Lady Liberty the beautiful Colossus of America. Her form and function descends from the Roman goddess Libertas but as her destiny became further entwined with America she took upon herself new names, Lady Liberty, Columbia, and "the angel of liberty" she became not only the personification of liberty but also of America herself as Columbia. She stood shoulder to shoulder with the minutemen, strode next to the pioneers in their manifest destiny fought near all those who died in wars, free of shackles her hopes and goals were sent into the hearts and dreams of Washington. Draped in old glory armed with a sword and a smile Lady Liberty stands proud before her people. She has unfortunately been used to continually push the very issues and propaganda that brought us where we are today. But never forget where she started in the hearts and dreams and spirit of our people yearning to breathe free in the pursuit of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.

Nike, also known in Rome as Victoria is the goddess of the Greeks who governed Victory. She also had control over speed and strength and decided the victors of battles, events, and any other form where a Victor could be crowned. She was considered the only winged goddess in Greek mythology and often carried a sword and a laurel wreathe or at times a torch. She fought with the Olympians both in the Titanomachy and the Gigantomachy as a result of her aid with Typhon she is often depicted in statues of Zeus or Athena as being in their right hand. She was so beloved and worshipped that when Christianity took over she was Christianized and made angelic which eventually evolved to the angels “winged victories” that appear in Europe. Nike's association with victory was so sought after that even Zeus would try to win her favor and to this day she is placed in places in order to achieve Victory as Zeus promised long ago that she would live forever. The ornament on a Rolls Royce car is of Nike, the popular shoe brand Nike takes its name from her and even the Olympic medals to this day carry an image of her on the back. Statues of the goddess dot the landscape from Berlin all the way to Georgia and even beyond Europe. Many names have descended from Nike such as Nicholas, Nicola, Nikita, Nicolai, Victoria, Victor, Nicole, Ike and many more. She is the daughter of Pallas and Styx and the sister to her three brothers Bia, Kratos, and Zelos her grandfather was considered to be Poseidon though since her parents are both Titans this is odd, in another version she is the daughter of Ares. In the latter period of Greek antiquity Nike became to intertwined with Athena as to be considered another aspect of Athena. What is Victory to you?  What are some goals you hope to achieve in life and be Victorious? 

The Hearth Part 1/3: It's been a common stereotype of our women especially online for them to have closets full of candles. Different shapes, sizes, scents. It's been the butt of many a punchline, but they seem to just do it, and when we just do something there is usually something deeper, something innate. Maybe, just maybe it's a memory of the eternal flame. Our women for thousands of years kept a flame going both for the spiritual purpose of the Hearth, but also for the practicality in a time without matches or lighters a quick fire could be the difference between life or death. Every frostbitten babe, every hungry mouth, every small burn while learning to cook, every candle by the window to lead us home, every lantern lit for the spirits of kin long gone. In every chilly night and dark winter the fire was there, they tended it for years innumerable. That doesn't go away so easily, it leaves a mark deep in the souls of people. Especially the keepers of the flame. All the homemade cookies, or scent of wood in the stove, every healing tincture and every warmth and light a story was told by. They were there with the fire, their fire. Something like that is not to be mocked it is to be lauded in a time of darkness we find them reaching once more for the light, for the scents of home of pine, and autumn leaves, of fresh baked pie and sheets in the wind. Most of us have so little of a home, in the very blood of our women they try to make a little magic and warmth, without even thinking about it. How much more noble an instinct could you witness? This has been part 1 of 3 To be continued...

The Hearth Part 2/3: The Hearth is the heart of the home, its light and warmth enveloped many a shivering child and warmed many a meal for a family. The fire was safety it was warmth and comfort, it was home. From this most basic tenant the home could be built. The fire expanded stewarded by our women kept burning, sacral and holy yes, but sweet and homey as well. To this day clustered around a fires light stories are told, food is roasted, and a family is made. The fire expands from mother to daughter from family to clan to all our people. Its heat bakes bread, and warms stew, it comes upon our stoves as much as our fireplaces. It is where memories are made, it is the light in the window to lead us home, it is the memories of holidays and the place where secrets and gifts are passed mother to child. The warmth of more fires than stars in the sky have been made by our women their tender touch taking the harsh wildness of the flames and keeping them as nourishing embers. The women brought the flames and gave them a home, she tamed them as beauty doth tame the beast. Its sharp edges kept but kept sheathed for its talents becomes only truly harnessed in the gifts it gives the home, its home as much as ours. The Hearth was brought from the woman to the man as she gifted him the fire for his forge so he too could create, and honor her gift and his people. From the darkest nights campfires in caves and longhouses, to a snow covered mountain where the hot chocolate is spooned into cups for wide eyed children. The Hearth is still the heart, nurtured and tended by the one who makes the home. This has been part 2 of 3 Finale tomorrow......

The Hearth Part 3/3: One of the most well known, widespread, and beloved goddesses is the one who embodies the Hearth and home. Brigid, Hestia, Vesta, Matergabia, Gabija, Frigg, and more. These goddesses are embodied in the Hearth tended by our women since memory began. Perhaps they are the flame themselves? Or perhaps long ago in the dark of night they were the first women of the people to bring nourishing flame and embolden their kin with a home and a place to fight for, banishing the chill? Perhaps this was an ancestor, perhaps it was the goddesses incarnate. Who exactly they were matters less than who they are. The feel of welcome of the holidays, the warmth and heart of the home, the build up of warmth in the very hearts of our people, that emanates from within and warms our very blood. The light in the dark, the warmth in the snow, the longing for home when far away. In the warmth of the love for our people, in the memories of fresh baked bread, and the heat from the fire on a cold winters night. She has never left us even when the flame itself is ashes the fire continues within ourselves burning bright as our women from long long ago in the dark of the night brought an ember forth and lit a light and that fire burned within our minds and hearts, in memories and dreams. It burns in all of us tended and nurtured by our women, the stewards of the eternal flame both the one that burns without and the one within. This is the Hearth goddess, this is their importance, deeper than we can imagine, beloved even by those who forget their names and faces. We know them, our women embody them and express them even when they do not realize it. They are the Hearth, they are the heart, they are the home.

Live now

Bearskin is a fairy tale collected by the brothers Grimm. It tells the story of a discharged soldier without options who comes upon "the devil in a green coat" who tests him by summoning a bear which is quickly dispatched by the man who would then be known as "Bearskin" is offered unlimited money and wealth that comes from the devils coat that is given to bearskin. However he is also made to wear the skin of the bear and not wash or trim any part of his body for seven years. If he fails his soul is the devils. As the years go by bearskin gets hairier and dirtier until he is often mistaken for a bear, often relying on the devils gold to find lodging such even in the stables. In one such case he meets a man with three daughters who is in dire need of funds or he will be ruined. He aids the man and is rewarded with the hand of his daughter. The two older daughters reject him, but the youngest agrees. Bearskin gives her half a ring and swears to return when his seven years are up. The youngest daughter dresses in mourning and is mocked by her sisters. Bearskin is washed and groomed after he completes his seven years and returns for his bride which he shows who he is with the other half of the ring. They are happily married and the older sisters die by their hands. To which the devil is pleased for getting two souls instead of one.

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"The devil in a green coat" is likely a memory of a horned hunting god such as Holler or Ewicher Yeeger. While the whole ordeal of bearskin seems a likely christianized story of a berserker and/or warrior trial. The bear is somewhat demonized a common tactic while covering stories. This is also an odd depiction of the bearskin motif as in folklore a bearskin often causes complete transformation until removed, sort of like a curse.

Ziva, also known as Zhiva, Siwe, Siwa, Zhibog Siva, Sieba, Razivia, Sifka, Sifa and more. Is a Slavic goddess associated with life, light and fertility. She also governs the transference of energy and can help people get over depression and become full of energy. Similar to Mokosh, Ziva can help with childbirth. However Ziva differs in that she has far more focus on land fertility. Being associated highly with Orchards and wheat. With some of the oldest depictions of her being naked and holding a golden apple that glows in her hands. Similar to Idunn with her imagery being tied into Eve (Weird I know) due to the similarity. Ziva is more prominent in Western Slavic countries while Mokosh is more prominent in Eastern. Though they both appear in the Balkans. With Ziva even having had a temple that stood at Lake Bled in Slovenia upon the Isle of Bled. A church was built over her temple where her priests wore horns as a symbol of their commitment. Similar to Mokosh she was blended into the Worship of Mary. One of the oddest things about Ziva is how far her range was from far east to West into Germany and possibly worshipped by some Germanic tribes. With her names varying to a point very similar to Sif. Making it possible that similar to Hel, Svetovid, Baldr, and Othin she may have been part of the blending as the two sets of cultures met or diverged. However it is just as likely they are similarly named due to linguistic similarities in those areas. Being two possibly related but different goddesses. Still she is an interesting example of a borderland goddess. Many people still have variations on Ziva and Zhiva s their last names perhaps a call back to this goddess. Her name means “Living, Being, Existing” or “Life God” Which notably does differ from Sif's “In-Law”. However it ties into her ties to life. She is said to be daughter of Rod or Svarog and a sibling to Morana, Vesna, Lada, Perun, and wife to Dahzbog in some sources. Where she helps spread his light upon the earth. Despite there being less written about her she is one of the most well known and prominent goddesses of the Slavs and one of the few who can contend with Mokosh for the top spot.

The Apotheosis of Washington (1865) depicting Washington ascending to godhood in the heavens. He is flanked by liberty and victory and the 13 colonies (maidens) encircle him. Six gods exist on the edges: Mercury (Commerce), Ceres (agriculture), Neptunas Rex ( Marine), Vulcan (Mechanics), Minerva (science), Columbia (war). Depicted in the rotunda of the US capitol building.

The Harlequinn or Hellequin is a leader of the Wild Hunt in French folklore. He is known as a demon or fae in christianized lore but wawass likely either a deity or role fulfilled by a deity. He is likely tied into the myth of King Herla another leader of the Wild Hunt found in Britain. He has since become a well known figure in carnival, medieval imagery, and the DC character Harley Quinn. His name likely translates to "Kin of Hel". He at one point seems to have tried to woo Morgan ( perhaps Morgan la Fae) and is a prince of the fae.

Aker, also known as Akerbeltz. Is a Basque spirit or deity his name translates as “Billy goat” or more specifically “Black Billy goat”. He is one of the most well known gods of Basque folklore and had both positive and negative attributes. His positives were likened to Mari the mother goddess of the Basque. While his more negative side was to be feared. He is typically seen as a black billy goat though at times he appears more similar to the traditional image of the devil as a goat headed man. He was a critical part in Basque folk culture especially surrounding covens of witches (pagan priestesses) during the witch's sabbath also known as the Akerlarreak. Where a black billy goat would serve as a stand in for either Akerbeltz or Mari. Taking the spirit of the deity in physical form. Offerings of bread and eggs were given to the goat which was often also decorated. Aker was also known to protect the home and livestock which began a tradition of keeping a black goat in order to protect the animals and home. The worship of Aker was often used as a way to keep to the old ways and nature worship, during times of christian pressures. However there was quite a bit of pressure on them as Aker was called the devil. It was claimed the witches had perverse sexual encounters with the goat and that the goat was a manifestation of Satan conducting a witches sabbath. As such lore of the witches turning into cats or possessing cats and taking fines from “Pious women” and trying to force them to the covens spread quickly. Resulting the demonization of this important Basque deity. There is also another form similar to a sort of horned god and wildman that is said to be a fusion of Akerbeltz and the wildman wizard Basajaun. This satyr like deity is known as Junicot and is similar to Pan in appearance. What is your favorite thing about Akerbeltz?