WILD WOMAN + Mugwort & Rose

Embark on a Shamanic Journey with Inanna as she descends into the Underworld. Are you yearning to connect with the untammed part of you that secretly wants to run wild with the wolves? Does the Moon ignite a fierce longing in you that can no longer be suppresed?

Allow me take you on a transformative journey that connects you to your inner Wild Woman, taps into the magnificent transformation of Innana, the Sumerian Goddess, as she descends into the Underworld. Harness the magical power of Mugwort - the Herb of Witches, and Rose, the eternal symbol of the Feminine. Let me open the gateway to a world where WOMAN + EARTH IGNITE where Moon Cycles guide your path, and where you discover the profound rituals of your sacred Blood and the the power of death and rebirth.

Years ago, when I stepped off the maddening carousel of what society expected of me, I was left with the stark realisation that I had no frame of reference as to who I was. As I unlearned and discarded the MISFITTING programs in my mind, I felt naked and at a complete loss of my identity.

I feel like for us women, who have lost their primordial connection with the Feminine, we have nothing other than what the media or the fashion industry is selling us to “make us more feminine”. We subscribe to synthetic chemicals, surgial procedures and pharmaceutical drugs to deal with our bothersome periods so we can fit in the expectations of society. We begin the unending dance of comparing ourselves to others and feeling less than adequate. Pretty soon, we are on that dreaded carousel again.

As I had already said no to that path, I sought something else. When I had examined all of my options, I was reminded of another time in my life, when everything was brand new and I had to learn to inhabit my body. That time was when I was a young girl, about to embark on my menarche (my first period) and I began to seek the wisdom of fairytales. I loved reading about the adventures of Alice in Wonderland and marvelled when Belle found the library. These stories contain a myriad of meaning deeply entwined within myth, stories that can lead us directly to the Feminine.

So now, and especially now, when literature on the Feminine, by the Feminine on what it is to be Feminine is scarce, we turn to myth, fairytales and the wisdom of Archetypes to bring to memory something that we already share in our Collective Consciousness.

The wisdom of archetypes refers to the idea that certain universal symbols and themes, known as Archetypes, exist in the collective unconscious of humanity. According to Jung, archetypes are innate, universal symbols or patterns that exist in the human psyche and are shared across cultures and throughout history. These symbols form the core part of the stories which contain hidden clues and powerful reminders of our lost collective wisdom.

Inanna - Fundamental Archetype for the Feminine

I first came across Inanna, when I was researching Lilith, a few years ago, and I was profoundly moved by her story.

Inanna was a Sumerian Goddess, known as the Goddess of Sexuality, Fertility and the Heaven and Earth. Ancient Sumer is one of the earliest known civilizations, which existed in what is now modern-day Iraq. I love Inanna because she encompasses the multi-faceted form of the feminine, she is known as the Queen of Heaven and Earth, she was invoked in rituals and prayers to ensure successful harvests and the well-being of families. With her weapons and armour, she was known as the fierce protector of people and perhaps most famously she is remembered for her descent into the underworld.

The Descent of Inanna

Once upon a time, in the land of ancient Sumer, where the river Tigris flowed, Goddess Inanna reigned as the Queen of Heaven and Earth. She was powerful and revered, known for her beauty, wisdom, and diverse attributes. One day, Inanna learned that her sister, Ereshkigal, the Goddess of the Underworld, had lost her husband. Inanna with deep sympathy in her heart, decided to descend into the Underworld to pay her respects to her sister.

Goddess Isis - another interpretation of Inanna

Inanna prepared for her journey, adorning herself with her royal garments and jewelry. She adorned her body with eight of her earthly possessions - Crown, Lapis Earrrings, Scepter, Necklace, Breastplate, Belt, Bracelets and finally Anklets. She instructed her faithful servant, Ninshubur, on how to seek help should she not return. With great determination, Inanna set about on her journey.

When she arrived at the gates of the Underworld, she declared to the guards “I am Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth and I have come to pay my respects to my Sister, Ereshkigal.” The guards, furious at her attire and demanded that she strip her body of her Earthly possessions before entering the gates. “What is the meaning of this indignity?” demanded Inanna. The guards replied “Quiet Inanna, the ways of the Underworld are perfect. They may not be questioned.”

With a heavy heart, Inanna agreed. At the first gate, the Gate of Authority, Inanna laid down her crown, symbol of her divine beauty. At the second gate, the Gate of Perception, Inanna laid down her Lapis Earrings and her Scepter. At the third gate, the Gate of Communication, Inanna stripped down her neck of the jeweled necklace, and bore her true self. At the fourth gate, the Gate of Compassion, she laid down her breastplate, surrendering to her vulnerability, her heart beating wildly. At the fifth gate, the Gate of Personal Power, she gave up her Belt. At the sixth gate, the Gate of Creativity, she removed her anklets. At the final gate, the Gate of Manifestation, she disrobed herself.

Inanna, Sumerian Goddess, Queen of Heaven & Earth, Meeting Ereshkigal, Queen of the Underworld

Inanna, stripped off her regalia, stripped of her Queendom, naked and head bowed low, finally meets her sister. Ereshkigal, the queen of the dead, was in no mood to entertain and furious at her sister's intrusion, she declared that Inanna is to die. Thus Ereshkigal ends Inanna’s life and leaves her hanging on a meat hook.

In the world above, Ninshubur, deeply concerned for Inanna's safety, followed the goddess's instructions and sought the help of the gods. Enki, the god of wisdom and magic, created two beings from the dirt of his fingernails: creatures of neither the underworld nor the heavens. These beings approached Ereshkigal, who was in great pain, and offered their sympathy.

In return for their empathy, Ereshkigal allowed them to ask a favor. They requested the return of Inanna's body, and Ereshkigal agreed, giving them the corpse of the goddess. They sprinkled the food and water of life upon Inanna's lifeless form, and Inanna stirred to life.

Inanna ascended from the underworld, passing through the eight gates in reverse order, and at each gate, she received back her divine attributes and garments. She returned to the world of the living, transformed in death and reborn in new light.

The Descent as a Stage of Transformation

This myth of Inanna's descent and resurrection is seen as a representation of the cyclical nature of a woman’s womb and her power of death and rebirth. It reflects the pilgrimmage that all women go on, as they begin their womanhood during menarche, changing from maiden, mother, enchantress and crone. Look deeper and you will undersand the necessity of this profound transformation, it is vital for the eternal order of existence.

In death, we are all stripped off our “false selves”. The part of us that is conditioned. Our personality, ego, false beliefs all fall apart. And so it is when we descend into the realm of the Kali, we are called to disrobe ourselves and walk naked in our truth, walk through the gates and experience a metaphorical death, before we have the chance to reborn again.

We live in a society that has lost the tremendous meaning of death. We will do anything it takes to run as far away from it as possible, without realising we are robbing ourselves of the chance of being reborn. Some cultures however, still exist to this day that revel in the mysteries of death and rebirth, if you’re interested in this subject, I would suggest exploring the incredible Tibetan Book of the Dead.

The eight possessions and eight gates also signify the eight chakras of the human body and the eight dimensions of reality. Oftentimes we forget that our souls are on a long journey, and this here on the earthly realm, is but one of those journeys. It is however a stage of preparation, where we can equip ourselves, and adorn ourselves with garments and possessions of power that we can take as we descend into the underword.

But the portal of death is something none of us fully understand, but a few of us, especially women have the chance of experiencing in their intimate cycles. Each time we bleed we experience a small death, and each time we die, we are reborn again.

This is the very source of Feminine Power: the power of infinite cycles of death and rebirth.

The Importance of Understanding your Soul’s Journey.

The mystery that is your life, is something only you have the power to unveil. But with myth and stories like these, plus sisterhood and women’s circles, can help you connect with others whose trajectory may be different but where themes are the same. We are united by our wombs and our sacred connection with Mother Earth. Likewise, the Earth has many talismans and amulets of power that when we understand and claim for our own, become the armour that we need to deepen into our journey.

Two such amulets are the Rose and Mugwort - two plants that you will encounter in our Beauty Sleep, Overnight Botanical Elixir

Wild Tantrika’s Beauty Sleep, Overnight Sleep Elixir

Mugwort

Mugwort is a beloved plant that grows in tall spikes & has flowers that are whorls of furry green that burst into tiny brown fuzzies. Her leaves are downy and silvery on the underside. Her fragrance is enough to dispel any fears. She is known greatly to purify the body of any pathogens and thereby signifies her role as a great protectress of women’s bodies.

She has a beautiful relationship with our wombs, she is known to bring on menses and help with painful periods. My own experience with Mugwort has been so profound especially as I watched my body align with the cycles of the Moon.

Mugwort is also known as the Witch’s herb, she is used in divination, dreamwork and protective spells. Burning her flowers and leaves before bedtime is said to induce lucid dreams and can greatly assist in subconscious healing.

Rose

I don’t know of any other plant that has been waxed lyrical as much as the Rose. The thorny plant with the beautiful fragrant flowers, symbolises the Feminine herself.

The Rose is often likened to the stages of women’s cycles, the bud represented by the maiden, the flower with the mother, the rosehip as the enchantress, and the seeds as the crone. It is the everlasting symbol of youth, birth, death and rebirth. Just as a rosebud opens into a full bloom, women give birth and bring new life into the world. Similarly, after birth, she transforms herself into a ripe fruit, glistening red, and enchanting anyone who passes by, symbolising the enchantress or the wild woman, of the luteal phase. And then her eventual transformation into the seeds, as a crone, to die and be reborn again. This is the very cycle of life whose keys are held by the Feminine.

Voyage into a Shamanic Journey with Inanna accompanied by Mugwort & Rose

A shamanic journey with the anointing of our mugwort & rose oil can be a deeply transformative and spiritual experience. In this journey, you will seek to connect with the energy of Inanna, & imbibe her wisdom, as you too embrace the cycles and transformations of your womb.

Preparation:

1. Find a quiet and comfortable space where you won't be disturbed. Create a sacred atmosphere with candles, incense, or any other elements that help you focus your intention.

2. Clear your space of any unwanted energy, light the Mugwort smudge stick, available in our Gift Set and purify the air. Repeat affirmations and words of purification such as “Powerful Mugwort, chase away all that no longer serves me, purify me, purify my space, help me enter into the sacred covenant.”

3. Next, with your bottle of Beauty Sleep, Sit or lie down in a relaxed position, close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths to center yourself. Slow your breath down, feel your heart beat, feel the warm blood coursing under your skin, this is your sacred moment, in holy presence.

Step-by-Step Journey:

▪ Setting Your Intention:

▪ Begin by setting a clear intention for your journey. State your desire to connect with Inanna, seek her guidance, or explore a specific aspect of her energy or teachings. Do you yearn for Power? Do you want to connect with your Fertility? Do you want more Abundance in your Life? Visualize your intention as a clear and radiant light.

▪ Anointing with Beauty Sleep Oil:

▪ Unbottle Mugwort and Rose and inhale the sensual scent of the oil. With the dropper, place a few drops on your palm and rub your hands together warming and releasing the oil, activating your own prana or life force energy. Hold your palms a few inches from your face, but without touching, and inhale deeply.

Anointing Ritual:

▪ Slowly and deliberately, anoint your forehead, your heart center (over your chest), and your belly or lower abdomen area with the oil. As you do, envision the energy of Inanna flowing through the oil and into your being. Imagine each application as a symbolic connection with the goddess.

Entering the Sacred Garden:

▪ Once you are impregnated with the essence of Mugwort & Rose, it’s time to journey into the otherworld. Allowing your breath to be your guide, close your eyes and open your inner eye. Visualize yourself standing at the entrance of a lush and beautiful garden filled with vibrant rose and mugwort plants. The garden is your portal to the realm of Inanna.

Meeting Inanna:

▪ As you step into the garden, sink your nose into the furry buds of mugwort and the delicate flesh of roses and inhale deeply. Your sense of smell will guide you into the presence of Inanna. Trust your intuition; she may appear to you as a radiant woman, a goddess, or in another form that resonates with you.

Communication:

▪ Approach Inanna and engage in a conversation or nonverbal communication with her. Ask any questions you may have, seek guidance, or simply bask in her presence and receive her energy.

Exploration:

▪ Walk with Inanna besides you as you explore the garden and its surroundings. You may encounter symbols, objects, or scenes that hold meaning and insights related to your intention. Pay attention to your sensations, emotions, and any messages that come to you.

Receiving Wisdom:

▪ Inanna may impart wisdom, teachings, or blessings to you. Be open to receiving her gifts and insights. Trust your intuition and inner knowing.

Gratitude and Farewell:

▪ When you feel your journey is complete, express gratitude to Inanna for her presence and guidance. Let her know you appreciate the connection you've made. Bid her farewell, knowing you can return to this sacred garden whenever you wish.

Closing the Journey:

▪ Slowly bring your awareness back to your physical surroundings. Take a few deep breaths and gently open your eyes. Ground yourself by feeling the earth beneath you. Blow out the candles.

Integration and Reflection: After your shamanic journey, it's beneficial to journal your experiences, thoughts, and any messages or insights you received. Reflect on how this connection with Inanna and the anointing of Wild Woman oil have impacted your spiritual journey and intentions.

Remember that shamanic journeys are deeply personal and subjective experiences, so trust your intuition and the guidance you receive. They can be a powerful way to connect with the energies of ancient goddesses like Inanna and explore the wisdom they offer.