KNOXVILLE – Mama Doyi-Astarte began her journey only four years ago along the spiritual path that lead her to organize around women’s spirituality and to reach out to others. She heads up a series of classes entitled “Sisterhood is Powerful.”

The series began on April 2, 2005 , with their first offering being a roundtable discussion of Women Who Run with the Wolves, by Clarissa Pinkola Estes.

Astarte, as she prefers being called, moved to the Knoxville area from Nashville about two years ago. A series of events including the end of a 25-year marriage, successfully overcoming cancer, dream divination, and becoming involved with the local Wiccan community culminated in Astarte’s meeting the owners of Mother Earth Oils and Herbs.

She characterizes her path as “eclectic pagan,” and she sees herself as moving toward a global spiritual bridge that could unify all things spiritual.

“I like to think I am sowing seeds,” says the 47-year-old who describes herself as a “doer.”

Astarte enthusiastically describes her guest speaker for some of the classes, Sandra Hubbel-Lyke, or “Pypur” as her friends know her. Pypur’s background in English literature and religious studies comes through in her book selections. Mother, Master, Slave—The Role of Women in Ancient Culture and When Women Ruled the World—An Examination of the First Queens of England and Scotland were the two selections for April. She is well-known locally in pagan circles.

“She is just wonderful and is very helpful in placing things in historical context,” says Astarte.

May brings the titles At the Root of This Longing by Carol Lee Flinders with two discussion sessions set aside for that book. Following in June are conversations about psychic meanings of color and healing with herbs, followed by a two-part discussion of spiritual ethics in July. Additional topics range from discovering your inner Goddess, energy connection and meditation, spiritual power and authentic freedom to honoring the native Feminine, sacred contracts, and self-empowerment.

Classes are currently scheduled throughout the calendar year with a final get-together summarizing the entire series in April of 2006. They are held at Mother Earth Oils and Herbs currently located at 402 11th Street near World’s Fair Park in one of the lovely Victorian houses.

Anita Covington and her daughter, Summer Smith, who own and run the shop, are delighted to be able to offer space for women seeking spiritual enlightenment. Their upstairs rooms are frequently used for yoga, energy fields work, ceremonial magick, and a children’s storytellers group.

Further information about the classes can be obtained by called Mother Earth Oils and Herbs at (865) 637-2800 or by checking their Web site at www.motherearthoils.com.