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ARTEMIS/DIANA
Maiden goddess of the forest and the night sky, her bow is the waxing crescent of the Moon. She is seen as a goddess of independance, integrity, action and an antidote to patriarchy. Her symbols and associations are the waxing crescent moon, the bow and she-bears.
APOLLO
A son of Greek god Zeus, Apollo is god of the Sun, poetry, music and the arts. He is a deity of light and clarity, representing rational thought, truth and healing. Apollo's arrows - the rays of the Sun - strike us as inspiration and insight. His healing rays offer solace to the sick or downhearted. Symbols and associations are sunburst, laurel leaves and arrows.
ATHENA/MINERVA
Goddess of wisdom, communication, science, mathematics, the arts and intellect. Athena is a patron of writers, and known to bestow the 'Owl Gift' - the ability to write and communicate clearly - on those who honour her. She is a deity of rational thought, clarity, purpose and planning. She is also a goddess of crafts such as weaving and of natural creativity. Thus she is a conduit for turning thought into action, and a catalyst for joining intellect with intuition. Athena is a protector and defender against the forces of un-reason and brute destruction. Her symbols and associations are an upward pointing equilateral triangle, spirals, owl and weaving.
APHRODITE/VENUS
Goddess of love and beauty, sexuality and sensuality. Often pictured rising from the sea on a shell. Aphrodite is the epitome of female beauty and sexuality. Our sister planet Venus, is named after her Roman counterpart, reflecting the shining beauty associated with this goddess. Aphrodite rules the emotions, an extention of her link to the waters. Her symbols and associations are rose, myrtle, dove, scallop shell, water and morning dew.
ARIES/MARS
God of action, defence and protection. Aries is regarded as a catalyst for change. With Aries's Roman counterpart giving his name to the red planet in our solar system, it is clear that Aries is seen as hot-headed and volatile. His symbols and associations are the planet Mars and the colour red.
DEMETER/CERES
Goddess of corn and seasonal growth. Demeter is an aspect of the Mother Goddess, and is also sometimes referred to as 'Habundia', a Roman allegory for 'abundance'. Demeter, as the mother of Persephone mourns the disappearance of her daughter who has gone to stay with Hades in the world of the dead. As Demeter mourns winter descends unto the earth, when Persephone returns every six months, the earth vegetation is renewed with the coming of spring. Symbol and association of Demeter is the cornucopia (horn of plenty).
DIONYSUS
The God of wine and ecstasy, the life force, and the wildness of instinct. He is impulsive, and his energy can be felt in the pull toward all good and pleasurable things. Because Dionysus is cut into peices and resurrected, he is also associated with rebirth, renewal and the Underworld. In legend, he is a traveller and exile who is finally accepted as one of the twelve major Olympian gods. This links him to the difficult paths of change and transformation. His symbols and associations are grapes, vine-leaves and dance.
FLORA
Goddess of spring, flowers and plants that bloom. Flora is an ancient Roman deity linked to the seasonal greening of the Earth. She is usually depicted with wreaths of flowers in her hair. She is also seen as a goddess of pleasure. Her symbols and associations are flower wreaths and hoops.
GAIA
Primal mother goddess and name given to the Earth as a living being. She is a mature woman and usually wears a robe from which she gets her nickname "The Mother of Robes." In the fall, she is dressed in brown, in the winter she wears white, yellow in the spring and green in the summer. Gaia gave birth to all existence, she is seen as generous and giving as well as in need of our protection in order to retain her fragile balance.
HECATE
The Crone goddess of magick, the Moon and ruler of the crossroads, borders and thresholds. She is the patron of witches and queen of the spirit world. She can take a few different forms and is associated with the underworld. She can be found at the spot where three roads meet, in braids, knots and in cemetaries.Hecate is drawn through the sky in a chariot pulled by cats. She watches over travellers and those making major life decisions. She is a weaver of wisdom and the midwife who guides us into life then from life to death. She is mistress of arkane knowledge, magickal and herbal. Her associations are the cauldron, broomsticks, cats, bats, moths, ravens and crows, owls, herbal knowledge, spiders and webs.
HERA
The Goddess of married women and childbirth. She is known for her faitfulness, nobility and generosity. Married to Zeus, she is the queen of the Gods. She wears a crown and carries a scepter. She is mature, beautiful and extraordinarily strong. Her symbols and associations are peacock feathers and turquoise stones.
HERMES/MERCURY
Messenger god of speed and communication. Hermes is seen as the very soul of swiftness and is often depicted in winged sandals, carrying a caduseus, a staff entwined with two snakes, which indicates that his messages are from the Gods. The caduseus is also a symbol of healing and health, to which he is secondary related. He is associated with the ability to speak with wit and intelligence. His symbols and associations are the caduceus, winged sandals/helmet, planet Mercury, yellow and feathers.
PAN
The God of wild places, wild things and shepherds. Pan is associated with all that is spirited, young and virile. He plays panpipes and takes the form of half man, half goat. Pan is frequently invoked in pagan rituals. Pan lends his name to the basic primal fear the keeps our 'fight or flight' instinct alive in crises - panic. His associations and symbols are goats and horns.
PERSEPHONE
The Goddess of the harvest, fertility and spring. She often is seen sitting with Hades on a throne in the underworld, where she spends a number of months a year. She represents honor and keeping of promises. Her symbols and associations are pomegranate and spring flowers.
PLUTO/HADES
God of the Underworld, king of the dead. Sometimes seen as a gloomy deity and magician. The planet farthest from our Sun is named after him, as it is in constand darkness. His symbols and associations are the number eight and the wand.
POSEIDON
The God of water and the seas. He is the protector of sailors and all those on sea voyages. He always carries a trident and is associated with dolphins and horses.
ZEUS/JUPITER
The God of the sky and the king of Gods. He is associated with rain and clouds, he often carries a thunderbolt. He is a man of great wisdom and authority. His symbols and associations are the planet Jupiter, purple, lightning fork and eagles.
