Seeing the Goddess in Your Home
Scott Cunningham
We've all seen human-like images of the Goddess—statues of Diana and reproductions of the famous Venus figurines found in prehistoric caves in Europe immediately come to mind. Classical art books are filled with other representations of the Goddess that Man has worshipped from time immemorial. But how many of us look for Her in more symbolic forms? After all, many of us see the crescent moon as one of Her symbols. What other images may be all around us to represent She Who Is All?
Surprisingly enough, your own home is probably filled with Goddess symbols. Ancient civilizations who worshipped Her (and Him as well) saw the Goddess in many of the everyday objects around them. This is a short introduction to some of the Goddess Symbols we all have in our homes.
The bowl, the pan, the cup and the cooking pot are all representations of the Great Mother, directly related to the supreme Wiccan Goddess symbol, the cauldron. In these physical forms lie the shape of Goddess energy—containment, potential, fertility. Because these utensils are for cooking and eating purposes, they also represent the Goddess of food in all Her many manifestations: Kore, Pomona, Ceres, Hina, and Aphrodite.
Spoons, too, symbolize the Goddess. These are tiny bowls on handles. When we use one to lift food from a plate, to pour incense onto a charcoal block of to stir a medicinal brew, we invoke Her.
Chairs are the modern equivalent of thrones, upon with such goddesses as Isis sat in all Their glory. Because their four legs rest on the ground, they also key into the Element of Earth—the nurturing aspect of the divine feminine energy.
Many of the animals with which we share our lives are also sacred to the goddesses. Birds, dogs, cats, and snakes are good examples. Think of them as physical manifestations of Goddess energy.
Bathtubs are sacred to Diana and Artemis and to every other Goddess, especially those of lakes, rivers and seas. Classical mythology is filled with stories of the Goddess bathing.
The mirror, of course, is the perfect symbol of lunar goddesses and is related to all Moon deities
Perfumes, incenses and potpourri echo the scents once used to honor ancient goddesses on Pagan altars. Every time you smell the rich odors you invoke Her.
Rugs of any shape and color are sacred to the goddesses who once spun the heavens.
The Chinese revere a god of the oven. However, in most cultures, the oven has been sacred to the Goddess. It is the womb of the Earth out of which all nourishing food emerges.
Take a few moments. Look around your home. Notice these symbols of the Goddess and search for others. Realize that your home is, indeed, an altar to Her.
© 1989 by Scott Cunningham. All Rights Reserved. | 
