8 GODDESSES YOU MUST GET TO KNOW

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21 Jan 2024

8 Goddesses You Must Get to Know

1. Goddess Gaia (Mother Earth) – Ancient Greek

Although the goddess Gaia may not be a name we frequently encounter, she holds a significant place in the creation story of Greek mythology. Gaia represents the earth, while her consort Uranus symbolizes the sky. Together, they bring forth the universe from chaos, the infinite, dark, and desolate void. The Earth, lakes, seas, and the first beings on Earth originate from the union of Gaia and Uranus. Among these first beings are the Titans, and later, the children of the Titans who become the rulers of Olympus, the gods and goddesses. Gaia is the Earth itself, the mother of all Olympians, and deserves to be at the top of the list, don't you think?

2. Goddess Athena – Ancient Greek

Athena, a powerful war goddess, is also the patroness of craftsmanship and the protector of the city of Athens. Her mother, the renowned Metis, is known for both her intelligence and beauty, and her father is Zeus. By winning a competition with her uncle Poseidon to name the city of Athens, Athena bestowed her name upon it. According to many sources, Athena was Zeus's favorite child – considering Zeus's numerous offspring, this is quite remarkable. What sets Athena apart from other gods and goddesses is her approachability as a goddess, frequently wandering among mortals to help them. Athena, the embodiment of wisdom, is both a warrior spirit and a compassionate, fair goddess, deserving of many virtues.

3. Goddess Cybele (Great Mother) – Neolithic

The Ida Mountain, rising near Troy, where Cybele sits on her lioness throne, observing the entire cosmos, is a significant location. Known as the Great Mother throughout Anatolia, the Neolithic goddess Cybele was the guardian of cities, towns, and everyone within them. Many monuments dedicated to Cybele can be found in our country. In Greek mythology, reflections of the characteristics such as the goddess of nature and the goddess of wild animals attributed to Cybele can be seen in Artemis, and in Roman mythology, in Diana. Cybele, being both the ancestor of many goddess figures and having her roots in Anatolia, deserves more recognition; I especially recommend exploring her further.

4. Goddess Hecate (Triple Goddess) – Ancient Greek

Hecate is my favorite goddess figure among what I have read and learned so far. While her existence may not be widely known, she deserves more recognition due to her powers, domains she rules, and being one of the primary goddess figures in Anatolia, similar to Cybele. Hecate is the goddess to whom the three phases of the moon (full moon, new moon, and crescent), the intersections of three roads, the feminine presence, and the three stages of a woman's life (maiden, mother, crone) are dedicated.

According to some sources, she is one of the oldest goddesses from the Titans; according to others, she is Zeus's daughter, and to some, she is the mother goddess, the great feminine. She is said to be the mother of ghosts, the queen of the underworld, and the ruler of death. As a young girl (crescent), she represents infinite potential and the thirst for knowledge; as a mother (full moon), she symbolizes the giver of life and the strength to endure the challenges of life; and as a crone (new moon), she represents wisdom and mystical powers. Some sources also claim that she is the protectress of witches. We can say that this goddess, not as well-known as Aphrodite or Artemis, is extremely mysterious and fascinating – she has certainly enchanted me!

5. Goddess Venus – Roman

Venus in Roman mythology, equivalent to Aphrodite in Greek mythology, is one of the goddesses that has inspired the art world the most, perhaps even the most inspiring. I don't think it's an exaggeration – the magnificent painting "The Birth of Venus" by Botticelli alone is evidence of this. This goddess, the protector of love and beauty, continues to inspire artists for centuries with these qualities. After all, she is a goddess born from sea foam. It is quite a misconception to portray Venus as delicate and temperamental; she was one of the most powerful goddesses with a magnetic force. Depicting Venus in this way seems to align with the plan to discredit feminine qualities. That's why, ladies and gentlemen, in the face of the power and pure feminine energy of Venus, I invite you all to think a little!

6. Goddess Umay – Turkish Mythology

One of the most important figures in Turkish mythology is the goddess Umay. While the Umay cult is mentioned in Göktürk inscriptions, she can be directly linked to the oldest and most ancient archetypes of the mother goddess associated with fertility and childbirth. The mention of her name in inscriptions that have survived from ancient Turkish states emphasizes her significance. In ancient Turkish culture, we know that there was no distinction between god and goddess, and the addresses to these figures were gender-neutral. However, since Umay is specifically referred to as "Umay Hatun" or "Umay Ana," we can deduce that she is a goddess. Umay Ana was believed to ensure a child's growth in the mother's womb and protect it until it reached the age of speech, making her both the guardian of birth and the nurturer of the born. According to some researchers, Umay is also associated with the Sun, as we learn from a ritual description that has survived from the Yakut Turks.

7. Goddess Isis – Egypt

Isis, one of the Nile goddesses in Egyptian mythology, is a highly significant goddess believed to be the source of the Nile River's tears. She is referred to as the wife of the universe, the provider of justice and abundance, the mother of all life, the healer, the ruler of magic, and the bestower of life after death. Yes, her titles sound somewhat similar to Daenerys Targaryen's presentation titles. Isis is also known for her struggles with her ruthless brother Seth. She is so renowned that we know she was worshipped from Sicily to Britain, and even in Rome. Another fascinating aspect of Isis is her association with the Sirius star, considered the brightest star in the sky and having ancient significance in many cultures. If this magnificent goddess has captured your interest, I highly recommend stepping into the mysterious world of Egypt.

8. Goddess Freyja – Norse Mythology

Frejya, Freya, or Fria – whichever name you come across, this Norse goddess is considered a great goddess who combines the role of motherhood with warrior abilities. She is the sister of the sea god Njörd and the fertility god Freyr. Known as the goddess of love, fertility, magic, war, and death, Freyja is a significant figure in Norse mythology. She is believed to drive a chariot pulled by cats and holds a prominent place in the mythology. She has also had quite an adventure with our mischievous god Loki. The origin of this ancient goddess is attributed to Gaia, or Mother Earth, as mentioned earlier.

BONUS: Goddess Persephone – Ancient Greek

Well, with Persephone's imminent arrival on Earth to bring us spring, we couldn't pass without mentioning her. Persephone is the daughter of Demeter, the goddess of the earth, grain, and fertility. Hades, the ruler of the underworld, falls in love with Persephone but knows that her mother will not want to be separated from her daughter. One day, while Demeter is occupied, Hades kidnaps Persephone to the underworld. Demeter, driven mad by her daughter's absence, abandons all her duties, causing the earth to become barren, crops to wither, and disrupting the balance of seasons. Seeing that life on earth would perish if things continued this way, Zeus attempts to reconcile Hades and Demeter. Eventually, an agreement is reached between Demeter and Hades: Persephone will spend six months with Hades in the underworld and six months with her mother Demeter on the surface.

Persephone's descent to the earth occurs on the spring equinox, March 21st, so spring officially begins on this day. Demeter is so overjoyed with her daughter's return that the earth becomes fertile, and the weather warms. With Persephone's return to the underworld on the fall equinox, September 23rd, Demeter mourns again, and the earth's soil becomes infertile, and the weather begins to cool. Believe me, just like Demeter, we are eagerly awaiting the return of Persephone!

Thank you for reading.

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