Message from Cressida Pryor
It is with some trepidation
that I write this piece as I am aware you have not heard from me before.
Two
and a half years ago my aunt Olivia stayed with me and my husband in this small
Cotswold town of Winchcombe. She was on her annual ‘crop circle’ visit to
England and en route to stay with Celia near Glastonbury for the Goddess Festival.
A
few days with us allowed a breathing space between the rigours of London, the
excitement of the metropolis, and the west country demands of leading
ceremonies and being a ‘living legend’. I suggested a stroll along the winding
terrace of weaver’s cottages that form the extended high street to St Peter’s,
our C of E parish church. Olivia agreed with alacrity and we walked up to the
honey coloured church, built, unusually in Britain, in one go, in the late
1400s.
Once
inside Olivia immediately slipped away and sat in a pew near the altar.
Although this was Sunday afternoon the church was eerily silent, the worn flag
stones warm in late summer’s filtered sunlight. She knelt, head bent and
supported on her clasped hands, for several minutes. The church’s quiet
absorbed all of our thoughts until we were walking once more back to our
Victorian semi, tea and cake.
We
entered the house and before the kettle was on, Olivia turned to me and asked;
’Would you take the FOI over?’...my evident surprise prompted her further
revelation; ’I asked for guidance in the church and this is what I was told:
ask Cressida’. I considered for a
moment, trusted my positive gut response and gave an affirmative answer.
Olivia, breathed out with obvious relief saying; ‘Oh good! Now I can die...’
Her laugh masked our protestations of ongoing life that such a comment usually
elicits.
A few days later we held a small ceremony with
Celia Thomas in Glastonbury to mark my succession.
Since
then I have extended my spiritual and theological development through studying
with the One Spirit Interfaith Foundation and have been ordained an Interfaith
Minister. I am now too a member of the Unitarian Church and feel very at home
in this liberal and supportive congregation who whilst acknowledging Jesus as a
prophet and great teacher also recognise the inherent divine grace within us
all, not just in the ‘other’; be it male or female. I feel there is still a
huge need to honour and express the feminine aspect of divine spirit in the world.
The need for compassion; peace and reconciliation; creativity and containment.
The FOI’s ethos and manifesto of interreligious acceptance and tolerance are
still desperately important as we witness the horrors evident in the continued
strife in the Middle East, central Africa and other of the world’s hot spots.
And here I am writing a short piece for Isian
News following Olivia’s passing; aware of issues facing the FOI I could not
have imagined that warm July afternoon in 2011.
I
have found the privilege of serving the FOI as its steward at times both
rewarding and surprising. The issues that have emerged so far; some of which
Olivia was involved with too, included the need to set up a code of ethics,
consider members use of pseudonyms and the dangers that could arise with this,
and more recently where does the FOI stand in terms of being a religious
body registering marriage solemnisers?
Also the possibility of fine tuning the liturgy to make it relevant and usable
for today’s needs. All this and we have not yet had Olivia’s London memorial
service.
I
am really excited as my two worlds collide with the latter. January 26th
sees a London gathering to honour and celebrate Olivia’s spiritual life and
legacy. We are expecting 50 to 60 guests hosted in the Kensington Unitarian
church. A wonderful space I feel she would have enjoyed and approved of.
Caroline Wise and I are putting together a memorial book of ‘Olivia’ memories
that will eventually live in Huntington’s temple. If you feel moved to do so
please email short anecdotes or memories of Olivia that can be printed off and
included in the book. Thank you.
I
like to work through consensus and know the huge benefits of ‘group wisdom’ but
also the perils of vacillation and dither, so hope to steer a path aided by
meditation and prayer that achieves the best possible result for the FOI’s
continued health.
Olivia
leaves a huge legacy; it is my honour to serve it’s expression to meet 21st
century needs.
Cressida
Pryor
Winchcombe
January
2014
Oracle Given to Olivia Robertson
During a Private FOI Assembly
Parliament of World’s Religions,
Chicago, 1993
Oracle of Isis of the Stars
I
have called you all. There is no one here by accident. I know each one of you.
You are dear to my heart. I say to you, banish all your old ideas. We of the
cosmic hierarchy of the stars are now manifesting directly. You will find much old
information no longer works. The old key is twisted - you need a new key. You
must transform yourselves through My Son Horus and My Daughter Hathor. They are
ever young. The Age of the Sun and the Age of the Moon have passed. We enter
now the Age of the Stars! Concentrate upon My Star, Sirius. We come to you from
both outer and inner space. You are all Our Children. A special vocation draws
you here and now. I say to you ‘have courage’ and go forth to do what you must
to help usher in the New Aeon. You have had dreams and premonitions. I send you
messages from the Spiraling Stars of the Galaxies. There will be disturbances
on the earth. These will be global. Do not be afraid. I am telling you now they
will happen - they are for the best. Earth needs cleansing. When the changes
occur, remember you are not rejected by the Divine Mother of All. That which
comes is marvelous. Lift up your hearts! The Goddess and God as Isis and Osiris
are reborn in each one of you.
Announcement to All Members
November
15, 2013: From Caroline, Cressida and Linda: Sad news for the Fellowship and
the wider Goddess community in the world, Olivia died last night. It was peaceful
and she had her family with her. Her family ask that their privacy is respected
at this time. A really great and original figure has left us, Many blessings.
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