Post by robincragin on Apr 3, 2016 13:24:06 GMT -5
In Wiccan mythology, goddess energy manifests itself in three symbolic forms: the maiden, the mother, and the crone. These three aspects are also the common stages through which all women pass in their lifetime. But more than this, they are symbols that represent the internal stages of consciousness that are common to all human beings, regardless of gender. Each of these aspects has its own internal polarity—-a light and a dark side, if you will. Over the next several days you will learn about each of these symbols and uncover their expression in your own life.
The first of the goddess’ aspects is the maiden. The goddess in this aspect represents youth, newness, beginnings, brilliance, and simplicity. The maiden aligns with several symbolic correspondences such as springtime, the compass direction of east, and sunrise. The maiden represents potential. She is not partial to the direction that potential manifests itself. All potential is the maiden. She is the future, creativity, and fecundity. She represents the seed, newly planted into the soil, full of potential but not yet sprouted. The maiden is that part in each of us that is our innocence, purity, and raw energy.
The maiden also has a dark, shadowy side. In her dark aspect, the maiden cannot realize potential. Stuck in her own youth, the maiden in her shadow aspect can be a dilettante, lacking in depth. This dark maiden energy, residing within each of us, can represent our inability to mature with time. In this darker aspect she can represent a perpetual unworldliness, childishness, internalized fear, and overdependence upon other people.
Some maiden goddesses in mythology include: Pandora, Persephone, Arachne, Venus/Aphrodite, Kore, Tana, Ariadne, Flora, Electra, Athena, Brigid, Branwen.
Table of Correspondences: The Maiden
The practices of Wicca rely principally on the workings of the deep unconscious mind and the channeling of subtle energies that reside therein. The unconscious mind speaks in symbol and image and therefore the best way to access this realm is through symbolic means. Because of this, symbolic correspondences are key spiritual points in Witchcraft practice. Each set of symbols in the Craft connects us to specific spiritual, energetic tides or fields. They also connect us to aspects of our own lives, our personalities and experiences. Symbolic correspondences bridge your own experience of the world and physical reality.
Take time today to commit to memory the following magical correspondence that evoke Maiden energies:
Lunar Phase: New
Seasonal Phase: Late winter/early spring
Color: Orange
Pagan Celebration: Imbolc, February 2
Direction: Northeast
Time: The darkness that precedes the dawn
Incense: Myrrh, orris root
Essential Oils: Heather and basil
Magical Number: 2
Vocalization: u (as in you)
Herbs: Angelica, bay laurel
Planet: Moon
Body Part: Sexual organs
Chakra: 2nd—-Genitals/womb
Exercise: Knowing Your Maiden
Think about your own maiden traits. On a single piece of paper, draw a line down the center. On one side write down your personality traits (no matter if you are physically male or female) that reflect positive maiden qualities. On the other side of the page, write down any shadowy maiden qualities you might recognize in yourself. If you do not note any of the maiden’s qualities in your life, this is an archetypal energy that might require balancing and integration in order for you to claim your full potential and power as a Witch. Over the next few days, you will learn how to evoke these qualities into your life.
The Chakras
Chakras are seven wheel-like energy centers that reside within the body. Anode Judith, author of Wheels of Life, describes chakras as “Swirling intersections of vital force (life-energy). Each of the chakras governs aspects of our consciousness.
The Chakras or energy centers of the body.
Locations of the Chakras
* 1st Chakra (ROOT) — the point between anus and genitals
* 2nd Chakra (SACRAL) — just above genitals
* 3rd Chakra (SOLAR PLEXIS) — just below navel
* 4th Chakra (HEART) — center of the chest
* 5th Chakra (THROAT) — hollow or base of the throat
* 6th Chakra (THIRD EYE) — center of brow, between eyes
* 7th Chakra (CROWN) — top of head
What Each Chakra Governs
1st — root, grounding, connection to earth
2nd — sexual activity
3rd — anger, mastery, control
4th — love, compassion
5th — communication
6th — conscious awareness, psychic activity
7th — connection with deity/divine
The first of the goddess’ aspects is the maiden. The goddess in this aspect represents youth, newness, beginnings, brilliance, and simplicity. The maiden aligns with several symbolic correspondences such as springtime, the compass direction of east, and sunrise. The maiden represents potential. She is not partial to the direction that potential manifests itself. All potential is the maiden. She is the future, creativity, and fecundity. She represents the seed, newly planted into the soil, full of potential but not yet sprouted. The maiden is that part in each of us that is our innocence, purity, and raw energy.
The maiden also has a dark, shadowy side. In her dark aspect, the maiden cannot realize potential. Stuck in her own youth, the maiden in her shadow aspect can be a dilettante, lacking in depth. This dark maiden energy, residing within each of us, can represent our inability to mature with time. In this darker aspect she can represent a perpetual unworldliness, childishness, internalized fear, and overdependence upon other people.
Some maiden goddesses in mythology include: Pandora, Persephone, Arachne, Venus/Aphrodite, Kore, Tana, Ariadne, Flora, Electra, Athena, Brigid, Branwen.
Table of Correspondences: The Maiden
The practices of Wicca rely principally on the workings of the deep unconscious mind and the channeling of subtle energies that reside therein. The unconscious mind speaks in symbol and image and therefore the best way to access this realm is through symbolic means. Because of this, symbolic correspondences are key spiritual points in Witchcraft practice. Each set of symbols in the Craft connects us to specific spiritual, energetic tides or fields. They also connect us to aspects of our own lives, our personalities and experiences. Symbolic correspondences bridge your own experience of the world and physical reality.
Take time today to commit to memory the following magical correspondence that evoke Maiden energies:
Lunar Phase: New
Seasonal Phase: Late winter/early spring
Color: Orange
Pagan Celebration: Imbolc, February 2
Direction: Northeast
Time: The darkness that precedes the dawn
Incense: Myrrh, orris root
Essential Oils: Heather and basil
Magical Number: 2
Vocalization: u (as in you)
Herbs: Angelica, bay laurel
Planet: Moon
Body Part: Sexual organs
Chakra: 2nd—-Genitals/womb
Exercise: Knowing Your Maiden
Think about your own maiden traits. On a single piece of paper, draw a line down the center. On one side write down your personality traits (no matter if you are physically male or female) that reflect positive maiden qualities. On the other side of the page, write down any shadowy maiden qualities you might recognize in yourself. If you do not note any of the maiden’s qualities in your life, this is an archetypal energy that might require balancing and integration in order for you to claim your full potential and power as a Witch. Over the next few days, you will learn how to evoke these qualities into your life.
The Chakras
Chakras are seven wheel-like energy centers that reside within the body. Anode Judith, author of Wheels of Life, describes chakras as “Swirling intersections of vital force (life-energy). Each of the chakras governs aspects of our consciousness.
The Chakras or energy centers of the body.
Locations of the Chakras
* 1st Chakra (ROOT) — the point between anus and genitals
* 2nd Chakra (SACRAL) — just above genitals
* 3rd Chakra (SOLAR PLEXIS) — just below navel
* 4th Chakra (HEART) — center of the chest
* 5th Chakra (THROAT) — hollow or base of the throat
* 6th Chakra (THIRD EYE) — center of brow, between eyes
* 7th Chakra (CROWN) — top of head
What Each Chakra Governs
1st — root, grounding, connection to earth
2nd — sexual activity
3rd — anger, mastery, control
4th — love, compassion
5th — communication
6th — conscious awareness, psychic activity
7th — connection with deity/divine
