a visual presentation by Max Dashu
On the bones of Earth, hands of the ancients grooved vulvas into the rock, as signs of Origin and in remembrance of ancestors. Sometimes they painted the place of emergence with red ochre, the blood of Earth. The power of the Woman who has within her an opening into the vastness, the origin which is everywhere at the center. Statues, paintings, figurines, amulets, reliefs, and petroglyphs show the power of women embodied in the vulva, portal of life and seat of ecstasy, powerful, joyous and full of vitality.
Patriarchy surrounds the vulva with silences and coverings, violence and wounds, taunting and name-calling shame. Yet cultures around the world have believed in the vulva's sacredness, which gave it supremely protective powers. Attackers would flee rather than face its primordial force, and it was said to have the power to quell storms. Vulva stones are associated with initiations into womanhood, conception magic, rain-making, and other ceremonies.
A live visual presentation by Max Dashu (90 minutes) and more time for questions and discussion. Tech requirements: digital projector with VGA cable, screen, and mic.
For descriptions of more Suppressed Histories presentations,
see the current catalog of digital presentations.Suppressed Histories Archives | Articles | Woman Shaman DVD
