This past year, starting in October of 2021, I began my journey with Baubo. For those who aren't familiar with Baubo, she is the Goddess of Mirth, Vulvas, Bawdy Humour, and the Sacred Healing Waters. During the Eleusinian Mysteries, she was one of the first Deities you encountered at the Sacred Well of Eleusis. Her and her Priests and Priestesses would heckle each person as they made their way to the entrance of the city. This was done to celebrate the healing power of laughter. She was the one who made Demeter laugh with her inappropriate joking and bawdy dancing. But as I soon found out when I was announced as her vessel for Spring Mysteries 2022, there was so much more to her than that.

My personal journey with her has started the much needed healing process with my body, and not just my body, but my vagina in particular. I've had some trauma with that part of myself, in many forms. There was a time, and still is currently, when I disconnected myself from that part of me. I did not want to acknowledge my vagina's existence. I wanted to act like I didn't have one so as to not face the trauma I had dealt with years ago. I didn't even realize I had that trauma until I really dived into Baubo's mysteries.

She reminded me of my magickal vulva. She had me take a mirror and look at it. Really study it... all of its shades and its shape. She made me have conversations with it. I would talk to it and tell it how much I loved it. I would thank it for all the pain and pleasure it has and continues to bring me...learning important lessons from the pain, and becoming grateful for the pleasure. I read an incredible book about her called “The Metamorphosis of Baubo: Myths of Women's Sexual Energy” by Winifred Milius Lubell that explored the sacred energy of the Goddess and the womb/vulva and how this incarnation has been with us longer than we even could imagine: from the cave paintings of the womanly figures to the Venus of Willendorf to the Sheila Na Gig. That voluptuous Goddess figurine we are all very familiar with. Her curves, her exposed vulva, and the strong fertility energy that literally and figuratively flows from her vulva!

How I wished I could be so confident in my body like this. How I wished I could spread my legs and show the world the origin of my magick and power. Baubo allowed me to embrace this and laugh about the absurdity of it all. Working with her enabled me to join a Burlesque Troupe, hop on the stage and take my clothes off in front of strangers. The applause and admiration I received gave me a high I have never felt before! I owe this to Baubo.

Baubo is the epitome of joy and healing. Laughter and tears. She made me realize how I've always had this energy in me. I am a Priestess of Laughter myself. I discovered years ago this was my main magick. I could heal others thru my jokes and silliness. I taught people you don't always have to take yourself so seriously all of the time. Yes there is a time for reverence, but as said in the Charge of the Goddess “And therefore, let their be Beauty and Strength, Power and Compassion, MIRTH and Reverence...” Its been there all along. She helped me connect with it again, and for the first time.

Her part is small in the Mysteries, but oh so important. It was difficult at times for me to feel connected to others because I realized Baubo sometimes feels forgotten. I at times felt forgotten. That is such a lonely feeling, especially for someone as social as me. But she reminded me my power is all encompassing at all times, its just not always front and center, and that is okay. I actually took a step back from many things to observe, process, and when needed, come forth and spread (my legs-LoL) joy! 

I highly suggest to those who have experienced trauma with their bodies in one shape or form, to work with Baubo. Now don't get me wrong, this is a constant process of workings I am doing to continue to heal myself. But Baubo has made it more fun and exciting and has brought compassion to the healing work.

I want to quote my friend Deb Morgan whom I saw not too long ago in person. She was working with Baubo during the Sacral Chakra period that WSTS teaches and she said something that really spoke to the mysteries of Baubo's healing. She said “You gotta feel it before you can heal it.” (insert mind blown sound effect here) I feel that sums it all up.

Remember: when you are laughing so hard at something, Baubo is there. When you are feeling your Sacral chakra activate, Baubo is there. When you are crying with a friend for whatever reason, Baubo is there. 

Baubo loves you!

Lola Stardust is a 3rd degree HPS of Children of the Crossroads-ATC in Spokane, Wa. She runs a weekly online discussion series called “Seekers Path” on Discord, has been involved with the ATC and WSTS in one way or another for many years. She is a Graduate of WSTS with a Bachelors in Wiccan Ministry. She runs a local Red Tent Women's Circle in her city, and is heavily involved in planning and running local Pagan Gatherings in her community. You can catch Lola and her partner Silenus on their YouTube show called “Witches and Wine”