DEMETER: Hope: Healer of emotions and constant change, Demeter is the Greek goddess of grain, abundance and fertility. She had one precious daughter, Persephone, fathered by Zeus. Against the wishes of both Demeter and Persephone, Zeus gifted his daughter to his brother, Hades, the powerful god of the Underworld.
Grief-stricken, Demeter proclaimed that she would never again allow anything to grow on Earth unless her daughter was returned to her. Seeing people dying of starvation, Zeus convinced Hades to let Persephone go. But Hades, who was in love with Persephone, tricked them all by sneaking a few pomegranate seeds into Persephone’s mouth. If anyone eats something in the Underworld, they must stay there forever, so Persephone was trapped.
When Hades’ trickery was revealed, Demeter’s sorrow once again dried up the land. The goddess Hecate heard Persephone’s cries and came to her aid, convincing Hades to allow Persephone to spend part of the year with her mother and part of the year with him. Hecate became a frequent visitor and companion to Persephone, and Demeter provided bountiful harvests while her daughter was with her. She is also the goddess of harvest and transformation. Demeter taught mortals to cultivate the earth following the cycles of the seasons and introduced wheat to mankind.
Demeter’s Message: Changes for the better are coming. Stay hopeful. Your situation will be resolved in due time. Stay centered and do not give up. Trust that this will pass and you will have positive resolutions to your problem.
Conversely, is there something you are holding on to as false hope? You must be clear about what you want, and to be attentive to signs that you need to reevaluate the situation.
Honor the seasons of nature or Wheel of the Year. This is about transitions and homecomings; even the hardest and more difficult winters will be followed by spring. You will be helped to heal the emotions during this difficult season of your life’s journey. Remember: where there is darkness, the is always light.
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BASTET: Guardian and Protectress: Bastet, the Egyptian cat goddess, has been known as Bast and also Ubastat. She was once associated with the sun and the lioness, but over the years became the cat goddess as well as a moon goddess. As the favorite daughter of the sun god Rah, she possesses the utchat, the all-seeing eye of Horus.
Cats are sacred to Bastet and her followers. They are protected, venerated and in ancient times, any harm done to a cat was considered a crime against the goddess. Bastet is cunning and fast yet also protective, just as a cat. She is the protectress of the hearth and home, other domesticated animals, as well as women and children.
When brought to anger, Bastet can transform into a fierce warrior. Images and statues of Bastet have been used to ward off all manner of evil spirits, thieves, illness and fire, as she is also the patroness of firefighters. When angered, Bastet was appeased with rituals incorporating dance, flowing wine and sensual pleasures.
Bastet is associated with perfume, she is the Perfumed Protectress. She is also known as the Mistress of Delight. As a goddess of sensuality, she enjoys music, dance and physical pleasure, and loves to see us enjoying life and our earthly bodies.
Bastet’s Message: Know when to seek action and when to be still. Know when to give and when to receive. Release your need for complete control or perfection. Become an observer in situations and walk the middle path. Stay safe from harm by avoiding dangerous situations. Be cautious as you move around risk situations, including those involving investments and relationships.
Celebrate your sensuality, whether you are single or with a partner. Remember, sensuality is a part of you in everything you do. It is not only about how sexy you feel but about deeply appreciating everything that pleases your senses. Create moments in your day that bring you great delight and satisfaction.