When I was dedicated into my coven, I was dedicated to the goddess Quan Yin and the god Thor. Though it seems an odd combination to most, it is exactly the energy I wish to emulate in my life.
In June, I left to travel to China for a month. My first stop was in Shanghai, the large, over-crowded city on the east coast. When we arrived, our guide decided to take us to a Buddhist temple before we even saw our hotel, since our luggage lagged behind us.
In the midst of total culture shock, we entered the Temple of the Jade Buddha, built 1911-1918, damaged during the Cultural Revolution and recently restored. In the temple's first pavilion, there is a 28-foot-high statue of the protector of the Buddhas. I was standing there, looking at the statue, halfway listening to a lecture about it, when I started thinking that Quan Yin should be there. So I started to wander.
As I walked down the wall of Buddhas, searching for Quan Yin, a Buddhist monk approached me. He was a very small man in traditional monk robes, and he looked directly at me, with that "Can I help you?" look on his face. I guessed that he spoke no English, but I took a shot at his knowing "Quan Yin" and asked, "Is Quan Yin here?" His face lit up and excitedly he said over and over, while bowing, "Oh! Quan Yin! Oh! Oh!" He motioned for me to follow him around the corner.
I looked up, and there was a 35-foot-tall, gold Quan Yin statue, the wall behind her decorated with wood carvings of little children. It was breathtaking!
I stood in awe, as the monk watched my face. I took about a roll of pictures (which did not turn out need I say it was the only roll that didn't?). I turned to the monk and said, "That is my goddess. She is on my altar." (Remember, he spoke no English.) He looked at me, smiled and handed me a little porcelain statue of Quan Yin.
I looked at it thinking, "This is nice. I wonder why he wants me to look at it." After a few minutes, I tried to hand it back. He motioned for me to place it in my pocket! I was stunned. I then noticed that my tour group had caught up with me and were asking what the monk had given me. Though he and I could not speak the same language, over the next few moments it felt as if we were in an intense conversation using no words. It was so powerful that I kissed him on the cheek in thanks, and he knew it, and I knew I had chosen the correct goddess to emulate in my life.
On the way back to our hotel, we toured a Hoisen clay factory, where they make porcelain vases and statues similar to the one the monk had given me. We passed through the foyer into a small enclosed courtyard, and there was an 8-foot-tall bust of Thor wielding his hammer. I almost fell over! Who would ever think they would run into Thor in China? Not me, not in a million years! Once again, I felt validated that I chose the right god and goddess in my life.
During my stay in China, the country had the worst flooding that it has had in 40 years. Quan Yin was in every temple, since she is the most popular goddess in China. But each time we entered the grounds of a temple, it would also start pouring and thundering. Thor was present every time I saw Quan Yin in China! For me, this was a profound spiritual experience and another confirmation of my beliefs.
[Home Page | Other Articles in This Issue | FAQ | Local Resources]