12/30/2017

News: Brazilians honor Sea Goddess



From the Article:

"Hundreds of practitioners of Brazil’s Afro-Brazilian Candomble and Umbanda faiths have gathered at Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana beach to honor the sea goddess Yemanja in a traditional New Year tribute.  A large statue of the goddess in flowing white and blue robes was carried by truck to the beach on Friday. Worshippers were mostly dressed in white as they launched their offerings to Yemanja: small boats with flowers and bowls with candles and fruits. Night-long music and dancing follow the offerings."

 
 
 
(AP Photo/L. Correa, copyright reserved)

12/20/2017

Solstice Blessings

 
Happy Winter Solstice!
May you always find magic in your heart and in Nature.
 
 
(art copyright Morgainelefee, deviantart)

In Her Name ~ Temple of Learning

12/11/2017

Virgen de Guadalupe


December 12th is the Feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, whom many believe evolved from the ancient Goddess Tonantzin, (Mother Earth) of the Nahuan.
 
"Am I not here, who is your Mother?
Are you not under my protection?
Am I not your health?
Are you not happily within my fold?
What else do you wish?
Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything."
(The Nican Mopohua)


 

("Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe" copyright Maya Telford)

In Her Name ~ Temple of Learning

 

12/03/2017

News: 27 statues of goddess Sekhmet unearthed in Luxor

"An Egyptian-European archaeological mission working in Luxor Governorate uncovered a collection of 27 fragmented statues of the lioness goddess Sekhmet, ‎Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities said in a statement on Sunday. He added that some of the statues depict the goddess Sekhmet sitting on the throne, holding the symbol of life in her left hand, or standing and holding a papyrus scepter in front of her chest. The head is crowned with a sun disk and the Uraeus adorns her forehead. "

12/02/2017

Full Moon Blessings


Happy Full Moon in Gemini!
May you find wisdom and beauty in her rays.
 
 
("Gemini" copyright Susan Seddon Boulet)

11/26/2017

Goddess news: Kasnakovo and Southern Turkey



"Archaeologists have discovered a unique statue of the goddess Isis and a marble head of satire in the Sanctuary of the Nymphs and Aphrodite near the Dimitrovgrad village of Kasnakovo."





"Archeologists discovered a statue of the Greek goddess Hygieia and god Eros in Turkey's southern province of Adana, shedding light on the region's ancient history."

 
 
 
(1st photo copyright bTV, 2nd copyright, AA Photo)
 

11/21/2017

Iroquois Prayer of Thanks

 
We return thanks to our mother, the earth,
which sustains us.
We return thanks to the rivers and streams,
which supply us with water.
We return thanks to all herbs,
which furnish medicines for the cure of our diseases.
We return thanks to the corn, and to her sisters,
the beans and squashes,
which give us life.
We return thanks to the bushes and trees,
which provide us with fruit.
We return thanks to the wind,
which, moving the air, has banished diseases.
We return thanks to the moon and the stars,
which have given us their light when the sun was gone.
We return thanks to our grandfather He-no,
that he has protected his grandchildren
and has given us his rain.
We return thanks to the sun,
that he has looked upon the earth with a beneficent eye.
Lastly, we return thanks to the Great Spirit,
in whom is embodied all goodness,
and who directs all things for the good of all.

Traditional Iroquois
 
 

11/15/2017

Enrollment Reminder


Our home-study school is currently accepting applications for the last enrollment period in 2017. 

If you would like to learn more about our Goddess-centered correspondence courses or Priestess training program, please visit the website link below. Thank you!

 
 

11/09/2017

Hymn to Persephone


TO PROSERPINE

"Illustrious, horned, of a bounteous mind,
Alone desired by those of mortal kind.
O, Vernal Queen, whom grassy plains delight,
Sweet to the smell, and pleasing to the sight:
Whose holy form in budding fruits we view,
Earth's vigorous offspring of a various hue.

"Espoused in Autumn: life and death alone
To wretched mortals from thy power is known:
For thine the task according to thy will,
Life to produce, and all that lives to kill.
Hear, blessed Goddess, send a rich increase
Of various fruits from earth, with lovely Peace;

"Send Health with gentle hand, and crown my life
With blest abundance, free from noisy strife;
Last in extreme old age the prey of Death,
Dismiss we willing to the realms beneath,
To thy fair palace, and the blissful plains
Where happy spirits dwell, and Pluto reigns."
 


("The Hymns of Orpheus", trans. T. Taylor; painting by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, 1874.)

In Her Name ~ Temple of Learning

11/03/2017

Happy Full Moon!


November's full moon is often referred to as the Beaver or the Frost Moon. In our area of the Sonoran Desert, the native Tohono O'odham refer to it as the "Moon of the Fair-Cold".

May the Taurus Moon manifest your dreams and visions
into beautiful expressions of creativity!
 
 

10/30/2017

Dia de los Muertos blessings


The holiday of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) begins on the evening of October 31st.  On that night, the small angelitos (spirit children) arrive, with the spirits of the adults following on the 1st of  November.  Family graves are decorated and altars created to honor the occupations and preferences of the ancestors.  On Nov. 2nd, a large family meal is shared with favorite foods and the spirits are bid a fond goodbye until the next year.
 
These activities mirror an ancient Aztec festival, which honored the Lady of the Dead - the Goddess Mictecacihuatl - during the summer corn harvest.   It is now celebrated at the time of Samhain, Halloween and All Soul's Day in many parts of the world, including the U.S., Central America and Spain.

May you always walk with the wisdom of your ancestors.



("Soul Searching", La Catrina painting by Cat Ashworth, copyright reserved)

10/18/2017

10/04/2017

Full Moon Blessings

 
Blessings of the Full Moon in Aries.
May you always find strength in the beauty of Nature.



In Her Name ~ Temple of Learning

9/22/2017

Equinox Blessings

 
Blessings of the Autumn Equinox.
May you always find the balance of the light within the dark.
 
 
 

(artwork copyright Ameliethe, DeviantArt)

9/20/2017

Blessings of Navratri!

 
This year's Sharad Navratri begins on September 21st and is celebrated through Sept. 30th. During this festival of the nine nights, nine forms of the Mother Goddess Shakti/Devi are honored. Each region in India celebrates this festival according to their own tradition, but in some areas three days each are dedicated to Durga, Lakshmi and Sarasvati, respectively. This holiday culminates on the 10th day with the observance of Vijayadashami.

 

 

(Garba dance photo, copyright H. Jadeja.)

9/18/2017

News: Searching for Temple of Athena in Manisa


From the article:

" . . they are trying to understand whether the temple was dedicated to Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. Sezgin remarked that the region on which they were continuing the excavations signaled a carefully selected location for a temple. “It is not known whether there are Temples of Athena in all of the 12 cities built by the people of Aiol south of İzmir during ancient times. On the other hand, Goddess Athena’s head was depicted on the coins from the Hellenistic-period in Aigai. In this respect, it can be deduced that she was one of the most important and protective goddesses of the city,” he said."



9/05/2017

Happy Full Moon

 
Blessings of the Full Corn Moon  in Pisces!
May the abundance of this season be shared by all.
 


In Her Name ~ Temple of Learning

9/01/2017

News article: Dao Mau Ritual



From the article:
"Dao Mau, the Mother Goddess ritual, is an ancient Vietnamese ritual that has been around since the sixteenth century. For the first time, Dao Mau ritual was performed on 18 August 2017 in Sofia, Bulgaria. The performance was organized by the Embassy of Vietnam in Sofia in collaboration with the State Cultural Institute to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The ritual pays tribute to three spheres of the universe: heaven, water, and earth (mountains and forests)."




(Mother Goddesses of the Three Realms, photo copyright UNESCO)

8/28/2017

Invocation of Hathor


Awake in peace!
You, yourself beautifully wake in peace!
 Hwt-Hrw, Mistress of Iunet, Awake in life!
 The Neteru themselves raise to worship you each day,
 The venerable sky!
 For you are the one, the ball of the sun that pierces the sky,
 Flooding the country side with gold, who brings life in the east,
 Who then immerses the setting sun each night in Iunet.
 Awake, Hwt-Hrw, in peace!
 The Great Mistress of Iunet, Eye of Ra,
Mistress of the sky,
 Queen of all the Neteru,
The venerable and powerful one
Who takes Her place in the barge!
 You, yourself Awake in peace!
 Awake in peace the Mistress of Iunet,
Queen of women, beautiful of face,
 Whose eyes are made-up, whose breasts shimmer,
The Mistress of costume and beauty!
 You, yourself wake in peace!
 Awake in peace beautiful woman whose love is soft,
The Mistress of the Menat,
 Queen of the Sistrum, your son - Ihy, the child - appeases you!
 You, yourself wake in peace!
 


(Invocation from "Dendera I: Traduction” by S. Cauville, trans. K. Wisner. Hathor column, Dendera Temple.)

In Her Name ~ Temple of Learning

8/20/2017

Eclipse Blessings

 
Blessings of the Solar Eclipse and New Moon in Leo!
May we receive what they reveal with courage and wisdom.
 
 
("Solar Eclipse" artwork copyright Sue Halstenberg) 
 
 

8/14/2017

Prayer to Nehalennia


Greetings Goddess Nehalennia,
 Greetings protective Mother,
 Goddess Nehalennia, who gives us fruitfulness,
 Goddess Nehalennia, who give the land bountifulness,
 Goddess Nehalennia, who protects the land from water,
 Goddess Nehalennia, who protects people against water,
 Goddess Nehalennia, who protects sailors and merchants from water,
 Goddess Nehalennia, who protects trade from water,
 Goddess Nehalennia, who brings prosperity through water,
 Goddess Nehalennia, protecting Mother hear our prayers.
 Protect us today against all dangers and grant us prosperity!
 
(Early prayer to  Nehalennia)



(Photo by M. Mabel of  shrine of Nehalennia approx. 150-250 CE, Netherlands. Showing her holding loaves of bread, with a dog and a basket of apples on either side.)

8/06/2017

Full Moon Blessings

 
Happy Full Moon in Aquarius!
May She pour forth beauty & blessings for you.
 
 
 
 
 
 
("Divine Grace" copyright F. Rassouli)

8/01/2017

Lammas/Lughnasadh Blessings

 
May you find beauty in nature and
sustenance in all forms this harvest season.
 

 

(Song of the Lark by J.A. Breton, 1884)
 

7/20/2017

Goddess Janguli

 
"Come, dear child, listen to me!
I am Janguli,
A magical lady most excellent,
A destroyer of poison.
All poisons are destroyed by my name."
 
 
 
(Quote from The Shikshasamucchaya, ca. 7th century)

7/13/2017

Enrollment reminder


The Temple of Learning, our home-study mystery school, is currently open for enrollment. If you would like to receive an enrollment guide or learn more about our Priestess training programs, please visit the website link below. Thank you!

 
 

7/07/2017

Full Moon Blessings

 
May the Thunder Moon in Capricorn
bring you illumination and clarity.
 
 
 
 
 
 

6/20/2017

Happy Solstice!

 
In ancient Baltic traditions, the Sun Goddess Saule rules the heavens and rides across the sky in her golden and silver chariot, pulled by twin stallions.
 
"Saule, with her two gold horses,
Rides up the stone mountain
Never heated, never weary.
Never resting on the way."
 
Her festival was held on the Summer Solstice - bonfires were lit, blessings were asked, flower wreaths signifying the sun were assembled, and a special meal was shared.  Celebrants would stay up the entire night to witness her rising.
 
"The Sun dances over the silver mountain
Silver shoes she hath on her feet. . ."
 
 
 
 
(Quotes from the "Encyclopaedia of Religion & Ethics", Ed. J. Hastings. Artwork copyright Annalceflames/DeviantArt.)

6/08/2017

Full Moon Blessings

 
Blessings of the Rose Moon in Sagittarius.
May She illuminate the beauty found within and around you.
 
 
 
In Her Name ~ Temple of Learning

6/01/2017

Hymn to Aurora

 
Hear me, O Goddess! Whose emerging ray
Leads on the broad refulgence of the day;
Blushing Aurora, whose celestial light
Beams on the world with reddening splendours bright:
Angel of Titan, whom with constant round,
Thy orient beams recall from night profound:
Labour of every kind to lead is thine,
Of mortal life the minister divine.
Mankind in thee eternally delight,
And none presumes to shun thy beauteous sight.
Soon as thy splendours break the bands of rest,
And eyes unclose with pleasing sleep oppressed;
Men, reptiles, birds, and beasts, with general voice,
And all the nations of the deep, rejoice;
For all the culture of our life is thine.
Come, blessed power! and to these rites incline:
Thy holy light increase, and unconfined;
Diffuse its radiance on thy mystic's mind.
 
 
("Hymn to Aurora", The Hymns of Orpheus, trans. T. Taylor, "Goddess of the Dawn" artwork by Evelyn De Morgan)
 
 

5/25/2017

National Geographic Reconstructing Face of Ancient Peruvian Priestess

 
From the article:
"National Geographic is in the process of reconstruction of La Señora de Cao, an ancient Governor-Priestess who ruled during the Moche civilization that developed on the northern coast of Peru during the 1st through 8th centuries."

5/10/2017

Festival honouring Forest Mother Goddess


"The event will bring together practitioners of Mother Goddess worship from all over the country and feature a variety of activities. . . The Mother Goddess of Forest is among the Mother Goddesses of the Three Realms in the Viet beliefs who look after heaven, water and mountains and forests."
 
 
 
(photo VNA)
 

Happy Full Moon


Blessings of the Flower Moon in Scorpio.
May you always feel the loving warmth of her rays!
 
 
 
 

4/30/2017

Beltane Blessings

 
May beauty and joy be yours, today and every day!
 
 
 
 
 
(painting by Henry Siddons Mowbray)

4/22/2017

Praise to Mother Earth


Behold! Our Mother Earth is lying here.
Behold! She gives of her fruitfulness.
Truly her power she gives us.
Give thanks to Mother Earth who lies here.

Behold on Mother Earth the growing fields!
Behind the promise of her fruitfulness!
Truly her power she gives us.
Give thanks to Mother Earth who lies here.
 Behold on Mother Earth the spreading trees!
Behold the promise of her fruitfulness!
Truly, her power she giveth to us,
Give thanks to Mother Earth who lieth here!

Behold on Mother Earth the running streams!
Behold the promise of her fruitfulness!
Truly, her power she giveth to us,
Give thanks to Mother Earth who lieth here!
 
 
 
(Traditional Pawnee chant, trans. A.C. Fletcher, artwork copyright Jaine Rose.)
 
 

4/19/2017

Celebrating the Goddess of the Sea in Hong Kong


From the article:
"The birthday of Tin Hau – who also goes by the names of A-ma and Ma Tsu in Macau and Taiwan – falls on the 23rd day of the third lunar month, which this year is April 19."



(In Taiwan, Tin Hau is known as Ma Tsu. Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

4/14/2017

Archaeologists Discovered 1500 Years Old Burial In Inner Mongolia



From the article:
"Archaeologists exhumed a Silk Covered body inside a coffin and a silver bowl depicting Greek goddesses. They said,'Silk Road' was an ancient network or trade route that joined Asia and Europe. .The bottom of the silver bowl that has four faces of Greek ancient deities like Zeus, Hera, Aphrodite, and Athena. The authors again noted that this bowl was imported from Central or west Asia."



(Photo : BTM)

4/10/2017

Full Moon Blessings

 
Blessings of the Pink Moon in Libra!
May you find Balance in Beauty.
 
 
 
 

3/27/2017

Happy Chaitra Navratri!

 
In honor of the Navratri Festival, celebrating the Goddess Shakti/Devi in her various forms. The Chaitra Navratri (or Vasant Navratri) begins on March 28th and continues for nine nights.

3/20/2017

Equinox blessings

 
Happy Spring Equinox!
May you dance with joy in Earth's beauty.
 
 
 
(painting by Karina Llergo, copyright reserved)
 

3/11/2017

Full Moon Blessings

 
Happy Worm/Sap Full Moon in Virgo.
May the seeds of inspiration spring forth in beauty!

3/07/2017

The Junonalia


Hymn to Juno
'O Royal Juno of majestic mien,
Aerial-formed, divine, Jove's blessed queen,
Throned in the bosom of caerulean air,
The race of mortals is thy constant care.
The cooling gales thy power alone inspires,
Which nourish life, which every life desires.
Mother of clouds and winds, from thee alone
Producing all things, mortal life is known:
All natures share thy temperament divine,
And universal sway alone is thine.
With founding blasts of wind, the swelling sea
And rolling rivers roar, when shook by Thee.
Come, blessed Goddess, famed almighty queen,
With aspect kind, rejoicing and serene.

 
(Orphic Hymn, trans. T. Taylor)

 
In Her Name ~ Temple of Learning

2/25/2017

New Moon & Solar Eclipse


Happy New Moon and Annular Solar Eclipse!


 
("Balance", copyright Helena Nelson-Reed)

 
In Her Name ~ Temple of Learning

2/13/2017

Hymn to Aphrodite

 
"I will sing of stately Aphrodite, gold-crowned and beautiful, whose dominion is the walled cities of all sea-set Cyprus. There the moist breath of the western wind wafted her over the waves of the loud-moaning sea in soft foam, and there the gold-filleted Hours welcomed her joyously. They clothed her with heavenly garments: on her head they put a fine, well-wrought crown of gold, and in her pierced ears they hung ornaments of orichalc and precious gold, and adorned her with golden necklaces over her soft neck and snow-white breasts, jewels which the gold-filleted Hours wear themselves whenever they go to their father's house to join the lovely dances of the gods. And when they had fully decked her, they brought her to the gods, who welcomed her when they saw her, giving her their hands. Each one of them prayed that he might lead her home to be his wedded wife, so greatly were they amazed at the beauty of violet-crowned Cytherea."
 
Homeric Hymn, trans. Evelyn-White.
 
 
(Artwork: Botticelli's "Birth of Venus")
 

2/10/2017

Happy Full Moon

 
Blessings of the Full Snow Moon in Leo.
There is also a penumbral eclipse!
 
 

1/31/2017

Brighid's Prayer

 
Brigid,
You are a woman of peace.
You bring harmony where there is conflict.
You bring light to the darkness.
You bring hope to the downcast.
May the mantle of your peace cover those who are troubled and anxious,
And may peace be firmly rooted in our hearts and in our world.
Inspire us to act justly and to reverence all Goddess has made.
Brigid, you are a voice for the wounded and the weary.
Strengthen what is weak within us,
Calm us into a quietness that heals and listens.
May we grow each day into greater wholeness in mind, body, and spirit.
 
Adapted from a Prayer to St. Brighid
Solas Bhríde Community, Kildare, 1997
 
 
 
 
(photo copyright Z. Jingna)
 

1/25/2017

Hymn to Magna Mater

 
"O eternal Creatrix of Gods and men, who animates forest and stream with soul, and joins seeds of life together throughout the world and you bear the stones of Pyrrha that were enlivened into men by the hand of Prometheus. Hungry men you were first to give nourishment with a variety of foods. You encircle and carry the sea within you. Under your power are the gentleness of domesticated herds and the ferocity of wild beasts and the repose from flight of birds. Firm and immobile, unsetting power of the earth suspended in the vacuum of space. You are the center around which the rapid heavens revolve. All the heavenly bodies, in chariots of fire, wheel about you, O center of the universe, indivisible from the great brotherhood of the Gods. Therefore are you the bountiful who nourishes so many nations, and at the same time so many high cities and so many noble peoples. You provide yourself and all the world as one, from above and below."
 
 
 
 
(Hymn by Statius in "Thebiad", photo of Magna Mater / Cybele statue, Getty Museum)