Goddesses of Light Traditionally, the Yule festival of the winter solstice, on or near December 21, celebrates the birth of light from the dark womb of the universe. From the solstice forward, the world grows ever increasing light. The Goddess is also reborn at this time of the year, when Persehone leaves the confines of her consort and begins her journey back from the shadows to share her supernal feminine power. In mid-December, Sophia, the Gnostic Goddess of wisdom born of the primordial female power Sige (silence), emerges into the light of consciousness. Mother Night joins in the celebration and gives birth to light in the darkest hours of December 20, a night when dreams foretell the future. At the winter solstice the goddess renews herself like Diana by the sacred pool. In this season, the goddess turns on her luscious love-light, and naturally, your desire to feel loved and cherished, is ignited by it. Sing "Joy to the world for love has come!" This is a season that supports clearing, seeing, and realizing what you want in love. This is the season to invoke the goddess of light. The passionately adored Sophia (symbolized by the Dove of Aphrodite, from which the emblem of the Holy Ghost was mirrored) represents God's female soul and source of his power as the Virgin of Light in time of darkness. Isis, the exalted Egyptian goddess of creation, appears with a message of great love for her consort Osiris. But she also teaches that love is a dance- you draw near, connect with romance and sexual passion, then pull away, and finally reunite with the ability to maintain the bond of love even through death. Unaffected by the dictates of any mortal or god, Athena with "the flashing eyes" appears to offer the gifts of undiluted strength, wisdom, and the affirmation of free will. The divine huntress Diana inspires you to take charge of your body and life with her wildness and connection to nature as she commands the all-encompassing power of her beloved moon. In this season of wisdom, the shadow goddess Persephone shares her promise of renewal and enduring love by confronting the darker side of life. Beautiful and non-chalant, this "radiant and luminous playmate of the Seasons" was only concerned with meadow breezes and the dalliances of nature when she was abducted and torn away from her mother's love. Yet by accepting her role as queen consort in the world of eternal night, Persephone triumphed over the fear and doubt of separation. Though her love is quiet and reserved during the winter months, she returns each spring to the comfort of her meadows and the eternal love of Demeter, her Mother Nature. |
