Yule, rooted in ancient Germanic and Norse traditions, marks the winter solstice around December 21st, celebrating the longest night and the return of light. The festival involves symbolic customs such as the Yule log, which represents continuity and rebirth, and is honored through feasting, wassailing, and gift-giving. Evergreen trees, a Yule tradition, evolved into the modern Christmas tree, and the Yule log’s symbolism continues in the Yule log cake and festive decorations. Today, Yule remains a period of spiritual reflection and celebration, emphasizing the triumph of light over darkness.

Guess who’s back? It’s Mercury in Retrograde, that cosmic trickster making its appearance every few months and stirring up our lives. Occurring three to four times a year for about three weeks each time, this phenomenon happens when Mercury appears to move backward from our perspective due to differences in planetary orbits. Astrologically, it’s linked to communication, technology, and travel disruptions, prompting us to slow down and reassess. While some view it as a time of cosmic challenge, others see it as an opportunity for reflection and gaining deeper insights into our lives.

Tuesday, December 12th, unveils the New Moon in Sagittarius, offering a wave of optimism and change for 2024. With Mars and Neptune in dynamic alignment, this lunar event inspires bold action and grounded exploration. However, Mercury's retrograde in Capricorn, beginning the following day, suggests a need for careful reflection in practical matters. As we set intentions under the influence of Jupiter, let’s embrace this New Moon’s call to dream bigger, release limiting beliefs, and align with our true potential for the year ahead.

Embark on a mythical journey through the Norse Pantheon with Skadi, the goddess whose essence embodies the harsh beauty of winter and the untamed wilderness of Nordic landscapes. Known for seeking justice for her father Thjazi’s death at the hands of Loki, Skadi’s quest for retribution brings her to Asgard, where she faces a peculiar challenge to select a husband by the sight of their feet, ultimately choosing the sea god Njord. Residing in Thrymheim, a celestial realm of snow-covered peaks, Skadi commands the icy winds and is revered by hunters and those seeking warmth and prosperity in winter’s harshness. Beyond her role as a winter deity, Skadi symbolizes justice, wisdom, and resilience, offering strength and inspiration to those facing adversity.

The Beaver Full Moon in Gemini, occurring during Sagittarius Season, blends introspection with growth, encouraging a balance between self-awareness and exploration. Known as the Frost Moon, it signifies beavers preparing for winter and the seasonal shift to colder temperatures, reflecting nature's cycles. This Full Moon invites us to integrate the dual aspects of Gemini's spontaneity and Sagittarius' optimism, promoting thoughtful change while enjoying life's lighter moments. Embrace the communicative and social energy, using it to connect with others and share your feelings, as this lunar phase offers a chance for joyful, harmonious growth amidst a year of intensity.

Selu, the revered goddess of corn in Native American mythology, is a central figure in the beliefs of several southeastern tribes, including the Cherokee and Creek. Created by the Great Spirit to provide sustenance, Selu is celebrated for her power to ensure a bountiful harvest and her nurturing nature. According to Cherokee mythology, Selu, the first woman and corn goddess, was killed by her sons who feared her magical abilities, but she instructed them to bury her body, transforming her essence into corn seeds to feed future generations. Today, Selu remains a symbol of wisdom, prosperity, and the cyclical nature of life, continuing to inspire spiritual practices and reverence in indigenous communities.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.