Picture
by Katheryn Price Theatana
Sheila – na – Gig
By
Priestess Evelyne Adler
Sheila-Na-Gig (SHEE-luh-nah-GIG)
The word "gyg" is Norse for giantess, in other words, a supernatural or
deified female, while "Sheila" is a woman's name, or used as a word for
"girl".
A Celtic Goddess. A Goddess of fertility who once appeared on
curches all over Ireland and England. Sheila-Na-Gig is a carving of a
naked woman squatting with her knees apart, exposing invitingly her
enormous vulva in a triangular pattern.
A divine feminine image that has been a source of controversy.
There is little known about this mysterious figure beyond that her
blatantly sexual images has been found carved on stone thresholds,
usually at sacred sites or other places of worship. On her stick figure
like face is a faint smile, one which is serene and almost knowingly
complacent. Many of these Sheila carvings were used by nuns to adorn
the doors of Irish convents. When renderings were discovered by
horrified churchmen, many of them were taken away and destroyed. In the
late nineteenth century, archaeologists found a pile of them buried
neat the ruins of an old Irish convent. Original shields to protect and
ward off evil, were labeled obscene in later more prudish times, the
carvings were destroyed or defaced, only to be buried were they once
sanctified.
http://fethard.com/histor/sheela.html
Image from www.bandia.net
Symbols
The true meaning of the Sheila, and the impact she had on modern
women’s lives, is probably even more complex. In her physical form she
represents the insatiable, devouring power long attributed to the
feminine sex organs, an image potent enough to have caused many men –
and women – to fear and oppress this Goddess and her sisters, and to
take out that fear on women throughout the ages. This fearful image is
one of the reasons why many of the old Goddesses, Celtic and otherwise,
have been diabolized and recreated into vampire demons, ugly hags, and
evil faeries. Somehow they seemed less threatening in this form than
when they were worshiped as deities and creators.
Alternate spellings: Sheela-na-gig, Sheela-no-gig, Sheelanagyg, Irish
Síle na gCíoch "Sheila of the Breasts"
Vulva of the Day: Hestia Home Schools
Her Magic
The meaning behind the Sheila-na-Gig has been argued to be one of
blessing and protection, though it is more likely that she offers an
invitation into the feminine mysteries. The triangular pattern of her
vulva evokes the sacred number three of the Triple Goddess of the
Celtics; Maiden, Mother, Crone in one who represents the full cycle of
birth, death, and regeneration. In this aspect, the Sheila-na-Gig
symbolizes an open gateway to the Otherworld for those brave enough to
accept invitation into her mysteries. It may be that worshippers
reverently touched the carving of her open vulva when entering the
temple of worship.
Yet, this devouring female who could not control her bodily urges was
such an inspiration for terror that it can reasonably be cited as the
primary reason why so many of today’s woman literally starve themselves
to gain the approval of men. Making themselves appear weak, small, and
childlike, devoid of normal human appetites, makes them less
threatening and less Goddess-like. With the diminishing of that status,
the power of creation inherent in deities also vanished, leaving in its
path a feminine figure with no procreative powers, one that serves no
purpose beyond that of servant and sex object. Today’s magical women
must never forget that will becomes reality; with this desire to appear
less powerful came the true loss of power, and its allowed women to
come more easily under the domination of men.
The Sheila-na-Gig is not hungry to devour just for the fun of it, nor
to satisfy some insatiable physical appetite. In keeping with the
eternal cycles of birth, death and regeneration, the creator must
devour in order to offer us rebirth. This rebirth is not just physical
but can be a spiritual rebirth as well, an invitation into the greater
mysteries of our gender. Therefore the Sheila is in truth offering us a
gift, a positive manifestation of the never-ending cycle of existence.
www.pantheon.org
Healing Spell
In honoring the mysterious Sheila of thresholds and women’s mysteries –
Sisters, allow yourself to open and heal:
Under the protection of a Sacred Full Moon night, bath yourself with
warm water. Mix some healing herbs into the bath water. Such as
Chamomile, Vervain and Lavender.
Either outside with a lit candle or inside your home – find a private
quiet space.
Chant three times or as many times as you like:
Oh, Mothers, We are Calling, Your Daughters need Healing,
Oh Mothers, We are Calling, Your Daughters need Healing,
Power, Power, Your Love is Our Power,
Power, Power, Our Love is Our Power.
Divination -Rune
The Runes are an instrument for learning the will of the Divine/Spirit
in our lives, a means of listening to that part of ourselves that knows
everything we need to know for our lives now. A method of guidance and
self-counseling, the Runes assist us to navigate unfamiliar waters.
The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but
in having new eyes. ~ Marcel Proust
As you hold the bag of runes in your hands. Breath, relax and open your
mind.
Say, “Guide me into myself, Guide me through to the Otherworld. Lift
the Veil and let me in Sheila-na-Gig. Help me give birth to myself
again.”
Take a Rune out from within the bag. Listen, learn and let your eyes be
open.
Thank you Blessed Sister.
Blessed be.
Sources:
1. Wicca ~ A Guide for the Solitary
Practitioner by Scott Cunningham
2. Contraception and Abortion from the Ancient World
to the Renaissance by John M. Riddle
3. Sabbats ~ A Witch’s Approach to Living the Old
Ways by Edain McCoy
4. 365 Goddess ~ A daily guide to the magic and
inspiration of the Goddess by Patricia Telesco
5. Celtic Women’s Spirituality ~ Accessing the
Cauldron of Life by Edain McCoy
6. The Witch’s Magical Handbook by Gavin Frost and
Yvonne Frost
7. Shamanism ~ Working with Moon Medicine by Dolfyn
8. The Once and Future Goddess by Elinor W. Gadon
9. The Book of Runes by Ralph H. Blum
10. Ireland by Catharina Day
11. The Celtics: The People Who Came Out of the
Darkness by Gerhard Herm
12. Celtic Goddesses: Warriors, Virgins and Mothers
by Miranda Green
13. The Sacred Cauldron by Tadhg MacCrossan
