Kamuhata Hime

Themes: Love, arts, relationships, devotion, romance.

Symbols: Woven items.

About Kamuhata Hime: A Japanese Goddess of weaving, Kamuhata Hime braids the strands of fate to help out anyone seeking solid relationships. Through her careful, artistic eye, she binds devotion with love into a beautiful, strong tapestry between two committed people.

To Do In Honour of amuhata Hime: The Tanabat weaving festival is a traditional day for marriage in China, commemorating the time when two stellar deities meet and celebrate their love, thanks to the help of celestial magpies who build a winged bridge across the Milky Way, bringing them together this one day out of the year.

Stargazing is a favorite activity that you can participate in, watching as Kamuhata Hime weaves the heavens into a feast for the eyes and soul. As you gaze out into the stars, watch closely the area of the Milky Way. If you see a shooting star, make a wish for love or the improvement of a relationship and Kamuhata Hime will answer it.

If you're thinking of deepening your commitment to someone, tonight is an excellent time to recite your promises to each other beneath the stars. As you do, braid three strands of cloth or yarn, making a vow at each juncture. Keep this as a Kamuhata Hime amulet to protect the love and devotion in your relationship. Unbind this if the two of youever part ways.

from 365 Goddessby Patricia Telesco

Vesta

Vesta, one of the most popular and mysterious goddesses of the Roman pantheon. Vesta is the goddess of the hearth, equated with the Greek Hestia. There is not much known of her origin, except that she was at first only worshipped in Roman homes, a personal cult. Her cult eventually evolved to a state cult.

One myth tells that her service was set up by king Numa Pompilius (715-673 B.C.E.). In her temple on the Palatine Hill, the sacred fire of the Roman state burned, which was maintained by the Vestal Virgins. At the start of the new Roman year, March 1, the fire was renewed. The sacred fire burned until 394 C.E. Vesta's temple was situated on the Forum Romanum and was built in the third century B.C.E. None of her temples, however, contained a statue of the goddess. Her festival is theVestalia, which was observed from June 7th - 15th. On the first day of this festival, the 'penus Vestae', the inner sanctum of the Vesta temple which was kept closed the entire year, was opened for women who came to bring offerings bare-footed. The temple was ritually cleansed on the last day. The ass is Vesta's sacred animal, whose braying supposedly kept the lascivious Priapus away. Vesta is portrayed as a stern woman, wearing a long dress and with her head covered. Her right hand rests against her side and in her left hand she holds a scepter.

Pronunciation: ves'-tuh

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Xtah

Rain Festivals ( Mexico/Central America ).

Themes: Weather, harvest, fertility, & prayer.

About Xtah: The Guatemalan Goddess of Rain and Water sprinkles Herself into today's celebration in answer to Her people's fervent prayers. As She does, Her rain also bears constructive, fulfilling energy to maintain the gardens of our spirit with Spring's growth-centered magick.

To Do In Honour of Xtah: This is the time of the year when people in this region begin praying to the sacred powers for rain. In Guatemala, specifically, they pray and make offerings to the Goddess so the crops will not fail from draught.

If your spiritual life has seemed a bit "dry" lately or lacking in real substance, pray to Xtah with words like these:

"Xtah, as you pour forth from the heavens, see my need

(pour out a glass of water here--this is a type of sympathetic magick that encourages Xtah to follow your example ).

Rain upon my life and heart with Your fruitful waters so I may grow
with clarity of spirit. Thank You for Your bounty, for refilling my inner
well with your richness. So be it."

If it's raining outside, dance in the rain as you pray so you can literally touch Xtah's presence. Alternatively, pray in the shower or in the rains created by a lawn sprinkler.

Wear water-coloured clothing today ( blue, purple, dark green ) to accent whichever of Xtah's attributes you want to develop.

from 365 Goddess -- A Daily Guide of the Magick and Inspiration of the Goddess by Patricia Telesco

Thmei

Themes: Freedom, justice, honour, divination, balance, equality, foresight, morality.

Symbols: Scales or balanced items, ostrich feathers.

About Thmei: This Egyptian goddess of law and mother of virtue watches over human conduct, looking for right action, wise decisions, ethical dealings, and just outcomes. On a broader scale, she also tends to matters of universal law, that we might learn its patterns, internalize its ideals, and then use this awareness throughout the year.

In some instances, Thmei is considered a prophetic goddess to call on in determining the outcome of any course of action, especially legal ones. Egyptian art depicts Thmei bearing a single ostrich feather, the symbol of truth with self and others.

To Do In Honour of Thmei: Celebrate your personal independence, and break free from any constraints that seem unjust or unethical, asking Thmei for the power and courage to endure. To make a Thmei charm that draws equity into all your dealings, find a portable token that, to you, represents balance, harmony, and fairness. Put this on your bathroom scale, saying, Balance and harmony within this shrine, Thmei, make impartial dealings mine!

Carry this token with you, or leave it in the area where you feel inequity or discord exists.

from 365 Goddessby Patricia Telesco

Ma'at

Ma'at, an Egyptian goddess who personified the concepts of truth, cosmic order and justice. This concept was fundamental to Egyptian life and the rule of the Pharaohs. The Kings portrayed themselves constantly as "Beloved of Ma'at" and upholders of the universal order. This role was established by their divine predecessor Horus, who defeated the forces of the chaotic god Seth.

Judges in both human and divine spheres were known as representatives of Ma'at. At the final judgement of souls that Ma'at helped to determine the ultimate fate of the deceased. In the Hall of the Two Truths, the heart of the deceased would be weighed by Anubis against the Feather of Truth, which was Ma'at's symbol. If the verdict was favorable then the deceased could look forward to a happy afterlife; if not, the hapless soul was quickly devoured by the hybrid Ammit. Ma'at was usually depicted as a woman wearing a large ostrich feather in her headband.

This Feather formed the Hieroglyph of her name and could be used by itself as an abstract representation of the goddess.

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Pallas

Suggested Mantra: Determination

Pallas is both the Warrior Woman and the Peaceful General. She is the embodiment of strength and wisdom. Pallas lets us find our inner courage to know we can and will survive life's battles.

Suggested Affirmations:

• * I am letting go
• * My mind is at peace
• * I am healthy and happy
• * I understand self-respect
• * I feel absolutely supercharged
• * I am ready to face my fears
• * I am ready to empower myself

Her Modern Energy

The good news for such women, is that Pallas is a survivor. Let go of the victim mindset you may be experiencing, and prepare to fight for your self-esteem. You may be presenting a strong and courageous face to the world, but really you're drawing on your strength rather than devoting time to explore your weaknesses. It is only in understanding your weaknesses that you will derive the strength you need to empower them, thereby empowering yourself.

Use diplomacy, respect and resilience to negotiate your way. Conflict will only serve to keep you off-balance, on your back foot representing defensive position. Pallas calls on you to stand on your front foot, braced for obstacles with self-confidence and grace.

Do This

Say good-bye to negative influences. Surmount your troubles, think positively, and attract like-minded people. Make it a habit to say "I can" ( instead of "I can't" ), and watch as your life becomes full of positive and affirmative people living life with intention.

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Pax

Pax

Roman Mythology by Micha F. Lindemans

Pax ("peace") is the personified Roman goddess of peace, corresponding with the Greek Eirene. Under the rule of Augustus, she was recognized as a goddess proper. She had a minor sanctuary, the Ara Pacis, on theCampus Martius, and a temple on the Forum Pacis. A festival in her honour was celebrated on January 3rd.

Her attributes are the olive branch, a cornucopia, and a scepter.

Other names: Pax Augusta

Image found at http://www.thepeacebeads.com/misc/SOS_small.jpg

Oya

African goddess Oya is a Goddess of Storms. She represents feminine leadership - invoke Oya when you are in need of strength in your quest for leadership and authority.

Related Gemstones: Garnet, Bloodstone, Tourmaline, Smoky Quartz (redstones).

African deities (orishas) are usually represented by flowing, swirling images of colour and movement, depicting the elemental energies rathert han an anthropomorphised image. Oya, goddess of storms, tempests and rain, dances in spirals representing tornadoes and wind - the winds of change, sweeping away the old in order to prepare for the new. She wreaks destruction in order to find and prepare for underlying calm.

She was the wife of Shango , Lord of Thunder and Fertility, and together they fight side by side creating thunder, lightning and destruction. She is goddess of the marketplace, bringing fortune to her patrons. And she is the only African orisha brave enough to confront death - she is goddess of funeral processions and cemeteries (cemeteries being known as "Oya's Garden").

Her Modern Energy

Oya embodies the fiery passion that is buried in the feminine psyche.

Unleashed, she is warrior woman, armed and helmeted fighting injustice and forging victories. If you invoke Oya, be prepared to deal with the consequences! Or, if she is presenting herself to you in your life, be prepared to be tossed in her storms but be comforted in the knowledge that she is here to teach you about personal will and sense of purpose.

Mother of transformation, patron of feminine leadership, trust Oya to travel with you through this time of change. Welcome her lessons she is here to teach you, for without the rain we don't get rainbows (another symbol of Oya).

Oya is related to our root chakra, home of the kundalini energy. When our root chakra is in balance, we feel secure, alert, stable - our lives are full of active and positive energy. If you are not feeling like this, it is no wonder Oya is speaking to you today.

Do This

Make a shrine to Oya with red foods such as plums, grapes and red wine, and on the next dark moon honour her in a meditation. Sit on the floor, close your eyes, and while nurturing a related gemstone, feel your spine grow and take root in the earth. Feel the strength of the earth energise your spine and your body. Reach up high and stretch for that rainbow that is formed over your head, arching over your body radiating love, calm, and protection. You are indestructable! You are strong!

Go Warrior Woman!!

Fire Woman

Themes: Sun, fire, family, love

Symbols: Fire, hearth, ( stove/grill )

About Fire Woman:

Since the United States is a melting pot of culture,we turn to the Fire Woman of Borneo to instruct us in making fires by rubbing wood together, followed by subsequent lessons in cookery!

Today she continues her warming ways by teaching us how to keep lovin' in the oven!

To Honour the Fire Woman: Cook outdoors! Fire Woman, by her very nature, is part of that grill or hibachi. In choosing your menu, think either hot, spicy foods to emphasize Fire Woman's fiery aspect or foods that metaphysically engender love. One combination that stresses both is strawberry-garlic grilled chicken (add crushed berries to honey, ginger, and garlic for a sauce ). Vegetarians can use this sauce on potatoes or shitake mushrooms instead.

If you don't have time for a barbecue, light any candle briefly sometime today to honour Fire Woman and draw her loving energy into your home.

from 365 Goddess -- A Daily Guide of the Magick and Inspiration of theGoddessby Patricia Telesco