Dark Moon Halloween
In Scorpio, even
The moon is waning. I saw her outside my window early this morning, just an hour or two ahead of the sun. She rose in the East, lying on her back like the crescent horns of a dark goddess’s crown. On Halloween night, she’ll be a dark moon, invisible in the sky, in the sign of Scorpio, sign of death, sex, and transformation. (Among other things.)
A dark moon is associated with casting curses and chaos magic, and working spells for bringing justice. It’s a time for deep introspection. It’s a time for cutting away those things that do not serve us and do not serve humanity.
Maybe all of those influences are why my thoughts have been on the notion of my mortality this past week. I believe we go on, but it’s been coming clear to me that I, the me of this lifetime, this personality, this Maggie Shayne, will wrap up her physical run at some point in the not-distant-enough future. No matter how healthily I live, or what bad habits I kick, there is a physical limit and my body will reach it.
I have never thought of myself a mortal. I’ve gone through my life ignoring its inevitable end, feeling immortal. That makes sense because I am immortal! My Consciousness is part of the whole, and all that I am will exist apart from my body. Parts of Her will meld with other bits to become the next iteration of me.
Yes, yes, yes, I believe all that to my very core.
But it’s suddenly, undeniably clear to me that this physical gig of mine is going to end, and moreover, that even twenty more years would be considered a good, long run. I hope for forty more. 102 seems a good long life, but at 101 I can’t imagine feeling done even then.
I am not dealing well with this revelation
Isn’t that odd? It’s something we all know throughout most of our lives, but when it starts to draw closer, it becomes so much more real.
But that’s what Dark Moon energy is for. It’s particularly what Dark-Moon-in-Scorpio-on-Halloween energy is for. It nudges us to explore those dark places that bother us most, to contemplate these shadows, confront them, spill the light of understanding over them, and, make peace with them.
As the moon wanes, she’s calling me to come with her into the darkness, for a heart-to-heart conversation with Death.
It’s not my first time.
Part of my second-degree elevation ceremony in the Craft of the Wise involved a confrontation with Death, played by another witch—one I love as a brother. The ritual, a copy of which I was given only after I’d experienced it, is oath bound, so I cannot share it. But I am reviewing the lines of the rite as part of my shadow work this coming week.
This challenge, these strong emotions washing over me the past few days, have come for a reason, in response to a vibration, with the purpose of moving me forward, and leveling me up. Unpleasant feelings only go away if we move away from them, and in this case, the way forward is through.
My plan
So my plan for my week of shadow work will include:
Patchouli oil in the warmer / incense in the burner
Black and purple candles
Onyx stones in my jewelry and in my pockets
Focus on and reading about the Dark Goddesses my spiritual and physical lineage: The Morrigan, and Inanna’s dark sister, Ereshkigal
Daily meditation
Reading the multitude of posts, entries and articles on these topics that will flow my way as my attention calls them forth
Journaling on this specific topic, and on every sign, omen, dream, and symbol that comes up. (Like just now, when multiple crows took turns swooping down low, past the window to my left.)
A tarot spread as I begin, and as I wrap, and in between, to guide my journey on this path
Listing all those things I discover I must release, the speedbumps and roadblocks and limiting beliefs
A ritual for releasing what I must on the night of the dark moon in Scorpio, the night of Halloween
A word about Samhain
Samhain is the cross-quarter date on which the secular holiday of Halloween is based. This date falls precisely halfway between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice, and that date is November 6th this year. It’s getting more and more difficult to find astrological calendars that list this date, because everyone is just celebrating on Halloween, but I’m an old-school purist about these things. Samhain and Halloween are not the same holiday. Halloween is playful. Samhain is deadly serious.
The Charge of the Dark Goddess
There are numerous versions of The Charge of the Dark Goddess. The version I was given, uncredited, goes like this:
The Dark Goddess Speaks to us through the mouths of Lilith, Kali, Tiamet, Hecate, Nix, Nemesis, Morgaine, and Ereshkigal.
I am the darkness behind and beneath the shadows
I am the absence of air that awaits at the bottom of ever breath
I am the ending before life begins anew
I am the bottomless pit,
The never-ending struggle to reclaim that which is denied
I am the key that unlocks every door
I am the glory of discovery
For I am that which is hidden, secluded, forbidden
Come to me at the Dark Moon and see that which cannot be seen
Face the terror that is yours alone
Swim to me through the blackest oceans
to the center of your greatest fears
The Dark God and I will keep you safe
Scream to us in terror and your will be the power to forbear
Think of me when you feel pleasure and I will intensify it
Until the time when I may have the greatest pleasure
Of meeting you at the Crossroads Between the Worlds
*Ereshkigal was added to the first stanza by me.
**I do not know the true source or original version, but it’s a goal of mine to find this info and share it here.
My own version
Being me, I wrote my own poetic verses I thought conveyed the sentiments and message of the above dark charge.
The Morrigan’s Kiss
by LadyHawk, the Mythmaker
Ebon cloak of velvet folds, Black wings open wide
The darkest mysteries, she holds, Dare I look inside?
Are those stars of glitter gleam, sparkling in the night?
Or tattered tears in the dark that’s smothering the light?
Is this warmth around me wrapped, the Mother’s kind embrace?
Or it is death’s cold breath I feel whisp’ring o’er my face?
She folds Her cloak around my soul, upon Her horse we ride
We gallop through a shimmering veil, I fear the other side!
She faces me, her hood falls down, Her lips part in a smile
Her face is at once beautiful and withered, scarred, and vile
She’s youth and age in tandem, She’s reaper and She’s birth
She’s rancid grave and powdered babe, She’s north and death and earth
Fear me not, She whispers, her gnarled hands hold me tight
For I am with you always, in day and blackest night
The chill you feel in darkness, the slight hitch in your breath
The gasp of deepest terror, the fear you have of death
The eyes you feel area watching, the face you cannot see
Oh yes, I am your goblin, your demoness, that’s me
Of old they called me Lilitu, murderess of babes,
the Bible calls me Lilith—says I poisoned Eden’s glades
Some say I am the Banshee, my lips the kiss of death,
I take your soul away with me, I steal your final breath
And in my cold embrace you ride, into the Great Release
Then then most horrible of all, find solace, rest, and peace
Reflection and repose are yours, enlightened shall you be
And when you wish to start anew you’ll turn again to me
I’ll carry you within my cloak, through veil and starry skies,
I’ll breathe you into life again, I’ll hear your newborn cries
You’ll smile at me in perfect love, as I turn my horse and ride
How long ‘till you forget again our journey through the skies?
Or perhaps you will remember when my shadow falls next time
That the Mother’s embrace is tender, and The Morrigan’s kiss sublime
Happy Halloween!
A quick personal note. This post is late because a beloved family member, the partner of one of my daughters, was involved in a terrible car accident over the weekend, and was airlifted to the nearest trauma center. Thankfully, after a many worrisome hours and the excellent work of the skilled team at the hospital, it seems he will be okay. It’s still early, and more surgeries might be required, but it’s looking positive at the moment.
All healing energy sent my way will be forwarded to my son-n-love.
I know how to do that.
Must be the season of the Witch
A Complete series, four epic novels about a race of Immortal Witches
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