ndamental.

From the refined simplicity of nature worship there gradually evolved
a phase of worship, which in the beginning had for its basic principle
an exalted ideal of the purpose and the powers of the female
sex-function; but this ideal sunk to the level of debauchery and
sex-degradation, in which the symbol of the female sex-organ of
generation was worshipped, literally, although not reverently; and yet
from the fact that it is only upon the temples and in the groves
dedicated to worship that are found the carvings of the generative
organs of either and sometimes of both sexes, it is evident that the
most exalted motives first actuated the worshippers.

The sex organs, representing the mystery of creative life, or the
Deity, would naturally be held in reverence by nature-children, and it
must be conceded that this attitude of mind toward the wonderful
miracle of creative energy is worthy of our emulation. As we look back
over the pages of history, we note the tendency of human nature to
fall far short of ideals; we mistake the letter for the spirit; we get
lost in the trap of the senses, and we miss the higher and more
exalted planes of our ideals.

From yoni worship (worship of the female organ of generation), with
all the privileges and perquisites which such honor bestowed upon
woman, there came the inevitable revolt, which comes in course of
time, from all tyranny and special privilege, whether it be
individual, national, racial, sexual, or supernatural. Thus there was
established a "new religion," and this time it was the male organ
which was deified as the symbol of eternal life, of creative energy.
In many instances both symbols were represented, but for the most part
the same subtle struggle for supremacy, the remnants of which we note
today among the different religious creeds and sects, waged, and waxed
stronger, with time and opposition. Which was the more worthy of
deification--the yoni, or the phallus? Woman, or man?

The Ionians, seeking religious freedom from the persecutions of the
phallic worshippers in India persisted in their adherence to yoni
worship, and from them dates the Eleusirian mysteries, which were
celebrated in Athens down to a comparatively late date. The Eleusirian
festivals represented the survival of the purest ideals of nature
worship, before the warfare between the yoni and the phallic
worshippers had brought both ideals into degradation.

There is a point in this festiva