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December 28, 2020 through January 3, 2021

It's time to tie up those loose ends and prepare for new beginning as we move into 2021 this week! Information gathering will be a theme under Monday's Gemini Moon, as we ground ourselves with the facts and figures we need. The Cancer full Moon on Tuesday (also known as the Cold Moon) will remind us that putting our family, friends and security first is the way to go as we prepare to exit 2020 and embrace a new cycle. Full Moons are all about releasing, so let's put closure to the past, make amends where necessary and create a fresh slate before moving into the future. The new year arrives under a Leo Moon, reminding us to take better care of ourselves in 2021 through more physical activity, eating right and watching our budgets. We can relax until Saturday, but when the Moon moves into Virgo on Sunday, it will be time to pull out those new calendars, update our day-planners, purge our phones of outdated info and phone numbers, and prepare to great the new year with open arms and a fresh outlook! Happy New Year Everyone! Here's wishing you all a safe, prosperous and joyful year, full of hope and love!

6 Ways to Celebrate the Goddess Within, by Dawn Reno Langley, PhD

(Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

Do you ever doubt yourself? Wonder whether you're worthy? Think about how you are accepted by family and friends? Do you see your friends doing the same and wonder why? I have had those doubts myself throughout my entire life. To be honest, society planted some of those insecurities within me. I couldn't light the candles on our church's altar because I was a girl. Every man I knew, from the janitor at my grammar school to a contractor who's currently doing work on my house, has called me dear/honey/sweetie and thought me dumb because of the color of my hair. I believed that I was inferior and dumb, and I believed the strong parts of my personality—my tendency to speak my mind about social justice issues and my blunt honesty (open mouth/insert foot)—should be squelched, because they weren't nice. I never truly accepted myself, all the parts of me, the ones that society deemed "good" and "bad." But now, I believe that most of us experience insecurities and that knowing and celebrating the world's goddesses can help alleviate those negative thoughts.

Conducting the research for my latest book, You Are Divine: Searching for the Goddess in All of Us, was an intrepid inward journey, because I discovered that being divine doesn't mean you have sprouted wings and can change water into wine. Instead, it means you embrace the feminine aspects of your personality and that you respect those traits in others, as well. I found pieces of myself in several goddesses, and that discovery finally helped me celebrate all of the aspects of myself.

Here are six ways that you, too, can find and celebrate the goddesses within you.

1. Celebrate Nature
   All cultures believe in a creation myth, and in most, the being that gives birth to the earth is female. Gaia, the Greek goddess of the earth, is celebrated in the Roman world as Terra. She gave birth to the heavens, the mountains, the ocean, and all the beings that inhabited them. Other cultures might call her Mother Earth, Mother Nature, or Spider Grandmother, but one thing remains the same: a feminine deity is the earliest face of religion in most ancient cultures.One way to invoke these mother/nature goddesses is to find your spot in nature. Whether you're an ocean person, you find peace on a mountaintop, you dig your time in a garden, or you love looking at a starlit sky from the roof of a tall building, go there. Sit and give yourself time. A day or two is great, but an hour is enough to get you back in tune with your natural self.

   As you sit in that natural space, let your eyes close, your breathing deepen and your thoughts drift. Think about the power it takes to give birth to anything natural: a flower, a wave, a lion in the savannah. Now, think about the power it takes to develop an entire universe, to build oceans and land masses, to design weather patterns and to designate where animals will live. Reflect on that power. Know that the power is divinely feminine, as you are. Breathe deeply and slowly bring your awareness back to your surroundings. When you open your eyes, sit still for a few more moments and let your senses be filled with the sounds, smells, and sights. Once you're full, slowly and mindfully make your way back to reality, knowing that the power to create is one that you, also, embody.

2. Celebrate Creativity
   Most of the world's divinities that are connected with the arts are women. The Muses, the group of nine daughters of the Greek god Zeus and Mnemosyne, the Titan goddess of memory and time, inspire those who sing, dance, write, play musical instruments, paint, sculpt, and, basically, create artistic works. They are not the only goddesses in the world who act as inspiration for creative people, however.The Celtic goddess, Brigit, is known as the goddess of art and inspiration, and specializes in offering inspiration to blacksmiths. As a result of that connection with fire and art, she defined the term "fire in the head." If you’re one of those dynamic artists/writers/playwrights/singers, you have a bit of Brigit in you.

   My personal favorite goddess of creativity is Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of arts, crafts, and creativity. Whenever she is personified, she holds a sitar in one of her four arms, holds a scroll in the other, and beads in yet another. The sitar and scroll represent the arts, but the beads indicate her spirituality. It's that link of the arts and spirituality that appeals to me.

   If you are artistic or creative in any way, the next time you lift the paintbrush or open your mouth to sing or place your fingers on your guitar's frets, take a moment to invoke one of the many goddesses who have inspired people for centuries. Breathe in a moment of gratitude for the art you are about to make. Dedicate your work to your chosen goddess and ask her to guide your hand/mouth/foot. Exhale a complete release and allow your body to sink into relaxation before beginning. Know that surrendering to that goddess will give you more creative strength.

3. Celebrate Children/Family
   Many goddesses who are known for protecting children or mothers in childbirth exist throughout the world's major religions. Buddhist goddesses like Karitemo, Suijin, and Kannon are only three of the Japanese goddesses who are patrons of women and children. In Greek mythology, Artemis is the Mistress of Animals and guardian of children (often bringing down enemies with her bow and arrow). To me, she represents those mothers who will do anything to save their children.Ixchel, of the ancient Mayan tradition, was known as the goddess of fertility, harvests, love, and pregnancy. Women recognized the jaguar-shaped goddess as a powerful ally during a difficult conception or birth. Because of her midwifery connections, Ixchel also embodies medical knowledge.

   If asking for protection for your children or for yourself as you give birth, invoking any one of the many goddesses known for this purpose gives you a female face, one who knows the birthing cycle. Throughout religious history, women have invoked the name of one of the goddesses mentioned above (or any of the dozens of others throughout the world) when in need of support.

   In yoga, there's a strengthening pose that's called Goddess pose. Whenever you are feeling that you need to build your womb power, this stance will make you feel that you can hold the world on your shoulders. Whether you're trying to become pregnant, are getting ready for birth, or have children in need of your power, sinking into Goddess pose (squatting with your feet turned out, knees bent, and arms held above you as if holding a giant beach ball) helps you connect with those goddesses known for protecting you and your children. Hold the pose as long as you are able, then straighten your legs and slowly forward bend. Hang out for a breath or two, then get back into that Goddess pose, feeling stronger in your womb area. As you breathe, concentrate on feeling the female power of giving birth. As you exhale, know that your internal goddess will fiercely defend your body and your children's.

4. Celebrate Human Rights
   Most of us know the Goddess of Justice, Themis, whose blindfolded statue holds a set of scales and stands in front of many courtrooms. This Greek goddess was one of the world's first families, born to Gaia, that original creator of the world. Themis personifies justice, law, divine order, and custom. In other words, if you are having troubles legally or feel that you're battling the world, Themis is the one you need on your side.In early Sumeria, Nanshe was known as the goddess of social justice, fertility, and fishing (her father was Enki, the water god, and her mother was Ninhursag, the earth goddess). Every year at Nanshe's temple, people gathered to seek her wisdom and guidance in settling disputes. She was so well-known for her advice that even the god of war asked for it.

   Maat, the Egyptian goddess of all concepts of truth, order and justice, brought chaos to order according to ancient texts. She determined whether the souls of the dead would reach the afterworld. A powerful position to be in! Egyptians definitely worked hard to keep Maat happy. When living by Maat's principles, one follows ancient writings, such as this passage from the Instructions of Ptahotep:
   Be generous as long as you live
   What leaves the storehouse does not return;
   It is the food to be shared which is coveted,
   One whose belly is empty is an accuser;
   One deprived becomes an opponent,
   Don't have him for a neighbor.
   Kindness is a man's memorial
   For the years after the function.

   So many of us have experienced injustices throughout our lives, that we might welcome knowing these goddesses and what they represent. The divine feminine has always been able to calm and advise.

   To honor the goddesses of justice, think of them when you're settling a dispute among children or when you're considering standing up for someone who's dealt an inequality or when you volunteer to raise funds for a local charity. The very act of either meting out justice or of fighting against injustices should remind you that you have the same powers that those goddesses do. Remind yourself that you do these things in the name of Themis or Maat or Nanshe or whoever else you desire.

5. Celebrate Caring and Compassion
   Nothing beats having a caring and compassionate friend. We all need to be that friend, both to ourselves, as well as to others. As my yoga instructor says, "You can't pour from an empty cup."Many of the goddesses throughout the world employ caring and compassion; however, there are few more recognizable than Kuan Yin, the Buddhist goddess known for mercy, kindness, and compassion. You've probably seen her serene figure all over the world. She graces almost as many gardens and parks as Buddha does. Why? Because she is known to rescue anyone who calls out her name.

   In Hinduism and Buddhism, the Green Goddess Tara is known as a compassionate healer and some equate her in power with the Buddha. A supreme savior, she is often depicted standing, her hand held out, palm up. She's an extremely powerful protector and is revered by Tibetan Buddhists.

   Mary, Mother of Jesus, is a spiritual leader that fits the definition of goddess. As a compassionate woman, she also fought valiantly for her son. Her followers see her benevolent qualities, asking for solace in her arms, where her compassion shines through.

   Often we human beings are fine with offering compassion to our family members and loved ones. It's not difficult to feel that immediate warmth when we know we've done the right thing for those closest to us. It becomes more difficult to offer compassion to those we have problems with or those we might barely know. But the hardest is to offer compassion to ourselves.

   Sit with yourself and wrap your arms around you. Hold onto your shoulders with your hands. Imagine that the hug is coming from your compassionate goddess. She holds you tight, offers you a warm embrace, then slowly releases you. Carry that hug with you throughout the day. Pass it along to whoever looks like they might need one.

6. Celebrate Yourself
   If you love yourself, that doesn't mean you have to stop loving others. On the contrary, when you choose to see yourself as divine, the respect you give yourself enables you to share more of yourself, freely and respectfully with others. Period.For this celebration, write down the comparable traits you share with the goddesses we've discussed (and maybe some others you might know). Three to five traits are good. Read those traits aloud. Three times.

Now, more than ever, is the right time to celebrate those goddesses and heavenly beings that have been part of most cultures (though often ignored) for centuries, some for thousands of years. The chatter I hear from women about the world around us tells me that I am not alone in wanting to recognize a power that is more aligned with my emotions and beliefs and sensitivities.

Think about the traits you share with goddesses. Those traits are divinely feminine and you are the goddess. You are divine.

Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2022. All rights reserved.

I have fallen in love with a friend. We met a few years ago when we both had other partners. (I was married and he had a live-in girlfriend.) A few months ago, my husband and I separated, and we now are in the process of getting a divorce. H. has been without a girlfriend for almost three years now. We got together as friends, and have acknowledged that there is a very strong attraction between us. We have seen each other a few times, and each time we're together, everything makes sense and feels so right. I have been using the Law of Attraction to attract him into my life by wishing to have a lasting romantic relationship with him. However, lately he's pulling back and is saying he's not sure what he wants. When we're together, he acts like he wants me, but when we're apart, he wavers. How can I manifest this relationship with him? I am full of longing to be with him and I believe that we're destined to be together.

Astrea:

I firmly believe that thought becomes reality, and that we can influence that reality by lining up opportunities and making wise choices. However, there is something that bothers me about using the Law of Attraction in relationships: it's one-sided, while relationships by nature involve more than one person. Unless he is also using the Law of Attraction for the same purpose, you can't go very far with this.

If he's everything you want and you are indeed destined to be together, he will want you too. Does he know about and work with natural spiritual law? Is he spiritual enough to discuss this with you and apply it to your relationship?

I think it would be much more beneficial if you made him aware of what you're doing to try to be closer to him. There isn't anything mean or sinister about wanting someone to love you.

If you two can agree on what it is you want, then you will both be focused on the same outcome. If you want something more or different from what he wants, then you're trying to force someone to meet your terms, which isn't what the L of A is about.

It's important to respect the whole picture here. Both Yin and Yang are present. The man you describe is very sensitive to balance, which is one reason he pulls away.

If you really want a permanent relationship with him, you're going to have to develop more sensitivity to other people's needs and desires. This energy has to extend to others - not just to him.

Start by listening more and being quiet in conversations. When we listen well, other people are encouraged to talk, which leads us to greater understanding of how to best please them.

I recommend you change your request to the Universe. Instead of trying to manifest only what you want, include wanting what is best for others and will make them happiest too. In your visualization work, include this man as the person you wish love and happiness for most of all.

While using the Law of Attraction to wish for a lasting romantic relationship with a certain friend can't hurt, you can't manifest this all by yourself: Your friend has to want the same thing. So far, it seems you two are heading in the same direction.

His pulling away lately suggests that he is sensing that you are trying to make things happen on your own schedule. You both want a relationship, but you want it to be set and settled sooner than he does. That's a Virgo/Scorpio challenge, but if you work with it, you can both end up with what you want.

*****

Susyn:

Though you seem to be sure of your feelings for this friend and he has shown you many signs of being interested in you, it sounds like things have shifted and thrown you both into confusion. Many times when two people who are bound to others come together and feel a powerful attraction for each other, they interpret it to mean that they are meant for each other.

Unfortunately, it often happens that when one person leaves a marriage or relationship out of a desire to be free so they can pursue this new connection, the other party will begin to pull back. This can happen for a number of reasons and be very disheartening.

If you are specifically leaving your marriage for the purpose of being with your friend, the knowledge of this could be throwing him into a panic. If you are pushing for more than he is ready for or comfortable with, the possibility exists that he could pull back permanently or become hot and cold to the relationship.

Knowing that you will soon be free to pursue a committed relationship can frighten off anyone who doesn't feel as clear about what he wants as he once claimed to be.

You must be sure that your reasons for leaving your marriage are based on what you want for yourself and not dependent on having someone waiting in the wings. If a relationship with this friend wasn't an option, would you still be leaving your marriage?

If the relationship with your friend is as strong as you state, his reaction may only be temporary. Since he won't give you a commitment, I recommend you act independently and make your own plans. It would be wise to distance yourself from your friend while you finish the divorce process.

You mention that initially he had a live-in girl friend, but has been alone for the last three years. You might assume that this is because he was waiting for you, but it could also indicate that he has commitment issues in general.

It's possible that the attraction you both felt at first was enhanced by the fact that you were unavailable. Even when you are divorced, you must limit the time you are available to him to recreate that initial attraction and give him the time and space to get past his fears of commitment.

Astrea:

Many times in life we hear, "You will always have what you NEED, but not necessarily what you WANT." Your spirit must have needed to experience the feeling of leaving your human body, and the suggestion in the next chapter of Sylvia Brown's book was all it took to get you there.

Even though you hadn't read it yet, your SOUL recognized the title of that chapter as something it had been seeking, and your soul, knowing that you had that reference to read after your experience, got with it and out you went!

While I don't usually recommend her books, Sylvia Brown has a wide reaching and powerful effect on lots of people. A Gemini like you would be able to relate easily to her writing and put it to good use. Synchronicity - you gotta love it!

I like your description of "getting caught." That's exactly what it feels like, isn't it? One minute you're free and hovering above the room, and the next minute, ZAP! back down into your corporeal form you go!

As a little kid, I loved that "feeling of return." With practice, most of the time we can control that event, but sometimes, when our physical ears hear a distracting noise or something else occurs to knock us back into reality, back we go. With practice you will be able to control your return better.

I find it interesting that you were visiting your mother-in-law and not someone in your own genetic family. Evidently, you and your husband got married for reasons that are even deeper than love. His family's interest in "psychic stuff" will nurture your children in such matters and help them to grow into their own abilities.

You'll never have to be concerned that when your daughter visits them, she'll be discouraged from exploring her own psychic life and power. My parents encouraged me to develop my psychic senses in a time when it wasn't nice to even discuss such things in public. Heck, it's STILL not considered a great topic at the dinner table in some families!

Your kids will get to talk about it ALL and ask questions and read and study. This is going to give them such an edge in life! Talk with your husband about how you want to present this to your kiddos, so that you are united in your approach and ready to tell them their experiences are all natural and okay.

A word or two of warning: Geminis often have difficulty staying grounded in REAL LIFE. Don't get so strung out on your ASTRAL life that you neglect what you're doing here on Earth.

You are at the beginning of a long journey to learn where your power really lies. Try to be patient with this process and take your time.