Red is definitely the color most associated with Sophia. She is often depicted as a red winged woman with a red gown. There are many traits associated with Sophia; righteous, wise, loving, communicative, knowledgeable, creative, protective, giving and truthful. "A Sophia woman sees it and tells it as it is; she has no fear of the truth." (www.goddessgift.com) However, Sophia's appearance differs quite often in major ways. She is alternately pictured as a hag, a black goddess, queen of heaven, an aged woman, human, divine, a harlot, faithful wife, lover, mother and sister. The list goes on. Many of what is associated with Sophia is contradictory.

As a biblical figure, she has been described as a co-partner of God and sometimes as THE female God. The early Christians sometimes used her as a metaphor for Christ.

Her origins are almost impossible to trace. She can be traced to every era, culture and society. She is the manifestation of the Divine Feminine and can be linked with practically every goddess. Including: Lilith, Isis, Inanna, Hecate, Spider Grandmother, Ishtar, Sekmet, Maat, Hera, Anath, Virgin Mary, Eve, Mary Magdalene, Juno, Tara, Demeter and Persephone.

Her feast day is November 28th. She has a sacred shrine in Istanbul, Hagia Sophia, which is one of the 21 finalists for the new 7 wonders of the world. (You can vote for your 7 favorites at www.new7wonders.com). She is symbolized by a dove, crescent moon, stars, a cup or a tree. Russia has always adored and venerated Sophia. They dedicated a cathedral to her in Kiev, The Cathedral of St. Sophia. Many Russians to this day maintain a double faith, in Paganism and Christianity.

Sophia is also known as the Grail Goddess. The Grail legend can be traced back to pre-Christianity. A black goddess (Sophia) guards the grail with the interests of the earth at heart. (Interesting note: the grail was originally depicted as a cauldron.)

When the Knights Templar were arrested and tortured in October, 1307, they were convicted of heresy. One of the supposed heretical charges was worshiping, BAPHOMET. There have been many different explanations as to what BAPHOMET is. There is one that relates to Sophia. One important piece of information first....The Templars are said to be the protectors of the Grail, which many say is actually the lineage of Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene. Some believe Sophia came to earth in the body of Mary Magdalene.

In the 1980's, a Dead Sea Scholar used the Atbash Cipher, which has been used as far back as 500 B.C.E., to decipher BAPHOMET. He got SOPHIA. In the Gnostic Gospels, Sophia is the creator of the world. She is greater than Jesus. So, did BAPHOMET = goddess worship?

3 times around: " I cast this circle for a sacred rite, with the protection of love and light"

Quarters:

North - I call upon the earth, Gaia, to surround me with loving energy and to assist me in dispelling negative energy in my life.
East - I call upon the air, to blow into my life and sweep away the negativity.
South - I call upon the fire to burn away the negative and cleanse my life.
West - I call upon the water to send waves of positivity into my life and take back the negative.

I now ask Sophia to come into my life and show me the way. I ask her to cleanse me and remove any negativity in my life. Please lead me on the path I need to be on to establish myself as a happy, healthy, positive woman.

Poem used in ritual from Wisdom Works 
The Holy Order of Wisdom
PO Box 7084
Santa Cruz, CA 95061 USA
(taken from Matthews, pg 344-45)

www.sacred-texts.com
www.crystalinks.com/sophia
http://northernway.org/sophia.html
www.Kenyon.edu
www.thaliatook.com/sophia
www.goddessgift.com