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Grimoires

History and Traditions
Contents

 

Wiccan History and Traditions

  • Pagan time line
  • Wiccan traditions
  • Other Traditions
  • Other Pagan Traditions

World Teachings

  • Hinduism
  • Taoism
  • Earth-Based
  • Christianity
  • Islam
  • Judaism
  • Confucianism
  • Buddhism

Gods of World Mythologies

  • Aztec
  • Celtic
  • Chinese
  • Egyptian
  • Finnish
  • Greek
  • Hawaiian/ Huna
  • Japanese
  • Mayan
  • Native American
  • Norse
  • Roman
  • Welsh

Wiccan History and Traditions

 

Pagan Timeline

possible pre-Celtic influences

BCE

  • 2500 Mystery cults develop in Minoa.
  • 2000 Greek Civilization inherits mystery cults from the Minoans.
  • 700 Romans absorb Greek and Etruscan practices.
  • 600 Fairy images appear in Etruscan art
  • 525 Pythagoras establishes mystery school in Southern Italy
  • 400 Celts invade northern Italy
  • 322 Alexander the Great conquers Egypt
  • 155 Critolaus formally introduces Greek philosophy in Rome
  • 50 Romans carry mystery teachings into Gaul
  • 30 Rome conquers Egypt

CE

  • 43 Romans carry mystery teachings into Britain
  • 150 Celts conquered by the Romans who spread mystery teachings to the Celt farmers
  • 410 Romans withdraw from Britain. Romanicized Celtic religion spread throughout Britain
  • 600 First written mystery texts including Taliesin early pagan sources
  • 1533 AgrippaÕs three books of occult philosophy
  • 1600 First modern (dedicated to ritual) Masonic lodges in Scotland
  • 1736 Witchcraft Act enacted in England + ascribed punishments to those claiming to work magic
  • 1824 Vagrancy Act enacted in England + outlawed any acts of divination or similar
  • 1896 The Key to the Mysteries & Transcendental Magic Eliphas Levi
    • english translations of earlier (1860) works in French
    • used the term “occult” as meaning secret knowledge
    • pentagram as symbol of microcosm, hexagram as macrocosm
    • use of four elementals
    • use of invoking and banishing pentagrams
  • 1875 HP Blavatsky founds Theosophical Society in New York
    • brings together concepts of eastern and western mysticism
    • claims that all religions have some elements of the whole truth
  • 1877 Isis Unveiled H.P. Blavatsky
  • 1881 The Occult World A. P. Sinnett
  • 1884 founding of the Hermetic Society
    • advocated temples rather than lodges
    • use of the four quarters related to directions and watchtowers
    • use of working tools: chalice, sword, scourge
  • 1888 The Secret Doctrine H. P. Blavatsky
  • 1888 Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn founded
  • 1897 Aradia Charles Godfrey Leland
    • advocates the celebration of Diana on the full moon
    • use of cakes and ale
  • 1903 Prolegomena to the Study of Greek Religion Jane Ellen Harrison
    • related mother, maiden, and an unnamed third to moon phases
  • 1904 Book of the Law Aleister Crowley
  • 1921 The Witch Cult in Western Europe Margaret Murray
    • stated theory of ancient goddess traditions
    • covens of thirteen people
    • celebrations of four sabbats
  • 1922 The Golden Bough (abridged and updated version) Sir James Frazer
    • proposed ancient belief in a dying god related to cycles of vegetation
  • 1929 Magick in Theory and Practice Aleister Crowley
    • inverted pentagram as matter over spirit
    • used tools: oil, bell, censer, book of spells
    • introduced word magick to distinguish from sleight of hand
  • 1947 Gardner (1884 - 1964) and Crowley meet

Modern Wicca

  • 1947 Gardner and Dafo starts New Forest Coven, England
  • 1948 The White Goddess Robert Graves + fictional work that discussed the triple goddess and completing HarrisonÕs triple aspects with the word crone
  • 1949 High MagicÕs Aid Gerald Gardner
    • use of athame
    • the Book of Shadows
    • made women an equal part of ceremonies
    • celebrated 8 sabbats
  • 1951 repeal of English Witchcraft and Vagrancy Laws
  • 1954 Witchcraft Today Gerald Gardner
  • 1965 Alexander Sanders first coven publishes their Book of Shadows
    • coven emphasizes more high magic in ritual
  • 1966 “Regency” founded by followers of Robert Cochrane
    • use of black robes
    • eliminated the scourge
    • outside rituals
    • air=west, south=fire, west=water, north=earth
  • 1971 What Witches Do Farrars
    • comprehensive disussion and rituals of Gardnerian tradition
  • 1975 An ABC of Witchcraft Past and Present and Natural Magic Doreen Valiente
    • made self-initiation possible
    • emphasized correspondence with nature
    • magic could be used for good by anyone
  • 1979 Spiral Dance Starhawk
    • related magic in terms of psychology
    • energy is the essence of magic
    • principles of karma applied to magic
    • the gods are real forces from human energies
  • 1979 Drawing Down The Moon Margot Adler
    • discussed pagan history but with an eye toward Wicca as a modern development
  • 1980 The Holy Book of Women’s Mysteries Z Budapest
    • introduced feminist viewpoint to witchcraft
  • 1988 Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner Scott Cunnigham
    • brought Valiente’s approach to solitary witchcraft to America

Wiccan Traditions

Gardnerian

Organized by Gerald Gardner in England in the 1950's. One of the first to attempt to codify what was perceived as ancient practices into a single system and then publish the system. They follow a highly structured route in ceremony and practices.

Alexandrian

Founded in England during the 1960's, by Alex Sanders. The rituals are modified from the Gardnerian tradition.

Celtic

The use of Celtic/Druidic pantheon mixed with a little ritual Gardnerian, and heavily stressing the elements, nature and the Ancient Ones. They had a vast knowledge of and respect for the healing and magickal qualities of plants and stones, flowers, trees, elemental spirits, the little people, gnomes and fairies.

Celedonii

Formally known as the Hecatine Tradition, this denomination of the Craft is Scottish in origin, and still preserves the unique festivals of the Scots. Ceremonial (High Magick Followers of the Tradition uses a great deal of Ceremonial magick in their practices. Detailed rituals with a flavor of Egyptian magick are sometimes a favorite, or they may use the Qabbalistic magick.

Dianic

First pinpointed by Margaret Murry in 1921 in the "The Witch cult in Western Europe," this term appears to include a mixture of various traditions. In recent years the focus has been on the Goddess, and has been pegged as the "feminist" movement of the Craft.

Eclectic

It is where a individual does not follow any particular tradition, denomination, sect or magickal practice. They learn and study from many magickal systems and apply to themselves what appears to work best.

Hereditary

One who can trace the Craft through their family tree and who has been taught the Old Religion by a relative who was living at the same time.

Kitchen
(Hedge or Green)

One who practices by hearth and home using natural elements and tools in practice. Rituals tend to be uncomplicated and spontaneous.

Pictish
(Faery)

Scottish Witchcraft that attunes itself to all aspects of nature: animal, vegetable,and mineral. It is a solitary form of the Craft and mainly magickal in nature based on belief in Òthe little people.Ó

Seax-Wica

Founded by Raymond Buckland in 1973. Although of Saxon basis, it was authored by Raymond himself without breaking his original Gardnerian oath.

Solitary
(natural)

One who practices alone, regardless of tradition, denomination, or sect.

Strega

Follows a tradition seated in Italy that began around 1353 with a woman called Aradia; based on the book of the same name.

Teutonic
(Nordic)

From ancient time the Teutons have been recognized as a group of people who speak the Germanic group of languages. Culturally, this included the English, Dutch, Icelandic, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish peoples.


Other Pagan Traditions

Druid

Based on traditions of the British Isles

Thelema

Ceremonial Magick based on the work of Aleister Crowley

Shamanism

Practices based on Native traditions such as the Native Americans. Shamans practice crossing between the material and the spirit world in order to heal others.

Cultural

Uses symbols and pantheons from particular pagan cultures of the past such as Egyptian, Greek, Roman, etc.

Asatru

Strict followers of Scandinavian and Norse Mythology

Orisha

African tradition using special spirits called Orishas

Golden Dawn

Follows the practices set out by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn

Voudon

Popular in Haiti. A combination of Orisha and other African traditions with a heavy emphasis on spirit magick.


World Teachings

 

Hinduism

  • number: one
  • lesson: seek the spirit in self and all things
  • goal: achieve compassion
  • Teachings: Stresses the following of the sacred
  • text: The Vedas

The philosophical essence of the Vedas is condensed into The Upanishads.

People want four things. Seeking these things in the world is unfulfilling What people want can be had from within.

  • pleasure
  • worldly success (wealth, fame,and power)
  • joy (becoming, knowing)
  • freedom (liberation from restriction, infinitude).

Causes of sorrow

  • pain (has a purpose, often accompanied with fear)
  • frustration (the thwarting of desires)
  • boredom with life (no connection with others)
  • ignorance
  • restricted being

All these sorrows can be reduced by connecting to the Supreme Self. Yoga (to yoke) is the path of this connection.

There are four paths of yoga - for different types of people

  • Jnana Yoga (reflective) - path of knowledge knowing the true self through: learning, thinking, and being Self
  • Bhakti Yoga (emotional) - path of love an insistence on loving an entitiy beyond self (Brahma, for example) cannot identify with deity but will love deity love of self only in relation to deity methods: repeating name of deity observing all forms of love in life the worship of deity in human form
  • Karma Yoga (active) - path of work work in the name of the divine - Ònot my will but thineÓ doing without reward or attachment
  • Raja Yoga (experiential) - path of the physical observing the effects of practice with the body transcending physical self four layers of self: body, conscious mind, subconcious mind, Being or Self

Eight steps of Raja Yoga

1. abstention from injury, lying, stealing, sensuality, greed
2. observance of cleanliness, contentment, self-control
3. exclude distractions through postures (asanas)
4. controlled breathing
5. inward attention
6. focused concentration
7. merging focus with self
8. complete absorption

Stages Of Life

Student
goal: to learn character

Householder
goals: pleasure, success, duty

Retirement
goal: to discover secrets of life

Renunciation
goals: to wander without care

Brahma (the great breath) “sit” - infinite being “chit” - infinite awareness “ananda” - infinite bliss God as creator - Brahma God as preserver - Vishnu God as destroyer - Shiva Lives pass through progressive reincarnation Karma - law of cause and effect demands personal responsibility realizes there is no such thing as chance or accident The purpose of the world is to provide a training ground for the human spirit

Taoism

  • number:two
  • lesson: seek spontaneity and a joy in living
  • goal: achieve joyfulness
  • text: Tao Te Ching

Teachings: Yin and Yang (complementary opposites) acting through non-acting movement of the Chi power Lao Tzu born 604 BCE The Tao is the way of the ultimate reality The Tao is unnameable, unknowable Te is power (Chi) gained through Tao Three type of Taoism Philosophical conservation of Te through efficiency (non-doing) wu wei - pure effectiveness (moving with the Tao) Vital seeks to increase Te through matter, movement, and mind matter - through herbs, sexual retention, the breath movement - through body movement such as Tai Chi, Chi Kung mind - through meditation and lovingkindness to all Religious seeks to make Te avaiable to all use of magic for humane ends

Earth-Based

  • number: three
  • lesson: seek sacredness of the earth
  • goal: achieve humbleness

Teachings: a respect for the earth learning from nature and all creatures. All is spiritual and can be reflected and honored through ritual Deep connection to place and nature time is not linear all forms of life have spirit this worls is connected to all worlds and each is sacred there is no need for salvation all things a re a reflection of the sacred all are representations and symbols of the truth

Christianity

  • number: four
  • lesson: seek love for humanity and the self
  • goal: achieve charity
  • texts: The Bible, the Gospel of Thomas

Teachings: There is one eternal god who created humans with free will Jesus was a man incarnate of god brought to deliver the people from the burden of the original sin. Main text is the New Testament of the Bible especially the four gospels: Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Teachings of the Gospel of Thomas (a gnostic text pre-dating the four gospels)

  • If heaven is in the sky, then the birds are closer to it than man. If heaven is in the sea, the the fish are closer.
  • Heaven is within and without you.
  • Teach those who will listen and be silent to those who will not.
  • The largest truth comes from the smallest seed
  • See your own faults before calling on those of others
  • Let your light shine upon others
  • A person cannot serve two masters
  • Faith can move mountains

the Beatitudes:

  • blessed are the poor in spirit
  • blessed are those who grieve
  • blessed are the gentle
  • blessed are those who hunger for justice
  • blessed are the merciful
  • blessed are those with pure hearts
  • blessed are those who work for peace
  • blessed are those who suffer for justice
  • blessed are those who are persecuted because of their belief

one must toil and one must rest be charitable without expectation you must first know yourself before you can know anything else do not be concerned only with outside beauty examine what is already in your presence and examine the present moment ask - it shall be given seek - it shall be found knock - it shall be opened Jesus saw social barriers as an affront to the compassion of God used parables for common understanding love your enemies turn the other cheek all are rigtheous whether just or unjust to be carefree those who are meek, merciful, and pure in heart are happy two greatest facts God possesses overwhelming love for humanity people must accept and spread that love the Kingdom of God was inner love and joy brought about by the destruction of fear, guilt, and the ego self

Three tenets of Catholicism (developed after 325 CE) Incarnation - Jesus is both man and God Atonement - redemption of original sin Trinity - God is three-in-one: Father, Son and Holy Spirit Seven sacraments baptism, confirmation, matrimony or orders, last rite, confession, Mass

Islam

  • number: five
  • lesson: seek sacred ness through surrender
  • goal: achieve piety
  • text: The Koran

Teachings:
The Five Pillars of Islam

  1. Confession in the faith of God with Mohammed as His messenger.
  2. Pray five times a day facing Mecca
  3. Fast during the month of Ramadan
  4. Pay taxes to the church and give to the poor
  5. Make at least one pilgrimage to Mecca.

Muhammed - 6th century CE goal is life’s total surrender to God (Allah) Four principles monotheism creation was a deliberate act of God’s will, therefore, it must be good man was also a creation of God and must be good there shall come a Day of Judgement Five Pillars There is no god but Allah and Muhammed is his prophet Pray constantly - 5 times a day facing Mecca Charity to the poor Observance of Ramadan through fasting Pilgrimage to Mecca Types Sunni Shi-ite Sufi - esoterici

Judaism

  • number: six
  • lesson: seek knowledge from others
  • goal: achieve wisdom
  • texts: The Pentateuch, The Torah

Teachings: There is one eternal god who created humans with free will. Main text is the Torah or Pentateuch of which is expected obedience.

the qabala

  • 1 Kether the crown
  • 2 chokmah wisdom
  • 3 binah understanding
  • 4 chesed mercy
  • 5 geburah severity (strength)
  • 6 tiphareth beauty (balance)
  • 7 Netzach victory (power)
  • 8 hod glory
  • 9 yesod the foundation
  • 10 malkuth the kingdom

the three triangles the three pillars. God is tender and compassionate material aspects in life are important matter can be a part of salvation man has dominion over nature God and nature are distinct

The Ten Commandments Thou shalt have no other gods before God Thou shalt not make graven images Thou shalt serve no other god but God Thou shalt take the name of God in vain Thou shalt not do any work on the sabbath day Thou shalt not kill Thou shalt not commit adultery Thou shalt not steal Thou shalt not bear false witness Thou shalt not covet another person’s things The prerequisite of political stability is social justice Sanctity of religion is maintained through tradition and ritual The purpose of ritual is to ease us through anxieties smooth life’s transistions hallows life and its changes

Confucianism

  • number: seven
  • lesson: seek a sense of responsibility to others
  • goal: achieve humility
  • text: The Analects of Confucius

Teachings: The central concept is to be faithful to others and yourself. knowledge and kindness towards others are the basis of a well running society. One is defined by actions not words be respectful of others be serious at work be faithful to others study always associate only with those who can make a positive influence The five refinements generosity hard work desire only what is needed being at ease being respectful The five virtues respectfulness magnanimity truthfulness acuity generosity The four evils cruelty brutality viciousness beurocraticity Confucius born 551 BCE, died 479 BCE Social justice through tradition effective change must be continuous with the past while reworking that which does not work first, decide what values are important the, internalize those values Five concepts of the proper society virtuousness - humanity, respect, dignity of life, faith, charity maturity - expression of virtue propriety - socialization of virtue, accepting consequences of actions moral example practicing peace for social transformation Five Constant Relationships (in proper order) parent-child, husband-wife, siblings, friends, ruler-subject

Buddhism

  • number: eight
  • lesson: seek to avoid excess and reduce desires
  • goal: achieve simplicity
  • text: The Dhammapada

Teachings:

The four noble truths

1) fact of suffering- all desire happiness yet all suffer
2) CAUSE of suffering- our desires create suffering
3) end of suffering- freedom from desires relieves suffering
4) path of relief- the eightfold path

The eightfold path

right:

  • understanding
  • purpos
  • speech
  • conduct
  • occupation
  • effor
  • attention
  • meditation

The middle course is the way of the eightfold path

Four stages of enlightenment:

  • the mind experiences everlasting joy
  • the mind reaches a unitive state
  • the mind becomes conscious of unconsciousness
  • the mind reaches complete purity

Five ingredients of personality form, feeling, sensation, intuition, consciousness

  • Joy comes from reducing needless desires
  • associate with others of like mind and not the negative
  • principle of karma- evil returns evil
  • lives are re-born to work out spiritual problems
  • hell and evil are brought upon by the self

Siddhartha Guatama born around 563 BCE, died 483 BCE four passing sights: old man, disease, a corpse, monk left at 29 learned raja yoga, asceticism (Middle Way), sat under tree attacked by God of desire, Lord of Death, and the question of authority fell into rapture for 49 days The Buddha rejected authortiy, ritual, speculation, tradition, hope, mystery

Four noble truths: 1. All life is suffering trauma of birth sickness fear of life fear of death to be bored with what we dislike separation 2. The cause of suffering is unnecessary desire caused by the ego 3. Overcoming ego desire ends suffering 4. The way to overcome desire is the eightfold path

The eightfold path 0. Right association- associate with people of like mind 1. Right views - learning 2. Right intent - desire to seek the good 3. Right speech - speek truthfully and with charity 4. Right conduct - proper acts do not kill do not steal do not lie do not be unchaste do not act in excess 5. Right livelihood - occupation of values 6. Right effort - stamina 7. Right mindfulness - continuous self-examination 8. Right concentration - focus

Nirvana is the dissolution of all sense of separate self, the Godhead, the unborn Three marks of existence: impermanence, suffering, absence of soul Four Noble Virtues loving-kindness compassion equanimity care for the well being of others Types of Buddhism: Hinayana (lesser vehicle) life of the monk individual reliance Mahayana (greater vehicle) life of the average person enlightenment through life Zen (meditation) direct path to Nirvana (satori in Japanese) three types: zazen (through seated meditation) koan (through seemingly unsolvable puzzles) sanzen (through philosophical discussion) Tantra enlightenment through experience Unity ethical principles no murder, theft, lying, adultery virtues humility - all are part of the One charity - to help others veracity - to see things as they are obstacles greed, hatred, delusion The whole of existence is meaningful, wonderful, and mysterious There is meaning to the whole of existence The whole is greater than its parts We are capable of accessing this whole to some degree Knowing this requires that we live in meaningful relationship to each other Life’s purpose is to pursue our connection to the whole


Gods of World Mythologies

 

Aztec Gods

Acat - God of life who shaped bodies before birth.

Centzon Totochitin - Gods connected with the Moon.

Chalchihuitilicue - Wife of the rain god Tlaloc. Goddess of storms, youthful beauty, whirlpools, spring growth, love, flowers, spirits, streams.

Chantico - Goddess of fire, home and fertility

Chicomecoatl - Maize goddess

Cihuacoatl "Woman Snake" - goddess of childbirth.

Cinteotl - God of corn

Coatlicue "Snake Skirt" - Earth Goddess; Great Mother

Coyolxauhqui - moon goddess

Huehuecoyotl/Ueuecoyotl - "Old, Coyote"; a back biting, mischievous deity who is associated with gaiety, physical sex, and irrational fun.

Huehueteotl - Old god; god of fire; also called Xiuhtechuhtli, Turquoise lord. Patron of warriors and kings.

Huitzilopochtli - Left handed humming bird; national god of the Aztecs; possibly an aspect of Tezcatlipoca. Sun, death, war, young men, warriors, storms, guide for journeys.

Ilamatecuhtli - Mother Goddess

Itzcoliuhqui - Twisted obsidian one; God of darkness, terrible cold, volcanic eruptions, disaster,

Itzpaplotl- Obsidian knife butterfly; Goddess of fate, stars, agriculture.

Mayauel - Goddess who discovered and introduced the gods to Pulque.

Meztli/Tecciziecatl - The material Moon at its height

Mictlantecuhtli - Lord of the land of the dead; god of the Underworld and the North;

Mixcoatl - God of the Pole Star and national god of the Chichimecs.

Quetzalcoatl - god of the wind, sea breeze, and life breath. Creator god, identified with the planet Venus.

Tezcatlipoca - One of two most prominent gods of Mexico, he was a local deity of the Toltecs adopted by the Aztecs. Evil god of warriors, magicians and sorcerers.

Tlaloc - Lord of the Waters. Consort was Chalchihuitlicue. God of thunder, mountains, rains, hail, fertility, water, clouds, thunder, and lightning.

Tlauixcalpantecuhtli - Lord of the house of dawn. An aspect of Quetzalcoatl.

Tlazolteotl - Earth Goddess; Lady of Witches. Goddess of the Crescent Moon.

Tonatiuh/Pilzintecutli - Sun God; ruler of fate; god of warriors who died in battle and women who died in childbirth.

Tozi/Teteoinnan - mother of the gods; personification of the powers of Nature.

Xilonen - Goddess of maize.

Xipe Totec - god of agriculture, the west, goldsmiths, and penitential self torture.

Xochipilli - Originally a Mixtec Sun god. God of music, dance, ball players, Flowers, Feasting, and pleasure.

Xochiquetzal - Goddess of the Underworld and flowers.(particularly marigolds which are laid on graves), sexual love, twins, children and craftsmen.

Xolotl - Lord of the Evening Star; Lord of the Underworld.

Yacatecuhtli - God of merchants and traders.


Celtic Gods
(the Tuatha De Danann)

Dagda- The All Father; Many Talented and Powerful. Lord of great knowledge.

Danu - Mother Goddess. Daughter of Dagda. Earth goddess of plenty. Boand Consort of Dagda.

Badb - Goddess of War

Macha - The Third of the Triad of War goddesses known as the Morrighan.

Medb - the Drunken Woman; A Goddess of War

Aine - Goddess of the Hidden paths in the realms of the Western ocean

Aonghus- God of Youth

Banbha, Fodhla, Eriu - The Goddess of Sovereignty.

Brigit - Goddess of culture and poetry. Daughter of Dagda.

Lugh - Sun God and a Hero God.

Ler - Chief God of the sea.

Cernunnos - Know to all Celts as the "Horned God". God of nature, virility, fertility, animals, sex, reincarnation and shamanism.

Morrighan - The dark aspect of the Celtic Triple Goddess.

Ogma- The Sun Faced One. The God of Wisdom, Eloquence and Language.


Chinese Gods

Ao - The Four dragon kings, named Ao Chin, Ao Kuang, Ao Jun, and Ao Shun. Gods of rain and the sea.

Ch'ang-o/Heng-o - Goddess of the Moon and wife of I.

Ch'eng-Huang - God of walls and ditches.

Ch'eng-Huang. Chih-Nii/Chih Nu - Goddess of spinners, weavers and clouds;

Ch'in-Shu-Pao - Guardian god.

Chuang-Mu - Goddess of the bedroom and sexual delights.

Chu-Jung - God of fire and executions.

Erh-Lang - "Second Lord"; the great restorer; the sustainer; god who chases away evil spirits.

Feng-Po-Po - Goddess of wind.

Fu-Hsi/Fu-Hsing- God of happiness.

Hou-Chi - ancient harvest god.

Hsi Wang Mu/Wang-Mu Niang - Queen of the West; highest Goddess of ancient China.

Hsuan-T'ien-Shang-Ti - God who removes evil spirits and demons. Exorcism.

Hu-Tu/Hou-T'u - Empress Earth.

I-Ti God of wine; he invented winemaking.

Kuan Ti - God of war and fortunetelling;

Kuan Yin/Kwan Yin - Great Mother; goddess of compassion and mercy; she who hears the weeping world; patroness of priestesses.

K'uei-Hsing/Chung-Kuei - god of tests and examinations, literature, and students.

Lan Ts'ai-Ho - One of the Eight Immortals of ancient China, this Goddess dressed as a woman but had a male voice; she carried a flute and a basket of fruit. Music.

Lao-Tien-Yeh - the Jade Emperor; Great God.

Lei-King/Lei-Kung - God of thunder and retribution,

Lo-Shen - Goddess of rivers.

Lu-Hsing - God of salaries and employees.

Lu-Pan - God of carpenters and masons. Artistic abilities, fame.

Ma-Ku - Goddes of spring time. Men Shen Two deities who guarded the door against evil spirits and hostile influences. One had a red or black face, the other a white face;

Meng-Po Niang - Goddess who lived just inside the door to where those reincarnating would depart.

Nu Kua - Creator Goddess who made HumanKind

Pa - Goddess of Droughts

P'an Chin Lien - Goddess of Prostitutes.

Pi-Hsia Yuan Chin - "Jade Maiden". Goddess of childbirth and labor.

Sao-Ts'ing Niang - Goddess of the clouds. End of Drought.

Shaka-Nyorai - The historical Buddha. Virtue, enligtenment, self realization.

Shang-Ti - The Supreme God.

Shen Nung - God of medicine, pharmacy, and agriculture.

Shou Hsing - God of longevity and old people.

Shui-Khan - The god who defends men against all evil.

T'ai-Yueh- Ta-Ti - God of the affairs of men; protector of men and animals.

Tien-Hou - Protectress of sailors and others in time of danger.

T'ien Khuan - God who bestows happiness.

Tien-Mu - Goddess of lighting

Ti-Khuan - God who grants remission of sins.

Ti-Tsang Wang Pu Sa - God of mercy.

Tou-Mou - Goddess of the polestar and record keeper; scribe of the Immortals; judge of all people.

Tsai Shen - God of wealth.

Tsao Wang - The kitchen god; god of the hearth.

Tsi-Ku - Goddess of the outhouse.

Yao-Shih - Master of Healing. Psychic abilities, healing powers.

Yeng-Wang-Yeh - Ruler of Hell.


Egyptian Gods

Ammut - Those Souls who were found unworthy to dwell in the Afterlife were devoured by her.

Anqet - Goddess of the island of Sahal, Near the First Cataract of the Nile.

Bastet - Bastet was the Goddess of Fire, Cats , of the Home and Pregnant Women.

Hathor - Goddess of Love, she was also the deity of Happiness, Dance and Music, and a Protector of Women.

Isis - The giver of Life and Food to the dead. She may also be one of the Judges of the dead.

Ma'at - Goddess of the Physical and Moral Law of Egypt, or order and truth.

Mut - Goddes of Creation. The female counterpart of Nu. Mut is one of the Few Goddesses who were self created.

Neith - Goddess of War and may have become later a goddess of Weaving.

Nephthys - Sister of Osiris, Isis and Seth. She was also the Wife of Seth.

Nut - Goddess of the sky and the place where clouds formed.

Qetesh - Nature Goddess

Satet - Goddess of the inundation and fertility.

Sekhmet - Lioness headed goddess of war and destruction.

Selket - Goddess of scorpions and magick.

Tefnut - The Personification of the Moisture of the Sky.

Amon - The Hidden One. The god of Thembes, he was usually shown as human. He was viewed as a primordial creation deity.

Anubis - The Jackal god of mummification.

Bes - God of Music and Dance, the God of War and Slaughter, and a destroying force of Nature. He was also a protector of Children.

Duamutef - Protector of the stomach of deceased and was the guardian of the East.

Geb - God of the Earth.

Hapi - God of the Nile.

Horus - The Falcon Headed god.

Imsety - protector of the liver of the deceased and guardian of the South.

Khensu - a moon god

Khnemu Protector/Enricher.

Min - a fertility god who was believed to bestow sexual power to all men.

Osiris - A god of the Earth and Vegetation.

Ptah - A local god of Memphis since the earliest dynastic times he was the patron of Craftsmen

Qubehsenuef - protector of the intestines of the deceased and the guardian of the West.

Ra - The Sun God of Annu.

Seth - The Lord of Lower Egypt. He was associated with the heat of the sunlight and the dryness of the air.

Shu - The god of the space and light between the sky and the earth.

Sobek - A crocodile god.

Thoth - The god of Wisdom and learning.


Finnish Gods

Ahto/Ahti - Chief god of waters and seas. His wife was the water Goddes Vellamo.

Akka/Maa- Emoinen/Mader-Akka/ Rauni - Goddess of the harvest and female sexuality. Wife of the supreme sky God Ukko.

Ilma - God of the air. Father of the Goddess Luonnotar/Ilmatar.

Ilmatar/Lounnotar - Creatress Goddess; Daughter of Nature.

Ilmarinen - In the Kalevala, the magickal smith who forged the mysterious, powerful talisman Sampo.

Jumala/Mader-Atcha - Supreme God.

Kalma - Goddess of Death.

Kipu-Tytto - Daughter of Tuoni. Goddess of Illness.

Kul/Kul-Jungk - Fish Spirit; and evil Siryan water spirit; lived in deep water and had a human shape.

Kuu - Moon Goddess

Leib-Olmai - ALaplander bear god.

Louhi - Goddess of sorcery, evil, dark magick.

Loviator - Daughter of Tuoni and Tuonetar. Goddess of plagues; source of all evil.

Mielikki - Goddess of the Forest.

Num - A Samoyed sky god; Supreme God.

Numitorem - A Vogul sky god who created all animals

Paiva - Pellervoinen God of field.

Rauni/Maan-Eno/Ravdna/Roonikka - Forest mother; Thunder Goddess; spirit of the mountain ash.

Tapio - God of water and woods.

Tuoni- Lord of Tuonela or Manala(the underworld). His wife was Tuonetar.

Ukko - God of the sky and air; Supreme God.

Vainamoinen Finnish sorcerer, archetypal magician of the North.

Yambe Akka - Goddess of the underworld.


Greek Gods

Aphrodite - Goddess of Love, Beauty and Fertility.

Apollo - God of Prophecy, Archery and Music. Son of Zeus and the Titaness Leto.

Ares - God of War. Son of Zeus and Hera.

Artemis - Virgin Goddess of the Wild. Twin sister of Apollo and Daughter of Zeus and Leto.

Asclepius - God of Healing. Son of Apollo and the Lake nymph Coronis.

Athena - Virgin Goddess of War and Crafts. Daughter of Zeus and the Titaness Metis.

Demeter - Goddess of vegetation and fruitfulness. Daughter of Cronos and Rhea and Mother of Persephone.

Dionysus - God of Vegetation, Wine and Ecstasy. Son of Zeus and Semele. The bull horned god.

Eos - Winged Goddess of Dawn. Daughter of the Titan Hyperion and Theia.

Eros - God of Love and Companion of Aphrodite.

Hades - God of the Underworld Son of Cronos and Rhea.

Hecate - Goddess of farming during the day and Witchcraft, Ghosts, and Tombs at night.

Helios - Sun God. Son of the Titan Hyperion.

Hera - Supreme Goddess. Daughter of Cronos and Rhea and Wife of Zeus.

Hermes - Messenger god. Son of Zeus and Maia and lover of Aphrodite.

Hestia - Goddess of Hearth

Pan - God of Mountainsides and Pastures of sheep and goats. Son of Hermes.

Poseidon - Sea God. Son of Cronos and Rhea.

Selene - Moon Goddess

Silenus- Goat like God of Pastures. Son of Hermes or Pan and Companion of Dionysus.

Zeus - Supreme God. Son of Cronos and Rhea and Husband to Hera.


Hawaiian Gods

Keawe- Creator god.

Kane or eli-eli - Keawa's son, ruler of natural phenomena.

Ku - God of war, woodlands and crops.

Kuhuluhulumanu - God of bird catchers and feather workers

Ku'ula -God of fishermen

Kanaloa - God of seamen and lord of fishermen

Lono - Lord of the sun and of wisdom.

Laka - Goddess of hula

Hina - mother of Maui who pulled the Hawaiian Islands from the ocean

Kapo - Goddess of the South Pacific

Papa - Queen of nature

Wakea - Papa's mate

Milu - Lord of the spirit world

Huna Kupua

Huna is a Hawaiian word meaning "secret," but it also refers to the esoteric wisdom of Polynesia. Kupua is another Hawaiian word and it refers to a specialized healer who works with the powers of the mind and the forces of nature. In that respect it is very similar to the Siberian word "shaman." The understanding of Huna described here comes from the kupua tradition of the Kahili family from the island of Kauai, through Serge Kahili King, who was adopted as the grandson of Joseph Kahili and trained in his tradition .

The Seven Principles
The basic assumptions of Huna are these:

  1. The World Is What You Think It Is.
  2. There are no limits.
  3. Energy Flows Where Attention Goes.
  4. Now Is The Moment Of Power.
  5. To Love Is To Be Happy With (someone or something).
  6. All Power Comes From Within.
  7. Effectiveness Is The Measure Of Truth.

Another set of assumptions used in Huna is that human behavior and experience can be explained and changed through the interaction of three (sometimes four) selves, aspects or functions:

  1. The High Self (Kane, Aumakua), inspires.
  2. The Conscious Self (Lono) imagines.
  3. The Subconscious Self (Ku) remembers.
  4. The Core Self (Kanaloa) wills.

The Four Levels of Reality
A third set of assumptions coming from the kupua tradition divides all experience into four levels or frameworks of beliefs about reality which can be summarized as follows:

  1. Everything is objective (Scientific reality).
  2. Everything is subjective (Psychic reality).
  3. Everything is symbolic (Shamanic reality).
  4. Everything is holistic (Mystical reality).

Japanese Gods

Ama No Uzume - Fertility goddess.

Amaterasu - Sun goddess

Ama-Tsu-Kami - The name given to the gods of Heaven to distinguish them from the gods of the Earth.

Amida-Nyoria/Amida - "the Buddha of Infinite Light" Ruler of the Pure Land; a form of the Buddha.

Benten/Benzaiten - Goddess of good luck.

Chimati no Kami - God of crossroads and footpaths.

Emma-Hoo - Male Ruler of the underworld.

Fugen Bosatsu- God of enlightening wisdom, intelligence, understanding, intuition, long life.

Hachiman - An historical figure, elevated to godhood after death

Haya-Ji - God of the winds and whirlwind.

Ida-Ten - Guardian of the Law.

Inari - Goddess, sometimes a god, of rice.

Ishikore-Dome - The smith goddess who created the first mirror from copper stones out of the Isuzu River.

Izanagi - Creator God; Earth God; Great Father; the Male Principle.

Izanami - Divine Mother; Great Goddess: Earth Goddess; The Female Principle.

Jizo Bosatsu - Protector of Mankind.

Kannon Bosatsu A male form of the Chinese Kuan Yin. Mercy and Compassion.

Kaya Nu Hima - Goddess of Herbs.

Kishi Mojin - Protectress of children; Universal Mother.

Kono-Hana-Sakuya-Hime - Lady who makes the trees bloom; goddess of the cherry tree.

Nai No Kami - God of earthquakes.

Naru Kami - Goddess of thunder; protector of trees; ruler of artisans.

O-Kuni-Nushi - Earth God.

O-Ryu - Goddess of the willow tree

O-Wata-Tsumi - God of the tides and the sea creatures.

O-Yama Tsu-Mi - God of all mountains and volcanoes.

Rafu-Sen - Goddess of the plum blossoms

Sae No Kami- Collective name for the guardian gods of the roads.

Sakyamuni - Japanese name for the Buddha.

Shichi Fukujin "Seven Gods of Happiness."

  1. Ebisu, parton of work.
  2. Daikoku, god of prosperity;
  3. Benzaiten, goddes of love;
  4. Bishamonten, god of happiness and war;
  5. Fukurokuju god of happiness and long life;
  6. Jurojin, god of happiness and long life;
  7. Hotei Osho, god of good fortune.

Susanoo - God of storm and thunder.

Toyota Mahime - Sea Goddess

Uso Dori - Goddess of singing.


Native American Gods

Agloolik (Eskimo) - Helper of hunters and fishermen.

Aipaloovik (Eskimo) - Evil being associated with murder, vandalism, and destruction.

Asagaya Gigaei (Cherokee) - Thunder god.

Ataentsic ( Iroquois/Huron) - Great Mother.

Atius Tirawa (Pawnee) - God of the Sun, Moon, and Stars.

Aulanerk (Eskimo) God of the tides and waves.

Coyote (Many tribes - A trickster; demon clown figure who represented the breaking free of negative power from the universal order of thing.

Estsanatlehi (Navajo) - "The woman who changes"; a shape shifter.

Gluskap (Abnaki/Algonquin) - A cultural founder Hero.

Hahbwehdiyu (Iroquois) - Good creator deity.

Igtinike( Lakota) - War god. War, treachery, deceit.

Iyatiku (Pueblo) - Corn goddess; ruler of her underground realm.

Kitchki Manitou/Kici Manitu/Manitou (Many Tribes) - "Great Spirit"; The Father. Supreme God; Father of Life; master of Light; God of the Winds; the spirit in everything; Great God; Supreme Creator; Sun God. The Lakota called him Wakonda, The Oglala called him Wakan or Tanka. The Iroquois word was Orenda, The Eskimo word Innua.

Kwatee/Kivati (Puget Sound) - Creator of people; destroyer of monsters.

Michabo (Algonquin) - Creator of man; Creator of Earth and animals.

Nokomis (Algonquin) - Earth Goddess.

Onatha( Iroquois) - Goddess of wheat and harvest.

Pinga (Eskimo) - Goddess of game, the hunt, helper of medicine men and the living.

Raven (Many Tribes) - A Trickster god, similar to Coyote

Sedna (Eskimo) - Goddess of the sea and its creatures, hunting, sorcerers.

Shakuru (Pawnee) - Sun God.

Spider Woman (Navajo) - Goddess of charms and Magick.

Tekkeitsertok (Eskimo). Most powerful Earth God. God of the Deer and hunting.

Thunder Bird/Thunder Birds (many tribes) - Thundergod; Messenger between man and the Gods.

Tirawa (Pawnee) - Creator and sky god.

Tonenili (Navajo) - Rain god and full of mischief.

Panther (Many tribes) - Evil god of water but a source of great wisdom and healing.

Wakonda - Source of all wisdom and power and medicine men.

Yanauluha (Zuni) - The great medicine man.

Yolkai Estasan (Navajo) - Earth Goddess


Norse Gods

Alaisiagae - War Goddess

Freyja Vanir - Goddess of Great power and Magickal Knowledge. Mistress of Cats; Leader of the Valky