Hail Holy Ostara! Hail the daughter born at Delling’s door, At the gate of day who bears the morning light! Hail Ostara, Lady of the Spring Dawn! ~ Heathen Kinship Blessings As you probably know, the Vernal Equinox arrives on Tuesday, March 20 (at 1:15am, Eastern time). For Pagans, Witches, and many other Earth-centered spiritual … Read more
While I am out of town, I am offering this beautiful essay from astrologer Rhea Wolf. Consider it a belated Happy International Woman’s Day gift, as well as my regular Goddess Sunday feature. I am sure this is not the only time this year that, instead of highlighting a conventional, historic Goddess, I’ll be holding … Read more
Give me a look, give me a face, that makes simplicity a grace; Robes loosely flowing, hair as free — Such sweet neglect more taketh me Than all the adulteries of art: They strike mine eyes, but not my heart. ~ from Epicæne; Or, the Silent Woman by Benjamin Johnson (1572-1637) If you have been … Read more
Through the beauty of a woman — the best way to give content to the Absolute. ~ Saundarya Lahari If you recall from last Sunday, here is our story of the Great Goddess Parvati so far… The God Shiva has withdrawn from the worlds of Gods and humans, heartbroken by the death of His beloved, … Read more
Banded with a tinkling girdle Heavy with breasts like the frontal lobes of young elephants. Slender of waist, With face like the full moon of autumn… ~ traditional Hymn of Praises to Parvati Tonight, millions of Hindus around the world will be celebrating Maha Shivaratri, The Night Of Lord Shiva, the great God of … Read more
She clothed herself with garments which the Graces and Hours had made for her and dyed in flowers of spring – such flowers as the Seasons wear – in crocus and hyacinth and flourishing violet and the rose’s lovely bloom, so sweet and delicious, and heavenly buds, the flowers of the narcissus and lily. In … Read more
Fire in the forge that shapes and tempers. Fire of the hearth that nourishes and heals. Fire in the head that incites and inspires. ~ The Three-Fold Fire of Brighid, Ord Brighideach Continuing the discussion of Brigid begun last week, even after the Roman Catholic Church banned all Pagan ways, She was so firmly and … Read more
Brighid of the Mantles encompass us Lady of the Lambs protect us Keeper of the Hearth kindle us Beneath your mantle gather us And Restore us to memory. ~ from An Invocation to Brighid, by Rowan Fairgrove In addition to declaring this year a celebration of my fortieth anniversary as a Tarot reader, I am … Read more
The birth of the Goddess Inanna has been celebrated annually on this day since ancient times. Inanna is the Sumerian Queen of Heaven and Earth, and a deity who presides over both love and war. Inanna, Lady of Largest Heart Inanna child of the Moon God a soft bud swelling her queen’s robe cloaks the … Read more