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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 had several dreams in the past year about roads ending abruptly. Here's one of the most significant: I was in the state I was born in but do not live in now. I found a 2-year-old at a family reunion. No one knew who he belonged to, so I took him and got into a car to go to my grandma's house. (She has been dead for about five years now.) My GPS wouldn't work and I got lost. I called my mom and lost reception. The road I was on began to break up and it ended inside a cave where other cars were parked. I asked a couple to help me and they told me I was far away from my destination. I've never been to the cave but my mom says I described exactly what it looks like in real life. I've had several dreams that end the same way. I am driving and the road ends at the ocean. The most recent dream was about the road to my house. I was driving home and the road stopped before my house and I could see the layers of road, dirt and rock. My boyfriend and I have been together almost three years and he says he is too young to get married and doesn't know if he ever wants kids. I think I would like to have his child someday. Are these dreams about ending roads pointing to our relationship going nowhere, or do you think they mean something else?

Astrea:

It's certainly possible that this dream means you're heading down a dead end road with your boyfriend. However, most of the time when you figure out what a recurring dream means, you stop having it.

Since you keep having this one, I think it indicates that you want change more than anything else. You're trying to hang in there in this relationship until things change and become the way you want them to be. In this case, the dead end signifies that you feel like things are out of your control.

I'm inclined to go along with the trapped theory here. It could be that you feel that even though he doesn't want to get married and create a child with you right now, you're trapped in this relationship with him and unable to find the courage to wait him out or the faith and freedom to move on to someone else.

You dream that the road you're traveling leads to a cave. In dreams, caves are traps because most of the time, there are no exits on the other side. I think it makes sense that your dreams signify that you feel stuck, like there is no good way out of your situation. However, there are other elements that lead me to believe you plan on sticking things out with him.

You see layers in the roads, and they become rougher the farther you go. These are the layers of your relationship and the dissatisfaction you feel because he's not on your schedule. Since you're not a pushy person and you don't want to be manipulative, the dreams you're having give you insights and an outlet for your frustration. Your subconscious takes over as you sleep and shows you the right road - it just needs attention and repair to become what you need it to be.

There are lots of ways to stop recurring dreams, but believe it or not, the one you're having is giving you power. Since you already have deep understanding of what is going on here, it's time to make those road repairs.

This doesn't mean you need to make an abrupt change in your life, for repairs take time. You seem to be willing to give your relationship the time it needs to grow into all you desire it to be. In relationships with air signs (Gemini, Aquarius, Libra), patience and tolerance are the keys to success. Taurus girls like you have great staying power, so you can make it together if he is the one you really want.

*****

Susyn:

You may be on the right track when you attach meaning to these dreams as reflections of your relationship. Dreaming of dead ends or roads that end in the wrong place is often a message that you may be moving down the wrong path to get to your goals.

Your dreams also appear to relate to important aspects of your relationship. For example, in the first dream you describe, you find a two-year-old at a family reunion who doesn't seem to belong to anyone there.

This could represent the child or children you hope to have one day. Also significant is the fact that he was part of a family gathering, and you were taking him to meet your grandmother who now resides in the spirit world, where your future children would also currently dwell.

In this dream you got lost, your GPS wouldn't work, and you got disconnected during a call to your mom. These incidents all reflect the idea that your goals are being short-circuited in one way or another. It's possible that these dreams are telling you that you can't get to where you want to go because someone or something keeps failing you.

In dream symbology, a cave may represent the womb. The couple who told you that you were far from your destination may be yet another omen that in order to reach your destination, you may have to change your path.

When you dream of a road that ends at the ocean, which can also represent a womb, it suggests you that you have reached the end of your current journey. The ocean also represents a vast expanse of choices for your future.

Finally, driving up to your house to discover the entrance blocked by layers of road, dirt and rock speak to the limits you are feeling in your relationship as well as the roadblocks that your partner keeps putting up.

These dreams all seem to indicate that if you continue on your current road with your boyfriend, who after three years claims to be too young to marry and unsure if he wants children, you may not be able to realize your dreams. Just as he is making his own choices, you also have the right to choose what you want for your life whether he is willing to come along or not.

Decide how important those things are to you and make your decision from there. My guess is that once you do, these dreams of traveling down dead end roads will cease.

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.