In this episode of the Oracle of Luna; we will go on a July New Moon meditation journey with the Yoruban Goddess Yemaya. I will be your guide, as we align with the current cosmic energies with the New Moon in Cancer and take a transformative inner journey to the ocean to meet with Goddess Yemaya.

Yemaya is the Yoruban Orisha or Goddess of the living ocean, considered the Mother of All. Yemaya hails from the Yoruba religion of Nigeria, where she was originally the River Goddess, believed to be the source of water that gives life. Life began in the ocean waters, and She represents a dynamic mother archetype that is both loving and fierce, soft and strong.

Yemaya was originally the River Goddess , believed to be the source of water that gives life. During the 16th century, she was brought to the New World by enslaved Africans and became their Goddess of the Ocean. When her people were hoarded onto slave ships, Yemaya came along to protect their journey and became “Mother of All.”

Yemaya reminds us that even the worst catastrophes can be endured. With her help, grace and wisdom, we can learn to negotiate the ebbs and flows of change in our lives and maintain our power.

Tune in and be enlightened!

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Join us in this episode, for an enchanting chat with Songstress & Astrologer Cawnawayn Mor! Cawnawyn is a singer/songwriter, astrologer, and eclectic Witch.Her music is based on stories of ritual, paganism, fantasy, and folktale. She shares her astrology and music with audiences during live rituals and on social media in partnership with The Divine Warrior Witches.She offers additional online astrology classes & Moon forecasts to those interested in learning her approach to astrology used in her magickal practice. She lives in the Pacific Northwest area.

As the Divine Warrior Witches, Cawnawyn and a few other women priestesses host regular in-person Sabbat rituals at Crescent Moon Gifts in Tacoma, WA. Cawnawyn has deep intention in her music, songs and astrology. Inspired by the deep ancestral practice, history and the rich tapestry of folk magic and fantasy. These are stories and myths that everyone can relate to. Her music immerses us in history and connects us with deities & the Gods/Goddesses. Cawnaywn loves writing Pagan songs & performing from a place of deep intention in all aspects of the song/music. patterns, and when she performs it becomes almost like a ritual in itself. *At the end of this episode Cawnawyn sings us a short Summer Solstice chant/song.* Tune in and be enlightened!

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Join us in this episode, for an excellent chat with Celtic Witch & Author Danu Forest! Danu is a traditional Bean Feasa or Wisewoman of Irish and English descent with over 30 years’ experience in the Celtic tradition. Born with the second sight she is a natural seer working closely with the spirits of the land and its ancestral and Otherworldly intelligences as well as plant and tree spirits and the genius loci, the old gods or powers of place. She is a Celtic spirit worker, healer and a plant spirit herbalist working within her local sacred landscape, deep in the Avalon near Glastonbury, UK. Danu holds regular ceremonies as well as workshops and online training, and is noted for her scholarship as well as her intuitive and practical experience. She is the author of several books including: ‘Wild Magic’, 'Celtic Tree Magic' (Llewellyn) and 'The Magical Year' (Watkins) as well as her new oracle deck, ‘Celtic Goddesses Witches and Queens’ (Schiffer). She holds an MA in Celtic studies specializing in the Otherworld, and is a PhD student researching the Celtic Fairy Faith.

We delve into the 3- Part Celtic Cosmology (Earth, Sea, Sky/Upper World, Middle World, Lower World) and how they represent real places but also shifts in consciousness or perception. For the Celts, this was an endless cycle shifting between Earth, Sea, Sky. And how this was a huge influence on Celtic spirituality & philosophy especially in the Iron Age -over 2000 years ago. Danu explains that the Celts had many Gods but not in human forms. They were forces ever present in Nature. Nature is divinity in the Celtic Cosmology. We also talk a bit about the Fairies who live in that Otherworldly realm.

Danu explains that nothing about the Celtic Traditions are exclusive to only living in the UK or having a certain bloodline though. She gives us suggestions/techniques on how we can build a connection to the land spirits as well as mend our relationship wherever we are on the earth. This takes patient & gentle care over time especially if that land has any trauma attached to it. So much can come from doing this! It encourages us to be more ecologically minded too and have respect for the Earth.And its about re-building a relationship with the spirits of the land (wherever we are) which is very important work for all of us.

We chatted about Danu’s new oracle deck. She tells us that Women in Celtic Mythology were amazingly empowered. In this deck, we can draw wisdom and inspiration from them and also explore some of the other Celtic Goddesses that are lesser known too. These Celtic Queens, Witches, Goddesses can be allies for Women in all the aspects of our journey!

Danu has a new book coming out this December on Cerridwen the Welsh Goddess. Also, next summer she’s coming out with another book with Llewellyn about Home & Hearth Folk Magic. Tune in and be enlightened!

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Join us in this episode, for a captivating chat with Author Robin Corak!
Robin is a devotee of Persephone and author of “Persephone: Practicing the Art of Personal Power” by MoonBooks. Robin shares a special Persephone blessing towards the end of the episode - so stay tuned! Robin has been working with Goddesses, dreams, and other spiritual modalities for over 25 years. She has been a featured speaker at local, national and international conferences including Paganicon, Mooncon, Ninefold Festival, and the Water Priestess Confluence.

Robin is a long time member of the Sisterhood of Avalon which is an international organization that focuses on Women’s mysteries in the Welsh & Celtic Goddess tradition. Robin recently retired as the CEO from a large non-profit social services organization after eleven years. She currently lives with her husband and cat in Washington state.

We chat about Robin’s early beginnings. Robin was sick as a child with a rare medical condition and immersed herself in stories, myths and in other worlds. She really resonated with the story of Persephone and felt a strong connection with her at a young age. She admired this Goddess who overcame her challenges despite how people around her were making choices for her. As Robin grew older she became more interested in myths, Goddesses and nature based religions. She wrote stories & poems as a young adult. Later, she received a degree in Teaching & English Literature. Robin traveled to Greece and visited Persephone's sacred places there and came back inspired to write about Persephone and to share with the world how powerful she was as/ is. We discuss the Elysian Mysteries in ancient Greece & how there was the reenactment of the Demeter and Persephone story. Persephone is great for learning discernment and clarity. Robin speaks about how people with chronic illnesses are drawn to deities that are liminal. Our society is more & more coming to terms with a different understanding of death. Persephone’s lessons, myths and her aspects/qualities make her a really great ally for many of life’s challenges, cycles!

This Goddess is full of contradictions- just like us humans. Persephone is known as the Dread Queen of Underworld and Goddess of Spring. Persephone helps us to see with clarity what we need to let go of so that we can enact our personal power, so that we can be self determined and sovereign. Goddess Persephone can be such a transformative force helping us to get to the root of what some of our shadows are too. We can work with the meditations and rituals in Robin’s book to form a closer relationship over time with Persephone. Persephone is a Goddess that is still very much relevant in present times.

Robin has a new book coming out this year (2024) called “Dream Magick” by Llewellyn Worldwide Publishing. Robin shares a beautiful Persephone blessing at the end of the show with us. Tune in and be enlightened!

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In this short episode, I announce the publishing of the 50th podcast episode of the Oracle of Luna podcast!! This is a HUGE milestone and a big deal to me as the host and producer of this podcast show. I am especially grateful to all the incredible Goddess guests that have been on my show in the last few years!!
All of these Women are elevating the divine feminine in the world. This podcast amplifies the voice of the Goddess for a planet in need of wholeness, harmony and peace. Thank you for your support and listening to the Oracle of Luna podcast with Bridget Engels. Finally, if you love this podcast; please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. It means alot!
Tune in and be enlightened!

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*If you like what you hear; please write a review on Apple Podcasts & sponsor my show. It means alot! https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/oracleoflunapodcast

In this episode, I have a fascinating chat with Author Mawiyah Kai El-Jamah Bomani! Mawiyah is an 8th Generation Witch, Egun Medium, Priestess of OYA in the Yoruba system of spirituality, educator and award winning playwright. Mawiyah lives, writes, conducts Orisa rituals, spiritual consultations, womb-warrior women workshops, house cleansings, and divinations in both Northern and Southern Louisiana. Mawiyah’s first book with Llewellyn Worldwide is titled: “Conjuring the Calabash: Empowering Women with Hoodoo Spells and Magick”.

Growing up in New Orleans- the gumbo stew of African, Indigenous, Creole, French and Hispanic cultures; Mawiyah began seeing spirits at a young age. Her mother and grandmother understood Mawiya's magical gift. In the past, HooDoo was used for safety and spiritual protection from violence. Mawyah believes that Hoodoo for women of color is empowering and is a type of modern day sorcery. Women want something spiritual/magical that is hands on and to engage in. It also provides a connection to their lineage and invites both younger & older women. HooDoo weaves magic, empowerment, sacred feminine knowledge in a relatable way. People can do the workings from her book to connect to spirit but also stay grounded in an authentic way.

Mawiya tells us about her own life and how Hoodoo & Spellwork transformed and healed the individual lives of her clients. She wanted to share this with the world with her book: “Conjuring the Calabash: Empowering Women with Hoodoo Spells and Magick”. We chat about the calabash (gourd) which is a sacred vessel in Yoruba cosmology and the ultimate emblem of female fertility. But it also represents the male/female divinity and the interconnectedness of all living beings. Mawiyah speaks about how the calabash is an invitation to come close, to listen, and to understand each other. When it's shaken as a shakaree the beaded gourd plays and sways. It allows one to invoke the spirit within to come forward and to change us. The darkness inside the calabash is the sacred void where all things and ideas can be birthed.

As a priestess of Oya in the Yoruba spiritual system; Mawiyah does many past life readings. Her clients want to transform what has happened in the past so they can move forward in life with a clear slate and not be stuck by past life energies. Goddess Oya allows Mawiyah to step into those past lives and ancestral wound spaces to help people move through them so they aren't repeating old patterns or past life behaviors. Figuring out who/what ancestor is holding a person back from change is very impactful and deeply spiritual work. Mawiyah’s website: www.mawiyahkaieljamahbomani.com

Tune in and be enlightened!

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Join us in this new episode for a captivating chat with Author Jane Meredith!
Jane is a Ritualist, Teacher of magical workshops/classes and author of several best selling books including Aspecting the Goddess and Journey to the Dark Goddess.
We chatted about Jane’s formative years,her family, influences and the power of place communing with nature in Australia where she lives. Trained in both Drama,Teaching and Writing; Jane is passionate about teaching embodiment of the Goddess in her many aspects. She presents workshops and courses worldwide and online, and also teaches core classes and WitchCamps within the Reclaiming tradition.

We discuss how Jane uses different techniques for drawing down the Goddess inside us in ceremony. She encourages co-creating ritual with others which makes a ritual/ceremony spiritually fulfilling and a richer/deeper experience when everyone is contributing as well as participating in the ritual. She believes storytelling or myth is a big part of expressing/speaking to the divine. And sometimes a deity or the Goddess shows up in our dreams or subconscious. In her “Aspecting the Goddess” published by MoonBooks, these were her personal stories of working with the magic of the Goddess. It is a workbook where one can experience the breadth & depth of personal journeys with 12 different Goddesses/Deities so you can really feel Goddess connection!

Jane also published a best selling book called: “Journey to the Dark Goddess”. Which addresses Goddesses who are with us in those difficult parts of our lives-when we have to descend into our own Underworld journey.Death, Pain, Illness, Loss, Depression, etc. are very common experiences for us all. There is a need for Her as our society is in denial of all of the topics that the Dark Goddess embraces.This book is by far the most successful and popular of all her books and workshops/classes too. Jane continues to be astounded and delighted by this.

Jane mentions she has two “Aspecting the Goddess” in-person workshops coming up in the UK and also a "Witches Elements of Magics” workshop all in June 2024. She offers many other online and in-person workshops/events on her website at: www.janemeredith.com Tune in and be enlightened!

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In this episode, I have a fascinating chat with Elysia Gallo! Elysia is Sr. Acquisitions Editor for Llewellyn Worldwide, where she's been polishing manuscripts and providing authors guidance since 2005. Her specialty topics there are Witchcraft, Paganism, Magic, Goddess Spirituality and more. Over the past two years; I’ve interviewed many talented and magical Llewellyn authors on my podcast. And I am privileged to speak with this editor who is closely involved in the publishing of Goddess Spiritual/ Witchcraft/Pagan books.

As a Sr. Editor; Elysia wants to help people find something meaningful in magical books. She loves to help shift people’s perceptions of what's possible to bring hope, to inspire change, raise spiritual consciousness and help transform the relationship of this planet and all of its all beings. Elysia hails from St. Paul, Minnesota where Llewellyn Publishing is headquartered. After working/living in Hungary and then returning to the US with her husband; she worked in magazines/website publishing but always studied the esoteric. Many synchronicities brought her to Llewellyn!

Llewellyn Worldwide Publishing has a long standing reputation as a leading publisher in spiritual books since 1901. For decades Llewellyn has been dedicated to the Witchcraft/Pagan/Magical spiritual market and knows the audience well. Elysia tells us about the process of getting a book published from a manuscript or an idea to a final published book. She forms good/close relationships with an author. It is an extensive process with many people collaborating on a book to get it published.

Acquisition Editors at Llewellyn are truly champions for their authors by lifting up authentic voices. They also support inclusivity particularly in historically oppressed communities. Llewellyn Worldwide Publishing aims to promote continuous, lifelong learning whether it be their annuals(Magical Almanacs, Datebooks, etc.) or published books and online events.

Elysia speaks about the upcoming LlewellynCon event June 6 - 15th! LlewellynCon is a FREE online conference that includes presentations from 40 different authors. More about Llewellyn Worldwide Publishing at: www.llewellyn.com

Tune in and be enlightened!

Support the Show.

*If you like what you hear; please write a review on Apple Podcasts & sponsor my show. It means alot! https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/oracleoflunapodcast