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SHE BEGINS TO RISE by Cheryl Anne Bratman

Editors Note  Today we share with you two excerpts from our new anthology on the Goddess. The first is from Mandy Adams, followed by a poem by Cheryl Anne Bratman: 

As a young woman, I was fascinated to learn that there was a Goddess and that her myriad forms could reveal to me the many parts of myself... 

In my life, I have experienced times of deep presence and during these cherished moments I have been aware of an inner voice inside of me. The voice is both gentle and powerfully loud - and now as I grow older it is becoming increasingly persistent. 

I have come to name this inner voice of guidance Her voice – I hear it as the voice of the Earth / The Goddess because it is wise beyond my knowing. Often it reveals my next steps with great certainty, as well as those I need to contact and those I need to spend time with and learn from. 

At times, it is accompanied by lucid dreams and visions of past, present and future colliding. At others, it is friendly reminder to come back home to my own self-care and inner nourishment, especially so when Life has propelled me so far from my centre that there is a risk of separation or abandonment from Her guidance.



She Begins To Rise
Cheryl Anne Bratman

I spoke Her Name
aloud today;
the Old One inside,
Who, even now, is
Where I Am Going.

And in my speaking,
Strength rose up,
Grace poured down,
Wisdom wrapped round
about; a Sacred Mantle.

Lovingly, She
in me spoke in turn,
“You’ve much to learn
and to discern along the Path
to this Place I hold for you,
but do not fear for I
have cleared the Way.”

It’s a comfort,
how She knows me
and shows me how
to see myself aright.

It’s a blessing
how She loves me
through all my false starts
and cradles my heart:

patient and tender
as a Nursing Mother
Whose little one
can’t quite seem to latch on.

I spoke Her Name
aloud today;
the Old One
Who kindles my flames
and pulls my tides,
Who stands my ground
and teaches me to fly.

Keeper of my Inner Elements.

And in my speaking,
I saw through Her
Old Eyes,
Looking back
and forward all at once,
This Moment of Grace~
The Holy Place,
Where I rest
and She begins to rise.

*For your own copy of our new GODDESS anthology, click here*
Photography by Elizabeth Gadd

Cheryl Anne Bratman: As a very young girl, I discovered the magic of turning my observations and swirling thoughts and feelings into poems and songs. The love of language; spoken, sung, and written, and also the silent language of presence, has remained through all life's twists and turns. I am a lover and celebrant of the elements and seasons of the Heart and Soul, of Earth and Spirit; finding All Life to be sacred. I deeply enjoy the privilege of sharing my life with three beloved children and a few more than three beloved friends. Presently I work in the field of in-home elder care and companioning. My greatest joy is found in being with those I so dearly love, and in the embrace and beauty of Nature. 


~If you are interested in seeing your poetry appear in this blog, or submitting a poem by a woman that has inspired you, please click here for submission guidelines. I greatly look forward to hearing from you!~


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