The Goddess
Path Issue #013
White Space
January, 2004
This Issue: Table of Contents
1. Goddess Freya
2. White Space
3. Make a Date
4. Featured Goddess: Artemis
Beginning our second year, Goddess Gift wishes to thank you for your support and
encouragement during our infancy and wish you a Happy and Prosperous New Year
on the Goddess Path.
The Nordic Goddess Freya...She Who Weaves Destiny
We introduced you to the Goddess Freya (also known as Frigga or Fricka) in
last month's newsletter as a major Yule Goddess, one who is associated with the Winter
Solstice and, therefore, the Christmas Season.
In ancient times the end of the Winter Solstice, when the hours of
sunlight began to lengthen, marked the beginning of the new year and a time to think of
new possibilities that open before us. The Goddess Freya, who sat at her spindle weaving
the destiny of man and gods alike, was the goddess associated with the unfolding of each
new year.
New Year's eve, the longest night of the year, is called "Mother Night" in
Northern Europe for it was in darkness of that night that the goddess Freya labored to
give birth to Baldur, The Young Sun God who controlled the sun and rain and brought
fruitfulness to the fields. was born. The blessing of Freya is still invoked for birthing
women with a white candle that last burned during the winter solstice used as a charm to
ensure a safe delivery.
Freya was the goddess of beauty, love, and marriage and wife of the powerful Norse god
Odin. A sky goddess, responsible for weaving the clouds, and also responsible for weaving
the fates,as well as a 'seer', one who knew the future but could never change it.
We've just added her stories to the Goddess Gift website. Use this link to
read the story of the Goddess
Freya.
White Space
Too much of anything, even wonderful things, is just that . . . too much. Too much time
spent with people (even favorite ones), too much time spent "doing", too many
florentines rapidly consumed in a bout of gluttony -- and one finds herself depleted.
Create some white space on your calendar. Block in some magical time where absolutely
nothing is scheduled.
Then honor that commitment with "Sorry, I can't do it on that
day/afternoon/evening because I'm already booked." Sure, it won't be easy and you'll
probably feel guilty, but do it anyway.
Because the reward is the peace and contentment that comes with that feeling that is
altogether too rare in our lives, the feeling that you have enough time.
So, with the help of a generous friend and in the spirit of creating white space, we
start a new tradition at the Goddess Path and "pass the rattle" so that you may
hear the voice of another goddess friend . . .
Nourish
Yourself on a Date For One
From the syndicated column, "For the Goddess In You"
By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway,
Author of A Goddess Is A Girl's Best Friend
It is so important that we nourish ourselves - body, mind and spirit -- and treat
ourselves like goddesses. Being kind to ones self is a healthy habit to get into, and the
best way to get into the groove is to set aside "Goddess Time" each week for
you, and you alone!
We give so much to others, why be stingy with ourselves? Whether in a relationship, hoping
to be, or simply enjoying single life, a date with ones self is a powerful metaphor for
self-nourishment. And it is the first and most important step toward a balanced, loving
relationships with others.
Where to begin? Imagine there is someone in your life you can depend on to pamper, heal
and revitalize you, and treat you royally -- for at least a few undisturbed hours each
week. Now, imagine that "someone" is YOU. Pick something that would bring you
great pleasure - an activity, an experience, or a material gift -- and agree to give it to
yourself.
Start off with something simple. Try a "self love bath." Crown yourself
Queen for a Day or Goddess for several hours a week - and pamper yourself. Buy beautiful
candles, scented oils, flowers. Draw a bath. Play relaxing and sensual music. Slip into
the warm water, daydream and allow yourself to bask in the energy of love. It truly
creates an impression in your own mind and spirit that you are someone who deserves royal
treatment and who is willing to receive it! I cannot tell you how much a simple act of
self-love will bring you closer to receiving pampering from others. At the most basic
level - a nice warm bath with candles is very relaxing and it gives you a chance to
meditate… and get a new perspective on life.
How do I love me, let me count the ways. Other simple delights include: light a candle and
relax in a favorite chair for 15 minutes; take yourself to a movie, out to dinner or to a
museum exhibit you've been meaning to see; buy yourself a small gift. The best way to keep
your soul nourished is to create an ongoing environment for this nourishment.
Date yourself regularly: Many of us take time out for ourselves just once in awhile and
neglect to create the foundation for ongoing revitalization. Why not carve out time and
put things in order so that you can access these experiences of self-love and care,
regularly. This may mean keeping your favorite bath oil and candles on hand at all
times… or ensuring that you have several hours a week alone, to yourself. Think of it
this way… if you were dating someone special, wouldn't you go out of your way to make
dates and focus attention on the relationship? Do it for yourself, first… this sets
the groundwork for others to treat you like the goddess you are!
Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway 2003, all rights reserved.
Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway is an interfaith minister and non-denominational wedding
officiant. She is also a spiritual counselor/author devoted to empowering women's self
esteem and spirituality. She's a love and relationship columnist for SoulfulLiving.com,
LoveMagazine.com, and HealthWise Magazine. She is creator of Create Your Romantic
Resume: A 30-Day Program to Transform Your Romantic Destiny, available only through
www.selfhealingexpressions.com and is author A Goddess Is A Girl's Best Friend: A
Divine Guide To Finding Love, Success and Happiness (Perigee Books, December 2002).
For more information, visit Rev. Laurie Sue at www.GoddessFriends.com and www.WeddingGoddess.com
January's Featured Goddess: Artemis
One the best known of the Greek goddesses, Artemis, goddess of the moon
and protector of the vulnerable, reminds us to take aim to turn our dreams into realities.
You can read her story here:
Artemis
Artemis will be the goddess featured this month in the screensaver's
meditations. Windows users can download it at:
Goddess Screensaver.
Year End Progress Report:
Major milestone achieved! We entered the ranks of the top 0.5% of the most
popular sites on the web on December 20th...during the week of the first anniversary of
the initial launch of Goddess Gift.
Here's a link for those of you who like to read our monthly
progress
report in full.
It's A New Year
. . . let go of your reservations and your regrets, your fears and doubts, and start a
new year believing that anything is possible.
Blessings,
Sharon
The Goddess Path
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