Britomartis--- "Sweet Maiden"; Minoan Goddess of the Mountains. She became the Cretan goddess of fishermen and hunters.

Brolga -- "Spirit of Dance": Her name means "Native Companion." She is honored by the Aborigines of Australia. A dancer of great fluidity and beauty. She was taken away by the dancers of nature, the Whirlwinds.

Bujin Marishiten--- Japanese Goddess and Patroness of the Samurai. ("Bujin" being another name for the Samurai) She was worshiped for 900 years starting in the 8th century although her origins can be traced back to before Zen.

Butterfly Maiden -- Native American,Goddess of the Bountiful Harvest. ,According to a Papago legend, the Creator made butterflies to gladden his heart when he perceived the impermanence of life. Butterfly Maiden watches over,the harvests and helps,with emerging transitions. She aides in escaping from any cocoon existence that impedes our growth or expression of joy.

Caelestis -- (see "Tanit")

Cailleach -- The Cailleach is a widespread Celtic hag-goddess tied to the land and the weather who has many variants in the British Isles. The "Gloomy Old Woman" and the "Old Woman of the Spells", on the Isle of Man she is a winter and storm spirit whose actions,are said to foretell the year's weather. On the Isle of Colonsay in Scotland, she is also a winter spirit who holds a young woman captive, away from her lover.

Calliope  -- Greek goddess of epic poetry and the eldest of the Mousai (Muses),. She was also the goddess of eloquence, who bestowed her gift on kings and princes (see: “Muses”)

Cardea -- Roman Goddess of the Doorway. Though ridiculed as the Goddess of Door Hinges, Cardea was in fact an important Deity of the Roman family. She is often in company with Janus, the two-faced God of Thresholds and Beginnings and Endings.

Cassandra -- In Greek mythology, Cassandra was one of the princesses of Troy, daughter of Priam and Hecuba. According to the myth, Cassandra was astonishingly beautiful and blessed with the gift of foreseeing the future, but Cassandra's Curse was that no one believed her prophecies, a fact that weighed heavily on the destruction of Troy during the Trojan War.

Ceres--- Roman Goddess of Growing Plants and Motherly Love. Her name means "wheat " or "grain". It is still heard in our word cereal. It comes from the root word "creare" meaning "creation", and refers to her ability to produce. She is an ancient Italian goddess of the harvest, and Her worship in Rome is very old. (Ceres has twelve minor gods who assist her andeach is in charge of a specific aspect of farming.)

Cerridwen -- Welsh Goddess of the Moon and Femininity; the Keeper of the Cauldron. The triple Goddess, Maiden, Mother, and Crone, whose totem animal is the great white sow. She is associated with the moon, inspiration, poetry, prophecy, shape-shifting, and life and death

Chalchiuhtlicue--- "She of the Jade Skirt"; Aztec Goddess of Youth and Beauty. A Goddess of lakes, rivers, seas, streams, horizontal waters, storms, and baism, she flooded the world to drown the wicked.

Changing Woman -- The most revered of deities among the Native Americans of the southwestern United States. She is wholly benevolent figure, for it is Changing Woman who gives the people their abundance and who provides the teachings that allow them to live in harmony with all things.,In the Kinaalda (the initiation ceremony of Navajo women), the initiate takes in the power of Changing Woman so that she might learn the values of love, hospitality, and generosity and know that she herself is a source of food and harmony. Changing Woman received her name because she can change at will from a baby to a girl to a young woman to an old woman and then back again. Estsanatlehi, her Navaho name, means self-renewing one. She was also called Painted Woman by the Apache. She is the "Goddess of Cycles" such as the season, lunar, and women's menstrual cycles. (see 'Estsanatlehi')

Ch'ang -- Chinese Moon Goddess and the younger sister of the Water Spirit. She is often depicted with a hare, and the Hare of the Moon can still be seen traced on the surface of the full Moon. She represents the source of yin, the female principle and her husband "Shn I", symbolizes yang, the masculine.

(the) Charities  (Kharites) -- Also called the "Graces". In Greek and Roman mythology the Graces (or Charites) were minor goddesses who symbolized beauty charm, and goodness. The number of Graces varied, though most myths included three sisters: Aglaia (brightness or splendor), Thalia (good cheer or blossoming one), and Euphrosyne (mirth or joyfulness).

Chloris--- Greek Goddess of Flowers. A nymph,of the Elysian Isles, Chloris is not only the goddess of spring flowers, but also of gardens and perpetual youth.

Circe -- Greek Goddess of Magic and Witchcraft who lived on the island of Aeaea. A sorceress best known for her ability to turn men into animals, she was renowned for her knowledge of drugs and herbs. Circe was said to be able to darken the heavens by hiding the moon or the sun behind clouds.

Clio -- Greek goddess of history (see: “Muses”)

Cliodna -- Irish Goddess of Beauty. Bird Goddess of the afterlife who can take the form of a sea-wave or wren. She has fair hair and is crowned with the Ferroniere of Allurement. She is escorted by three birds which eat from magic apples and heal the sick with their sweet songs. Their apple tree has,silver white blossoms and golden apples.

Cloacina -- Roman Goddess of Purification. She was initially imagined to have presided over the city of Rome’s Cloaca Maxima, the city’s primary drainage tube. She was also responsible for ensuring the hygiene of the city’s residents and shepherding its filth through its drainage system until it safely left the city’s confines. Over time, she came to be known as the patron of many additional things, including actual sewage, sexual intercourse between spouses and personal cleanliness.

Coatlicue -- The Aztec Earth Goddess of Life and Death and Mother of the Moon Goddess. (She is depicted as a woman wearing a skirt of snakes and a necklace of hearts torn from victims.)

Coventina--- Celtic River Goddess of Purification. She is also associated with renewal, abundance, new beginnings, life cycles, inspiration, childbirth, wishes and prophecy. She helps with protection of the ecology and detoxification.

Coyolxauhqui -- The Moon Goddess of the Aztec. (The daughter of the Earth goddess Coatlicue and the sister of the Sun god Huitzilopochtli.)

Cybele-(Kybele)-- Originally a Phrygian representation of the Earth Mother or Great Mother. As with Greek Gaea, (the "Earth Mother"),Cybele embodies the fertile Earth. She is a goddess of caverns and mountains, walls and fortresses, nature, and wild animals (especially lions and bees). To the Ancient Greeks and Minoans she was known as Potnia Theron, (see below), and alludes to her roots as the "Mistress of the Animals". Rome officially adopted Cybele as the Magna Mater or "Great Mother" and placed her temple upon Vatican Hill in Rome, the site of an early Etruscan cemetery (see Vatica below). Her annual spring festival celebrated the death and resurrection of her beloved Attis, who castrated himself and bled to death. Cybele's most ecstatic followers were males who ritually castrated themselves, after which they were given women's clothing and assumed female identities. As self-castration would have involved loss of Roman citizenship, the sacrifice of a bull and the offer its testicles became an acceptable substitute and later the Roman emperor Claudius I established a senior priest for the cult of Cybele who was not a eunuch and held full Roman citizenship. (Not to be confused with the oracle Sybil)

Damona -- A Gaulish Goddess of fertility and healing who cares for domestic animals. Her name means "divine cow". As fall nears, we can call on Damona to protect our pets and to maintain the health of animals that provide us with food.

Dana (Danu) -- The Goddess of Wisdom and Teaching; the Major Celtic Mother Goddess; Danu is loved and worshipped on both land and water. She brings the magic of the Fairy Realm into our lives and blesses us with creativity and abundance. She is the earth that nourishes us; she is the water that sustains us. She is the life force that animates our bodies and gives us breath. When we reconnect with Earth, we are also reconnected with Mother . The Tuatha de Danann, (the people of the Goddess Danu), was one of the great ancient tribes of Ireland and were supposedly descended from Dana. They were said to have been skilled in magic, and the earliest reference to them relates that, after they were banished from heaven because of their knowledge, they descended on Ireland in a cloud of mist. (The Druid Clan of Dana is dedicated to the development of psychic gifts through the Elemental Powers of the Earth.) 

Demeter--- "Goddess of The Bountiful Harvest"; Greek Goddess of Agriculture and Grain. Demeter is the only Greek goddess who is involved on a day-to-day basis in the lives of the common people. Other gods and goddesses occasionally "dabble" in human affairs when it suites their personal interests, or came to the aid of "special" mortals they favor, but the goddess Demeter is the only one who is a nurturer of mankind. Her daughter, Persephone, caught the eye of Hades, god of the underworld. When Hades abducted Persephone and took her back to the underworld, Demeter’s grief caused the crops on earth to die and go dormant. By the time she 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 greening of the earth begins once more and life begins anew.

Devi -- Hindu Divine Mother Goddess of Truth. She is "Ma" the gentle and approachable mother.she is the Mother of the Universe. She assumes cosmic proportions, destroying evil and addressing herself to the creation and dissolution of worlds.

Diana -- Roman Goddess of the Hunt, the Moon and of the Forests. The Romans recognized three aspects of Diana, as Maiden, Mother and Crone. She is a symbol of imagination and the creative insanity of poets and artists and she is the protector of women and young girls. She was especially revered by women, and was believed to grant an easy childbirth to her favorites. She is considered a protector of the weak and the one slaves turn to for help. She formed a triad of the Triple Goddess with Luna as the Goddess in Heaven, Hecate as the Goddess in the Underworld and Diana as the Goddess on Earth. The Waxing Moon. In Italy the old religion of Stergheria embraced goddess Diana as Queen of the Witches. (Witches being the wise women healers of the time.) Goddess Diana created the world of her own being having in herself the seeds of all creation yet to come.  The worship of Diana was widespread in the ancient world, Christians considered the pagan goddess as their main rival. The Cult of Diana survives today in the Dianic Tradition of Witchcraft. 

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Diana Lucifera -- The Roman Goddess Diana in her aspect as light-bearer. In ancient Greece, the morning star in the pre-dawn sky was called Phosphoros, the "light bringer". In Latin, this same planet was known as Lucifer, which also means the "light bringer". One aspect of Diana Lucifera is based on Christian beliefs and relate to the story of one woman's struggle to have a child; how she dabbled with the devil and evil forces and through persistence overcame all adversities.

Doris -- A sea goddess in Greek mythology. Doris’ themes are abundance, providence and water. Her symbols are seawater, sea plants and sea animals (especially fish).  This Goddess is associated with sea’s gifts and its wealth. She joins in festivities by bringing an abundance of seafood to nourish the body, as well as spiritual sustenance to fulfill the soul.

Durga--- Hindu "Goddess that Destroys Demons". TheWarrior Goddess who is called on for protection and help in setting boundaries. Durga is the mother of the universe and believed to be the power behind the work of creation, preservation, and destruction of the world

Eirene (Irene) -- The ancient Greek goddess of peace and the season of spring. She was one of the three Horai (Horae), deities of the seasons and keepers of the gates of heaven. Her sisters were Eunomia (Good Order) and Dike (Justice). Eirene's name is the Greek word for peace (eirênê) but it is also closely connected with the word for spring (eiar, eiarinos). In ancient Greece late spring was the traditional campaign season, the time when peace was most at risk.

Eithinoha -- Native American (Iroquois) mythology, Eithinoha is the mother earth, and mother of Onatah. She is associated with agricultural fertility, spring and summer. As the Sacred Mother she is the source of comfort and nurturing.

Elen of the Ways (Elen Luyddogg) -- In ancient Britain She was Elen of the Hosts. She lives on in British Tradition as Elen of the Ways. She is Protectress of the Pathways; whether they are physical, mental, or spiritual paths. She is Guardian of all who journey. Elen Luyddogg is best known from Welsh legend in the Mabinogion.

Eos.-- Greek goddess of the dawn. Eos rarely enters the affairs of the mortals on the Earth but she is notorious for some of her lovers and children, especially with mortals. She once had an affair with Ares and his lover Aphrodite became so jealous.that she.punished Eos to be eternally in love. That's why the Eos had so many love affairs. (see also "Aurora" above.)

Eostre--- {aka: Ostara}  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 Estrogen is 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.

Epona--- The Celtic Horse Goddess. Revered and worshiped by the ancient Celtic people as a loving protector of horses, donkeys and other animals. Epona was invoked often, but more frequently during the equinoxes to bring about smooth passage of the seasons (both physically and philosophically). Epona is the Celtic goddess called to honor equinox ceremonies; reinforcing her power to deftly deal with transitions. As an Earth goddess, she is hailed for her grounding nature, particularly needed during times of crisis or flux in life who would welcome safe arrival of new babies as well as new crops. Commonly represented as a horse figure, a mare and foal or as a woman on horseback, she was also a goddess of fertility, re-birth and abundance. Although originally a Celtic goddess, she was eventually accepted by the Romans who saw her as a protector of their cavalry.

Erato -- Greek goddess of love poetry (see: “Muses”)

Ereshkigal -- The Sumerian Goddess of the Land of the Dead and ancestral memories. She ruled this land alone passing laws and judgment upon the deceased. Later she fell in love with Nergal who was sent with offerings of food during a feast. As only the dead were able to stay in the Land of the Dead he had to return home. Ereshkigal was so upset by his departure that she threatened the king of the Gods that she would bring all of the dead back to life. Nergal was permitted to return and they ruled the underworld together.

Erinues--- (see: 'Furies')

Ériu -- Goddess of Ireland. She was seen as the Goddess of Irish Sovereignty along with her sisters, Banba and Fódla.  Ériu’s name is thought mean ‘earth, soil’ or ‘plentiful’, as well as ‘fat land’ or ‘land of abundance’. One of Eriu’s better-known legends, and the reason Ireland is named after her, is outlined in The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore. The myth speaks of the invasion of the Melesians, and how Eriu and her sisters stood against the invaders and demanded they leave. “One, Donn mac Miled, replied to her demands with insults, and Eriu calmly sentenced him to death; he drowned shortly thereafter.” Thus Ireland was named after Eriu, later seen as Erin, and she became a popular symbol for Romantic Ireland in countless stories and poems.

Erzulie -- Haitian Voodoo Goddess of Love and of the Elemental Forces whose roots go back to West Africa. She is beauty, sweetness, love and sensuality personified and is renowned for her generosity. The arts, especially dance, are her domain. Rivers, streams, lakes and waterfalls are hers and she can cure womb-related problems with her cool waters. Erzulie developed as a love goddess during a time when slave owners broke up families and separated husbands and wives at will.

Estsanatlehi -- Navajo Goddess, her means self renewing one. She was also called Changing Woman,and Painted Woman by the Apache. She is the "Goddess Of Cycles" such as the season, lunar, and women's menstrual cycles. She,is First Woman's adopted daughter and to punish mankind for pride, First Man and First Woman sent a plague of monsters to kill and devour them. The time came when First Woman repented of the evils she and First Man had visited upon men, and she sought a means for their deliverance. First Woman discovered the infant Estsanatlehi lying on the ground near First Woman's mountain, and took her in. The infant Estsanatlehi grew to adulthood in four days. Making love with the Sun, she gave birth to the Twin Brothers who after many adventures slew the monsters.

Etain (Edain) -- Celtic Goddess whose name means "Shining One". She is associated with the Sun, the dawn, fertility, fragrance and the transmigration of souls. It is said that the land goes dormant when Etain is not around and the flowers bloom when she comes near. Her stone, the emerald, signifies the greening of the earth that she brings about.

Eumenides  -- Three Virgin Goddesses of Greece; the Eumenides were responsible for tracking down murderers and plaguing them with horrible visions and torments designed to drive them insane with guilt. They specialized in persons guilty of matricide. Individually they were: Allecto, Tisiphone and Megaera. Also known as The Furies or Erinues, these ladies were not to be crossed. One could remain in their graces by showing loyalty to familial bonds.

Euphrosyne -- Euphrosyne is a Goddess of Good Cheer, Joy and Mirth. Her name is the female version of a Greek word euphrosynos, which means "merriment".The Greek poet Pindar states that these goddesses were created to fill the world with pleasant moments and good will. Usually the Charites attended the goddess of beauty Aphrodite.  (see: “Graces” and /or “Charities”)

Europa -- Minoan Moon goddess who was adopted into Greek myth as a virgin Phoenician princess abducted by Zeus in the form of a bull, raped by him, and subsequently abandoned. One night Europa had a dream. In this dream two continents, which were in the forms of women were arguing over Europa. Asia maintained that since Europa had been born in Asia she belonged to her. The other continent, which was nameless, said that the place of Europas birth was not important, that Zeus would give Europa to her. Zeus did so and thus the continent became known asEurope. Europa is embodied as a white Moon Cow, a lunar cow. As a moon goddess, she is Queen of the Tides and giver of dew and moisture.

Eurynome--- Greek Goddess of Ecstasy. The Great Goddess, Mother, Creatrix and Goddess of All Things. Eurynome divided the sky from the sea and while dancing on the waves, created the north wind. Euphrosyne is a Goddess of Good Cheer, Joy and Mirth. Her name is the female version of a Greek word euphrosynos, which means "merriment".The Greek poet Pindar states that these goddesses were created to fill the world with pleasant moments and good will. Usually the Charites attended the goddess of beauty Aphrodite.

Euterpe -- Greek goddess of music.  According to the traditions and beliefs of the Ancient Greeks musicians would invoke the aid of Euterpe, the Muse of Music, to inspire, guide and assist him in his compositions. The invocation took the form of a prayer for divine inspiration from the goddess.  (see: “Muses”)

Evaki -- The South American goddess of night and day and of sleep. She has in her possession a pot with a lid, which she keeps with her at all times. In the morning she pulls the lid off the pot to let the Sun out (the day). At the end of the day, the sun returns to the pot and she closes the lid, so that the Sun cannot be seen anymore (the night). Evaki also steals the sleep from lizard's eyes and she shares the sleep with the other living things.

Eve-- Although not a true goddess, Eve certainly belongs in this group of divine female symbols of wisdom. The Goddess' connection with serpents of wisdom and trees of knowledge goes back long before this story and the symbols are unmistakable. By choosing to understand, to reach beyond her limited knowledge and to grasp for wisdom, Eve symbolizes not rash disobedience, but instinctive feminine wisdom..

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During the Middle Ages, the Church claimed in its teachings that Eve was "the original cause of all evil, whose disgrace has come down to all other women". This perception of Eve still persists today and consciously or unconsciously, it continues to serve as a weapon against women who wish to challenge male hegemony. This view of Eve and of women in general has been insinuated into the culture to such an extent that both men and women believe it defines a natural condition of women. As it continues to subtly influence, in negative ways, the perception of women this must be constantly borne in mind while contemplating the goddesses on this page..

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Fauna,-- Roman Goddess of Prophecy and Fruitfulness, with ties to the forest and fields and the animals found there. Fauna was sometimes judged to be a prostitute or courtesan; though this seems to be a late tale and may simply be a reaction to her as a Goddess of Fertility. In other legends however, Fauna is known for Her chastity and modesty; she was said to never leave her grove or let a man look upon her and no man was allowed in her temple.

Flidais -- An Irish/Celtic Goddess. She is an Artemis like figure associated with archery, the sanctity of forests and the wildlife therein. This huntress figure is one of the more compelling of the Irish deities. Her name may mean "wet one" and she is especially associated with milk and milking; her epithet is "soft haired"

Flora--- Roman Goddess of the Flowering Plants of Spring and the Goddess of Fruit Bearing Plants. Spring is her season, and she has elements of a Love-Goddess, with its attendant attributes of fertility, sex, and blossoming.

Fortuna (Tyche) -- Roman Goddess of Fortune and Luck. She was the personification of luck, hopefully of good luck, but she could be represented veiled and blind, as modern depictions of Justice are seen, and came to represent the capriciousness of life. Lady Fortune is usually represented as larger than life to underscore her importance.

Frau Holle ,(Holda, Hulda and Holla) -- see below: "Holda"

Frevja  (Freya, Freyia) -- Norse Goddess of Magic, Sexuality and Battle. She is the leader of,the Valkyries. The "Mistress of Cats", she rides a chariot pulled by two cats. Freyja is,very beautiful and sexual. She was said to have been married to the,Norse god Od, who vanished. She wept and wept for his loss: where her tears fell on the land, they became amber; where they fell in the Sea they became gold, and both are sacred to Freyja. Her most well-known possession is the wondrous necklace Brisingamen. (see: Valkyries)

Frigga--- Norse Goddess of Love and Marriage. A sky goddess who is responsible for weaving the clouds and also responsible for weaving the fates. She was known as a 'seer', one who knew the future though she could never change it. Frigga's tender, nurturing side was widely recognized. Her sacred animal was the goose.

Furies -- (the Erinues) Three Greco-Roman netherworld goddesses who avenged crimes against the natural order. They were particularly concerned with homicide, unfilial conduct, crimes against the gods, and perjury. The wrath of the Furies manifested itself in a number of ways. The most severe of these was the tormenting madness inflicted upon a patricide or matricide. Murderers might suffer illness or disease; and a nation harboring such a criminal, could also suffer with famine and plague. The wrath of the Furies could only be placated with ritual purification and the completion of some task assigned for atonement.