Theia (pronounced THEE-ah) is the Greek Goddess of sight and the lights of the sky. She is one of the Titans, daughter of Gaia and Ouranos, and sister-wife to another Titan, Hyperion, God of observation. Their three children, Eos (Goddess of dawn), Selene (Goddess of the moon), and Helios (God of the sun), were the personifications of the lights of the sky. Theia also had dominion over precious metals and gems, which seemed to shine with their own light, and was associated with an oracle at Phthiotis, which could shine light on the future. Theia’s name, which means “sight,” is also seen as Thea, and she was alternately known as Aithre (clear sky), Euryphaessa (wide-shining), and Ikhnaie (tracing).

Phoebe (pronounced FEE-bee) is the Greek Goddess of light. She is one of the Titans, daughter of Gaia and Ouranos, and sister-wife to another Titan, Koios, God of intelligence. Phoebe was also the Goddess of earth-based prophecies, most notably the oracle at Delphi. She was the third Goddess to have charge of Delphi, after Gaia and Themis. With Koios, Phoebe had two daughters, Leto (Goddess of the oracles of the day) and Asteria (Goddess of the oracles of the night). Leto in turn was the mother of Artemis and Apollo, and Phoebe passed the care of the Delphic oracle to Apollo. Her name was also used as epithets for the twins. Phoebe, as a Goddess of light, later became associated with the moon and more particularly with the Goddess Selene, who was the moon personified. Phoebe’s name, which means “bright,” is also seen as Phoibe, and the epithets Gold-crowned and Golden-wreathed were used for her.

I thought I was working on another Z Goddess, but she morphed into an S!

Sarpanit is the Babylonian Goddess of pregnancy. As the consort of Marduk, God of the sun, she is later associated with the moon, as well as all of nature after Marduk rises to prominence. With this change, her name was also changed to reflect her new status—while Sarpanit means “the shining lady,” her new name, Zerbanit, means “she who brings forth the seed.” Sarpanit was also associated with water, which she inherited when the Goddess Erua, also a Goddess of pregnancy, was incorporated into her persona. Sarpanit’s name is also seen as Sarpanitu, Sarpanitum, Zerbanit, Zirbanit, Zerpanit, Zarpanit, Zarpanitu, and Zarpanitum, and epithets for her include “lady of the abyss,” “lady of the deep,” “voice of the deep,” and “mistress of the place where the fish dwell.”

Zigu Shen is the Chinese Goddess of concubines and latrines. She was born as a peasant and sold to a man named Wei Zixu to be his concubine. Wei’s wife Caogu was very cruel to Zigu Shen and forced her to live next to the outdoor latrine. After Caogu beat her to death, she buried her next to the latrine. When the Heavenly Emperor learned of her fate, he turned Zigu Shen into a Goddess, and gave her dominion over the relationship between wives and concubines. He gave her a bow and arrows with which to shoot cruel wives. Zigu Shen was also given dominion over latrines, and was later associated with spirit writing. Her name, which means “purple lady,” is also seen as Ceshen, Tzu-ku Shen, Keng San Gu Niang (Third Daughter of the Latrine), Mao Gu (Lady of the Latrine), and Qi Furen (Lady Qi).

Zytniamatka is the Germanic Goddess of agriculture. Also known as Die Kornmutter (the Corn-Mother) she is the ripe corn, represented by a corn dolly made from the last ears of corn to be harvested. The corn dolly was kept over the winter months and buried in the ground in the spring when the corn was planted, bringing the Goddess’s blessings to the crop and ensuring its success. Zytniamatka’s name, which means “corn mother,” is also seen as Zytnia Matka, Ziza, and Zizi.

Zonget is the Mansi Goddess of hunting. To the Mansi people of Siberia, she controls the supply of animals and birds to be hunted. Offerings are made to her to ensure that she will continue to provide for the people. Zonget appears as a grey bird to her followers.

Ziva (pronounced ZHEE-va) is the Slavic Goddess of longevity. She was said to have a temple on Mount Zywiec, and people would go to the temple to pray for good health and long life. Some traditions have it that she turned herself into a cuckoo bird. Ziva’s name, which means “life,” is also seen as Zywie, Zhywie, Zhywa, Zywa, Zhiva, Zivena, Siva, Siwa, Sivve, Shiwa, Sieba, Syeba, Siba, and Dsiva.

I’ve decided not to stick with my rotation through the different pantheons, because some days I look at who is next on my list and just don’t want to try to research a particular pantheon. That leads me to procrastinate about posting, which leads to my long gaps between posts. In an effort to reenergize myself, I’ve decided to stop trying to have any sort of order, although I am toying with alphabetical, perhaps in reverse order. Hence today’s Goddess.

Zvoruna is the Lithuanian Goddess of the hunt. She is a protector of wild animals and the forest, similar to the Roman Diana or the Greek Artemis. Her name, which derives from the word zveris “wild animal,” is also seen as Zverune.

Tayet is the Egyptian Goddess of weaving. In a role similar to that of the Goddess Neith, Tayet wove the linen bandages in which mummies were wrapped. She also wove the walls of the tent of purification in which the embalmers worked. Tayet’s linen was also used to dress statues of other deities. Tayet was depicted in human form, holding bandages, and one text says that her skin is the color of turquoise. Her name is also seen as Tait or Tayt.

Kipu-tyttö is the Finnish Goddess of illness. She is the daughter of Tuonetar and Tuoni, Goddess and God of the underworld, and sister of Loviatar, Goddess of plagues. Kipu-tyttö sits on a rock at the spot where three rivers meet in the underworld, and all of mankind’s diseases live below. She slowly turns the rock, releasing them one at a time. She is depicted as a young woman with a pockmarked face, and she sings as she sits on her rock, luring the ill with her song. Kipu-tyttö’s name means “pain girl.”