10/30/2011

Dia de los Muertos

Over the next few days, there are many honoring and celebrating different holidays, such as Samhain, Hallowmas, and All Souls Day. In our part of the world (Sonoran Desert), this time is also known as Dia de los Muertos, or the "Day of the Dead."

This day goes back over 3,500 years in Mexico, as well as many parts of the U.S., Central America and Spain. It was presided over by the Lady of the Dead, the Aztec Goddess Mictecacihuatl. Other names for Her include: La Catrina (see photo), La Flaca, La Huesuda, and La Pelona (Fancy, Skinny, Bony, and Baldy Lady). Ultimately, She is the expression of La Muerte - Death.

People observe this day by dancing and wearing wooden skull masks known as calacas. This is done to show respect for their relatives who have passed over. Family gravesites and altars are decorated with sugar skulls, marigolds, candles, food, and other items specific to the ancestors' past occupations and what they enjoyed.

This festival actually takes place over many days, beginning with the spirits of the children (angelitos) arriving the night of October 31st. The spirits of the adults follow soon after on November 1st. After a family meal on November 2nd, they are all bid a fond farewell until the following year.

Blessings to you and your ancestors!

10/27/2011

Happy Diwali!


Some beautiful photos of the Hindu Diwali are found on this page:




(photo: copyright AP / A. Solanki.)

10/26/2011

New Moon Blessings!



The slightest tendril of light can reveal the potential in darkness.

Etruscan pottery sherd




Found in Poggio Colla, Italy by a blind archeologist: "thought to hold the ruins of a 2,700-year-old pilgrimage site or religious sanctuary for an underworld deity." See the link below for more details.

10/23/2011

Hymn to Ishtar

Akkadian Hymn to Ishtar
(Translated by F. J. Stephens)

She is clothed with pleasure and love.
She is laden with vitality, charm, and voluptuousness.
Ishtar is clothed with pleasure and love.
She is laden with vitality, charm, and voluptuousness.
In lips she is sweet; life is in her mouth.
At her appearance rejoicing becomes full.
She is glorious; veils are thrown over her head.
Her figure is beautiful; her eyes are brilliant.
The goddess - with her there is counsel.
The fate of everything she holds in her hand.
At her glance there is created joy,
power, magnificence, the protecting deity and guardian spirit.
She dwells in, she pays heed to compassion and friendliness.
Besides, agreeableness she truly possesses.
Be it slave, unattached girl, or mother, she preserves (her).
One calls on her; among women one names her name.
Who - to her greatness who can be equal?
Strong, exalted, splendid are her decrees.
Ishtar - to her greatness who can be equal?
Strong, exalted, splendid are her decrees.
She is sought after among the gods;
extraordinary is her station.
Respected is her word; it is supreme over them.
Ishtar among the gods, extraordinary is her station.
Respected is her word; it is supreme over them.


Honor the Goddess - Devotional Section In Her Name

Lion of Ishtar


One of the lions on Ishtar's Gate.

10/15/2011

Temple Detail


Column detail of Hathor Temple.
Hail Lady of the House of Jubilation,
The One Who Fills the Sanctuary with Joy,
Mistress of the West and Lady of the Sycamore!

Temple of Hathor


Temple of the Goddess Hathor, Egypt.

Photo courtesy of Sacred Sites.com and included on this page:  Hathor Temple


Student application deadline

Just a reminder that we are nearing the end of the Nov. 1st enrollment date for our Temple of Learning home-study courses. Those student applications received after this Friday (the 21st) will be saved and processed for our Dec. 1st enrollment. If you have any questions please let us know. Thank you, and many Blessings In Her Name!

10/11/2011

Full Moon Blessings


Nighthawk flies on shifting strands of moonbeams and stardust.
Blessings of the Full Moon in Aries to all:
May She inspire the fire of creativity within you!

Sarasvati Vandana


Saraswati Vandana

May Goddess Saraswati,
Who is bedecked with white kunda flowers,
Who has worn pure white clothes resembling snow and moon,
Who is holding a veena as her danda or instrument
to draw the attention of her devotees/students,
Who is sitting on a white lotus
And one who is worshipped at all times by Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
May she remove my laziness and ignorance.
My salutations to such a Goddess of knowledge.



Enjoy more devotions to the Goddess in the "Honor" section of our site: In Her Name

The Swan of Sarasvati


The Goddess Sarasvati sometimes rides upon a swan, which is said to be able to discern untainted milk, from milk mixed with water. This symbolizes the ability to recognize pure wisdom for the benefit of all beings.

Reminder: Temple of Learning

We are currently accepting applications for the Nov. 1st enrollment in our home-study school.

Please see this section for more information:  Temple of Learning

Traditional Ute Earth Prayer


Ute Earth Prayer

Earth teach me quiet, as the grasses are still with new light.
Earth teach me suffering, as old stones suffer with memory.
Earth teach me humility, as blossoms are humble with beginning.
Earth teach me caring, as mothers nurture their young.
Earth teach me courage, as the tree that stands alone.
Earth teach me limitation, as the ant that crawls on the ground.
Earth teach me freedom, as the eagle that soars in the sky.
Earth teach me acceptance, as the leaves that die each fall.
Earth teach me renewal, as the seed that rises in the spring.
Earth teach me to forget myself, as melted snow forgets its life.
Earth teach me to remember kindness, as dry fields weep with rain.

Photo:  Ute rock art.

See the Devotions pages in the Honor Section of our website for more prayers:  In Her Name

Welcome!

All are welcomed In Her Name,
and In Her Name, all are Blessed!


The beautiful painting currently on the entrance page of our website is by Montserrat.