As the final days of October draw us into Halloween, we stand at a threshold, a powerful transition into the dark half of the year. This time, from Samhain to Beltaine, has long been honored as the season of shadows, mystery, and potent feminine energy. As we slip into longer nights and frosty dawns, we step into a time of introspection, a sacred space between worlds that welcomes transformation, growth, and the healing power of the dark mother archetype. This is why today, I’d like to leave you all with a little dark gift; a Ted Talk by Jungian Dr. Jean Shinoda Bolen on the gift of liminal time.
At this time of year, we find ourselves called to go inward, to confront our fears, dreams, and shadowy places with openness. In myth, it’s Hekate, goddess of witches, thresholds, and keeper of ancient wisdom, who stands ready to guide us. Known as the “Keeper of the Keys,” Hekate embodies the essence of liminality, holding the light that illuminates our path as we wander through the unknown. Her wisdom is the torch we seek in moments of darkness, as she brings clarity, not only to the way ahead but to our inner lives, urging us to honor and heal what we might otherwise fear or ignore.
Hekate’s mythic role as Persephone’s companion during her descent into the Underworld illustrates the powerful, nurturing force of the dark feminine. She doesn’t fear the darkness but embraces it, guiding Persephone with strength, resilience, and compassion. Like Persephone, we too are invited to descend into our depths, uncovering hidden parts of ourselves that are ready to grow and transform. This season is an invitation to work with Hekate as our guide and ally, to explore the mysteries within ourselves and step through our own personal thresholds.
As we move from Samhain to Beltaine, a time of reawakening, we find that this darkness is not the end but the beginning. It’s in these liminal months, with Hekate’s light leading the way, that we plant seeds of renewal and prepare for a rebirth of spirit, heart, and mind. So let us embrace the darkness, trust in Hekate’s guidance, and honor this feminine season as a sacred journey of rebirth and renewal. Understanding the underworld’s invitation as a true gift and a time for growth and doing inner work will lead to spiritual resurrection and rebirth. When pain and suffering visit our lives it is a sign that something needs to change and we often resist being plunged into the underworld and feel punished but if actually see liminal times as the opportunities they are, we will be gifted with wisdom and be reborn from the experience. So when darkness knocks on your door, I hope indeed you invite it in and seize the opportunity and always ask yourself those 3 questions as in the video with Dr. Bolen whose work I highly recommend for both men and women.
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Elayne (Sophia Unveiled)
Hi Elayne, this comes at a great time for me. Thank you so much for this post.
It is indeed a much better idea to look at a crisis as an opportunity and I’ll be striving to do that. The video you added was also really interesting. Dr. Bolen has a great way of expressing her views on the topic. I’m amazed at how motivated she is by what she’s doing at that age with the fact that she rejected an award saying “I’m not done yet”. Amazing dedication and motivation!
The 3 questions sounds like a great way of looking for things that drives us with passion. As someone who’s always struggled with this, it’s really important to really listen what the heart wants. What kind of things really makes us want to wake up in the morning? I’m definitely not the best at dealing with crises. I wish I was but I also believe that my passions will eventually lead to me being more fulfilled and that’s where I hope I’m headed.
I wish you the best! Have a great evening!
Hi Elayne,
This really resonates with me. I need to be better about recognizing the dark times for what they are, as a learning experience, a time for personal growth.
Thank you for all your hard work in bringing these important topics to us!
Love, Lucy
Dear Lucy thanks so much for this truly heartfelt comment! It is hard to sit with darkness and most of us resist because it hurts, but that’s already a sign that when we have pain and grief in our lives something needs to change. The Underworld can be a blessing in disguise like the tower in the Tarot which needs to crumble before we can rebuild! Lots of love your way Lucy xxx