New Moon in Scorpio : Alchemizing the Shadow
New Moon in Scorpio : Alchemizing the Shadow

The Scorpio New Moon on November 13, 2023, ushers in a potent period of transformation. As the Moon and Sun align in Scorpio, this dark lunar phase invites deep introspection and personal renewal. Scorpio's mysterious and intuitive nature harmonizes with the New Moon's fertile void, encouraging us to explore hidden truths and confront our shadows. This phase is an opportunity to meditate on our inner depths, shedding old patterns and embracing the transformative power of self-discovery.

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AstrologyKristen HudsonNew Moon, Scorpio, Scorpio Season, Alchemy, Shadow Work
Amaterasu
Amaterasu

Amaterasu, the Japanese sun goddess, shines as a central figure in Japanese mythology and Shinto religion. Her name, translating to "shining in heaven," reflects her role as the supreme deity and ruler of Takamagahara, the heavenly realm. Born from the left eye of the primordial deity Izanagi, Amaterasu embodies the sun's brilliance, symbolizing life, growth, and fertility. Revered as the guardian of rice cultivation and purity, her shrine at Ise Grand Shrine stands as one of Japan's most sacred sites. Amaterasu’s legends, including her retreat into a cave due to her brother Susanoo’s misdeeds and her subsequent return to bring light back to the world, underscore her vital role in maintaining harmony and prosperity.

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Mythology, GoddessesKristen HudsonAmeterasu, Japanese Mythology, Shinto, Shintoism, Japan, Goddess, Japanese Goddess, Sun Goddess, Sun, Summer
Baba Yaga
Baba Yaga

Deep within the heart of Eastern European forests lies Baba Yaga, a figure whose eerie mystique has captivated generations. As a prominent example of the Crone archetype in Slavic folklore, Baba Yaga embodies the untamed beauty and inherent danger of the wilderness. Described as an elderly woman with iron teeth and wild, iron-gray hair, she commands fear and respect with her penetrating gaze and metal-clinking voice. Her attire, consisting of tattered rags, and her gnarled staff reflect her deep connection to the forest, while her hut on giant chicken legs adds a surreal, terrifying aspect to her domain, showcasing her role as guardian of the liminal space between life and death.

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Mythology, GoddessesKristen HudsonWitch, Baba Yaga, Slavic Folklore, Crone
Full Blood Moon
Full Blood Moon

October 2023 has been defined by striking celestial events, starting with the eerie Friday the 13th, followed by the captivating Ring of Fire solar eclipse on the 14th. This eclipse invited us to embrace change and new beginnings, illuminating hidden truths. The month concludes with the Full Blood Hunter’s Moon on October 28th, a powerful lunar event in Taurus that urges deep emotional reflection and balance. Accompanied by a partial lunar eclipse, it calls for releasing old baggage and aligning with our higher selves.

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AstrologyKristen HudsonEclipse, Ring of Fire, Libra Season
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.

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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.

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Mythology, GoddessesKristen Hudsonmythology, goddess, Mexican mythology, Mictecacihuatl, Underworld, Death, Mictlan
Kali
Kali

Kali is revered as the cosmic force that upholds the balance of existence, confronting ignorance and ego with fierce determination. Her myth, particularly her battle against the demon Raktabija, highlights her role in ending stagnation and malevolence. Kali’s symbolism extends into modern culture, representing transformation, empowerment, and the radical embrace of one’s true self.

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Goddesses, MythologyKristen HudsonKali, Hindu, Mythology, Chaos
Ereshkigal
Ereshkigal

Ereshkigal, the ancient Mesopotamian goddess of the underworld, reigns as a formidable guardian of the realm of the dead. Known as the "Lady of the Great Earth" or "Queen of the Great Below," her domain, the Kur, is a shadowy and mysterious place. Her role as an overseer of death and transformation connects her with other underworld deities like Persephone and Hel, highlighting a shared human intrigue with the afterlife. Integral to Mesopotamian cosmology, Ereshkigal also holds a celestial connection as a symbol of Venus, embodying both the mysteries of death and the cycles of rebirth.

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Mythology, GoddessesKristen HudsonIshtar, Ereshkigal, Goddess of Death, Underworld, Goddess of Shadow, Death Goddess
Ring of Fire Eclipse
Ring of Fire Eclipse

On October 14th, the skies will feature a striking New Moon Annular Solar Eclipse in Libra, famously known as the 'ring of fire' eclipse. This annular event, visible from the northwestern US to Central America and Brazil, offers a rare celestial display where the moon creates a stunning ring around the sun. Eclipses like this symbolize new beginnings and changes, urging us to confront endings and reevaluate our desires, particularly in relationships. The New Moon in Libra highlights personal growth through balance and harmony, making it an ideal time to set intentions for improved partnerships and effective communication.

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AstrologyKristen HudsonEclipse, Ring of Fire, Libra Season
Medusa
Medusa

Medusa, with her snake-covered head and petrifying gaze, is a striking figure in Greek mythology, symbolizing transformation and the power of vengeance. Originally a beautiful priestess of Athena, she was cursed by the goddess after being assaulted by Poseidon, transforming her into a monster with serpents for hair and a gaze that could turn anyone to stone. This transformation, seen by some as both a punishment and a form of self-defense, underscores the often harsh and complex nature of the Greek gods. Medusa's legacy endures as a symbol of empowerment and resilience, resonating through literature and art as a potent figure of transformation and strength.

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Mythology, GoddessesKristen HudsonMedusa, Dark Goddess, Gorgon, Snakes, Serpent
Cerridwen
Cerridwen

Continuing Spooky Season with more Dark Goddesses, this time we're delving into Celtic mythology with Cerridwen. A powerful sorceress and symbol of transformation, Cerridwen is renowned for her cauldron of wisdom, which she intended to bestow upon her son but instead became a vessel of profound alchemical change. Deeply connected to the moon, she represents cycles of renewal and the mysteries of existence. In modern Pagan and Wiccan traditions, Cerridwen's cauldron and lunar affiliation underscore her role as a guide to personal growth and mystical insight.

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Mythology, GoddessesKristen HudsonWelsh Mythology, Celtic, Cerridwen, Magic, sorceress, witchcraft
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.

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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.

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Mythology, GoddessesKristen HudsonGoddess, Morrigan, Morgan, Witch, Celtic, Shapeshifter, Death, War, Mystical, Magic
Harvest Super Moon in Aries
Harvest Super Moon in Aries

As we approach the last Supermoon of 2023, the Harvest Full Moon in Aries invites us to navigate the tension between personal ambition and relational harmony. Aries' fiery drive for success clashes with Libra's call for balance in relationships, creating a cosmic tug-of-war between self-focus and connection. Mars in Libra adds a layer of complexity, urging us to weigh our personal desires against our responsibilities to others. With asteroids like Pallas advocating for justice and Vesta promoting nurturing, this Full Moon challenges us to find a dynamic equilibrium between our goals and the needs of those around us.

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AstrologyKristen HudsonLibra Season, Harvest Moon, Full Moon, Super Moon, Aries, Moon in Aries
Hel
Hel

Hel, a prominent figure in Norse mythology, embodies the intricate interplay between light and darkness as the guardian of the underworld. Daughter of Loki and Angrboða, her role as keeper of Niflheim underscores the duality of existence, marking a realm for souls who did not die in battle. Depicted as a living corpse or spectral figure, Hel symbolizes the balance between life and death. Her influence endures in modern culture and spiritual practices, representing the transformative journey through darkness and the cyclical nature of life.​

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Mythology, GoddessesKristen HudsonGoddess, Hel, Goddess of Death, Underworld, Dark Goddess
Nyx
Nyx

Nyx, the primordial goddess of night in Greek mythology, is a shadowy and majestic figure born from Chaos. She envelops the world in darkness, embodying the profound and hidden aspects of existence. As a divine mother, Nyx gave birth to significant deities like Eris and Nemesis, who influence cosmic balance and human affairs. Her realm and progeny reflect the complex interplay between light and darkness, and the mysteries of the human soul.

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Mythology, GoddessesKristen HudsonNyx, Nox, Night, Chaos
Mabon
Mabon

Mabon: Mabon, occurring around the autumnal equinox, marks the transition from summer to fall and symbolizes balance and reflection. Named after the Welsh mythological figure Mabon ap Modron, this period echoes themes of harvest and the underworld. Though a modern term, Mabon aligns with ancient harvest celebrations and is observed globally through various festivals, such as the Moon Festival in Asia and Michaelmas in the Christian calendar. This time is a poignant reminder of nature’s cycles and the balance between light and darkness.

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SpiritualityKristen HudsonWheel of the Year, Mabon, Fall, Autumn, Equinox, Thanksgiving