Posts tagged Death
The Haunting History of Halloween
The Haunting History of Halloween

Halloween, a beloved holiday marked by costumes, candy, and eerie decorations, has a rich and multi-cultural history. It traces back to the Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrating the end of harvest and the thinning of the veil between the living and the dead. As Roman and Christian traditions merged with Samhain, the holiday evolved into All Hallows' Eve, eventually becoming Halloween. In America, it transformed further with the blend of various immigrant traditions, giving rise to the modern celebration we cherish today.

Read More
SpiritualityKristen HudsonWheel of the Year, Fall, Autumn, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Samhain, Dead, Death
Mictecacihuatl
Mictecacihuatl

Mictecacihuatl, the Lady of the Dead, is a pivotal figure in Aztec mythology, embodying the profound duality of existence. As the goddess of death and the underworld, she and her consort, Mictlantecuhtli, oversee Mictlán, guiding souls on their journey to the afterlife. Her skeletal visage, emblematic of the calavera imagery, is central to Dia de los Muertos, a festival celebrating life and honoring the deceased. Beyond Aztec culture, Mictecacihuatl's symbol of life and death resonates globally, encouraging a deep understanding of transformation and renewal.

Read More
Mythology, GoddessesKristen Hudsonmythology, goddess, Mexican mythology, Mictecacihuatl, Underworld, Death, Mictlan
Oya
Oya

Oya, the Yoruba goddess of wind, storms, and transformation, is a formidable deity whose legend spans both physical and metaphorical realms. Commanding the elements of wind and storms, she embodies the tumultuous forces of nature and the transformative power of life's storms. Her narrative includes a dramatic transformation from a river goddess to a tempestuous force, catalyzed by her relationship with Shango, the god of thunder. As a guardian of the underworld and guide for departed souls, Oya symbolizes the profound renewal and cyclical nature of existence, linking life, death, and spiritual transformation.

Read More
Mythology, GoddessesKristen HudsonYoruba, Africa, Oya, Death, Storms, Transformation
the Morrigan
the Morrigan

Celtic mythology reveals a profound depth through the figure of the Morrigan, the Great Queen or Phantom Queen. As a tripartite deity, she embodies three distinct aspects—Badb, Macha, and Nemain—each representing war, sovereignty, and chaos respectively. Known for her shape-shifting into a crow or raven and her ability to foretell death and battle outcomes, the Morrigan was central to Celtic beliefs about war and sovereignty. Today, she remains a symbol of strength and transformation, celebrated in modern Celtic and Pagan practices for her enduring power and influence.

Read More
Mythology, GoddessesKristen HudsonGoddess, Morrigan, Morgan, Witch, Celtic, Shapeshifter, Death, War, Mystical, Magic
Lilith
Lilith

Lilith stands as a prominent figure in the Dark Goddess Pantheon, evolving from the rebellious first wife of Adam to a symbol of wild feminine power. Her mythology intertwines with various cultures and figures, reflecting her complex and shifting nature. Symbolically linked with serpents and the ouroboros, Lilith represents transformation, renewal, and the challenge to patriarchal norms. Her story underscores themes of sexual autonomy and the rejection of societal constraints, positioning her as a guardian of women’s empowerment and the untamed feminine essence.

Read More
GoddessesKristen HudsonGoddess, Witch, Death, Mystical, Magic, Lilith, Lilitu, Vampire, Snakes, Lammia