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Finding Your Inner Divinity, by Angelica Danton

(Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

Myths and legends have always fascinated me, and my favorite legends were always those involving the ancient Gods and Goddesses. As a child, I would rush to the library to get the latest books on the gods. It didn't matter to me if I read about Norse, Roman, Greek, or Chinese myth—all were fascinating. The energy of the divine was always slightly larger than life, and the morals contained in these fabulous stories from every country on earth instinctively felt like truth to me.

Even then, I realized that on one level these stories were fantasy. On a deeper level, however, I understood that they were moral stories and that I had much to learn from and see in them. Nothing pleased me more than their diversity, how one myth reflected the divine in one culture and the other reflected it in another, perhaps on the other side of the world. Surely, I felt, we are all interconnected no matter what race or culture we come from. We are linked in the divine spirit somehow.

Later, as my interest in the spiritual realm grew due to the influence of my family members, I also became fascinated with astrology. My grandmother, Eileen, always bought almanacs for the astrological year and I quickly became familiar with the interpretations of the signs. I noted from my readings that celestial bodies such as Venus and Mars were mentioned in myth and in astrology. I loved finding the meaning and connections in astrology and myth.

I also loved literature and poetry (which I was to study at some depth at university), and noted how poets such as Shelley and Byron used concepts of the gods to deepen their poetry. No matter what I read, I seemed to come back to the gods.

At the age of 12, I declared to the family that I was going to be a Pagan. When asked why, I answered that as a Pagan I could experience freedom of thought and philosophy whereas a religion with a single god might limit me.

Finding the Goddess as a adult woman was a little different. I became aware that identifying with the ancient goddesses freed us in many ways from the stereotyped images we seem to have acquired in our respective cultures. I had always looked to the gods and to the stars for answers, and over time I became convinced that the Goddess could free me to experience myself in an amazing and ultimately liberating way. I could express anger in a healthy way and allow myself to feel it, if justified. Or I could be brave and remember the power of the warrior Goddesses. I could have my own unique style and not necessarily look or copy other women because each Goddess was unique and had different powers and aspects. I need not look outside myself for approval because the divine soul was within me, too. Finding the Goddess within myself was a major part of my spiritual growth and development and helped me face life's challenges in a new way.

I started doing readings at a local new age shop. This allowed me to connect with many other women who felt the same way about the Goddess in their lives. It seemed strange to me that more people in my country (Australia) were not interested in writing about Her, although the word Goddess was being used to promote everything from pop stars to perfume. A lot of women related to Her and talked about Her energy in their lives, but few knew of published books that discussed the Goddess energy level in Australia. Some Pagan women authors mentioned Her in books on Wicca, but these were mainly for overseas audiences, or specifically for Wiccan groups.

As the Internet became more popular in the late 1990s, this changed. More women seemed to be interested in Goddess concepts, but I felt that the real meaning and energy of the Goddess was not coming through in everyday writing for women. I understood (and of course respected) the fact that She is important in the study of Wicca. But she also plays a role in so many other cultures and religions that I felt her appeal should be emphasized no matter what country, culture, or indeed belief system you come from. The Pagan and Wiccan movements began the new interest in her, and that was great—indeed, I personally relate to Her in this way. Still I felt it was my mission to present her in yet another aspect—in the light of a new astrological system.

To my understanding, the Age of Aquarius is a time of new thoughts and systems of thinking that will ultimately lead to a new wave of consciousness on our planet. Religion as it has been will change, and a different free spirituality will emerge. This new spirituality will truly unite all peoples as they realize that they are all potentially divine beings, and that they are all more alike than they are different from one another. In the song "Age of Aquarius" from the '60s musical Hair they sang, "and the mind to liberation." To me, this means that in order to be original and different we need to break free of outdated concepts and ideas in order to realize our true potential.

As my understanding of Goddess power and my loves of Pagan ritual and astrology grew, I began to long for a view of the Goddess that was both personalized and also showed her incredible diversity. Which type am I? I felt I could sometimes identify with all of her aspects in different ways. Which ones would be the best for me to work with in ritual, or invoke during times of need?

The ancients felt a deep personal connection with the Goddess. But recently she has become such an intellectual concept that we find it hard to make her as much a part of our daily lives as she may have been in ancient Greece or Rome.

Over time, as I began to do more and more astrology readings for friends, I learned about eastern astrology and its amazing animal zodiac. Over time, I began to see a connection between the animals and the Goddesses. How amazing, I thought, that all these animals have been venerated alongside the Goddesses by people all over the world. Maybe I could create a new system of astrology linking these ideas and helping women tune into a more personalized energy of the goddess by understanding their animal nature. This is how my book, Goddess Signs, came to be written.

I divided the Goddesses into 5 major aspects: the Earth Goddess, the Moon Goddess, the Sun Goddess, the Dark Goddess, and the Warrior Goddess. Each of these Goddess energies expresses itself in a unique and powerful way in each woman. To find out which one you are, simply check your animal sign and find out! Along the way, you'll learn how you relate to others, learn about your animal sign energy, and discover special rituals to use your Goddess energy for true empowerment. I also include a look at men and their divine energy according to their animal sign, including some celebrity examples.

I have used this system in my readings and workshops and have been assured it has aided many women. Any system of astrology that is understood and used in the correct spirit is a powerful tool. I truly believe that we are the stuff of stars, and that in a soul aspect we are all divine. When we lose our ability to dream and see the beauty of myth and legend, we lose the most important part of ourselves—our spiritual selves and the world of inner truth. The beauty of astrology is its truth and its universality, surely something we need to dwell on in this troubled and divided time. The beauty of the Goddess myth is also her truth and her universality. So, in Goddess Signs, I have tried to emphasize these connections.

I hope women enjoy my book and find their own truths in it. I also would like them to explore further. Don't take my word for it! Test out my system and see how it works for you. As a practicing astrologer I can tell you that it can definitely be of a practical help. Of course it is not exhaustive, and many other systems can personalize the Goddess, too. But what I love about the Chinese Animal Signs is how we instinctively feel so close to the animal spirit. I have always loved animals and bringing my two favorite worlds together is a delight. I hope you enjoy it too!

Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2004. All rights reserved.

I had a rather strange, disturbing dream that I'm hoping you can help me interpret. In the dream, my late grandfather came to me. He didn't say anything; in fact, he didn't even greet me. He just looked at me with a worried look on his face and he seemed a bit lonely. I miss him so much, for he was more than my grandfather - he was also my best friend. What do you make of this dream, and what can I do to determine its significance? Thank you!

Hiwot

Astrea:

Many times when we dream about our loved ones living or on the Spirit Plane, they don't speak to us verbally, for much communication in dreams occurs telepathically. Depending on how long your grandfather has been departed, he may not speak to you for many dreams, and when he does, you may hear him differently than you did when he was living.

My grandfather never speaks to me in dreams but we understand each other. This is after many years of practice on my part. He is still the same as he's always been: He was pretty quiet when he was alive too, though he did talk to us and teach us things.

You're smart to pay attention to your grandfather's facial expressions because that's how he's teaching you to understand him. The only thing he is worried about is that you don't hear him yet. The next time you dream of him, try to tell him in words that you can't understand what he's trying to tell you.

You'll dream of him again. Over time, you may experience waves when you dream of him often or know he is there, and periods when he doesn't seem to be around as much. You might devote a dream journal to just the dreams you have of him. Then you may begin to recognize the other dreams he is sending you to show you things about other family members and important events in your life.

Even though he is no longer physically present, you can forever call on him for help. If he can't talk to you one way, he'll find another way in time. The two of you were too close when he was living to let that bond be broken now.

Perhaps he looks sad and lonely because he is still figuring things out too. I find that it takes at least a year for newly departed spirits to feel entirely comfortable coming back to us, for they don't want to upset us.

First they don't want to frighten us, and then they worry that we may think we're about to join them. I'm sure he's sad because he sees how sad YOU are and he doesn't want you to keep grieving.

We miss our loved ones who can't pick up the phone or drive over to see us any longer, but they're all still there. Mine swear to me that they don't ever see me do anything bad or embarrassing, so don't worry about anything like that!

I'm happy that he loves you enough to come to you. It takes a lot of energy from the spirit world to be present with us, just like it takes a lot of energy for us to miss them the way we do. The more you understand how alike the living and the departed are, the easier it will be for you to continue to communicate with your best friend.

*****

Susyn:

Dreams can carry powerful messages, especially when they involve our loved ones who have crossed over to the other side. In fact, dreams are one of the most effective ways spirits can visit us to let us know that they are okay and remind us that they are watching over us. You don't mention how long ago your grandfather passed away, but the basic message of the dream is clear: He loves you and misses you.

These types of dreams can be unsettling if we feel that our loved ones seem worried or sad. It's possible that because he was your best friend, he knows you better than most. Perhaps if you journal about this dream and review the things that are going on in your life currently, you may be able to identify areas of concern or directions in which you are moving that may not be in your best interests.

Even though your grandfather didn't appear to speak to you in this dream, the emotions you feel about it are sending a strong message that he is concerned for your well-being. Because it can be difficult to try to manifest another dream about him (dreams seem to have minds of their own), you may want to engage in some guided meditation to see if you can learn more.

Sit quietly in a place where you can meditate and call in his spirit. Light some white candles, burn sage or musk incense, and if you like, play some of his favorite music in the background. You might also want to place a photograph of him in front of you or hold one of his possessions. Together, these actions will align your intention to talk specifically with him.

Next, just begin to converse with him in your head or out loud. Ask him why he looked so worried in your dream and if he is lonely. Tell him how much you miss him. Then sit in the silence and wait.

Oftentimes our loved ones on the other side will let us know they are near by way of a sensation of touch, a favorite aroma, or ideally messages that come into our minds that we can identify as being from them.

If your meditation doesn't seem to answer your questions, you might consider consulting a psychic. Most reputable psychics possess keen dream interpretation abilities, and some may be able to channel your loved ones on the other side.

Your sense that your grandfather seemed sad or lonely in the dream is probably accurate. When our loved ones cross over, they miss us as much as we miss them. If your overall interpretation is that he is also worried about you, employing one of the above methods should clarify his concerns and reveal how you can allay them.

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.