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Your Goddess Year - A Review

Today I'm reviewing Your Goddess Year: A Week-By-Week Guide to Invoking the Divine Feminine by Skye Alexander.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - Book


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Generally I like to start out with a disclaimer. I am identify as a magical Buddhist. I look for the connection between magic and science without the need to search for a creator. I believe in spiritually and holistic wellness.  I find that we can heal the world if we just sit down and and listen to the breath.  I believe that magic, science and nutritional well being are the cornerstone to a well rounded holistic life. I have recently updated my site from Confessions of a Modern Witch to my new page To Live Whole.  I welcome you to come along for my journey of health, wellness and self exploration.

I receive no compensation for these reviews and all my links are standard Amazon links and not affiliate links. I am a practicing photo reader and have spent the last 16 years honing my craft.  I offer personal readings by request and have a strong online history that boasts over 438,000 views.


As you know I'll be switching over to reviewing only e-copies of books shortly.  I will miss handling the books but the amount of trash that I had piling up for all the shipping was just overwhelming.  I will be doing a giveaway for the remaining physical books that actually arrive as well as asking my publishers to provide giveaway copies shipped directly to my winner's homes going forward for all giveaways.

My review copy as a medium sized soft cover book that would easily travel in a larger handbag or backpack.  This book has an extensive index! I really love a good index. What good is a book if you can't fine what you're looking for. This one does not disappoint. I jumped in looking up a couple of my favorite deities and found them quickly.  Never underestimate the power of a good index.
Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - Book

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - Book

This book is divided up by the months of the year.  Each month has an assortment of deities within.  January contains Sophia, Skadi, Xi Wangmu, Athena and Brigid for example.  I was pleasantly surprised to see that there are some of the more common deities such as Kalli and Diana but other deities like Maeve, Tiamat and the Spider Woman were also represented.  The author did a really great job going across several cultures to pull together an assortment of Goddess figures that can appeal to a wide audience.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - Book
Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - Book


I quickly jumped to my month to see what Skye Alexander had in store for those born in February. February (each month for that matter) begin with an brief introduction into the month. In my case a poem from Oscar Fay Adams was on the top of the chapter page with some beautiful birch trees in the background.  We begin with Saraswati. The author provides insight on when we should invite her and provides a Herstory of the deity.  She tells us about the symbols and corresponds as well as reasons to work with her.  There is a section on how to invite her as well.  For February we have four Goddesses presented each with the same outline as above.  Joining Saraswati is Lilith, Nut and Aurora.
Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - Book

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - Book


I couldn't review this book without seeking out Hecate. I found her quickly in this book thanks to that handy dandy index in the back.  Hecate was found in October!  Where else? She was joined by Frigg, Ma'at, Hera and Aphrodite.  The author recommends we work with Hecate from October 30 - Nov 5.  She gives us a brief history of Hecate and but refers to her as an elder Goddess. Despite all the drawings and writings of Hecate, people still like to refer to her as a crone. Hecate has never been anything presented other than a maiden.  I would like to see this reflect more in this newly written books.  I did like the way the author said to leave veggies as an offering.  This appeals to the vegan in me, however we know historically that offerings to deities were less compassionate.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - Book

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - Book

Overall I felt this is a great book for a house warming party or maybe for a graduation gift. It is certainly female positive in its language.  I think this would be a great addition to any library focusing on female empowerment or a great way to bring the feminine divine anything any traditional magical library.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - Book

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - Book

Pagan Blog Project 2013 - D is for Deity


Deity is defined as the nature or character of a god or God.  As a child I was raised Southern Baptist.  This is the typical fire and brimstone God.  There was no love that I can recall being taught here, only spare rod spoil the child.  I spent a few Sundays at the local Pentecostal church as well and found I really enjoyed the spiritual side of the church but speaking in tongues scared me. 
While hearing all this around me I hid in my school library reading and re-reading the nine books we had on Greek Mythology.  I loved the stories and thought, now these are Gods!

Being raised in a rural area, the local (richest) church sent out buses to pick up the poor children and bring them in.  I remember hearing the preacher say that I was poor because I was a sinner, and if I prayed enough, we’d have food.  I tried really hard to be good enough to be blessed, however my step father still molested me, my mother still ignored me and there was no God, for me.  Deities for me were nonexistent.

Towards the end of my life with my mother, I was about 14 or 15 and my church bus driver said to me as I was getting off the bus, “Tell you Daddy I’ll see him at the club tonight.”   That was when the Christian Deity died for me.  Here was a man, who was busing little kids back and forth to church, laid up in the bar with my abusive alcoholic stepfather.  One blessed with riches, the other not so much.

As an adult I found that seeing the sunrise and feeling the wind across my face had a calming effect on me.  Hearing the whoosh of the ocean and feeling the tides put me at peace.  Being in nature and looking at the world from a mythological prospective helped me find a place in my mind where I could finally be OK.  My mind drifts to Demeter and her sadness through the winter months. I see Aphrodite and Artemis showing women as virginal and strong but also as encompassing desire and beauty. 

This past year I've focused on one deity in particular.  Looking around me I found many correspondences to the Goddess Hecate.  Being the Goddess of the Witches as well as assorted other titles, I felt a deep connection.  As she speaks to me, I write, I sculpt and I create.  I picked up working with clay just a few months ago and have already been featured in e-Zines related to the Goddess.  I believe that when a deity selects you, that deity will speak through you.  Your art, your work and your day to day self will reflect that which lives inside you.




I like to say I have a relationship not a religion. My deity does not demand my submission instead delights in my companionship. I do not fall to the ground in worship but instead walk beside her. I bring offerings of incense and flowers, and offer energy to guide my travels. I do not call upon her to win a football game or for help with my car. She's much too busy to spend time doing the mundane workings of this world of which I am much more suited. I do not require your approval or ask your acceptance of my beliefs, I merely ask you that you leave me to my own without the need to ridicule.  You obey your God and I'll work in harmony with mine.


Namaste & Blessed Be
Sosanna
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