Earth Mother Moon Journal, Fall Equinox Harvest Issue. Issue Number 5
The harvest moon is waning, and for me this moon period has been a time of deep reflection, gratitude, abundance, and of understanding. Just looking to the full moon this month, I, ofcourse, could not sleep, so I went out and drank in the moonlight. It was the closest moon of the year, and not cloudy, so the light was amazing. I could imagine being on a farm and harvesting all night from the light. This was the harvest moon, three years ago I sat out under with labor pains, to give birth shortly after dawn to my daughter Juliette- three years ago in October. A special time for me to say the least. I knew somewhere in me that things would change again, with this moon, and I sat up in ritual, in meditation that night, after midnight... late for a mom with early rising toddlers, although it used to be a typical meditation time for me in the past!- anyway, I sat there... and I knew, I asked, I intended, I felt... things would change now for the better and settle.
Days later, it has felt to me as if the Goddess has turned on lights in several areas of my life. Each day I feel a new area has been brought more light and understanding, and with this I can then go forward with more thought and care, and less 'reaction' from my own past. Also, parts of myself I have kept under wraps for various reasons in my life... well, they've also come in to the light with this harvest moon. Shining- maybe at times squinting and a bit overwhelmed by the light and life they now have- but also now able to grow again, come out, and truly live. My intuition always seems to strengthen this time of year, and I am able to enjoy moments of spirit throughout my day- and my work with creativity, well, it's coming out all over the place these days. Sometimes I wonder if it is the darkness this time of year, that grows and grows, that allows the inner light to come out even stronger. With the darkness comes the light- and maybe with the darkness comes the forces of creation- and therefore creativity as well.
The harvest moon has also meant a great deal of gratitude for me. It is a time we take in the harvest, reaping what we have sown since spring. I have sown a lot into my family and home and I just feel so blessed to rake it in right now, taking time for it. I also see some places I haven't cared for as well... and the frailty in those aspects of myself, and what care I need to take now. I ask you, as this harvest moon wanes- what are you grateful for? Where is your energy going? What are you reaping? Are you reaping what you really want to be, or is it the brussel sprouts you never liked anyway and your poor favorite fruits are withering away in a corner? And what... what needs to come into the lightness and grow?
Thursday we will be celebrating Mabon, the Fall Equinox. To me, I feel fall already here. The leaves are turning, the raspberries are out, as are early pumpkins, and apples ready for picking. There is not a better time to be cooking and eating all year- because we also still have the fruits of summer- the fresh corn and squashes and tomatoes too! Take time this week to remember what all that we have, and a moment to treasure your friends, your family and those you love:) I have truly enjoyed putting together the information for this moon's journal- I hope you enjoy it as well!
Happy Harvesting:)
Calesta Ana
The Goddess:
The Goddess to me, a higher power, has many faces...some I connect to more than others. This month I share information first on the idea of archetypes, but then on the Goddess Bertha. I had no idea our lake upnorth was named after a Spinning Goddess! This was quite exciting to me! So I thought I'd share the information I found on Her too:)
On Deities...
"The forms or archetypes through which we worship the Divine are ways and channels for the human mind with its limitations to perceive and communicate with the infinate that is beyond our understanding. Deities can be thought of as incarnations, avatars or personalities through which the Divine unity manifests in order to help us understand and communicate with it. These images are a mutual creation of deity and worshipper.... The arcehtypes of the deities are manifestations of the underlying spiritual force that gives rise to them- The Great Spirit that permeates all. The archetypes of the deities are mysteries that reveal layers of meaning and wonderment that take us many lifetimes to understand and unravel." (from A Woman's Guide to the Earth Traditions by Vivianne Crowley)
The Norse/German Goddess Bertha
In Norse mythology (ancient Norway) Bertha is the goddess of spinning (http://www.fas.org/news/reference/probert/D4.HTM) She is also known in Germany also as Hertha and Berchta, as a Goddess of Domesticity. She is known as the "white Lady", that goes into nurserys and rocks babies to sleep (but not to naughty children, to whom she is a terror!). Her festival is celebrated near Yule, and many sources say she is celebrated in Germany on January 1st, and others as December 21st, or both (http://www.fortunecity.com/greenfield/tigris/567/id55.htm) http://www.shieldmaidens.org/Veng/scand/calendar/december.html) The information I have found based on the Yule (December 21) Celebration for Hertha, was very similar to our Yule, and Christmas celebrations. Early Germans baked cakes shaped like slippers that they called Hertha's slippers, and filled them with gifts. The following quote is from Hottes, Alfred Carl, 1001 Christmas Facts and Fancies, NY: De La Mare, 1937 "During the Winter Solstice houses were decked with fir and evergreens to welcome her coming. When the family and serfs were gathered to dine, a great altar of flat stones was erected and here a fire of fir boughs was laid. Hertha descended through the smoke, guiding those who were wise in saga lore to foretell the fortunes of those persons at the feast. Hertha's altar stones became the hearthstones of the home. We learn from this story why Santa Claus comes down the chimney instead of at the door. It is a survival of the coming of Hertha..." (http://www.schooloftheseasons.com/decdays2.html) This Goddess is also connected with Holly- in North Germanic tribes she was called Holda or Bertha. Even in the tenth cenury it is said that Pagan women rode under Her leadership for night rides. Holly was sacred to her, and Germanic followers of this goddess often made magick wands from its wood ( DJ Conway, Maiden, Mother Crone) I have seen her listed under several sites as a "crone" aspect of the Goddess
Herb of the Month- Goldenrod:
As this one is just so beautiful blooming wild all over- and it's so beautiful (I let this 'weed' grow in my gardens every year and I use it for decorations and the yellow is good for a natural dye as well!) this was my first choice this month!
GoldenRod, From Cunningham's Encylopedia of Magical Herbs
Folk Namse: Aaaron's Rod, Blue Mountain Tea, Goldruthe, Gonea Tea,
Sweet Scented Goldenrod, Solidago, Verg d' Or, Wound Weed, Woundwort
Gender : feminine
Planet: Venus
Element: Air
Powers: Money, Divination
Magical Uses: To see your future love wear a piece of goldenrod. He or she will appear on the morrow. When held in the hand, the flower nods in the direction of hidden or lost objects or where buried treasure lies. If goldenrod springs up suddenly near the house door, unexpected good fortune will soon rain upon the family living there. Goldenrod is also used in money spells.
The Harvest Moon:
from Moon Magick, DJ Conway:
Also called the Wine Moon, Singing Moon, Sturgeon Moon, Holy Month, Wood Months,a nd Moon when deer paw the earth. The New Moon is the feast of Gauri in India. The new Moon nearest the Autumn Equinox was teh Citua or Feast of t he Moon amoung the Incas. The Full Moon was the Festival of the Pig, which honored the Greek Demeter and the Norse Freyja. Many Moon Festivals and Celebrations in both China and Korea occur as well! The Chinese Harvest Festival was in honor of the Moon goddess Ch'ang-O. The Moon has always been associated with the psychic and divination. Chinese magicians used willow wands, wax dolls, water divining, geomancy, yarrow sticks, and magick mirrors. These mmirrors were decorated around the sides with unicorns, animals representing the four sides of the universe, and other mythical beings. The I Ching (Book of Changes) is still used today.
Mothering:
From the Book, Whole Child/Whole Parent
"Parenthood is neither the having of children nor something we do to children. Parenthood is a time when we are pushed to discover the nature of the whole and oneness with it, a time when both our mistaken ideas about who we are and truer ones are brought to light. There is so much that is beautiful and good to wake up to. our children drive us toward this awakening.... our wholeness already exists and is not something to be given or forced upon or gotten or taken from each other in the future- but rather, now upon now, awakened to."
I wish you the best during this Moon Time:)
Feel free to email me using the contact form.
<< Previous Moon Journal Entry
Next Moon Journal Entry >>
Days later, it has felt to me as if the Goddess has turned on lights in several areas of my life. Each day I feel a new area has been brought more light and understanding, and with this I can then go forward with more thought and care, and less 'reaction' from my own past. Also, parts of myself I have kept under wraps for various reasons in my life... well, they've also come in to the light with this harvest moon. Shining- maybe at times squinting and a bit overwhelmed by the light and life they now have- but also now able to grow again, come out, and truly live. My intuition always seems to strengthen this time of year, and I am able to enjoy moments of spirit throughout my day- and my work with creativity, well, it's coming out all over the place these days. Sometimes I wonder if it is the darkness this time of year, that grows and grows, that allows the inner light to come out even stronger. With the darkness comes the light- and maybe with the darkness comes the forces of creation- and therefore creativity as well.
The harvest moon has also meant a great deal of gratitude for me. It is a time we take in the harvest, reaping what we have sown since spring. I have sown a lot into my family and home and I just feel so blessed to rake it in right now, taking time for it. I also see some places I haven't cared for as well... and the frailty in those aspects of myself, and what care I need to take now. I ask you, as this harvest moon wanes- what are you grateful for? Where is your energy going? What are you reaping? Are you reaping what you really want to be, or is it the brussel sprouts you never liked anyway and your poor favorite fruits are withering away in a corner? And what... what needs to come into the lightness and grow?
Thursday we will be celebrating Mabon, the Fall Equinox. To me, I feel fall already here. The leaves are turning, the raspberries are out, as are early pumpkins, and apples ready for picking. There is not a better time to be cooking and eating all year- because we also still have the fruits of summer- the fresh corn and squashes and tomatoes too! Take time this week to remember what all that we have, and a moment to treasure your friends, your family and those you love:) I have truly enjoyed putting together the information for this moon's journal- I hope you enjoy it as well!
Happy Harvesting:)
Calesta Ana
The Goddess:
The Goddess to me, a higher power, has many faces...some I connect to more than others. This month I share information first on the idea of archetypes, but then on the Goddess Bertha. I had no idea our lake upnorth was named after a Spinning Goddess! This was quite exciting to me! So I thought I'd share the information I found on Her too:)
On Deities...
"The forms or archetypes through which we worship the Divine are ways and channels for the human mind with its limitations to perceive and communicate with the infinate that is beyond our understanding. Deities can be thought of as incarnations, avatars or personalities through which the Divine unity manifests in order to help us understand and communicate with it. These images are a mutual creation of deity and worshipper.... The arcehtypes of the deities are manifestations of the underlying spiritual force that gives rise to them- The Great Spirit that permeates all. The archetypes of the deities are mysteries that reveal layers of meaning and wonderment that take us many lifetimes to understand and unravel." (from A Woman's Guide to the Earth Traditions by Vivianne Crowley)
The Norse/German Goddess Bertha
In Norse mythology (ancient Norway) Bertha is the goddess of spinning (http://www.fas.org/news/reference/probert/D4.HTM) She is also known in Germany also as Hertha and Berchta, as a Goddess of Domesticity. She is known as the "white Lady", that goes into nurserys and rocks babies to sleep (but not to naughty children, to whom she is a terror!). Her festival is celebrated near Yule, and many sources say she is celebrated in Germany on January 1st, and others as December 21st, or both (http://www.fortunecity.com/greenfield/tigris/567/id55.htm) http://www.shieldmaidens.org/Veng/scand/calendar/december.html) The information I have found based on the Yule (December 21) Celebration for Hertha, was very similar to our Yule, and Christmas celebrations. Early Germans baked cakes shaped like slippers that they called Hertha's slippers, and filled them with gifts. The following quote is from Hottes, Alfred Carl, 1001 Christmas Facts and Fancies, NY: De La Mare, 1937 "During the Winter Solstice houses were decked with fir and evergreens to welcome her coming. When the family and serfs were gathered to dine, a great altar of flat stones was erected and here a fire of fir boughs was laid. Hertha descended through the smoke, guiding those who were wise in saga lore to foretell the fortunes of those persons at the feast. Hertha's altar stones became the hearthstones of the home. We learn from this story why Santa Claus comes down the chimney instead of at the door. It is a survival of the coming of Hertha..." (http://www.schooloftheseasons.com/decdays2.html) This Goddess is also connected with Holly- in North Germanic tribes she was called Holda or Bertha. Even in the tenth cenury it is said that Pagan women rode under Her leadership for night rides. Holly was sacred to her, and Germanic followers of this goddess often made magick wands from its wood ( DJ Conway, Maiden, Mother Crone) I have seen her listed under several sites as a "crone" aspect of the Goddess
Herb of the Month- Goldenrod:
As this one is just so beautiful blooming wild all over- and it's so beautiful (I let this 'weed' grow in my gardens every year and I use it for decorations and the yellow is good for a natural dye as well!) this was my first choice this month!
GoldenRod, From Cunningham's Encylopedia of Magical Herbs
Folk Namse: Aaaron's Rod, Blue Mountain Tea, Goldruthe, Gonea Tea,
Sweet Scented Goldenrod, Solidago, Verg d' Or, Wound Weed, Woundwort
Gender : feminine
Planet: Venus
Element: Air
Powers: Money, Divination
Magical Uses: To see your future love wear a piece of goldenrod. He or she will appear on the morrow. When held in the hand, the flower nods in the direction of hidden or lost objects or where buried treasure lies. If goldenrod springs up suddenly near the house door, unexpected good fortune will soon rain upon the family living there. Goldenrod is also used in money spells.
The Harvest Moon:
from Moon Magick, DJ Conway:
Also called the Wine Moon, Singing Moon, Sturgeon Moon, Holy Month, Wood Months,a nd Moon when deer paw the earth. The New Moon is the feast of Gauri in India. The new Moon nearest the Autumn Equinox was teh Citua or Feast of t he Moon amoung the Incas. The Full Moon was the Festival of the Pig, which honored the Greek Demeter and the Norse Freyja. Many Moon Festivals and Celebrations in both China and Korea occur as well! The Chinese Harvest Festival was in honor of the Moon goddess Ch'ang-O. The Moon has always been associated with the psychic and divination. Chinese magicians used willow wands, wax dolls, water divining, geomancy, yarrow sticks, and magick mirrors. These mmirrors were decorated around the sides with unicorns, animals representing the four sides of the universe, and other mythical beings. The I Ching (Book of Changes) is still used today.
Mothering:
From the Book, Whole Child/Whole Parent
"Parenthood is neither the having of children nor something we do to children. Parenthood is a time when we are pushed to discover the nature of the whole and oneness with it, a time when both our mistaken ideas about who we are and truer ones are brought to light. There is so much that is beautiful and good to wake up to. our children drive us toward this awakening.... our wholeness already exists and is not something to be given or forced upon or gotten or taken from each other in the future- but rather, now upon now, awakened to."
I wish you the best during this Moon Time:)
Feel free to email me using the contact form.
<< Previous Moon Journal Entry
Next Moon Journal Entry >>