I was inspired by a recent re-reading of Riane Eisler's classic "The Chalice and the Blade" to compile a chart comparing matriarchal and patriarchal values. By delving into archaeology and feminist scholarship, Eisler documents the global shift from egalitarian to patriarchal societies. She examines how social cooperation within Goddess-worshipping cultures was overcome by the patriarchal reliance on violence, hierarchy and authoritarianism. The challenge in our time is to create images and stories of the Sacred more in sync with a partnership model than that of a dominator model. This book truly has the ability to transform us and initiate fundamental change in the world, and as a powerful treatise on matriarchal values, proves that the dream of peace is not an impossible utopia.
Female ~ The Chalice ~ Matriarchy
Male ~ The Blade ~ Patriarchy
Partnership Model of Social Organization
Gynocentric
Gylany (Eisler’s Terminology)
Dominator Model of Social Organization
Phallocentric
Androcracy (Eisler’s Terminology)
Actualization Instead of Power
Peaceful and Egalitarian Society
Identification with the Mother
Male Supremacy
Hierarchic and Authoritarian Rule
Identification with the Father
Venerate the Feminine ~ Worship The Goddess
Highest Value on the Life-Generating and Nurturing Powers of the Female
Venerate the Masculine ~ Worship the God
Highest Value on the Power to Take rather than Give Life, Aligned with Destruction
Focus on Linking and Love
Leadership Inspired by Responsibility to Society
Wisdom of the Mother Honored Above All
Focus on Hierarchy and Rank
Power is Equated with "Dominance Over"
Dictatorial, Autocratic, Rule by Warlord
Focus on the Sacredness and Unity of All Life
Values of Compassion, Non-Violence
Sexually Equalitarian
High Degree of Male Violence and Warfare
Values of Brutality, Oppression
Sexually Repressive
No Separation between Sacred and Secular
Lands Held and Worked Communally
Both Men & Women are Children of the Goddess
Separation of Sacred and Secular
Social Stratification Based on Private Property with Dominance Over Women
Focus on Nurturing and Sharing
Gift Economy not Conquest or Hoarding
Acquire Material Wealth by using more effective Technologies of Destruction
Worship the Sacred Chalice or Grail ~ Symbol
of the Womb & Feminine Generative Powers of the Universe in Birth, Nurture, Death and Rebirth
Worship the Power of the Blade ~ Symbol of Masculine Power, Competition, Dominance, Control and Destruction
“The whole of life is pervaded by an ardent faith in the Goddess Nature, the source of all creation and harmony.” Riane Eisler
Rigid roles for Men in Patriarchal Society
Man the Warrior ~ Man the Hunter
Maladaptive, Massive Regression
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