Also, it is VERY possible that all these household goddesses ae
worshipped collectively, not separately. IN a large household perhaps
these tasks ae isolated from each other, but for normal people there's
one or two people who do them all.
I always imagined that in the stead there would be a little corner, perhaps
near the hearth or around the back of the loom where there was a small pile
of little statues, each in different forms, shapes and natures. They are the
Household Goddess, and before the Steadwife and her daughters set to work
rousing the men, fetching the water, milking the sheep and pulling the carrots
they would go over an make a little sacrifice of milk, bread or perhaps a little
gift, a ribbon or comb. They thank the goddess, some remembered by name, but
others older and perhaps forget just respected with a bowed head and a nod.
When I illustrated the Earth Woman article in an old copy of Tales of the
Reaching Moon, this is exactly what I drew. Perhaps in another house each of the
daughters has a favoured little goddess, that theyhave been assigned to look
after by their mother, reflecting the chores that they must undertake that
day. I think as well that by performing the tasks, sweating as you milk, sew
and clean you are making your own little sacrifices. If a household forget
their Goddesses then they send their spirits of retribution, the Dust Bunnies
that live under the beds, the Cobweb Dancers, the Soot Chokers, the Milk
Curdlers and Hen Hobblers to make sure they are rememberd soon enough. I also like
the idea that each stead creates its own 'soul' or 'Wyter' which pervades, a
house where folk argue, bicker and fight will have a very sad soul that
breaks pots and lets the wind through the thatch and a house full of harmony and
joy will always have flowers on the tables, good beer and well behaved mice.
Simon
Powered by hypermail