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Goddesses of
Crete
Amalthea
The Cretan goat goddess who suckled the infant Zeus when Rhea was hiding
him from Chronos. She may have also been wet-nurse to Pan.
Ariadne
Consort of Minos, who much like Persephone spent half the year in
the Underworld
Britomartis
Good Maiden. A youthful hunter, often depicted with arrows, suckling
babes or holding snakes. Sometimes seen as a chthonic figure (associated
with Hecate), she is a guardian of the dead who was sometimes seen by
sailors as a mermaid. Like Hera, she was associated with the lily or lotus
flower. Britomartis was also worshipped on Aegina and in Sparta under
her titles, Aphaea and Laphria. The Spartans adored both her and Artemis
as Ladies of the Lake.
Carme
(Charmel, Carmenta) The goddess of Mount Ida, inventor of the alphabet,
language and augery. Her name refers to kindness and charms (spells),
and she was concerned with prophecy.
Dictynna
Law-giving labrys Goddess of Crete and Mount Dicte, Dictynna, dances into
our universe. Dressed in nets, She is neither naked nor clad, and lines
of force surround Her. Double axes, or labryses, exclaim her active Feminine
Energy. Worshippers, in the original palace fresco, throw their arms up
in amazement at her appearance. The labrys is also a symbol of the female
community of Lesbos who worshipped only the Goddess in nature and in each
other. The original "She who must be obeyed," Dictynna lived on
top of Mount Dicta. Her powerful name lives on in our words "dictate"
and "edict." Her sacred plant was Dittany.
Leukippe
The White Mare. A Cretan horse goddess.
Pasipha
She Who Shines for All. A Cretan moon goddess.
Links
The
Dance of the Minoan Cretans and the Call of the Goddess |