It's Time

You can threaten a village wise woman with death and torture and she may say "jesus is lord" to survive, but you can never know what's really in her heart...that, I feel, is how the goddess survived centuries of history and hatred.   ― Dianne Sylvan

Long ago, all women were dreamers and healers.

Caroline Manière

We had a profound and conscious relationship with our beloved Mother. 
We knew magick, and how to work with Her natural forces: 

Earth, Air, Fire, Water. 

We heard Her voice. 

We felt Her wisdom. 

We channeled Her power.

We honored the cycle of life and death. 

We remembered from whence we came - Her womb. 

We embraced our hopes and envisioned mystery's unfolding dream.

We knew to where we must willingly return - Her tomb. 

We were fearless and saw the beautiful truth of our shadow self. 

We were part of the precious and fragile fabric of life. 

We were cognizant of the gifts given to us.

Caroline Manière

We knew the cause of suffering. 

And, we found ways to alleviate pain and resistance.

We assisted the birthing process. 

We assisted the dying process.

We knew that both were holy purposed.


Yet, something went askew. 
We were silenced. Our bodies pillaged. Our wisdom denied. 
Our blood tainted. Our sexuality shamed. Our power feared. 
Our spirits wounded. Our dreams were shattered.

The Emperor - reversed
 representing domination,
excessive control.

As we attempted to gather the broken shards of who we are,

we learned to keep secrets. 

As we contrived to heal our disbelief, our severed memories, 

we learned to hide. 

As we struggled to regain what was stolen and lost at great cost,

we learned to pretend and acquiesce...

But in the hidden places within, nestled in eons of sorrow 
and secrets, sequestered in the dark unknown, 
we found our truth unharmed. 
We found our inner voice. We found our inner knowing. 
We discovered that we are stronger than ever before. 

One by one, we gather our power. 

Caroline Manière

Now, as we expand our consciousness, 
we reach beyond the realm of man and call to Spirit. 
SHE hears our prayers. 
SHE knows our voice, 
it has been on Her lips from the beginning. 
SHE has seen and born witness to our lifetimes 
being of service to mother earth, to mankind... 

SHE smiles as we dance with each season, 
just as our mother taught us. 
SHE beams at the way grandmother moon guides us 
to flow with Her cycles of change. 
SHE rejoices that we are learning to trust the rhythm 
of life, death, rest and rebirth.

Feminine Medicine by Caroline Manière

SHE calls us Daughters of the Earth and Sea and Sky.

SHE knows the reasons why we cry. 
SHE knows the reasons for all things. 

SHE holds us in Her sacred space, 
safe in the cosmic universe of LOVE.

SHE calls to us. 

SHE whispers to our secret heart, 
our soul being, and our intuitive mind.... 
SHE asks that we remember HER. 

SHE says:

 It is time to heal and dream again.

 Reclaim the feminine power that the masculine aspect 
of self has slain. Resurrect ME within yourself. 
All that lies dormant, is ready to be reborn through you.

Can you hear my whispers, daughter? 
Can you hear my voice?

May we all hear Her whispers to awaken.

May we all heed Her call to reclaim our divine feminine essence.

May we all remember who we are.

May we all honor from who we came and to whom we shall return.

Lovingly,

Leesa | The Gypsy Priestess

Reflecting the Goddess

Journal Notes:

All women are a reflection, 
a mirror of the Goddess. 

Remember, you are the Universe figuring itself out. 
So, of course you are identical to the female aspect of divinity.

— Robin Rumi

I know myself to be ONE with the GODDESS.

Yet, it both frightens and empowers me to think that I AM the Universe figuring itself out. How terrifying this enormity of responsibility!  How wonderful this infinite and vastly creative, unknown realm of possibility...  

I know this unfathomable thought to be true; the way my thoughts and divine inspiration weave together creating this unspeakably beautiful fabric of life. The way I dance with energy and move between the veils... And the way I catch fleeting glimpses of unimaginable radiance amid the most mundane acts of being ... 

The mirror is revealed: How like the Moon there is hidden, a side of myself I have never fully seen, nor truly know, and even so, I intuitively and profoundly do as I effortlessly radiate its inner light! 

When I embody the Goddess, I feel Her presence. I hear Her words of wisdom so clearly. In these moments I am stronger, wiser, and more graceful communing with the energies surrounding me. 

Other times, when I am heavy in my woman soul; lost in the tangible softness of this flesh and blood and bone body, I may become overwhelmed. Feeling so weary and weak and fearful of the unknown, I ache with longing to be held in higher consciousness, in Truth and in LOVE. I wait to hear whispered words that would comfort and allow me to rest in the timelessness of peaceful space. I also wait for inner guidance to show me vistas beyond my knowing.

These dual aspects of my essence constantly breathe me in, and breath me out... Entering and letting go of consciousness - I forever keep rhythm with Her cosmic heartbeat. 

There is a sacredness in the most ordinary things when I realize how interwoven and entangled, how forever whole and ONE I am with She Who Is All Things. She is both the womb and the tomb... She is the Source of constant change, revitalization, regrowth, renewal and rebirth. She is the holy cycle of life, death, rest and rebirth; and so am I. 

Her wisdom bids me to follow the sacred flow. To let go and allow Her essence to radiate in me. To be as the moon basking in Her light for a time, and then, for a time glowing as if lit from within.

In moments of clarity and certain knowing, I am profoundly grateful to be alive; to be walking this path of beauty with the Goddess whom I mirror in all ways.

Aren't you? 

Key Suggestion:

Reflect upon the ways in which you mirror the Goddess, and with sacred intentions consider how powerful, beautiful, wise and wonderful you truly are!

Inanna

The Lovers of Ishtar by Paul Batou

Inanna

Mistress of Heaven and Earth...

She of Starry Nights and Flourishing Womb

She of Brilliant Light and Decaying Tomb

She Who Whispers and She Who Roars

She Who Takes Flight and She Who Takes Root

I ask of thee - Come To Me:

Encircle Me

Guide Me

Empower Me

Restore Me

Enlighten Me

Unravel Me

Heal Me

Oh She Who Rules with Wisdom Divine -

Oh She Who Walks with Eternal Grace -

Allow Me to See My Reflection in Your Face

Allow Me to See Your Reflection in My Face

Show Me That We Are ONE

Woman of Time and Space

Woman of Love and Life

Woman of Truth and Death

Woman of Power and Radiance

Woman of Darkness and Light

Woman of Mystery and Rebirth

Woman of Balance and Unreachable Boundaries

We are Queen of the Seen and Unknown.

We Dance with the Fire and with the Wind.

We Delve into the Depths of Water and Earth.

We Rise Again and Again with the Spirit Within.

We Are ONE

Sister, Mother, Daughter, Lover and Friend

We Are She Who Will Never End 

Without a Rest and a Time to Begin.

Bless Us Inanna

We, Your Daughters of the Earth and Sea and Sky.

― Leesa Wilson

2014

Moon Goddess

She swims with the Moon westward to her inner horizons...

that wind around the edges of her own Seas.

The deep waters run silent in the deepest dark nights...

where she is has no weight, 

is absolutely flowing by insight....

intuition her own wave.

She is the many face of the Moon...

that shine and shadow her inner Art 

and big gracious, expanding, galactic, warm, noble heart.

poem of The Gypsy Priestess

― written by Duff

The Sleep by Catrin Welz-Stein

There are times when words cannot express the gratitude

that overwhelms me with profound love for those who adore me so...

May we all be seen, and heard, and known, and loved so true.

With love ― 

Leesa | The Gypsy Priestess

Durga The Invincible

Durga (Sanskrit) दुर्गा

Where the Wild Things Are by Brooke Morgan 

Embody the Goddess Durga 

when you need to summon a fierce protector, 

or the power of a serene, beautiful presence. 

Do not fear Her darkness, nor Her dreadfulness. Embrace Her. 

Allow Her to intervene and bring new energy and awareness. 

Trust that She offers gifts that will sustain you.

Durga 

(speaks)

Beloved daughter, sister, mother, mine ―

 

Within you is the power I possess. 

Within you are energies 

which may frighten you, 

they are so strong. 

Do not push them down or silence their expression. 

You must give them voice.

This is my gift to you; A resource: 

When you feel overwhelmed with powerful emotion, 

return to Me, 

to the still darkness 

within you 

and I will reveal places that still hurt 

and have not 

yet healed. 

Listen. 

Be brave, my darling and compassionate 

with yourself 

- body and spirit. 

Know that I am here to guide you. 

Channel your emotions to purge yourself of negativity 

and 

use their positive power for good in your life. 

Manifest your true desires.

Maa Durga by Soumen Saha

The Goddess Durga embodies the divine feminine creative force, known as Shakti. Allow Her to flow through you and assist you in giving birth to and manifesting you dreams. Call on Her when you are in distress. She redeems.

My prayer:

Durga,

Divine Goddess

Hear our prayers when we are troubled.

Hear our prayers when we are stressed.

Hear our prayers when we are afraid.

Redeem us.

Durga Power Yantra

Infinite blessings.

Empowering the Goddess Within....

I awaken the Goddess 

Ophelia by John William Waterhouse (1889)

when I acknowledge the divine within myself.

I honor the Goddess

Circe Invidiosa by John William Waterhouse (1892)

when I explore Her wisdom and ancient mysteries. 

I nurture the Goddess

Ophelia by John William Waterhouse (1894)

when I pamper, care and stand up for my self.

I heal the Goddess

The Mystic Wood by John William Waterhouse 

when I remember Her body is sacred.

I celebrate the Goddess 

Lamia [by the pond] by John William Waterhouse (1909)

when I honor my beauty, grace and power.

May we all empower the Goddess within ourselves.

May we awaken Her essence.

May we honor Her wisdom.

May we nurture Her dreams.

May we heal Her wounds.

May we celebrate Her presence. 

Namaste

The Goddess within me 

awakens, honors, nurtures, heals and celebrates 

the Goddess within you.

Listen...

Have faith in your own abilities to overcome and flow 

gracefully through all weirdness in your life.

Lay upon the altar all that you do not get... 

everything that makes no sense; 

all that troubles or disturbs your sense of well being.

Take a deep breath and BREATHE it out. 

Let it go.

Open your third eye and imagine something better, 

more beneficial, healing, and inspiring. 

Choose that! 

And don't let go.

Promise to do something that makes you feel centered 

within your own beautiful, strong, wise essence.

That dark, still, holy place within? 

Dig your fingers through the dirt there 

and plant your dream seeds... 

Water them, (with tears if need be) 

and 

SHINE your own light upon them. 

Watch them grow!

Promise today, 

that you will act true to who you are 

and honor your own needs. 

Listen. 

What is calling? 

What is begging for your attention? 

What feels neglected, weary, empty or lost? 

Nurture it. 

Love that within yourself.

At some point before you fall asleep tonight, 

sit quietly - alone... close your eyes. 

Can you see it? 

That spark of divine light that is brighter than any star! 

Fragile yet invincible? 

Love that more. 

Reflect that and allow it to illuminate YOU! 

When you look into the depths of your soulful eyes... 

you will see it there. 

(It can sometimes bring a sudden rush of tears to your eyes - 

it's that precious!).

And remember. 

you are more beautiful, 

more beloved, 

and more wonderful than you know. 

Hold on to these words. 

Let them be the soul food you need to flourish and thrive.

All Hail Lady Liberty

Today is not only the 4th of July - Independence Day in the USA, it is also something far more ancient, and for me, a day personally meaningful. 

A year ago today, I moved into my new life. I left behind a life which robbed me of my independence; a life which did not allow me to nurture, strengthen, support and give voice to my soul essence, as I must. (we all must, you know...) 

I freed myself of oppression, fear, abuse and neglect. 

Darling, I liberated my self! 

Goddess Libertas - The Goddess of Liberty
by Jean-Léon Gérôme

Yes, I set myself free, but I did not do it alone. So many unseen forces and prior circumstances aided my independence. Looking back, I see how determined, brave and confident I really was moving through a tangled mess of energies into the stark unknown. I also see how the Goddess Inanna stood with me... whispering wisdom, silently guiding me along my path of beauty (No, it does not always look or feel beautiful, but it is. Trust me: It is sacredly beautiful. So is yours!).

At this moment I celebrate SHE - Lady Liberty and all She created, and all that I have manifested with Her guidance! 

Mine, is truly a beautiful life...

silk sequined veils blowing in open doorways, windows... the sound of chimes... the quietness of nature... nuances of pleasure, incense, hope... a mischievously adorable white kitten with flame point ears, smoky blue eyes... blessings yet uncounted... butterfly wings, stacks of books, altar flowers and a romantic summer tapestry spread over my bed...

magickal adventures, delicious meals, good company and soulful friends... waterfalls and faery gardens... divine guidance and mystic knowing... dream seed tendrils spiraling up in new growth... soft rains, and often... hands in cool mountain water, green salads, candlelight, leisurely mornings, hiking in the mountains, bathing in lavender, breathing in the mystery...

walking in beauty with other wise women... dark sky gatherings under the moon... lilacs and poppies and pale yellow columbine... a circle of three and 21... dancing after midnight... bear visitations... oracles, silence, and inner voices... adornment... an array of stones, missives, oils, poetry, journals, and things that shimmer and shine....

synchronicity, signs, and gentle nudges... sweet release; a wholeness of being... fresh ideas... new beginnings... love and laughter, cleansing tears, new awakenings, profound sight and shallow fears... a feast of moons...

Even though I struggle in the midst of uncertainty at the upcoming, unforeseen changes that await me, I have much to be grateful for... Life is an adventure! I celebrate my freedom. I celebrate the threads that bind ancient TRUTH with modern knowing. For these are divinely woven about me and through my life.

Inanna is my guiding Goddess. She chose me years (perhaps, ages) ago. Her mystery still unfolds before me. I am ever learning more and more of Her. 

I did not know that our Statue of Liberty was created in Her image. Did you? Somehow, with all that SHE has revealed to me throughout these last many years, this does not surprise me...

The Goddess Inanna | The Statue of Liberty

And, yet, we were given a most stern version, don't you think?! Where are the soft edges to her eyes, her lips? Where is the compassion, the mercy, the love? Patriarchy would take our softness for weakness... Perhaps, this was a sign that we women must fiercely guard our freedom. 

Ancient Sumerian Symbol of Freedom

Your power is yours to take. You have to feel, first of all, that you’re powerful. If you don’t have this feeling, then they will walk all over you. 

—  Marina Abramovic

True. We must live our freedom. If we do not practice, exercise and use it consciously, it may be taken from us. We must act, speak and think in ways that are authentic, in ways that are true. We must also release the fear of unspoken restraint. We must not enslave or hold ourselves captive by doubting our own power. Our freedom is a privilege, a gift from the Goddess. She was known to all as She who hears our prayers. She grants personal freedom. 

In honor of my own personal freedom, and power, I have created a vision (DREAM) board to assist my focus in creating/manifesting what I want to have, do and be in this next unfolding year. 

Since at the beginning of August a move is imminent, and I still have not found a place to move into, my dream seeds include a comfortable and safe home; sacred space to create, do yoga, grow gardens and nurture myself and others. It also includes adventure, magick, spiritual growth, joy, prosperity, health, and time to play and gather with those I love. 

A portion of my Dream board.
Click to see each photo and read about my dream seeds
or to create your own!

I am holding sacred space for the dreams I have planted today and ask that the Goddess Inanna hear my prayers for home, for sacred space to speak, act and be my truest reflection of Her. 

May we all freely claim our sovereignty and sanctuary.

May we know that we are worthy.

May we give thanks and celebrate

knowing that we are liberated from fear.

May we rejoice in both our unity and our independence.