The seasons colors are red and green. Holly is used as decoration for this festival, originally named for the dark underground Crone-goddess Holle, or Hel, from whose womb the sun arose. The red berry symbolized the Goddess’ holy blood, shaper of all life, according to the oldest beliefs. The evergreen leaves of the holly represent ongoing life, retaining vitality through the winter, with an implied promise of immortality.

The Winter Solstice has long been associated with the birth of a ‘Divine child or King’ long before the rise of Christianity. Since the Sun represents the male deity, this time is honored as the return of the sun god, where he is reborn of the Goddess. Yule is centered around the idea of rebirth, assisting the newly born sun to grow in strength when it emerged from the dark womb of night. It is a time for reflection and celebration as we think about where we have been and anticipate the new Sun and its promise for increasing light, as the days start to slowly become longer and warmer.

The theme for Yule, is re-birth, with emphasis on the divine birth-giver rather than the one born, as in the Christian revision. The birth-giver is Hel, or the Dark Goddess, also known as Mother Night, Hecate, Myrrha, Cerridwen, Cybele-Nana, Black Demeter and many other names. Savior cults, such as of those of Jesus, Mithras and Attis, use this traditional birth season for their heroes and dying-resurrecting ‘god men’. In ancient cultures, they celebrated the birth of a divine child at this time, nine months after the god’s death and re-conception (resurrection) at the Spring Equinox.

There are many types of women in our society, but the one that cries out for the healing the loudest is the Wounded Female Warrior. You long to transform yourself into the Goddess, even though you might not use those words to describe your longing.

How to Transform the Feminine

Who is the Wounded Warrior?
The Wounded Warrior is powerful, independent, self- reliant and successful — because you have to be. Yet, you resent all of the responsibility and obligation that goes with your role. You are the only one around who can get things done, and get things done fast enough and perfectly enough.

You are bitter (at least inwardly) toward men, who you believe get all the breaks, but do little of the real work. You see men as the weaker sex, responding emotionally and acting illogically – when they act at all. You muse that men are only good for one thing – moving furniture. Well, two things — maybe.

Long ago, you let go of the fantasy of a knight in shining armor or Prince Charming. You are bitter, angry and sometimes even cutting in your dealings with these inferior male beings. You consciously or passive-aggressively seek revenge against the male transgressors in this patriarchal society.

You respect other Warriors, yet have no tolerance for “weaker” females who don’t carry the Warrior’s sword. You are or were a good wife and good a mother, protecting and providing for you family. Yet you express even these roles through the stance of a warrior.

You are tired of fighting. You displayed your battle wounds proudly in the past, but now that you grow bored with conquest. Your armor is heavy and you long to remove it for good. You long for the Goddess within you; yet believe you couldn’t survive without your Warrior’s sword. Let me introduce you to — the power of the Goddess.

Who is the Goddess?
The Goddess is quite simply — the embodiment of the Divine in a female body. She is discerning and acts with integrity. She has a core of inner peace that is unshakable. The Goddess radiates an energy that is so powerfully beautiful, loving and soft, that others are drawn to her like a magnet.

She may have been a Wounded Warrior at one time, but she has healed her wounds. She has released the anger, pain, fear, guilt and judgment. She has let go of feelings of betrayal and abandonment. She has replaced those lower-vibrational emotions with compassion and joy. She has transformed her limiting beliefs, attitudes, and thought patterns into a loving allowance for all to be as they are. She has no need to change anybody, for she sees the Divine in all beings. She understands that any attack is simply a demonstration of fear. She remembers fear, and yet knows how to neutralize it with her unlimited flow of love.

The Wounded Warrior and the Goddess — two powerful female archetypes. One tired and wounded; one radiant and healed. How did the Warrior get wounded? And how can she transform herself into the Goddess? To answer these questions, you must first understand how energy moves in humans.

Read the whole article at :snoedel.punt.nl/index.php

During this festival, Celts believed the souls of the dead returned to mingle with the living. On the eve of Samhain, a veil between the worlds parts, allowing communion with ancestors and the spirit world. Families would leave their doors open and set tables with meals for the dead who return to visit. The purpose of this feast is to remember all those who have crossed to the other side and the love we shared with them. I always set a place for them at the table and cook a special dish that might have been their favorite. I put some food on a plate that put in the special setting I have set for them. We fill the mealtime with memories of them and talk about them, remembering the love and memories we shared with them. Upon the meal’s completion, traditional Celtic custom says to then place the ‘ancestor’ plate and cup outside so the wandering spirits can find it.

The element associated with Autumn is water, which is attached to our emotions and feelings. It is a time of letting go and releasing the things and situations that affected us negatively and caused us pain, and assimilating the spiritual growth that certainly came from those experiences. It is a time of leaving the things behind that no longer serve us on our journey to our soul’s perfection and being open to the new things we will attract for the same reason. As the year officially draws to a close and we mark the beginning of the New Year, it is a good time to let go of the old and make ready to embrace the new and all that the new year will bring. Is it new love? Is it new job or career? Will your relationship deepen and go to the next level? Are you embarking upon a personal journey of spiritual growth and development and need guidance? What lies in store for you in the new cycle of the year?  Lady Sarah or Sophia are able to see clearly into the coming year for you so that you are prepared and aware of what to expect!

Have a blessed Samhain and All Hallows

Twas the evening of Samhain
By Cathor Steincamp

‘Twas the evening of Samhain, and all through the place
were pagans preparing the ritual space.
The candles were set in the corners with care,
in hopes that the Watchtowers soon would be there.

We all had our robes on (as is habitual)
and had just settled down and were starting our ritual
when out on the porch there arose such a chorus
that we went to the door, and waiting there for us
were children in costumes of various kinds
with visions of chocolate bright in their minds.

In all of our workings, we’d almost forgot,
but we had purchased candy (we’d purchased a LOT),
And so, as they flocked from all over the street,
they all got some chocolate or something else sweet.

We didn’t think twice of delaying our rite,
Kids just don’t have this much fun every night.
For hours they came, with the time-honored schtick
of giving a choice: a treat or a trick.

As is proper, the parents were there for the games,
Watching the children and calling their names.
“On Vader, On Leia,
On Dexter and DeeDee,
On Xena, on Buffy,
Casper and Tweety!
To the block of apartments
on the neighboring road;
You’ll get so much candy,
you’ll have to be TOWED!”

The volume of children eventually dropped,
and as it grew darker, it finally stopped.
But as we prepared to return to our rite,
One child more stepped out of the night.

She couldn’t have been more than twelve or thirteen.
Her hair was deep red, and her robe, forest green
with a simple gold cord tying off at the waist.
She’d a staff in her hand and a smile on her face.
No make-up, nor mask, or accompanying kitsch,
so we asked who she was; she replied “I’m a witch.
And no, I don’t fly through the sky on my broom;
I only use that thing for cleaning my room.
My magical powers aren’t really that neat,
but I won’t threaten tricks; I’ll just ask for a treat.”

We found it refreshing, so we gave incense cones,
A candle, a crystal, a few other stones,
And the rest of the candy (which might fill a van).
She turned to her father (a man dressed as Pan)
and laughed, “Yes, I know, Dad, it’s past time for bed,”
and started to leave, but she first turned and said
“I’m sorry for further delaying your rite.
Blessed Samhain to all, and a magical night.”

As the year officially draws to a close and we mark the beginning of the new year, it is a good time to let go of the old and make ready to embrace the new and all that the new year will bring. Is it new love? Is it new job or career? Will your relationship deepen and go to the next level? A psychic reading with Sophia or Lady Sarah can help you see what is leaving your life and what is coming in. You may find out more about our psychics by clicking on their images at left. To speak with them, please click on their Click4advisor buttons also at left.