One of the questions we get about working with the goddess is: where do I begin? It can be overwhelming to dive into the divine world of the Gods, Goddesses, and all facets of the divine. BUT it doesn't have to be! Let's start with the fact that there is no correct way to work with deities in personal rituals or spellcasting. As modern witches, our practices, beliefs, and spellwork is solely up to us. We can relate to Gods and Goddesses based on many factors, like our personal heritage, traditions, and various aspects of our life. In another article, we will cover masculine deities, but in this article we touch on the divine feminine and the archetypes and Goddesses associated with it.
Throughout history a great Mother Goddess has been present. Over time names and traits of the Goddesses have evolved, taking on new faces and meanings. For example, from Aphrodite in Greece to Venus in Rome, both goddesses are associated with similar attributes. When working with goddesses, you might need help with specific tasks. Maybe you have a challenge or certain intention that you need to evoke for a ritual, or maybe you need to strengthen your practice. Another reason to work with goddesses is to remember that you are always evolving. As witches, we are growing and changing in our practice, and as people we are different everyday. Just as nature changes, and the seasonal cycles occur, making our connection with Earth Mother evolves, and so must our rituals and spellcasting practices.
Ask yourself, what a goddess means to you? What intentions are the most important to you? What do you value? Checking in with yourself is a key element of working with Goddesses. Do some research by reading books about ancient deities, and find what they symbolize and how they evolved. Many of the goddesses have evolved over time. A meaning that was once necessary at one time in history might not be relevant for witches today––and that’s okay! As consciousness shifts, so does the goddess. Just as we change over time, the goddess can transform. That doesn’t mean the old traits aren’t still useful. Getting to know the goddesses can help us embody the evolutionary nature of the goddess, embracing balance and the dimensions of wisdom. You can begin by working with intention, alongside the goddess that you choose. Do you want more connection with others? Possibly, you're interested in exploring strong emotions, like rage or sadness. Love is a powerful emotion that's tied to many goddesses. Perhaps you're interested in channeling or gaining clarity. There are goddesses associated with healing, grounding and dealing with change. Start with journaling or meditation to connect with yourself, and discover your own intentions when choosing a goddess.
First, consider how you are going to connect with the goddess. Are you practicing meditation or visualization? Will you do research by reading myths or spiritual literature? Do you plan to dedicate an altar to the goddess? Maybe you're preparing an outdoor activity to provide an offering? Whatever the purpose, we hope this guide helps you along your path. If you need more guidance, we offer many books on Gods, Goddesses, and Ancient Deities.
What does it mean to reclaim your inner goddess?
Reclaiming your inner goddess is a reclaiming of the feminine, whatever that means to you. It’s personal and it’s about self-love and fulfillment. Working with goddess energy is particularly powerful in contexts in which femininity is often associated with weakness, wanting to please others before yourself, and for those of us who get stuck shape-shifting in order to fit the needs of others. This carries us away from our authentic selves, transforming us into people pleasers and being left feeling burnt out. At the end of the day, the Goddess is a reminder.
Working with the goddess is an invitation to tune into your emotions. It gives you the permission to own your power, and to tap into your wild, untamed, and sometimes rage-filled nature. Powerful energies can be loving, nurturing and grounding. These are strengths that deserve to be celebrated. These powers live inside all of us, and the goddesses can empower us to call in those energies through the ethos and symbols that each goddess represents.
Archetypes of the Goddesses
The goddesses can often symbolize the contradictions and polarizing aspects of nature. Strength versus weakness. Goodness versus wickedness. A goddess has many faces. We are multifaceted individuals. It can be helpful to first notice how you respond to conflict, change, or stress. Do you fight back or freeze up? Are you one to take action or stay back? Or maybe you’re somewhere in between, more balanced in your mannerisms. The goddess can be strong and bold in her musings, but balance is essential. Holding space for grace, gratitude, and love are crucial parts of the goddess mindset. Finding balance in our approach toward others and especially to ourselves is so important when working with goddess archetypes.
When looking at the four elemental archetypes of the goddess, we can see a polarizing pull toward one energy, or a push away from another. Many of the goddesses work in contradictions, being connected to water and fire, or holding energies both dark and light. When channeling goddesses who represent these opposing forces, it’s a reminder to maintain balance. We can be both grounded in the earth and carry the force of air.
You might want to ask yourself, which goddess archetype aligns best with you? It can be transformative to get to know a whole new part of yourself. Let's take a quick look at the archetypes and their associated goddesses.
Moon Archetypes
Let's begin with Moon or Lunar Goddesses. The moon is often associated with femininity and motherhood across time and culture. The tides and lunar phases are likened to womanhood, the menstrual cycle, and pregnancy. Moon Goddess energy is ancient. To align with the lunar phases allows us to recharge, realign, and celebrate rebirth. Often tied to our emotions, deep insight, and spiritual intuition. Meditation, dreams, night ceremonies, and ritual are a great way to harness the moon's energy.
Naturally, water and the moon overlap in spiritual properties and intentions. Tracking the moon's cycles, the sea's tides, and working with water is commonly associated with the Moon Goddesses. The goddesses can also have very different characteristics from one another due to the differences between the moon phases. For example, Hecate is a dark goddess often associated with the new moon and the Underworld, while Artemis is a hunter goddess associated with the crescent moon.
Moon Goddesses that you might like to work with are Artemis, Cerridwen, Hecate, Diana, Ishtar, Isis, Selene, and Rhiannon.
Water Archetypes
Water is associated with survival, purification, and healing. Harness the power of hindsight, and confront emotional experiences head on. Water energy is partly ruled by moon energy. As the moon pulls the tides, we can bask in cleansing powers of the Water Goddess. A reminder that we are adaptive, able to mold to circumstances, and evolve in many situations, working with the archetype will bring us in touch with our conscious flexibility, love, and agility.
Water Goddesses that depict this archetype are Anuket, Oshun, Persephone, Calypso, Salacia, Sedna, and Yemoja.
Earth Archetypes
In witchcraft, we honor the earth as our main educator of the connected elements of nature. Many cultures and religions have centered the natural world, and embraced the power of the earth archetype is so many ways. Earth Goddesses carry deep rooted knowledge, strength from growth, and fruitful prosperity. We can harvest our own lessons, morals, and learnings in the fertile and stable roots of these goddesses. Consider them to be your foundation or vessel, as you enhance your own practices. The earth is a womb and from it's energy sprouts possibilities. Work with this archetype during a full moon, or in the seasons of Lammas or Mabon.
Earth Goddesses that you'll want to look into are Gaia, Ceres, Corn Mother, Anu, and Demeter.
Air Archetypes
This is the breath of life itself. The power of this element is undeniable. An air goddess touches all parts of life as a being without limits. Many of the myths associated with air goddesses have included a ruthless change of heart or great shift. Air moves through all things. It's associated with masculinity because of it's power to influence. Deep thought, creativity, and action to are assigned to the air archetype. The air energy can easily consume others, being both powerful and gentle. Air Goddesses are often considered strong in intellect, deeply reflective, with the ability to ignite creative ideas. Feathers and birds are associated with these goddesses, at times. Change, new opportunity, and new perspectives are considered to be key elements of the air archetype. This also connects with the season of spring.
Air Goddesses that you'll want to look into are Brigid, Danu, Hathor, Ilmatar, or Khaos.
Sun Archetypes
If you need to harness energy then the sun archetype is perfect for you. The sun, or fire, ignites passion, transformation, and movement. Get in touch with that feminine rage or burning desire, as you channel a fire goddess or sun maiden. This element is all about intensity, creativity, destruction, and OF COURSE, passion! These glowing, warm, yet bold goddesses can inspire you to master light. You can work with these sun goddesses in the summer season. Let them guide you toward the birth of new ideas, as sun goddesses are considered leaders and fire warriors.
Sun Goddesses that you'll want to look into are Sunna, Brigid, Sekhmet, Olwen, Aine, and Astraea.
Phases Of The Triple Goddess
The Triple Goddess represents the phases of womanhood. Also symbolic of the phases of the moon. Exploring these archetypes can strengthen our spiritual practice by understanding the many ways femininity and womanhood have been interpreted over time. The phases of Maiden, Mother, and Crone, have been embraced by witches for centuries. Today, modern witches are leading different lives than our ancestors, and so many have embraced new phases. Let’s take a look at the phases of the Triple Goddess, and learn which goddesses are often associated:
The Maiden Archetype
This phase of the Triple Goddess represents the spring season and the growth in nature. A symbol of youth, she is willing to express herself and is full of energy. She is inspired by creativity, embraces curiosity, and seeks out adventure and new beginnings.
Some examples of Maiden Goddesses are Persephone, Brigid, Artemis, and Freya.
The Mother Archetype
This is the awakening of the Maiden. The Mother is a nurturer. She is caring and protective. A responsible and loving well of knowledge, she is approaching maturity and represents the summer season. This phase of Triple Goddess is balanced and supportive.
Some examples of Mother Goddesses are Gaia, Aphrodite, Isis, Yemoja, Selene, Hera, and Ceres.
The Crone Archetype
The final phase of the Triple Goddess is the crone. She is a matriarch, full of wisdom and at the height of her spiritual power. She is the Wise Woman. She embraces darkness and understands that link between life and death, past and present, and the transformation that comes with rebirth. The Crone represents the winter season. She is a guide, a sage, or teacher.
Some examples of Crone Goddesses are Hecate, the Morrigan, Xochiquetzal, Black Annis, and Sedna.
Choosing The Goddesses
To choose the deities that you’ll want to work with, you can start by looking into the history of your own culture and the spiritual, religious, and important figures that guided your own ancestors. It’s recommended that you research and choose what’s best for you and your practice.
It might also be helpful to start with the common gods and goddesses in contemporary witchcraft. This allows you to connect with other witches and build a sisterhood. Practicing with a coven in your community to invoke assistance from a popular goddess is a great introduction to goddess work. We’ve included a list below of some of the more common goddesses that you can begin working with:
Hecate
Origin: Greek
Intentions: Protection, Wisdom, Transformation, New Beginnings, Death
Altar Pieces/Offerings: Lavender, Besom Broom, Cheese, Bread, Garlic
Known to be one of the most well known goddesses in witchcraft. She is quite literally considered the Goddess of witchcraft, along with magic or sorcery, ghosts, and often symbolizes the crossroads to other realms as a divinity of the Underworld. Hecate, or sometimes Hekate, is of Greek origin. She's been called a priestess of the stars, often taking on a form of three lunar phases. A triple goddess in her own right, she is visualized as the new moon, full moon, and half moons, or having three faces.
Hecate is associated with protection. She is honored during the winter solstice, or between Samhain and Yule. As the goddess of crossroads, she can guide us through transitions and remind us to move back into alignment.
Her power lies in both the earth and the sky. She provides prosperity in wisdom, victory, and wealth. Hecate has presided over purifications and expiations. She is associated with enchantments and magical charms.
Shop: Hecate Offerings
The Morrigan
Origin: Irish
Intentions: Destiny, Transformations
Altar Pieces/Offerings: Silver, Black onyx or obsidian stones, Feathers from a raven or crow
The Morrigan is a Celtic goddess who represents war, death, magic, and fate/destiny. Her lore often connects her with the crow or the raven. These birds carry her messages of wisdom and guidance. She is a strong goddess full of mystery, as she has taken many forms in history. She has Fae origins in Arthurian myth, in which she is known as a faery witch, a healer, and a sorceress, named Morgan le Fay. The myths of The Morrigan explore the many complexities with the Fae and faery realm, and can shed a light on the dual nature of this goddess. Her complexities can remind us of our own transformations and growth over time. Embracing our inner Morrigan is like that of the Crone. She allows us to reflect on the wisdom we've gained, and the move into our intuition and psychic abilities, while we transition into phases of finality. Whether it is a lesson in life, or life itself.
Shop: Morrigan Offerings
Isis
Origin: Egyptian
Intentions: Rebirth, Fertility, Awakening, Art, Nourishment, Wholeness
Altar Pieces/Offerings: Milk, Honey, Flowers
Isis is a Moon Goddess of marriage, mothers, and fertility. She is a magical healer and teacher with great influence. She is known as the lady of Ten Thousand Names, and rose to her highest power by tricking the Sun God, Ra, in ancient Egyptian myth. She ruled over the gods alongside Osiris, using her magical gifts to give Osiris immortality. She symbolized rebirth and fertility and nourishment in the ancient myths. Call upon Isis to solve problems that might appear insurmountable. Invoke this goddess when experiencing the joys of motherhood or seek her council in child rearing.
Shop: Isis Offerings
Brigid
Origin: Celtic
Intentions: Creativity, Inspiration, Healing
Altar Pieces/Offerings: Fire (light a candle), Handwritten poetry/sigil, Food, Wine
The ancient celtic goddess Brigid, also known as Brigit, has woven a creative path across time and cultures. She is considered the goddess of poetry, painters and prophets. Illuminating the fires of poetic channeling and inspiration, she is associated with fire. During the spring festival of Imbolc, Brigid can be honored as a spirit of spring. Ancient pagan beliefs have considered Brigid to be the ruler of the hearth fire and forge. If you're looking for a spark of creativity, she personifies creation, destruction, regeneration, love and even death. Like many goddesses, she lives between contradictions, and like fire, she heals builds and breaks down all things.
Working with sunlight, fire, candle-magic, or arts and crafts, are highly recommended when working with this goddesses warrior side. Water, holy wells, birthing, circles, and herbs are associated with her healer side. Finding the right balance when working with this goddess is essential.
Shop: Brigid Offerings
Freya
Origin: Norse
Intentions: Healing, Love, Beauty, Sensuality
Altar Pieces/Offerings: Amber jewelry, Roses, Honey, Strawberries, Feathers
If you need some loving vibes then Freya, or Freyja, is the Goddess for you. Invoke her to guide your ways in spellwork that centers love and sensuality. If you have relationship challenges, she is a healing goddess with a powerful connection to sexual energies. She represents the balance of work and play. She is both a warrior goddess of war and death, while embodying beauty, passion and sexual favors. Harness the strength of this love goddess, and seek Freya's inspiration. She is a woman who knows who she is and what she wants. Let her influence your fate as you embrace her independent spirit.
Shop: Freya Offerings
Persephone
Origin: Greek
Intentions: Destiny, Wisdom, Transformation, New Beginnings, Death
Altar Pieces/Offerings: Pomegranate, Roses, Black candles
The myth surrounding this goddess is rich with complexity and duality. Persephone is a prominent figure in Greek myth. She is a Maiden Goddess symbolic of love and youth, yet she is also Queen of the Underworld, embodying darkness and death. The myth of Persephone is greatly popularized. She is the daughter of Demeter, Goddess of the harvest and fertility. Her mother, Demeter, symbolizes law and order, while her husband, Hades, is God of the Underworld. Persephone represents personal transformation. If you are driving into the shadow of your psyche, exploring the depths of this goddess can guide you toward the release of emotions. She is a Water Maiden, who allows her feelings to flow greatly. Though she is youthful, she is insightful and intuitive. She embraces new beginnings, and is eager to explore. Persephone isn't afraid of her inner demons, she breaks bad habits and end destructive cycles.
Shop: Persephone Offerings
Artemis
Origin: Greek
Intentions: Protection, Courage, Independence
Altar Pieces/Offerings: Moonstone, Goddess statue, Walnuts, Figs, Artemisia, Willow
She is the Goddess of nature and birth, and a renowned huntress. She wields the bow and never misses. Though she is powerful and courageous in adventure, she protects and heals those in need. This ancient Moon Goddess symbolizes the crescent moon. Artemis is ideal for anyone fearful of change, as she embodies courage and independence. She is the protector of nature, the forest, and childbirth. She is a free spirit, so you can call upon her wisdom and she will empower you to achieve your desires. Connect with this goddess in nature, particularly the forests and mountains. She lives on her own terms, so working with Artemis allows us to engage with our own independence. Find the courage within to seek what Artemis reveals.
Shop: Artemis Offerings
Danu
Origin: Celtic
Intentions: Wisdom, Creation, Fertility, Abundance, Enlightenment
Altar Pieces/Offerings: Blue crystals, Bowls of water, Flowers, Apples
Danu is a comforting Mother Goddess figure and an ancient Celtic river spirit. is associated with the elements water, air, and the earth. "Danu" means river, yet she's sometimes known as Anu. She is associated with fertility, as the mother of the pixies and fairy folk and the magic of the earth. She is also an Air Goddess, weaving the wind and wisdom together. Danu provides shelter and safety towards family, friendship, and community. She encompasses creation, transformation, new beginnings, and enlightenment. She realigns the truth, empowering others. Call upon this goddess during the full moon to seek out her creative wisdom, or seek out new beginnings by working with this goddess during the new moon.
Shop: Danu Offerings
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Evolution of Goddess: A Modern Girl’s Guide To Activating Your Feminine Superpowers
