deities
The Pagan Origins Of Valentine’s Day
Did you know that the Valentine’s Day that many people all over the world will be celebrating today, has its origins in pagan rituals of the past? This is in fact true of many of our modern holidays. But how did we get our modern day cards, cupids, and hearts?
In ancient Rome, the Festival of Lupercalia was annually celebrated on February 15th. As with similar Roman holidays, such as Ostara (Easter), this was a time to celebrate fertility and love. The deities honored were Lupercus, Patron of Shepherds; Juno, Goddess of Marriage; as well as Pan, a pastoral god who came to be regarded in Roman times as the representative of paganism and the personification of all nature.
In a festival custom that survives to this day in the form of valentine’s cards, young men would randomly draw the names of eligible women from a jar or urn. In the Middle Ages, Emperor Claudius II believed single men made better soldiers so he declared marriage illegal. As a concession, he encouraged temporary romances.
Drawing the name of a lady during the festival determined who a soldier’s partner would be for that coming year. He would then wear her name on his sleeve for the rest of the festival. This gave rise to the saying “wearing your heart on your sleeve.” Whether or not they also exchanged flowers, candy or gifts is uncertain.
It is also interesting to note that Cupid, the son of the love goddess Venus, was not originally linked specifically with this festival, even though he is associated with it today.Venus, it turns out, was particularly fond of red roses and this custom still survives after 2,000 years. As for the symbolism of the heart, this is also an ancient image found across many cultures, including Greco-Roman, Indian, and Meso-American. Instead of romantic love, it was often used to represent rebirth, purity, and spiritual love.
The Return Of The Divine Feminine
Sometimes when I do psychic readings, I sense a powerful female presence from Spirit, with wings spread wide, who appears to be lending strength and support to my clients. I recognize her as the Egyptian Goddess Isis, or by her Greek name, Auset.
When Goddess Isis comes into a reading, I know that serious business is at hand and that my client needs to be brave, strong, and to believe in themselves. This brings in the grander subject of the Divine Feminine and how that is showing up during my client’s reading.
The awakening of the feminine is alive and happening all around us, and more widely recognized now than ever before. The rise of the Divine Feminine is showing up in all sorts of arenas, including the corporate workplace. Women, as a whole, are speaking up and no longer have much tolerance for sexual discrimination, lower pay rates, or other outmoded ways of female disempowerment.
However, the interesting thing about the Divine Feminine is that it has a quality of power that is not based on forcefulness. It works more in alignment with the psychic realm and intuition. The Divine Feminine works in harmony with what is, and ways to empower everyone.
Power And Protection From Your Ancestors
I come from a long line of female herbalists of European origins on my mother’s side of the family. They were seers, healers, and prophets who combined their psychic gifts with ancient healing practices. Today, they still come to me during meditation, to offer wisdom.
The family’s mainly Germanic connection is one I’ve researched for many years, but more recently I discovered that my ancestors crossed into Scandinavian and Norse territories too, which suggests a bloodline of fierce women who were warriors of their time. It’s really not surprising to me, as even my own mother today, who is 84 years old, can still kick anyone’s butt who crosses her path in an unkind way! I always knew she was strong when I was little, and I always admired her power and independence.
Can You Really Sell Your Soul To The Devil?
Can you really sell your soul to the devil? I’ve heard this question asked and I’ve heard some ridiculous answers, often coming from those who claim to be experts on the subject. In truth, this question cannot be easily answered, as it is a complex matter. And, it seems as though many people do not want to hear the truth.
So, what happens when one makes a deal with the devil, so to speak? Let me begin by saying this is not a new concept. These types of pacts are believed to have been going on since before recorded history. One of the earliest tales of such a deal was in the 10th Century. Pope Sylvester II was rumored to have made an unearthly, dark pact. The same is alleged of famous violinists Giuseppe Tartini in the 17th Century, and Nicolo Paganini in the 18th Century.
The Egyptian Goddess Hathor
Hathor is an ancient Egyptian goddess representing healing, love, joy, and motherhood. She was known as the Mother of Mothers and the Celestial Nurse who presided over women, fertility, children, and childbirth.
However, Hathor is also associated with the dead, as we see in the tomb paintings where she was depicted as the Mistress of Heaven, welcoming the dead into the next life. Hathor’s connection to helping bring souls into the world through childbirth, and helping souls cross over to the land of Spirit, makes her a goddess who bridges together life, death, and Spirit, and her connection to the Great Mystery.
Hathor’s name translates to ‘House of Horus.’ Horus, is the son of the Egyptian Goddess Isis, also known by her Roman name, Auset or Iset, who is recognized for her psychic knowing, and her connection to the celestial skies and prophesy.
There is an Egyptian tale where seven Hathors are disguised as seven young women linked with fortune-telling and the Land of the Dead. They may have been associated with the Pleiades in later times. Hathor herself was known as Lady of Stars, in connection with the star, Sirius. Continue reading
Spiritual Rituals Provide Sacred Space
Spiritual ceremonies, where humans gather together in a circle, are especially potent. An energetic hoop gathers over the circle to assist in the endeavor for the gathering, whether it be for the purpose of celebrating a new birth, honoring a solstice, or to express anything of importance to humanity, as individuals, or as a group.
Altars are also powerful. They are a gathering place for spirits to provide protection and shielding, to aid in a calling or, perhaps, to provide a sacred place for the energy of one who has crossed to another dimension to gather and connect. Or, we might choose to build an altar dedicated to providing an anchor for our business when we are away, the same as when we are present. Continue reading