Sisters
of the Burning Branch Presents….
Goddess
Minerva
By Virginia A. Blaeuer
Etruscan Minerva
The Etruscans were an ancient tribe who inhabited
the North-Central Region of the Italian Peninsula, from the Adriatic to the
Mediterranean seas. They had a triad of
Gods Tinia, later known by Romans as Jupiter, Uni,
Hera and Menvra whose name means “She who
Measures.” Per myth, Tinia
raped and impregnated the Titaness, Métis. Métis changed in a fly, flew into Tinia’s mouth and hid in his belly as the baby grew. Tinia develops a
brutal headache, has The God of the Metal Kingdom Vulcan, come and split his
forehead open with an axe. Minerva, fully grown and armor-clad steps out. “Sorry, Pops”. She is wholly of the Mental
plane. The Etruscans recognized her as a Goddess and Patroness of craft,
strategy, medicine, weaving and commerce.
Roman Minerva
As Rome grew and absorbed tribes, cultures and
lands, she took the Etruscan triad and made it her Capitoline Triad, with
Jupiter, Hera and Minerva. Minerva, the
strategist, was a protector of home and state.
She holds an olive branch for peace after her victory. Her animal is the owl, her flower the
geranium. In uncovered mosaics, she is
frequently shown as blonde or redhead.
She is in breastplate and helmet. She had a 5 day
feast time in mid March the Quinquartus. She also had a feast the Terminalia. This was a time to bless lands and keep the
home gods pleased. Minerva and her
worship travelled East and west with the Roman Empire. Artifacts have been found in Great Britain
and Turkey, Asia Minor. (See references)
Modern Minerva. 21st century
So where is Minerva today? This mighty goddess has shrines (Statues) in
many western universities and public buildings.
Her stern integrity demands right moral action, she would demand that
the weak be protected and not punished.
“She who measures” blesses those who seek to keep the moral compass
true, and act to set aright what is so very wrong in today’s world. She is as
poised now for righteous battle as she ever was. We can still invoke her.
Some Poetic Thoughts
Wise Minerva,
Did you see Matter and Spirit meet?
Each took a beating so the prize,
Consciousness
Could emerge.
Did you see this?
Consciousness, plods along, learns vision, and
maybe insight. Nothing easy here. Lessons of sorrow, pain and loss.
Wise mother, did you weep?
Tears of sorrow, rage, joy?
We do.
Bless our healing tears.
Is that how you learned wisdom?
With all respect and gratitude
VAB
References
Baker,
Graeme and Tom Rasmussen, The Etruscans, Wiley-Blackwell London 2000
Telesco,
Patricia , 365 Goddesses, HarperOne
New York
Internet: Wikipedia
Minerva
Internet: Mark
Cartwright novaroma.org
Roman Gods Minerva
Wiki
Commons: Roman Minerva
This page is the intellectual and creative property of VAB 2020