dedicating myself to.
Looking forward to hearing from you and wishing you blessed autumn days.
Take care,
Marijke