The Moon has long been revered as an archetype in many ancient religions. It helps us measure time, plant crops at optimal times, navigate land and sea surfaces safely.
Wicca and Paganism both acknowledge the Moon Goddess as an archetype that plays an essential role. Learn more about her and how you can connect with her!
Artemis
Artemis was one of the twelve Olympians, which are the main gods in ancient Greek mythology. She was the daughter of Zeus and Leto (another titan), as well as being his sister-in-law and had many talents herself.
She is known as the moon goddess, associated with childbirth, virginity, and fertility.
Her most recognizable symbols include a bow and arrow, crescent moon, the stag, & hunting dogs. She was an immensely powerful goddess who could assume any animal form she desired.
As a goddess, she fiercely protected her chastity and was widely disliked by men. For disrespecting it, she turned an unfortunate hunter known as Acteon into a stag and killed him with his own hunting dogs for mistreating it.
Artemis was not just the goddess of the moon; she was also revered as an earth mother who controlled weather patterns and could induce earthquakes. Her cult spread far and wide across Greece and other regions worldwide and she was worshipped by various religions. Additionally, Artemis served as protector for young children as well as being associated with purity.
Gleti
Gleti (pronounced gley-tee) is the moon goddess in Dahomey mythology and serves as mother to all stars. Her name means “moon-moon.”
Gleti is one of the three primary rain deities of Zaire; she passed on her duties to Bunzi when her mother was killed, who took on them as well.
Dahomey myth holds that when Gleti’s husband casts his shadow on her face, an eclipse occurs and Gleti becomes an epitome of female strength.
She is considered a goddess of creation as she gave life to humanity. Additionally, she is believed to possess powers associated with fertility enhancement.
Mawu and Legba, two other creator goddesses in Sub-Saharan Africa, form the three creator goddesses. She often stands back and allows other pantheons to govern the universe while she stays out of it all.
Sarpandit
The moon goddess is one of the most revered deities in mythology, symbolizing fertility, abundance and feminine cycles in many tribal societies around the globe.
Her name derives from the Latin term luna, the root word for words like ‘lunar’ and ‘lunatic’ in English. She is considered a powerful female deity who can conceal reality while dispelling illusion, awakening intuition, and sparking visions.
She often forms part of the Triad Goddess rituals and in the neopagan tradition is considered the inspiration behind all true poetry.
Her power to transform and heal can often be seen reflected in her image of an elderly figure with two large hounds and a torch to symbolize wisdom. She is closely connected with the dark moons and often seen hovering at crossroads with both moons.
Sefkhet
Moon Goddesses play a central role in many cultures around the globe and their significance can be found everywhere from mythology to fertility and rebirth.
In some cultures, the moon plays an essential part in calendars, helping people measure time and determine when it is the best time for planting and harvesting crops. Furthermore, many believe that its symbolic power symbolizes wisdom and intuition.
Sefkhet was an ancient Egyptian moon goddess associated with Kemet and married Thoth; she also represented time, stars, architecture, and time management.
She was commonly depicted as a woman wearing an arching papyrus plant with six spurs resembling a seven-point star above her head.
Under Seshat’s care was the library at Heliopolis where scrolls of essential knowledge were kept safe, while spells were preserved. Her primary sanctuary was located here and one prince from the Fourth Dynasty named Wep-em-nefret was recognized as Overseer of Royal Scribes as well as Priest of Seshat on a slab stela.
She was revered as patroness of musicians, writers, painters and artists; as well as being worshiped as god of mathematics and writing.
Selene
Luna (Moon in Roman) is the sister of Helios (Sun), the sun god. Selene drives her lunar chariot daily across the heavens from east to west; in addition she can visit mortals dreams.
She was also believed to bring dewdrops that nurtured plants and enabled people to sleep at night, which contributed to cycles of growth and agriculture, female menstruation cycles, epilepsy cases, and demonic possession.
Ancient art often depicted her as a woman riding either on a side saddle or in a chariot pulled by winged steeds, with her lunar crescent often serving as either a crown on her head or folded into the folds of a shiny cloak.
Greek mythology’s Titaness called Light or Shine was daughter of Hyperion and Theia and sister to Helios and Eos, eventually becoming Artemis.
Sina
Sina is Polynesia’s beloved moon Goddess, honored around the globe. She represents ocean life (especially sharks and coral), tapa making, mat weaving, coconuts, breadfruits, beauty, fertility and tapa making.
She is often invoked as the patroness of artisans, prostitutes, pregnant women and birth. Additionally, she has long been associated with the waxing and waning phases of the moon.
Hina is known in Tahitian mythology as the woman in the moon, having taken to life’s many trials but eventually fleeing to the moon as an escape route, becoming its goddess and taking up residence there.
She is commonly known by various Polynesian names: Hine, Ina or Sina. In New Zealand she is called Hina-uri while Easter Island refers to her as Ina-oio and Samoa refers to her as Sina-Tuafuaga.
Teczistecatl
Teczistecatl, also known as the Moon Goddess in Aztec mythology, was revered as an embodiment of fertility and was often invoked during rainstorms to cause heavy flooding of rivers. Her water jug was used to send powerful floods down onto Earth.
The Sun and Moon were created by gods. After gathering at Teotihuacan, they nominated one god from among themselves to sacrifice themselves so the world would have light. Although wealthy and arrogant Tecciztecatl offered himself up as an acceptable sacrificer, his fellow deities instead chose humble Nanahuatzin instead.
Tecciztecatl hesitated, so Nanahuatzin took his place. However, the gods felt that having two suns would overtake their world so they sent a rabbit at Tecciztecatl as punishment.
The Rabbit in the Moon: You Can Spot One Now
Trivia
The moon goddess may no longer be as prominent, but she still plays a significant role in global history and culture – she represents night, astrology, and change.
She was well known for the way her chariot traveled across the night sky. Additionally, she was sister of Helios (Sun), as well as Eos (Dawn).
A great piece of trivia is one that provides amusing facts or insightful tidbits that you can pass along with ease, teaching others something about the world along the way. A bad piece is one that is either too simplistic or complex for its audience to comprehend, making learning about its subject impossible.
Trivia comes from Latin meaning “crossroads,” or juncture. In mythology, Trivia was one of Hecate’s epithets referring to her role of guarding crossroads; her role included making transitions between living world and dead world, sometimes serving as death’s precursory messenger. Today however, trivia has come to refer to knowledge related to pop culture or current events – making this term useful when answering trivia quiz questions.