November. The month when we slip off the masks of revelry we share in October and dissolve into the liminal space and dying light. Kissed by the chilling winds that kick up, we begin to pull a little closer into ourselves. Perhaps we breathe a little slower, a little calmer. Opening the door to a place for rest, we find ourselves curling up within the comforts of our home. However, for many of us upon this crooked path, we know that there is much to do, much to explore. Yes, we will rest. We will also begin our long trek into our vast wildness within, seeking the parts of our soul that are still undiscovered or have been pushed aside. If we choose this path, we do not need to walk alone. As the cold winds of change blow, there is a presence that waits. She will make herself known when we are ready for her. However, it is up to us to answer that call.
As the mists swirl and hang heavy in fields at twilight, she observes. Under the inky darkness of night, she offers a cloak to shield or sends a nightmare to shock me awake. In the light of day, when my voice cracks and I struggle with courage, she is by my side. Here in the liminal spaces of November and any other day throughout the year, The Morrigan stands with me. She helps me face what is on my path, and for that, and many other things, I am grateful. This piece of writing is an offering to her as I honor our work together and embrace my end of our pact. May these words I offer help you along your path and maybe introduce you to her. If you are acquainted with the Great Queen, may I honor you as well.
The Morrigan is an Irish goddess of war, magick, sovereignty, and of the Otherworld. Looking at these titles, some may question why a goddess would hold this power. Perhaps they walk away. That is okay. The Morrigan does not take offense. Instead, she smiles because they are exercising their sovereignty with their decision. She understands that not all will explore these paths. For me, she is much more than the heavy title of War goddess. The Morrigan and her sisters show me the way towards myself, my true self and inner power. She is a seer and sorcerer. She collects the souls of fallen warriors and carries them to the Otherworld, that is true. She also collects the pieces of souls from the discarded and the abused; for she knows of their potential. She inspires and charges us to raise our voices justly. She is wisdom and strength. As a psychopomp, she moves through all three worlds. For me, she is the Axis Mundi, the place where we can access all three worlds – the Upper, Middle, and Underworld. She reminds us that we hold the key to our Axis Mundi and have the power within us to do the same if we choose. She is the shapeshifting goddess that shows us that we too, can shift and change as we must because we are more than we think we are. The Morrigan is sovereignty, truth, destruction, and the recycling of energy and souls.
The Morrigan is embodiment of transformation. She is a psychopomp that brings us to the Otherworld. She shows us how to let go of the old patterns that bind, confine, and restrict us. The Morrigan brings us to a place where we choose to let go and allow what does not serve us to die and fall away, stripping us bare. This is the work. It is an active decision to step forward and willingly cut away what binds us to thoughts, people, and experiences that do not truly align with who we really are. Once we are there and only there, standing on the precipice of change, can we begin the cycle of death. Through dissolution in the stillness and silence within ourselves, we willingly return to the goddess. In that sacred space, we separate from everything. We reflect, dream, and eventually begin the process to prepare for rebirth. When we are ready, we can reform into something new; something more refined, focused, and truer to our own soul and nature. This will happen many times throughout our life. We have the ability to evolve into better versions of ourselves. The Morrigan knows this. She also knows that we are the ones who must choose to do this work because we are sovereign. It is our responsibility to step forward, even when we may not feel ready to do so. No one, especially The Morrigan, will ever force us to do anything. It is our life, and we must make the choice to take it upon ourselves to walk along this path. How will you choose? Are you ready to transform?
While we can do this work at any time, the energies around us now will assist us in this process. Look to nature. The trees are almost bare. Their energy and focus have withdrawn from the outer branches and into their trunks in order to gather strength for the winter ahead. The fertility and bounty of the land is also showing us the way as well. The fields are now harvested. What is left is now fallow. The seed pods have cracked and spilled their hopes and Will upon the soil, preparing to sleep and dream of a new life in the spring. As The Morrigan in her crow form flies, she collects the bits and pieces of the souls within the mists from Samhain. She caws out, offering strength to us as we begin our own personal transformations. Riding the death tide into shorter days and much longer and colder nights, we too can harvest what is necessary and spill our seeds into the soil of our fertile soul. Into the Otherworld we go, experiencing death, contemplation, and rebirth.
So, if you are called, take this time to dissolve. Sink beneath the surface and plunge into the darkness of your own cavernous soul. Face your monsters, your demons honestly. Embrace your own light. Initiate the changes you seek by engaging in true action and focused energy. You are not alone. You have The Morrigan to walk with you. Call upon her as you call upon yourself to seek your inner strength, power, and true Will. You do not need to walk this path alone. The Morrigan is there beside you.
May you be well today,
Renee Bedard ~ The Whispering Crow
The Whispering Crow 