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The Triple Goddess can be found in almost all mythologies. She is the maiden, mother and crone. She represents all that is feminine, enchanting and wise. In ancient mystery traditions, the Triple Goddess was associated with water, weaving and war. Some of the best examples of her treefold nature can be found in Greek, Celtic and Norse mythology.
The Greeks envisioned the Triple Goddess in the form of the Moirae of Fates. They were born from the great goddess Nyx and were known as the Spinners of Fate, who spun out the days of human life as if they were yarn. The length of this yarn was decided entirely by them. Even the great god Zeus could not go against their decrees.
Brigid is the major triple goddess in Celtic mythology. She had three distinct facets: poetry, smithing and healing.
In Norse mythology, the Triple Goddess appeard as the Norns or Wyrd Sisters. They were known as the Urd (past), Verandi (present) and Skuld (future). They were the spinners who sat at the well of Urd, which was located at the roots of the World Tree, Yggdrasil. Because they came from the earliest of times the were able to dispence their fate upon gods and men alike.
The Maiden is an innocent young girl. To her everything is new. She is health, sweetness and tenderness.
As a Mother she has matured. She is all-loving, protective, and nurturing. When humankind takes actions that hurt the earth, she can get angry. And yet she still loves us, however badly we behave. She sends us signs so we can learn from our mistakes.
The Chrone, an old woman, holds all the things we have learned throughout our lifetimes. She can be stern, but she is a great teacher. She takes us back into her, into the Goddess, in death.
These three aspects of the Goddess correlate to the phases of the Moon - new, full and waning. The triplicity of the Goddess is an important concept in the Wiccan Religion. It is through the understanding of these three aspects of the Goddess - birth, life and death that we learn to nourish and sustain our own inner resources.
The Enchantress is that part of the Goddess, and of all women, that seduces. She is that sexy playful spirit that we get from the All. She is both Maiden and Mother, and as such relates to the Moon when it is new, waxing and full.
