Lama is the Sumerian Goddess of intercession and protection. Also known as Lamassu by the Akkadians, she acted as an intermediary between people and the Gods. Lama was usually depicted in human form, often appearing on seals introducing a king to a God or Goddess. In this form, she wore a long tiered robe and sometimes a horned tiara. As Lamassu, she was more often portrayed as a winged bull or lion with a woman’s face, and served to protect temples and palaces. Lamassu is often confused with Lamaštu, an Akkadian demon Goddess. Lama’s name means “protective spirit.”

Ituana is the Brazilian Goddess of the afterworld. She lives at the end of the Milky Way, which is seen as the milk from the breasts of this great mother. Ituana looks after the souls of the dead who have passed into the afterworld, sending them back to earth to be born again. Ituana’s name means “mother scorpion.”

Quabso is the Sandawe Goddess of the moon and rain. The Sandawe of Tanzania say that the moon lived in the south and the sun lived in the north, until one day when he saw the moon and fell in love with her. The sun, later called Matunda, came south to be with the moon and they were married. Quabso rules over fertility and growth, which explains why women’s cycles follow that of the moon. The courtship of Quabso and Matunda is remembered in the ritual phek’umo dance, which promotes the land’s fertility.

Tukwinong Mana is the Hopi Goddess of clouds. She is the kachina who appears in the Shalako Ceremony, a dance that occurs after the last harvest of the year. Tukwinong Mana carries a tray of cornmeal divided into four colors, representing the clouds of the four directions. Her legs and hands are smeared with mud from the spring of the village where the dance occurs. As the representative of the clouds, she listens to and answers prayers for rain. Her name, which means “cumulus cloud girl,” is also seen as Tukwunag Kachin-mana.

I’ve seen a lot of different ways to pronounce Thalia in my searches, but I’m pretty sure that the one I use is correct. Most of the Greek Goddess names have the emphasis on the second syllable, so I know I have that part right. When spelled as Thaleia (or Θαλεια in Greek), it would have been pronounced tha-LAY-uh in Ancient Greek, although the “ei” is pronounced as EYE in Modern Greek, giving tha-LIE-uh. Disagree? Let me know!

Thalia (pronounced tha-LIE-uh) is the Greek Muse of comedy and rustic poetry. The nine Muses are the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, and they accompany Apollo in his role as God of the arts. She is usually depicted holding up the comic actor’s mask and wearing a wreath of ivy on her head. Sometimes she holds a shepherd’s staff, and other times a drum or tambourine—her sons with Apollo, the Korybantes, performed a dance to the beat of drums as part of the Mysteries of Samothrace. Thalia’s name, which means “flourishing,” is also seen as Thaleia.

Meret is an Egyptian goddess of song and rejoicing. She is credited as having helped to establish cosmic order through her music, song, and the gestures of musical direction. She is the wife of Hapy, God of the Nile, and the bowl that she holds signifies the reception of his bounty. On her head she wears a papyrus plant, the symbol of Lower Egypt, although some depictions show her with a blue lotus, which symbolizes Upper Egypt. Her name, which means “beloved,” is also seen spelled as Merit or Mert.

Cunina is the Roman goddess of infants. She is charged with watching over infants in their cradles, protecting them as they sleep. She is the sister of Rumina, Goddess of breastfeeding, and Cuba, Goddess of children.

Banba (pronounced BAHN-va) is the Celtic Goddess of the spirit of Ireland. She is one of the Tuatha de Danaan, the people of the Goddess Danu. When the Milesians arrived in Ireland and conquered them, Banba and her two sisters, Ériu and Fodla, all asked that the island be named for them. Ériu won the request, but Banba’s name continued to be used on occasion. Banba and her sisters are the daughters of Ernmas, a mother Goddess, who is also the mother of another triad of Goddesses—Badb, Macha, and Anu, also known as the Morrigan. The first triad represents the sovereignty of Ireland, while the second triad were Goddesses of war, and therefore represent the protection of Ireland. Banba’s husband MacCuill was one of the last kings of the Tuatha de Danaan, along with his brothers MacCecht and MacGreine. Banba’s name, which means “unplowed land,” is also seen as Banbha, Bandha, Bánbhé, or Bánubh.

One of my favorite bloggers, Mrs. B. at Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom, is hosting some amazing giveaways this month. I was fortunate enough to win a gorgeous apron yesterday from Carolyn’s Kitchen, just what every kitchen witch needs (and it’s orange—my favorite color). I have donated an art card of Hecate, which is scheduled to be given away on October 17.

For one of today’s giveaways, Mrs. B. wants to see pictures of me and/or my family in Halloween costumes. Funny how I just don’t seem to have a picture of myself dressed up but I do have this one of my kids:

My daughter couldn’t settle for just Tinkerbell, so she had to be Tinkerbell dressed up as a princess. This year she wants to be a black cat, so I’ll definitely have to take a picture of me with my familiar!

Hina-puku-i’a is the Hawaiian Goddess of seafood. Her husband, Ku’ula-kai, is a God of fish, as is their son, Ai-ai. Her sister, Hina-puku’ai, is the Goddess of vegetables. Hina-puku-i’a is one of the many forms of the Great Goddess Hina, and her name means “Hina gathering seafood.”