It is the dark time of year, and it was just the time of the high holidays. Here I evoke “pagan” Solstice, Christian Christmas and secular New Year’s Day.
Whether observed as a high ritual or as a habit of long standing, each of this close-packed run of dates derives meaning from this time of year, and the turning of the great solar cycle. Variously, each date marks the same meaning—the (re)birth of light and life in the world.
By custom, it is time to ask ourselves, “What does this new year—this new life—bring?”
To answer that, some will “look inside ourselves” and take inventory. Others may consult the great mathematical models of experts to plot trends. Others, still, will consult the tarot spreads. And, to my knowledge, at least one divine will is literally looking inside herself for guidance; Anistara Ma Ka, reader of vulvas, is “the yoni oracle.”
Now reader, before you titter, please consider the words we use for our year-end rites—“birth,” “rebirth” and ritual “passage”—each evoke the birthing canal, and with it archetypes of “the mother.” And that it is everywhere our tradition to regard the fertile earth as a “she” and a “her.” So, among the many and great prognostic and oracular systems, it seems fitting to bow down to this one—as the year and the wintering earth are born new.
Cincinnatus Hibbard: Anistara, tell me about your school and lineage.
Anistara Ma Ka: I learned to be a pussy oracle through the Portal Priestess Mystery School established by Sierra Sullivan.
I understand you are principally in service to women…
I believe that when women are in their full power, they can do great things for this world. Our linear, hierarchical, male-dominating society is breaking down. If divine feminine energy can then arise, then we can come into a more accepting, understanding, compassionate, loving and peaceful age.
I understand your Sacred Portal Puja aims to reconnect women to the power and wisdom of their yonis—in part by shedding shame of their ‘private parts.’
When we don’t embrace and love ourselves completely—including our shamed shadow side—we don’t feel whole and complete, and we have to look outside of ourselves to validate ourselves or feel accepted. When women are disconnected to their yonis, they often fall into abusive relationships with men, or have unsafe sex with a lot of people, or get pregnant too young … I would love to see this work come to young women too, when they are just starting to moon [menstruate]. They could enter womanhood with so much self-worth and power…
To briskly describe the process that results in that reconnection, your Sacred Portal Puja weekend includes lots of trust-building, venting, patriarchal deprogramming, journaling, self-examination with mirrors, a yoni naming ceremony, a collective honoring and praising of each participant’s yonis, as well as the oracular reading of the vulva. And it all takes place within the safe container of sacred sisterhood. The next puja at your private retreat center is March 21-22. But tell us about your next event, Jan. 11—which will be online.
It’s called, “New Year, New You.” Between Jan. 1 and Jan. 11, our identity is more pliable. This workshop is about creating your vision for the new year from your new personality rather than your old identity—which will have you falling right back into old patterns. 2025 is the year of the snake. It’s time to shed your old skin.
Learn more: A quick glance menu of Anistara Ma Ka’s many offerings can be seen at linktr.ee/anistara1111.
