Lucia is a Latin word that means graceful light. (She knows, 2013). Lucia is the figure head of the religion of holiness because holiness encapsulates graceful light. Light, an illuminating essence appears in many forms. It appears in the form of fire, which can be used for good and evil. It appears in the form of blinding glares, which prevent one from seeing what’s in front of them. Graceful light is welcomed light. In the religion of holiness this is something that one strives for. To not only be a light, but to also be a welcoming light able to penetrate other’s darkness to raise up those around you.
Holiness followers revere the feminity of nature as the origins of life. Women are seen as the most important element to nature, the force that brought life to the masculine essence. As a result, societies embracing this religion see men and woman as having equal rights and responsibilities, and allow for women to hold whatever position they want and enable them the flexibility to bring children into the world without it compromising their profession. Men and women split housework in an equitable fashion.
In my culture, this equity, while legally on paper it says it should exist, does not exist in practice. As one Washington post headline pointed out, “For women in America, quality is still an illusion.” (Valenti, 2010). The article expounded on a global level where women endure horrible hardships including rape, sex trafficking and genital mutilation. Even in our own country, men are often times paid more for the exact same jobs. In dating this comes out as well, as men often are still the ones who pay for the expenses of dating.
Women in Holiness tradition keep their names. Daughters take on their mothers name and male children take the surname of their fathers.
Celestial objects in holiness are considered feminine, as they are the ones that possess a graceful light which only benefits and never harms. Feminity in holiness is then associated with peace. The sun is revered also as the necessary masculine essence, but it is acknowledged also as a force of oppression at times. It’s energy is not consistent, but must be harnessed or controlled. The sun causes droughts, heat waves, sunburns and heat stroke.
The inner voice of conscience is thought to be the voice of Lucia within us. Lucia’s message to present and future generations is simple: Be a light unto others. Do not harm evers. Use every opportunity to instruct others. Remember to listen to the inner voice of conscience and not see the world as a dichotomy of extremes. See the world as reaching towards perfection and yourself as an agent tasked with bringing about that perfection.
In terms of ancient goddesses, Holiness’s goddess Lucia most closely resembles the sky deities. These were spirits of the sky and were considered heavenly mothers who provided life and peace to many. (Patai, Raphael,1990).
Lucia as a god is both truth light and wisdom. She represents a pure good. Evil in the universe is not seen as an independently existing element but instead is seen as the absence of Lucia or a deprivation of her. Free will, like the Christian religion is seen as the vehicvle by which life falls away from the perfection of Lucia’s graceful light.
Works Cited:
"Lucia name meaning." Entertainment | Recipes | Love | Contests | Beauty | Parenting. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 June 2013. <http://www.sheknows.com/baby-names/name/lucia>.
Patai, Raphael (1990), The Hebrew goddess, Jewish folklore and anthropology., Wayne State University Press.
Valenti, Jessica. "For women in America, equality is still an illusion - Washington Post." Featured Articles From The Washington Post. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 June 2013. <http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2010-02-21/opinions/36775386_1_three-women-sexual-assaults-fellow-soldier>.
