INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY
March 8th
International Women's Day (IWD) is a globally recognized day that celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.
It's a time to reflect on the progress made towards gender equality and to honor the contributions of women in various fields, including the occult.
This year, as we commemorate IWD, let's shine a light on some remarkable women who have left an indelible mark on the world of the occult and empower ourselves with a spell to honor their legacy.
I wish I could list them all, but the contribution women have made to occult and esoteric study is vast. Here are a few of note, but they are by no means all:
Dion Fortune (1890-1946): Violet Mary Firth, known by her pen name Dion Fortune, was a British occultist, writer, and ceremonial magician. She was a prolific author, writing novels, essays, and instructional books on magical practices. Fortune founded the Fraternity of the Inner Light, an esoteric organization dedicated to the study and practice of occult spirituality.
Starhawk (born 1951): Starhawk, born Miriam Simos, is an American author, activist, and prominent figure in the modern pagan and Wiccan movements. She is best known for her book "The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Great Goddess," which explores feminist spirituality, earth-based rituals, and the practice of witchcraft. Starhawk's teachings on ecofeminism, earth-centered spirituality, and social activism have inspired generations of practitioners within the pagan community.
Zsuzsanna Budapest (born 1940): Zsuzsanna Budapest is a Hungarian-American author, feminist activist, and founder of the Dianic Wiccan tradition. She is known for her advocacy of women's spirituality and her pioneering work in feminist witchcraft. Budapest's book "The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries" is considered a foundational text in Dianic Wicca, emphasizing the importance of women's empowerment, healing, and reclaiming the divine feminine. Her contributions have helped shape contemporary understandings of women's spirituality and witchcraft.
Luisah Teish (born 1949): Luisah Teish is an American author, storyteller, and priestess in the Yoruba and African diaspora traditions. She is known for her pioneering work in bringing African spirituality and the divine feminine into mainstream consciousness. Teish's book "Jambalaya: The Natural Woman's Book of Personal Charms and Practical Rituals" combines personal anecdotes, folklore, and practical rituals to empower women in reclaiming their spiritual heritage.
Jamie Sams (21st century): Jamie Sams is a member of the Seneca tribe and an author, teacher, and medicine woman. She is best known for her book "Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power Through the Ways of Animals," co-authored with David Carson, which combines Native American animal symbolism with spiritual teachings and divination practices. Sams's work has helped popularize Native American spirituality and deepen the understanding of indigenous wisdom teachings among a broader audience.
María Sabina (1894-1985): María Sabina was a Mazatec curandera (healer) and ceremonial leader known for her use of psilocybin mushrooms in traditional healing ceremonies. She gained international recognition after her encounters with Western researchers, writers, and artists, including R. Gordon Wasson and John Lennon. María Sabina's rituals and chants, known as veladas, were central to the indigenous mushroom ceremonies, which she conducted to facilitate spiritual healing, divination, and communion with the divine.
Guru Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati (21st century): Guru Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati is an American spiritual teacher and founder of the Kashi Ashram in Florida, USA. She is a disciple of the Indian saint Neem Karoli Baba and has been recognized as a guru in the Hindu tradition. Guru Ma's teachings blend Eastern spirituality with Western psychology, emphasizing the importance of self-inquiry, meditation, and compassion. She is known for her inclusive approach to spirituality, welcoming people of all backgrounds and beliefs into her community.
And lets not forget Pamela Coleman Smith, artist of the Rider Waite Tarot and Lady Frida Harris, the artist of the Thoth Tarot, the two most widely used decks in modern esoteric practice.
This International Women's Day, let us harness the collective energy of the divine feminine and honor the wisdom and strength of women throughout history.
Here is a simple spell to celebrate the empowerment of women:
Materials Needed:
A pink or white candle
A small bowl of water
Rosemary or lavender essential oil (optional)
A piece of paper and a pen
Instructions:
Begin by setting up your sacred space. Light the candle and place it in front of you. Take a few deep breaths to center yourself and focus your intention on honoring the divine feminine energy within and around you.
Take the piece of paper and write down qualities or achievements you admire in women, both historical figures and those in your life. Take your time to reflect on the strength, resilience, and wisdom embodied by women throughout the ages.
If you're using essential oil, anoint the candle with a few drops, focusing on imbuing it with the energy of love, compassion, and empowerment.
Hold the paper in your hands and visualize a radiant light surrounding you, filled with the energy of the divine feminine. Feel the presence of powerful women supporting and guiding you on your journey.
Dip your fingers into the bowl of water and sprinkle a few drops onto the paper, symbolizing purification and renewal. As you do this, recite the following incantation or create your own:
"On this International Women's Day,
I honor the strength and wisdom of women,
Past, present, and future.
May their legacy inspire me
To embrace my own power and potential.
So mote it be."
Place the paper near the candle and let it burn, releasing your intentions into the universe. Sit quietly for a few moments, basking in the energy of the spell and feeling empowered by the divine feminine within you.
When you feel ready, extinguish the candle and carry the energy of the spell with you throughout the day. Know that you are connected to a lineage of strong and resilient women who have shaped the world with their courage and grace.
Let us celebrate the achievements of women past and present and continue to strive for a more inclusive and equitable future. May we honor the divine feminine within ourselves and each other, empowering ourselves and those around us to create positive change in the world.
Blessed Be
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