I who am the beauty of the green earth and the white moon among the stars and the mysteries of the waters, I call upon you soul to arise and come unto me

ERTHA

Original oil pastel drawing by Gwendolyn

I who am the beauty of the green earth and the white moon among the stars and the mysteries of the waters, I call upon you soul to arise and come unto me.

For I am the soul of nature that gives life to the universe.

From me all things proceed and unto me they must return.

Let my worship be in the heart that rejoices, for behold - all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals.

Let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you.

And you who seek to know me, know that your seeking and yearning will avail you not unless you know the mystery: for if that which you seek, you find not within yourself, you will never find it without.

For behold, I have been with you from the beginning and I am that which is attained at the end of desire.

THE CHARGE OF THE GODDESS

Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the fifth largest. She is the densest major body in the solar system. Unlike the other planets whose names are derived from Greek and Roman mythology, Our Mother Earth’s name is derived from Old English and Germanic. Some of her names in other languages are:

Terra, Id-Dinja , Pamint, Erde, Maa, Toka, Zeme, Lurra, Yer, Bumi, Jeegoo, Chikyuu, Daigdig to name only a few.

Needle Felting Diva Doll made by Gwendolyn (this craft taught to her by Bubbles)

Ertha is our Goddess in matters of fertility, the hearth, the home, domestic life, and the Wild Hunt. She is the matron of witches and peace envoys. Ertha may also be known by some other names. Here are just a few of them:

Astarte, Bertha

Cybele, ceres

Erda or Earth

Gaia, Gaea

Hertha, Herta, Hretha, Hrethra

Ishtar, Nerthus

Rheda or Rhede

Tellus Mater

Mother Earth and Peace Bringer

Ertha is the symbol of the Unity of all life in nature. Her Power is in all things. Everywhere you look and in everything you see you can find her, and you can feel her sacredness. Once upon a time she had to retreat to the deepest forests, atop the highest mountains, and to the bottom of the sea, for the humans had lost belief or had forgotten her. She is on her way back into our hearts and our sights because many of us are seeking her and beckoning her back to us. If you look hard enough you can see her face in the trees, the mountain side, and the rocks. Listen to the words of our Great Mother. You can hear her when the wind blows, when the birds sing, when the ocean waves crash against the shore, when the snow falls. Talk to her. You may call her by any name, for there are many Goddesses that represent her. Whatever name you choose for her, she holds the spiritual and elemental power within you. Once a month gather and rejoice in her name. Eat, drink and dance in her honor. Seek to fulfill your desires because by doing so you heighten your awareness and strengthen your creativity.

Ertha’s sacred month is March, or Hrethmonath. Evergreens, especially fir boughs, are sacred to Ertha.

Bake ëErthaís slippersí (yeast cakes) at Winter Solstice and she will visit by descending through the smoke from your chimney. She will fill your slippers with presents!

Build altars of flat stones to worship and invoke her. Burn Fur Boughs and invoke Ertha for peace, prosperity, hospitality, fertility, abundance, grounding, witchcraft, magic, diplomacy, earth magic, peace missions, household matters, hearth magic, kitchen witchcraft, and for divination.

The Earth Mother teaches us how to live in harmony with her. There are many ways you can honor her. Plant a tree, or just water one. Tend a flower garden. Have an herbal garden and learn about your herbs to show her that you appreciate the gifts she has provided for us to care for ourselves. Recycle in honor of her remarkable regenerative powers. Help to keep her litter-free!

Make everyday Earth Day!

Today go take a walk outside. Pick up any stone that catches your eye and put it in your pocket to remind you that Ertha is sacred and she is a living being! She blesses us and cares for us, and we need to take care of her. She is everywhere and everything. She is in us and she IS us.

Original oil pastel drawing by Gwendolyn

Ertha, the skies grow dark.

Fear grows, but not in my heart.

I still see you

I still feel you

When the Moon glows.

Your beauty shows magick.

It is time to dance.

Dance in the Moonlight.

See the Silver Spirits dance.

Dance like trees swaying in the wind,

Like owls keeping watch,

Like waves crashing on the shore.

As the sun comes over your side

Like a warm blanket

We can all see.

We can all feel.

And we know we are alive

Because of your gifts.

It is time to dance.

Dance in the Sunlight.

See the Golden Spirits dance.

Dance like flowers in the wind,

Like birds flying low,

Like the river flowing home.

We are home

When we dance together.

by Gwendolyn

Credits:
http://www.open-sesame.com/Ertha.html

http://www.nineplanets.org/earth.html

http://www.gotojassminesitenow.com/goddesses/earthgoddess.html
365 Goddess By Patricia Telesco