The concept of “dark feminine energy” refers to the aspects of the divine feminine that are associated with mystery, transformation, and the depths of the unconscious. This archetype is often represented by goddesses such as Kali, Lilith, Hecate, and the Morrigan, among others.
To awaken and connect with the dark feminine, one can start by exploring their own inner darkness and shadow aspects. This can involve practices such as journaling, meditation, dreamwork, and creative expression. It may also involve working with the symbols and imagery of dark feminine goddesses, and exploring the myths and stories associated with them.
Connecting with the dark feminine can help women to embrace their own power, creativity, and sexuality, and to transform aspects of themselves that may be holding them back. It can also help women to connect with a deeper sense of purpose and meaning, and to develop a more holistic and integrated sense of self.
It’s important to note that the “dark feminine” is not necessarily a force that is separate from or opposed to the “light feminine.” Rather, these are two aspects of a larger, more complex archetype that encompasses both light and dark. By embracing the dark feminine, women can tap into a deeper sense of wholeness and balance, and cultivate a more authentic and empowered sense of self.
The feminine spiritual path is a term that refers to a spiritual practice that embraces the divine feminine, or the feminine aspect of the divine. It is a path that values intuition, emotional awareness, connection to the earth, and the interdependence of all living things. This path often emphasizes the importance of community, relationships, and the healing of the collective wounds of patriarchy.
The feminine spiritual path can enlighten you by helping you to cultivate a deeper sense of connection to yourself, to others, and to the world around you. Through practices such as meditation, ritual, and creative expression, you can learn to access the wisdom of your intuition, to connect with your emotions in a healthy and authentic way, and to find meaning and purpose in your life.
It is important for women to have a spiritual practice because it can help them to connect with their own power and agency, to heal from the wounds of patriarchy, and to cultivate a sense of wholeness and balance in their lives. Women have historically been excluded from many spiritual traditions, and the feminine spiritual path offers a way for women to reclaim their spiritual heritage and to find their own unique path of connection to the divine.
Additionally, a spiritual practice can help women to navigate the challenges and complexities of daily life, to find a sense of meaning and purpose in their work and relationships, and to connect with a larger sense of community and purpose. Ultimately, a spiritual practice can help women to cultivate a deeper sense of inner peace, joy, and fulfillment, and to make a positive impact on the world around them.
Click here to learn ways to start your feminine spiritual journey.
I was first introduced to the concept of a Great Work from my Christian upbringing from the bible scripture John 14:12. According to John, greater works can only be applied through the Christian savior, Jesus. This concept of great works implies becoming Christ-like, performing miracles and sacrificing yourself for the sake of others. While it may seem noble, I will not be exploring that concept, more so, I will refer to the “Great Work” as described in Hermeticism. Our Great Work is fueled by our desires and is the vehicle for transmutation. As I have taken time to explore and claim my Great Work, I have learned that accepting the process of development makes wielding my Great Work with more ease. This means you will not get there overnight! Nor is reading a few books, attending a few courses or classes, or even taking a three-month sabbatical on a Buddhist mountain top! While your Great Work may lead you down those paths; the point is, this is a lifelong journey and process that will be full of ups, downs, disappointments, successes, joy, and failure- heavy on failure because that is where you truly find the answers and your way.
A close friend of mine stated that we are already in our Great Work, however, because we are so deeply invested in our experience that we tend to miss it or overlook how we are in flow of our Works. That is when I began to shift my perspective and take audit of my life experiences up to that point. And we truly are in our Great Work everyday, even in the mundane day to day experiences. These moments create the vast picture of what our purpose are.
If you are feeling stumped, or unsure what your purpose is, then I encourage you to review your life objectively. Sit quietly with yourself and write out what experiences you have had, pleasurable and unpleasurable, what failures and successes, and what mundane things you like to do and not do. While in this quiet space, refrain from judging any parts of yourself while you are allowing yourself to become curious. It is in these moments that your most profound messages and revelations shall come to you.
You may need to do this as a continued practice, and if so, encourage you to take 10-15 minutes a day for the next week to see what you will discover. Claiming and owning your Great Work is a process, and all great things develop with time and refinement. Have patience and extend grace to yourself. Greatness is calling!
I shared this post for #BlackHistoryMonth in a Goddess group I’m in. For context, the group is predominantly non-women of color, so when asked I was flattered to write up a personal story. And in writing, I became nervous and old triggers flared up. No one in the group made me feel uncomfortable, and the request was in no way tone deaf. Regardless, the offering came about beautifully and the assignment was well understood. So, here I am re-sharing in honor of #WomensHistoryMonth Thank you 🙏🏽
I am honored that I was asked to share an offering for Black Her-Story Month #BlackHistoryMonth As I did volunteered for a topic I must say its been triggering and brought me deeper into self reflection, nevertheless, I must trigger through. 💙✨💙
I will be sharing from my personal experiences, and welcome it as a portion of the collective experience of the witch wound among Black Afro indigenous women. Many of us sisters have experience this and there is quite nuances in all our experiences, particularly as it shows or plays out among Black Afro indigenous women. I don’t want to stand as a representation for all black women or Black American women however, I do believe there are intersections in what I will offer. I’ll share my experience as I am triggering through and healing the witch wound.
I grew up in a very Christian southern military home that was quite patriarchal; However, I can remember my late paternal great grandmother being very knowledgeable of roots, herbs, and cultivating tinctures. She was of Cherokee Nation (Chicora Indian) and Angola descendent by way of the slave trade, who grew up on the Gullah Islands of South Carolina and Florida. Although she was very much a Christian, a preachers wife, and a high society social lite, there was this quiet mystical aura about her. Now these old folks would never call themself magical, let alone a witch, for that would be blasphemous, however, they would say in the whispers of night that she was a “root Woman”.
Even as I reflect on my late maternal great grandmother who was very much connected to her native American indigenous heritage too, she was very much a Christian, as well as a minister’s wife. She was a highly skilled gardener and cook, she could heal just about anything with a tea, cake, or a stew. She was from Louisiana. I can remember from both my parents, detesting the workings of both my great grandmothers, never in a disrespectful manner, but in a fearful manner as if they were doing something wrong or evil. Nevertheless, they and many others would still with seek her out for help for any ailments both physical and metaphysical. Their work Was detested yet necessary.
So fast forward to myself when I began my awakening shortly after 2012, I became more interested in learning the history of both my great grandmothers. I was quite intrigued by what they understood and what they had knowledge of despite my parents and other family members whispers of disapproval. Just like my great grandmothers, I too suffered disapproval, but more so publicly for my exiting of the Christian church. It was a very lonely in dark time for me during my awakening however what I was able to gain was a deeper understanding and connection with both my blood lines I was able to reconcile the missing Link as to what my great grandmothers could not do openly, could not say openly, could not live openly.
I honor these women and every women before them Who were not able to live and be wild and free. Who were bounded to social, racial, and Misogynoir norms that limited their expansion.
I honor every single witchy woman, mystics, obeah woman, root worker, spirit cooker, Oracle seer and Priestess along her path for isolation is also protection.
Now as I am growing comfortable with outing myself, I personally struggle with my knowings and not knowing how I know. I am working through embracing that I belong here. That I too am Daughter of The Mother, they I too am seen. That I too belong. That I too am powerful and I too can be free. For I was and will always be Free.
And That Not just “I too” but I“AM”. So when I reflect on the collective of Black Afro Indigenous women, I feel the collective grief, hurt, shame, and fear- mainly fear of remembering the WHO WHAT WHERE WHEN AND WHY- and the ANGER, rage that comes with the cycle and process healing grief and anguish. The fear of remembering what was lost, forgotten, and stolen. The remembrance of how the first became last and forgotten.
Until then, like myself once did, we may hide behind and try to find a solace or a buffer in religion, men, children, careers, food etc.. anything that would attempt to ease the memories of death, destruction, power and creation.
But there is a light of reconciliation within the mother and her daughter. All progressions fulfills it’s Cycle; the pendulum swings, the wheel turns, the double Dutch ropes rounds about and When she is ready to fully embrace All of her being, May Her Crown of Glory reawakens All the Hearts of The Daughters to be fully embraced; for there is no exclusion in the arms of The Mother, in the Joy of the Maiden, and eyes of The Crone.
Dedicate this post to my late Great-Grandmothers Alice “Lottie” McAllister and Margaret Jessie May Johnson
What is Imbolc? In modern times, it’s honored by Wiccan and pagan celebration that has also been known as Candelmas. Imbolc symbolizes the halfway or midpoint, or bridge point between the Winter Solstice (Yule tide) and Spring Equinox (Ostara). In modern times, it is revered between January 31 – February 3. In the year 2022 it will fall on the astrological alignment of the Sun in sign Aquarius, a new Moon in Aquarius, and the Lunar Chinese New Year. 🐅
Imbolc is believed to have originated from Proto-Indo-European cultures, and is loosely translated to mean “to milk” and “to wipe clean”. As cultures and people traveled further into what we know as Europe, the practice and name of Imbolc was adopted by old Irish Celtic word meaning “pregnant” or “in the belly”. This was to reflect the pre-seasonal change of seedlings beginning to “stir” in Mother Earth to sprout or be birthed in the Spring. This holiday celebrated Brigid, the Celtic fire and fertility Goddess. Over the centuries, Brigid was adopted by Christianity as St. Brigid.
Black Woman and Imbolc
As “black” indigenous people of the African Diaspora, it is vital for our mental and spiritual liberation to reconnect with our spiritual natural order. Imbolc is a “religious” rite of honoring Black Womanhood by our ancient matriarchs and fathers. This was and is the sacred feast honoring the transitional stages of a girlhood or Maidenhood entering the enlightenment of womanhood, or motherhood. This holy feast day honored the transition and wisdom of each biological phase, spiritual responsibility, and divinity of the female human form.
The ancient Celtic practice of Imbolc celebrated Brigid, the Celtic maiden goddess in the form of the sun. Legend and myth stated that she would spread her green cloak across the land, releasing it from the icy grips of winter. Her feast day represents the midpoint of winter to spring., and honored with bonfires, blazing hearths, lit candles and foods that symbolize the the Sun.
This was a high time for magic, for ritually burning off and releasing the old year and nourishing the new.
We can honor this high holy day today by placing a woven or weaved cross on our doors. The weaving and the cross symbolizes the bridge between dark and light of our journey. You may light a candle and sit in silence to honor your personal life journey, every high and low that has led you to this point. You may even journal gratitude for your experiences and wisdom gained while sitting near a bonfire of fireplace.
To learn more about Brigid, Oracles, and Her-Story click here!
As part of our spiritual path to find Union, we find balance and harmony in the Sacred Divine Feminine and Masculine principles. It is best to understand that these principles are found in every human being, regardless of gender.
Throughout spiritual traditions, the masculine principle has been represented, in Greek mythology to Christendom, as male deity or “God”. Which gives reverence to the divinity of masculine spiritual path. These figures represent divine masculine through the qualities they embody.
Also known as yang, shiva,or solar energy, the Divine Masculine is ruled by the elements of sun (fire) and sky (air).
As the sacred counterpart of the Divine Feminine, the Divine Masculine is an active force that is responsible for order, structure, passion, willpower, and courage.
It is vital that we activate the sacred Masculine energies within in order to fully encompass our spiritual power and path. As we embrace the awakening of our Sacred Masculine, we hone and empower our confidence, become more grounded, activate our inner strength, and develop keen discernment.
Unfortunately, with the rule of patriarchy, masculine energy has been represented as brute force, aggression, anger, and over powering the weak. According to Moore & Gillette in their book, King Warrior Magician Lover, the describe patriarchy has the expression “of the immature masculine… expression of its shadow”. Patriarchy from their viewpoint is an attack of masculinity in its fullness as well as femininity in its fullness.
Remember, we all possess sacred feminine and sacred masculinity. The objective is to seek harmony and balance within. For example, leadership may be a masculine quality, however, we can find leadership in men or women regardless of gender.
To better integrate masculine energy in your life, incorporate the following practices:
Acknowledge Your current relationship to the Masculine principles.
Start right where you are. What feelings or thoughts come up for you as it relates to masculinity? Journal your thoughts.
Affirm your identity and expression
Write affirmations that express your masculine traits i.e I am Confident. I am self-disciplined. I am a warrior. Etc
Work with Archetypes or Dieties
Whether you find solace with Jesus, Krishna, Buddha or Horus. Select as connect a masculine archetype or deity that best represents your ideal masculine energy.
Take More Inspired Action
Be willing to take inspired risks when the opportunity comes. When you believe in yourself and confident in the Divine having your back, you will take more leaps of faith.
Stand up for yourself
Excessive feminine energy can make one too passive and agreeable. Standing in your masculine energy creates healthy boundaries for you and others. Boundaries are loving and protective, even if they may offend others. Know that you hurt yourself more when you do not stand on your boundaries.
This week is full ahead in Sagittarius Season! We are all about living out our life purpose and Faith as a full time Job! This is a very important subject that I have been working through as well. And what I am learning as a student of life and the Divine is that we, more so I, have to STOP over complicating things and learn how to be more aligned with purposed living. Because the truth is success, life purpose, or whatever we are striving to achieve is quite simple and very seamless.
I can remember wasting so much time on trying to prove “I’m worthy” rather placing my faith in knowing my worthiness. Looking back I realized that I was insecure about feeling accepted and tried to overcompensate my self esteem by doing more than what’s required or even necessary for relationships and connection.
Bringing awareness to this pattern didn’t automatically stop, I had to actively intercept any reconfirming thoughts of that old pattern. That took a lot of work. At the time, My insecurities were my driving force, not my genuine desire for connection. That experience led me into more allowance and grace towards myself. And that’s where I discovered that faith is a sport that we must train and build up. And in order for me to believe, I had to be clear with my own intentions and how I was going to engage with it.
For me, and many others, faith was a struggle because I like to focus on hard facts and evidence. So much so, that if I did not see the tangibles, it was very difficult for me to trust in it or believe in myself to achieve it. In some ways that mindset served me well, however, it was also a stumbling block for living a more ease and stress reducing life. I constantly doubted myself and felt I needed to show up as the ideal rather than my authentic self expression. I was managing myself to be what my thought processes believed be and it was draining the life force out of me.
So how did I train to develop stronger faith? It started with me taking audit of my daily thought patterns. I use to suffer from terrible anxiety attacks, and what I found was many of the thoughts that triggered anxiety were not necessarily my own authentic thoughts. These were from other people or programs I picked up over the years that I had internalized as my own. It took me some time but everyday I would take notice of any thoughts that would trigger me emotionally and/or physically and was not in alignment with my desires outcome.
That simple mindset change led me to focus more on the feeling of what I was striving to accomplish rather than the monkey mind chaos of fear, doubt, and worry. It was a commitment to have a different experience with life. They say to have something you never had, you must do something you never done. And taking audit and account of my thoughts was what I never done before and it has warranted me some of my greatest lessons and experiences!
What is one step that you are going to take to build faith in your life? What areas of your life needs more awareness and compassion? I would love to hear from you in the comments section!
On December 1st, Neptune will go back direct in its ruling sign Pisces and I am quite excited about this transit. Neptune is currently transiting my 6th House and I’ve been welcoming this energetic upgrade to my current spiritual practice and experience. The archetypal energy of the Priestess has been amplified in my life this year, and Neptune in Pisces is really revving this energy in my life to take ownership of it.
Natally, Neptune is in my first house, so I am quite familiar with her dreamy and whimsical, slightly deceptive style. Honestly, I don’t care to place deceptive as an identity for Neptune, as from my experience with Neptune, deception comes in when we refuse to see what is in front of us with what we want to believe. I necessarily don’t blame Neptune or Piscean energy for that, that’s more so a self perception than an outer influence 🤷🏽♀️
But back to this transit and how I have been embodying her. Again, she is transiting my 6th house which is highlighting my routines, thoughts, and habits in not just my physical health, but also my mental and emotional health. While I find myself to live a pretty healthy lifestyle, I did find areas where I could improve for a more optimal experience.
Where ever she is transiting in your chart, you may begin to feel a deeper call to your spiritual enlightenment, imagination, empathy, and intuitive gifts. This is a great time to soul search and set ahead on where your inner world is calling.
