What is a priestess?
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- Priest/ess Process Creatrix Nicole Christine and Advanced Priest/ess Process Facilitator Lisa Michaels
About 10 years ago, I went on a Vision Quest. One of my visions included women in long dark robes and head drapes moving around in a stone portico. When I recounted the image to my Quest teacher, I referred to the figures as “nuns”. My teacher suggested they might have been priestesses.
The shift from my traditional Western interpretation to one that is more inclusive was an important one for me. It caused me to begin thinking, “What is a priestess?”
I still wonder about that. I have a lot of images of Priestesses, mostly from readings such as The Mists of Avalon, tarot interpretations, etc. Images of divination and magical powers, flowing robes, and living separately from the world are the primary images I held of Priestesses.
Over the years, I have amended those images. Primarily, I believe Priestesses hold a lot of wisdom and knowledge, some of which they share and some which they hold within for a more appropriate time. Their wisdom is their power. And their wisdom comes from going within and exploring the Mystery of life.
I think that Priestess has much in common with Magician and Sorceress and Shaman in that she listens deeply to her intuition and her spiritual guides in order to better understand the truth. She creates and teaches with intention. She helps to focus intention and shift perspective, which – to me – is what magic is really all about.
While “ministering” is usually saved for ordained clergy, I believe that we all minister to others. And I think Priestesses minister to many.
I had a recent experience at the spring 2010 Womenspirit retreat in a Healing Circle that was guided by Lisa Michaels. It was a powerful experience for me: I was recovering from a recent hospitalization so I was one of the women in the center receiving healing energy. Lisa, with her loving, shining energy and confidence, led the ritual, calling in many spirit healers. There were other women encircling us, guiding and holding energy. The women were all exquisitely beautiful in the soft glow of candles as they acted as conduits and conductors of healing. I wrote this poem after that experience.
We gathered together,
those needing to receive healing
and those needing to give.
I sat in the center
With five other sisters,
open and receptive,
supported by
sisters, silk, and sacred water.
Energy channelers
formed a powerful ring around us –
one for each of the central six,
flowing among us.
The protective ones
created the outer circle,
holding energy
standing firm
creating a shield.
Priestess in the center,
guiding, calling in
Mother Mary, Roses, the Healing Hathors,
Isis, Quan Yin, Tara, others.
Encouraging everyone
to open and receive,
to let go of grief with sound from
our deepest depths.
Ageless wailing,
Distressing and evocative.
I was nourished,
opened then emptied,
rocked like a baby
and filled up again:
by gratitude
by the vision of
candlelit women
~~ maidens, mothers, crones ~~
who showed up.
Who sat or stood
with strength, grace, and beauty
Healers
Priestesses
Holy women
Giving the selfless gifts
of their time and energy and essence
in support of their sisters.
And the greatest gift of all
(this is the way Spirit works)
is that in blessing us six
they, too, received blessings.
We were all lifted up
By a wondrous web
of connection and sharing.
I struggle with thinking of myself as a Priestess. It seems such a high aspiration, and I am, well, just me. Yet I do know that I hold special and sacred abilities, and it doesn’t serve anyone for me to have inappropriate modesty about my role in this world.
So I am going to spend some time learning more about Priestessing… and how to serve my community and this world in doing that. It will be focused intention, which is a powerful force!
Kate is a multi-media artist, writer, and teacher who is grateful for the opportunities she has to co-create with Spirit and others. You can learn more about her business at www.TheCre8tiveFlow.com and read more of her writings at www.Kate-Stockman.blogspot.com.
Thanks Kate for submitting this beautiful article. If you are called to activate the priest/ess within, there is still time to join one of the upcoming fall Priest/ess Training’s. Home Study Course with Lisa Michaels begins Sept 8, Atlanta Circle with Lisa Michaels Full Weekend Format Begins Sept 11/12, North Georgia Circle One Day Format with Bonnie Salamon and Susan Kersey begins late September. As always we love your comments and insights.
Many blessings, Lisa
Pisces Full Moon & Free Teleseminar Invitation
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- Pisces Full Moon at the Grand Canyon
The Full Moon in Pisces with the Sun in Virgo brings a deep connection to the sacred in all areas of your life. This energy calls for the development of a loving, caring, and compassionate heart committed to serving humanity.
Pisces as the most expanded Water sign brings a deep connection to the collective and mystical merger with the Divine. Pisces feels the suffering of humanity and responds with a loving caring heart that heals.
It serves the world by dreaming visions of a peaceful planet and joining with others to selflessly help those in need. Pisces provides spiritual nourishment through selfless service.
The sun in Virgo will help you ground your ability to serve others in practical ways, dedicated work, and ceremony on behalf of the collective. Use the added intuition that the Pisces full moon brings to determine the grounded steps or ceremonial intention you need. Pay attention to your feelings and subtle psychic guidance.
Take a moment during this potent time to listen internally and notice if you feel any urgings to strengthen your inner gifts.
- Your capacity to access your own guidance.
- Your ability to work with the sacred.
- Your intuition, inner knowing and wisdom.
If you feel this internal urge I invite you to join me for one of 2 upcoming free telesemiars the Inner Treasures of Becoming a Priest/ess.
On these calls you will connect to the priestess or priest within and discover the ways this archetype can assist you in all areas of life; from work, to family, to assisting others. You will find out more about how this archetype can develop your gifts from the inside out. You will also learn details about the upcoming ways you can activate this archetype fully.
If you would like to join me for one of these two potent calls simply sign up below.
Click Here to Sign Up for the Call Saturday August 28 – 12 Noon Eastern Time (9am Pacific Time)
Click Here to Sign Up for the Call Wednesday September 1 – 7 PM Eastern Time (4pm Pacific Time)
Enjoy the light of this beautiful full moon, LIsa
Sun in Virgo
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- Nicole Christine who taught me to honor the sacred wisdom found within.
Today (Aug 22/Pacific Time) and tomorrow (Aug 23/Eastern Time) the sun moves into Virgo and stays there until September 22. So happy birthday Virgos!
As the sun moves into a sign, it gives you approximately 30 days to utilize that energy to boost your life in the areas it influences. Virgo brings you fuel to tend to the sacred earthly realm, take grounded action, organize, handle details, care for your body, handle your finances, clean your house, and work in your garden.
This year the planet of communication Mercury gets into the mix. Two days ago Mercury (in astrology speak) “went retrograde” in Virgo (until Sept 13). What that means for you is that it creates a great time for completions, reorganization, reflection, and integration. During Mercury retrograde times you also want to double check communications and contracts, back up your computer, be patient because sometimes things take longer, allow time for right brain creative activities, and go within to do inner work.
In 1997, I began a journey that helped me understand Virgo in a much deeper way. I was made aware of Virgo qualities besides just the hard working and detail oriented aspects. I learned that Virgo honors the sacred in the physical world, and the rhythmic timings, and patterns of Nature. That it is a very spiritual sign dedicated to doing its sacred work in the world and being of service.
I discovered that Virgo represents the priestess and priest archetype. Someone who creates a sacred time, space, and place to honor the Divine. I learned that as the ability to honor the sacred was taken away from the feminine using the word “priestess” became no longer appropriate and only the masculine “priest” was allowed. Even today, in some settings, the feminine is not allowed to preside over spiritual proceedings.
As part of my journey to reclaim a deeper connection to my own spirituality I made the decision to activate the priestess within myself. I had to clear the overlay of “only men allowed” and claim my “woman’s right” to find my own direct connection to the Divine. Activating the priestess within myself awakened so many gifts and abilities internally that I decided to begin facilitating the process for others. During these years, I have learned to honor the sacred as it flows through every aspect of life and appreciate the beautiful living temple that Mother Nature provides.
This year while the sun is in Virgo I encourage you to tend to the physical details of your life and allow yourself to explore your own relationship to the sacred.
Feel free to leave your comments about your connection to Virgo and your sacred journey.
Many blessings, Lisa
Powerful Creation Window August 8
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Learning to effectively create involves knowing what elemental tools and skills to use and when to use them. We have a potent timing to boost your creations coming on August 8.
This day falls between the exact point of the Wheel of the Year first harvest August 7 (called Lughnasad or Lammas) and the Leo New Moon on August 9. This is an alignment of the sun and moon energies.
New moons are potent seed times for your creations and the 8 points in the Wheel of the Year all boost your creations in some way. Put them together and it is like adding rocket fuel to your ability to energize your dreams and desires.
The Leo new moon helps you in any area of life where you want to be more visible or a more powerful leader. It is a good time to activate your radiance. Fill yourself with self-love. Turn up your inner fire. Increase your self-confidence. Fire up your zest for life. Celebrate your accomplishments. Develop the courage to follow your heart. Fine tune your presentational style.
Lughnasad/Lammas, the first of three harvest points on the Wheel of the Year, brings you to a place of gratitude. It is important to ask yourself what you have to be thankful for in life in relation to your co-creations. And what needs to be added to your creations to continue to have a bountiful harvest. Are any of your creations ripe and ready for picking? (To understand more about the Wheel of the Year read the Dance of Creation from your FREE Natural Rhythms Starter Kit.)
Using both of these energies together can dynamically energize any of your creations.
In order to help you utilize this powerful timing and continue to learn to more effectively create I am holding a teleseminar ceremony on August 8 1pm EST and I have two additional creation teleseminars coming up.
On August 8 at 1pm EST we will discuss this potent window and then ceremonially you will do inner work to activate your creations. Energizing your creations rhythmically is like adding fertilizer to your garden for abundant growth to occur.
When people come together and collectively align with the energy of nature and creation it helps support the individuals and the collective. Any prayers of gratitude you have for the elements and Mother Earth help uplift the energy we experience. In the phone (teleseminar) ceremony we will have on Aug 8 we will collectively uplift your personal intentions and creations as well as honor and give thanks to Nature.
Then on August 10 7pm EST access a powerful creation tool as you ‘Activate the Power of Your Creation Game.’ The creation game is an extremely effective tool for gaining life guidance with the elements. It is easy for you to print and use. Learn to receive good life guidance for yourself from the energies of creation.
On August 17 7pm EST ‘Energize Your Elemental Forces of Creation Oracle’ and get let the elemental forces help you bring your desires into form. (If you do not have an oracle adding one to your order is easy and they are only $24.99 + shipping.)
All of these events will be recorded if you have to miss the live call for any reason.
Because so many people need creation support right now, the investment in all three teleseminars together is only $20.00. All you need is a telephone to participate and an internal desire to expand your ability to impact the creation of your life.
Add the Elemental Forces of Creation Oracle to your order by clicking here.
I hope you decide to join me to boost and strengthen your ability to consciously create. Plan to use this powerful window to energize your dreams and desires.
Many blessings on your creations, Lisa
If you ideas or comments for using this powerful timing window please leave them below, thanks.
Natural Rhythms at Mid-Life
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NATURAL RHYTHMS AT MID-LIFE
Understanding that “Nature does not hurry, yet all things are accomplished” can assist you as you move through the changes associated with mid- and later life. Allowing your life’s events and opportunities to unfold in their own divine, right timing, leaves room for all your good to unfold with them.
Give gratitude to each of the amazing parts of your body on a regular basis. Your body will reward you with renewed vigor.
Re-dedicate yourself to proper periods of rest. Especially in the middle years, everything seems clearer and more easily managed after a good night’s sleep. Ask for assistance on the inner realm if sleep is sometimes illusive.
Working with your dreams enables you to open to your heart’s deepest needs and desires. Consider learning to interpret the main themes of your sleep time messages.
In the mid and later years, it is particularly helpful to be willing to ask for what you need. You may be asking Spirit, Goddess, or your own inner consciousness. You do not have to do things without Elemental and Universal support.
Stay connected to your own inner passion and fire through readings, circles of like-minded individuals, and classes to connect to your joy. Often, you can be involved from home, through the internet, or you may wish to connect through community.
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Bonnie is holding a FREE INTRODUCTION to the Practical Priest/ess process Sunday, August 8, 2010. For more information and to make a reservation go to Bonnie’s website or the Natural Rhythms Events page.
Cancer New Moon
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- Water a Magnetic Element
At the new moon, the moon and the sun line up together in the same sign. This creates a powerful opportunity to use their combined energy toward your creation goals.
Like an arrow pointed toward its target, the sun and moon create a favorable energetic window that helps you aim your energy effectively toward your objectives.
This potent timing only works if you use it consciously. The aligned sun and moon can add strong valuable energy to your creations with as little as 5-15 minutes of time during each window of opportunity.
The window for each new moon is the day before the exact point, the day of, and the day after.
We have just entered the three day window for the Cancer New Moon. This new moon also has a solar eclipse so the energy is intensified.
Cancer is a water sign. Happy birthday to those born while the sun was in this sign.
As you learn to work with the new moon knowing the element it is in helps you to determine how to focus your energy toward creation.
Water is a highly programmable element that magnetizes to it the same vibration it holds. Pay attention to what you are drawing into your life and adjust your water’s program where needed.
As the only element you can see yourself in, use water’s capacity to mirror your feelings and beliefs back to you by noticing what you are experiencing and clearing what is no longer needed.
Just as you wash your body, clothes, dishes, and home with water. It is the element you clean with externally and internally. When old emotional energy gets held in the body it often needs water to help it to clear and move. Tears are one way water clears and cleans energy, so watch a movie that helps you cry. If the emotional pattern is really old and blocked you may need addition support. For those times, scheduling a creation coaching clearing session is helpful.
New Moon in Cancer creates a wonderful time send love, appreciation, and tender loving care to yourself, others, and the waters of the planet.
Here are a few tips that you can apply during this window. If are interested in more ways the moon can support your life and how you can actively work with to create your dreams then visit our Natural Rhythms Membership page and watch the creation journaling video.
~ Find time during this window to do something to deeply care for yourself.
~ Spend time near a nourishing body of water and rejuvenate yourself.
~ Give comfort to someone in your life who needs it.
~ Send prayers to the waters of the gulf.
To learn more about this precious element and watch our brand new Water video visit our Water Page.
Summer Solstice
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- Solstice Means “Sun Standstill”
Recording of the Summer Solstice Teleseminar Ceremony
June 20th – First day of the three day solstice window
Soul Tools for Transformative Times Handout
Solstice means “Sun Standstill,” and summer solstice, in the northern hemisphere, brings us the longest day of the year. Find time to bask in the bright abundant light summer brings and enjoy the harvest as things begin to ripen around you. This is a wonderful day to consciously witness the sunrise and appreciate the blessings the solar light and fuel bring into your life.
Also called midsummer, this point creates the fullest point of the summer season. It begins the subtle turn point when the light slowly begins to shift. During this time, honor the abundance of the Earth Mother and the gift of warmth the sun brings forth.
If you create a ceremony plan to celebrate fulfillment, passion, abundance, and manifestation. Honor the elemental forces and all they do to provide for you on this planet. Especially honor Water, sending loving healing energy to the ocean.
As I was preparing for the “Soul Tools for Transformative Times” talk I will be giving at EvolverFest, on Sunday, in Atlanta, I received an interesting message about how we can support Water. I got that we all need to say a forgiveness prayer for harming Water. If you have ever unconsciously washed your clothes or your dishes in a petroleum based soap, thrown out a plastic water bottle without emptying it, or harmed water in any way this prayer is helpful.
I received this message last week as I started crafting my talk, then today an email was going around which stated it was from Dr. Emoto, the Water vibration specialist, basically saying the same thing. Bringing additional confirmation that this is an important prayer.
Prayers said in ceremonial space on powerful days such as the solstice have addition impact. I urge you to say this prayer sometime between June 20-22.
Healing Planetary Water Forgiveness prayer. “Dear Waters of the planet please forgive any me for any unconscious actions I have taken that have harmed or polluted you. I honor, respect, and appreciate you.”
Sending you many solstice blessings, Lisa
New Moon in Gemini
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- New Moon in the Air Sign of Gemini
Today begins the three day new moon window in Gemini.
Normally this new moon would feel airy and energetic but in the light of all the planetary energies and collective challenges we are facing it has a heavier quality to it.
The energy calls for us to be even more conscious of how we work with this new moon.
Gemini is an air new moon so working with intention is even more powerful than usual.
Because Gemini works with the mind and mental realm this window creates a potent time to commit to learning something new.
When you are setting your personal intentions for the next month be sure and add one for the upliftment of the collective and some innovative new ways of cleaning up the environment to emerge.
Blessings, Lisa
Get Growing
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- Expansion Up & Out Requires Deep & Stable Roots
Anytime you want to be more, have more, or do more, in order to expand up and out in your personal or professional life, you have to develop a deeper stronger and more stable root system. Just like a tree, you are an organic living system comprised of the elemental forces of creation (Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and Spirit).
Each of the elements impact your organic living system and your ability to expand and bring into form any of your dreams and desires. The more consciously you know how to draw on, access, and work with the elements the more effectively you can strengthen your “inner root system” in order to expand and create.
Strengthening your “inner root system” requires something different with each element. With…
Earth you need to deepen your ability to create structure and form for your expansion and creations. They can only be as solid as your capacity to effectively hold and manage them in the physical earthly realm.
Water requires you to enhance your skill at magnetizing your desires by increasing your emotional maturity and learning to run clear, clean, emotional current.
Air calls for you to learn new mental and technological skills and create a more expansive and compelling vision to help you focus your intentions and actions for better results.
Fire asks you to align your actions, life force energy, and passion to fuel your dreams and desires that are for the highest good of everyone concerned and the planet.
Spirit urges you to express your essence more fully and to explore the creative outlets you feel called to bring into form in your personal and professional life.
Learning more about the elements and the ways they ignite your inner gifts and activate your personal power helps you strengthen your inner root system to expand into all you can be.
At Natural Rhythms our mission is to help you do just that. Assisting you to develop and stabilize your inner capacities what we work toward daily. We have two new classes beginning June 16 & 17 that can help you.
For those of you who want to expand your business our Natural Business Success 4 module teleseminar course begins June 16. And if you want to develop the foundational powers of the elements our NR100 Home Study course begins June 17. If you have time for both they very powerfully work hand in hand to reinforce and develop your capacity to work in alignment with the forces of creation.
There are also two more free events this week Expand Your Essential Creative Potential Webinar Sunday June 6 and on June 9 a free teleseminar on Natural Business Success.
Please contact me if you have any questions about either of these potent ways to strengthen your root system and skills.
Many blessings and much natural success, LIsa
Full Moon in Sagittarius
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The Sagittarius full moon window begins today and extends through May 28, the day before the exact full moon point and the day after.
If you pay attention you can access inner guidance from the archetypal energy that the moon is in. If it is a clear night and you possibly can sit in the light of the full moon it is extremely helpful to absorb the moonlight directly.
Working with the moon helps align you with the rhythms of nature internally. By paying attention to the moon you get in sync with the monthly rhythm of expansion and contraction. From the new to full moon the moon grows (called waxing) and then at the full moon begins the releasing cycle (called waning).
Attunement to this flow of energy helps you know the most effective times in your own life for seed planting for your creations and then when to listen internally for additional guidance. This is beneficial for both your personal life and your business/career.
Let’s take this full moon for example…Sagittarius is a fire moon. Fire illuminates, adds fuel and energy to creations, and needs the balance of the other elements to be effectively managed. Sagittarius fire expands anything it comes into contact with. So an important thing to ask yourself is what is it you want to expand.
In your business/career for instance do you want to expand your visibility and company profits? If so, then pay careful attention to the messages from this full moon. Where the balance of the other elements really matters for fire comes into play when companies are so eager to consume resources for profit that they fail to honor the natural world. We are seeing the result of the damage that can do now.
When you are listening internally to the messages of this beautiful Sagittarius full moon here are some things you can ask yourself:
- How can I expand and grow personally and in business/career in a balanced way?
- In what ways can I increase my visibility and effectiveness?
- Where can I find deeper meaning in life?
- How do I need to evolve my consciousness at this time?Sending you many full moon blessings, LIsa
