Sarah Robinson's Blog, page 4

Sun Goddesses

Many solar deities are depicted as male, as it is common to represent the power of the moon with the divine feminine, and the energy of the sun with the divine masculine. However, the sun can be a feminine force, and there are some awesome solar goddesses lighting up the sky…

Sulis (Celtic) The goddess of sun and water is particularly close to my heart, as a resident of former Aquae Sulis (the Waters of Sulis) which is now Bath, UK. When they invaded, the Romans brought their own deities and beliefs with them to the predominantly Celtic and pagan lands of Somerset. Merging the goddess Minerva with her pagan counterpart, the Romans created a brand-new goddess for the city: Sulis Minerva. But Sulis is special in her own right: Sulis means sight or sun – and in yoga classes, I often relate her energy to the third eye chakra, which is the seat of our intuition. Sulis can help guide us to see things more clearly and illuminate our path. Being a water goddess as well, she can bless any ceremony or ritual with water or healing. Water is considered a feminine element and related to emotional healing.

Amaterasu (Japanese) Her name means 'great shining heaven' and her emblem, the rising sun, appears on the Japanese flag. According to legend, Amaterasu is responsible for keeping balance and harmony within the earthly realm. When you are feeling unbalanced, seek some time to channel Amaterasu by both grounding and absorbing the sun's light, get out in the garden, go for a walk, sit in the sun.

Aine (Celtic) This Irish goddess represents the spark of life; a sun goddess who is also the goddess of healing, love, fertility and prosperity.  Often represented as a fairy queen as well as a goddess, Aine is a reminder of the radiance of summer. And of the power love and joy to help us find light in the dark.

Sehkmet (Egyptian) This warrior goddess is depicted as a lioness, the fierce hunter. She represents both the power and the destructive qualities of the sun's rays, causing drought and famine. Sehkmet represents the awesome power of the sun; she is a wonderful goddess to work with to remind us of our own inner power, our own inner lioness! And embracing strength, even when it seems scary.

Brigid (Celtic) A Celtic fire goddess, Brigid is so ancient a deity she has countless incarnations as both goddess and saint, and is known by many names -Brigit, Bride, Bridghe, Saint Brigid and Brigantia. As a solar deity she is connected to light and elements of fire - health, hearth and home. Particularly around her festival, Imbolc on February 1st, you can call on Brigid’s energy to find sparks of inspiration or relight the flames of forgotten dreams. Those training to be modern day priestesses of Brigid (like me!) learn of her energy in every season of the wheel of the year from bridie the maiden at Imbolc to Brighid the Great Mother and crone at Samhain and Yule. And her animal correspondence; Swan, Snake, Cow, Wolf and the magical Unicorn, Selkie, Phoenix and Dragon.

Closing Thoughts

The sun is the active, dynamic yang energy to the moon’s restorative, reflective yin energy. As with all things, balance is vital, take time to rest and reflect, but there will be times when you must be brave and harness your inner fire, your sparks of passion and stride out into the world with all the power of the goddess, magic and the sun within you!

This is a lil’ snippet from my new book Yoga for Witches, now available from all good bookstores!

Remembering What We Once Knew

Remembering What We Once Knew

My connection to witchcraft has allowed me to deepen my yogic practice. I can use asana to engage in ritual and to move in an inspired way. When leading group meditations and slow restorative classes, I draw on goddess myth and archetype. I use oracle cards to guide our themes and read poems about the moon. Many of the yoga retreats I run are based around the lunar calendar and moon goddesses. These connections allow me to create a sacred space, allowing the subtle energy present in our movement and our spells of intention to bring greater presence to the ritual of our class. It is this deepening of experience that I wish to share with you.

There is a Sanskrit word I love: smarana. It means to recall or uncover that which you once knew. Once, as children, we moved our bodies for the sheer joy of it. We rested, ate, laughed, sang, cried when we wanted to. We gazed at the sky, threw tantrums and hugged with abandon. Yoga can help us remember some of this. As can witchcraft, maybe even more so.

You aren't just remembering what you may have forgotten from your own life, but many lives before you. You are remembering the wisdom that the earth and universe held long before you arrived: the ancient knowledge of the earth, seasons and planets. An understanding that was once unchallenged in its power. And then, somewhere along the line, was pushed aside as nonsense, woo-woo or evil.

The time has definitely come for smarana: to uncover, rediscover and reconnect with the realness of the universe – simple, powerful, infinite.

This is a lil’ snippet from my new book Yoga for Witches, now available from all good bookstores!

Lughnasadh

Simple celebration and rituals are a way to bring awareness and gratitude to the seasons of the year. And Lughnasadh/Lammas if a fine celebration of all things bright and abundant!

On August 1st - The Celtic Wheel of the Year falls onto the celebration of Lughnasadh* (known as Lammas** to the Anglo Saxons) It is now high summer and the union of Sun and Earth has produced the First Harvest. Lughnasadh is the celebration of this first, grain harvest, it's a time for gathering in and giving thanks for abundance.

At the Autumn Equinox we'll take in the Second Harvest of Fruit, and Samhain is the third and Final Harvest of Nuts and Berries. 

*Named after Lugh, the great Celtic Sun God. August is His sacred month, marked with feasting, fairs, dancing, weddings and games. 

**The word 'Lammas' is derived from an Anglo-Saxon 'loaf mass' and is indicative of how central and honoured is the first grain and the first loaf of the harvesting cycle.

Simple Ritual/Celebration Ideas

Just as the ancient Celtic and Anglo Saxons did; celebrate this time by gathering friends, family for feasting and games!

Collect seeds for future harvests. A lovely activity to Involve children. Collect and dry them in the sun, ready for next year's planting. Seeds are such amazing things - each tiny seed contains within it the blueprint for the whole plant it will become.

Make a Corn Dolly. Go for a walk and see what you can find - stalks of wheat, oats, barley, rye often left growing on the edges of fields after harvesting. You can weave your dolly into being, or use coloured ribbons to tie her together. As you do so, give thanks for the gifts of Harvest. At Samhain, return the grain stalks to the earth, they contain the seeds of future harvest... 

Lammas bread is traditionally made using the first harvested grain of the season; Ingredients: 3 mugs of strong white flour 500 ml of buttermilk 1 teaspoonful of bicarbonate of soda Sprouted seeds (you can get these in Whole Foods) 1 Lammas ribbon in either gold, orange or yellow Method: Pour the flour into a large bowl and make a small well in the centre. Add the bicarbonate of soda and a pinch of salt, then pour in the buttermilk. Mix with a wooden spoon and add in the sprouted seeds. Add more flour if the mixture is too sloppy before turning out onto a board dusted with flour. Fold the bread mix into a ball, patting it gently so it is slightly flat and cut a pentacle into the top with a knife for decoration. Put on a greased baking tray and bake for 20-25 minutes on medium heat. When ready it will turn a golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the base. Turn out onto a wire rack and allow to cool before tying with the Lammas ribbon

Most Importantly:
Have Fun, Give Thanks and Celebrate!