Finding My Path Once Again
Photo by Tim Foster via Unsplash
Last night the sky was so clear that the waxing crescent moon shined as bright as if it were full, illuminating the trees and casting shadows across my gardens. I’ve missed the moon these past 18 months - only giving it fleeting glances now and again, before hurrying to work, study or sleep. I can’t remember the last time I sat with her and let her light wash over me- a simple little ritual I enjoy as a way to bring a sense of peace after a long day.
Now that nursing school is finished (graduation is this weekend!) I feel the slow comedown of completing a big task. The long exhale of a breath I’ve been holding for months. It is both exhilarating and unsettling. I feel as if I’ve entered a new life. Nursing school was one of those dividing life events of Before and After. You know, when you think of the way life was before I had kids or before COVID; or after my divorce, after my kids graduated. Life becomes a bifurcation of our own unique experiences.
Over the past 18 months I had to ignore my natural cadence to slow down in the colder months, because clinicals stop for no one - not even winter or perimenopause. I had to muscle through exhaustion and drag myself across multiple finish lines. All of which goes against the grain of my soul. Now comes the reckoning - my exhaustion has caught up with me and I find myself wanting to rest more than anything.
As part of reclaiming my energy and recalibrating to this new chapter of life, I’ve begun to find my way back to my spiritual path, which I largely left in order to concentrate on school. Like with the moon, I’ve barely been out in nature this season. Usually this time of year I’m eagerly looking for signs of spring - bird songs, daffodil leaves, a change in the slant of sunlight in my sitting room. I’m excited to have the time to do that once more. I worry my gardens will have forgotten me.
I’ve also begun slowly checking things off my post-nursing school list of all the things that have been on hold until I graduated. I’ve picked up my paints and started writing more - creative outlets that leave me energized and refreshed; I subscribed to a couple of ezines in an effort to do less doom scrolling on social media; I picked out new colors for my kitchen walls to refresh the space; and I’ve begun to very gently move my body more, slowly straitening it out from months hunched over a computer or text book.
As tired as I am, I welcome the energy shift that comes with springtime and the Season of the Maiden. I intend to rest as much as I can these last few weeks of winter and then go outside, play in the dirt, sit in the sun, and gently work on releasing the stagnant energy left behind by winter. The earth and I will wake up together this season.
Ostara Resource Guide
As part of my energy reset, I put together this guide for Ostara and the Spring Equinox. It includes some of my own writing and a free Ostara course with printables I’ve shared in previous years. It also has some recommended readings with links. I hope you find it helpful for your own Ostara and springtime celebrations.
More Ostara Reading
Follow the adventures
The Maiden Archetype
This post may include affiliate links* and I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. Mabon House only features products that I believe in and use myself or that I believe my readers would enjoy. Thank you!
The Maiden archetype is a powerful symbol of youthful energy, vitality, and potential. Represented in the concept of the Triple Goddess, the Maiden is associated with the springtime, when new growth and possibility abound. For women, the Maiden archetype can represent a time of self-discovery, exploration, and creativity. In this article, we'll explore the role of the Maiden archetype in women's lives and how it can be used to live intentionally and celebrate feminism.
One of the key qualities associated with the Maiden archetype is independence. During this phase of life, women are often exploring their own identity and discovering what they want out of life. They may be breaking away from the expectations of family and society, and forging their own path. This can be a time of great growth and empowerment, as women learn to trust their own instincts and make choices that align with their values and desires.
The Maiden & Creativity
An important aspect of the Maiden archetype is creativity. This phase of life is often associated with artistic expression, exploration, and experimentation. Women may be exploring different forms of self-expression, from writing and painting to music and dance. This creativity can be a powerful force for personal growth and transformation, as women tap into their inner wells of inspiration and imagination.
Whether through writing, painting, dancing, or some other form of expression, women can use their creativity to explore their own identity and connect with their own inner wisdom. This can be a powerful tool for personal growth and transformation, helping women to break free of limiting beliefs and embrace their own unique gifts and talents.
Living Intentionally with Your Inner Maiden
So how can women use the Maiden archetype to live intentionally and celebrate feminism? One way is by embracing their own independence and agency. Women can make choices that align with their own values and desires, rather than conforming to societal expectations or the expectations of others. This can be as simple as choosing to pursue a career that inspires them, or as complex as navigating complex family relationships in order to live authentically.
Finally, women can use the Maiden archetype to celebrate their own sexuality and sensuality. This may mean exploring one's own desires and preferences, learning to communicate with partners, or simply enjoying one's own body and sensuality. Embracing one's own sexuality can be a powerful act of self-love and self-expression, helping women to break free of societal expectations and connect with their own desires and needs.
Tapping into Your Inner Maiden
Spend time in nature: Go for a walk in a park, garden, or forest. Let the beauty of the natural world awaken a sense of wonder and renewal within you.
Engage in creative activities: Try journaling, painting, or dancing, and focus on the joy of the process rather than the outcome. Let yourself explore and play freely.
Cultivate a beginner’s mindset: Learn something new, whether it’s a language, a hobby, or exploring a new place. Embrace the excitement and curiosity of new experiences.
Prioritize self-care rituals: Nourish your body and spirit with activities like taking a luxurious bath, practicing gentle yoga, or setting aside time for reflection and meditation.
Books About the Maiden Mother Crone
Maiden, Mother, Crone: Voices of the Goddess
Maiden, Mother, & Crone: A Coloring Book Celebrating the Feminine
Maiden, Mother, Crone: The Myth & Reality of the Triple Goddess
The Maiden archetype is a powerful symbol of growth, transformation, and creativity for women. By embracing their own independence, creativity, and sexuality, women can use this archetype to live intentionally and celebrate feminism. Whether through artistic expression, personal exploration, or intimate relationships, the Maiden archetype can be a powerful tool for personal growth and transformation.
Recommended Reading
Follow the Mabon House Adventures
The content provided above was developed in collaboration with ChatGPT, an AI language model by OpenAI. The initial ideas and concepts for the piece were provided by me, and ChatGPT assisted in organizing, formatting, and refining these ideas into the final written post. While the AI contributed to the structure and clarity of the content, the core ideas and creative direction remain my own.