Wicca is a modern pagan, witchcraft religion that embraces a polytheistic belief system. Central to Wicca worship are the goddess and god, who are revered and honored in various forms and names. The names given to the Wicca goddesses reflect different aspects and characteristics associated with femininity, nature, and the divine feminine energy. One of the most commonly known goddesses in Wicca is the Triple Goddess, known by three distinct names: Maiden, Mother, and Crone. The Maiden represents youth, new beginnings, and the waxing moon. The Mother stands for fertility, nurturing, and the full moon.
The Mother stands for fertility, nurturing, and the full moon. The Crone symbolizes wisdom, maturity, and the waning moon. These three aspects are revered and celebrated throughout the Wiccan year.
Gods and Goddesses in Witchcraft : A Beginner's Guide
Many Witches choose to research particular deities who can be invoked to assist in spell working. As you grow in knowledge you will find that many deities are related, or were adopted into different religious systems and often renamed. Before working with a particular deity it is recommended that you research and understand their nature first. As with so much of of witchcraft it is all about going at a pace you are comfortable with and with a path that speaks to you.
We have included below a list of some of the most common deities in witchcraft, but this is by no means an exhaustive list.
1. Belenus (or Bel)
Bel is known as the Gaulish God of light and the Sun who gives his name to Beltane. Belenus is an ancient Celtic God and can be referred to as the 'Sun God', often associated with the horse.
2. Cernunnos (or Herne)
Herne, is the Celtic God of fertility, nature, animals, and the underworld. This God is usually depicted as having antlers and sometimes hooves.
3. Frigg
Frigg is a Norse goddess of the household, motherhood, prophecy, and married women. As the wife of Odin she is also considered the queen of Asgard and the foremost Goddess.
4. Morrigan
Morrigan is an Irish Goddess, associated with war and death. She is often depicted as crow and in triple Goddess form.
5. Hathor
Hathor is an Egyptian Goddess of love and joy. She is usually depicted as a cow or with a cows head.
6. Nike
Nike is the Greek Goddess of victory in all things including ,war, art, athletics, music and so on. She would often challenge her suitors to try and out run her, and is often depicted as having wings.
7. Janus
Janus is the Roman God who guards gateways, transitions and beginnings and from whom January was named. He is depicted with two faces, one to look forwards and one to look back.
8. Astarte (Ashtart or Ishtar)
Astarte is a Phoenican Goddess of fertility, war, love and healing. You may see her reffered to in the bible.
9. Auroa
She is the Roman Goddess of the Dawn. Aurora is said to renew every morning and cross the sky to herald the rising of the sun.
10. Branwen
Branwen is a Welsh Goddess of love and beauty. She is also sometimes linked to 2 other Goddesses, Aphrodite and Venus.
11. Ceridwen
Another Welsh Goddess, Ceridwn is associated with rebirth, poetry, inspiration and knowledge. Her name means 'witch' and she is depicted alongside wolves.
12. Cupid
A name many of you will already be familiar with, is a Roman God and son of Venus. He is the God of love, desire and attraction. Most often depicted as a naked boy with wings carrying a bow and arrow.
13. Matt
Matt is an Egyptian Goddess of truth, justice and order. You will often see her depicted with a feather on her head which some believe is a representation of her powers in balance and order.
14. Freya
Freya, one of the Norse Goddesses, owns the necklace of Brisingamen. She is associated with love, beauty, war and divination
15. Hecate
Hecate or Hekate is a Greek Goddess and daughter of Perses (son of Zeus). She is associated with crossroad, the household, spells, herbs and witchcraft.
16. Athena
Another Greek Goddess and the daughter of Zeus, she is associated with wisdom, handicrafts, justice, law, warfare and inspiration. Patchouli and Dragons Blood are favoured by Athena and can be used when working with this Goddess.
17. Brigid
Brigid is a Celtic Goddess and daughter of Dagda (the god of life and death). She is associated with the hearth, pets, protection, healing, wisdom and poetry.
18. Diana
Diana is a Roman Goddess and twin sister to Apollo (a sun god associated with music, poetry, art, prophecy, truth, healing and light). She is associated with fertility, childbirth, children and wild animals.
If you found this blog useful please share or leave a comment and we will make a part 2 covering even more of the Gods and Goddesses.
- Share Share on Facebook
- Tweet Tweet on Twitter
- Pin it Pin on Pinterest
Other popular Wicca goddess names include Diana, also known as Artemis, who reigns over the hunt, animals, and the moon. Hecate, associated with magic, crossroads, and the underworld, is another well-known Wicca goddess. Cerridwen, known as the goddess of transformation and inspiration, is honored for her connection to witchcraft and the cauldron of knowledge. Brighid, the Irish goddess of fire, healing, and craftsmanship, is also prominent in Wiccan worship. She is deeply revered for her role in fertility and creativity. Morrigan, the goddess of war and sovereignty, is associated with feminine power and protects the land. These are just a few examples of the diverse pantheon of Wicca goddess names that can be found in various traditions and practices. In Wicca, the goddess is often seen as a nurturing and loving figure who embodies the feminine energy of creation and abundance. She is revered for her wisdom, strength, and connection to nature. Wiccans often form personal relationships with specific goddesses or choose to work with different goddesses depending on the intention or ritual. It is important to note that Wicca is a diverse religion, and individual practitioners may have their own personal connections and preferences when it comes to choosing and working with goddesses and gods. The names and forms of the goddesses are often a deeply personal and spiritual choice for practitioners..
Reviews for "The Evolution of Wiccan Goddess Names: From Ancient to Modern Practices"
1. John - 2 stars - While I appreciate the effort to compile a list of Wicca goddess names, I found this book to be quite limited in its content. The descriptions and explanations of each goddess were lackluster and didn't provide any new or interesting information. Additionally, I felt that the author didn't pay enough attention to the historical and cultural context of these goddesses, leaving the reader with a shallow understanding of their significance. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to anyone looking for in-depth knowledge about Wicca goddesses.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I was hoping to find a comprehensive guide to Wicca goddess names, but this book fell far short of my expectations. The author's lack of research is apparent as there were many important goddesses missing from the list. The descriptions provided were also very generic and didn't offer any unique insights. It felt like a rushed compilation rather than a thoughtful exploration of Wicca goddesses. I would advise readers to look elsewhere for a more comprehensive and well-researched resource on this topic.
3. Rachel - 2 stars - As someone who has been practicing Wicca for years, I was excited to delve into the world of Wicca goddesses with this book. Unfortunately, I found it to be quite underwhelming. The author's descriptions of the goddesses lacked depth and didn't provide any meaningful connections to their symbolism or rituals. The book also lacked diversity, focusing mostly on well-known goddesses and neglecting to include lesser-known or region-specific ones. Overall, I found this book to be a missed opportunity and would not recommend it to serious practitioners or those wanting to expand their knowledge of Wicca goddesses.
4. Michael - 1 star - What a disappointment! This book lacked any substantial information on Wicca goddess names. The author simply listed a few names without any context or background. It felt like a lazy attempt to cash in on the popularity of Wicca without putting in any real effort. I would not recommend wasting your time or money on this uninspiring book. Seek out more comprehensive resources if you truly want to deepen your understanding of Wicca goddesses.