12/30/2018

Yemaya celebration in Brazil


"Believers of Afro-Brazilian religions pay tribute to Yemanja, Goddess of the Sea, during a traditional celebration ahead of New Year's eve on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, December 29, 2018."



(photo copyright P. Olivares/Reuters)

12/21/2018

Full Moon Blessings


May the Long Night's Moon
bring quiet contemplation and peace.



(© artwork by Aimee Stewart)

12/20/2018

Happy Solstice

May the new light bring you new hope
and the promise of rebirth and renewal.
Solstice Blessings!
(© photo by Max Ellis)

12/12/2018

Blessings on Her Feast Day


Nuestra SeƱora de Guadalupe, also honored as Tonantzin - Mother Earth - of the Nahuan.  Her feast day is December 12th.


(art copyright Shiloh Sophia)


11/30/2018

To Kunapipi

Great Kunapipi,
I do not forget you
as I climb back into your holy womb
to make contact with my spirit soul,
crawling into the crescent vessel
of your protection
dug deep into the soil of your body,
carved into the precious earth beneath me.

I beckon to my spirit soul
which lives within you
until my time of finishing this life
and though I leave your womb
at this initiation time,
though I choose to climb out
from your nurturing warmth,
to live my years of life,
I ask you to care for my spirit soul
until my return
so that after my passing from this life
my two spirits may be reunited in you,
before you send me forth again
to once more live on earth.

Dear Kunapipi,
no matter how far I wander,
how many lives I live,
to you I shall always return.

(Traditional Aboriginal)


(Cave painting, Nourlangie, Kakadu)



11/22/2018

Full Moon Blessings


Blessings of the Frosty Beaver Moon in Gemini.
May her rays inspire creativity and beauty!




11/15/2018

Goddess News: Sarasvati Statue in Vietnam



From the article:
"A sandstone statue of the Hindu goddess Saraswati, the first of its kind found in Vietnam, is being showcased at the museum of the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long. The statue, with the right hand and part of the pedestal broken, is 140cm high and dates back to about the 6th – 7th century.  Deputy Director of the Vinh Long Department of Culture, Sports and Tourim Le Thanh Hien said on November 14 the antiquity is a particularly rare object that will help with research into local history, especially the appearance of Indian culture and religion in Vietnam. It is also valuable to archaeological, cultural, religious, aesthetic and craft technique research, Hien added."



(photo copyright VNA)

10/30/2018

Blessings of the Season


We remember those who have gone before, 
and wish you and your ancestors many blessings.



("Marigold" by Sylvia Ji, copyright reserved)

10/23/2018

Full Moon Blessings

 
Blessings of the Full Moon in Taurus!
May your dreams manifest on Earth in love and beauty.
 

("Taurus" artwork © Susan Seddon Boulet)

10/09/2018

Happy Navratri!



This year's Navratri begins on October 10th and is celebrated through Oct. 18th. 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 traditions, but in some areas three days each are dedicated to Durga, Lakshmi and Sarasvati, respectively. This holiday culminates on the tenth day with the observance of Vijayadashami.



(photo © H. Jadeja)

9/24/2018

Happy Full Moon


Blessings of the Harvest Moon in Aries!
May the abundance of the season be shared by all.
 
 
(photo copyright Charlie Lee)
 

9/21/2018

Equinox Blessings

 
May you always find balance
in the beauty of Nature.

In Her Name ~ Temple of Learning

(Shutterstock photo)

9/13/2018

From White Buffalo Calf Woman

Lakota Instructions for Living, Passed Down
from White Buffalo Calf Woman

"Friend do it this way - that is,
whatever you do in life,
do the very best you can
with both your heart and mind.

And if you do it that way,
the Power Of the Universe
will come to your assistance,
if your heart and mind are in Unity.

When one sits in the Hoop of the People,
one must be responsible because
All of Creation is related.
And the hurt of one is the hurt of all.
And the honor of one is the honor of all.
And whatever we do effects everything in the Universe.

If you do it that way - that is,
if you truly join your heart and mind
as One - whatever you ask for,
that's the Way It's Going To Be."
 
 
(painting copyright Pamela McCabe)
 
 
 
 

8/25/2018

Happy Full Moon


Blessings of the Full Moon in Pisces.
May she illuminate your deepest dreams 
so they may be made manifest!


 

8/15/2018

Goddess News: New Finds in Greece

 
From the article: "Archaeologists have discovered new findings in the sanctuary of Artemis, east of Amarynthos in Evia, central Greece. . .The new findings include embossed tiles with the inscription “Artemis” and three statue bases dating from the Hellenistic era with inscriptions dedicated to the goddess, her brother Apollo and their mother Leto."
 


(photo (c) Greek Reporter)

8/13/2018

Hymn to Hekate

 
"Hekate Einodia, Trioditis, lovely dame,
 of earthly, watery, and celestial frame,
 sepulchral, in a saffron veil arrayed,
 pleased with dark ghosts that wander through the shade;
 Perseis, solitary Goddess, hail!
 The world’s key-bearer,
 never doomed to fail;
 in stags rejoicing, huntress, nightly seen,
 and drawn by bulls, unconquerable queen;
 Leader, nymphe, nurse, on mountains wandering,
 hear the suppliants who with holy rites thy power revere,
 and to the herdsman with a favouring mind draw near."
 
 
 
(Orphic Hymn to Hekate; Triple Hekate and the three Graces statue, Metropolitan Museum of Art)

In Her Name ~ Temple of Learning

7/31/2018

Reflections on the Harvest


May we receive the first harvest of the season
with the same grace and love in which the Earth Mother provides it.
 
 
 
("Moca no Trigal" c. 1916, Eliseu Visconti)
 
 
 

7/26/2018

Full Moon Blessings


May the Full Moon eclipse in Aquarius reveal and heal!



(photo copyright Ecstaticist)

In Her Name ~ Temple of Learning

7/18/2018

Earth Prayer


Cover my Earth Mother four times with many flowers.
Let the heavens be covered with the banked-up clouds.
Let the earth be covered with fog; cover the earth with rains.
Great waters, rains, cover the earth.  Lighting cover the earth.
Let thunder be heard over the earth; let thunder be heard;
Let thunder be heard over the six regions of the earth.
Zuni Prayer
 
 
 
 

7/09/2018

News article: Adivasi Women Save A Forest


From the article: 

" 'Did you breastfeed these Saal trees? Why are you stopping us from cutting them down?' growled the poachers.

" 'How can you breastfeed your own mother?' retorted the resolute Adivasi women.

"The news of Adivasi women standing up to powerful poachers spread like forest fire. The women also repeatedly engaged with the Forest Ranger. An official meeting was arranged between them and forest officers. All poachers were subsequently arrested. Each one of them was fined ₹5,000. Illegal logging of trees in the vicinity of Hakim Sinan village and beyond has abated. There is still an undercurrent of threat to this collective from vested interests but the women of this SHG are confident of taking on any challenge to save their forest: their Goddess, their Mother."
 
 
 
 
(photo copyright S. Chatterjee, PRADAN)
 

7/05/2018

Hymn to the Goddess Nemesis

 
Thee, Nemesis we call, Almighty Queen,
by whom the deeds of mortal life are seen:
Eternal, much revered, of boundless sight,
alone rejoicing in the just and right:
Changing the counsels of the human breast
for ever various, rolling without rest.
To every mortal is thy influence known,
and men beneath thy righteous bondage groan;
For every thought within the mind concealed
is to thy fight perspicuously revealed.
The soul unwilling reason to obey
by lawless passion ruled, thy eyes survey.
All to see, hear, and rule, O Power Divine
whose nature Equity contains, is thine.
Come, blessed, holy Goddess, hear our prayer,
and make our life, thy constant care:
Give aid benignant in the needful hour,
and strength abundant to the reasoning power;
And far avert the dire, unfriendly race
of counsels impious, arrogant, and base.

Orphic Hymn to Nemesis
(trans. T. Taylor)


("Nemesis", painting by Gheorghe Tattarescu, Museum of Bucharest)

In Her Name ~ Temple of Learning

6/27/2018

Happy Full Moon

 
Blessings of the Rose Moon in Capricorn.
May Beauty and Wisdom prevail!
 
 
 
 
 
(photo, Shutterstock.com)

6/20/2018

Solstice Blessings!

 
May this Solstice bring you joy and harmony!
 
 
(artwork © Adrienne Stein)
 

6/11/2018

Hymn to Leucothea

 
"I call, Leukothea, of great Kadmos born, and Dionysos' nurse, who ivy leaves adorn. Hear, powerful Goddess, in the mighty deep vast-bosomed, destined thy domain to keep: in waves rejoicing, guardian of mankind; for ships from thee alone deliverance find, amidst the fury of the unstable main, when art no more avails, and strength is vain. When rushing billows with tempestuous ire overwhelm the mariner in ruin dire, thou hearest with pity touched his suppliant prayer, resolved his life to succour and to spare. Be ever present, Goddess! In distress, waft ships along with prosperous success: thy mystics through the stormy sea defend, and safe conduct them to their destined end."
 
 
(Orphic Hymn: To Leukothea, Fumigation from Aromatics, trans. Taylor. Mosaic: 4th cent. CE, Villa Romana del Casale, Getty Images)
 
 

5/28/2018

Happy Full Moon

 
Blessings of the Full Flower Moon in Sagittarius.
May all your goals blossom in beauty!
 
 
 
 

5/23/2018

For Sarasvati


"May Goddess Saraswati,
who is fair like the jasmine-colored moon,
and whose pure white garland is like frosty dew drops;
who is adorned in radiant white attire,
on whose beautiful arm rests the veena,
and whose throne is a white lotus;
who is surrounded and respected by the Gods, protect me."
 
Traditional Sanskrit prayer


(Statue, Fine Arts College, Davanagere)

In Her Name ~ Temple of Learning

4/28/2018

Full moon blessings


Happy "Pink Moon" in Scorpio!
May peaceful beauty bless you today and always.
 
 

(artwork © Evvers, DeviantArt)
 

4/22/2018

For Earth Day

 
The mountains, I become a part of it.
The herbs, the fir tree, I become a part of it.
The morning mists, the clouds,
the gathering waters,
I become a part of it.
 The wilderness, the dew drops, the pollen,
I become a part of it.

Navajo Chant


In Her Name ~ Temple of Learning

4/12/2018

News article: Nubian Stone Tablets Discovered

 
From the article: "Archaeologists excavating a vast and ancient 'city of the dead' in Africa have recovered the largest collection of texts in the mysterious language of the Kushites. Dating back to 2,700 years ago, the find includes extraordinary tablets commemorating the dead. The items hail from a site called Sedeinga in Sudan, known for the ruins of a temple dedicated to the 14th century BCE Egyptian queen Tiye, the grandmother of Tutankhamun. One significant find was a chapel lintel depicting Maat, the Egyptian goddess of law, balance, order, harmony, peace and justice. They also found two commemorative texts dedicated to women of high rank."




(photo copyright V. Francigny/Sedeinga)

4/04/2018

News Article: Women ran things in ancient Peru


From the article: "Women in ancient Peru, far from being marginalized and invisible, were political and economic decision-makers, according to a new study that challenges many traditional takes on the country's history. Historian Maritza Villavicencio sets out the findings that run counter to previous hypotheses that high-ranking pre-Columbian women in Peru were mere "priestesses" in "Mujer, poder y alimentacion en el antiguo Peru" ("Woman, power and food in ancient Peru"). Instead, she asserts, they were monarchs. The book, published by San Martin de Porres University, is the result of the 10 years of research."

 
 
 
(photo copyright Oscar FARJE/ANDINA/AFP)
 

3/30/2018

Blue Moon in Libra


Blessings of the Blue Moon in Libra!
"As Above, So Below;
As Within, So Without.
as the Universe, so the Soul…” 
Hermes Trismegistus

3/20/2018

Happy Equinox!

 
Blessings of the Equinox.
May you experience Sacred Balance within Nature and yourself.



(Persephone and Demeter artwork, copyright Susan Seddon-Boulet)

In Her Name ~ Temple of Learning

3/07/2018

Enrollment Reminder

 
Our home-study school is currently accepting new student applications. 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!

 
 

3/01/2018

Full moon blessings


Happy Worm/Sap/Crow Moon in Virgo!
May you always find peace in her beauty.
 
 
 

2/09/2018

News Article: Brazilians honor Yemanja


From the article:
"Thousands of Brazilians flooded beaches around the northeastern city of Salvador to pay tribute to the sea goddess Yemanja and ask for her protection ahead of Carnival celebrations. Even before dawn broke, devotees dressed in white and blue clothing brought offerings to the Praia Rio Vermelha, or Red River Beach, and then later to nearby Itaparica Island. They paraded toward the sea with baskets filled with red, white and yellow roses and other gifts, incl...uding ornately dressed dolls, mirrors, perfume and bottles of Champagne. Some carried fishing nets and images of the goddess who is depicted in blue flowing robes. Yemanja is important for all of those who make a living from fishing, said Nivanilson Silva, a Candomble follower. 'She is our mother,' he said. 'She is the one who governs these waters, which sustain us.' "

2/03/2018

News: 4,300-year-old tomb of Egyptian Priestess Found

 
From the article:
 "The tomb of a woman named Hetpet, who became a senior official in the royal palace, has been discovered in a cemetery on the Giza Plateau, archaeologists from Egypt's antiquities ministry announced today . . . The tomb has very distinguished wall paintings, in a very good conservation condition, depicting 'Hetpet' standing in different hunting and fishing scenes or sitting before a large offering table receiving offerings from her children."
 


(photo copyright Egypt Antiquities Ministry)

2/01/2018

Prayer to Brigid

 
"The sacred Three,
to save,
to shield,
to surround
the hearth,
the house,
the household,
this eve,
this night,
oh! this eve,
this night,
and every night,
each single night."
 
Carmina Gadelica
 
 
 
 
 
 

1/30/2018

Blessings of the Supermoon!

 
Blessings of the rare "Supermoon Trilogy":  supermoon, blue moon and lunar eclipse.  This full moon is also in the sign of Leo.  May your spirit be strengthened!
 
 
(artwork by Duhovni, copyright reserved)

1/13/2018

Jyeshta Devi sculpture discovered


From the article:
"A bas-relief sculpture of 'one of the oldest goddesses to be worshipped' – Jyeshta Devi – has been discovered by a team led by an archaeologist. As the sculpture carries the images of goddesses Jyeshta Devi and Gajalakshmi, it was 'a rare and unique finding', according to the team members. The sculpture is about 1,400 years old, he said, adding, 'This is a very rare and unique sculpture had been sculpted on one stone. Usually, Jyeshta Devi is found seated on a donkey, which is her vehicle. She usually is found holding a lotus in her right hand. In this sculpture, her hand suggests 'abhaya mudra' that is a sign of blessing.' On the right side of Jyeshta Devi is her son Mandhan, while her daughter Mandhi is seated on her left side."

 
 
(photo copyright TheHindu.com)
 

1/11/2018

Spirit of the Valley


"The Valley Spirit never dies,
It is named the Mysterious Female.
And the doorway of the Mysterious Female
Is the base from which Heaven and Earth sprang.
It is there within us all the while;
Draw upon it as you will, it never runs dry."

 Lao-Tzu
(translation: A. Waley)
 
 

1/01/2018

Happy new year and full moon!

 
Happy 2018 and happy full moon! 
May Her rays always be a beacon of hope
and inspiration for you throughout the year.