Imbolc 2024
Fresh Eggs
Newsletter of the Women's Spirituality Forum
What's Fresh?
Z's birthday was January 30. Our founding mother turned 84 on the cusp of Imbolc. Joyfully, she is still vibrant and dynamic, and has great visions for the future. We are anticipating seeing Z at the Goddess Festival this September 5-8!
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From Z:
Anthesteria: Blessings on Vine Festival - from The Aquarian Holy Book of Women's Mysteries
This was a three-day festival held around the February full moon, the first day being dedicated to the Opening of the Casks (Pithoigia) for the broaching of the new wine. Essentially, the community got together to taste their new wine, and to pour out libations to the Earth Mother Who made it all possible. As they poured, they asked that the wine be rendered harmless, since the Goddess didn't really like wine or alcohol to drink. Her animals could die from it. Pure water or juices were more favored libations of the Earth Mother. On this day of Opening the Casks, the normal patriarchal slave-master hierarchy was relaxed, and a more socialistic matriarchal approach was law. “No one shall be prevented from tasting of the new wine!” Slaves and masters, parents and children, drank together.
The second day of this festival was the Day of Cups, and drinking contests were held all over town. One tradition called for someone to drain the garlanded cup to win a cake of great good luck. Cups being a pleasure symbol, it is no wonder that the Sacred Marriage was staged on this day. During this “Hieros Gamos,” a sexual union took place between the representative of the Goddess and Her sacred king. The temples of the earth-born Dionysus were opened so that the community could, for the only time all year, witness this sacred union. If this involved the actual queen of a country, there was a “displaying” of her pleasure, which was the best omen for her people in the coming year.
The third day of Anthesteria was the Festival of the Pots, a celebration of the food for the people. Pots were newly purchased, blessed by priestesses, and a great meal then cooked in them for the first time—to feed the hunger that the Day of Cups had worked up. General disorganization ruled this day, too, and no work was done other than feeding the community.
When all three days had passed, it was time for the serious part of Anthesteria to be observed, around midnight, in each home. Here the head of the house, mother of the family, would stand barefoot in the middle of the home. First, she would make a special sign with her hand, the sign of the Yoni—making the shape of a diamond with thumbs and index fingers touching and the rest held straight out next to each other. She would wash her hands in clear spring water three times, then turn around three times, each time putting nine black beans into her mouth. Through the special sign she had made with her hands she would spit the beans, calling out: “These I send forth! With these beans I redeem myself and mine!”
Nine times the mother would spit nine beans for the Mother Goddess, saying this each time. After the beans had all been spat out, she would avert her eyes and turn away so that the ghosts (or their essences) could pick the beans up. To complete the rite, she would wash her hands again with water, and striking a brass bell nine times, would say after each stroke, “Shades of my ancestors, depart!”
Since, in essence, this ritual is a mutual All Hallows custom, it may also be observed at Halloween, or in May when the Goddess is still in Her Death-in-Life aspect. Different places in the world with their varying climates should decide when this gentle exorcism of the old spirits is appropriate.
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| Imbolc 2024 by Sharon McCarthy |
~ Lá Fhéile Bríde ~
Our ancestors traversed the continents and oceans for thousands of years.
Few could stay in one place without the influence of invaders, famine or even wanderlust.
Migrating folk often used the Sun and Stars to generate world views amidst ever shifting landscapes.
The Gaels and other tribal peoples wedded their lives to the Land, and deeply listened to Her.
They also recognized the spiritual and earthly significance of four subtle shifts of the solar year.
One of these liminal thresholds is still celebrated today as Imbolc around February 1st.
Imbolc is a time of rebirth and renewal. It means ‘in the belly.’
When we allow ourselves to Listen to the Land Speak, we may sense these tidal shifts in our own body.
Imbolc beckons us to breathe blessings into the spark that’s quickening in our hearts, and in our lives.
The poetic Irish voice loves to pay tribute to the Spirit of the Land through personification.
This bridging brings us into a more intimate relationship with the power of elemental forces.
It helps us orient our tender selves amidst the ever-changing vastness of Land, Sea and Sky.
Halfway between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox
The prevailing energy of Winter embodied as the Cailleach fades as the flame of Brighid flares.
Let their voices touch your heart and guide your way from Winter to Spring.
~~~
I am the Cailleach, the ‘Veiled One’
Who placed these stones upon which you stand.
I am the living bones of your ancestral Land.
My rooted wisdom echoes ancient starlight.
I am Mama Gaia’s primordial Grandmother.
You may have forgotten me, yet my strength lives on.
My breath freezes the Earth’s mantle.
Keeper of seeds and bringer of storms,
Maker of mountains ~ I am the Hag of Winter.
Ye think me harsh to halt new growth through the cold months.
I tear limbs from trees, and stones from the hills.
Yet my destructive ways serve to balance and protect Life.
On Imbolc Eve when young Brighid relights Her forge
When the ice melts, the Land thaws and new growth stirs
I merge with the shadow of a Standing Stone and welcome Her Light.
~~~
I am Brighid the ‘Bright or Exalted One’, daughter of The Dagda
I am life awakening in the womb of the Earth.
I midwife the creativity of birth in all its expressions.
I bring you My flames to brighten your heart.
The warmth of My hearth will help you to reawaken into the new
I am Brighid, Triple Goddess of Poetry, Smithcraft and Healing.
Know Me in the living waters of My sacred wells and be refreshed.
Trust yourself in the fires of transformation which I tend.
Find Healing in the poetry of your cells, in the songs of your Soul.
~~~
This year February 4th is the astrological midpoint between the equinox and solstice.
February 9th brings us to the Aquarian New Moon, our Lunar Imbolc.
We have this whole span of days for visioning growth initiated by the increasing Light.
Placing our seeds of possibility into the warming earth
We Bless the flowering of all that is to come by not rushing.
In full awareness we open to the Magic of our slowly emerging growth.
Bright Blessings and Love
Sharon
http://www.soulsvisionhealing.com/
The Goddess Festival for 2024 is September 5-8 in La Honda, CA. Come to the sacred redwoods to sing, dance, and howl at the Moon! Z cannot wait to see all of you.
The
theme for this year's festival is Goddess Culture! Z is planning some
truly special events fitting with this theme. The wonderful women of
Hekate's Wheel will be there to lift us with their amazing music. Kris
Freewoman and Larissa Montfort will be awakening our spirits with drums.
Valerie Byrne, a vocal teacher trained by Heather Houston, will show
us how to lift our voices so we fill the mountains with song.
All
women are welcome to come. Our site has ADA accommodations and we honor
our elders and those who need mobility assistance in their journey with
the Goddess.
The Goddess Festival Early Registration has opened! Sign up before March 31, 2024 to get the best rates and the most options for payment. We need volunteers and we need vendors! If you are interested in doing either at the Festival, please email Tinn at dreamweaver93@sbcglobal.net and put Goddess Festival in the subject line. Many hands make the work of the Goddess light! 💗
Register for the Goddess Festival 2024
Goddess of the Month - January 2024: Frigga
WHO IS FRIGGA?
Frigga is the foremost Lady amongst the Goddesses according to Norse/Germanic cultures. She is Goddess of marriage, medical arts, the domestic arts, and weather, amongst other things. She was said to weave the clouds, and also to weave people's destinies. She was called upon to watch over women in childbed, and a plant known as Frigg's Grass by the Norse and Lady's Bedstraw (Galium verum) in modern times was used by midwives to aid women during labor. Some of Her titles include:
Fjorgyn's maer - Daughter of Fjorgyn
Frigg - Beloved One
Nyckel Vaktaren - Key-Keeper
Fripwebba - Peaceweaver
Cultural Ties
Frigga was worshipped all over northern Europe, and signs of Her are everywhere. She is part of the common lexicon since Friday is named after Her. The original is "Frigga's Day". Many place names in Europe have ties to Her, including Friggeraker in Sweden and Friden in Derbyshire, England - which was originally named Frigedune or "Valley of Frig" in maps dating from the 10th century CE. She had no main center of worship since the large temples of places like Greece and Rome were not part of the cultural landscape of the Norse and Germanic peoples. Like their neighbors the Slavs, they worshipped their Gods in the land and in their homes and all places were fitting for the celebration of these Rites. Thus references to Frigga come to us from words and place names as well as carvings and the tales handed down in the Eddas and other works of poetry.
Frigga is a Goddess of beginnings. The Norse New Year was observed on the Winter Solstice, and that night was holy to Frigga. Known as "Mother Night", it was when Frigga was supposed to have labored through the birthing of Her son Baldur, the Norse god of light and the sun. The blessing of Frigga was invoked by and on behalf of birthing women through burning a white candle which had last burned during the winter solstice. This was considered a charm to ensure a safe delivery.
Noble Queen and Lady
Noble Queen and Lady
Frigga is Queen of the Gods, which is interesting since Odin is not typically described as King, where She is definitely given the title Queen in many sources. She was considered to be Odin's wife and helpmeet, but Hers was not the same kind of lot in marriage as Hera, due to the very different status of women in Norse cultures, which was much more independent and equal. She was a noble lady whose example taught women the arts of the home, which included - especially for noble wives - keeping the peace and advising her husband in important matters. Frigga helped to maintain the orderliness of life by giving to women all the skills needed to be well-rounded keepers of the Frith. The skills She gave include: agriculture and cooking; spinning and weaving; the growing of herbs and crafting of medicines; management of money for the home and for the community; child-rearing and midwifery; writing and mathematics; and the maintaining of the extended relationships of not only the local community but the larger world. Without Frigga and Her blessings, life for the Germanic/Nordic people would have been impossible.
Frigga had many helpers, called The Handmaiden's of Frigga, to assist Her in maintaining the Frith of Asgard and Midgard. Their functions give us even deeper insight into Figga's central role in life. These Handmaidens include:
Var - Goddess of Love-vows, whose name is invoked in marriage ceremonies to witness the promises that those joining in loving partnership make to one another. She is one of several who witness various types of oaths and punish oath-breakers
Sjofn - Goddess of Love and Relationships, She gives the pleasures of sex as well as love and helps lovers get past arguments. She rules the passions and is the only one who could intercede for lovers whose relationships were disallowed by family or custom. She also governs familial love and the love between friends and companions
Syn - Goddess of the Threshhold, whose name means Truth. She guards the door of Frigga's palace and also presides over all trials and tribunals. She also wards all boundaries, and Her name is the ultimate No, when invoked it is an utter denial of whatever is stated or sought
Gna - messenger of Frigga, considered the personification of the refreshing breeze as She traveled the realms on Her swift steed. She is the eyes and ears of Frigga, passing along messages and reporting to Frigga all She sees and hears on Her travels
Saga - Goddess of Memory. She lives in the crystal hall Sokvabek and drinks daily from the River of Time. The songs of history are named for Her, and She maintains the memory of all that is, was, or shall be. She is also matron of all who use the written word for communication and recording of history - both cultural and familial, poetry if it is about those subjects, and the creation and telling of stories that enrich life and weave the history into something with daily relevance
Eir - Goddess of Healing and Medicine, whose name means Mercy. She is a stern but compassionate Goddess who is said to travel about as an itinerant healer helping those in need
Gefion - Goddess of Agriculture and Fertility. She is invoked at the plowing of fields and sowing of crops and when couples wish to have children since human fertility also falls under Her domain. Guardian of maidens, She protects women who die unwed, and She is also called upon to witness certain types of oaths
Fulla - Frigga's Sister who carries the coffer of life and death. She is considered Keeper of Women's Mysteries since She holds the Key to Frigga's coffer and knows all Her secrets
Lofn - Goddess of passionate love and forbidden love, Her name means Permission, and She was invoked to protect lovers whose love was outside common custom. There are many who say that in modern times when few heterosexual unions are prohibited or looked on with disfavor, that She has become an especial guardian of LGBTQ lovers and can be invoked by them in overcoming prejudice and bigotry
Vor - Goddess who witnesses all oaths and punishes oath-breakers. She is also the power of intuition and inner-sight, the work of the Seidh is sacred to Her
Hlin - Goddess of Compassion. She kisses the tears of mourners and comforts those who grieve. She is sometimes sent by Frigga to save those in danger. She gives succor to those in need and fights for those threatened or oppressed
Snotra - Goddess of Women's Wisdom and Good Manners. She is the grease the helps smooth relationships - an absolute necessity in a culture where people can be cooped up together for months at a time. Her rules govern both simple daily politeness as well as etiquette and hospitality.
Call to Frigg, the Silent Knower - Winifred Hodge
On far-seeing Hlidskjalf,
From the deepest wells of knowledge,
Share with us the silent wonder of the world!
All-knowing Frigg, norn-wise,
You know there is no tongue in which to tell
Of all that is and that shall be;
To sort the spinning strands of possibility
Into a span of words.
Yet with your spindle and your well-strung loom
You weave the airy clouds
And send the winds to shape them,
Writing your wordless wisdom-runes
In the ever-changing valleys of the sky.
Teach us, Lady, to heed
The wisdom that lies beyond all words.
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