Venus of Willendorf - One of the oldest images of the Goddess
Goddess of Laussel - This sculpture once stood at the entrance of an Ice Age rock shelter in Central France
Grain Goddess of Catal Huyuk was found in a granary, perhaps used to ensure a good harvest, through sympathetic magic
Water Goddess of Catal Huyuk, her large breasts and thighs speak of great abundance
Goddess of Lespugue displays beautiful repeated ovals in the breasts, thighs and buttocks. The egg shapes, the winglike arms and the tail feathers at her back mark her as a bird diety
Goddess of Kostienki - A goddess of fertility, mother-ancestor, or guardian of the home, with faceless head bending towards the chest
Goddess of Pazardzik - She sits on a throne, with a mask on, huge thighs and a double spiral on her pubic triangle
Snake Goddess of Cucuteni - She has a dotted lozenge over her womb. The lack of arms, and the chevrons and stripes all over her body all denote snake magic. Snakes surround her, symbolising the life force
Goddess of Dolni Vestonice - was found near a hearth, made from clay and pulverized bone, colored black. Her head is shaped like a bird's beak, and her winglike shoulders indicate her connection with the bird goddess, eggs and fertility

 

New Moon Pennant: Hebe/Kore - Hebe was the virgin form of Hera, and was known as the cupbearer to the Gods, bringing the nectar of immortality. She also was guardian of the Tree of Life with it's magic apples, also the source of everlasting life. Here she wears a white robe and holds a magic apple and a chalice. Kore is an ancient name for the virgin (self sufficient) Goddess, meaning the innermost soul or spirit of the universe. From it came the words core, kernel, corn, cardiac, carnal. Reflection in the pupil of an eye was known as the Kore or "maiden" in the eye. Other names for the maiden Goddess are Artemis, Diana. The appearance of the crescent or the full moon is sometimes celebrated by a rest from work, or a time to begin new projects and plant seeds.

Full Moon Pennant: Selene - Greek full moon goddess Selene was depicted as a winged woman riding a silver chariot pulled by two horses. After her brother, Helios, the sun, finished his journey across the sky, Selene began hers as night fell upon the earth. Here she wears the traditional red of the Mother Goddess, with her power lifting up and filling the heavenly realms. Other names for the full moon Goddess are Hera, Ishtar, Luna, Arianrhod. The full moon is seen as being the time of greatest power and good luck, a time for rituals and celebrations.

Old Moon Pennant: Hecate  There are approximately twelve centuries of recorded Hecate worship including the early Egyptian roots, through Turkish, Greek and Roman. Original images of her indicate a Maiden goddess, or a triple Goddess (maiden/mother/crone). Later images focus on her crone aspect as Queen of the underworld. Her images guarded three way crossroads for centuries, and her rites involved magic, prophecy and consultation with spirits. Hounds, snakes, frogs and others were sacred to her. Here she holds a red magic staff with two snakes (black and white), and a lighted torch, in traditional black robes. Other names for the crone Goddess are Ixchel, Manat, Kali. The waning moon is a time for finishing projects in preparation for the resting of the dark moon. The three dark days of the "death" of the moon are the mystery of transformation. It is time to rest and introspect.

Additional symbolism shown here is the ancient combination of the Tree of Life, the snake and the bird. These images evoke the journey of awakening kundalini as the energy of life (snake) climbing up the tree (spinal column) to the freedom of the upper divine realms (bird).

Labyrinths symbolise the repeating cycles of time, and create magical sacred space when their spiral paths are walked or traced. This particular labyrinth was found on every continent, including Siberia, Arizona USA, Peru, Africa. India and Scandinavia. It is probably 5,000 years old, and is also known as the Cretan labyrinth. It's form is similar to the shape of the human brain.

Each Goddess is framed in a mandorla or "vesica piscies" shape, an ancient symbol of the yoni, the source of feminine creative power.

At the feet of the Goddesses are symbols for the four directions and elements of Air (east), Fire (south), Water (west) and Earth (north). The outer ring of mandala petals holds the Western astrological symbols. Outside the mandala are plants of the four seasons, including flowers in the East (Spring), roses and cherries in the South (Summer), Fruits, vegetables and grains in the West (Fall) and pine cones and mistletoe in the North (Winter). In the outer corner are spirals, a symbol of eternal cycles and the renewal of life.

Air Goddess (East, Spring): a winged maiden flies free with a triple spiral, symbol of eternal life energy cycles, colors are yellow and blue
Fire Queen (South, Summer): She lights up a pentacle, symbol of power and protection, holding an arc of light, a power point within her solar plexus. Colors are red, orange, yellow
Water Goddess (West, Fall): A double tailed mermaid in front of a mandorla, symbol of the feminine and sexuality. Colors are blue, black, green
Earth Mother (North, Winter): This round Mother sits within the circle and diamond of the earth, with crystals around her. Colors are white, black, brown, red
Ether/Inner Space Goddess (Center, Eternity): sits in meditation, energy spiraling deep within, in the Cosmic Circle of creation. Colors black, purple

Clockwise from the top:

Inanna: Sumerian Queen of heaven and earth in a breast offering pose. She was addressed as Mother of the Fruitful Breast, Queen of Heaven, Light of the World, Creator of People, Mother of Deities, River of Life, and many other titles. The breast-offering pose suggested her function as the Goddess of all nourishment and fertility.
Nile Bird Goddess- The design of this predynastic Egyptian Bird or Serpent Headed Goddess is about 5,000 years old. Representative of vitality and joy, She is also connect to death as a funerary diety.
Lilith: Sumerian dark mother Goddess, Original Consort of Adam, from the Hebrew tradition, she was later demonised. Crowned with horns to denote a high Goddess, She holds the rod and ring of Sumerian royal authority. Wings & claws show bird magic. Image 2300 BC.
Una, Green Goddess- from a Petroglyph from Arnhem Land, Australia. This prehistoric goddess holds a rainbow snake, with plants sprouting from Her on all sides. Perhaps an image of Una, creatrix of the world. The rock art of the Australian Aborigines represents the oldest artistic tradition anywhere in the world.
Peruvian Goddess- In a classic breast offering pose of nurturing, South America
Aku'aba - African The Aku'aba is a Goddess symbol used for good luck in many parts of Africa, and is especially worn by women and children as a charm to lend protection, fertility and good fortune. It is primarily from the Ashanti tribe in Nigeria.
Goddess of Kostienki - A goddess of fertility, mother-ancestor, or guardian of the home, with faceless head bending towards the chest. Covering the head are rows of incisions showing a hair style or cap. Her hands on the belly emphasise her aspects of fertility and pregnancy. A breast ornament is tied up at the back. Russia 23,000-21,000 BC
Changing Woman: Eternal earth Goddess of the Navaho people, she always renews her youth whenever she grows old. Holding two corn stalks, symbols of life. Partial image from a Navaho sand painting.
Rhiannon: Beautiful Celtic Queen of the underworld, She puts the living to sleep and revives the dead with her magical birds, seen at her sides and on her headdress. Image: Ireland, 2000 BC.
Pele Honua Mea is the creatrix of the Hawai'ian Islands. Honua Mea means Earth Mother in Hawaiian. Goddess of volcanos and fire, this Goddess lives on the Big Island of Hawaii, a currently active volcano, where she is actively worshiped. She both distroys and is the primal creative mother. Image from a 19th century wood carving.
Tara- One of the oldest Goddesses, giver of life, was known from Ireland to India, also in Rome and Greece. A pre-Vedic earth and star Goddess, her name is the same as the Latin "Terra". Tibetan image, 16th century.
Quan Yin- Buddhist. Goddess of compassion, her name means "She who hears the suffering of the world". One of the most beloved of the Buddhist deities, she relieves suffering, heals and protects those in need.

The maiden represents the waxing moon, as energy begins to build. The Mother is the full moon when everything is at its peak of fullness and power. The crone is the wise woman of the waning moon.

Her hair flys out in long dreadlocks in the ocean breeze, and the full moon shines in the background.

From the left: Hebrew boy from Israel in prayer shawl and cap, Japanese girl in Kimono, Chinese boy, West African boy in traditional outfit, Girl from India in a sari, Japanese peace crane, Eskimo boy in a fur parka, Scottish boy in kilt, The whole earth, Native American girl in buckskin, Hawaiian girl in Hula skirt with lei, Peace dove, Boy from Syria in desert robes, North American cowboy, Central American girl in hupiol (traditional embroidered blouse), Girl from Holland in wooden shoes, Boy from Russia in fur hat