Frances Billinghurst's Blog

Discussions about Magic

What is depicted as witchcraft has changed a great deal since the 1990s when I took my first uncertain steps upon the path. It is not uncommon for me to struggle to find any commonality with not only the imagery depicted on social media, but even what is contained within some books.

Instead of using the magic and power of witchcraft to create change within our personal microcosms, it seems to reflect our modern world where the focus is on external desires of the macrocosm, where even the interpretation of magics performed is handed over to another - something that goes against the Four Powers of the Sphinx. This was one of the reasons why I wrote Contemporary Witchcraft: Foundational Practices for a Magical Life.

Some of these magical people you may know of - others you may not. However, they all have one thing in common. They all contain the magic within.

Starting Monday, 17 February, the first episode of my The Magic in You series will be aired on my YouTube channel. Here I will be sitting down with magical people from all around the world where we will be talking about what it means to walk a path that is magical, how it changes our microcosm which then flows onto our macrocosm. My first guest is the delightful Candia McKormack from the British pagan Goth rock band Inkubus Sukkubus.

I was first introduced to the music of Inkubus Sukkubus in the mid 1990s,  I had moved half way around the world to dance around stone circles, and ended up in Cardiff, Wales, where I was very fortunate to find a coven that helped me navigate the energetic differences between the hemispheres.  

News arose one day that this band was in town, and a coven outing, so to speak, was arranged.  This resulted in me being introduced to what has become "one of the most enduring popular underground Goth bands in the UK".
Join me every alternative Monday as I sit down with magical people from all around the world and discuss The Magic in You.

Explore the wonders of Dendera and Connecting with the Stars

On Saturday, 25 January I will be offering my next online presentation through The College of Psychic Studies, this time on the Egyptian temple of Dendera, the Goddess Hathor and the Breath of Creation.

Join me as we enter Dendera, one of the more beautifully restored temples of Ancient Egypt, and explore its many secrets in this livestream workshop.

Dendera is dedicated to Hathor, the sacred Cosmic Cow and Mother of All, breathing life into all creation. Exploring this temple invites you into a deeper relationship with this goddess. Its walls, ceilings and crypts are saturated with powerful symbolism and hidden meanings, and we will study and unpack these for deeper understanding.

In this richly illustrated livestream workshop, we will:
:: Explore the deeper meanings of the zodiacs on the temple ceilings that reveal the cycles of the Eternal Return in which we reside.
:: Discover the meanings behind the images hidden deep within the crypts.
:: Understand the connection between Hathor and Nut, the Goddess of the Skies, who births the sun (Ra) each morning, only to absorb him again as darkness falls.
:: Undertake a guided journey to join with the Neter, Goddess of the Skies, and allow yourself to be reborn.


Saturday, 25 January 2025: 10:30 am - 1:30 pm UK time (9pm ACDT / 9.30pm AEDT) and will be recorded for those who register.  
Book your place here

A Metaphysical Look at 2025

From a metaphysical point, 2025 will be a year that will be bringing in some big changes.  From an astrological point of view, we will see each and every planet change sign– something that is extremely rare.

When we look at the year from an esoteric numerological perspective, 2025 is an universal “9” year.  This means it is about completion,conclusion and resolution.  In order forthe new cycle of begin, the old one must end.  

It is also associated with wisdom, universality and altruism as we movefrom the individual to the collective, thus connecting it with compassion,generosity, as well as the ability to give without expecting anything inreturn.  As such, “9” is seen as beingidealistic and connected with humanitarianism. Because it marks the end of one cycle, it has also been connected with spiritualenlightenment and higher consciousness.

Within the tarot, “9” is the Hermit card in the MajorArcana, which is about enlightenment, wisdom, and self-awareness. It suggestspowerful inner insights that are brought about through reflection, meditation,and contemplation.

Some of the major astrological transits for the new year are:

·       30 March 2025 Neptune moves into Aries after being in its home sign of Pisces since 2008.

·       24 May 2025 Saturn moves into Aries

·       June 2025 – Jupiter moves into Cancer. More emotional as Jupiter expands everything ittouches.

·       July 2025 – Uranus moves into Gemini after 7 years in Taurus (since 2017).

Click on the image below to be taken to my video on my YouTube channel:

Return to the Mother summit starting in less than 24 hours

It is a bit difficult to remain focused when something that you have been steadily working towards for the last six plus months is finally going to be made freely available to the world.

Of course, I am talking about my RETURN TO THE MOTHER online summit.

I was reminder of the late Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, who once said that people get sick because they are alienated from Mother Earth, that they have forgotten that they are on Mother Earth, and that they have a body given to them by Mother Earth.

Is that not what has been happening to us?

Mother Earth – our Mother – the one who birthed all of creation.  Where is she in your life?

Is there a connection between how we treat our planet and the rejection of the Divine Feminine from our Soul Consciousness?

For this reason I have gathered together speakers from all around the world will share their thoughts and insights into this question and other interconnecting threads:

 🌹  Return to the Mother 🌹
Discussions about the Divine Feminine, Mother Earth and Goddess Consciousness

A five-day online summit that will be commencing:Sunday, 24 November 2024 (America & Europe) or Monday, 25 November 2024 (Australia & New Zealand)

Click here to join now (free) ! 

🌹 Explore the connection between Gaia (Earth) consciousness and the Divine Feminine.

🌹 Understand the importance of the feminine archetype.

🌹 Consider the similarities of how Mother Earth and women are treated in modern society.

🌹 Investigate whether the devaluation of anything feminine emerged out of the removal and subsequent absence of the Goddess or Divine Feminine from many of the world’s religions

🌹 Ask ourselves why, regardless of gender identification, it is essential for all of us move from patriarchal oppression to matrifocal wholeness.

🌹 Determine the importance of establishing a more sustainable state of Oneness with our planet for the sake of future generations ...

This online event is FREE to all registered attendees. Simply click here to register today, and join me from the evening of Sunday, 24 November to Thursday, 28 November 2024 (USA, Canada and Europe) or from the morning of Monday, 25 November to Friday, 29 November 2024 (Australia and New Zealand).

Some of the presentations that will be taking place during the Return to the Mother online summit are:

The Divine Source Resides Within with Akosua Dardaine EdwardsThe Return of the Archetypes with Dr Amit GoswamiReturning to Love: Sacred Womb Awakening with Ann BromleyHealing the Damage of Patriarchy through Moon Circles with Bridget EngelsModern Witchcraft and the Goddess with Christopher PenczakThe Dark Goddess: Retribution, Rebirth, and the Dark Night of the Soul with C.G. DahlinExploring Womb Awakening and the Selkie tale as the Initiatory Pathway for the Modern Goddess with Deborah StanleyEntering the Temple of the Goddess with Frances BillinghurstCreating a Context in which She can Grow: A PaGaian Cosmology with Glenys LivingstoneHow a Radical Guide to Reality invites a return to the Divine Feminine, the healing of the 'illusion' of separation and an emergence of Gaian Consciousness with Dr Jude CurrivanMatriarchy in the Animal Kingdom: The Glue of Creation with John LockleyHow Rites of Passage Ceremony and Earth Consciousness can assist in healing Patriarchal Wounding with Kallie BrownDivine Feminine: The Antidote to Patriarchal Domination and Our Wounded Feminine Consciousness with Karen TateThe Maidens of the Well: Reclaiming the Waters of Life with Kat HoughtonGrowing into the Goddess: Claim your Divine Feminine power in dialogue with your Christian Roots with Kathleen JoanReturning to the Mother at Midlife: Initiation as the Wise Woman with Keren BrownEmbodying the Divine Feminine through Movement with Leslie ZehrContemporary Witchcraft and the Rebirth of the Goddess: Devotional Practices to the Great Mother with Levi RowlandThe Five Earth Archetypes of the Wild Feminine with Mary Reynolds ThompsonThe Full Embrace, Beyond the Veil of Separation with Naomi Amaya LoveShe leads the Way with Dr Nicola AmadoraReturning to the Primordial with Patricia Awyan LehmanMother Earth and Her Magic of Rebirth with Phyllis CurottPachamama's Embrace: A Catalyst of Remembrance with Q'orianka CornejoRadical Earth Transformation: Newborn Consciousness Seeded with Hieros Gamos with RaMa Danielle-MarieMatriarchy and The Great Mother with Stephen MehlerThe Eternal Feminine with Dr Valentina R. OnisorThe In-powerment of the Mystery with Zahra Indigo Rønlov

and more.

There is also the opportunity to upgrade to receive Unlimited Lifetime Access where you receive downloaded audio and video recordings of ALL presentations as well as additional gifts.

The Essence of the Mother as a Way to Reconnect

"The Essence of the Mother" explores the concept of "Mother" and how the Sacred She manifests in our lives ~ from the creative process that birthed our cosmos and the world in which we reside, through to the ever guiding Divine Feminine presence that surrounds us.

The "Mother" has always been there. She has always been part of us.

We just need to remember.

Day One will be commencing from 

Sunday, 24 November 2024 at 3:30pm PST (Los Angeles), 6:30pm EST (New York), 11:30pm GMT (London) OR Monday, 25 November 2024 at 10:00am (ACDT), 9:30am (AEST), 12:30pm (NZDT (Find your time zone here )

The presentations that will be contained within Day One are:

Entering the Temple of the Goddess by Frances BillinghurstHow a Radical Guide to Reality invites a return to the Divine Feminine, the healing of the 'illusion' of separation and an emergence of Gaian Consciousness with Dr Jude CurrivanThe Return of the Archetypes with Dr Amit GoswamiShe leads the Way with Dr Nicola Amadora Returning to the Primordial with Patricia Awyan Lehman

The RETURN TO THE MOTHER online summit is a FREE event that will be taking place towards the end of November 2024 where over 27 wisdom keepers, theologians, spiritual teachers, and inspirational speakers have gathered together in order to share their knowledge and insights as we explore the concept of the Divine Feminine, Goddess Consciousness and Earth Awareness.

This summit will be taking place from:

Sunday, 24 November to Thursday, 28 November 2024 (America & Europe) orMonday, 25 November to Friday, 29 November 2024 (Australia and Pacific).
Simply register your place here

What Pluto moving into Aquarius means for us

 On Tuesday, 19 November 2024 Pluto will finally move into Aquarius where it will remain for the next 40 years. Named after the Roman Lord of the Underworld, death and of riches, Pluto is our furthest reaching planet, one associated with deep, soul level transformation on a collective level as opposed to an individual level.

What does this mean? Can events from the past provide any insight as to what we may be able to expect?
Click on the image below to be taken to my video about this:

Why we need to Return to the Mother

While our external world appears to be in much chaos and turmoil, of pain and heartache, there is a deep richness of love, compassion, hope and beauty can still be found.

Chinese philosopher, Lao Tsu, reminds us, when we remember that we too are part of nature (Mother Earth), and we embrace the Divine Feminine back into our spiritual practices we are able to reconnect to that valley spirit that resides within.

More so than ever, we need to return to the "Mother" - regardless of whether it is the divine feminine, Mother Earth (Gaia), Goddess consciousness, or even turning to nature to learn from our other co-inhabitants of this planet that we live on.

For these reasons and more), I have created the RETURN TO THE MOTHER online summit, that will be commencing Monday, 25 November (or Sunday evening, 24 November if you live in America & Europe).

Click on the image below to be taken to the video that I have created about this:

The RETURN TO THE MOTHER summit is is a free event, consisting of some 27 presenters and all you need to do is to register here: www.return-to-the-mother.com

There is an option to upgrade to unlimited lifetime access where 20% of all monies received will be donated to The Global Women's Project.

Full Moon in Capricorn (June)

On Saturday, 22 June 2024 at 10:37am ACST we will have a full moon at 1° 07’ of the astrological sign of Capricorn, asking us to check in with respect to the plans or goals we set at the start of the year.

This full moon also is taking place just after the solstice, so it might be a good time to pause and consider the direction in which you want to head in for the remaining half of 2024.

Clink on the image below to be taken to my update about this full moon:

If you are located in Adelaide and you would like to join likeminded people who will be gathering under the lunar rays, you are welcome to join us at Largs Bay on Friday evening from 7pm.  More details about these Full Moon Gatherings can be found by clicking on the image below:

Free Magazine - MoonScape is now available

 

Just in time for the solstice, the third edition of the ezine, MOONSCAPE , is now available.

This is a free magazine put together by my publisher, Moon Books, and filled with articles written by many Moon Book authors including myself. Just a note - as my publisher is based in England, the theme for this magazine is the summer solstice, but still it is a great read, and do I mention it is free? You can access MOONSCAPE here .

New Moon in Gemini (June 2024)

On Thursday, 6 June at 10:07pm Australian Central Standard Time we will have a New Moon at 16° 17’ of the astrological sign of Gemini. Jupiter, Mercury and Venus are also in Gemini, with Venus being conjunct with the sun and moon.

While Gemini can be a rather activate and chatty sign, this moon will be squaring Saturn, the Lord of Time, slowing down before it stations retrograde towards the end of the month, as well as squaring Neptune, both of which are in Pisces. This slowing down could be welcomed especially if you find yourself too caught up in your mental processes, your head, and need to take time to come back to what your body and intuition is trying to tell you.
While I am not an astrologer, I have put together some information from the astrologers that I do follow in order to provide some insight into what this conjunction could mean.  You can find that video on my YouTube channel by clicking on the image below: