Psyched in Stilettos

GODDESS OF THE MONTH: Ix Chel

Known for: Procreation, moon, creativity

Origin: Mayan

What’s her story? Known as Xochiquetzal to the Aztecs, this water and moon goddess was worshipped by the Maya of the Yucatan peninsula on Cozumel, her sacred island. She governed women’s reproductive systems, and was thus ‘the keeper of the life cycle’ and a protector of fertility and labour. This was in turn linked with the moon’s cycles and the springtime symbol of the rabbit (the Maya, like the Chinese, saw a rabbit in the markings on the face of the moon). Ix Chel carries a vessel of life-giving water, and sends rain to nourish the crops. She wooed her lover with her amazing weaving skills, and this may be associated with woman’s centre of creativity: the womb.

How can Ix Chel help me during October? As blossoms are opening and sap is running through the trees, it’s time to welcome Ix Chel’s wisdom and healing visions (represented by the snake she wore on her head). The serpent also represents the transformation from winter to spring energy, shedding an old skin for a fresh stage in the life cycle. This is the time to rid yourself of any bad habits, old routines, energy-draining relationships, household clutter… or simply stage a mighty wardrobe clean-out!

Action plan:

* Ix Chel refused to become a victim of oppression. This was a woman who, when faced with adversity, took charge of her life and turned it around! If you need courage or fire for important causes or projects in your life in October, ask for Ix Chel’s power and guidance.

* Indigenous South Americans rub a red seed dye on their bodies to symbolise menstrual blood when they invoke Ix Chel. As in ancient times, your monthly blood should be a time of quiet, reflection and withdrawal. Use this sacred ‘period’ to meditate and spoil yourself with small gifts, foods you enjoy and proper sleep.

* Ix Chel is associated with dragonflies (symbolising strength, regeneration, pure water) and is also known as ‘Lady Rainbow’. Freshen up your inner rainbow with a rainbow reiki session (opening and clearing the chakras) or wear a dragonfly ring or necklace to bring you luck.

GODDESS OF THE MONTH: Eostre

Known for: Spring, fertility, new beginnings

Origin: West Germanic

What’s her story? Eostre is a goddess of purity (holy water), youth, beauty and new life. She arrives after the harsh winter months with the new moon of spring, representing the re-birth of trees and flowers and new growth within us. Rabbits (prolific breeders) and decorated eggs were popular among pagan Anglo-Saxons during this Vernal Equinox (springtime festival) period. Hot cross buns were also eaten, the cross allegedly representing the rune Gebo or the sun wheel. In September, Wiccans pay homage to Eostre as part of the Spring Equinox.

How can Eostre help me during September? She’s linked with April in the northern hemisphere, but for us, spring begins now – so this month is the time to call upon her for new beginnings, projects and goals. If you’ve felt stuck in a period of stagnation and lethargy during the cold months, where nothing seemed to be happening, Eostre now heralds a new phase for you. Welcome personal growth this month, and be open to anything different and fresh.

Action plan:

* Eostre was the Anglo-Saxon goddess of the dawn, from which "East" (where the sun rises) and "Easter" got their names. She would appear wearing white with a large batch of keys at her belt, and stride to the brook to collect holy water or dew for bathing in. Swimming in a freshwater creek, natural pool or waterfall at this time will help to cleanse you of anything negative remaining from the past year; do so at sunrise for added magical power.

* In olden times, Eostre marked the shift from winter work to spring work; from weaving and spinning of winter to the sowing the fields once more. What new projects do you wish to bring into your life in September? What has been zapping your energy and needs to be discarded? The ‘seeds’ you plant in your life now will grow to fruition in coming months, so choose and tend to them wisely!

* It’s also a fantastic idea to physically plant something this month. Buy herbs in pots, plant a bulb, fill the house with cherry blossoms… surround yourself new, unfurling green buds and all the wonder and opportunity they represent!

GODDESS OF THE MONTH: Persephone

Known for: Queen of the Underworld; nature’s cycles

Origin: Ancient Greece

What’s her story? Persephone was the only child of Zeus and the goddess Demeter, and was worshipped by ancient priestesses as part of the Eleusinian Mysteries. The ancients used Persephone to explain the cycle of the seasons. According to her legend, she holds a powerful duality: the possessor of death’s dark and frightening wisdom (as queen of the dead), but also a reminder of all the growth and hope that spring brings (when she cyclically rises from the underworld). She encourages us to do some self-work: go into the darkest recesses of your soul and mind, get working on your personal demons, and begin your journey back to the light.

How can Persephone help me during August? The last month of winter can often be the bleakest of all... everything is at its coldest, greyest and wettest, the trees are bare and people are yearning for a change. People often get depressed in the darker months, but Persephone is here to remind us that hope is around the corner: life always continues to turn in cycles, so trust the natural flow and you’ll find spring (light, warmth, happiness) is about to arrive!

Action plan:

* In the afterlife, Persephone beckons "those nearest to step up onto the rock and enter her aura”, welcoming souls with pomegranate seeds and warm blessings. In doing so, she reminds us that there is nothing to be scared of – not in death, or in the occasional darkness of life. You can call upon Persephone for help and support if grieving, sad and lost, or suffering the dark and light cycles of manic depression, and she will help you get back to your ‘springtime’.

* Astrologically, Pluto represents the underworld and removes all that is necessary for one’s life to progress. Trying to “swim upstream” against Pluto’s energy is wasted energy as change will come – but only when it’s ready. The message here? Don’t ever force aspects of your life, or time frames that don’t seem to be moving. There is much power in accepting the natural flow. Try Persephone’s morning mantra: “I flow with life easily and effortlessly. I trust in the wisdom of divine timing.”

GODDESS OF THE MONTH: Cerridwen

Known for: Inspiration, life and death

Origin: Wales

What’s her story? The ancient Celtic goddess Cerridwen (“White Crafty One”) lived on an island in Lake Tegid and represents wisdom, prophetic powers, enchantment, knowledge, justice and divination. More modernly, she has been linked with luck, fertility, creativity, harvest and the moon. She embodies the three lunar aspects of Maiden, Mother and Crone, but identifies as the Crone and keeper of the cauldron of divine creative inspiration. Cauldrons symbolise the womb of the Great Goddess from which all things are born and reborn again, and also abundance and transforming magic.

How can Cerridwen help me during July? A festival in her honour is traditionally celebrated on July 3. Cerridwen’s appearance in your life heralds a time of death and rebirth. Something is dying and needs to be let go so that something new can be born. Perhaps you have reached the end of a cycle (relationship? job?) but you fear letting it go. Matter cannot be created or destroyed, but undergoes transformation, and so do we. Let go of what does not serve you.

Action plan:

* Change can be difficult and scary for many of us, but always results in growth and forward movement. As a goddess of transformation, Cerridwen has magical shape-shifting abilities and offers her support whenever you are going through a period of change, so ask for her support during prayers, meditations or mantras.

* Cerridwen’s totem animal is a white sow, representing fertility, good fortune and enrichment. A little pig statue or emblem can be a special token to give to expecting mothers or those going through major life changes, so that they can keep Cerridwen’s supportive energy near them.

* Cerdd means ‘poetry’ in Welsh, and Cerridwen was mother to the bard Taliesin, hence her association with poetry and inspiration. Putting pen to paper and documenting your thoughts and feelings regularly is a wonderful way to cleanse the soul and release any negativities from day to day.