Goddess questions & answers

I am contacting you because I need some insight into something that happened to me recently. Do you have a perspective on this?

I live in an apartment building with three stories, four apartments on each level. The hallway is enclosed with an outside doorway to the stairwell. I live on the middle landing.

On Nov. 20th, at 6:30 am I left for the airport to go to California and spend Thanksgiving with my middle son. No one had access to my apartment while I was gone. I returned home a week (7 days) later on Nov. 27th. at approx 4:30-5pm.

When I opened my door I dropped my bags and loudly greeted my apartment, my ancestors and the plants and gave thanks for them taking care while I was gone, then I noticed to my right there was this fairly large dark object hanging dead center on my venetian blind. I backed out of the apartment, into the hallway, propped the door open slightly and called the leasing office.

I suddenly realized that is was a full grown bat. This window faces the west. The bat just sat there. There was nothing disturbed in the entire apartment. I have plants everywhere in my living room and not a one was toppled over. My lamps were not disturbed....nothing.

It's as though the bat was placed there and stayed put for an entire week. Maintenance came and removed it and it was living when he took it outside and placed it on the lawn. I asked him to put it atop a bush so it might take flight.

I would appreciate any perspective you might have on this. Your time would be greatly appreciated. Thanking you in advance.
Sending you blessings always.......

Be Blessed,

Yolanda

Your experience with the bat is an interesting one. Bats usually enter through a window and it often happens around dusk, which is when bats come out to feed. They fly and feed at night and are equipped with a sort of sonar so it is no surprise that the bat may have flown around your apartment (even in the dark) without hitting anything. Did the bat take flight when he got outside?

I consider things like this a blessing. Several winters ago, a small frog got into my house. I could hear him croaking at night but I could never locate him. I put a dish of water down where I thought he might be hiding, but my dogs drank it. One morning the next spring, I found him sitting by the door and I let him out. I have not idea how he survived the winter in my house without food or water.

Bats are wonderful and very useful creatures. The planet would be over-run with mosquitos without them! Consider yourself lucky to have been visited by a bat. It's Nature's way of keeping us in touch with the wild creatures we share the planet with. You could also extrapolate from this experience that the bat is a totem animal for you. You can maintain that connection if you choose to do so.

I have a cross that has been handed down through my mothers family,
my mum is from around arklow, and emigrated to australia when I was young after many years I have recently found out that it is a st brigid cross (my friend has only seen woven ones, in their godness work) it is possibly more that six generations old maybe more it looks like it is made old possible nails with a green stone mum never gave me much information but a few weeks ago when I found out what it was she said it was a green Connemara marble was wondering if you had any information that might help kind regards and love Lillian

I have done a little research and it seems that Brigid's Crosses have pre-Christian roots. They were placed in the home to invoke the Goddess Brigit for protection. Brigit is one of pagan Ireland's most important Goddesses. She is associated with fire, healing and holy wells. Brigit's crosses were made on Imbolc (February 1) which celebrates the earliest stirrings of Spring.

I've been searching the web for Verr-Avna, a Goddess name that no one seems to have a source for and found your site with the listing of Vir-Ava. Can you direct me to a source for this- she sounds a bit different in nature, the one I'm tracking is a Goddess of North as a direction, possibly not a Northeren Goddess, but the name is so similar that they may be the same.

I have scoured all my books and have also searched on the internet (as I'm sure you have), but I have been unable to find any further reference to this Goddess. I will continue to search, however, and let you know if I find out any more information. This is the little bit of information I found:

Vir-Ava - Forest Mother. A tree Goddess (like the Hindu Dakinis). She was the friend and protector of berry pickers and mushroom hunters. (a form of Azer Ava)

Greetings Barb!

Just happened upon your site in doing some research. How wonderful is it that you have an interest in
Mother Goddess.

Thank you for your interest in things that are sacred, feminine and powerful that is always a good end.

Continue to research and you will find many gems and treasures that you will be proud to call yourself a
part of.

We all came from the African mother and all of the glory that follows such an honor belongs to us all if
we would just give proper acknowledgement and reverence.

If you would like some research tools let me know and I would be happy to forward them on to you.

peaceluvabundance,

Nick R

In reference to you description of Artemis. One of my grove members sent me your link as to how you referred to Artemis, as Great Bitch and her priestess were Sacred Bitches.

Diana happens to be my Mother and Patron Goddess and I found how you referred to her in poor taste and with no respect for the Great Luna Mother.

There is no such reference to her in ancient texts or modern texts referring to her as the Great Bitch. Now, if you were referring to the dictionary definition of the female dog as also, being called a bitch, then you should mention that in your description and include it is not in reference to Artemis herself. Yes, it is known she can be a dark goddess and will in such manner take on that role when she is being Protective of children or women who have been harmed by men, due to the fact it is known how she felt towards the male species. This is by no means to say she is a Great Bitch, she is just a powerful Goddess with many aspects and we as individuals also have such traits that are only seen when we must protect those we love.

My reference to Diana was in no way meant to be disrespectful. It is only in fairly recent times that the word "bitch" has taken on all the negative associations that many people have about the word today. I meant this only to describe her association with the great female canine.

I`m seeking the name of an ancient Goddess that the Jews worshipped before Moses. Can you help me?

The Goddess was worshipped in many forms throughout the ancient near east before the time of Moses. Ishtar, Inanna, Astarte, and Asherah are among the the most well-known.

Hi, my name is Darlene and I am with a group of women who are creating a belly dance troupe. I would love to have the middle eastern name for goddess in our name. Could you help us with this?

The Goddess was worshipped in the Middle East in many forms long before Mohammed came along. I read somewhere that Mohammed prayed at the temple of Al Lat, the Arabian moon goddess, before his "conversion". When I was in a troupe in California, we called ourselves Raks Al Lat (Dance of the Moon Goddess). My present troupe here in Oregon goes by the name Raks Sarama. Raks means dance in arabic, and Sarama is a Hindu dog goddess. Here is a link to the Middle Eastern page at Mothergoddess.com. This might be useful to you. There are names of the goddess from many other cultures as well. Sometimes it's fun to mix them up like we did with Raks Sarama. I hope this is of some help to you. Where is your dance troupe located? I love connecting with other dancers!

Can you suggest a goddess name that represents confidence, power and enlightenment?

Thank you for writing. Most Goddesses possess these qualities. After all, can you think of a shy, powerless, stupid Goddess? But the ones that come most to mind when I think of the qualities of confidence, power and enlightenment are the Greek Goddesses Hera, Hestia, Athena, and Artemis; Roman Diana, Minerva and Juno; the Egyptian AuSet (Isis); Kwan Yin from China; Durga, Sarasvati and Kali from India; Celtic Brigit, Epona- just to name a few!

Any Info on Anglo-Saxon Gods/Goddesses? I am especially interested in Habondia. Thanks!

I searched my library for any reference to the goddess Habondia, but all I could ascertain is that she is the goddess of abundance and prosperity - the Anglo-Saxon equivalent of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi. I will continue to search for more information. It's a great sounding name, very musical. Let me know if you find out anything more about her and I will do likewise.

I volunteered to host the next full moon gathering in my home the first week of july and don't know what goddess to focus on. I'm also trying to tie it in with the blue moon. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Yvonne

There are many Goddesses associated with the moon. The ancient Egyptian Goddess Au Set (Isis) is known as Lady of the Moon. Also Menos, inventor of writing, is associated with the moon.

Ariadne, the High Fruitful Mother is also known as a Moon Goddess of Crete. Also Europa and Pasipha had lunar associations.

The Greek Goddesses Hecate, Io, Selene and Semele are associated with the moon. Artemis was known as the Amazonian Moon Goddess.

In the Middle East, Al Lat, Al Mah, Fatima, Manat and Shebat are all moon Goddesses.

In Scythia, She was known as Artimpaasa. In Thrace, She was Bendis. In Polynesia, the moon Goddess is known as Hina.

This may sound silly , but I had a dream the other night and the name ISES came to me over and over so much I awoke and wrote the name on my hand . I decided to look it up in the morning for further investigation and did not come up with anything other than the Goddess of ISIS which many are familiar with . I didnt feel that was what my dream was telling me so I continued on . I found on only one site where the correct spelling in my dream was given to a Goddess in Africa for the bow and arrow but have found nothing more . Have you in your studies ever seen this spelling for that Goddess ? Please let me know !

Thank you for writing. I have not seen that spelling before. There is a page on the Names of the Goddess site that gives some information about Isis. If you scroll down to the ancient Egypt section, you will find the goddess Au Set, which is the Egyptian name of the goddess. The Greeks changed it to Isis. It is difficult to nail any of this down by spelling. There are many goddesses who have several names and several ways to spell them. It's a bit confusing. Perhaps a better way would be to remember what the dream was about. Perhaps that will give you more of a direct connection. Let me know if you find out more.

Please forgive me, my name is Matt and found your site while studying Danu. I've studied the Lady in her various forms since I was a child, dreaming of her. I recently lost my mother and have felt disconnected from both in a way I've never had to face. My aunties remind me that it's not the end and that we all will walk together again, but I'm not sure what to do about the pain. They say time will heal all wounds, I know this to be true, and as I write I realize the truth found therein but do you have any advice for me to reconnect to the Mother? Thank you for any help you may give.

Thank you for writing. Losing one's mother is a difficult experience for most people. But sweet memories can keep her with you. You can also talk to her, ask her for guidance and advice. You miss her physical presence but her spirit is still with you. When I get sad or blue, I meditate and envision myself being held in the Mother's embrace. I find this very comforting. I hope this helps.

I just stumbled upon your wonderful site, and wondered if you could help me with some research I am doing on Santiago de Compostella and the medieval pilgrimage cult.

Pondering upon it, I feel convinced that it must have been built upon an ancient tradition of Goddess worship in that very special corner of Europe.

I was delighted to find the material about Brigid on your website, which confirmed my feeling that the scallop shell, such a very female symbol, must be associated with a form of the Goddess.

I wonder if you have any material, ideas, suggestions or links I could follow up? I am currently living in central Portugal, in a town that is believed to have been on one of the older routes to Santiago – I am wondering if it actually was an older route that pre-dated Christianity. I am sure Goddess worship would have been active in this area as everywhere else, but I am not sure where to start looking for evidence.

Thank you for writing and for visiting the www.mothergoddess.com website. I am familiar with the pilgrimage of Santiago de Compostella although I do not know much about it's pre-Christian roots. As with most European Christian traditions, the cultural roots start way back before Christianity existed. Since there is very little written material dating back to this time, most of our information comes from archeological finds. Although I don't know if it deals with the region of Santiago de Compostella specifically, the book "The Civilization of the Goddess" by Marija Gimbutas might be a good place to start your research. There is a long list of books on the bibliography page that might also aid you in your search. Please keep me posted as to your findings - I'm very interested myself!

greetings!

i stumbled upon your site while researching celtic goddess names.

you see, i am specifically looking for a suitable name for a dog i'm adopting... she's a Bouviers des Flandres.

she's about 8 yrs old and is completely blind due to cataracts (one eye recently removed) and a very bad eye infection that went untreated, and on this past new years eve, she was found listlessly wandering (having more than likely been abandoned) on a busy highway in NY. (shudder)

anyway, presently, the service who picked her up have named her "Old Biddy"-- which i find completely demeaning-- so, as i am a lover of celtic culture, i've been trying to find a lovely irish, welsh, or scottish goddess name to suit her, bearing on her present condition. but something dignified, you know.

so, i've considered something to do with second sight or new beginnings, and i was wondering if there is anything you can suggest.

if you could also provide a phonetic pronunciation, i'd be very grateful.

many thanks for your anticipated response.

bright blessings!

Kudos to your for rescuing this poor animal. I have two "rescued" dogs myself and they are the best companions. I am not familiar with this breed, but as far as I'm concerned, all dogs are beautiful!

There are quite a few Celtic goddess names that might fit your newfound friend. Ardwinna is a protector of wildlife, as is the goddess Artio. Branwen is the Goddess of Regeneration which might also be appropriate. What color is your dog? Do you have a photo? The goddess Sinclair means "Sacred Light" and Sul (pronounced Shool) means "Eye" so these might fit also.

thank you for taking the time to read my letter and responding in kind! i'm LOVING your suggestions... especially Branwen and Sul.

i too already have 3 rescued dogs, a 3-legged greyhound i brought back from ireland when i lived there a few years ago, a blind pug and a 17 yr old chihuahua. (what a varied pack, huh?!!!)

so this new one would be my forth-- if i'm approved for adopting (papers are still being worked)-- but the breed Bouvier is originally from Belgium.

http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=10161858

and a link on the breed for info:

http://www.bouvier.org/

bless your soul for taking in the rescues you have... they are indeed the brightest blessings i've ever had in my life. i'm really looking forward to adding (currently) Biddy, and hopefully this weekend we'll get to meet her.

again, thank you, thank you, thank you for your suggestions... you have helped in a HUGE way. i will be happy to let you know what i finally decide on... and i'd be happy to send pics too if you're interested.

brightest blessings to you and yours...and HAPPY TAILS!!!
cris

Thank you for sending the info about your dog. I found the pictures of her at the link you sent and she's adorable. It just so happens that I was leaning toward the name "Sul" myself for your new friend. Thank you for sending me the information on the Sulevia myth. A fascinating, if somewhat sad tale.

Can you guys help me find the meaning of the goddess Rinzing? It is tibetan or indian. Rinzing
Thank you,
Peter E

I have not come across any references to a goddess named Rinzing, but I will keep looking and let you know what I find. Thank you for writing.

We have been looking at some petroglyphs in our area that seem to be very neglected. Having looked at Marija Gimbutas' book - The Language of the Goddess, I feel sure that the markings on the rocks are symbols of Goddess religion, but as far as I know they are undocumented. I have attached a couple of them (we have many more!) I'd love to know what you think, and if you have any ideas as to whom I might approach to get further authentication.

Thanks! and best wishes,
Patricia M

Hello Patricia,
Thank you for sending the incredible photos of the petroglyphs. How exciting! I am no expert on rock art but I agree that they look similar to some of the drawings in Marija Gimbutas' book The Civilization of the Goddess. Perhaps if you contact some universities that have archeology departments - (Gimbutas taught at UCLA) you could find someone with expertise on these things. I will continue to investigate myself and will let you know if I find any further information. Please let me know what you find out and good luck.
Very best,
Barbara

hi there! i am doing some research on bee goddesses/priestesses, and was curious what you know of them?
love your site!
bzzzzzz
ann

Hi Ann,
Thanks for your email.

Bees have been sacred to the Goddess for millenia. In particular, bees are sacred to Aphrodite, Artemis, Demeter, Kybele, and Hanna Hanna

In Aphrodite's temple at Eryx, the priestesses were called mellissae, meaning "bees". The Goddess herself was entitled Melissa, the queen bee; and a golden honeycomb was on display in the temple as her sacred symbol.
According to Porphyry, all bees were the souls of priestesses who had been in the service of Aphrodite during their lifetimes. Bees are hymenoptera, "veil-winged," recalling the hymen or veil that covered the inner shrine of the Goddess's temple, and the high priestess, who bore the title of Hymen, ruled over marriage rituals and the honey-moon. Pythagoreans perceived the hexagon as an expression of the spirit of Aphrodite, whose sacred number was six, and worshipped bees as her sacred creatures who understood how to
create perfect hexagons in their honeycomb.

The priestesses at the temple of Artemis at Ephesus were also referred to as "mellissae". They were accompanied by eunuch priests called essenes, meaning "drones". Images of golden bees were held in deepest sanctity in her temple.

The Goddess Demeter was called "the pure mother bee" who governed the cycles of life, as was the biblical Deborah whose name means "bee".

Honey and salt were the only commonly known preservatives in ancient times, and both were symbols of resurrection or reincarnation. The dead were often embalmed in honey, especially in the large pithoi or burial vases, where they were placed in fetal position for rebirth. Honey cakes formed like female genitals figured prominently in worship of the Goddess. The bee was usually looked upon as a symbol of the feminine potency of nature, because it created this magical, good-tasting substance and stored it in hexagonal cells of geometric mystery. With so many ancient connections with the Goddess, it was inevitable that medieval hymns addressed the virgin Mary as a "nest of honey" and "dripping honeycomb." (from The Woman's Dictionary of Symbols and Sacred objects, by Barbara Walker)

Hanna Hanna is a Hattian goddess who is associated with the Sacred Bee.

According to Marija Gimbutas in The Civilization of the Goddess, the ancient bee goddess is considered a Goddess of Regeneration. The Goddess is often rendered in art as a bee, butterfly, moth, or other insect, sometimes having the anthropomorphic head of the Goddess. Insects may represent the Goddess
herself, or souls that leave the body at death or during dreams.

A cave painting from Spain shows an hourglass-shaped goddess with bird's feet and hands, bee's eyes and antennae, and three lines which mark the Bird Goddess. She is at once a bird of prey, a woman, and a bee - a manifestation of death and regeneration. (image attached).

The attached image of the golden jewelry shows 2 bees surrounding the sacred honycomb and was probably worn by a queen or priestess from the island of Crete.

I hope this information has been of some help in your search. Let me know if you come across any other information about these incredible creatures. Glad you enjoyed the mothergoddess site. We will be adding a Q & A page soon and I will be posting your email there.

Very best,

Barbara

i am [62}yrs. old now & i have been expericing the kundalini since the {70's}. I was in my [20].

I still experience her in my dreams. I have kept a dream journal since the age of {20}.I still do & i title my dreams. I want too share my dream with you & hope too get your feed back on it. I have my opinion & views of it. I was aware of seeing being somewhere & standing with others. It seem like we we all on a boat or in a boat. We were going some where, or waiting to go somewhere. Then the next thing i knew a cobra appeared before me & my face. She was very beautiful & she stood upwards with her head titled down towards me. I was aware of her beautiful color which was solid gold. She was looking at me & i was doing the same looking at her. she was very calm gentle not frighten nor was she sacred or felt threaten by me. I was the same way with her. I stood there looking at her & she spoke too me. She said to me find the other snakes. Now i don't know what that means or what she was really saying too me, except too find the other snakes. She seemed to know there are other snakes as well. Can you please help me too understand what this is meaning too me from her. Any help will be appreciated. Thank & have a bless day.

The snake is a universal symbol of regeneration and fertility and often appears in the dreams and visions of women.

Ua Zit was the Cobra goddess who along with the Vulture Goddess were the two main deities of ancient Egypt. In fact, the heiroglyph for the word "goddess" is the symbol of a cobra. The uraeus Cobra was worn on the crowns of Egyptian royalty.

Snakes were also important in the rituals of ancient Crete where Goddess statues often have snakes coiled around their bodies.

Snakes also occupied the Greek temples of Delphi and Hera and are thought to be associated with prophecy.

The snake has been associated with pagan traditions for thousands of years. The story about St. Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland was a reference to his persecution of the those who refused to accept the Christian belief system and continued to follow their own religion .

I hope this helps you to understand your dream or at least points you in the direction of discovery.