Filianism


An Introduction


Brief History

A short summary of its history


Basic Tenets and Beliefs

What Filianists believe, including both Orthodox and Heterodox


Recommended Reading

Resources that are recommended for learning further

Brief History


What became Filianism started off being termed Madrianism. It began in the 1970s with a group of women in England, who were divinely inspired to compose the Sacred Mythos, the Crystal Tablet, and the Teachings of the Daughter, the scriptures of the religion themselves.The group that arose from this went under the name Lux Madriana, and had groups around the UK and eventually Ireland. There was some early collaboration with the Fellowship of Isis as well, in setting up some devotional groups.Lux Madriana also created a newsletter, for articles and outreach. Some groups that arose from Lux Madriana later gained some infamy from the community and press, and this unfortunately led to schisms within.After these schisms, one group continued on in secrecy more or less, with the religion and rituals. The other continued with their own preferences, and with the internet coming to the fore focused on the ability to create virtual worlds.The internet has been the main way that newcomers are able to even learn about the religion, and discourse and collaboration are mainly online. Since adherents are few, worship remains mostly solitary but virtual services are starting to occur more frequently.With past schisms, most current Filianists choose to focus on growing the thealogy and ways of worship, and discuss the past writings and in what new ways they can collaborate and grow the religion in an organic fashion.

Basic Tenets


Filianism teaches that God is Feminine, and in triplicate form, though not the Trinitarian forms most are familiar with (the neopagan concepts of Maiden/Mother/Crone nor the Christian Trinitarian), but as a Creator/Sustainer/Destroyer.God is most often referred to as Déa (as Creator), The Daughter (as Sustainer), and Déa Mysteria or Déa Beyond (as Destoyer).Filianists are so named due to following the teachings of The Daughter (filia being Latin for daughter). She is seen as the Saviouress of the world, and most approach Divinity through Her.There is also the concept of the Janyati, the seven emanations of Déa that Filianists also work with to approach Divinity. Neither seen as angels, nor demi goddesses, they are seen as Déa Herself, and each of the seven have a virtue that they symbolize that is revered within the religion.Filianists have their own sacred calendar of the year, with half of the year focused on The Daughter, and the other half focused on the Mother/Déa. It is a 13 month lunar calendar, with major and minor festivals.Filianism contains some of its own unique terminology, to denote certain concepts and and beliefs. An example would be thamë, which is the overarching harmony and balance one works towards on a personal and communal level.Study of the Filianic scriptures and prayer are major parts of individual worship. There are also devotional rites that are performed, usually on lunar dates (full moon, new moon, etc).Orthodox Filianists generally are more adherent to the Filianic Creed, the Catechism, and the Drispeal.Heterodox Filianists have varying beliefs, and may not follow and commit to the same beliefs as Orthodox.One of the bigger sects would be the Janites, who work closely with the Janyati, though they use the name Janati instead of Janyati.Although there are set scriptures and beliefs, Filianism is fluid and many adherents weave in other beliefs and even other deities. The uniting belief is in Déa Herself, as the ultimate Source and Beginning Principle.

Recommended Reading


Currently, the best resource would be the scriptures themselves. The version that a majority of Filianists use today are the Eastminster Critical Edition, Volume 5. This is only available at lulu.com, a print on demand service, or by PDF online. See this link below.For further exploration of the past writings of the original group of the 1970s and 1980s, their past newsletter The Coming Age, it is available in print as the Opera Omnia, parts 1 and 2. This is also only available at lulu.com, or by PDF online, please see below links.There are many online blogs by devoted Filianists, if you are curious about what current adherents have to say and ways that they practice their faith.