Embody Luonnotar

A Luonnotar-woman always has deep compassion for how far she's come. 

It doesn't mean she never asks for help; she just never fears going it alone.

I knew that if I allowed fear to overtake me, my journey was doomed. Fear, to a great extent, is born of a story we tell ourselves, and so I chose to tell myself a different story from the one women are told. I decided I was safe. I was strong. I was brave. Nothing could vanquish me.

― Cheryl Strayed, Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

Her Themes:

Creativity, Tradition, Fertility, Beginnings

Her Symbols:

Egg, East Wind, Poetry

Embody Laka

A Laka-woman always dares to dance from the pureness of her heart.

It doesn't mean she never feels shy, she just never feels ashamed.

Kahuna Nui Hale Kealohalani Makua.

Love all you see, including yourself.

― Hawaiian proverb

Her Themes:

Tradition, Heritage, Weather, Arts,

Her Symbols:

Lei Flowers, Dance, Yellow

Embody Oba

An Oba-woman always makes the best of her current life experience.

It doesn't mean she never cries a river; she just never drowns in misery.

A woman in harmony with her spirit is like a river flowing. She goes where she will without pretense and arrives at her destination prepared to be herself and only herself.

 – Maya Angelou

Her Themes:

Protection, Manifestation, Movement, Energy, Restoration, Flexibility

Her Symbol:

Water

Embody Asherah

An Asherah-woman always births herself by giving her creative power form.
It doesn't mean she never fears; she just never taints the holiness of being. 

(She's) the living tree to those who flower in her wake; Those who embrace Her know the power of Asherah. 

Beingness, blessed beingness.

Mystery, blessed mystery.

Prov. 3:18 tells of female Wisdom: "She shall be a tree of life to all who lay hold on Her".  

—  Janet Maika’i Rudolph

Her Themes: 

Kindness, Love, Divination, Foresight

Her Symbols:

Lion, Lilies, a Tree or Pole

Embody Kali

A Kali-woman always expresses herself fearlessly and authentically.
It doesn't mean she never has regrets; she just never fakes it, or holds back.

Whether Kali seems terrifying, fascinating, or loving depends on our state of consciousness and our level of both emotional and spiritual development. But she always invites us to a radical form ego-transcendence.

—  Sally Kempton
Awakening to Kali: The Goddess of Radical Transformation 

Her Themes:

Rebirth, Cycles, Joy, Courage, Hope, Cleansing, Change

Her Symbols:
Flowers, Dance, Iron, Sword, Peacock, Feathers, Honey

Embody Minerva

A Minerva-woman always has the determination and will to win.
It doesn’t mean she never loses; she just never lets herself be defeated.

Defeat? I do not recognize the meaning of the word!

—  Margaret Thatcher, Iron Lady

Her Themes:

Earth, Home

Her Symbols:

  Owl, Geranium    

Embody Binah

A Binah-woman always trusts her inner wisdom and higher knowing.
It doesn't mean she never questions; she just never doubts herself.

Like a candle whose flame may light another without diminishing its own, or a flare of pure intent that blossoms from the heart of existence and out into the world. Her energy brings with it a desire for knowledge. She is the force that churns all the the potential from higher Emanations into a form that can be received by our consciousness.

—  unknown 

Her Themes:

Peace, Cooperation, Communication, Unity, Spirituality

Her Symbols:

Bees, Lilies, Lead

Embody Libitina

A Libitina-woman always welcome change, death and transformation.

It doesn't mean she never fears letting go; she just never fears renewal.

She was only walking. She was not the one who’s thoughts and tongue turned to Venus Libitina, and found the goddess wanting.

Everything is about death and rebirth, except for death and rebirth - which are about coming home.                      

—  unknown

Her Themes:

Death, Freedom
Her Symbol:

Fire

Embody Oniata

An Oniata-woman always shares her deepest truth and inner beauty.
It doesn't mean she never feels vulnerable; she just never fears being seen.

Whenever she turned her steep focus to me, I felt the warmth that flowers must feel when they bloom through the snow, under the first concentrated rays of the sun.

 ― Janet Fitch, White Oleander

Her Themes:

Recreation, Good Sportsmanship

Her Symbols:

Early-blooming Flowers, Snow

Embody Banba

A  Banba-woman always honors her inner wildness, and its fertile magick.

It doesn't mean she never gives; she just never allows herself to be taken.

There is a love of wild nature in everybody, an ancient mother-love showing itself whether recognized or no, and however covered by cares and duties.

― John Muir

Her Theme:

Protection

Her Symbol:

Soil

Embody Eleithyia

An Eleithyia-woman always midwives creative power, for self and others.
It doesn't mean she never passes the torch; she just never stops inspiring.

I want us all to grow so comfortable in our own feelings, our own knowing, our own imagination that we become more committed to our own joy, freedom, and integrity than we are to manipulating what others think of us. I want us to refuse to betray ourselves. Because what the world needs now, in order to evolve, is to watch one woman at a time, live her truest, most beautiful life without asking for permission or offering explanation.

― Glennon Doyle, Untamed

Her Themes:

Birth, Children, Creativity, Fertility

Her Symbols:

A Torch, White Flowers

Embody Arachne

An Arachne-woman always creates beauty by forgiving herself and others.
It doesn't mean she never fears being judged; she just never holds a grudge.

 

But I feel so helpless. 

That is usually the rule when you are taken advantage of. You can be the most powerful witch in the land, but you will always have a weakness, and that will always make you believe you have no power when someone exploits it. There is no greater strength than the ability to understand and accept your own flaws.

If there is one thing I have learned...it is that we must always be in the business of forgiveness, lest we become consumed by our anger. 

― Rin Chupeco, The Bone Witch

Her Themes:

Work, Weaving, Destiny

Her Symbols:

Web, Spinning Wheel, Needle

Embody Kore

A Kore-woman always radiates youthfulness and energy, despite her years.
It doesn't mean she never ages- she owns it; she just never believes she's old.

People often wondered what it was that made her so very compelling. Why she drew people in again and again? It wasn’t her beauty or her talent, though many, including myself, found those impossible to argue. I believe it was because she refused to deny the storm of her. She wasn’t all sunny days and brightness, and she knew it. Most people shy away from their own darkness, but she cast it across the sky without shame and it turns out none of us could resist the raw truth of that.

- for women who harness the storm.

― Jeanette LeBlanc

Her Themes:

Luck, Cycles, Youthful Energy

Her Symbols:

Coins, Corn, the number 7, Flower buds, Pomegranate

Embody Befana

A Bafana-woman always honors ancient wisdom and her own Crone insight.
It doesn't mean she never succumbs to doubt; she just never dwells therein. 

For some she came in a dream. For others in words as clear as a bell: It is time, I am here. She may come in a whisper so loud she can deafen you or a shout so quiet you strain to hear. She may appear in the waves or the face of the moon, in a red goddess or a crow.

Who is She?

She is your power, your Feminine source. Big Mama. The Goddess. The Great Mystery. The web-weaver. The life force. The first time, the twentieth time, you may not recognize her. Or pretend not to hear. As she fills your body with ripples of terror and delight.

But when she calls you will know you’ve been called. Then it is up to you to decide if you will answer.

― Lucy H. Pearce, Burning Woman

Her Themes:

Overcoming Evil, Wisdom

Her Symbols:

Broom, Horns, Hag Poppets

Embody Callisto

A Callisto-woman always trusts her instincts; and follows starry dreams.

It doesn't mean she never fears Mama bear; she just never lacks protection. 

Take risks! That is really what life is about. We must pursue our own happiness. Nobody has ever lived our life; there are no guidelines. 

Trust your instincts. Accept nothing but the best. But then also look for it carefully. Don't allow it to slip between your fingers. Sometimes, good things come to us in a such a quiet fashion. And nothing comes complete. It is what we make of whatever we encounter, that determines the outcome. What we choose to see, what we choose to save. And what we choose to remember. Never forget that all the love in your life is there, inside you, always.

― Linda Olsson, Astrid and Veronika

Her Themes:

Instinct, Protection, Flexibility

Her Symbols:

Bear, Willow Branches, Ursa Major Constellation

Embody Chin Mu

A Chin Mu-woman always heals herself with life's juiciest sweetness.
It doesn't mean she never feels old or ugly; she just never believes it's true!

You can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, and there's still going to be somebody who hates peaches.

― Dita Von Teese

Her Themes:

Health, Longevity, Femininity, Magick

Her Symbols:

Peach, Mulberry, Cats, Gold-toned Objects

Embody Benten

A Benten-woman always feels beautiful, rich and so incredibly lucky.
It doesn't mean she never has need; she just never forgets her inner reserves.

Meanwhile, when you listen to your heart and connect with who you’re meant to become, you have energy because you’re in a state of flow, things happen more easily, opportunities land in your lap, you’re turned on, inspired, engulfed in a sea of brilliant ideas. 

― Jen Sincero

Her Themes:

Luck, Wealth, Beauty

Her Symbols:

Boats, Dragons, Guitars, Snakes, Saltwater

Embody Gamelia

A Gamelia-woman always lives from a heart centered place of wholeness.
It doesn't mean she is never fragmented; she just never separates from soul.

Half of me is filled with bursting words and half of me is painfully shy. I crave solitude yet also crave people. I want to pour life and love into everything, yet also nurture my self-care and go gently. I want to live within the rush of primal, intuitive decision, yet also wish to sit and contemplate. This is the messiness of life - that we all carry multitudes, so must sit with the shifts.

We are complicated creatures, and ultimately, the balance comes from this understanding. Be water. Flowing, flexible and soft. Subtly powerful and open. Wild and serene. Able to accept all changes, yet still led by the pull of steady tides. It is enough. You can be both soft and intense. Both vulnerable and strong. Both traditional and rebellious. Both romantic and realistic. Both feminine and oceanic, yet filled with slow burning fire. There is possibility inside of paradox. There is a universe of different perceptions.

― Victoria Erickson

Her Themes:

Luck, Health, Prosperity, New Beginnings

Her Symbols:

Two-sided Items, Representations of Old and New

Love Letter to Ahes

Goddess art by Tammy Wampler 

Beloved Goddess,

Symbolizing the abundance of the vast sea, gorgeous and wild, your beauty and the depth of your eyes mirror its courageous passion. 

Ahes, how brave you are in your loveliness, fighting against the influential religious forces who try to turn you into some monstrous, frightening figure because you do not conform to their beliefs...

Perhaps, they are correct in fearing loss of their followers- those weary of shallow lies, those who would give up everything to drown in your fertile feminine depths and find their authentic voice, their true calling- truth and comfort in your wise, ancient ways. 

Yes, your power is that great! Like that of a siren, your seductive soul song is hauntingly provocative, but also healing. Only, when you sing, those who hear are not doomed. But, offered solace, providence and blessings. 

You call lost souls home. 

Home within your loving embrace.

Please continue standing as a beckon of light: Guiding those lost and adrift at sea. those afraid in the darkness. Offering hope to all who struggle to stay afloat, unable to endure the storms of life.

Thank you.

-Yours devotedly

Love Letter to Genetaska

Goddess art by unknown

 
Beloved Goddess,

Your wisdom and kindness are known to all.  Like a summer day, your beauty is radiant! And, as soft as the whispering summer winds, your gentle voice soothes all conflict. 

Legend tells us that you were the last Peace Queen. Some say that you broke your vows for love. 

How unfair it was to ask a young maiden to live all alone, deep in the forest, with the sole purpose of maintaining the peace. For years you welcomed all who came to you. Restoring unity and harmony to the people, you showed by example and wise counsel how to settle disputes fairly, how to live peacefully with one another, how to walk gently upon the earth. By law, they were bound by your decisions... Yet, they did not learn. Your task was an endless, exhausting one! 

We do not blame you Genetaska; the law cannot ask the heart to stop beating, nor to keep a vow to forgo love. 

To the Iroquois, you are the Mother of Nations! Yet, today, at the Crow Fair, all tribes (far and near -Aztec and Inuit, included) come together in your honor to celebrate the sacred traditions with respect and in peace. Your sacred medicine is not forgotten. Creatrix of human diversity, you show us that no matter our differences, we are forever one people.  

Thank you for blessing me with an open heart; one pure and strong enough to hold peace within no matter what chaos swirls around me. May I always follow in your footsteps. May I always be a peacekeeper. 

Teach us to not misjudge others, but to judge our own thoughts, words and actions with fairness, kindness and consideration toward all. 

Thank you.

-Yours devotedly

Love Letter to Diana

Goddess art by Angelo Von Courten

Beloved Goddess,

Embodiment of the moon and sun, you grant to us the gifts of fertility, p nurturing and protection. Lady Huntress, you capture the spiritual food that we need for strength and sustenance. Blessed be Thy name, Diana.

Early this morning, as I left an offering of fresh fruit for you in the forest grove, I saw a baby deer! All alone, it was, looking about as if for its mother... I spoke kindly to it in a soft voice, and it just gazed upon, but did not run, I sat and watched it for some time, until it grew weary and lay down upon the earth. As I stood to leave, unexpectedly, a golden leaf caught my eye! One very early autumn leaf changed colours mid August and fell from the tree! A gift from you to me. I picked it up to keep your power with me as I communed with nature. I carried it with me throughout the day. And, at days end, offered it with a prayer of thanksgiving to a running stream with the wish to develop your gift of abundance. 

To seal the deal and internalize your attribute within my life, I lit a candle upon the altar when I returned home. I feel certain that you heard my prayer and shall grant my wish.

Thank you.

-Yours devotedly