The Dark Goddess Seasons
It was a year ago today(Thanks FB memories!) that I decided to put my business and social media presence on a hiatus. I’ll be honest, I was ready to give it all up for good. I turned to Nature, the natural cycles and recognized I was synced up… So to speak.
The past year has been a deeply transformative experience, and as I continued my healing journey I noticed my experience matched the seasons. I saw the Dark Goddess guiding me through it all, syncing me to the natural rhythm of the forest around me.
Fall - I let go, I surrendered and started my process. As the leaves fell, I knew parts of me needed to go to. As the nights got longer and the days shorter, I felt myself shifting into a space of rest… Preparing for Winter. The business and ideas I had weren’t working, they weren’t in alignment with me anymore. But so was the way my personal life was moving. I just trusted what needed to be shed, would do just that.
Winter - This is when I recognized I was in metaphorical decay. As I rested, the parts of me I needed to shed were transmuting into the fertile mulch my future self needed. I rested a lot, grieved and mourned my past self and what she went through.
Spring - As I watched the farms near me prepare their land for their upcoming crops, I felt as if part of me was being tilled as well. This is when I started really brainstorming and planting the seeds for the Dark Goddess Coven, and the Path of the Dark Goddess.
Summer - I felt relatively alive, better than I had in years. Even with my ups and downs. But I also watched the seed of the Dark Goddess Coven and Path of the Dark Goddess sprout, turning into something tangible. And as Summer and Fall came together, The Coven was birthed.
As we embark our way through another Descent, I can’t help but see the pattern again. While the Coven has been born, it is still in it’s early cultivation and germination. It’s roots need to grow strong in the Underworld, and I have a lot I will be working on through the Winter.
But isn’t that life? There’s always more to work through. It’s not a destination, but a beautiful experiencing of letting go, decay and rebirth. I call it the Journey of Unfolding.
Autumn: The Descent
Description:
Autumn represents the Descent into the Underworld, where the Dark Goddess withdraws into herself, and the shadows deepen. This season embodies introspection, letting go, and embracing the dark. It mirrors the time when Persephone journeys to the Underworld, initiating a phase of deep inner work.
Key Themes:
Release, introspection, shadow work, surrender to the darkness, and transformation.
Nature’s Reflection:
The trees shed their leaves, the earth prepares for rest, the days get shorter and nights are longer, and the energy shifts inward.
Phrase:
“As I descend into the depths, I embrace my shadows and let go of what no longer serves me.”
Correspondences for Autumn: The Descent
Colors: Deep reds, burgundy, wine, black, dark purple, burnt orange.
Crystals: Obsidian, Garnet, Smoky Quartz, Amethyst.
Herbs: Mugwort, Sage, Cypress, Bay leaf.
Incense: Frankincense, Myrrh, Sandalwood.
Tarot Cards: The Hermit, Death, The Hanged Man.
Moon Cycle: Waning Moon.
Offerings: Pomegranate seeds, apples, dark wine or mead, black candles.
Items from Nature: Fallen leaves, acorns, pine cones, dried flowers or herbs from the harvest.
Other Altar Items: A mirror for self-reflection, a black cloak or scarf, shadow-related symbols like keys or skulls.
Winter: The Decay
Description:
Winter becomes The Decay, a time when the Dark Goddess presides over the breakdown of what no longer serves. This is the season of death and transformation, where everything is stripped to its essence, ready for rebirth. The Decay symbolizes the necessary decomposition before the emergence of new life.
Key Themes:
Death, endings, letting go, transformation through decay, and the quiet preparation for renewal.
Nature’s Reflection:
The earth is dormant, life breaks down beneath the surface, and nature goes into a deep, restful state.
Phrase:
“From the decay of my former self, my future self will thrive.”
Correspondences for Winter: The Decay
Colors: Black, dark gray, midnight blue, deep indigo, silver.
Crystals: Black Tourmaline, Onyx, Snowflake Obsidian, Labradorite.
Herbs: Wormwood, Yew, Rosemary, Juniper.
Incense: Cedar, Patchouli, Clove.
Tarot Cards: The Tower, Death, The Devil.
Moon Cycle: Dark Moon.
Offerings: Dark bread or root vegetables, ashes, black salt, offerings made to the ancestors.
Items from Nature: Dried branches, snow or ice, stones or bones.
Other Altar Items: A cauldron, symbols of the Crone (owl feathers, bones), skulls or bones.
Spring: The Ascent
Description:
Spring marks the Ascent from the Underworld, the moment the Dark Goddess rises renewed. Persephone's return to the earth symbolizes rebirth, growth, and emergence from the shadows. It’s a time for planting seeds, both literally and metaphorically, as she brings the lessons learned in the Underworld to the surface.
Key Themes:
Emergence, renewal, growth, reclamation of power, and fertility.
Nature’s Reflection:
Life returns, flowers bloom, and the energy rises with the lengthening days.
Phrase:
“As I rise from the darkness, I reclaim my power and bloom.”
Correspondences for Spring: The Ascent
Colors: Light green, pastel pink, lavender, soft yellow, light blue.
Crystals: Rose Quartz, Moonstone, Green Aventurine, Carnelian.
Herbs: Lavender, Tulsi (Holy Basil), Dandelion, Violet.
Incense: Jasmine, Rose, Benzoin.
Tarot Cards: The Empress, The Star, The Fool.
Moon Cycle: Waxing Moon.
Offerings: Fresh flowers, milk and honey, seeds, spring water.
Items from Nature: Fresh blossoms, seeds, eggs, shells.
Other Altar Items: A small potted plant, a chalice filled with water, symbols of new beginnings.
Summer: Flourishing
Description:
Summer embodies Flourishing, symbolizing the Dark Goddess at her most powerful and beautiful, fully bloomed yet marked by the shadows she carries within. This season reflects both the abundance and life of summer, but also the mystery and transformation that define the Dark Goddess. It’s a season of mastery, empowerment, and celebrating the balance between light and dark.
Key Themes:
Full bloom, abundance, empowerment, the integration of light and shadow, and sovereignty.
Nature’s Reflection:
The earth is vibrant, the sun is at its peak, and life is in full expression, while always remembering the darkness within.
Phrase:
“In my flourishing, I embody the balance of light and shadow, thriving in my full power.”
Correspondences for Summer: Flourishing
Colors: Gold, bright green, royal purple, fiery orange, vibrant red.
Crystals: Citrine, Sunstone, Tiger’s Eye, Jade.
Herbs: Sunflower petals, Chamomile, Calendula, Basil.
Incense: Cinnamon, Lemon Verbena, Pine.
Tarot Cards: The Sun, The Emperor, Strength.
Moon Cycle: Full Moon.
Goddesses: Freya, Sekhmet, Ishtar, Hathor.
Offerings: Honey cakes, fresh fruit, wine or mead, sunflowers or marigolds.
Items from Nature: Feathers, fruit from trees, sunflowers or roses, honeycomb.
Other Altar Items: A solar symbol, a goblet filled with wine or juice, symbols of personal power.
