Modern Gallae

General Meaning

A modern movement which acknowledges and embraces the spiritual aspects of being transsexual or transgendered, as inspired by the ancient Galli of Rome. The notable attributes of ancient Galli were that they:

were transgendered followers of the cult of Cybele;
were acknowledged as such, and were a legitimate part of the religious life of ancient pre-Christian Rome;
often lived in groups in temple complexes or communities, with a head (either Battakes or Archigallus);
and whether or not they were accepted by the common folk of the Roman Empire (attitudes varied over time), they lived life as much as possible in their own way on their own terms.

The modern movement in general, reflects the above.

Types of Modern Gallae

In general there are several ways in which transsexual and/or transgendered persons may claim to be a Modern Galla: Spiritual; Neo-Pagan; and Revival. No one type is totally exclusive from another.

Spiritual

A transsexual / transgendered person who acknowledges that the spiritual reasons for their gender transition are paramount over sexual or social reasons; and honestly acknowledges their trans status as a point of spiritual being, rather than only a medical or social 'condition'.

Such a galla may be of a Christian, Moslem, Buddhist, or other established religion. They may be agnostic or even atheist. The point that all these have in common is a belief that their trans status is primarily a spiritual thing, and that there is no shame in this. This implies a generally open and approachable attitude to informing others of their status.

Neo-Pagan

A transsexual / transgendered follower of one or another Western neo-pagan movements, who includes and honours Cybele and/or Attis in their pantheon of gods and goddesses. Many Western movements acknowledge the presence of the divine masculine and feminine in each person. Cybele is therefore an example of the "Divine Mother" and Attis her son/lover.

Revival

A modern movement to embrace the goddess Cybele, primarily by transgendered women, along lines of a revival of the spiritual values of the ancient Galli, including new versions of their rituals. There are several groups of Revival Gallae (most based in North America) with supporting websites and mailing lists.

Nomenclature

Preferred form of address

The ancient Galli existed in a Roman culture and were referred to in male terms. It is inappropriate in contemporary times to address persons presenting as female in male terms, and the word Galla should be used. Similarly, a person presenting as a male should be addressed as a Galli. The term Gallae can be used as a generic term to refer to either of the above. When in doubt, ask the person how they wish to be addressed.

Other terms also used are Corybante, Semnotata et al.

Day of Blood

The "day of blood" was the term used by ancient galli for their self-performed rite of castration. Thereafter they initiated into the temple community with other galli. Sex reassignment surgery can be taken to be a modern equivalent of this, a "rite of passage" for the individual involved, and cause for celebration.

Surgery can also be seen as symbolic as a form of "ego death", and the myth of Attis's death and resurrection reflects that.

Doctrine of the Adopted daughter/Son

One modern interpretation of the myth of Cybele and Attis, is that Attis (after dying from loss of blood due to self-inflicted castration) is resurrected as "the adopted daughter" of Cybele. This idea is embraced mostly by Neo-Pagan and Revival gallae.

The concept of the "adopted daughter" or "adopted son" is that it is irrelevant what gender the person was before their transition - what matters is what gender they feel themselves to be now. This mirrors a family, where an adopted son is still a son, and an adopted daughter is still a daughter. In this case Cybele, as the Magna Mater, is truly the "Great Mother".

Modern Festivals

Depending upon the type of gallae, certain annual rituals may or may not be observed.

Revival Gallae may seek to mark the passing of the festivals observed by the ancient galli, including Canna Intrat, Arbor Intrat, Dies Sanguinis, Hilaria, Requito, and Lavatio (all reflect the myth of Attis's death and resurrection). They may also observe the Megalensia, which commemorates the founding of the Metro'on in Rome.

Neo-Pagan gallae may also, if they follow a Wiccan/Celtic observance of the Wheel of the Year, incorporate both Cybele and Attis in these observances. Cybele was (as 'Mother of the Gods') synchronised with Rhea, and so also represents aspects of the divine feminine.

Gallae Symbols

There are a variety of symbols that may be used by Gallae, each devised by individuals or groups for different needs. Some gallae use existing transgender symbols. As yet there are no overwhelmingly accepted universal symbols, however:

Cybele has been represented at various times by a key; and
Attis has been represented by a pine tree.

A Note on Non-Transgender Followers

There exist a few people, both male and female, who worship and honor the Great Mother and Her Divine Son but do not follow the transgendered path whatsoever. These men and women are heterosexual and homosexual, but do not honor the Great Mother in the way that the transgendered followers do.

These men and women do not embrace the "adopted son/daughter" for its lack of historical evidence. Attis was born male, died male, and was resurrected male; as it was in ancient times. These people see Attis as the Dying and Rising Son who gave his life in ecstasy of the Mother Goddess in order to save His people with rebirth and enlightenment. He is the embodiment of beauty resurrected as a man. Attis is the Divine Sacrifice for us all.

These people also see that the ancient Galli castrated themselves in devotion and honor of the Mother Goddess and as Attis Himself had done that all may be reborn and achieve enlightenment. The castration is seen as a person throwing out their animal and physical natures in order to embrace a more spiritual nature with the Queen of Heaven. These people recognize that the ancient Galli castrated themselves as men and still were men, as in ancient times they were referred to as men. Overall this group does not believe that one must be transgendered in order to revere the Great Mother and Her Divine Son, and obviously that the transgendered are not the only followers of the Great Mother.

The Great Mother is regarded by this group as the Goddess Supreme. She is honored as the Creatrix of the universe and all its many planes and spheres of existence. She is kind and cruel, She is the flower and the earthquake. She is as loving and destructive as She pleases. She is the Mother of Attis via the virgin nymph Nana.

This group of non-transgendered people do not want nor seek to create a rupture in the worship of the Great Mother with those who are transgender, but do wish to be recognized and respected as much as the transgendered people do.

Another quick note, is that some of these followers may have affiliations or practices in line with Wicca, Witchcraft, Roman Reconstructionism, Hellenic/Greek Reconstructionism, and possibly others.

The numbers of such men and women are unknown, as well as whether or not a group of them exists, but merely that they do exist.