My musings today are for the sisterhood, for the sacred feminine that isn’t celebrated enough in our modern, patriarchal society.

Diana and her Nymphs – Johannes Vermeer c. 1653 – 1656

I’m showing some love this Valentine’s Day for women around the world; so often mistreated, forgotten, ignored, repressed, used, abused, attacked, criticised, taken for granted, unappreciated, struggling to live in your beauty and power…this is for you, and for all men who agree with these sentiments and love, cherish and admire you for how special you are!

Circe Offering the Cup to Odysseus – JW Waterhouse c. 1891

Your Inner Goddess

The ancient goddess, that mythical, sensual deity,

Archetypal, dwelling in you is she;

Endowing her wisdom, virtue and fecundity.

Use her radiance and effulgence in days,

She presents herself in a myriad of ways.

Venus et l’amour – Lambert Sustris c. 1550

Your inner Goddess takes any form you desire,

There is Gaia, Rhea, Madonna, Ninhursag,

Creative energy populates, always on fire.

Heavenly mother, epitome of unconditional love,

Life is in you, ever fertile, below and above.

Madonna in the meadow – Raphael c. 1506

From the youthful, sweet singing siren,

Luring lusty sailors to misfortune, to the

Nubile nymph, perched seductively on grassy lichen.

You and nature are one; nurturing and plentiful,

Elemental, ephemeral, eternal, intoxicating, bountiful…

Hylas and the Nymphs – John William Waterhouse c. 1896

So it has been; throughout the age of humanity,

In every philosophy, religion, or zeitgeist,

Goddesses of every age, passion and variety;

Were revered and respected to give,

Their gifts: both benign and destructive.

Marie de Medici as Bellona by Peter Paul Rubens c. 1625

In business you can call on Athena,

From Rome she rules supreme in crafts and strategy,

For immortal, divine wisdom: Sophia.

Aphrodite and Venus bestow love, pleasure, beauty,

Celtic Brigantia exalts to mountain peaks lofty.

The Birth of Venus – Sandro Botticelli c. 1484-86

Huntress Artemis, protector of babies born,

Archer, animal loving daughter of Zeus,

Feel her fury if a warrior goddess you scorn.

Kali, Pele and Enyo destroy evil, unleash war,

Align with your Goddess companion and soar.

The Death of Acteon (Diana) – Titian c. 1559 – 1575

Seek Minerva for intellect, music and magic,

Connect with your sacred feminine,

To ignore your inner Goddess is tragic.

You are flesh and blood; bone and sinew,

Beauty and brains; but mythology is in you!

Astarte Syriaca – Dante Gabriel Rossetti c. 1878

Adapt and use her primordial intensity,

To bless and infuse your uniqueness,

Be it as lover, healer, or essence of vitality.

You are a powerful cosmic sorceress,

Worship your inner goddess…

Athena – Gustav Klimt c. 1898