Powerful First Week of Spring 2013!

The first week of Spring has come to an end and what a rush it has been!  On Tuesday, March 19th, we celebrated Minerva's Day.  On my Priestess Najah Facebook page, you can see some wonderful photos of my visit to Bath, England and my photos of the Roman Baths.  It was here that I was introduced to the Goddess Minerva.  I had hoped upon traveling to England, I would be introduced to facets of the Goddess I had not yet known.  What a blessing it was to meet Goddess Minerva in her temple of Sulis Minerva, in Bath, England!

On Wednesday, March 20th, we welcomed Ostara and the first day of Spring.  I previously posted my Ostara altar and photos.  As we move past Ostara, I am grateful for those of us that keep the Wheel,  follow and acknowledge the turn of the seasons.  For years before I found my path to the Goddess, I always wondered, "what does a bunny and an egg have to do with Easter?".  I am grateful I no longer have those questions!

And on Friday, March 22nd, it was opening day at the Denver March Powwow!  The Denver March Powwow holds a very special place in my heart.  For years I attended the Powwow as a spectator, then for a few years I was blessed to be a vendor at the Powwow.  How special it was to arrive early and set up the booth, hang out and chat with other vendors, and dancers before the general public arrived.  Now I have returned to spectator mode and I'm having a great time. As a person who hails from Black and Cherokee ancestry, the Powwow holds special meaning for me.  My paternal Grandfather was a full-blooded Cherokee Indian.  In addition, while we follow paths of a European nature, the Powwow gives us the opportunity to be with and honor the Indigenous People of North America.  We have wonderful power, right here in the native soil of North America.   Below is a photo of the beautiful Denver March Powwow Grand Entry, followed by a video the Teen Girls Fancy Shawl dancing:

To end the week,  today (March 23, 2013), Mother Nature has sent Denver a wicked Spring Storm.

 I suppose we need to slow down a bit after such a busy week.  However I am grateful for the burst of life that comes with the first week of Spring. That's really what its about, right?!

Hope you are enjoying your first week of Spring.

Bright Blessings,
Priestess Najah

The Goddess Minerva Revealed - Bath, England

On our recent trip to London, England we took a day trip to Bath, England.  We rode the rail from Paddington Station in London, to the train stop of Bath Spa.  It was a wonderful hour and one half ride through the English countryside and a nice respite from the maddening pace of London.

While in Bath, we toured the Roman Baths where the Goddess Minerva revealed herself to us.  We tingled with awe as we toured the baths that were built by the Romans in honor to the Goddess Minerva.  It is beyond words to see and touch stones that were placed 2000 years ago.  

http://www.romanbaths.co.uk/

"Bronze, gilded head of the goddess Sulis Minerva whom the Romans worshipped in Aquae Sulis (Bath).

The head is slightly larger than life size. It would once have had a separate helmet attached to it. The head was cast in bronze and then gilded with layers of gold leaf. It looks as if it were chopped off the body.

Minerva was the goddess of wisdom and military success. When the Romans came to Bath they found the native Celts worshipped a god of the spring who had similar powers. They combined the two into Sulis Minerva who could then be worshipped by both Celt and Roman at the Spring.

It is thought the head comes from the statue that stood in the Temple of Sulis Minerva. It was probably broken off when the Temple was ransacked perhaps by Christians in the sixth century.
It was found by chance in 1727, by workmen in a trench in Stall Street, Bath near to the site of the Temple."
Source http://www.romanbaths.co.uk/explore/Object_Details.aspx?objectID=batrm_1978_1

My spirit shivered as I saw the stone where the Romans entered the Temple to worship the Goddess Minerva.  The stone was worn down to a smooth curve from the thousands of footsteps that crossed it. I imagined myself living in those days, going to honor The Goddess. How wonderful it must have been to live in a society where The Goddess was openly honored, revered and respected.  With my love of hot water, spas and baths, I easily imagined myself living in Bath, England during Roman times, working and living in the Temple of The Goddess Minerva.  I see myself quietly stealing along the hallways carrying jars of sacred water to the Temple. 

The Goddess Minerva is honored for many things.

"As a goddess of wisdom she is often depicted as an owl. Among other symbols related to Minerva are a house (the first goddess who built a house), a spire and helmet (as a goddess of war for a good purpose), an olive tree (a symbol of peace and victory), a butterfly (a symbol of life and happiness and prosperity) and others.

The cult of the goddess Minerva has existed since antiquity to the present day. Creative modern worshippers have suggested various ways to honour her in one’s social or private life, adapting to personal taste, needs and understanding. Such acts of devotion to the goddess may include: support to students; encouraging young people to pursue education and to respect their teachers; offering your expertise in teaching the others the skills you possess; using your knowledge to make the world a better place, etc."  Source http://www.minerva.bg/en/company/goddess_minerva.html

I was able to purchase a hand carved small bust of the Goddess Minerva.  While in the gift shop there was also a placque (recreation) of a stone plate of the Triple Goddess.  The image had been found during the excavation of the Temple.  In addition while touring the Roman Baths we also viewed a stone tablet of the Goddess Luna.

I honor and bless the element of Water.  Now I have added the Goddess Minerva to my pantheon of Goddesses.  The Goddess Luna is with me each night as the bright Moon. 

Blessed Be The Goddess!

Priestess Najah