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The Goddess Diana
The goddess Diana was very highly worshipped in ancient Rome. Her greek counterpart, fell under the
name Artemis. Diana in Roman worship, was known as well as a maiden huntress, protector of all that is wild and free. This
is virtually the same context that the greek Artemis fell under. However, as centuries past and ancient Rome grew, so did
the followings of the goddess Diana.
Diana no longer was classed simply as a maiden huntress, but grew to the status of motherhood. By the birth of her daughter
Ariadia. Then her path grew as well, to become known as the Queen of Witches.
( This during the famous witch hunts, falling between the 15th and 17th centuries. ) Diana became the mistress of majick.
The teacher of spells, healing, and at the same time still holding her status as the protectress of all things wild.
For more information of the goddess Diana; highly recommended 'Ways of the Stega' by, Raven Grimmasi. As well as books
by the authors; Leland, Frazier, and Janet & Stewart Farrar. |
Who is the goddess Yemaya and why does she sometimes appear under the guise of the Blessed Virgin Mary?
Yemaya is known as the Mother of Waters, and also as "the mother of the fishes" (and the fish symbol, used as a symbol
of Christ to this day, is associated with her also). She is said to dress in seven skirts of blue and white.
Is she a goddess of the ocean, a goddess of creativity and ancient wisdom, representing not only physical fertility, but
also the loving power which creates and sustains all things?
The religious path in which Yemaya is honored has been variously named Yoruba, Regla de Ocha, Ifa, Santeria or Voudoun.
More information on this path and on the orishas is available at OrishaNet.
Yemaya is often associated with Isis, a goddess to whom the Blessed Virgin Mary has often been compared.
Mary has also been called the Star of the Sea (Stella Maris).
Yemaya has been depicted as the wellspring and fountain of life. She is also depicted as a mermaid, and is associated not
only with the ocean, but also with the moon and lunar mysteries.
In some legends, she appears as the original Creatrix-Goddess who is raped by her son, the patriarchal God. In this version
she dies in giving birth to humanity and the world as we know it, and yet is not totally destroyed but remains present in
spirit to nurture and sustain her creation. In this version, her story has much in common with that of Tiamat, the primordial
goddess of the waters (depicted here by artist Joanna Powell Colbert), who is defeated and killed by a male God, yet paradoxically becomes the source of all life;
or the Gnostic Sophia, whose "fall" (like the so-called "sin of Eve") engendered the world as we now know it.
Yemaya according to the Goddess Workbook
She has also been described as "the deity who symbolizes the sea and masquerades as the Virgin Mary."
Santeria: A Once-Hidden Faith Leaps Out into the Open
She is among the ocean and water goddesses honored in contemporary neo-pagan women's spirituality, for example at Abby
Willowroot's Ocean Mother altar.
 Another image of the Star of the Sea, known
as Mari, as Yemaya and by many other names, is Joanna Powell Colbert's Stella Maris.
Another depiction of Yemaya.
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Ishtar ~ Inanna Altar
   
Knot of Inanna
The Knot of Inanna is sacred to the Goddess. The image of this knot was the first written
form of the Goddess's name. The Knot of Inanna often appears as the top of a tall pole. This symbol of the Goddess's authority
was probably the original archetype of the much later crosier, which is carried by christian bishops and abbots.
Inanna descended into the underworld, adorned in Lapis Lazuli. She died and in three
days returned alive to walk upon the Earth. The story of Her descent and return are ancient rebirth stories. Inanna's rising
from the dead is a forerunner of the christian story of Jesus's resurrection, which parallels the earlier Inanna journey.
The book "Inanna Queen of Heaven and Earth" by Wolkstein & Kramer recounts this tale in translations of ancient tablets.
 
Inanna is the Goddess of the Morning and Evening Star. The Semites honored Inanna as
Ishtar. She Presides over the birth of both night and day. Next to Inanna is the sacred star sign of brilliant Venus. The
Star of Venus is a symbol of both death and rebirth. The winged Goddess moved freely between the worlds.
Childbirth
Among Her many other titles, Inanna is the "Goddess of Love and Procreation". Sacred
marriage rites were performed at New Year and the blessings of Inanna were sought to insure fertility.
This flame burns to honor Inanna
May She grant the blessings of Fertility
to all
who seek this Gift.
Inanna is known as "First Daughter of the Moon" Sitting upon Her lapis lazuli throne,
She was the beloved Goddess of Sumeria.
 
The Rosette has been a symbol associated with many Goddesses, but it is especiially sacred
to both Inanna, Ishtar and Astarte. Some scholars think that the Rosette is a symbol for the star of Venus. The Rosette is
the "Star of the Earth" and grows up from the underworld beneath the ground. It is the Earth's star, as Venus is the star
of the heavens. Many carved rosettes have survived, they vary widely in their patterns, but all are clearly representations
of the rosette |
click image above to see candle set |
~ INANNA ~
She was a Sumerian Goddess who was Queen of the land, making every king her bridegroom. A wedding hymn for the sacred marriage
went like this:
"Oh my Queen, Queen of the Universe, the Queen who encompasses the Universe, may he (the king) enjoy long days at your
holy lap."
On occasion she would use Her powers to conquer enemies of the king. It is said that the city of Agade was completely destroyed
because Inanna abandoned Her temple.
Inanna was the source of life on earth, filling the wells, rivers, and springs with her "blood". A fertility deity, not
unlike Her Babylonian counterpart Ishtar, she annually descended into the underworld to retrieve Her consort Dumuzi (Tammuz).
According to Sumerian legend, the chief god, Eniki, overlooked Inanna when he was handing out responsibilities. Consequently,
Inanna exercised her power in all areas of human life. The Mesopotamian heroic tale, The Epic of Gilgamesh, tells of Inanna
descending to the netherworld as a result of her desire to reign over the lower regions, appointed to her elder sister, as
well as the upper regions.
She was also known as Nanna, Nana, or even Anna, becoming the holy virgin mother of Attis, the bride of Balder, and the
elder Virgin Mother Christians called "The Grandmother of God".
Hittites called Her Inaras, and in their lands, during the Purulli festival, she renewed her virginity each year to become
the new bride of the sacred king. It is believed this was the predecessor of the Jewish Purim. The chosen groom was isolated
in a royal castle or tower, and slain at an appointed time so his blood would help the Goddess fertilize the land. Writings
of lamentation suggest the king-martyr regretted his brief glory
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