The Three Fold Brighid - Goddess, Saint and Druidess

The 1st or 2nd of February is the sacred day of Brighid, the triple formed Celtic Goddess, Saint and Druidress.

 

Within Irish mythology, Brighid (whose name means, amongst others, "exalted one") was one of three daughters of the Dagda, the chief God of the Tuatha de Danann, all of whom were named Brighid.  She was also the wife of Bres (a Fomorian) to whom she had a son named Ruadan.

 

We were made for these times

The following article by Clarissa Pinkola-Estes, poet, Jungian psychoanalyst, post-trauma specialist, author of Women who Run with the Wolves, recently came up on my feed which I thought needed to be shared as indeed, if mainstream media is anything to go by, times do appear to be extremely bleak for not only our species but also our planet.  Yet, Ms Pinkola-Estes urges us not to give up hope, for ....

We Were Made For These Times

by Clarissa Pinkola-Estes

My friends, do not lose heart. We were made for these times. I have heard from so many recently who are deeply and properly bewildered. They are concerned about the state of affairs in our world now. Ours is a time of almost daily astonishment and often righteous rage over the latest degradations of what matters most to civilized, visionary people.

Peace: Cultivating the Seed Within

We can learn to locate the seed of peace inside ourselves

in order to have a reliable source of serenity.

 

In our noisy world, we often find ourselves longing for peace and searching to find it somewhere else.  While it is true that there are places we can visit where we can experience peace, such as sacred sites or buildings, we do not need to wait until we get to one of these places to feel at peace.  Instead, we can learn to locate the seed of peace inside ourselves and cultivate it so that it grows into a reliable source of serenity that we can always access, no matter where we are.

Sister Moon Circles

A lot has happened over the last 12 months and now with the new calendar year fast approaching, pieces are in the process of being picked up again.  One of the first things that will be on offer in 2017  are the Sister Moon Circles.

Commencing on Friday, 27 January 2016 (the Friday closest to the first new moon of the new year) these circles will be open to women of all ages and backgrounds who desire to gather together in order to explore and share various aspects of life that relates, nourishes and strengthens our own personal connectedness to the feminine energy in our modern world.

Sister Circles are continuing the "Legacy of Women"

Waking up to a peaceful morning, my attention was drawn to the following excerpt from Jamie Sams' book, The Thirteen Original Clan Mothers: Your Sacred Path to Discovering the Gifts, Talents, and Abilities of the Feminine Through the Ancient Teachings of the Sisterhood.  Realising that it had in fact been some 15 years since I read this book, and considering that I am currently in the process of formulating community based "Sister Circles", the synchronicity of things brought a smile to my face.  Synchronicity?  Or maybe it is the way of the Goddess, the Sacred She, working  Her subtle ways yet again.

 

Memories of the Soul

This post about Past Life Regression is by Madisyn Taylor of Daily Om.

 

 

The effects of a past life can manifest in your current life in many ways

but should be used as a tool, not an excuse.

 

 

Inside our subconscious lie our memories from past lives.   Though we seldom remember even having lived these past lives, the experiences we had living them have had a hand in shaping who we are today.  The effects of a past life can manifest in a later lifetime in many ways - phobias, self-limiting beliefs, physical problems, or innate creative abilities.  Violence, death, and trauma in a past life may show up as fear, uncontrollable anger, or low self-esteem in this one, while positive experiences from an earlier lifetime may cause you to feel strongly drawn to certain people, places, or objects without knowing why.

A Time for Much Needed Peace

If there is to be peace in the world,
There must be peace in the nations.

If there is to be peace in the nations,
There must be peace in the cities.

If there is to be peace in the cities,
There must be peace between neighbours.

If there is to be peace between neighbours
There must be peace in the home.

If there is to be peace in the home,
There must be peace in the heart.

 

Chinese philosopher, Lao-tse (6th Century BCE)

 

 

During this time of sadness when violence and hatred seems to be increasing, may we turn our attention to the Greek Goddess Eirene (also known as Irene) who is the Goddess of peace, as well as being the Goddess of Spring (eiar, eiarinos).  For the ancient Greeks late spring was regarded as the usual campaign season and naturally the time when peace was most at risk.

Eirene, being one of the Horai, Goddesses of the seasons and who were also the keepers of the gates of heaven, was naturally called upon by many at this time.  Her sisters were Eunomia (Goddess of Order or Good-Pasture) and Dike (Goddess of Justice).

 

        "How far peace outweighs war in benefits to man; Eirene (Irene, Peace),

the chief friend and cherisher of the Mousai (Muses);

Eirene (Peace), the enemy of revenge, lover of families and children,

patroness of wealth. Yet these blessings we viciously neglect, embrace wars;

man with man, city with city fights, the strong enslaves the weak."

 

Euripides, Suppliant Women 484 ff (trans. Vellacott) (Greek tragedy c5th BCE)

Lakshmi: The Hindu Goddess of Beauty and Prosperity

O Lakshmi, the one who has lotus-like eyes,

Who has lotus in hand,

Who is the most-dazzling white in complexion,

Who has a garland full of fragrance of various plants,

Who is the Goddess, Who is dear to Hari, Who is beautiful,

Who provides wealth to all the three worlds!

Please shower happiness on me.

(Author unknown)

 

Known since pre-Buddhist times, Lakshmi is one of the more popular Goddesses found within the Hindu pantheon.  Since last epic period (c.400 CE) she has been associated with Vishu as his consort, and plays the role of the model Hindu wife, obediently serving her husband. 

 

With her name being derived from the Sanskrit word Laksya (meaning “aim” or “goal”), Lakshmi was also known as Shri, was the Goddess associated with prosperity, wellbeing, royal power and illustriousness. As she was the embodiment of all these qualities it was believed that when these qualities were evident, the Goddess was present or would soon reveal herself.  Lakshmi was further considered to be the embodiment of loveliness, grace and charm, and was also worshipped as a Goddess who granted liberation from the endless cycle of life, death and rebirth.

 

Reflections of Self

The following essay comes to us from Madisyn Taylor of Daily Om in that we are all mirrors for each other.

 

 

People you feel drawn to reflect your inner self back at you,

and you act as a mirror for them as well.

 

 

When we look at other people, we see many of their qualities in innumerable and seemingly random combinations. However, the qualities that we see in the people around us are directly related to the traits that exist in us. “Like attracts like” is one of the spiritual laws of the universe. We attract individuals into our lives that mirror who we are.  Those you feel drawn to reflect your inner self back at you, and you act as a mirror for them.

 

Simply put, when you look at others, you will likely see what exists in you. When you see beauty, divinity, sweetness, or light in the soul of another, you are seeing the goodness that resides in your soul. When you see traits in others that evoke feelings of anger, annoyance, or hatred, you may be seeing reflected back at you those parts of yourself that you have disowned or do not like.

Is there the need for Community Sacred Circles for Women

Not being able to work over the last few months due to health reasons (a situation that will continue into the new year) has not prevented my mind from churning over an array of possibilities of what I would like to put into motion in the future.  When I was diagnosed with cancer, my doctor did say to me that my current perception on life and what is important to me will change, and whilst not necessarily a surprising change, one of the things that has been in the forefront of my mind over the last couple of weeks is the ongoing need for Goddess or women's circles in our modern times.

 

It was this deep need for such a circle myself that resulted in me establishing The Goddess House in 2007 where I set about to create a venue where women could gather to experience for themselves that the divine feminine is all about.  After all, whilst we are familiar with the divine masculine the God, still today many women do not realise that there is indeed also a Goddess, and in fact she was the first deity ever honoured by out ancestors - and in some cultures, still is very much alive even today.

The Flow of the Universe - Enjoying the Ride

This posting comes from Madisyn Taylor of Daily Om.

 

The Flow of the Universe - Enjoying the Ride

 

by Madisyn Taylor

 

Many people live their lives struggling against the current

while others use the flow like a mighty wind.

 

 

The flow of the universe moves through everything.  It is in the rocks that form, get pounded into dust, and are blown away, the sprouting of a summer flower born from a seed planted in the spring, the growth cycle that every human being goes through, and the current that takes us down our life’s paths.  When we move with the flow, rather than resisting it, we are riding on the universal current that allows us to flow with life.

The Dark Goddess and my Descent

It has been a number of months since my last posting here at The Goddess House and this has largely been because of various change in circumstances, the most recent coming for a forefront about four weeks ago.  However, from a place of  contemplation and reflection, this current change has actually began its progress some 10 years ago.

 

It was in about 2006 that I first commenced workshops on what was then a rather neglected and misunderstood aspect of the Divine Feminine, that of the "dark" goddess.  Contrary to public opinion at the time (and still even today in some circles) that this Underworldly aspect of the Feminine Divine was restricted to that of the Crone and the dark moon, through my own exploration of mythology and folklore, I felt that there was indeed more to her than this. 

 

The Use of Mantras in Daily Life

The word mantra has two parts: man, which is the root of the Sanskrit word for mind; and tra, which is the root of the word instrument. A mantra is therefore an instrument of the mind, a powerful sound or vibration that you can use to enter a deep state of meditation.

 

According to the Vedic tradition, the ancient sages were able to hear the subtle vibrations produced by everything in nature ― the sounds of the wind, thunder, butterflies, rushing rivers and all other creations. They recognized that these sounds are the manifestation of spirit into matter. They identified “Om” (or aum) as the most elemental sound, representing the infinite universal consciousness. For thousands of years, people have used this mantra to expand their awareness of the divine.

See me at the Seven Sisters Festival (27-29 March)

Neolithic Snake Goddess

At the end of this month I have the great honour of being at the Seven Sisters Festival that will be held at Mt Martha, Victoria from Friday, 27 to Sunday, 29 March 2015.  This three day festival specifically gathers for the modern woman of the 21st century who balances technology and careers with health and spirituality.  As such, I am delighted to be presenting an introduction workshop on Goddess spirituality - in fact on who actually the Goddess is.

 

For the emerging woman the word "Goddess" can present a wide array of interpretations from an ancient creatrix who was worshipped during some distant time through to meaning "feminine energy" and the space that all women hold - we are all "Goddesses".  In my talk I will be focusing on the first interpretation - Goddess as an ancient creatrix whose stories of creation can still be found and whose sacred temples still remind us today that She once held the key to the universe.

 

Om Mani Padme Hum mantra meaning

The use of mantras often forms a common part of the meditation circle that occurs at The Goddess House and one of the more popular mantras is the OM MANI PADNE HUM mantra which means "the jewel is in the lotus" or even "praise to the jewel in the lotus".

The following is a transcription of a lecture given by His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th (and current) Dalai Lama of Tibet, at the Kalmuck Mongolian Buddhist Centre, New Jersey, explaining that this sacred mantra actually means.

Chakra Clearing exercise

Looking after our spiritual bodies is just as important as looking after our physical bodies.  In this article by Madisyn Taylor from Daily Om, she looks at ways of how to cleanse our energy centres, the chakras, in order to gain clarity of the soul.

 

Just as the spaces we inhabit need to be cleared of clutter,

our energetic fields must also be cleared of the old.

 

Just as the physical spaces we inhabit require that we clear them periodically of clutter, the energetic fields that are a vital part of our being must also be cleared of old thoughts, energy, and emotions. Clearing your chakras and your aura restores and strengthens your connection to yourself and your divine inner wisdom. Unfettered by energetic baggage masquerading as fear, pain, and self-hatred, your consciousness is once again free to grow.  If you find the thought of clearing your energy fields disconcerting, simply think of it as cleansing the energy that surrounds you and releasing any stagnancy. You may not be able to see the results of your efforts, but you will experience a lightness of being and clarity of mind.

Orphic Hymn to Night [Nyx]

Night [Nyx], parent goddess, source of sweet repose,

from whom at first both Gods and men arose,
Hear, blessed Venus [Kypris],

deck'd with starry light, in sleep's deep silence dwelling Ebon night!
Dreams and soft case attend thy dusky train,

pleas'd with the length'ned gloom and feaftful strain.
Dissolving anxious care, the friend of Mirth,

with darkling coursers riding round the earth.

Witnessing Nature through Meditation

Bringing our spiritual practices into our mundane lives can often be a stumbling block for many people, and as such, it is easy to keep the two separate and often distant from each other where we end up almost living two separate lives - one focused on our daily existence where we deal with work, family, study, socialising with friends etc; and the other containing our spiritual persuasions and pursuits which is often the first to be compromised when we attempt to meet all the demands of modern day life.  Yet, bringing the spiritual into the mundane can be a lot easier than what may first be realised.