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7 of the Tuatha De Danann : a group of supernatural and divine entities worshipped in Ireland .
Much of what is known of Étaín ’ s origins are distorted through Christian perspectives . She first appears in The Wooing of Étaín , which can be found within the oldest surviving collection of Irish mythology . It ’ s believed that it was written in the 9th century , and the nature of the tale is complex , conflicting and confusing .
Étaín is sent to live with a King and suffers endlessly at the hands of his jealous wife , the Queen . She ’ s first reduced to a puddle of water , then a worm , and finally a butterfly . Étaín is then discarded to the wind for a thousand years , but is afterwards reborn .
Whilst it ’ s a story that personifies transformation and rebirth , it ’ s also argued as just another story of a woman who appears to have almost no control over her life and destiny - but instead a side character whom all the male protagonists are desperate to have .
In response to this , modern pagans and witches alike have sought to bring vibrancy and significance to Étaín , reclaiming her as a goddess to be honoured . And because of her associations with rebirth , she is often invoked in spells and rituals pertaining to healing and growth .
Alectrona : The Sun ’ s Daughter
Alectrona , also known as Electryone , was an early Greek goddess of the rising Sun . She was later depicted as Helios , the more famous Sun God . This change to male is often why the Sun is portrayed as masculine .
Very little is known about Alectrona , but a temple was built in her name , with strict rules found on a marble tablet dating back to the 3rd century B . C . These were to be read before entering , and included not wearing shoes or anything made from pigskin . If ignored , you ’ d be accused of irreligion .
There is speculation that Alectrona was killed during a battle between the gods , with legends suggesting she was in love with Apollo .
She was said to have died a virgin , and worshipped as a heroine on the island of Rhodes .
Whilst these goddesses may have been outshone , sidelined , and demoted by their male counterparts through popular folklore , they still continue to hold a significant place in modern pagan and witchcraft practices for many practitioners . ☾
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