Becoming Persephone

Illness carried me to the underworld. Surviving GBS and living with lupus taught me the alchemy of transforming trauma into strength. Underworld Letters is where I share reflections on the ebb and flow of healing, reclaiming magic, and slow living.

Two amazing animal decks are in the shop!

NORTHERN ANIMAL TAROT (3rd EDITION)

Create a sacred space for deep dreams, intuition, and restful sleep with this handcrafted Dream Altar Kit. Designed for dreamwork, inner reflection, and energy alignment, this kit features four carefully selected crystals to enhance your nighttime rituals.

New Items Added To The Shop

Hekate Pagan Rosary

Hekate, the goddess of magic and witchcraft, reigns over the liminal spaces, embodying profound wisdom in her triple form. I crafted this pagan rosary for you to connect with her divine darkness, to hold the key to her realm, and walk beneath the starry nights in her presence.

Every bead was selected to hold deep meaning. You can carry this with you at all times and/or keep on your altar for devotional work. All crystal beads are natural AA sized 6mm. The rosary is around 11in long (from charm to charm). Comes with a drawstring bag.

Spiral Charm (labyrinth, connection to the divine, the ever changing seasons, cycles of life) Amethyst Anchor Bead (psychic protection, cleansing, amplify divination)  6 Labradorite Beads (the 6 points on hekate wheel star, new moon, air, night sky)  13 Black Tourmaline w/ Garnet Beads (the witches number, energies of the underworld, pomegranate, protection, blood magic, connection to Persephone, waxing/waning moon, duality) 3 Moonstone Beads (triple moon goddess, new/full/dark moon) 3 Black Tourmaline Beads (pentacles, waning moon, winter, protection, scrying) 1 Amethyst Bead (as above, spirit, dark moon) 1 Tree Agate Bead (so below, energetic compost, grounding, willow tree) Aquamarine Anchor Bead (full moon, autumn, flow of energy, protection, courage, healing) Antique Key Charm (keeper of keys, welcoming the unknown, gates to the underworld, witchcraft) 

Would you like a custom pagan rosary? Message me to get a quote. I will work hard to make your vision come to life at a affordable price.

Blodeuwedd: The Flower Maiden, Owl Transformation, and Feminist Legacy

Blodeuwedd, a striking figure in Welsh mythology, embodies a rich tapestry of themes that resonate deeply with modern discussions around femininity, autonomy, and transformation. Created from flowers and eventually transformed into an owl, her story is not just a tale of enchantment and betrayal but also a powerful commentary on the roles and expectations of women.

The Creation of Blodeuwedd

Blodeuwedd, whose name translates to “flower face,” was crafted from the blossoms of oak, broom, and meadowsweet by the sorcerers Math and Gwydion. Her creation was intended to serve as a remedy for Lleu Llaw Gyffes, a hero cursed to remain unwed. While Blodeuwedd’s floral origins evoke images of beauty and grace, they also hint at the superficial nature of her creation—she was fashioned to fulfill the desires and needs of the men in her life rather than given autonomy or agency.

A Tale of Love and Betrayal

As Blodeuwedd grows into her own, she encounters Gronw Pebr, a nobleman with whom she falls passionately in love. Their affair leads to a conspiracy to murder Lleu, showcasing Blodeuwedd's desire for autonomy and emotional connection. Yet, this act of agency ultimately leads to her downfall. When Lleu survives and learns of her betrayal, she is condemned to a life as an owl, a being often associated with wisdom but also solitude and darkness.

The Owl Transformation: Symbolism and Significance

Blodeuwedd’s transformation into an owl is multi-layered. Traditionally viewed as a symbol of wisdom and mystery, the owl also represents the complexity of female identity. In many cultures, owls are seen as guardians of the night, possessing knowledge that lies beyond the surface. Blodeuwedd’s new form reflects her transition from a creation of men to a being that navigates the shadows and complexities of her existence.

This transformation can be viewed through a feminist lens as a reclamation of power. Although initially a pawn in a male-dominated narrative, Blodeuwedd’s journey signifies a shift toward self-awareness and autonomy. As an owl, she embodies the wisdom gained through her experiences, and her solitude offers a space for reflection and growth.

Feminist Legacy and Modern Interpretation

Blodeuwedd’s story resonates with contemporary discussions surrounding the roles of women in society. Her experience speaks to the constraints placed upon women, often molded to fulfill the expectations of others. The narrative invites us to consider the broader implications of autonomy, choice, and identity. In a world where women are frequently subjected to external pressures, Blodeuwedd’s journey serves as a powerful reminder of the need for self-determination.

Moreover, her transformation into an owl can symbolize the empowerment that comes from embracing one’s true self, even in the face of societal judgment. By reclaiming her narrative, Blodeuwedd becomes a symbol of resilience, illustrating the strength that can arise from personal trials.

Embracing Blodeuwedd’s Story

Blodeuwedd’s story encourages us to delve deeper into the complexities of female identity and the ongoing struggle for autonomy. Her journey from flower maiden to owl serves as a reminder that transformation, while often challenging, can lead to profound wisdom and understanding.

An ocean lives within its aqua hues. As you wear it, you feel the ebb and flow of its energy. Peaceful, it lulls me into watery daydream. Like the sea, it provides clarity, a space to sit and breathe. You watch the waves within its crystallized temple, finding answers in the blue depths. Aquamarine works with the throat chakra, providing fluid expression. The throat is where the truth flourishes. a sacred space of earth roots and cosmic wonder, our voice the passage between worlds.

AQUAMARINE: "Stone of the Sea,” It connects to the depths of the ocean, allowing you to reflect and find peace with your emotions. A magical stone that allows you to communicate with water spirits. Aquamarine strengthens communication with nature spirits, deepens intuition, and provides ocean energy.

Item: Large 55mm aquamarine cabochon framed in blackened sterling silver. Comes with an oxidized sterling silver 18” chain.

The Cycle of Life

We all begin and end in darkness, the darkness in which the divine resides. The cyclical process often gets confused, especially when we see death being switched with rebirth in tarot and oracle decks. There is a "love & light" avoidance of a crucial part in our journey.

We experience this cycle daily. Understanding and embracing each part reminds us that every ending is a precursor to a new beginning, and every beginning will one day reach its end. The magic lies in the journey through each phase, recognizing the divine presence in both the light and the darkness.

The cycle (in my opinion):

Creation: It’s both expansion and emptiness, the chaos and the peace, the weaving of night and day. Creation is vast, limitless, and boundless in its potential. It is the spark of something new. This stage embodies the duality of existence, where every beginning carries within it the seeds of its own end.

Decay: As time progresses, what was once new begins to age. Decay is the natural breakdown, a shedding of self, where we begin to see the the inevitable end of what was created. Decay teaches us about impermanence and the beauty in the gradual return to the source.

Death: The culmination of decay, death represents the end of a cycle. It is both an ending and a return to the divine darkness. Sometimes, death can be peaceful. Other times, it can be destructive, like a forest fire consuming everything in its path.

The Void: This is the space of pause, a pocket of time where everything is coming together, a stillness as we take the lessons of creation, decay, and death to form a new presence. The void is often overlooked, yet it is in this space that true transformation occurs. In the void, we process, reflect, and integrate the past, preparing the soil of our soul for what is to come.

Till the Soil: After the void, there is a need to prepare for rebirth. This is the stage where we take the wisdom gained from the previous cycles and actively work to create fertile ground for new growth. It involves effort, intention, and the willingness to nurture a new foundation.

WHAT IT MEANS TO DIE.

I no longer fear death. I fear falling.

In June 2023 I was diagnosed with GBS triggered by Lupus which left me paralyzed. Trapped, a mind wandering a hollow vessel as my body attacked my nerves and my muscles withered away. I couldn't speak, eat, or even lift a finger. I was buried alive.

I went from being a yogini and hiker to laying in a hospital bed with my family having to suction my salvia as I watched Housewives on Bravo. My 3 1/2 months in the hospital, in and out of the ICU, was an experience equivalent to walking the depths of hell.

I remember the day before I was rushed to the ICU for only having 1/2 of 1 lung working, three crows visited my window. The fates coming to collect, my mother saw it as an omen, I saw it as a welcoming. I traveled for months in the underworld, burning away my old self with a fever that created an inferno underneath my flesh.

Tears couldn't extinguish the anguish, for it was a death that needed to occur in order for me to heal. Hand in hand with Persephone, I looked at the destruction of my life and began to till the soil. Doubts and fear in hand, I dug up my old roots. I knew deep down that I would never be the same, that the girl everyone knew before was gone, disintegrated in the ashes of yesterday.

Coming home from the hospital was like walking into someone else life and feeling out of place. I was a stranger to the past. You know it's all your stuff but none of it feels like you anymore. Everything became a reminder that I died and I didn't know who the old me was anymore, memories that I had no desire in resurrecting.

4 months in rehabilitation was a mountainous climb that felt never ending. Even Hekate and Persephone couldn't keep the demons away, the parasitic thoughts that latched on anytime I fell, or couldn't lift a tissue from a tissue box. But I was able to take those acidic shadows as reminders that strength is born in the struggle. With every breakdown there was a breakthrough.

From my journey to the underworld and back, I learned that in the darkness the divine resides. We are born from that darkness and it is in that darkness we will lay to rest. Till then, I gaze upon my shadow with pride, for it is a reminder of where I've been and where I'm heading.

_

Celebrate International Faerie Day in the Enchanting Realm of the Isle of Skye

Nestled within the rolling hills of Scotland lies the mystical faerie realm of the Isle of Skye. Here, lush green hills, shaped by ancient grey stones, cradle the enchanting Faerie Pools scattered throughout the valley. This moss-covered landscape, imbued with sacred energy, belongs to the fae.

Standing atop these hills, you can witness the ocean gently kissing the shore while the mossy stone mountains embrace the ruins of ancient castles. In this magical setting, the fae invite you to immerse yourself in the wonder of their lands.

Poppies: Their Magical Properties, Myth, and Connection to Persephone

Poppies, with their delicate petals and vibrant hues, have fascinated cultures throughout history, not only for their aesthetic beauty but also for their mythical associations and purported magical properties. From ancient mythology to modern folklore, poppies have woven themselves into the fabric of human imagination, often symbolizing both life and death, sleep and awakening.

Mythological Roots:

In Greek mythology, poppies are deeply entwined with the tale of Persephone, the daughter of the harvest goddess Demeter. According to the myth, Persephone was abducted by Hades, the god of the underworld, while she was picking flowers in a meadow. As the story goes, Demeter's grief over her daughter's disappearance plunged the world into a barren winter until Persephone was allowed to return for part of the year, bringing spring and renewal with her.

It's said that during her time in the underworld, Persephone ate pomegranate seeds, binding her to Hades. When she returned to the land of the living, poppies bloomed in the fields where her tears fell, marking the spot of her sorrow and resilience. Since then, poppies have been seen as symbols of both the ephemeral beauty of life and the cycle of death and rebirth.

Magical Properties:

Poppies have long been associated with magic and mystery. In various folk traditions, poppies are believed to possess potent magical properties, including the ability to induce sleep, offer protection, and even grant visions.

One of the most well-known magical properties of poppies is their association with sleep and dreams. In folklore, it's believed that carrying a poppy flower or keeping it beneath one's pillow can induce restful sleep and bring about prophetic dreams. This connection to the realm of dreams has led poppies to be associated with the subconscious and the mysteries of the mind.

Moreover, poppies have been used in various magical rituals and spells for protection and love. Some traditions hold that wearing poppies or carrying them as an amulet can ward off evil spirits and negative energies, while others believe that using poppies in love charms can attract romantic energies and strengthen bonds between lovers.