Profiles of 5 Mythological Goddesses

Goddess Ishtar, Ixchel, White Tara, Coventina, and Mawu

Jul 17, 2009

Female deities of ancient times not only represented varying aspects of world religions but also a powerful element of divine feminine wisdom.

Goddesses in mythology are an inherent part of ancient cultures and religions, such as Babylonian, Mayan, Buddhist, Celtic and African cultures.

Though the specific stories differ with the roles they played in legend and society, goddesses in general symbolize the feminine power intrinsic to both men and women.

Babylonian Goddess Ishtar

The Akkadian counterpart of Sumerian Inanna and Semitic Astarte, Ishtar was a Babylonian goddess associated with the womanly energy of Venus. Her traits include the nurturing mother, sensuality, healing, protection, and fertility.

Ishtar reminds those who ask for her assistance to be of service without compromising personal boundaries. She wisely encourages others to be giving but not to the point of feeling resentful, guilty, or angry. Invite Ishtar as a spiritual guide in order to help you establish healthy, functional boundaries.

Mayan Goddess Ixchel

According to Mayan mythology, the moon goddess Ixchel, together with her sun god husband, created the pantheon of Mayan gods. Known also as the Lady Rainbow, she is connected to the tides, water, and rain flow.

Ixchel presumably presides over Manataka, once a mystical gathering place of peace for spiritual elders and indigenous tribal leaders. She is a powerful healer with creational roots and can be invoked to help tap into into the infinite source of divine healing energy that flows through all of life.

Buddhist and Hindu Goddess White Tara

In Hindu mythology, Tara represented the divine feminine archetype. By the third century B.C., the complex manifestations of Tara appeared in Buddhism. Mythology states that Tara originated from a tear of the compassionate bodhisattva, Avalokitesvera, whose human incarnation today is reportedly the Dalai Lama.

Tara's colorful aspects include Green, White, Red, Black, Yellow, and Blue Tara. As White Tara, this female goddess suggests purity, compassion, love, serenity, and peace. To help her followers through the process of ascension, White Tara urges believers to take care of themselves by avoiding harsh chemicals and detrimental relationships and environments.

Celtic Water Goddess Coventina

A Romano-Celtic goddess, Coventina protects bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, and streams. To show gratitude for the bubbling springs and streams on their land, local Celts thanked Coventina by throwing coins into wishing wells, a practice still performed today.

Coventina's attributes include environmental and physical body purification. When your body begins to feel sluggish and overloaded with toxins, she can help you detoxify physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual impurities.

West African Goddess Mawu

Moon goddess Mawu and male counterpart Liza (or Lisa) are creational deities in African mythology. They are worshiped by the Fon and most of the Ewe people in coastal West Africa. Mawu is associated with Mother Earth and environmental causes.

She can be summoned to assist others in protecting the planet, conserving natural resources, and living in harmony with nature. To help rekindle a relationship with Mother Nature, you can ask Mawu to provide you with an eco-friendly project or task.

The legendary stories of goddesses as well as the traits they're associated with help relate these deities to human nature and the challenges of earthly life.

The goddesses were invoked in ancient times for spiritual and religious assistance and can still be called upon today for guidance, strength, and spiritual support.

The copyright of the article Profiles of 5 Mythological Goddesses in Paganism/Wicca is owned by Alice Landry. Permission to republish Profiles of 5 Mythological Goddesses in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.