Spring Equinox

Goddess, Priestess, ritual, spring equinox

Spring Equinox 2016

Today is the Spring Equinox, when the northern and southern hemispheres are bathed in equal light. It is a day to search for balance within and without.

The bright green leaves are unfurling from the trees, our rose bush has sprouted leaves, and a few of the irises are budding. I feel overwhelmed and light-headed at the growth all around me. Frankly, I find it very difficult to find any balance this time of year, with all of these new buds, both physical and metaphorical, calling my attention to their promise of beautiful blossoms.

But don’t let this day pass you by. Take a moment of silence and stillness to discern: which blooms should be watered and tended? Which need to be “weeded” out? When we find the stillness within, everything comes into focus.

Bright Blessings to you! — Anne

More about Spring Equinox: Spring Equinox is often called Ostara, or Eostre, named for a goddess of Germanic origin who is the namesake of Easter. For the Northern Hemisphere, Spring Equinox is Mid-Spring, signaling the height of the season, occurring at 1° Aries in Tropical system. History and ritual ideas: http://www.schooloftheseasons.com/spring.html and I love these! http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=377863.0#ixzz3SUztkDAp&i

Reviewing the To-Do List by Genevieve Mitchell

contemplation, Divine, Goddess, ritual, Uncategorized

shutterstock_349499291 How many things are on your to do list? What pieces of your life have you left unattended because of the myriad demands on a daily basis? I had the blessed opportunity to spend a day yesterday, just pondering, sitting, wondering, reviewing. I spent some time evaluating 2016 intentions and how well I am doing. I have ten areas of my life I am trying to attend to on a regular basis (ex: Connection with Divine, healthy me, relationships, work, etc.). I am able to say I was doing well (8 or 9 on a scale of 10) on some, and only a 5 or 6 on others. But taking time to review my intentions allowed me to remember all the big hopes I had for 2016.

Fortunately we have 8 more months of 2016, but I want to make sure I spend time doing things that are important, that have value, that will add blessing, grace and light to my life. I like this quote by Socrates “Wisdom begins with wonder”. I think taking time to wonder, to ponder and to contemplate certainly allows me better direction and clarity than just charging forward each day with the many tasks in front of me.

What about you? Have you taken time to envision your ideal world, so you can begin taking steps to put it in place? I invite you to share how you do your review and how it works for you. Bright Blessings.

Genevieve Mitchell is Partner at Goddess Ink Publishing. For More information and to follow Goddess Ink Blog visit www.goddess-ink.com or visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/goddessinkbooks/

New Book Release: Goddesses of the Americas by Lydia Ruyle

Divine, Goddess, Goddess Banners, Goddesses of the Americas, Lydia Ruyle, Priestess, ritual, sacred sites, Uncategorized

Front Cover Low Res

Goddess Ink is so proud to announce publication and pre-sale of Lydia Ruyle’s latest book, Goddess of the Americas: Spirit Banners of the Feminine Divine. This 150 page, full color book features banners and descriptions of over 75 Goddesses and Divine Feminine figures. Accompanying each banner is a description and historical information on each figure. The rich colors and unusual layout make this book a treasure for both the heart and the mind.

“Lydia Ruyle’s goddess banners are a joy to behold! In Goddesses of the Americas, image, symbols, description and place of origin the Americas tell us about each goddess. It is a full-color experience that can be savored. At the very end of there is a photograph of Lydia in a hallway at the Parliament of the World’s Religions, standing between her goddess-banners that line both sides of the hall. Walking that hallway was like going through the pages of this book, an affirmation of the sacred feminine as embodied and experienced. “Jean Shinoda Bolen, MD, Author of Goddesses in Everywoman

Save 20% ! Pre-order before 3/19 (book will ship 4/5). For information and purchase visit www.goddess-ink.com

Mexico City–Land that calls my heart by Anne Key

Divine, Goddess, Mexico, Priestess, ritual, sacred sites, Uncategorized

In 1988 I went to visit my sister and fell under the enchantment Mexico City. One of the largest cities in the world (and the largest in the Americas), Mexico City has everything I love: world-class museums, fine restaurants, hearty street-food, extensive subway, gracious and expansive parks, exquisite architecture, and staggering art. I have traveled through Mexico City annually since that first trip, sometimes for research and other times to nourish my soul.

The opportunity to bring others to this city is a joy. Over the years, I have seen Mexico City change. The air pollution (once a major health concern) has cleared measurably. The creation of more pedestrian walkways in the Historic District have led to an explosion of sidewalk cafes. The excavations at Templo Mayor in the Zocalo (center of the city) have yielded more colossal Goddess statues (the latest an 11 x13 foot Tlatecuhtli).

Mexico City sits in a valley ringed by mountains, known as the Valle de México. The area has been continuously inhabited from 8,000 BCE. The Aztecs made this area their capital in 1325 CE, with over 200,000 inhabitants at the arrival of the Spanish Conquistadors two hundred years later. The city retains the majesty of every culture that has rooted in this earth and felt it quake.

Join me and Veronica Iglesias on a seven day tour in and around Mexico City this summer. Sunday evening June 26th – Saturday evening July 2nd. Information and registration at http://www.goddess-ink.com/events.html.

Cost: EARLY BIRD: $1199 Register before 4/15/2016 and save!
After 4/15: $1399

Includes 7 nights lodging (double occupancy), all in-country transportation, entrance fees, and guided tours. Optional day tours $99 each: Sunday June 26th to Puebla; and Sunday July 3rd to Mexican market and dinner. Does not include meals, airfare, or transportation from airport. If you want single occupancy, please email Anne (anne@goddess-ink.com).

Sacred Sites Tour In Mexico June 2016!

Divine, Goddess, Mexico, Priestess, sacred sites, Uncategorized

Tour sacred sites in and around Mexico City with Veronica Iglesias and Anne Key, both priestesses and scholars of Mesoamerican culture.

Learn about thirteen of the Nahua Goddesses, participate in rituals a temazcal (Mexcian sweat lodge) and limpias, enjoy guided tours through world-class museums and shopping at an art bazaar. Plus lots of wonderful surprises!

Some of the sites we will visit: Teotihuacan, Basilica de Guadalupe, Tepotzlan, Museo de Antropologia, Templo Mayor, Casa de Frida Kahlo, and many more!

We will experience thirteen Mesoamerican goddesses: Tonantzin, La Gran Diosa de Teotihuacan, Coatlicue, Cihuateteo, Itzpapalotl, Coyolxauhqui, Tlaltecuhtli, Malinalxochitl, Xochiquetzal, Mayahuel, Chantico, Cihuacoatl, and Tlazolteotl.

Sunday evening June 26th – Saturday evening July 2nd
Seven day tour in and around Mexico City.

Cost: EARLY BIRD: $1199 Register before 4/15/2016 and save!
After 4/15: $1399

For more information and registration: http://www.goddess-ink.com/events.html

Divine Feminine? Feminine Face of the Divine? Goddess? What’s in a Name?

Divine, Uncategorized

Reflections by Genevieve Mitchell

I’ve given much thought to what to call the Divine in my life. I want something that is a reflection of me. Who am I? I am a female, a woman, a mother, a grandmother, a priestess (or am I a woman priest?). I am one who tries to walk in the sacred connection with that vast world of spirit, grace, mystery and the unknown world of Gods and Goddesses. But the cultural and societal face of God to me always comes back looking very much like a male, ie using “He” Him”” His””King”, “Lord”, “Sovereign” That view of God is not me, it’s not a reflection of my face, my body or my experience, Spirit is SO much bigger than the cultural definitions that I grew up with. But when I am talking with others, how should I refer to the Divine? As “She”, as “Goddess”, as the Feminine Face of God? As the Divine Feminine? It’s not clear to me…Perhaps it’s the connection that’s more important than the name. What do you think? shutterstock_134796932

Genevieve Mitchell is Partner at Goddess Ink Publishing, www.goddess-ink.com, offering books, classes and resources on feminine spirituality, goddess studies and the Divine Feminine. Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/goddessinkbooks/.