Beautiful Goddess

“Butterflies represent transformation. They evolve from a caterpillar into a beautiful, wondrous being – much like a woman finding her inner goddess; her personal power.” ~ Nicole Graham

Many cultures believe in the Goddess, or the Divine Feminine. If you are not familiar with her, think of her as the female aspect of the masculine creator God found in many organized religions.

In physical terms, Goddess is, essentially, the land. The mountains are her breasts, the hills her belly, the vales and ravines her secret places and the rivers her blood. She holds the secrets of life and death, of fertility and regeneration. She ages and renews herself with the changing seasons.

In the Celtic tradition, Goddess holds three aspects within herself, or three stages of the cycle of life. Maiden, Mother and Crone, her faces mirror the seasons and humanity itself:

Courtesy of Natasa aka UnripeHamadryad

Maiden represents spring, and youth and puberty. This is the time of fresh beginnings, of innocence and discovery. She symbolizes the repeating cycle of birth and rebirth, the waxing moon and the crescent moon, enchantment and seduction.

Mother represents summer, and adulthood. This is the time of active creation. She symbolizes blazing noon, reproduction and fertility, the ripeness of life, the full moon and the high point in all cycles.

Crone represents winter, and old age. This is the time of death and the end of cycles. She symbolizes the night, the time when life rests before rebirth, the waning moon and the new moon, and the deepest mysteries and prophecies.

In spiritual terms, Goddess is our loving mother. She guides and watches over us. More than that, however, she is us—and we are her. Every one of us women in our lifetimes will be a maiden, a mother, and a crone. Sometimes literally, sometimes figuratively. In each cycle, we are as beautiful as a fresh spring morning, as glorious as the sun setting over the ocean, and as mysterious as a bright full moon on a cloudless night.

Goddess shows us that we are all equally beautiful, equally sensual, equally worthy. The female form is something to be worshipped all on its own. Our bodies, regardless of size or color, offer love and life. We nurture with our bodies, and can not only offer great pleasure, but also receive great pleasure.

If you’re a frequent visitor here, you’ll remember that I’ve been on a personal journey of self-discovery and transition. If you’re not a frequent visitor, well, now you know.

There are days when I still have trouble saying, “I love you,” to the woman standing in the mirror, but thank Goddess there are many, many more where I can say it with passion, mean it, and sometimes even throw out a wink 😉

Goddess is not only one hot mama, she is wise. Sometimes we think life is this crazy rollercoaster ride of coincidences, but if you’re paying attention, you’ll see that she’s always giving you signs. It’s up to you whether you follow them.

I will never give up on myself. I will question my journey. There will be nights when I cry myself to sleep. But I will wake up, I will continue to move forward. Because not only do I have great value to offer my children, and the world, but I have great value to offer myself every time I look in the mirror.

Just as Goddess is the land, so too is she each one of us. I see her in my reflection. I see her in my two gorgeous children. Look into your eyes. You will see her there, smiling back at you.

August McLaughlin ~ Beauty of a Woman 2014

~ We are beautiful. Goddess made us so. ~

“Complete ownership of ourselves and all our gifts is the price that beauty exacts.” ~ Mama Gena, School of Womanly Arts

This post is brought to you by August McLaughlin’s Beauty of a Woman blogfest.

Celebrate the beautiful women in your life!

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