Between the Branches

Deity of the Week - Hecate

2012-02-13T06:00:00.000-06:00

Also known as: Hekate
Hecate is a Greek Triple Goddess. In her various forms she represents maiden, mother, and crone. As a Goddess of the night she also represents the phases of the moon.

Hecate is a pre-olympian Goddess. She is very old and pwerful. When Zeus and the others came along, he let her do as she wished, and "granted" her powers that she likely already had.

As a Maiden, Hecate represents new beginnings or a fresh look at the circumstances.

As a Mother, Hecate is nurturing and protective in a motherly way.

When Hecate is in Her Crone aspect, she is very wise and powerful.

On the whole, Hecate is a very harsh Goddess. She does not take kindly to foolishness and poor circumstances that were brought on by yourself.

She honors the feminine for the power and wisdom that is inherant in it, not because of the sex or romance that tends to go along with it.

Hecate is also known as the Goddess of the Crossroads, which portrays her to rule over transitions or journeys. These can be literal or metaphorical changes, so a new move or journey or a change in mindset would both apply to Hecate's rule.

Days sacred to Hecate are August 13 and November 16. In August, offerings and sacrifices to Hecate are to prevent her wrath upon crops. In November, offerings and sacrifices are given near midnight to hopefully gain her mercy through the winter.

Animals: Dogs
Foods: Apples

Hecate is a good patroness for a female pagan, as she covers a wide array of areas, and she encourages you to work for yourself rather than ask to be handed everything without earning it.

Deity of the Week - Triple Goddesses

2012-02-06T08:00:00.000-06:00

A Triple Goddess is any female deity that has three parts. In the most basic form, a Triple Goddess represents the Maiden, the Mother and the Crone.

This is the first in a series of Triple Goddesses and Gods.

Maiden - Mother - Crone
The Maiden is about purity and She represents the innocence of youth.
The Mother is nurturing and protective.
The Crone is very wise and powerful.
Each aspect of a Triple Goddess has its strengths and weaknesses, it is good to know what they are if you plan to work with one.

Hecate
Hecate represents feminism as a wisdom and a power within itself, but not in a sexual sense. She isn't a dainty Goddess, and can be harsh, however. She is a very good Patroness for feminists.
In her maiden aspect she represents new beginnings or points of view.
In her mother aspect she represents nurturing and a motherly protection.
In her crone aspect she represents feminine wisdom and magic at its most powerful.

The Morrigan
The Crow Goddess is a Goddess of battle, strife and fertility.
She is sometimes referred to as a Triple Goddess, but that can actually be debatable.
Sometimes she is seen to have three aspects, and other times she is one of three sisters. Her sisters are the Badb and Macha.

The Greek(Roman) Fates
Known collectively as the Moirae, the Fates are often seen together. It is their responsibility to control certain aspects of everybody's life.
Clotho(Nona) - Clotho spun the threads of fate, She was often called upon during late pregnancy.
Lachesis(Decima) - Lachesis decided the length of one's string of fate.
Atropos(Morta) - Atropos was known to be inflexible, and she was the one who "cut" the threads of one's fate.

The Greek Charites
Also known as the Graces, the Charites were Aglaea (Splendor), Euphrosyne (Mirth), and Thalia (Good Cheer). (Thalia is also the name of a Muse, so don't get those two mixed up.)

The Greek Furies
Also known as the Erinyes, the Furies are three sisters of vengeance. Nearly invincible, they are the "police" of the Gods. They take oaths seriously and are harsh against those who break their vows.

The Three Daughters of Allah
al-Lat "Mother Goddess of prosperity"
Al-Uzza "Mighty one" the youngest
Manat "Fate" "the third, the other"

Deity of the Week - Psyche

2012-01-30T04:30:00.000-06:00

Note: Deity of the Week used to be on Wednesdays, but now I plan on posting on Mondays. It may not be weekly, but I will try.

Psyche is the Greek Goddess of the Soul/Transformation.

Psyche was born a mortal and was reputed to be very beautiful. Several people, both man and God, showed interest in her, but she wasn't interested in romance. Psyche's lack of interest in love offended Aphrodite, who had her son, Eros, go and shoot her with one of his special arrows. (It would make her fall in love with the first man she saw.)

However, Eros accidentally pricked himself with his own arrow just as he was about to shoot Psyche with it, consequentially falling in love with her himself. Scared of what his mother would say, the two quickly eloped and had a lengthy honeymoon.

Eros refused to let Psyche look at him, in fear that who he was would get out. She went to sneak a peek to see what he looked like, but dripped some oil on him from her lamp.

(Alternatively, her friends we jealous of her wealth, and persuaded her to stab him for hiding his appearance. However he woke up just in time.)

Either way the story goes, Eros left Psyche, and she was heartbroken. She had fallen in love with him over the time they had together. Eventually, Psyche goes to Aphrodite to beg for her blessing. Aphrodite decides to take advantage of the situation and sets Psyche 4 tasks to complete.

The first task was to sort a roomful of grains overnight. Overwhelmed by the impossibility of the task, all Psyche could manage was to weep in the corner. An army of ants felt bad, so they came and sorted the grains for her.

The second task was to bring the fleece of a ram that had already slain several other heros. Psyche was again, terrified. She was sure that she would fail, until she was given advice by a reed to wait until nightfall. Once the ram was asleep, she was able to gather fleece that had fallen off or gotten snagged on trees.

For her third task, Aphrodite wanted Psyche to venture to the entrance to the underworld and fill a jar with water from the waterfall. When Psyche arrived, she realized how dangerous the task truly was. However, an eagle came by and filled the jar for her.

The final task was to visit Persephone in the underworld and obtain a box of sleeping potion from the Queen. Psyche was to ignore the other inhabitants of Hades' cries and leave without aiding any of them. This journey took a while, but Psyche eventually completed it. She was so worn out from the trial that she took some of the sleeping potion for herself.

Eros found Psyche to be unable to be woken. He rubbed the potion from her eyes and forwarded them on to Aphrodite. Lowering his standards and swallowing his pride, Eros went to visit Zeus for assistance. Athena suggested to make Psyche immortal, which Zeus granted and the two were legally married under the King of the Gods.

Unable to contest the pair anymore, Aphrodite finally gave the marriage her blessing.
It is possible Psyche is of Roman origin, or from a later time than ancient Greece. There is no historical evidence of Psyche having a group of followers, which indicates late arrival or lack of recognition as a Goddess.

----

The moral of Psyche's story is to improve yourself. During the trials that Aphrodite puts her through to get Eros back, she goes through a major transformation. In her first task she does nothing but weep for her situation. She doesn't work to make it better, in the 2nd and 3rd tasks, she gets help from others. And finally, in Aphrodite's 4th tast, she gets through on her own, even though it is long and arduous. Like a butterfly, Psyche goes through her own transformation. She starts out as a mere, though beautiful, mortal and ends up as a strong woman, and a Goddess, no less.

The name Psyche means "to breathe".
Animals: Butterfly(transformation), sheep/ram, ants, eagle
Stones: amethyst, rose quartz, obsidian

----

Resources:
http://www.goddessgift.com/goddess-myths/greek_goddess_psyche.htm
http://www.fjkluth.com/psyche.html

Deity of the Week - In Practice

2011-11-03T17:30:00.000-05:00

I loved my Deity of the Week series from way back when I actually blogged. They were some of my most read (if not commented on) posts, as well. I would like to bring back the series, though I'm thinking about adding a bit of a twist, as well. Putting the knowledge into practice and building up a relationship with the Gods.

Some questions I'm going to meditate over are going to be: "How do you build a relationship with the Gods?" and "How can you honor the Gods?"

Are there any other questions you have about building a relationship with your God or Goddess of choice?

Would you like me to research a particular pantheon or God or Goddess? How about an aspect of the Gods? (Triple Goddesses, Goddesses of Love, etc.)

I'm very open to suggestions right now, since I'm just getting back into writing again, and I only have a limited set of ideas at the moment.

Deity of the Week - Cerridwen

2010-06-23T00:57:00.002-05:00

(This is a little late, but we had a storm and the internet went out.)

Cerridwen

AKA: Ceridwen
A Goddess of death, inspiration, knowledge and dark prophetic powers.
Plants: All plants of wisdom and inspiration.
Animals: Hen

Cerridwen had a son, and he was impossibly ugly. So she made a brew in her cauldron that would give him all the knowledge in the world. She had Gwion stir the mixture for her. One day, a few drops fell onto his hand, and he unthinkingly licked them off. Well, the power of the mixture was on a first-come-first-serve basis and he received all the knowledge. Outraged, Cerridwen went after Gwion and after a while of both of them shapeshifting between many different forms, She finally ate him. He was a grain and She was a hen.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerridwen
http://www.lunaea.com/goddess/magic/cerridwen.html

Deity of the Week - Dagda

2010-06-16T00:00:00.001-05:00

The Dagda

Names: Dagda, Eochaid Ollathair, All Father

Appearance: The Dagda is portly with a long beard; he is often depicted, quite humorously, with a brown tunic that barely covers his back side and a cloak that is too short.

Rules Over: The Dagda ruled over the Tuatha de Danann (after Nuada was injured) for approximately 80 years. He is a God of magic, time and a protector.

The Dagda is well-known for his cauldron, which is bottomless. Nobody will go hungry when it is around.

He also has a large club which is said to kill 9 men with a single blow, but can also revive the slain.

The Dagda had an affair with Boand, and conceived a son. To conceal this, he made the sun stand still until his child was born. This child, Oengus, was sent away, and when he came back, found that nothing was left to him like it was his siblings. At this knowledge, he tricked the Dagda out of his own lodging.

---

An interesting link I found in my search, The God Oracle.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dagda

http://www.shee-eire.com/Magic&Mythology/Gods&Goddess/Celtic/Gods/Dagda/Page1.htm

Deity of the Week - Bel

2010-04-28T10:13:00.000-05:00

Bel

Names: "Shining One," Belinos, Belenus, Belisama, Bile("Sacred Tree")

Relationships: Many contradictory references including Danu, the Dagda, Belisana.

Basic Descriptions: Not much is known about this God, but He is celebrated at Beltaine (Fires of Bel) and watches over the spring/summer.

Rules Over: The month of May; fire and sun.

Colors: Yellow, orange, red

Day: Sunday

http://www.spiritrealm.com/Melinda/Myth/Bel.htm

Deity of the Week - Epona

2010-04-14T00:00:00.000-05:00

Names: Epona. “Divine Horse”, “The Great Mare”

Relationships: Possibly the mother of all the Celts, even above Danu.

Basic Descriptions: A Goddess of Horses and fertility. Sometimes, she is considered to be a parallel to Rhiannon. It seems she was worshipped throughout the Roman Empire, which is rare for a Celtic Deity.

Plants: Roses, apples.

Animals: Horses (especially mares and foals), birds and dogs.

Deity of the Week - Brigit

2010-03-24T00:00:00.002-05:00

Brigit Pronounced Bri-jit. Though I've also known people to say it's pronounced “breed” or “bride”. It all depends on the spelling used, I think. Personally, I've always something between bri-jit and breed. Kind of like the G is silent in Brigit.

Names: Brigid, Brighid, Bride, Briget, Brid, Brigan, Saint Brigid.
Relationships: Daughter of the Dagda. Wife of Bres. Mother to three sons: Brian, Iuchar, and Uar.
Basic Descriptions: One of the Tuatha de Danann, Brigit is a Goddess of fire: hearth and home. She reigns over poetry, healing and smithing. She is considered the Virgin aspect of the Great Goddess.

Brigit is the only Goddess associated with Imbolc.

It seems to be that Brigit has three aspects, or She is three sisters which “combine” to be the whole. If they're sisters, all are named Brigit. There is the “Fire of the Hearth” Brigit who is a Goddess of fertility, family, and childbirth. Brigit, “Fire of the Forge” is a Goddess of smithing, crafts, weaving, justice and honor. “Fire of Inspiration” Brigit governs over anything to do with creativity: poetry and writing, songs and culture. (http://www.goddess-gift.com/goddess_gift_book/Feb05.htm)

Animals: Cows, Sheep – All female and giving milk.

Common Stories:

It is said that Brigit was born at the exact moment of daybreak.

Brigit married Bres, a Fomorian. The Fomorians and the Tuatha de Danann were enemies, and they hoped this alliance would bring peace to the two tribes. As the war started, however, Her son Brian attacked and killed the Fomorian's smith. He was slain before the other died. Brigit mourned so powerfully that she was heard throughout Ireland. Because she was loved by both sides, nobody wanted to see her in such grief and fighting ceased. This solidified her position as a Goddess of peace and unity.

There is a tale of two lepers who came to Brigit asking to be healed. She ordered them to bathe eachother in her well and they would be healed. After the first leper was cured, he was repulsed by the other and refused to go near him. At this, Brigit caused his leprosy to return and healed the other by placing her cloak around him.

When the Catholics tried to overtake Ireland and convert the pagans to Catholicism, they absorbed Brigit as a saint. She is said to be the midwife to Mary and the foster mother to Jesus.

Deity of the Week - Tuatha de Danann

2010-03-17T00:00:00.002-05:00

Tuatha de Danann

There are various spelling for the name of this family, but I'm going to stick with the one above because it's easier than worrying about which one is "right." Generally, it's agreed that the name Tuatha de Danann means "People of Danu" but it's also believed that it just means "Gods".

The Tuatha de Danann were said to have arrived to Ireland from four magical cities. These cities were Falias, Gorias, Finias, and Murias. They brought with them four treasures, which were Nuada's Sword of Light, Lugh's Spear, the Stone of Fal and the Dagda's Cauldron.
The Sword would always deal a fatal blow and Lugh's spear would ensure victory. The Dagda's cauldron is said to be able to feed all of Ireland without running empty, and the Stone of Fal, or Stone of Fate, which called out the rightful King of Ireland when stepped upon.

Nuada was the King of the Danann, though Bres was his temporary replacement when he lost an arm. Bres was unsatisfactory, so Diancecht fashioned a working one out of silver and Nuada was reinstated. Miach, Diancecht's son, was dissatisfied with the replacement, and recited a spell that turned the silver arm into flesh. Diancecht was overcome with jealousy and murdered his son.

There are several men among the Tuatha de Danann that are considered the High Kings of Ireland. These include both Nuada and Bres, but also the Dagda, Lugh, Fiacha, Mac Cuill, Mac Cecht, and Mac Greine.

The Tuatha de Danann is also referred to as the Sidhe, or mound people. After coming to Ireland and fighting with the Fir Bolgs and Fomorians, the Danann moved to the Otherworld. The Otherworld is underground in mounds, and there their palaces were unable to be seen by mankind. In the Otherworld, the Tuatha de Danann did not age, though they were still mortal in the sense that they could be killed by others or accidents.

Deity of the Week - List of Celtic Deities

2010-03-10T00:00:00.002-06:00

Aine * f * Irish * Summer solstice, Queen of the Fey
Andraste * f * Fertility, war, death.
Aoife * f * Warrior, martial arts.
Arawn * m * Death, war, underworld, cauldron, shape shifting
Arianrhod * f * Celestial Goddess of time and space.
Artio * f * Bears, strength, fertility, protection.
Badb * f * War, inspiration, fury. “Battle Raven”
Banba * f * Irish Goddess of Earth.
Bel * m * Fires, healing, music, truth. The Sun. Note: Beltaine
Belisana * f * Healing, laughter, woodland animals.
Bran * m * Music, prophecy, protector of bards/poets.
Branwen * f * Welsh Goddess of Love. “White Raven”
Brigit * f * Sacred fires, sun, hearth. Bride, poetry, medicine. Note: Ostara
Camulus * m * War, swords(use), clouds/storms.
Cernunnos * m * Animals, life/death, wealth, knowledge, horned animals.
Cerridwen * f * The All Mother, knowledge, inspiration, wisdom.
Coventina * f * Wells, Earth's womb, childbirth, renewal.
Criedne * m * Swords(making), smiths, metalworking.
(the)Dagda * m * God of Earth. Life, death, wisdom, prosperity, abundance/feasts.
Danu * f * Shape shifter, wisdom, self-control.
Diancecht * m * Medicine, husband to the Morrigan.
Dwyn * m * Tricks, pranks, manliness, mischief.
Elayne * f * Irish mother of the warrior. Leadership, war.
Etain * f * Beauty, grace.
Epona * f * Horses, shape shifting, fertilization.
Erin * f * Irish * Shape shiftinggg, power of the land, creation, Tuatha de Danann.
Esus * m * Woodlands, hunting, bow and arrow.
Findabair * f * Otherworld, beauty, love, grace.
Fliodhas * f * Protector of animals and forests.
Gabba * f * The Crone. “Dark Queen”
Gobannon * m * Divine blacksmith, forges, metal, tools. Creative fire.
Gwalchmei * m * Love, music, fields, hunting.
Gwidion * m * Air, eloquence, kindness, healing.
Gwynn Ap Nudd * m * Otherworld, the death chase, Wild Hunt.
Herne * m * The Wild Hunt.
Helith * m * Fire, protector of the souls of the dead. Peach.
Letha * f * Midsummer harvest, swans, apples. Note: Litha
Llyr * m * Sea God, shape shifting
Lugh * m * Sun God, master of the arts, weapons, poetry, bardic knowledge, war. Note: Lughnasadh
Mabon * m * Love, magic, sex, youthfulness, tricks. Note: Mabon
Macha * f * Irish * Threefold Sun Goddess. Fertility, war, ritual games.
Manannan Mac Lir * m * Seas, travel, shape shifting
Math * m * Wisdom, enchantment, sorcery.
Medb * f * Warrior queen. Spear and shield.
Morgana * f * Magic, fertility, death, sexuality, shape shifting
Morrigan * f * Sea Goddess, wisdom, beauty.
Merlin * m * Woodlands, earth, stones, air, sun.
Nemetona * f * Patroness of the sacred springs.
Nemon * f * Goddess of War. “Venomous”
Nimue * f * Lady of the Lake.
Nwyvre * m * Space, stars, astrology.
Nuada * m * War, thunder, rebirth.
Odma * m * Civilization, knowledge, sexuality.
Phyll * m * Otherworld, hounds.
Rhiannon * f * Mother, knowledge, strength, apples.
Sadv * f * Forests, doe/fawn.
Sirona * f * Solar/Astral plane. Stars, skies.
Taliesin * m * Poet, prophet, metamorphosis.
Taranis * m * Thunder, storms, seasons.
Tethra *m * Sea, great magic.
Triana * f * Triple Goddess. Healing, mental arts, nature, life/death. Higher love.
Viviana * f * Mother Goddess, life, birth. Mothers, children.

Deity of the Week - Celtic Pantheon

2010-03-03T15:00:00.000-06:00

So I've come to the realization that there is a rediculously large amount of Celtic Deities. Instead of doing all of them, I'll pick and choose from a list. Any deities that you request I'll do my best to cover, as well as any I feel should be included.

You can leave suggestions here or on next week's post, as I'll hopefully be starting the new portion of this series then.

Blessings,
Skye

Benefits of a Dream Journal (And Other Stuff)

2010-02-21T01:58:00.000-06:00

There have been many times when I've tried to keep a consistant journal of the Gods know what. It's been everything frmo sleep/food logs to a dream journal. Well, today I'm going to talk about my dream journal experiences.

At first, it was very rarely when I'd remember to write down a dream. Every now and then I'd remember to journal it first thing in the morning. Sometimes I'd remember in the middle of the day when the details were all fuzzy from consiousness.

A couple weeks ago I started writing my dreams down again. Even if I only remembered tiny snippets of what my dreams were about, I wrote it down. Any impressions or possibilities, I included as well. After a while I finally started remembering in more and more detail. My entries went from being a few lines long to nearly a page or more.

I've also started to notice recurring themes as well as influences from my daily life. For instance, I was watching Zombieland and reading the Twilight series recently, and in my dream there was a sort of cross-breed between zombies and Twilight-esque vampires playing the antagonizer in my dream.

Anyway, dream journals have helped me figure out what I'm thinking about certain situations.

--

The last time I was able to keep track of my dreams for a while, I did it mentally. I didn't really keep track of them so much as I thought about them after waking. I ended up spontaneously lucid dreaming. It was definitely an experience I want to repeat in another form.

--

Anyway, for a personal update: I'm hopefully going to be starting school next month. I'll be spreading myself even more thin than I already am. I'm having a tough time getting back into blogging since my hiatus, but I'm just starting to feel the inspiration again. I'm planning on starting up Deity of the Week again, but no guarantees. I'm going to do one more Nordic deity (Njordr) then proceed to the Celtic Pantheon. if any of you have any suggestions, I'd be glad to take them into account. If there's anything other than just deities that you would like to see just leave me a comment.

Blessings,
Skye

Deity of the Week - Baldr

2009-11-25T00:00:00.000-06:00

Deity of the Week

Baldr

Names: Balder
Relationships: Baldr's wife is Nanna; his son is Forseti. He was the son of Odin and Frigg, and his brother was Hodr.
Basic Descriptions: Baldr is associated with light and beauty, and was said to be the most handsome God. Most of what can be found about Baldr revolves around his death.
Appearance: All that's said about Baldr's appearance is that he is light and beautiful.
Rules Over: Baldr was the God of light and beauty. He also was associated with purity and innocence.

Significant Possessions:
Baldr owned a boat, Hringhorni, which was said to be the largest ship.
He also owned a horse.
His hall was Breidablik.

Common Stories:
Baldr's death was foreseen by his mother, Frigg, in a dream. Trying to stall Baldr's death, She went around and took an oath from everything in existance: humans, Gods, Giants, plants and animals. Only one, mistletoe, refused to swear the oath. (Alternatively, Frigg thought it wasn't big enough to do any damage and looked it over.)
Frigg kept Baldr's one weakness a secret, until Loki disguised himself as an elderly woman and convinced Her to share it. Loki ran off at once to get some Mistletoe, and fashioned an arrow from a twig.
The Aesir liked partaking in a sport of throwing things at Baldr. They would throw rocks, shoot arrows among other things, enjoying that they would not hurt Him. Hodr would stay off to the side, as he was blind and couldn't join in. Loki went to Hodr and offered to help him shoot an arrow at Baldr. Hodr believed that it wouldn't hurt him, and wasn't aware of the deception, so he agreed. The arrow pierced through Baldr and he was mortally wounded.
Originally, the Gods were furious with Hodr, until Loki's plan was brought to light. Loki tried to escape as a salmon, but was caught and tortured.

After His death, Hermod agreed to ride to Hel to try to get Baldr released. Hel agrees, but only if every living being weeps for him. The sorrow throughout the land was great, and everybody cried over his death. All except for a giantess named Thokk, who refused. It was later found that this was Loki in disguise.

For Baldr's funeral, he was set upon a pyre on his ship. His wife, when she saw his body, died of a broken heart (alternatively, she threw herself onto the pyre with him.) The boat was set to sea and it burnt down. His horse was also burnt with him.

Deity of the Week - Sol

2009-11-18T15:15:00.001-06:00

Deity of the Week

Sol

Names: Sunna, Sunne, Frau Sunne
Relationships: The daughter of Mundilfari. Sol is married to Glen.
Basic Descriptions: The Sun Goddess, she rides across the sky on a chariot and is chased by the wolf Skoll who wants to eat her.
Rules Over: The Sun, daytime

Colors: Gold
Stones/Metals: Gold
Day: Sunday
Runes or other Symbols: Elder Futhark, Sowilo. Anglo-Saxon Futhark - Sigel
Animals:

Significant Possessions:
Sol drove through the sky on a chariot. The chariot is pulled by two horses Alsvid, “all-swift” and Arvak, “early riser”.

Common Stories:
It is fated that Skoll eventually catches up and devours Sol at Ragnarok. Sol's daughter is destined to replace and outshine her mother.

Deity of the Week - Mani

2009-11-11T00:00:00.000-06:00

Deity of the Week

Mani

Names: Lune
Relationships: The brother to Sol. Son of Mundilfari.
Basic Descriptions: Mani is the God who pulls the moon through the sky at night while being chased by the wolf Hati.
Rules Over: Nightime, the Moon

Deity of the Week - Skadi

2009-11-04T00:00:00.001-06:00

Deity of the Week
Skaði

Names: Skadi, Skade, Skathi, Ondurgud (Ski God)
Relationships: Married to Njordr and later, possibly Odin or Ullr.
Basic Descriptions: A Goddess and Jotun associated with hunting (archery), winter, skiing and mountains. The Gods had supposedly killed Skadi's father, and to make up for it they married Her to Njordr. The waves of the ocean were too much for her, however, and she moved back to the mountains. Skadi is also a name of a type of Norse Shamanic magic, so she likely has an association with that as well.
Appearance: Skadi is usually pictured with long blonde curly hair. Since she's a Goddess of Winter, she's usually wearing heavy furs and is accompanied by a wolf.
Rules Over: Winter, archery, skiing.

Colors: White, light blues.
Animals: Wolves

Common Stories:
After the Gods had killed Skadi's father, she wanted veangence. She went to Asgard and to repay for what happened, they offered her a God's hand in marriage. The twist is, she had to choose them by the looks of their feet. Skadi had wanted to wed Baldr, and thought that he would have the best looking feet, but she instead picked Njordr. They both spent time in eachother's domain trying to work something out, but neither could feel at home and they decided to split up. There are differing accounts as to what happens next, Skadi remarries either to Odin or Ullr.

After Loki had killed Baldr, the Gods called upon Skadi to punish him. She places the snake over his head that slowly dripped venom on him. This burned and tormented Loki, and Skadi found it very enjoyable, because she had been in love with Baldr.

Deity of the Week - Mimir

2009-10-28T00:00:00.001-05:00

Deity of the Week

Mimir

Basic Descriptions: A god who got beheaded in the Aesir-Vanir war. His head was restored to life by Odin, and he watches over the well at Yggdrasil. He knows how the universe works and is wiser than Odin.
Significant Possessions: The well he watches over is known as Mimir's Well.

Deity of the Week - Snotra

2009-10-21T00:00:00.003-05:00

Deity of the Week

Snotra

Basic Descriptions: Snotra is one of Frigg's Handmaidens. She is associated with wisdom, self-discipline, and prudence. Snotra can be called on whenever there is a need for proper etiquette.

Deity of the Week - Nott

2009-10-14T00:00:00.001-05:00

Deity of the Week

Nott

Names: Nat
Relationships: Nott had three husbands, the last of which was Dellingr, with whom she had a son, Dagr, the personification of day.
Basic Descriptions: The Goddess of the Night. She pulls a cloak across the night sky while riding her horse(alternatively a chariot).
Appearance: Long dark hair and dark skin.
Rules Over: Night.

Deity of the Week - Sjofn

2009-10-07T00:00:00.000-05:00

Deity of the Week

Sjofn

Names: Vjofn

Basic Descriptions: One of Frigg's Handmaidens, Sjofn is often considered the Goddess of Love. She ensures harmony in a relationship, and can help resolve quarrels.

Rules Over: Matrimony, love, passion, cooperation in a relationship. Affection.

Colors: Red, Pink

Stones/Metals: Diamond, Sapphire, Gold

Plants: Rose

Day: Friday

Deity of the Week - Ran

2009-09-30T00:00:00.001-05:00

Deity of the Week

Ran

Relationships: She is married to Aegir, the giant God of the Sea. Nine daughters, who are the waves.
Basic Descriptions: A Goddess of the sea, she watches over anybody who dies at sea. She likes gold, and it's said that sailors would keep a gold coin to give to her in case they happen to perish at sea. Her hall at the bottom of the sea is lit by the gold coins. Ran is said to be the cause of storms at sea, and can choose who perishes and who survives.
Appearance: Most pictures depict Ran as a mermaid, but she can also be seen as a human with patches of scale and a blue tinge to her hair and skin.
Rules Over: Deaths at sea, waves.

Colors: Blue, green.
Plants: Any water plants.
Animals: Fish, water mammals, amphibians, other animals that dwell in the water.

Significant Possessions:
A net that catches drowning or dead sailors and brings them to her hall.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%A1n
http://www.elfwood.com/~aolson/Ran,_Norse_Goddess_of_the_Sea.2531677.html

Deity of the Week - Hel

2009-09-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

Deity of the Week

Hel

Names: Hel, Hela
Relationships: Daughter of Loki
Basic Descriptions: A Goddess who resides and rules over Hel (occasionally sited Niflheim.) She rules over the dead that have not been killed in battle. She decides the fate of those who enter Hel. It is said that there was no disease in the world until Hel was born, and it followed her wherever she went.
Appearance: She is often depicted as being half alive and half dead. It's also said that she was born with bones on the outside of her body. (This could be relating to the dead half of her body.)
Rules Over: Death, those who have died from natural causes.

Colors: Black, Dark Purple

Significant Possessions: Hel resides in and rules the realm of Hel/Niflheim.

Common Stories:
When Baldr died, the Gods went to Hel asking for her to restore him to life. She agreed, but only if every being cried for him. All the animals, Gods, trees and even the stones concented, but one Giantess did not. It turns out that this was Loki in disguise.

Links:
http://www.gods-heros-myth.com/godpages/hel.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hel_(being)

Deity of the Week - Tyr

2009-09-16T00:00:00.001-05:00

Deity of the Week

Tyr

Names: Tiw, Ziu, Teiws, Tiwaz.
Relationships: The son of either Odin or Hymir.
Basic Descriptions: Tyr could possibly have been viewed as the leader of the Aesir at some point, but was overcome by both Thor and Odin. He was known for his courage, and for doing the right thing. His right hand was bitten off by the wolf, Fenrir, so he had to battle left handed. Some sources give Tyr reign over the sky, but most attribute him to battle and law.
Appearance: Has no right hand.
Rules Over: Battle, justice. Left-handedness. Courage.

Day: Tuesday
Runes or other Symbols: Tiw
Animals: Wolf

Common Stories:
The Gods had tried to bind the wolf, Fenrir, a few times, failing each time. They could not find a chain strong enough to hold him.
The dwarves agreed to make a ribbon, Gleipnir, that appeared to be silk but was stronger than any chain. It was composed of the sound of a cat's footfall, the beard of a woman, the breath of a fish, bear's sinews (sensibility), and a bird's spittle. It is said that the creation of Gleipnir is the reason none of these exist today.
Fenrir, sensing the God's deceit would only agree to let them bind him if one of the deities put his hand in his mouth. Tyr was the only one who consented, and Fenrir was bound. Once the wolf realized what happened, he bit off Tyr's right hand. Fenrir will stay bound until Ragnarok.

Deity of the Week - Freya

2009-09-09T12:01:00.001-05:00

Deity of the Week

Freya

Names: Freyja

Relationships: Sister to Frey. Daughter of Njordr. Wife to Odr. Her children are Hnoss and Gersemi.

Basic Descriptions: A beautiful Goddess of love, fertility and war. The leader of the Valkyries. She can be related to Frigg both in name and in actions. The two rule over very similar aspects, and are both mother-figures.

Appearance: Extremely beautiful. Blonde haired and blue-eyed.

Rules Over: Sexuality, beauty, fertility, love.

Colors: Red, silver

Stones/Metals: Amber

Plants: Flowers.

Day: Friday

Animals: Boar, cats, falcon.

Significant Possessions:

Brisingamen, a magical amber necklace made by the dwarves. When she appears wearing nothing but Brisingamen, she is irresistable to men .

A falcon cloak that transforms her into a bird and allows her to travel between the 9 worlds.

A chariot that's pulled by cats.

Common Stories:

Freya is the leader of the Valkyries, which entitles her to half of the slain warriors. She takes them to her hall to relax and enjoy themselves until Ragnarok.

Recourses:

http://mydeities.blogspot.com/2009/03/my-patron-goddess.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freyja