Sophia.. Bringer of Wisdom

In my own personal belief system, which is really a smorgasbord of world religions and philosophies, I can incorporate the archetype of a Goddess, or feminine aspect of divinity without any problem at all. If there is a masculine aspect that is seen as God or Allah or his many other names why would there not be a feminine? Goddess worship was and is still present in many parts of our world.

I have a hard time dealing with a one sided aspect of the divine which is prevalent in some belief systems. I can fully accept the idea of a divine father that oversees humanity, but I also feel that the lack of a divine mother creates an imbalance in how society views the gender roles of men and of women. Let’s face it… The entire reason that women have not been accepted as equally wise, spiritual, intelligent and capable is based on religions that not only worship a male deity, but also actually see women as still being the carriers of “original sin.” How can women be seen as completely equal with their male counterparts as long as we hold this type of belief to be a concrete and unshakable “truth.”? I am a woman, and as such, I have a much easier time imagining that a powerful, nurturing and compassionate mother is watching over me than simply a logical and demanding father.

It is not my intent to offend anyone with what I am presenting here. I have a high regard for all religions and beliefs, at least their core values and principles. When we look at the tapestry thread that weaves through all of them at their core are two principles: Love and Respect. The basic lesson is play nicely with others and share your toys. Sandbox etiquette. I think that sometimes lessons that simple are the ones that take the longest for us to learn, individually and collectively. Humankind tends to make simple things complex.

That brings us to the topic of this article…. which is Sophia. To the Gnostics, Sophia was seen as the Goddess of wisdom and fate and the Mother of creation, along with Yahweh her consort. Her sacred shine in Istanbul, Hagia Sophia, is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. She is symbolized by the dove, which represents the Holy Spirit.

Sophia is not only worshipped by the Gnostics, she is mentioned throughout the Christian Wisdom books of the Bible. She is often associated with King Solomon and some believe that she may have been married to him. In fact, there is speculation that the Song of Solomon was actually Solomon’s marriage to Holy Sophia. See 1 Kings 4:29-31, Wisdom 8:2, 16,18, and Wisdom 9:8-11 for further references to Sophia. The Jews revered Sophia and she was also see in the form of the Goddess Asherah.

The Gnostics saw her as one of the aeons (thought form), or deities that lived in the void, which was known as the pleroma. According to the belief, she gave birth to or brought about the creation of a negative aeon that later came to be called the Demiurge, creator and ruler of this world.

That Demiurge was later represented as the God of the Old Testament. He was strict, unforgiving and vengeful. The Gnostics believe that Sophia and Yahweh, the Father God, sent Yeshua or Jesus to right that wrong and foster belief in Yahweh rather than in the Demiurge. Shaitan, the evil, was the ruler of this world at that time because he had accidentally been given the keys to the Otherworlds by Sophia. He had these keys until the death and resurrection of Yeshua, when Yeshua obtained the keys and still holds them.

Some Gnostic sects still see Mary Magdalene as the incarnation of Sophia, and Mother Mary as the incarnation of Shekinah. Besides the Demiurge, Sophia also gave birth to three daughters, Faith, Hope and Love.

Basically Gods and Goddesses are archetypes of our own lives. They are different aspects of the human experience. This is evident in the huge plethora of creation stories and myths from around the world.

Proverbs
Chapter 8

1 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing forward or perverse in them.
9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the forward mouth, do I hate.
14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.