March 8 is International Women’s Day and the Goddess who reigns, supreme, on this day, is Minerva. Minerva’s name is derived from the Latin ‘mind’ and so she has special associations to teachers and artists and players of flutes.
Minerva’s name was transformed from an ancient Etruscan and Sabine goddess when the Roman’s took over. She transformed into having Greek symbols and the character of Athene. She has an owl friendly to symbolize her ability to see into dark places where hidden things are and it is Minerva that brings then to light.
The Romans stamped and carved Minerva’s face on Roman coins. Through the coins she ended up in Britannia, in England. She never lost her symbolizations of learning and, today, she is in the US Library of congress Great Hall, holding a scroll that is inscribed with the words that are Minerva’s wisdom’s gifts: “Agriculture, education, Commerce, Government, and Economic”.
Men fear her ability to see into their dark spaces and places. She has been banished in the Middle East and in the Wetrn World and is replaced by a male God. Minerva began when hr area was matriarchy…a time when life was founded on family, equality, and peace, and great love for the mother. During the time that Patriarchy was taking over, there was even a rule about matricide being one of the most heinous of crimes. Minerva came to symbolize the protection and safety of women and their roles. The Islamic fears have Minerva’s symbolization being shown with thunderbolts. The very roots of the International Women’s Day come from Minerva’s ancient rule.
International Women’s Day is about, not changing the pool, but about cleaning the pool of life so that there is no more injustice, violence, intolerance, and inequality. We dream of a time when there will be equality in all ways, This Day is the Day we bring this out of the darkness’s and put travesties in the light ( think Me Too movement).
©Carol Desjarlais 3.8.22
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