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Archaeological discoveries from the earliest periods of human evolution support the supposition that our earliest societies were matriarchal. Recognizing the parallel between the fertility of the Earth which produced and sustained life and the female power of bringing forth and nourishing new life, our female ancestors were held in highest esteem. Because the concept of deity was conceptualized as the Great Mother, priestesses--rather than their later-day brother priests--were the hearts of the clans and tribes and in large measure, they established the daily and seasonal activities and spiritual rites of their groups.
Sexuality, sexual intercourse and procreation, during those early times, was accepted as sacred, mystical, life-affirming and fundamental to our nature. There were no fears or prohibitions against the act of love; sex behavior was a natural part of life…as natural as any other bodily or spiritual activity and practiced just as openly. Further, the rituals developed to honor the Mother Goddess very often involved sexual activity between priestesses and also the priestess and her male consorts.
Although this paradigm began to shift during the early 5th or 6th century BC with the rise of aggressive hunter/gatherer tribes over the gentler gatherer/agricultural groups, even through the 4th and early 3rd centuries sex possessed no attached stigma or shame. Same sex relationships were accepted as simply another form of lovemaking and most sexual relationships and activities were accepted as a normal, natural part of life with males and females held as equally important in society.
It was not until the latest parts of the last century BC and increasingly so into the later centuries AD, that sex began to be viewed almost universally as something potentially dangerous to be maligned and even feared. In response to the increasingly patriarchal society, women's place in society fell dramatically from equal and consort to persona non grata as established religions took away her ability to follow her natural inclinations and choose a more dominant or submissive role in her relationships as suited her innate nature. In step with and largely responsible for the devaluation of the female was the rise of the ideological concept of the Male God in all but the most "pagan" societies.
Today, in our "advanced civilized society," and especially in those societies dominated by the Judaic/Christian/Muslim religions, we have yet to rise above the fearful shame of our sexuality which was once so highly valued. Although there have been hard-won battles for greater sexual equality and the recognition of the naturalness of same-sex relationships, one need only read the political and crime sections of the daily newspaper to be convinced we've yet a long way to go. Women still earn less than their male counterparts. Prejudice as well as sexual and hate crimes abound.
When viewed in this light, one wonders just how far we've come in the evolution of our societies and our belief systems.
Within the pagan community however, (as well as some eastern traditions and non-theist groups) one still finds that earlier, more natural approach to human sexuality. Rather than being legislated and feared, sex and lovemaking are still held as sacred, free, life-affirming activities. Couples, whether same sex or heterosexual, need not fear or hide their love for one another and public displays of that love are not despised. In fact, sex is often celebrated as an integral part of the ritual observance of the changing of the seasons, worship and also as a method of "raising the power" of an individual, couple or group engaging in magickal practice. (This raising of power by combining and controlling or timing the release of sexual energies is the foundation of the ancient tantric sexual practices so currently in vogue predominantly among those who do not understand their origins or inherent power.)
Here, as is so often seen when comparing our modern, "evolved" thinking with the ancient ways, one can clearly see that the latter are distinctly preferable to the former. So much for the evolution of civilization and philosophy, eh?
