Welcome to Coventry Goddess Temple
Coventrys first Goddess Temple opens on the 28th October for Samhain/Hallowe'en/All Souls Day at the Amethyst Centre in Coventry. Operating on a one-day pop-up basis around the Celtic Wheel of the Year (dates to be confirmed), this is a free and safe space for prayer, reflection, ritual and meditation. A Melissa (priestess-in-training) will be in attendance to offer support and pastoral care. Open to all of any faith who feel a connection with the Feminine Divine/Goddess/Holy Spirit/Mama Nature, She Who Sustains Us All.
As this is a totally non-profit venture reliant on donations, any donations of fabrics, statues etc for the temple would be gratefully received.
28th October Schedule
Opens at 10am with Temple Dedication until 10 15 Dedicating the space to the Feminine Divine as She manifests through all religions, faith traditions and Nature.
10:15 -11 Pastoral support, welcoming visitors
Personal Ceremony and Ritual 11 - 1 (if you arrive during this time and a personal ceremony is underway, you are welcome to stay and rest in the Temple but please be mindful of this and wait to speak to the Melissa)
Quiet time/Pastoral Counselling available 1-2 30
Guided Meditation for Samhain - Journey to Crone' - 2 30 -3
Quiet time/Pastoral Counselling available 3 - 3 40
Closing Ritual (honouring the Beloved Dead) til 4
The Temple is non-denominational and open to all and is dedicated to the Divine Feminine in all her myriad forms. Nevertheless there will be an altar space reserved for the spirit of the Divine Feminine in Coventry, as she has manifested in the landscape, myth and legend:
Lady Godiva - her procession and myth shows direct links with the indigenous British horse goddess, often known as Epona, Rigantona or Rhiannon,. The historical Lady Godiva was a devotee of the Madonna, Mary mother of Jesus.
Cofa's Tree - the word 'Coventry' is believed to derive from this reference to the goddess worshipped in this area in Celtic times Cuda/Coda/Cova/Cofa and her sacred trees - both symbolic and actual as Coventry used to be covered by the ancient Forest of Arden. A shrine to Cuda was discovered at Baginton. 'Coventry' may also be related to 'convent' as the first settlement was a Saxon nunnery.
Goddess of the River - the river Sherbourne which runs under the city was once called the Cune and believed to have been sacred to a goddess of the same name (which may be another derivative of Cuda).
Coventina/St Catherine - goddess of the sacred spring. There is further speculation that the name Coventry may derive from the northern water goddess Coventina (who may therefore also be synonymous with Cuda). The remnants of the sacred spring in Coventry can be found at St Catherines Well in Lammas Rd (!)on the Holyhead Rd. St Catherine is the patron saint of artists and creativity
Arduinna - goddess for which the forest of Arden was named, believed to have been brought to Britain by European Celts who also worshipped her in the Forest of Ardennes in France.
Available at the Temple
Personal Ceremony - if you would like a small ritual conducted for you or a few friends, please get in touch. No charge (donations welcome where possible)
Pastoral Counselling - our Melissa is a trained professional counsellor undergoing priestess ordination. If you would like someone to talk to about situations in your life, this is available free of charge (donations welcome where possible)
Rest, reflect, recharge. Guided meditations offered as well as silent time.
Coventry Goddess Temple Supports WATER
Actualizing feminist religious values for social change
The Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual (WATER) began in 1983 in response to the need for theological, ethical, and liturgical development for and by women.
A feminist educational center and network of justice-seekers, WATER brings thirty-two years of experience to programs and publications, liturgical planning and consultation, workshops and retreats, counseling and spiritual direction which have helped thousands of people create and sustain inclusive communities in society and religion.
WATER offers fresh insights and abundant opportunities for all who thirst to engage in theological, ethical, and liturgical work developed by women.
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