"A Mantle of Stars" update

Astarte by Sebastian P Haines

Back in December last year there was a proposed devotional anthology that caught my attention.  A Mantle of Stars: A Devotional Anthology in Honor of the Queen of Heaven was putting out a call for poetry, rituals as well as essays and even artwork that would be edited by Jen McConnel.  When I visited the web site recently, I noticed the submission date had been to extended from April until 1 August 2013.  How wonderful, I thought.  Despite having already forwarded an essay on one aspect of the "Queen of Heaven" that had been accepted for submission, I have another piece that I am contemplating sending through - based from a more personal relationship with the "Queen of Heaven". 

The title "Queen of Heaven" is widely used within Christianity to refer to the "Mother of God", Mary herself.  Why, then, is she catching my interest?

Hymn to the Divine Mother

Here in Australia is it the day that we honour our Mothers Day.  As such, I thought I would share the following poem entitled "Hymn to the Divine Mother" (author is unknown):

Hymn to the Divine Mother

O thou the giver of all blessings,
O thou the doer of all good,
O thou the fulfiller of all desires,
O thou the giver of refuge -
Our salutations to thee, O Mother Divine.

Monday Night Meditations

Commencing Monday, 27 May 2013 and continuing until 5 August 2013, join me in these wonderful Monday Night Meditations that provide a great way to commence the week whereby you are feeling relaxed and centred.

Each week has a specific theme with the view of deepening your understanding of and connection with the Universe ... the cosmic web of all life.

** Awaken your spiritual consciousness **

** Gain control of your life and live it to its fullest **

** Become one with the Universe **

** Develop a deeper insight in your personal dream messages **

The Lady of the Dawn who became the Great Woman of the Light

Hine-titama
by Robyn Kahukiwa

As the Wheel of the Year turns once more, the gateway to the dark months, that of Samhain, opens before us.  As the veil between the realm of the living and that of the dead thins, we are reminded of our own mortality.

 

According to Maori, the Goddess of night and of death was Hine-nui-te-po (meaning "Great Woman of the Night"), who was also the ruler of the Underworld.  Also known by her earlier name, that of Hine-titama ("Lady of the Dawn"), she was said to be the daughter of  Tāne-matua (the God of the forests and birds), and Hine-ahu-one (“woman created of earth”), who was the first woman.

Last Dark Goddess Workshop - Not to be Missed

Dark Goddess altar

For the last six or so years, around Samhain every year, I have been hosting a rather intensive interactive workshop on the Dark Goddess.  Using ritual, myth and magick, these various workshops take the participant on a journey into the Underworld - a realm that can be rather foreboding for some, yet comforting for others.

 

Every year a number of Goddesses who fall into the category of being a "Dark Goddess" are specifically chosen.  Some of whom we have worked with over the years have included Persephone (the Greek Queen of the Underworld), Erishkigal (Babylonian Underworld Goddess), Cerridwen (Celtic Keeper of the Cauldron of Mysteries), Baba Yaga (Slavic Initiator), Durga (Hindu Warrior Goddess), Lilith (the Hebraic Shapeshifter), Sekhmet (Egyptian Lioness) and Pele (Hawaiian Volancanic Goddess). 

Homer's Hymn to the Mother Earth

O Universal Mother, who dost keep
From everlasting thy foundations deep,
Eldest of things, Great Earth, I sing of thee!
All shapes that have their dwelling in the sea,
All things that fly, or on the ground divine
Live, move, and there are nourished... these are thine;
These from thy wealth thou dost sustain; from thee
Fair babes are born, and fruits on every tree
Hang ripe and large, revered Divinity!