In much of ancient Indo-European times, deities of waters were worshipped.  Springs, rivers and seas all have gods and goddesses that were prayed to and honored in hopes the bodies of water would remain plentiful and yet at the same time, not flood.  Water was critically important to the life and well being of the village.  So much so that the person in charge of the tribe would be granted sovereignty only with permission of the local water (and surrounding land) deity.

At White Mountain Druid Sanctuary we have identified our local river goddess:  The Lady Samona of the White Salmon River.  Her waters spring from Mt Adams, run to the Columbia River and out to the Pacific Ocean.  

The Goddess Samona’s glass sculpture

Her Shrine will be built around this glass sculpture and backlit by ambient northern light.  There will also be a waterfall cascading down one side of the Shrine.  

Drawing of the Goddess Samona’s Shrine

As the Shrine gets build, we will add pictures of the process.

The foundation area of Samona’s Shrine with Labyrinth in the background

The Goddess Samona’s Shrine will be the first one encountered as people walk through the sanctuary.  This befits her because she is the local goddess of the waters and land so she should be honored first.

There are many examples of water goddesses throughout ancient indo-European times.  Here are some more well known ones:

Sulis - Goddess of thermal springs in Bath, England

The baths in Bath, England

Nerthus - Goddess of lakes and springs in the Norse religion

Lady of the Lake - Goddess of the lake that gave Arthur his sword and power

A modern rendition of the Lady of the Lake by Kevin Oskow

Sequana - Goddess of the River Seine in France

Boann - Goddess of River Boyne in Ireland

Styx - Body of water separating the land of the living from the dead in Greek mythology.

When studying Celtic myths, there are countless deities for water, each unique to the group that worshipped them.  Many of their names have been lost in time.

Next time: More on building the Goddess Samona’s Shrine.

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