Daily Angel Oracle Card: Sheela Na Gig, from the Goddesses and Sirens Oracle Card deck, by Stacey Demarco, artwork by Jimmy Manton

Sheela Na Gig: “Gateways”

“A new path opens to you, and you are protected. A rite of passage is close. You are about to pass through a new gateway that will change you. Do not be afraid to open up.”

“Sheela Na Gig is cheeky, irreverent, and somewhat frightening. She may lead you astray, but she is one of the oldest energies of the Celtic lands.

A crone goddess, Sheela Na Gig is depicted as a woman showing her genitals and is most likely to appear upon gateways, windows, and doorposts. Although some depictions are a little confrontational at first glance, Sheelas, as the carvings are affectionately referred to, are commonplace on sacred buildings throughout Ireland and England.

Sheela Na Gig is a protectress of gateways, with the female genitalia being the primary gateway – that of all life. While there is some conjecture about the full function, magical or otherwise, of the carved Sheelas, she is generally thought to serve as protection, scaring away evil spirits or bringing good luck during child birth.

When you are about to pass through a gateway such as graduation, birthday, a rite of passage, or even a real gateway in a new home or school, you may wish to honor Sheela and ask for her protection. This is an old, powerful, magical energy, and, as such, is very effective. Her energy is jolly, and yes a little wild – but always with a positive intent!”

Shadow Side: “A Christianized interpretation of Sheela Na Gig, unfortunately, says her image was used as a warning against relationships out of wedlock, a shocking thing during medieval times, instead of her positive intent to help people through the important gateways of their lives. This was a misunderstanding of the ancient symbol, and now, happily, many modern people in Britain and Ireland hold major life celebrations like weddings and baby namings near Sheela stones.”

Symbols: “Dancing woman with wild hair, woman with her legs open, Gateways, stones.”

Invocation: “When you want to feel protected as you go through a gateway and into a new adventure, go to Sheela Na Gig for protection. Take a smooth stone and draw a picture of Sheela Na Gig on it. You do not have to be a good artist, in fact, the funnier and scarier she is the better!

You will also need a dried sage leaf or a lavender or sage smudge stick, and a green candle. Stand under a doorway or on one side of a gate. Light the candle and hold the stone in your hand. Say in a playful, singing way:

Sheela Na Gig, v

Crone of power,

I dance; I jig.

Sheela Na Gig, Sheela Na Gig

Foreer watchful,

Laughter so big!

Sheela Na Gig, Sheela Na Gig

Protect me now;

Don’t renege!

Protect me as I (state what gateway you are passing through)

Now step through the gateway or doorway with confidence. Thank Sheela Na Gig and celebraete with a glass of cider or apple juice. Keep the Sheela stone with you as protection or leave it slightly hidden, facing outward at the doorway of your room.”*

~ By Stacey Demarco

We are on our way, new life beckons to us. Yet those first steps through the gateway can be scary. Sometimes we stay stuck in the old, at the threshold of the door, afraid to move forward or go back; we stay in limbo, not knowing what to do. This can cause us to lose out, miss opportunities, and it can cause us to build our fears up to be much bigger than the reality of the change. Courage is needed to step through the portal into the new. And the keeper of the gate is here to assist you in doing just that. No one will mess with you when you have Sheela on your side!

Now is the time to be very mindful of who you spend your time with. Those who share your energy should be uplifting and supportive. You do not currently have the extra energy to spare for those who would drag you down. Gently make space for yourself, taking a break from as much of the stress and drama of your life as possible now, while you get your footing and move forward fearlessly.

A whole new bright horizon lies beyond the gateway. All you need to do is step through. Breathe deeply, bless and let go of the past and all of it’s experiences both good and bad and embrace the new.

And so it is

Namaste

Dee

~ Archangel Oracle

*Goddesses and Sirens Oracle Card deck, by Stacey Demarco, artwork by Jimmy Manton