Rev. Tess Pender, M. Div.
MOTHER. GRANDMOTHER. METAPHYSICIAN. FEMINIST.
In Honor of Tess Pender
MY MOTHER
She was just sixteen and a half when I was born exactly one year after her marriage to my dad - I was their first anniversary gift, born four weeks early. I was their only child.
They divorced when I was young... I don't remember our togetherness, actually. I was about four and a half when their divorce was finalized.
Although she didn't finish high school, she opted to continue her education in college. It was at San Jose State University that my mom hosted a radio program on the college station, in which she began each broadcast with Helen Reddy's I Am Woman before taking on all topics related to women's rights.
It was also in college that she met a practicing metaphysician who invited my mom to join regular gatherings at her house with other seekers. From meditation to energy work, to visualization and manifesting, to the practice of psychic skills, my mom's journey toward her eclectic spiritual path began. And she took me with her.
It was the dawning of the 70s and The Age of Aquarius was our backdrop.
She was just sixteen and a half when I was born exactly one year after her marriage to my dad - I was their first anniversary gift, born four weeks early. I was their only child.
They divorced when I was young... I don't remember our togetherness, actually. I was about four and a half when their divorce was finalized.
Although she didn't finish high school, she opted to continue her education in college. It was at San Jose State University that my mom hosted a radio program on the college station, in which she began each broadcast with Helen Reddy's I Am Woman before taking on all topics related to women's rights.
It was also in college that she met a practicing metaphysician who invited my mom to join regular gatherings at her house with other seekers. From meditation to energy work, to visualization and manifesting, to the practice of psychic skills, my mom's journey toward her eclectic spiritual path began. And she took me with her.
It was the dawning of the 70s and The Age of Aquarius was our backdrop.
MY MENTOR
As a child, my mom supported my spiritual growth and experimentation with the mystical. As an astrological hobbyist, my mom taught me the fundamentals of every zodiac sign - its glyph, symbol, element, date ranges and characteristics - claiming that she was careful not to be too adamant about any side, as I just might take the opposite to balance my Libra scales. But, she was an Aries, and extremism was her go-to!
In addition to attending many of the metaphysical gatherings with her - learning to meditate, hold my hands over people to give them energy, and affirm collectively the desired manifestations of others - these "New Age" teachings were incorporated into my upbringing. When I was sick, my mom would guide me with creative visualizations to "heal" myself. And so I did.
My mom so loved philosophy, science fiction, women's studies, equality and justice for all, engaging conversations, and working to create a better world. Her passion for humanitarian ideals and metaphysical teachings were lovingly passed down to me. Although I went through a phase of wanting to be "normal," I never really disconnected from my foundation, ever holding it tenderly in my being.
As a child, my mom supported my spiritual growth and experimentation with the mystical. As an astrological hobbyist, my mom taught me the fundamentals of every zodiac sign - its glyph, symbol, element, date ranges and characteristics - claiming that she was careful not to be too adamant about any side, as I just might take the opposite to balance my Libra scales. But, she was an Aries, and extremism was her go-to!
In addition to attending many of the metaphysical gatherings with her - learning to meditate, hold my hands over people to give them energy, and affirm collectively the desired manifestations of others - these "New Age" teachings were incorporated into my upbringing. When I was sick, my mom would guide me with creative visualizations to "heal" myself. And so I did.
My mom so loved philosophy, science fiction, women's studies, equality and justice for all, engaging conversations, and working to create a better world. Her passion for humanitarian ideals and metaphysical teachings were lovingly passed down to me. Although I went through a phase of wanting to be "normal," I never really disconnected from my foundation, ever holding it tenderly in my being.
MY MUSE
I watched my mom continue along her spiritual path after I moved out for college and began my own life journey. In addition to discovering sweat lodges and going on vision quests, my mom found a church that met her holistic spiritual views and, within a few years, decided she wanted to become a minister. The Center for Spiritual Enlightenment, based in San Jose, CA, didn't have a ministry program at the time, so with the support of the church leaders, she helped create one! My mom, along with a small group of ministry students, were the first to graduate from the four-year interfaith program in 2000. She completed her thesis on the value of Sacred Rituals. Her passion for living boldly into her spirituality inspired me!
From Goddess study, to Eastern philosophies, to Native American spirituality, to earth-focused rituals, I inherited many of my mom's spiritual interests.
By 2006, my mom and I began teaching Intuitive Skills together; first in person, and by 2017 we were teaching via Zoom. She often accompanied me when I worked holistic and psychic fairs where I would speak and offer Akashic Records readings. She was the backbone in my launching of Whole Soul Revolution - a series of episodes I created in 2015-16 - and always enthusiastic about supporting my visions and inspirations!
I watched my mom continue along her spiritual path after I moved out for college and began my own life journey. In addition to discovering sweat lodges and going on vision quests, my mom found a church that met her holistic spiritual views and, within a few years, decided she wanted to become a minister. The Center for Spiritual Enlightenment, based in San Jose, CA, didn't have a ministry program at the time, so with the support of the church leaders, she helped create one! My mom, along with a small group of ministry students, were the first to graduate from the four-year interfaith program in 2000. She completed her thesis on the value of Sacred Rituals. Her passion for living boldly into her spirituality inspired me!
From Goddess study, to Eastern philosophies, to Native American spirituality, to earth-focused rituals, I inherited many of my mom's spiritual interests.
By 2006, my mom and I began teaching Intuitive Skills together; first in person, and by 2017 we were teaching via Zoom. She often accompanied me when I worked holistic and psychic fairs where I would speak and offer Akashic Records readings. She was the backbone in my launching of Whole Soul Revolution - a series of episodes I created in 2015-16 - and always enthusiastic about supporting my visions and inspirations!
MY MEMORY
In February of 2018, my mom discovered she had Stage IV pancreatic cancer and passed away six months later, just ten days after losing my husband. She was only 68.
Both fire signs (my husband was a Sagittarius), I jokingly remark of their consecutive passing, "They were so competitive, they were even racing to the death!"
I am so grateful she was in my home, with hospice care and her family, when she left her body. As altars were central to her, I created an altar at her headboard during those days of dancing between worlds - her thesis book, a goddess, flowers, candles... each of the elements were represented, just as she had taught me decades before.
In February of 2018, my mom discovered she had Stage IV pancreatic cancer and passed away six months later, just ten days after losing my husband. She was only 68.
Both fire signs (my husband was a Sagittarius), I jokingly remark of their consecutive passing, "They were so competitive, they were even racing to the death!"
I am so grateful she was in my home, with hospice care and her family, when she left her body. As altars were central to her, I created an altar at her headboard during those days of dancing between worlds - her thesis book, a goddess, flowers, candles... each of the elements were represented, just as she had taught me decades before.
In Honor of Her Work
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WRITER
My mom always wanted to write a book! She was an avid reader, consuming up to three books a week. Books were her "life." In 2017 she submitted numerous articles for publication in OM Times Magazine. I've included those articles, and others I found, in my blog for all to enjoy. |
In Her Words
In my ministry, I want to carry the message that the Divine is in each of us, instantly accessible and responsive. I want to tell a story of empowerment and joy. I want to share my experience of the Divine Presence, even when I was not sure I believed there was One! Ritual and ceremony carried me into the arms of the Goddess; I believe they are an ancient and effective means to feel the care and attention of Divine Parent. My message is that each of us can feel Spirit within us, around us, and through us.
~ Rev. Tess Pender, M. Div.