Goddess History dates back to the earliest civilizations. It’s well documented that ancient societies
worshiped feminine forms of Divine - typically as mother, Earth and nature, or
as Deities who personified feminine attributes.
In common Neopagan usage, the three female figures are frequently
described as the Maiden, the Mother and the Crone (Triple Goddess). For some Pagans, there is a fourth Goddess
aspect, the Dark Goddess. Each Goddess
symbolizes both a separate stage in the female life cycle and a phase of the
moon and often ruling one of the realms of Earth, underworld and heavens. And this is just a snippet of what can be found in, 'Who
Are Your Divine Friends?'
The Maiden
represents youth and innocence, magic and new beginnings, and the thrill of
discovery. The innocent being who still
lives inside all of us, who needs and deserves love and care. And whom we sometimes have to channel to
learn self-compassion. She is not yet
mated but is on the threshold of her sexuality.
In this aspect, she symbolizes innocence, hope, joy, curiosity,
flexibility, courage, and enthusiasm.
Greco-Roman mythology expressed this phase of the Goddess as Luna, the
chaste Moon Goddess. Diana, Artemis,
Skadi, Eos, Idunn, Bast and Persephone also characterize the Maiden aspect of
the Divine Feminine.
There are cultural and religious traditions that
place particular value and significance in this state, especially in the case
of unmarried females, associated with notions of personal purity, honor, and
worth. Like chastity, the concept of
virginity has traditionally involved sexual abstinence before marriage and then
to engage in sexual acts only with the wedding partner. The state of virginity has no legal consequences
in most societies today though it may have social implications. It did have significant legal and social
effects in some communities in the past and still in some cultures to this day.
The women of the Ancient Norse Lore are not known
for being quiet or submissive. Norse
women had rights that didn’t exist in other parts of Europe, such as the right
to divorce their husbands and own land.
Viking girls had to help with cooking, farming, spinning, weaving,
making cheese and sewing clothes. They
were expected to keep their fingers busy all day long: sewing and weaving, but
most of all spinning wool. In Ancient Norse
culture there were female Skalds (poets), Shield Maidens
(female warriors) and Priestesses. They
also had the knowledge of herbs in order to make medicine and to care for the
wounded. And the Seidr, a type of Norse
magic that was most commonly performed by women. Any future trades would have been chosen at a
young age in-order to have time to train.
The Maiden is the youngest aspect of the Goddess
energy. Sometimes called the Hunter Goddess,
she is the innocence and lack of worries, the joy of living. The Maiden is usually associated with the
waxing moon, the spring season, the colors white and pink, flowers, and wild
animals, especially young or white ones.
She represents purity and the innocence of childhood, where the soul’s
dreams, magic and make believe still prevail.
She is often called on for coming of age and
handfasting rites.
Age
isn't a matter of body, but mind,
For years that bring wisdom, they also bring grief.
A child's day's eternal; an old mind will find
Every year flying faster, the days all too brief.
Age's felt and not counted, as Memory and Thought
Sit with heavier weight on your shoulders each day.
The blossoms have wilted, the autumn has brought
Bareness to branches, and leaves' decay.
But the apples remain, and in each golden orb
Is the sunshine of bliss and the sweetness of youth;
The joy and the zeal of your childhood, absorbed,
The taste of your springtime, untouched by time's tooth.
For this is my gift to Gods and to men:
I'm saving life's savor in fruit that makes whole.
An apple each day, I will grant you again
Not youth of the body, but youth of the soul.
For years that bring wisdom, they also bring grief.
A child's day's eternal; an old mind will find
Every year flying faster, the days all too brief.
Age's felt and not counted, as Memory and Thought
Sit with heavier weight on your shoulders each day.
The blossoms have wilted, the autumn has brought
Bareness to branches, and leaves' decay.
But the apples remain, and in each golden orb
Is the sunshine of bliss and the sweetness of youth;
The joy and the zeal of your childhood, absorbed,
The taste of your springtime, untouched by time's tooth.
For this is my gift to Gods and to men:
I'm saving life's savor in fruit that makes whole.
An apple each day, I will grant you again
Not youth of the body, but youth of the soul.
~Michaela
Macha
Dearest
Maiden, Goddess of Spring,
Please bring illumination in early morning.
As you awaken at your hour,
Let me feel your energy and power.
Please bring illumination in early morning.
As you awaken at your hour,
Let me feel your energy and power.
Spring is Coming
Michaela Macha ,Tune: "Are you sleeping, Brother John?"
Michaela Macha ,Tune: "Are you sleeping, Brother John?"
Spring is coming full of flowers,
Freya smiles, Freya smiles.
Idunn and her apples, Idunn and her apples,
All is young. All is young.
Freya smiles, Freya smiles.
Idunn and her apples, Idunn and her apples,
All is young. All is young.
Summertime, the corn is golden,
hair of Sif, hair of Sif.
Thor is making thunder, Thor is making thunder,
Rain pours down. Rain pours down.
hair of Sif, hair of Sif.
Thor is making thunder, Thor is making thunder,
Rain pours down. Rain pours down.
Autumn brings us fruits and bounty,
gifts of Frey, gifts of Frey.
Frigg's hearth and fire, Frigg's hearth and fire,
Safe and warm. Safe and warm.
gifts of Frey, gifts of Frey.
Frigg's hearth and fire, Frigg's hearth and fire,
Safe and warm. Safe and warm.
Wintertide has come upon us,
Skadhi skis, Skadhi skis.
Uller goes a-hunting, Uller goes a-hunting,
Ravens cry. Ravens cry.
Skadhi skis, Skadhi skis.
Uller goes a-hunting, Uller goes a-hunting,
Ravens cry. Ravens cry.
Maiden,
New beginnings sprout in feminine Earth.
Legs rooted in blossoming
Spring.
Newborn innocence cultivates in
raw purity.
New beginnings sprout in feminine Earth.
Legs rooted in blossoming
Spring.
Newborn innocence cultivates in
raw purity.
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