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What's a Dianic?
Part 1
In the 19 years or so that I've been a Pagan, there have been three groups which seem to run neck-in-neck for most misunderstood by other Pagans. They are 1)Dianics 2)Discordians and 3)Asatruar. Well, I'm not numbers 2 or 3, so I can only speak for group 1 - Dianics. I have been asked all manner of questions both rude and thoughtful about what it is to be a Dianic and what it's all about. I've tried to answer anyone who asked to the best of my ability and to not succumb to the urge to give rude answers to those who posed rude questions. I've had varying amounts of success.
The whole idea for this article came about, actually because of a dialogue going on within an email list to which I contribute. It's basically a Dianic list, but there are some others who aren't who have asked us what we consider to be a Dianic and what it means to us. Here's what my answer was: (Note the first part was the initial question, posed by the list-mod.)
"I think you will probably find there is a difference in purely Dianic vs. Goddess-centered - or at least some people will tell you that :-) What do the rest of you think - is Goddess-centered worship basically Dianic, or is Dianic something more than basic Goddess-centered worship?"
I replied: "Dianic worship, in my not-so-humble opinion, goes beyond Goddess-centered spirituality. That is the root and the center, but it is not the totality. I've met many folk, male and female, whose worship was centered on Goddess. We have a beautiful connection with them and a common ground from which to work, but we aren't the same. As I have said before (in exactly these words - I liked what I said so much I saved it): Dianic is something you are not something you do. It is a state of being that is all-encompassing and affects how you view life. It is a state of inner peace and harmony with your femininity. It is being relaxed with yourself and your sisters. It means being at ease in environments that are without male influence of any sort. So it is spiritual in the best sense, because it reflects the love of Goddess and sisterhood. To enlarge upon this, it is an essential connection with Goddess and with your sisters. We become Goddess as we grow into our Dianic selves. We manifest those Goddesses that we have identified with and whose calls we have answered. It is a richness of spirit and a joy in life. It is not a faith because we are not disconnected from Goddess. She and we are together always."
This definition sums it up for me beautifully. It is not about being anti-anything. It is not about any form of negativity. It is joy and love and inner peace.
- Dreamweaver