Category: Uncategorized

The Morrígan, known to many as the Phantom Queen, is not only a complex Goddess; she is one of the most misinterpreted and least understood of the Goddesses in my opinion. When speaking with several priestesses of her cult, I noticed a common experience. Most often a devotee or priestess would tell me they thought they knew her, and then they got to know her. All of her past and current followers know and feel this. When a deity gets trendy, many transformations are added and subtracted, until the core is almost unrecognizable. There is that generic Morrigan we all see from time to time and then there is The Morrígan. The Queen Phantom Queen. 

This kind of thing always reminds me of The Wizard of Oz. The black and white wasteland you experience as you await those pops of color and then BOOM! Technicolor! The gods have entered the scene, stage left. 

She is the Goddess of Shapeshifting, and that means more than just what shapeshifting was and is in this day and age. It is the ability to protect yourself like camouflage. When danger rises, she gives the ability to fall into the backdrop, blending in safe. 

She governs precognitive dreaming and the ability to see far ahead. The Ancient Celts’ power of dreaming prophecy all falls behind the eyelids of The Morrígan. She is the giver of precognitive dreaming and finding your animal guide through The Morrígan was an ancient Celt practice. (In-depth subject but the first animal you dreamed about on your road to adulthood was your guide in tribal Celt tradition before the Christianization of Britannia.) 

She shows us the shadow self and this is released through the example of all of the gods. Facing down our darkest thoughts gives us an opportunity to purge cancer within. Think back to a time when you were wronged, the shredded need for vengeance that may have taken hold, we must face those feelings. The Morrígan faces things down and takes control. The casting of raining blood and sorcery at The First Battle of Moytura is an example. She rained down blood long before Slayer, but gods bless those souls for the reminder of what revenge served up as spell casting truly is in the eyes of the elder gods. We must face our deepest descent into darkness.

The Goddess of war, vegetation, death, magic, and more. She is the coming together of all. The…THE. 

People often ask why “The” is at the beginning of her name. This is because it is a part of her name. “The” is important because this is the title of her multiplicity. In true Celt fashion, she is The. The Morrígan is a grouping of Goddesses coming together as one sovereign power. The split of each piece, making a picture when the pieces are finally put together. What do we see? 

Technicolor. 

I do not think it is possible to talk about Hekate without talking about my Grandmother. Hekate and Electryone (Alectrona) were my Grandmother’s Patroness Goddesses. They were her absolute favorite, and she incorporated them into everything she did. All three of her Doberman’s were named after the same Goddess; she was adamant that the family dog honored her deity. Growing up around an always dressed Hekatesion, scooped right into the wall by the doorway, gives one a familiar feeling to the image and energy. Many see Hekate as a Moon Goddess of the darkness, but her torches paint a different story. She is the one of the dark that shines light. Giving way to self-discovery and the Queen of personal shadow-work, one could say she governs both light and dark. She is the keeper of all that is hidden, the key holder to locked doors, and the light bearer of every path. As the Goddess of the Crossroads, she will meet you at every crossing. Her black dogs stand guard as ghosts gather under the oldest trees to consort with her. Hekate represents feminine strength and protection. She is the Darkwater that assists your shedding of old skin. She is the death of all the things that do not aid in your becoming. 

It was such an honor to get to collaborate on this project with Akanni, LaToya, and one of my dearest friends Trina on this project. Oya is one of the most powerful Orishas; of thunder, lightning and storms. She oversees female leadership, transformation and is the “Queen of the Marketplace.” A patroness of female business owners. She is the Queen of the River Niger and can help you unearth family secrets that were lost with those who have passed on. Oya has always brought a sense of power and strength when I have thought of her in my own mind. The fact that she combines power and ancestry together is so beautiful and empowering. For this project, I sat back and let these three ladies advise, design and conjure. So much was put into this objective and I credit the contributors as being the superstars of this project. It was also very important to me that a Yoruba Priestess, Akanni, have all the final say before completion. I am beyond taken aback at how beautiful this pendant turned out and have shed tears over the undertaking of it all. The net proceeds will go to an organization called Solar Sister, a beautiful establishment in Africa that helps train women entrepreneurs with clean energy businesses. They literally put the power in the hands of women. It is such a beautiful metaphor, Oya reflected. Please consider donating directly if you can. 

Oya’s image is drawn after the likeness of one of my dearest friends Trina Thompson. We go way back to working for corporate jewelry stores together. I wanted to remind her, no matter her struggles, to see herself in the divine. Rise like the storm my dear friend and flash your light for all of the worlds to see.

Have you ever been underestimated, harshly judged, or completely disregarded? This is the story of Circe. Cast aside at birth as nothing special, thought to only have the power of immortality granted by her parentage, but nothing more. Her voice was thin and her eyes were yellow, so she was given the name Circe, meaning Hawk in Greek. Not as a badge of beauty, but mockery. Made to feel powerless and small, the outcast of her family and an outsider of her kind. No one understood what she was capable of, not even herself. Her becoming soon was realized. In her exile, she grew into her powers and her true nature, discovering that she could ‘know’ the secret spells of plants and herbs. The first to ever hone this power and speak the language of plant life. The green of the Earth knew her and she knew it. The first Hedgewitch, plant magician, and first to hear the voices of plants, i.e. plant speak. As her power grew, her confidence blossomed. Rising like a phoenix from the ash, the elder gods stopped in her tracks, realizing she was overlooked. She is a testament to the fact that no one decides your destiny but you. Underestimated, misjudged, or overlooked… other people do not write your story. Only you can do that. Your becoming awaits. 

I am more than honored to put a spotlight on the great goddess of the north, Freyja. There are many reasons for this that I do not have space for in this caption, but there will be a post about it on Patreon for anyone that would like to read further into this deep dive. I have also signed on to construct a devotional and timeline account of this Goddess with seven other amazing women. More on that will come in the next year. For now, this little write-up will do. As one of my own personal patronesses, I am honored to be able to do so and grateful to anyone who reads this little insert. 

My first encounter with Freyja was in 1992, the nineties were an interesting time for us humans and this planet in general. There was a recognization in my chart that was quite lamentable. It shadowed my entire life span in this incarnation. That kind of sign is never just inked in yellow. It reverberates. It was of great worry. So it was changed. Freyja is the only known Goddess that has the energy line to open a change of path. Fate and circumstances can be changed before the path is stepped upon. You just have to be willing to pay for both karmatic lessons in one rite, but when the lesson is learned, there is no need to reread the book. You can change your path, do not let anyone tell you otherwise. 

Freyja is a shining example of a woman destroyed upon but continuing the fight. The warrior, the shapeshifter who can shift to new situations and survive this world. Rising above and soaring over the ever truths. She possesses the energy lines to break family curses, family cycles, and mend family breakdowns. A reconciliation with ancestry ties and seeing the lessons learned by a family’s past. Love and hate, peace and war; they are different degrees of the same things. The line is thin, and the scale slides in different directions. She processes these things in her hands. This same silhouette casts itself on every aspect of her. She is the Goddess of both pans on every scale and will meet you at every end of every beginning. 

She is a goddess of so many layers and so many energies, so I am touching on just one area of her greatness. She is glory; she is gold. The changer of paths. 

Inanna, Queen of Heaven, is the oldest known Goddess in recorded history. She is the morning star and the evening star. The depiction of Venus, the second planet that orbits the sun, the first of the morning and the first of the night. Also known as the Star of Venus. Inanna was a meek youth that grew in power and became so glorious, she can be seen directly with the sun. 

In my elementary grade youth, I remember hearing her mythology and envisioning it vividly in my childlike mind. The story of her scaling a mountain with her Lapis Lazuli poles, the repetitive part in the story of her running up a mountain, her feet flinging rocks behind her. Flinging them everywhere without a care. Nothing ever stopped her. Muscle bound heroes to elder gods may have found themselves in jealously of her power, but never dared to judge her. Inanna was venerated for who she was. Her actual self so celebrated. In a world where a person, and most definitely women, are judged for breathing… Inanna was all of it. She said whatever she wanted, whatever was on her mind pertaining to the self and the world about her. Speaking crud truths that women weren’t supposed to speak about, just smile and say nothing, but not Inanna. She was strong and could best a challenge with the flick of her wrist. She did not apologize for not being “ladylike” and ruled the way she wanted. She didn’t care what anyone thought about her and lived her way. 

Remember, although the world has an opinion about you and will try to hold you to standards, preconceived notions, or even past mistakes… you are growing, learning, and becoming. May you scale those mountains like Inanna. May you be celebrated for who you are. 

Freyja/Freya Scandinavian Goddess

Freyja, originally of the Vanir, was given to the Aesir tribe as a peace treaty during the war. Her father Njörd the sea god and her twin brother Freyr, were also a part of the bargain. Together they brought many gifts to the Aesir, one of Freyja’s many gifts was the power of seiðr, the Old Ways of the World. She possesses a cloak made of falcon feathers, enabling her to fly leading the Valkyries on the battlefield. The Boar, the Cat, and the Falcon are her familiars. Her true crystal is yellow Cat’s Eye, displayed on the pendant, sourced from Scandinavia. Her likeness was designed after my friend Mia Wäppling-Johannessen. Freyja’s depiction has been advised and planned by the project contributors.

^{Credits:
Mia Wäppling Johannessen – Muse, Contributor of inspiration, tattoo artist, Goddess enthusiast 
Christina O’ Hara – Contributor, Goddess enthusiast
Mia Andersson – Cultural anthropologist, Contributor
Maja Nilsson – Museum curator, Contributor}

The Morrígan Celtic Goddess

The Morrígan, also known as the Phantom Queen of Irish lore and the Goddess of the dead. She is a quite complex Goddess to know. She requires study and dedication to truly understand. Internet searches do not even grasp a 10th of who she is. The Morrígan is the very cycle of life, the energy of this cycle manifested into this reality’s edges. She is the keeper eternal of all that breathes and all that dies. She is the center of the triple spiral flowing outward. Murders of crows fly by her side, and she is a gifted shapeshifter indeed. Her true crystals are garnet, onyx, quartz, and bloodstone. Her likeness was designed after my friend Sher DeMar. The Morrígan’s depiction has been advised and planned by the project contributors. 

^{Credits:
Sher DeMar – Muse, Goddess enthusiast, contributor of inspiration
Orla O’Connor – Curator of Celtic Art, Contributor
Shannon Kelly – Writer, Celtic Scholar, Contributor
Nessa Walsh – Cultural anthropologist, Contributor}

Guan Yin Chinese Bodhisattva

Guan Yin is the Bodhisattva of Mercy, Peace, wisdom, and Luck. She is associated with compassion and known as “The Goddess of Mercy.” Bodhisattvas are enlightened beings who have decided to hold off transcending in order to help others attain enlightenment. There are many different Bodhisattvas, but Guan Yin is the most famous in China. Her true crystal is the Chinese Jade, displayed on her chest, mined in China. Her image was a design by the contributors to this project. Both were inspired by the Guan Yin Bodhisattva Statue of the South China Sea in Sanya, Hainan. Their design takes my breath away. Net proceeds from this project will be donated to CUSWF. 

^{Credits:
Candice Wang – Contributor
Karen Chén – Modern-day Chinese Scholar, Buddhist, and Curator of Asian Art. Contributor}

Inanna Mesopotamian Goddess

Inanna, Queen of Heaven, is the oldest known goddess in the history of us. Complete with stories of her grand adventures dating back to 3200 BC. She is the morning star, the depiction of Venus, the first of the morning and the first of the night. Also known as the Star of Venus. Her animal consort is a lion and her true crystals are Lapis Lazuli and Carnelian. Her likeness was designed after my friend Aleah Yousefi Andrews. Inanna’s depiction has been advised and planned by the project contributors.

^{Credits:
BahArak Shah – Historic Archeologist, Contributor 
Zara Hadid – cultural anthropologist, Contributor
Aleah Yousefi Andrews – Masters in Middle Eastern Studies with an emphasis on societies and cultures, Contributor
Shabana Dada – Muse, Contributor of inspiration}

Oya African Elemental Spirit, Orisha

Oya is technically not a goddess, she is an elemental spirit. She is one of the most powerful Orishas. She is the Goddess of thunder, lightning, and storms. She is the Queen of the River Niger and can help you unearth family secrets that were lost with those who have passed on. Her symbols are lightning, flywhisk, sword, or machete. Oya’s familiar is the Waterbuffalo and her true crystals are Amethyst, Garnet, and Bloodstone. Her likeness was designed after my friend Trina Thompson. Oya’s depiction was designed, advised, and planned by the project contributors. Net proceeds from this project will be donated to Solar Sister.

^{Credits:
Akanni Boye – Yoruba Priestess, Contributor
Trina Thompson – Muse, Goddess initiate, Contributor of inspiration
LaToya Stevens-Johnson – Contributor}

Nerthus Vanir Scandinavian Goddess/God

Many veiled Goddess appears in many cultures because ultimately she is one. Symbolizing the mysteries of life, the great mysteries. Nerthus is a veiled primordial goddexx, an original goddexx of old that was before the newer gods of antiquity. As an elder goddexx, of the Earth, keeping the secrets of the world. Originally a sexless deity, able to be the seed and carry life by the self. Similar to the plant life of this Earth in relation to the Earth’s soil. Sometimes said to be Njörd, the male god of the sea or his wife, Nerthus was also documented as both genders (a hermaphroditic deity) until the Christianization of Scandinavia. Whether the goddexx was hermaphroditic, changed over time by religion, or Nonbinary; it is clear that the primordial energies are older than gender roles. The animal consorts of Nerthus are the red fox and the wood frog. The true crystal of Nerthus is blue lace agate. Now considered in many circles a Nonbinary Goddexx and the keeper of the secrets of Earth and our true origins. The depiction of Nerthus and description here has been advised and planned by the project contributors. Net proceeds from this project will be donated to Transformations KC. 

^{Credits:
Mia Andersson – Cultural anthropologist, Contributor
Maja Nilsson – Museum curator, Contributor
Tanith K. (They/Them) – Contributor
Terrance Styles (They/Them) – Contributor
Starseed Metropolis (They/Them) – Contributor}

Amaterasu Japanese Solar Goddess

Amaterasu is a Japanese Solar Goddess. She is a major deity of Shinto, portrayed in Japan’s earliest texts. The August Sun goddess is the ruler of Takama no Hara, the High Celestial Plain, the domain of the Kami. She is the great illuminator, with the power to rise and set the sun. Emperor Jimmu (660 BC) is said to be the direct descendant of the sun goddess Amaterasu. The country’s name, Japan, means “the origin of the sun.” This design is reflected on the country’s flag, as a beautiful orange disc, furthermore showing this central importance of the sun.

The true crystal of Amaterasu is represented on the face of this design as the sun, an orange Aventurine from Japan. Her likeness was designed after my friend Tracy Emiko Ugai. Amaterasu’s depiction has been designed and planned by the project contributors. Net proceeds from this project will be donated to SJNOC. 

^{Credits:
Hina Nagao – Shinto Healer, Contributor
Sora Nagao – Shinto Teacher, Contributor
Tracy Emiko Ugai – Artist, Sound Healer, and owner of Rehab Your Soul. Muse, Contributor of inspiration
Karen Ono – Writer, Museum Curator with a Bachelors Degree in Asian Studies with an emphasis on Japanese Art, Contributor}

Hekate Greek Goddess

Hekate is known as a Thracian Goddess of the Dark Moon, Witchcraft, and Wisdom. She is the keeper of all that is hidden. The Goddess of Crossroads and Queen of Ghosts. The liberator of women and a representation of feminine strength. Her symbols are keys and torches. Hekate’s familiar is the black dog and her true crystals are all black crystals, but she is most partial to Black Jet. Her likeness was designed after my friend Lili Niemczura. Hekate’s depiction has been advised and planned by the project contributors.

^{Credits:
Jennifer Kazan – Historian, Historic Archeologist, Contributor
Theresa Ricci – Writer, Italian Scholar, and Student. Contributor
Lili Niemczura – Muse, The Owner of Crow’s Myth, Contributor of inspiration}