Journey to the Dark Goddess

We all reach a point in our lives when we know we are not on the right path.  Maybe we are dealing with self-destructive behavior like smoking, drinking or being around harmful people.  Perhaps we are depressed, angry or constantly feeling on edge.  Of course, the situation may not be so drastic. We could simply be at a point where we know it is time to do some deep inner work to make our lives better.  Whatever the reason, we all have a time when it is time to descend into the Underworld.  Now is when we call to the Dark Goddess.

I was given a book titled Journey to the Dark Goddess to review at the same time that I felt ready to work with Her.  You gotta love the Universe's timing!  I will review it at the bottom of this, but for now I'll just say it was an excellent book and perfect for this journey. The past few months I have been dealing with my journey into the Underworld, although I didn't recognize it as such at the time.  I suppose that is often the way. It is only upon looking backward that we see where our path has been leading us. My path has so gradually become darker that I didn't really notice it.  Sort of like when we were a child happily playing outside as long as possible, reveling in the magic of liminal times that the encroaching dusk allows us to taste.  Suddenly we realize that it's so dark we can hardly see our hands in front of our eyes. That is where I found myself - helplessly peering in the dark for my way.

For the past year I have had an odd fascination with Inanna, the Sumerian Queen of Heaven and Earth.  I had no idea where this had come from, but no matter how much I tried to set it aside for a later time it would keep popping up.  The Queen has quite a sly smile, especially when you finally accept She isn't going anywhere until you acknowledge Her. Then the pieces start to come together. Her images.  Her stories.  Her mysteries... Her descent into the Underworld. Aaahh...  Now I get it.  And suddenly I can see a path before me.

So where do you go from here? Once that siren call wraps around you there is no way to move forward until you fully acknowledge what it is asking of you. It is not an easy journey.  It is one you mostly have to undertake alone. That is not a reason to fear it though.  This solitary journey means you can go at your own pace.  Take the time you need for each step.  That is the only way to truly do such a thing and make it through successfully.

Where am I now?  I'm still early in the journey. I am no longer afraid.  Apprehensive, yes, but not afraid.  If I reach a point where I feel I can't take another step I can simply raise my head and there is the gentle gaze of Goddess, encouraging me to keep moving.  This is a journey alone, but a journey of strength.  Each step you leave something behind as some part of you dies.  Eventually you will realize that you are moving swifter and standing taller. Suddenly it all makes sense. After all, there is no longer as much weighing you down.

Now on to the book...
The timing for the opportunity to review this couldn't have been more perfect. Even better, it truly is all that it claims to be. As soon as you start to read, you feel as though you are getting ready for a true adventure.  She prepares you with tips, amazing insights, and hands you a few ways this journey may happen.  I very much appreciated the stories from different Goddess perspectives.

One of the most important statements within this book is "in entering the Underworld at all, some part of us has to die."  So true.  That gets to the heart of the matter. This book is a manual for how to let that which no longer serves to die so that the reader may emerge reborn.  So often in books of this nature there are silly little rituals that seem to be in a book more to make it appear more professional than for any actual assistance to the reader.  Here I found exceptions.  The rituals to prepare yourself are exercises in looking within to figure out why you are at this point and where your journey needs to go.  I have a tendency to skip them, but this is a rare occasion where I did not. It was a wise decision as those rituals helped me to gain insight that I truly needed, even if I wasn't willing to go all the way through this yet. They are of such value I even intend to use them in my Women's Spirituality group.

In truth, this book is a map.  It is a literary guide to the descent.  It does not paint it as a pretty little picture.  The author makes sure you understand this is something that will strip you down to your very core.  She also makes sure you understand that the pain and fear is worth it.  Pick up this guide.  Take those first steps.  Just understand this is not something you will skim.  It is the beginning of living a new life of authenticity. All it takes is a moment of courage and a one word answer....

"Yes"


http://www.moon-books.net/books/journey-to-the-dark-goddess

New Beginnings Really Are Possible

Here we are at the beginning of another year of light.  The sun rose again.  The days are getting longer now.  The ball has dropped and we get to remember to put 2015 on everything.  Regardless of it you consider the new year the Winter Solstice or January 1st, we are in a new year. New year means the perfect time for new beginnings!

We are all being inundated with commercials, facebook posts, and people talking about new year's resolutions.  It seems like you can't get away from the talk no matter how hard you try. Yet most people fail to keep their resolutions. Perhaps that is simply from the pressure. Myself, I don't believe in the standard resolution.  Instead I think of the new year as a time of transition into a new life.  

The first month I spend in reflection of what from the past year I need to let go of so that I can move forward to a better life.  After all, how can you make a change if you don't first determine the true cause of an issue?  For example - I had a friend a few years ago who wanted to quit smoking but no matter what she tried, it never worked. One year she chose it as her resolution and was determined it would be the year she was successful. I asked her why she smoked.  At first she looks at me like I was crazy, but I convinced her to really think about it.  Finally we found the root of the issue.  She smoked when she was stressed, but not all stress.  She only felt the intense need to light up when she felt like she was suppressing her true self.  She was a naturally outgoing artsy type person with a very unique style. Every time she tried to hide that true self she had to smoke. She never had success quitting because she never knew the cause of her addiction. Once we found out the cause, she was able to successfully quit.

This is why I don't make resolutions.  I instead work on reflection. This year I did a lot of thinking about a bad situation I removed myself from last year.  There was a lot of negativity, broken trust, and false rumors.  I admit, it had been hard to find closure.  This had been a major part of my life for years and it had connected me to most of my friends since moving to the area. This past Solstice I asked for help in finally gaining the closure I needed and resolving this situation in the best way possible for myself. Suddenly I was surrounded with proof that worked to ease my mind regarding my decision to walk away.  Some concerns I had about this old part of my life were confirmed unfortunately and suddenly other people came forward with similar stories.  Everyone had been keeping silent for fear that they would not be believed or negative repercussions. All of this helped me gain the closure I needed.  No more "what if"s rolling through my mind.  No more uncertainties about whether I really did see and hear what I thought I had.  Now I KNEW with every part of myself I did the right thing. And so that door is closed...

... and another one is opened.  I can't know what all the future holds, but the important thing is that I am ready for that future. As long as I was holding on the that other door I couldn't fully move on. This time of new year's reflection will allow amazing things to happen to me.  And so... on to a wonderful new beginning!!

Psychic & Spiritual Awareness Manual - a Review

When the option to review The Psychic & Spiritual Awareness Manual: a guide to DIY enlightenment came out, I was quite curious.  It sounded like something I would enjoy being full of exercises to help develop a person's psychic skills.  At the beginning, I admit I wasn't overly impressed.  However, I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review so I continued on.

As I read, I felt like the material covered was pretty basic.  Honestly, it felt like I had read it many times before.  That being said, if this subject is something new to the reader, then this book would be good to consolidate a lot of those basic teachings. It is full of exercises, again, all meant for the beginner. It does cover a large range of subjects such as color therapy, the aura, crystal energy and more.

There isn't much I can really say about this book.  It's short, simple and to the point.  Clearly it is designed for someone new to energy work or spiritualism.  There is a chapter on How to Run a Circle, but I feel if someone is beginner enough to require this book, then they should not be running a circle.  It's what I would consider a survey book designed to give students a glimpse at the subject or a quick reference book.  It's not bad, but written for a limited audience.

http://www.6th-books.com/books/psychic-spiritual-awareness-manual