Aradia???

[frostarei]

Ok, I don't typically think about deities because I don't understand them. I have looked into a couple of mythology books, but sometimes lists are actually not detailed enough for me to figure who belongs to what pantheon.

Cernnunnos has an image that has always been a comfortable one for me, even as a child. He has come to me in a few dreams. I know that I am very fortunate for this and that many who worship him would give their right arm for that experience. The unfortunate thing, is I just don't know enough about him to return his embrace. (yes he has hugged me) the musk was absolutely intoxicating, and I actually had this dream around when I was thirteen. I had never imagined anything like him before, and while yes I know it is a fictional retelling, I got the book "I am Morgan Le Fay" from the library. I heard his name and a description, and I finally knew who he was. I just don't know why, or what I should have done, I just accepted him. But thats all.

As for the goddess, well thats just it, I am so lost with who this "goddess" is. I keep hearing the name "Aradia" but who is this "Aradia" which pantheon/country/belief system does she come from, is she the consort of Cernunnos?

One more question. The "Green Man." This is another thing I have heard very often, though I don't understand what is being referred to. Sometimes I see the imagery of this "green man" and it looks just like Cernunnos wearing a mask of leaves.

Is it strange that a female feel most comfortable with the image of the god rather than the goddess?

Don't get me wrong I feel her presence often. I understand the moon phases, the shifting seasons. I even feel her presence as the earth itself...I just can't pin down the representation.

I believe I have had an experience with her too...but this one was so unclear.

I had a dream that I was standing on a still lake in the woods and a woman about my height and a half (very tall) made out of pure light stepped across the lake and took my hand. She was so bright I couldn't see anything, the only real feature I could make out was her flowing hair. It didn't act like hair...It was like a long silk ribbon that was not affected by any rule of gravity at all. She took me over the lake and willed me to look at the sky. I did so and I saw a shooting star. I know I made a wish, though I can't remember for the life of me what I wished for. I was actually about eight or nine when I had this dream. This may not have been any diety sort of experience at all, but it was something I thought I'd share.

If anyone has had similar experiences, or can help me connect the dots in anyway, or just have some good links that you think might help me, please reply. Thank you.

v
> O < ~Frost
^

[AutumnMaidens]

Aradia is a very curious deity because nobody really knows where she came from, it is believed she either came from italian folklore but her and Diana are two goddess names mentioned together in most witch-trial transcripts. So nobody really knows her origin.

Gerald Gardner uses the name Aradia in refference to the great mother or moon goddess or queen of witches, Alex Sanders does the same, this is why you will find this name in a lot of wiccan works, because almost every wiccan author will use Gareld as refference.

The green man is an image used in many different all around the world used mostly to represent growth, spring, rebirth, jack in the green etc. In Paganism the image of the green man has become an adaptation of the horned god, Cernunnos or Pan.

It is actually not at all unnatural for you to feel more of a connection to the male deity. Most straight women do feel a stronger connection with him because of the pure masculine energy he sends off. It can be a quite sexual feel because he is the representation of the masculine which is what draws us to him.
I had similiar visions of both the god and goddess that were very much alike to your own. I too met the goddess on the edge of a lake where she drew me to walk on the water with her. I also remember her hair to be flowing and glowing like water.
I met the god in a forest in an open space and I actually felt this raw masculine energy which was very surprising. I also didn't really know what to do with it. I was told I needed more time than but I am sure I will meet him again.

Its very surprising that we would have such similiar experiences.

Hope this helps,
Blessings

[Lucy720]

I have read that Aradia is an italian goddess born form the sun and the moon godd and goddess and came down to earth to teach women witchcraft

I am not sure if this info is correct but it what i found on the web
I hope you are able to find more info
Lucy