The new is giving birth to the old… the task is to give birth to the old in a new time—to the primordial ancient in a world that is new. (Peter Kingsley)

On a golden October day in 2014, I began this weekly blog dedicated to giving new birth to the ancient knowing of the feminine principle of the Sacred whom some cultures have known by the name “Sophia.” Inspired by a growing sense of a Sacred Feminine Presence both within and around me, I chose the title, “Sophia Wakens.”

In May of that year on a sacred journey led by Jean Houston, I had visited Greece. Paintings and icons of Sophia adorned many of the churches. Our guide Calliope (Kapi) told us that Greek Christians have a deep reverence for the presence of Sophia, Wisdom.

“How do they see her in relation to Athena, the Greek Goddess of Wisdom?” I asked.

“They see her as a Continuation,” Kapi responded.

Later, as we stood at the site of the Eleusinian mysteries of Demeter and Persephone, about twenty kilometers from Athens, Kapi pointed to a small white church atop a hill. “That is a Church dedicated to Mary,” she said. “We find that a Church built to honour Mary almost always indicates that there is an ancient temple to the goddess below.”

In the ten years since that day, I have been slowly awakening to Sophia’s Presence in my life. I’ve found a kindred spirit in the writings of Thomas Merton (see Christopher Pramuk Sophia: The Hidden Christ of Thomas Merton, Liturgical Press, Collegeville Minnesota, USA 2009) Yet, for the most part, it has been a lonely journey. In my desire to know Sophia I have come to see her in other guises, as a presence in ancient fairy tales, in the goddess Brigid in Ireland, in Mary, Mother of Jesus, whom I have loved since I was twelve years old.

The one who has been seeking me has exercised infinite patience over these years…..until a few weeks ago when I attended a Symposium on Zoom: “Awakening to Humanity’s Sacred Mission”.

Inspired and sponsored by Ervin Laszlo, the experience was put together with the support of several earth-wide organizations dedicated to responding to the urgent needs of our planet at this time. With funding from “Project Earth”, the eight sessions over four days on ZOOM were offered free of cost to anyone who registered.

There were over 2400 registrants from 86 countries who either attended on screen or watched the recordings afterwards. Listening to the presenters, some of whom I knew, like Jude Currivan, author of the Story of Gaia, I felt a deep breath of “at homeness” fill me. In small break-out groups, as I listened to others speak of their personal missions, I recognized ”kindred spirits”. Comments spoken and posted by participants referenced their sense of belonging, of hope, of gratitude for this unprecedented experience of unanimity… and in a deep moment of guided meditation , it was the voice of Sophia that I heard, reminding me of my dedication to Her, asking simply, “Let me love you.”

Among the presenters were Indigenous leaders who brought their ancient wisdom of respect for the Earth, some bringing messages like the recent one received by the Kogi people, of the Amazon Rain forest. The Sacred Mother has spoken to them of the urgent need to act now to save the planet, warning that two years is the time limit for a turn-around of human behaviors that are destroying the living systems of the earth.

Chief Dwayne Perry, Inspirational Leader of the Ramapugh Nation, said, “we are the caretakers of the Earth and all who dwell therein…our Sacred Mission has already begun.”

Here is a sampling of the words of wisdom spoken during the Symposium:

“Something new is emerging and it starts with each one of us… this is the end of the beginning….Let’s dance with the planet and dance with each other…I have great hope in human nature….human nature is nature in the human form.” (Ervin Laszlo)

Madonna of Combermere

“We’ve done the Mystic thing,” said Canadian songwriter, Tatiana Speed, before singing, “Awake my ancient memory, let me remember who I am.”

Jarvis Smith, environmental activist in England, through years of deep listening, has received messages from the Earth Mother: “Wake up to living in gratitude for all I have given you….”What you call a crisis, I see as a way to bring people together. I can transform this.”

A renowned spiritual leader in India counselled: “It’s time to come down from the mountain, get up from your prayer cushion and your yoga mat.”

During a silent meditation, led by a gentle wise woman who invited us to ask, “What is my sacred mission?”, the clear response rose in me: “Embody Sophia (the Sacred Feminine)”. Later, we were invited to walk an imaginal labyrinth, to listen deeply, in the Quaker tradition, to share aloud, if what arises seems meant for the whole group. I, who love words, heard nothing. I felt the warmth of a loving embrace which I knew was from Sophia. Only then did I hear words, “Let me love you.” I waited, wondered, then understood this message was for the entire group, so I spoke it.

A week later on Sunday February 18^th, Ervin Laszlo appeared on the ZOOM screen, his eyes alight with joy, purpose, enthusiasm: “Where do we go from here?” he asked, inviting “all those engaged and those who formed this (to) join together in a semi-formal alliance.” He added “I pledge my own full allegiance to this….I can offer copies of my new book to each member of the Alliance….I’m very keen on continuing this Alliance.” He encouraged us to “keep in touch….create a program… on Internet (focused on) the evolution of our species on this planet.

“We are one with each other and the world around us. There is no distinction between personal mission and Humanity’s mission: to advance life on this planet, to advance consciousness….What is good for the planet is good for us.

“Transformation needs to happen….the sense of mission expressed here….beings endowed with consciousness can bring a higher level… Humanity will continue.”

Facilitator Jon Ramer was visibly moved: “I’ve never seen something like this before…. I presume, Ervin, this invitation is to all humanity.”

These words are now written in my heart:

Absolute Trust in a Conscious Loving Universe.

Human, come home.

Wake up to Living in Gratitude.

While institutions fail us, we have to look to one another. We are the superpower on the planet.