Area goddess center seeks to celebrate, empower women

It’s Saturday morning, and a group of approximately 20 women sit in a circle listening to stories about goddesses and their ancient lives. The Rev. Anna Kendall dedicates the morning to Bast, the goddess of pleasure and play. She encourages the women to take time to do things they find enjoyable in life.

The women meet every Saturday at the Sophia Center for Goddess Study, 6034 Smoke Ranch Road, which was created to educate women and men about ancient and contemporary goddess traditions.

“The name Sophia means wisdom. Our main goal is to empower women and enlighten men,” said Kendall, co-founder of the center. “We don’t worship goddesses; instead, we learn about the powerful attributes of goddesses and teach women so that they can be strong and get out of the subservient role.”

Activities include weekly gatherings, seasonal celebrations, community activities, personal and group rituals, performances, classes, workshops and lectures.

The center is decorated with statues of goddesses and vibrant paintings.

Four altars decorate the main meeting room. One represents the earth, and the rest represent three stages of being female: maiden, mother and elder.

In the middle of the room is an altar that signifies the four cardinal directions.

Every Saturday, the center hosts a Goddess Gathering for women from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kendall dedicates each gathering to a different goddess through lectures and guided meditation.

“Every lesson has something for women to take away and incorporate into their lives,” Kendall said. “We want to encourage the balance of feminine energy.”

After each session, women are given a small token to remind them of the goddess and the power they hold within.

Kendall, who began studying goddesses 15 to 20 years ago, said she grew up as a Southern Baptist, and powerful women were rarely talked about. She became a minister of science and metaphysics approximately 13 years ago.

“Women were very powerful throughout history,” Kendall said. “Only within the last couple of thousand years were they put in the subservient place of men.”

She began holding classes with her women’s gathering-goddess group at the Las Vegas Center for Spiritual Living and held meetings at the homes of participants. Since they were expanding, they started looking for a place to call their own.

After a year and a half of planning, the group held its grand opening at the center on June 20. Kendall said it is the only goddess center in Las Vegas.

“There are many things that we don’t know about our history as far as feminism goes,” said Pat Polson, co-founder of the center. “We’re learning and studying about women who were strong leaders. Women were honored for their intelligence, compassion and intuition.”

She added that the center does not interfere with religious beliefs, and everyone is respectful of one another.

The center also has a library with books on healthy cooking, religion, fiction and other goddess materials. In addition, there are runes stones for free readings.

“This is the type of place where women (and men) can just come and hang out,” Kendall said. “We want them to feel comfortable.”

A hospitality area is located in the back with snacks, water and soda for participants.

Movies are shown once a month, and future activities include yoga, worldly dancing, book clubs, knitting, beading, interior design, painting and decorating.

Dr. Candace Kant, former professor at the College of Southern Nevada, teaches a goddess orientation class and hosts a potluck at 6:30 p.m. every third Friday.

“Our main goal is to empower women and enlighten men,” said Madeline Shockley, a member of the center. “It’s important for our young women to realize how precious they are to our planet. They need to realize their power.”

Every Monday, a Goddess Laughter workshop and crystal bowls and Tibetan bells meditation is scheduled from 7 to 8 p.m.

This month, the center plans to start its Friday Evening Community Center series in which people are invited to visit the center and enjoy music, dance, poetry and storytelling.

In addition, members plan to partner with Dress for Success, Purple Wings, the Las Vegas Chapter of Soroptimist International and Safe Nest by providing volunteers and donating funds.

“This center is made from love, created from love and works in love,” Kendall said.

Office hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays. For more information, visit sophiagoddesscenter.org.

Contact North View reporter Sandy Lopez at slopez@viewnews.com or 702-383-4686. Find her on Twitter: @JournalismSandy.