Spirit Walk Ministry - Goddess Directory M-S

Spirit Walk Ministry

"A Shamanic Studies Ministry"

Spirit Walk Ministry
A Shamanic Studies Ministry
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
United States
email@spiritwalkministry.com

Goddess Directory M-S

Maat -- Egyptian Goddess of Truth, Justice and Reality. She symbolized the balance Upper and Lower Egypt, between the fertile valley and the desert, and so between good and evil. Maat was said to reign when the kingdom was unified and when men were peaceful and content with their lot, performing their duties of righteous conduct as laid down in the divine order. Without Maat creation could not be sustained and the divine intention was thwarted

Macha -- Irish War Goddess. She is generally thought of as one aspect of the triple death-goddess The Morrigan. Macha is associated with both horses and crows and strongly linked to the land. She is known to be a prophetess who appears to those about to die. She is commonly shown washing bloody clothes at a river ford; when approached, she tells the enquirer the clothes are theirs

Maeve -- "The Intoxicating Warrior Goddess of Eire"; Guardian Queen of Ireland's Sovereignty and its Mystic Center; ("She who endows the sovereign with his powers and the Earth with its fertility")

Maia -(Maia Maiestas) -- According to Greek Mythology, Maia was the Goddess of Spring from whom we derive the name of the month of May. She was the eldest and loveliest of the famous Pleiades, or Seven Sisters. Maia is the mother of Hermes, who would eventually become Messenger of the Gods and Maia is known as the "grandmother of magic," as Hermes was said to have invented magic. In Roman Mythology, Maia Maiestas was an earth goddess and symbolized youth, life, rebirth, love and sexuality. The goddess was accessible only to women; men were excluded from her precincts.

Malina-(Sun) -- Inuit/Eskimo Goddess. A beautiful young maiden carrying a torch who is chased through the sky by her brother Aningan, the moon. The planet Jupiter is the mother of the sun and very dangerous to magicians. If they are careless, she will devour their livers.

Maya--- Hindu Goddess of Illusion (The literal meaning of Maya is illusion. Maya created the illusion of the individual self.)

Mawu -- African Goddess of the Moon, Creator of the Earth, who brings cool nights to the hot African world. She is seen as an old mother who lives in the West. She is the goddess of night, joy, and motherhood.

Medea--- In Greek mythology Medea was a devotee of the goddess Hecate and one of the great sorceresses of the ancient world. She was of divine descent with the gift of prophecy. She helped Jason, leader of the Argonauts, to obtain the Golden Fleece from her father, King Aetes. She married Jason and used her magic powers and advice to help him, but Jason later abandoned her when the people begin to fear her power-and in revenge she-killed the children she bore with Jason.

Melaina -- Nightmare Goddess of the Greeks. She took this name, which means "the Black One," as the result of the trauma of being raped by the God Poseidon. She is called upon to bring vengeance on rapists.

Minerva--- Roman Goddess of Arts and Wisdom. Minerva is the virgin goddess of warriors, poetry, medicine, wisdom, commerce, crafts, and the inventor of music. As 'Minerva Medica', she is the goddess of medicine and doctors.

Mnemosyne -- Greek Titaness goddess of memory, was considered one of the most powerful goddesses of her time as it is the gift of memory that allows us to reason, to predict and anticipate outcomes, and is the very foundation for civilization. A daughter of the first generation of deities in Greece, her parents were the god Cronus and the goddess Gaia. Mnemosyne is largely forgotten and remembered only in the context of her being the mother of the Muses, though all acknowledge that without memory the lively arts of the Muses would never have been possible.

Morrigan- (Morrighan ) -- "The Great Queen"; Celtic Goddess of War, Prophecy and the Dead of the Battlefield and Goddess of Rivers, Lakes and Freshwaters. "The Phantom Queen", Morrigan can appear as a human woman, but she may also appear in the form of a crow. Crows are associated with death, since they often hover over battlefields and from this comes the legend that Morrigan, like the Valkyries, carries the souls of slain warriors to the next world. Morrigan,is a shape-shifter and these different forms illustrate the many ways in which she is viewed.- {Morrigan is the inspiration for "Morgan Le Faye", the powerful sorceress who was the sister of King Arthur and the rival (and equal) of Merlin}

"The Morrigan" (The Morrigu), is one of the most complex figures in the divine pantheon of Celtic mythology. On one level "Morrigan" is seen as an especial ancient Celtic Triple Goddess, associated with the cauldron, crows and ravens. But Morrigan does not fit well into the modern concept of the "maiden, mother, crone" image of the-Triple Goddess. On another level, "The Morrigan" is said to be comprised of three aspects; Macha, Nemain,and Badhbh., Although some sources attempt to fit "The Morrigan" into the form of a divine trinity godhead; other sources assert that they are in actuality three separate goddesses. What seems evident is that "The Morrigan" is a title applied to different women who seem to be sisters or related in some manner, or sometimes it is the same woman with slightly differing names in different legends..

Muses -- The Greek goddesses who presided over the arts and sciences. They were believed to inspire all artists, especially poets, philosophers, and musicians. The Muses were the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, the goddess of memory. Usually there is mention of nine muses: Calliope(epic poetry), Clio (history) , Erato (love poetry), Euterpe (music), Melpomene (tragedy), Polyhymnia (hymns), Terpsichore (dance), Thalia (comedy) and Urania (astronomy). The Muses were venerated throughout Greece, but more so in those areas with many wells and springs. The Muses sat near the throne of Zeus, king of the gods, and sang of his greatness and of the origin of the world and its inhabitants and the glorious deeds of the great heroes. From their name words such as music, museum, and mosaic are derived.

Neith (Neit / Net) -- Egyptian Goddess of the Arts and Protector of Artisans. Originally, a goddess of the hunt and of war, she had as her symbol, two crossed arrows over a shield. Her symbol also bore resemblance to a loom and Neith additionally became Goddess of Weaving,her name meaning "weaver". Neith is also the name of the earliest historical Egyptian tribal leader known. She may be the Goddess Nuit under another name.

Nemesis - Greek Goddess of divine retribution who punishes excessive pride, undeserved happiness, and the absence of moderation. She was the giver of earthly luck as well as the punisher of sacrilege. Nemesis is the personification of divine vengeance. Happiness and unhappiness are handed out by her, the right measure, determining that happiness was not too frequent or excessive. If so, she brings about losses and suffering.

Nemetona--- Celtic Goddess of Sacred Spaces. Usually associated with open air places of worship; Nemetona is also usually associated with healing springs. She is often seen seated like a queen holding a scepter and around her are hooded figures and a ram.

Nephtys -- Sister of Isis and Mistress of the House. She is the Egyptian Goddess of Surprises, Sisters and Midwives.

Nike--- Greek Winged Goddess of Victory and of the Olympic Games. Nikecame to be recognized as a sort of mediator of success between gods and men. Nike is seen with wings in most statues and paintings, to remind people that victory is fleeting.

Nokomis -- Native American (Algonquin) Sacred Earth Mother "Grandmother. Nokomis nurtures all living things. It is her responsibility to feed all the world's living things, even plants.

Nuit (Nut) -- Egyptian Goddess of Heaven and Sky. Nut is the Goddess of the Firmament and Rain. A Warrior Goddess she is also skilled in the domestic arts.

N-kua--- Chinese Goddess of Order and of Creation. The first creature on earth, Nu Kua was half human and half dragon--serpentine from the waist down and with a magnificent womanly form from the waist up, but with the power to change her shape. Finding it lonely, she made the first human beings from yellow clay. She also concerned herself with the chaos of human relations, and established rites of marriage so that children would be raised well. She is the tempering influence that calms situations and brings level-headedness.

Nut -- (see: 'Nuit')

Oba -- The Nigerian and Santerian goddess of rivers. Oba represents the power of the flowing waters. The waters of the River Oba bear her name. She forms a triad with her sisters Oshun and Oya and provides the life-giving waters that are needed as drinking water andfor irrigation. Oba is venerated as a goddess of love in Brazil but considered a guardian of prostitutes in parts ofAfrica.

Onatah -- In Iroquois mythology, Onatah was the corn goddess and the daughter of Eithinoha. She was kidnapped by the ruler of the underworld. Her mother searched everywhere for her, grieving and while she grieved no crops grew. Finally the god of the sun realized where she was and radiated warmth for weeks on end until the heat split open the ground and rescued her. However, the spirits of the underworld missed Onatah, and so whenever the sun would rest for the winter they snatch her back. Great effort in ceremonies and offerings would be needed to waken the sun and rescue her each spring

Orishas (The Orishas) -- Unlike European gods and goddesses, the African Orishas are not anthropomorphized. They represent elemental energies and as such are, today, vital and dynamic images for personal work and creative drama. They rule over the forces of nature and the endeavors of humanity and best understood by observing the forces of nature they rule over. They are recognized through their different numbers and colors which are their marks, and each has their own favorite foods and other things which they like to receive as offerings and gifts. In this way offerings are made in the manner they are accustomed to, in the way they have always received them, so that they will recognize your offerings and come to your aid.

Oshun--- African and Santerian goddess of love, of money and indeed of happiness. She brings the good things of life. She is the goddess of sweet water and can be found where there is fresh water, at rivers, ponds and especially waterfalls. Offerings to her are left at waterfalls and her ceremonies take place at the river bank. Oshun loves to dance and make merry, but she also has a serious side. She is a great diviner and usually her children are very well endowed with psychic abilities, especially when using sacred seashells in divination. She is very sensual, but also very sensitive. Sometimes she can be easily offended. Most everyone tries to stay on her good side, since her blessings make life worth living.

Ostara (aka: Eostre) -- Anglo-Saxon Goddess of Spring, the East, Rebirth and Resurrection. She is also the Maiden aspect of the Three-fold Goddess. Eostre's festival was adopted by the Christian celebration of Easter which also celebrates renewal and rebirth. One should note, that the holiday of Easter moves every year. It always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox. (The female hormone Estrogenis named after her.) Bursting full of the power of femininity as well as regeneration, she takes the relay of life firmly in hand as the Crone has passed it to her from the underworld. As we note the sprouts, buds and blossoms bursting forth from the deep dark Earth we celebrate Ostara.

Ostara saved a bird dying from the cold and changed it to a rabbit so it could keep warm. This is the rabbit who became the Christian Easter Bunny who brings colored eggs to children on Easter.

Oya--- The Goddess Oya is a very colorful and important African Goddess. She is feared by many and avoided because of her awesome power. Oya is the Queen of the Winds of Change. Oya is the female warrior, Spirit Of The Wind, Storm, Thunder, and Magic. She is the primeval Mother of Chaos, using her machete or sword of truth; she cuts through stagnation and clears the way for new growth.. She is also Queen of The Market Place, a shrewd businesswoman, and is adept with horses. She is said to be both the seed of life and the seed of death. Oya is also the Goddess of Womens Righteous Anger. Oya is the Mother of the Mind. She can impart genius, restore memory, or curse with insanity.

Pachamama--- Ancient Inca Earth Mother of Peru. Worshipped in her many forms; the tilled fields, her mountains seen as breasts, the flowing rivers as her milk. To ensure good harvests, corn meal is sprinkled at planting and rituals celebrating her are performed. When people fail to honor her, this dragon Goddess sends earthquakes as a reminder.

Painted Woman-- (see: 'Changing Woman')

Parvati – The Hindu Goddess whose love saved the world. Parvati is the wife of Lord Shiva and she has 108 names, each one of them having a special meaning and significance. Devotees who chant these names will be blessed for their devotion. As all the other Goddesses are reincarnations of Goddess Parvati she is often referred to as the Divine Mother.

Pele -- (She Who Shapes The Sacred Land) Hawaiian Goddess of Fire and the Volcano. She dwells in the craters of the Big Island of Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano and sends ribbons of fiery lava down the mountainside, adding new land around the southeastern shore.

Persephone--- Greek Goddess of Innocence, the Underworld and of Spring Growth. Persephone caught the eye of Hades, god of the underworld. When Hades abducted Persephone and took her back to the underworld. The grief of her mother Demeter, the Goddess of the Harvest, caused the crops on earth to die and go dormant. By the time Demeter finally recovered her daughter, Persephone had eaten six pomegranate seeds, and so was doomed to spend six months of the year in the underworld. These six months are the time when the earth dies, beginning at the time of the autumn equinox. Each year, Demeter mourns the loss of her daughter for six months. At Ostara, the spring equinox, the greening of the earth begins once more and life begins anew.

Phoebe -- Greek Titan Goddess of the "Bright Moon and the Goddess of the Oracle of Delphi. She was the mother of the Goddesses Leto and Asteria. Her name means "to give prophecy".

Pomona--- Roman Goddess of fruit and fruitfulness. She is the keeper of the apple trees. Unlike other agricultural Goddesses, Pomona is not associated with the harvest itself, but with the flourishing of fruit trees. She may be called upon to protect those who having dealings with land and estates. She doesn't appear to have had any Greek counterpart at all, and is uniquely Roman.

Potnai Theron (Lady of the Beasts) -- Minoan Mistress of the Wild Animals and Queen of the Wild Bees

Psyche (Psykhe) -- Greek Goddess of the Soul and Patroness of Psychics. Psyche is the Butterfly Goddess of Spiritual Metamorphosis. (The myth of Psyche and Eros is the inspiration for the story of Beauty and the Beast".)

Pythia -- The Pythia was the Oracle of Delphi. The Pythia operated as a vehicle for Apollo's will to be known to those on earth. A believer would make a sacrifice and present a question to a male priest. The male priest would then present the question to the Pythia. The Pythia sat on a bronze tripod in the adytum, or inner chamber of the temple. In this sacred chamber the spirit of Apollo overcame the Pythia and inspired the prophecy. Some mythic traditions say the Pythia's trance was induced by vapors from a chasm below the temple or from chewing laurel leaves. Continuing his role of a middleman, the priest would interpret the Pythia's response for the questioner.

Qamaits -- Warrior goddess of the indigenous Nuxlk (sometimes called Bella Coola) people of the central coast of British Columbia in Canada. She is a goddess of war, death, and the beginning. At the beginning of the world, Qamaits did battle with the mountains, which were so high that nothing could survive on them. Qamaits, being a ferocious warrior, conquered the mountains and knocked them down to the size they are today. She then returned to her home in the upper heavens. She doesn't think much of humans and she rarely visits the earth, but when she does, she causes earthquakes, forest fires, and sickness. She is also referred to as Our Woman and Afraid-of-Nothing.

Quiritis -- The Sabine Goddess of protection. The Sabines were another of the pre-Roman peoples of central Italy. Quiritis watched over the clans of the Sabines and was also worshipped by the nearby Faliscans. She also protected mothers and married women. Quiritis name, which means spear, is also seen as Curitis, and it was under this name that she was later assimilated with the Roman Goddess Juno. A temple to Juno Curitis was located on the Campus Martius in Rome, where the quirite or spearmen trained.

Radha -- The "Beloved One" is the Hindu goddess of sexuality and tantric love. She is an incarnation of the Indian goddess of abundance, Lakshmi. Radha was the adulterous lover of Krishna, the incarnation of Lakshmi's consort, Vishnu. Radha's and Krishna's love is the source of some of the most famous love poetry in existence. The goddess Radha is still honored today with her naked priestesses in secret rituals of shakti, the female energy. She is given reverence to the essence of femininity by groups of male and female worshipers. All her worshipers are bound to utter secrecy about their participation in the ceremonies.

Rhea -- Earth Goddess, who together with Cronus, ruled over the Titans. She was responsible for the fertility of the soil, women and motherhood. She took over most of these responsibilities from her mother Gaia. Her name means "flow" and "ease" relating to her role of the Great Mother where the flow refers to menstrual blood. It also links her to the tides and the moon.Her position as Queen was succeeded by Hera when the Titans were defeated by the Olympians.

Rhiannon--- Welsh Goddess of the Moon and Divine Queen of the Fairies. (Her name derives from two Welsh words: "rhiain": meaning maiden and "Annwn": the name of the Welsh Otherworld) Rhiannon is a goddess of horses and she rides,a magnificent white mare. She reminds us that the true seat of our power reigns from the Throne of our Divine Essential Self; therefore our true power is always in divine and perfect balance and our power is always aligned with truth and integrity..

The Feast of Rhiannon on March 4th honors the sacred Welsh horse, the Moon, and the Goddess Rhiannon .The horse symbolizes the ability to journey between worlds,with the help of a horse as an animal spirit guide. An old folk legend says that if you light fires just before dawn at each corner of a crossroad and quietlywait, Rhiannon,will ride by.

Roma -- The Roman Goddess who personified the city of Rome and more broadly, the Roman state. As a goddess or as symbol, the name Roma stretches from classical Greece to Mussolini's Fascist propaganda. Roma has been seen as a goddess, a whore, a near-saint, and as the symbol of civilization itself. She remains the oldest continuous political-religious symbol in Western civilization.

Sarasvati--- Hindu Goddess of Knowledge and Learning. The name Sarasvati is the one who gives the essential knowledge (Sara) of our own Self (Sva).

Sedna--- Inuit Goddess of the Sea and Goddess of the Sea Mammals. Sedna's companions are the seals and the whales that sit with her at the bottom on the ocean. Legend has it that her anger and fury against men is what drums up the violent seas and storms. Shamans from the world above must swim down to her to comb her long black tangled hair to calm Sedna down. Once this is done, she releases her mammals to allow the Inuit to eat from the bounty of the sea.

Sekhmet (She Who Is Powerful) -- The Egyptian Lioness Goddess. She is The Eye of Ra who destroys the enemies of the Sun God. Sekhmet, though sometimes a violent goddess, was however also known as a healer who set and cured broken bones. She is said to cause epidemics when not honored properly; but when she is, she can stop them as well. It is Sekhmet whose anger will cause the Destruction of Man.

Selene--- Greek Goddess of the Full Moon. She represents the full moon phase of the lunar cycle, along with Artemis (the crescent new moon) and Hecate (the waning moon).

Selket--- Egyptian Goddess of Magic and the Underworld. She was both a protective goddess, and one who punished the wrong doers with her burning wrath. She could punish those with the poison of a scorpion or snake, causing breathlessness and death, or she could protect against the same venom. Yet just as she could kill, she was thought to give breath to the justified dead, helping them be reborn in the afterlife.

Selu -- "Corn Woman" Cherokee Goddess. Sometimes known as First Woman. Selu created corn in secret by rubbing her belly or by defecating. Her sons, the Twin Thunder Boys, killed her when they spied upon her and decided she was a witch.

Sengen -- Shinto Goddess of Mount Fujiyama, the highest mountain in Japan. She is said to live within a luminous cloud in the crater of volcano, and She presides over a healing stream on the south side of the mountain of Fujiyama and has solar associations. During the summer pilgrimage people pay honor to her as the rising sun.

Seshat (The Scribe) -- Egyptian Mistress of the House of Books. She invented writing and kept the records of the ancient Pharaohs. Seshat took care of Thoth's library of scrolls and spells. For these duties she was given the title of Mistress of the House of Books and even today she is considered the patron Goddess of librarians.

Shakti--- Hindu Goddess of Primal Energy and the Divine Force. Shakti, is the active, powerful, vital-the animating force of the universe. The masculine is the passive, inert, dormant force. Each Shakti has her God with whom she unites in sexual union, for without union, neither can do anything. To the Tantric mystics, the ultimate union with Shakti happens at the moment of death. Shakti, often portrayed seated within the luminous world egg, is protected by the serpent, kundalini, the emanation of her own divine energy.

Sheila-na-gig (Sila) -- The Sheila-na-gig is a figure from medieval stone carvings of the British Isles (mostly Ireland), of a grinning woman holding open her vulva. She is regarded by some as a gargoyle-like figure meant as a medieval allegory of lust, or as a magical figure meant to cure infertility in women, but others have seen in her an echo of the ancient Irish earth mother. The word "gyg" is Norse for giantess, in other words, a supernatural or deified female, while "Sheila" is a woman's name, or used as a word for "girl". The vulva as holy symbol of birth and life is a very ancient idea that symbolizes the life-giving and regenerative powers of the Earth Mother.

Shekenah--- Hebrew Goddess that is invited into Jewish homes during the Sabbath .The Goddess is called, "The Spring of Gardens and the Well of Living Waters". One of her symbols is the house or womb and the early Christian Gnostics saw her as the "World Soul".

Sif -- Norse Goddess of the Grain, who is a prophetess and the beautiful golden-haired wife of Thor. She was known to represent different aspects of the home, fertility, fidelity and the divination magic of women. She was also referred to as a swan-wife, one of the mythic maidens who with winged cape, could fly between worlds.

Sila (see: 'Shiela-na-gig')

Sirona-(Serona/Dirona) -- The Star Goddess and Goddess of the Healing Springs of the Gauls. Sirona was also a popular Goddess of healing and fertility. Sirona was the mother of the healing springs god Borvo who usurped her position in patriarchal times.

Skadi--- Scandinavian Goddess of Winter and the Hunt. She is the goddess of Justice, Vengeance, and Righteous Anger, and is the deity who delivers the sentence upon Loki to be bound underground with a serpent dripping poison upon his face in payment for his crimes. Skadi's character is represented in two of Hans Christian Anderson's tales: "The Snow Queen" and "The Ice Princess."

Sophia (Hochmah ) -- Goddess of Wisdom. The Judeo-Christian God's female soul, source of his true power. Sophia was born of Silence according to Gnostic creation myths. She gave birth to both Male and Female who together created all the elements of our material world.

Spider Woman -- An important goddess among many Native American tribes. Though occasionally destructive, she is nearly always portrayed as beneficent. Spider Woman created everything there is by thinking, dreaming, or naming; she taught the people how to plant seeds. Grandmother Spider brought people the sun and fire. She taught them pottery, weaving, and how to make ceremonial blessings. For the Hopi, Spider Woman is a creator who helped the people during their emergence, created the moon, has the power to give and take life, and is connected to hunting and agriculture.

Sulis--- Goddess of Wellness and Healing of Ancient Britain and Gaul. The "Provider of the Healing Waters", The Goddess of the Hot Springs. Though famous for healing, Sulis could curse as well as cure, and in Bath many "curse tablets" have been found, asking her to punish people suspected of wrongdoing. (Patron Goddess of Bath, England)

Sunna-- Scandinavian Goddess of the Sun. "Mistress Sun" drives the chariot of the Sun across the sky every day. (In Norse mythology, the Sun is female while the Moon is male) Pulled by the horses Allsvinn ("Very Fast") and Arvak ("Early Rising"), the Sun-chariot is pursued by the wolf Skoll. It is said that sometimes he comes so close that he is able to take a bite out of the Sun, causing an eclipse.

Sybil--- (Not to be confused with the Goddess Cybele) Sybil was the great prophetess of ancient Rome and Sybil is an ancient term used for a prophetess, of which there are many in mythology. They were usually linked with caves or springs, both of which are symbolic junctions of the underworld and the earth of mortals. There were known to be nine famous sibyls or prophetesses in the ancient world. They were all women, from young maidens to old crones, who were said to have prophetic powers. Similar in nature and worship to the earlier Etruscan Goddess Vatica.

Spirit Walk Ministry
A Shamanic Studies Ministry
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
United States
email@spiritwalkministry.com