About Summer '04 Ritual

In The Language of the Goddess, Marija Gimbutas tells of a shrine uncovered in the Neolithic village of Çatal Hüyük in Modern Day Turkey dating to the 7 th Mill. B.C.E. where archaeologists found human breasts with vulture beaks emerging from the nipples sculpted in relief on one of the walls. When examined more carefully, the complete skull of a vulture was found within each breast. This find communicates something profound about early peoples' relationship to the processes of life, death and rebirth—conveying a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of the three.

The Vulture Goddess of Çatal Hüyük is but one manifestation of the ancient and omnipresent Bird Goddess. In other cultures she is owl or eagle, raven or hummingbird, hawk or magpie. Her element is air. Her gift is transformation and release—protection. It is time to come to know this venerable Goddess once again.