Female Druids also known as dryads (Greek) or oak nymphs were oracular priestesses, each with her own personal tree spirit. Dryads were also known as priestesses of Artemis, whose souls dwelt in trees. Dryads could also assume the shapes of serpents and were called Hamadryads or Amadryades.

Dryadism and druidism (Scottish) were two phases of the same religion, restricted to a female priesthood in the earlier, matriarchal stage, but later open to male priests as well. Irish churches were originally known by the old druidic name of dairtech, or “oak-house,” a sacred grove. The Christian church attacked the Druids for their paganism, and also for their tendency to include sacred women in their ranks.

The “colleges” of druidesses, dryads, and high holy sisterhoods were later assimilated into Christian nuns. One of the three classes of druidesses consisted of secluded sisterhoods, such as the priestesses of Brigit, who lived in convent-like sanctuaries while tending perpetually burning sacred fires. Another less secluded class of druidess consisted of married women who lived at the temple and went home occasionally to visit their husbands. A third class was composed of temple servants who lived with their families.

There is no break between the ancient semi-magical formulae chanted by the Druids and later incantations of the wizard and “wise woman.”

The Vine Moon ~ 10th Lunar Month
Moon of Exhilaration
September 2 – 29th

During the tenth lunar month, also known as the “Moon of Exhilaration” or Vine Moon we celebrate the Autumn Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. The Vine Moon is dedicated to Dionysus, Osiris, and Bacchus and her five-pointed leaves are sacred to the White Goddess. The energies of this moon symbolize peace and enduring strength. The wild-growing vine or bramble also governs inspiration, imagination, poetry, and imagery.

The essence of strength contained within the Vine is retained in her wine.

My Handpainted Celtic Tree Goddess Deck ~ Inspiration

I have always been inspired by tales of the Celts and Druids probably owing to my red haired lineage and my collection of red-haired friends (and a red haired husband as well). So I painted a series of Celtic tree inspired Goddesses on silk for a hand lettered one-of-a-kind book that I later turned into a Celtic Tree oracle deck used for giving Soul Readings. If you would like a soul reading exclusively with this deck, just let me know ahead of time when you purchase your reading or to purchase a Celtic Goddess print or card please click the link.

Recommended Reading: Year of Moons, Season off Trees: Mysteries & Rites of Celtic Tree Magic by Pattalee Glass-Koentop

Pisces Full Moon
August 24, 2010
10:04 am pdt

Spotlight on Piscean Jeweler,
Melissa Mayes Trice
Shop: Melissa Trice
Louisville, Kentucky, USA

Being a Pisces definitely influences the creation of my handcrafted jewelry. Pisces are creative beings often drawn to the sea and influenced by water. We tend to be intuitive, romantic, imaginative, subtle, and mystical daydreamers although I take issue with some of the traits attributed to Pisces.

The symbol for Pisces is two fish moving in opposite directions representing the conflicting desires of flesh and spirit. I too have conflicts in this area. I am a corporate queen during the day, but my true desire is to make a living selling my beautiful handcrafted jewelry. I’m also a day-dreamer and you will often find me staring and smiling and dreaming up some really great jewelry creation while in my own little world. I will get out my bead board and some beads and stones and just start placing them soon finding myself in a zone all by myself where I can create anything. I sometimes become attached to one of my creations and want to keep it for myself and then there is conflict, but the business woman inside of me overrules this selfishness so that I can focus on profit instead.

My creativity is usually inspired by my mood and reflects my feelings at any given time.

I am a hopeless romantic and my wedding necklace and earring sets reflect this romantic, feminine side. Crystals and pearls together envelope the senses and exude romance & femininity and I feel very honored that someone would want my creations to be a part of their special day. Crystals are so mystical and reflect the light so magnificently which only intensifies with the movement of the wearer, but don’t stare you may become transfixed!

Pisces are also know for their compassion and I also like to spend time volunteering with Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

Pisces Full Moon
August 24, 2010
10:04 am pdt

Spotlight on Piscean Dreamer
& Fiber Artist, Gail Asbury
Savoy Faire Shop
New Hampshire, USA

As a true Pisces I am a dreamer. I dream up many of my creations or fall asleep with them popping into my head only to awaken and hope to remember them. Sometimes I wake up and one pops into my head which is great because I can get up and draw a quick picture of it!

While I am very imaginative and prefer to seek refuge in my imagination, I am not overly sensitive since I was a professional business woman for over thirty years. On the other hand because I can go with the flow like a fish I could just as easily follow as lead! I can also be the boss’s favorite because I understand who the perfect employee is and can become just that, but I am truly happiest being my own boss and creating my dreams!

I’m a big performer, storyteller, dancer and public speaker whenever I get the chance, including at funerals where others may be tongue tied, yet I feel it’s important that something special was said. Ideally I’d love to be in the performing arts but was pushed into using my intelligence for accounting and analytical work where I can crunch numbers and tell you things you wouldn’t see for yourself. I’m big on out of the box thinking because no limitations have ever been put on my imagination.

My seventh grade creative writing teacher once told me to never lose my imagination and I’ve taken that to heart.

Only recently was I able to finally do what I’ve always wanted to and that is become a fiber artist and to create using various media; fabric, beads, and bobbles, both recycled and new. As a child of two I’d collect all my mother’s sewing scraps and drape them around my dolls creating flowing outfits. I love using pearls and shimmery, shiny things from the sea and if I had my way I’d drape myself in lush flowing gowns with long trailing sleeves, covering myself in pearls, beads and all kinds of jewelry with rings on every finger…oops, I already do that! During the winter here in New England you’ll find me wearing rich velvets and wild capes! I can still remember when I was four years old and my ballet teacher would wear a feather in her hat with a red cape; her style was so unique. Later, she moved to New York City to open a ballet studio and I never saw her again, but

I’ve never forgotten to wear things that make me happy no matter what others say.

Because I am a big planner, I draw my inspirations months ahead of time when ideas and dreams pop into my head. My boyfriend finally understands that when I make a decision it’s not based on what is obvious, but instead relies upon intuition. Many of my best works just flow out of me when I have fabric laid out. I will start with a drawing that I want to bring to life and end up with a multitude of styles. As a clothes horse myself, I’d like to wear something different every day if I could, and in turn offer my customers a lot of choice and diversity so that everyone can find something they’ll love.

There will always be that one item that very few people like yet it sells because someone somewhere loved it and that’s what makes it all worthwhile to me.

Growing up in the 1960′s and 70′s when girl’s dresses were so special and now are almost impossible to find in that style I try to create things girls will never forget and hopefully pass down to a special girl themselves one day. I hope you put on one of my fabric creations and then relax, forget time, problems and deadlines and dream about how it could be…

I was recently asked what ‘scrying’ is so I’ve included a helpful video below (discovered on You Tube) that explains it clearly and concisely. I do not currently practice scrying although I do work with crystal balls and spheres of all shapes and sizes. Some of my favorites are:

Pink Quartz: for heart healing and connecting.

Jet: to connect with the ancestors and past lives.

Mahogany Obsidian: for going much deeper into a soul reading to clairvoyantly see and feel energy.

Labradorite: for journeys into other worlds with curiosity and wonder.

Moss Agate: for grounding and connection with Mother Earth.

Petrified Wood: to connect with emotional traumas and blockages and connect with past lives.

Pisces Full Moon
August 24
10:04 am PDT

Spotlight on Piscean Silk Painter:
Susan Morgan Hoth
Richmond, Virginia
Morgan Silk

Perhaps being born on March 12 inclined me to this attraction I have with water ~ it’s the closest thing to flying that I know.

One of my earliest memories was standing on a chair pulled up to the kitchen sink playing with water for hours. I grew up playing in the creeks so when our village built a community pool I spent every summer all day in it and when I turned sixteen I worked there as a lifeguard and swimming instructor.

I started watercolor painting in my early teens and would go out into the countryside to spend the day next to a babbling brook painting landscapes and using the creek to clean my brushes. My dream was to be a “big fish” but I have since learned that little fish can go where the big fish cannot!

When I discovered the pure color of fabric dyes I was in college and have been fascinated with the process for more than thirty years. I spend much of my time with my hands in liquid dye and water – something that never loses it’s fascination for me. To rejuvenate myself I swim laps late at night at the nearby gym and come home relaxed and ready for either the next project or a good night’s sleep.

More about Morgan

I am a fabric artist working full-time from my Richmond, Virginia studio. My original designs have been available online since 2006. Water color and oil painting was my specialty until I discovered the pure color of fiber-reactive dyes; now I live to dye!

In another life I taught high school: loved it, retired, don’t miss it at all.

Here are some  responses to a recent Divine Feminine Class survey I sent out to students of my Divine Feminine eCourse. * Reprinted with kind permission.

What did you like best about this course?

I like meeting other woman from all around that share.

I loved the forum!  We learn so much from each other.

I especially liked the frequent and expansive
feedback from Kathy.

It was much more in depth then I expected.  I gained
a lot of insight from the questions it required me to
ask myself.  It helped me remember to try and make
sacred space and time for myself.  It also introduced
me to new things I need to look more closely at,
as well as adding some whimsical fun.

I loved it and wanted it to continue forever.

Has this course been of value to you and why?

Yes, this course has been of great value for me.  I now pause and think
when I look at the moon and the different phases.

Extremely!  Profound insights I wouldn't have gotten to in YEARS
of talk therapy!

Definitely. I gained some insight, perspective, new ideas and growth.

Are you continuing to Moon Muse, Journal and Collage on your own?

Absolutely!!! I am even more aware of the moon, planets, the earth, seasons,

etc. and am following up all the subtle (and not so subtle) signs and

energies in all aspects of my life.

Are you interested in taking this course again?

Yes...I  would like to take it every month.

Lots more course info is here – Divine Feminine eCourse and Student Moon Collages are here.

The Divine Feminine is a “whole” Feminine.  It is the energy of being comfortable with who you are every moment of your life, magnified by a gazillion-gazillion. 

Divine Moon Muser, Annie Kelleher