🌎 9 Deities Associated With the Earth 🌍 (Patreon)

Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd this year. In many religions, there are earth deities who are honored, admired, appreciated and respected who represent love, balance, nature, empathy, abundance, compassion, wisdom, insight and fertility. They are reminders to respect nature and they also represent the needs of the Earth and everything that is nature. Earth deities can help people be more mindful about the fossil fuels they are burning, pollution, waste and other ways humans interact with the Earth. These deities can help people understand the cycles of nature and compassion, rebirth, regeneration, and abundance.

There are numerous activities and initiatives people undertake on this day or start and continue to do them, such as recycling, using less water, planting trees, using less gas by biking or carpooling and cleaning up beaches, rivers, nature trails and other forms of land. You can also participate in drum circles meditation and chanting to get in touch with your spiritual side. It's important to keep in mind that these practices are important to do not only on Earth Day, but everyday, too!

The Earth Element symbolizes stability, security, fertility and nourishment. Tina Caro writes how "The Earth Element, a symbol of fertility, security, stability, and nourishment; the Earth (matter) is the female principle represented by an open belly ready for the fruitful intervention of the sky (Spirit, ether, its counterpart)." Here are 9 deities associated with the Earth you can honor for Earth Day and everyday.

1.) Gaea, the first mother

Tina Caro from Magickal Spot writes, "First, there was Chaos, then Gaea, the earth, appeared. Thus, the ancient Greeks recounted the origins of the world and of the gods. Gaea alone generated the sky, the sea, and the mountains. Heaven, which was called Uranus, was chosen as her husband and had many children. The Titans were born first, six males and six females; then the Cyclops, who are not to be confused with those whom Ulysses met: they also had only one eye in the middle of the forehead. There were three of them and their names were Bronte, Sterope, and Arge. Then three monstrous giants who had center arms were also born, Cotto, Briareus, and Gyges.

From the union with the sea, Gaea had other children, all divinities specialized with the waters: Nereo, father of the Nereid nymphs; Taumante, father of the rainbow; Forchi, Keto, and others. When the war broke out between Cronus and Zeus for the domination of the universe, Gaea remained neutral: many of her children fought among themselves, one armed against the other. Gaea’s only satisfaction was to see her children always alive, all being immortal.

But when Zeus, defeating his enemies, imprisoned some titans in hell, Gaea rebelled. She joined with hell and gave birth to another monster, Typhon: it had a hundred dragon heads that spewed fire. Touched by his mother, Typhon declared war on Zeus. Another fierce fight lasted for several years and ended with the victory of Zeus: Typhon ended up in Tartarus, the hell of the gods."

Emma Kyteler says, "Her Greek name Gaia means the source of all life. Her Roman counterpart is named Terra, which means earth. She is the goddess of nature and motherly love; she cares for and loves all mortal creatures. She also gives life, making it possible for humans to exist on earth.

Gaia is the ancient Greek Goddess of Nature. She is the Giver of all things that are born, grow, and die. She is the Mother Earth. Gaia creates all living things from her womb. With her all-encompassing compassion and understanding, she allows humans to live on earth as part of nature."

2.) Geb

Tina Caro says "The God Geb is the personification of the earth. Some representations portray him seated, others stretched out with one arm facing the sky and the other facing the earth. Geb is the father of the gods; he is linked to the throne of Egypt in various ways and has the role of investing the rightful heir of the royal authority.

As brother and consort of the goddess Nut, he is often represented with her lying down, with the goddess pouring out on him, fecundating her. Geb also bestows the fruits of the earth as nourishment and support: many believed that barley grew from his ribs. The hieroglyph of his name is the symbol of a white goose represented in profile. His colors are the shades of green of the luxuriant vegetation."

3.) Danu

On Magickal Spot, the article “A List of 5 Deities Associated with Earth" says, "Although Danu is a goddess of fundamental importance, she appears little in Celtic mythological tales. What we know about her is vague and fragmented: she is the goddess of earth, prosperity, and peace, the ruler of time and life. In addition to these positive connotations, she also has a dark side. One of her tasks is to lead souls between the world of the living and the world of the dead.

The goddess Danu can be represented in two different forms. Some depict her as a single woman, often with some sort of plate in her hand. Others, however, represent her “divided” into three different matrons. In the latter representation, the three women are usually seated. The number three, as in many other beliefs and cultures, has very strong symbolism. It is the number of creations, the only one that is not sterile. The one, in itself, is useless.

Two is made up of a pair of opposites and multiplied by one always equals two. The three, on the other hand, are made up of two equal elements and one opposite. This, for the Celts, had a profound symbolic meaning. The reason why the goddess Danu is so important, besides the fact that she potentially created all living creatures, is that she gave birth to the lineage of Tuatha De Danann.

These people, that is, the first Irish, were made up of partially divine blood. According to beliefs and findings dating back to the Middle Ages, the Tuatha invaded Ireland before the Gaels and then became their gods."

4.) Oduduwa

In the article, "A List of 5 Deities Associated with Earth", "The Yoruba people claim that the origin of their culture occurred thanks to a mythical figure, a man named Oduduwa. Oduduwa, according to some tales, was a skilled leader of an army from the east, but in other versions of the myth this man was sent by the god-creator Olorun, and just as can also be seen in the Sumerian religious beliefs, the Yoruba also believe that Oduduwa formed the first human beings with clay. This belief is also linked to the almost homonymous figure of the Earth goddess, Oduduwa.

The name Oduduwa can be translated as “he who created the knowledge of character” but also “black and beautiful”, the Yoruba often refer to themselves as “Omo Oduduwa”, “sons of Oduduwa”. The traditional Yoruba religion, still known today for its ancient esoteric practices, is also called Orisha, it is really very complex and like all ancient cultures, it is rich in divinities.

Olorun or Olodumare is revered as a god-creator, all other deities are considered as messengers and intermediaries between Him and men, like any ancient people who lived in the midst of nature and made it their temple, many of the deities refer to the elements."

5.) Ala

This article also writes, "One of the most popular and revered of the Igbo deities. In the Igbo language (Nigeria), “Ala” means earth and precisely represents the power of this goddess (and of female nature) on our planet. Goddess of fertility, but also of creativity and morality, Ala – who is also referred to as Ale, Ani or Ana – goddess of the earth, is married to Madioha, god of the sky. She is the protector of children and women. When she is angry, she not only convinces Madioha to deprive the men of rain but to cause disaster.

As you can see, these deities are connected with the earth element and all it represents. If you want to feel more grounded and create a special bond with the earth element for both your life and your craft, these deities can definitely help! Give them a chance to support you and guide you towards a more conscious and aware way of life.”

6.) Mat Zemlya

Emma Kyteler writes "Mat Zemlya is the Slavic or Ukrainian Goddess of Mother Earth. She is a creator deity worshipped in the northern parts of Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus. The name “Mat” means “mother” in many Slavic languages. Mat Zemlya is worshiped as a deity of fertility. Her worshippers believe that she brings prosperity, health, and happiness to her followers. They ask Mat Zemlya to provide them and their cattle with good food."

7.) Spider Grandmother

She also says "Spider Grandmother is a Native American goddess. She protects her people from danger, especially children, and teaches them about life and death. She creates things like the stars, rainbows, and lightning from her dying embers. Spider Grandmother is considered an earth goddess. She lives in a small, dark cave or in the shadow of a tall hollow tree. She has long, powerful arms and legs, and she can see even when her eyes are closed."

8.) Gefjun

In the article "5 Earth Goddesses to Worship on International Earth Day", "Gefjon is a Scandinavian Earth Goddess. She is the divine patron of Denmark. Her name means “the giving one, to give.” Gefjun was said to have made Zealand by separating it from the main part of Denmark with her plowshare or oxen."

9.) Papatūānuku

The article also writes "Papatūānuku is the Maori goddess of creation. She represents fertility, abundance, and motherhood. She rules the land and swells with new life. She is responsible for giving all plants, animals, and people the ability to procreate."

How To Honor Earth Deities

Are you wondering how can you  honor these Earth deities? A few ways you can honor these deities are planting trees, using less fossil fuels, recycling and using less water. Some other ways you can honor these deities and the Earth are learning about herbalism and the local plants around you, reduce your waste, appreciate nature, respect the environment and wildlife, plant flowers and trees, teach others about the importance of caring for the Earth, protect nature and the environment and be in tune with the rhythm of nature. 

Offerings For Earth Deities

Are you wondering what type of offerings you can leave for Earth deities? There are many different offerings that are appropriate and here are some examples: herbs, flowers, beer, milk, seeds, honey, water, food, incense, or plants. Some herbs could be rosemary, thyme, lavender, catnip, rose mint or any that corresponds to your intention.

Sources:

https://eclecticwitchcraft.com/5-earth-goddesses-to-worship-on-international-earth-day/

https://magickalspot.com/deities-associated-with-earth/