Gods And Goddesses: Chac

Chac is the Mayan god of agriculture, fertility, rain and lightning. He name is also spelt Chaac and Chaahk. He was one and many, representing the four directions; the red Chac is of the east, the black Chac is of the west, the white Chac is of the north and the yellow Chac is of the south.

Chac has a more human form where he at times appears toothless but also has a more reptilian form where he has fangs, cat like whiskers and a snout. He also wields an axe.

It is said that Chac taught how to grow vegetables and is a protector of crops. The animal associated with Chac is the frog as it is said that the sound of a croaking frog signals the coming of rain.

Gods And Goddesses: Don

Don is the Welsh mother goddess. Goddess of both sea and air and is the Queen of the Heavens.

 She is the wife of Beli, sister of Math Mathonwy and mother of Amathon, Aranrhod, Gilvaethwy, Govannon, Gwydyon and Nudd. Her daughters represented the deities of light while the children of Llyr represented the deities of darkness.

Short Meditation

Of all the information gathered on a daily basis, ranging from the people around us, the internet, television and magazines, the mind is to fill and clutter. A short five to ten minute meditation a day can help greatly with emptying the mind.

Gods And Goddesses: Balor

Balor is a one eyed god of Death and king of a race of giants known as the Fomorians.

His father was Buarainech and wife Cethlenn. A prophecy told that Balor was to be killed by his grandson and so the god locked his daughter Ethlinn in a tower. However, one of the Tuatha De Danann, Cian, was able to enter the tower and got Ethlinn pregnant with triplets.  When the triplets were born, Balor threw them into the ocean where one was lucky enough to survive. Lugh survived and later killed his grandfather.

Gods And Goddesses: Sucellus

Sucellus is the god of agriculture, prosperity, good fortune and of alcohol. He is known for carrying a hammer and a large pot thought to contain beer. His name means “Good Striker” thought to be a direct reference to the long handled hammer which he wields.

Sucellus is often depicted as a bearded man with his long handled hammer or with a pot. His wife, Nantosuelta, is sometimes depicted with him.

Gods And Goddesses: Airmid

Airmid is a healing goddess associated with medicinal plants. Airmid is an Irish goddess who is a member of the Tuatha De Danann. Her father is Dian Cecht, her brothers are Miach, Cian, Cethe and Cut and Airmid has a sister by the name of Etan.

When battle occurred against the Fir Bolgs, it was the Fir Bolgs who were defeated by the Tuatha De Danann but it was the kind of this group, Nuada, who was seriously injured. As Dian Cecht was called upon to heal Nuada it became clear that two of his children, Miach and Airmid were more skilled as healers. The father, son and daughter further went on to build the Well of Slaine, where the three could retore the life of the warriors who died in battled. A later battle didn’t go so well and the well was filled with stones, preventing more warriors to be brought back to life.

Dian Cecht later became jealous of Miach’s superior healing abilities and attempted to kill his son, failing two times before beheading how own son. Airmid was sorrowful over her brother’s death, frequently visiting his grave. One visit had Airmid find 365 healing herbs growing on and around the grave with one herb for every joint and organ of Miach’s body. Gathering up the herbs, they apparently talked to her telling Airmid of their uses and so Airmid arranged the herbs on her cload according to use.  Her father then scattered the herbs, lashing out due to his jealous feelings towards his son. From here, Airmid went on to use her knowledge of herbs to heal those who needed medical attention and kept away from her father.