Selene

Selene is the ancient Greek goddess of the Moon, often depicted as a beautiful woman driving a chariot across the night sky. She embodies the qualities of lunar light, mystery, intuition, and the gentle, nurturing aspects of the night. As a personification of the Moon itself, Selene represents the cycles of time, the power of the subconscious, and the feminine divine.

Originating from Greek mythology, Selene is the daughter of the Titans Hyperion and Theia and the sister of Helios (the Sun) and Eos (the Dawn). She is often shown with a crescent moon on her forehead, riding a chariot drawn by two white horses or oxen. Selene is also known for her love affair with the mortal Endymion, whom she placed in eternal sleep so she could visit him every night.

Selene embodies properties of intuition, dreams, emotional healing, and the cycles of the Moon. She represents the gentle light that guides us through the darkness, the ebb and flow of emotions, and the connection to dreams and the subconscious mind. Invoking her energy can bring about emotional healing, enhance intuition, support dream work, and connect one with the natural lunar cycles.

Herbs and plants associated with Selene include moonflower, jasmine, white poppy, and mugwort. These plants symbolize the night, dreams, and the soothing, mystical qualities of the Moon. They are often used in rituals to invoke her blessings for emotional balance, dream work, and enhancing psychic abilities.

Crystals connected to Selene include moonstone, selenite, pearl, and clear quartz. These stones resonate with her energies of intuition, emotional clarity, and lunar magic, promoting calmness, spiritual insight, and connection to the Moon’s cycles. They are used in rituals to enhance intuition, support emotional healing, and connect with her nurturing presence.

Selene’s elemental correspondences are Water and Air, reflecting her connection to the fluid and ethereal nature of the Moon and the subconscious. The Water element emphasizes emotions, intuition, and the flow of dreams, while the Air element symbolizes intellect, communication, and the movement of lunar energy through the night sky.

Selene is linked to the celestial body the Moon, symbolizing her direct connection to lunar cycles, intuition, and the mysteries of the night. The Moon’s phases are particularly significant in working with Selene’s energy, with the full moon being especially potent for rituals and meditations in her honor.

Her zodiac associations include Cancer and Pisces. Cancer represents qualities of nurturing, protection, and deep emotional connections, while Pisces embodies intuition, dreams, and the mystical aspects of the subconscious. Working with her energy during these astrological seasons can enhance emotional healing, intuitive insights, and connection to the lunar cycles.

The times most auspicious for invoking Selene include the full moon, new moon, and during rituals dedicated to dreams, intuition, and emotional healing. These periods align with her domain over the Moon and the night, making them ideal for connecting with her energy.

In rituals, tools such as a silver or white candle, moon symbols, and representations of the crescent moon are used to invoke Selene’s presence. Offerings of milk, white flowers, moonstone, and honey are traditional ways to honor her. Rituals often involve lighting candles, using herbs and crystals associated with the Moon and intuition, and reciting prayers or invocations to seek her blessings for emotional clarity, dream work, and spiritual insight. Meditating on themes of the Moon, the cycles of nature, and the mysteries of the night, or engaging in practices such as lunar rituals or dream journaling, can also deepen the connection to her gentle and luminous energies.