Iris, Rainbow Goddess

I open my heart and my mind so that I may draw closer to you

Through prayer I ask that you mediate between myself and anyone

I may have injured so that peace and goodwill will prevail.

By you I send my love and adoration to Mother Goddess

 I have faith that love, truth and prophecy will never fail.

By Luna Bona Dea

Messenger of Hera, Queen of the Gods she is frequently depicted holding a staff and a pitcher.  A member of both Roman and Greek pantheons, Iris predates Hermes as a messenger deity.  She is a Maiden/Virgin Goddess who forms the rainbow bridge between Heaven and Earth.  Her consort is Zephyrus, god of the west wind.

Prayer To Iris Beautiful Iris, With your pitcher filled with the blessings of the Goddess I ask that you pour out the blessings of joy, health and prosperity upon myself, my family and indeed the upon all the children of the Goddess so all can see that Her power is real and still alive today in a world of doubt and pessimism.  As you will it so mote it be. By Luna Bona Dea

Iris uses the rainbow in order to form a psychic link between the Goddess and humans so using a rainbow may be the best way to invoke her powers into your ritual or spellwork.

Iris is the Goddess of psychic communication but she is also represented by water and/or clouds which mean that she can be invoked in either the east or the west depending on  your needs.  Even though she is considered a minor goddess in the Roman pantheon she would be helpful in developing psychic abilities and communication skills.  To cast a circle using Iris’s power use your staff to form a small trench to create the circle  and then with a pitcher filled with water (it can be holy water but go light on the salt) pour a thin trickle of water into it, then go around the circle again with incense.

(Ritual by Luna Bona Dea).

Invocation to Iris   Iris, lovely rainbow lady. You are embodied in the very clouds; Messenger of hope come from above With You may we entrust our praises Filled with thanksgiving and entreaties of love Share, we ask, Goddess-wisdom from your pitcher- to receive your blessings empty chalices we raise By drinking our fill our lives will become richer. By Luna Bona Dea

Among her duties is to sever the ties that hold a mortal’s soul to their body at the time of death hence freeing them from their corpse allowing them to continue into the Underworld and their next incarnation.

Iris plays a role in the quest for the golden fleece by bringing peace between the sons of Boreas and the sons of the North Wind, in the adventures of Aeneas when she once again brought peace to two combatants by intervening between the Greeks and the harpies saying that by command of Zeus the harpies must not be harmed swearing that they would no more annoy the sons of Agenor. When Hera took pity on Jason and Medea she sent Iris to beseech Thetis, the Goddess of the sea to calm the sea.   At the request of Juno Iris went to the house of Somnu, the God of sleep and asked him to send a dream to Alcyone to tell her the truth the death of Cecyx at sea:  Iris entered into the chambers of Somnus in a cloak of many colors filling it with shining light from her garment and then quickly escape so she would not fall asleep.  As the Giants were storming into Olympus Iris called together those in the High Heavens and those who dwell in the rivers and springs, the Fates from the underworld at Zeus’s request.  In the Trojan battles Iris once again comes to the assistance of the gods

“If you were in agreement with me in the council of immortals.” Zeus said, “Poseidon would be compelled to alter his plans in accordance with our wishes.  But now, if you are, indeed serious in trying to please me, call Iris who shall summon my brother home from battle, and Apollo who shall heal Hector and breathe fresh courage into his soul.”

Hera obeyed.  She sped to the halls of Olympus where the immortals were gathered about the board.  When she entered, they rose up from their places and offered her his cup.  She took that of Themis, sipped of the nectar and told them the bidding of Zeus.  Fleet as the wind Iris floated down to the field of battle.  Hearing his brother’s command from her lips, Poseidon was ill pleased, “Those are not brotherly words,” he said sulkily, “nor should he try to break my will, for I am as good as he.  It is true that when we cast lots for sovereignty, I was apportioned only the gray sea, Pluto the underworld, and Zeus heaven.  But earth and Olympus are common to us all.”

“Shall I repeat your defiant words to the father of gods, just as you have said them?” Iris asked hesitantly.

But the god thought better of it…

From Gods and Heroes by Gustav Schwab, pg. 429.

Iris also interceded for Helen.  “Come, dear and lovely one!” Iris called out to Helen, “You shall see a curious thing.  The Trojans and Argives who only a short time ago confronted one another with rage in their hearts are now silent and calm.  Their spears are thrust into the ground, and they are leaning on their shields.  War has ended.  Only Paris and Menelaus are to fight, and the winner will carry you off as his wife.”  From Gods and Heroes by Gustav Schwab, pg. 363.

Even though Iris is considered to be a minor goddess I believe that her example of patience and steadfastness is encouraging and inspiring allowing her to play a key role as both friend and servant of the goddesses and mortals providing us with a ready intermediary.

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