A Wiccan Bible - Exploring the Mysteries of the Craft from Birth to Summerland

Liber ab Clementia (Book of Humanity)^273

Abraxas—Male—Middle East/Mediterranean

Animal association: Chicken, Horse (white)

Potentially an ancient Gnostic name used

in place of the unspeakable name of the Su-

preme Being and to identify that being with

solar energy. His name sometimes appears in

reference by the medieval demonologists, but

their opinion was obviously biased. His name

is the most likely origin for the expression ab-

racadabra, perhaps indicating the idea that with

the Creator all things are possible. I say po-

tentially because there is a distinct possibility

this is a very modern myth.

Acat—Male—Central America

Mayan and Yucatan people prayed to Acat

for healthy children. Acat was seen as a god of

human development, shaping our children in

the womb. He has been adopted by tattoo art-

ists as patron deity.

Acca Larentia—Female—Mediterranean

(Also known as Lupa)

Husband: Faustulus

Lover: Hercules

Animal association: Wolf

In one version, an Etruscan goddess who

adopted Romulus and Remus. Another ver-

sion states that she is one of Hercules’ lovers

who is particularly promiscuous. In that aspect,

she is sometimes either called or associated

with the name Lupa. There she is seen as a

charitable goddess, having married rich and

upon her husband’s death gave her inherited

wealth to the citizens of Rome when they were

in need.

Achelous—Male—Mediterranean

(Also known as Acheloos)

Father: Oceanus

Mother: Tehys

Lover: Melpomene

The Cultural and Geographical Names

of Our Lord and Lady

Animal association: Cattle (bull), Snake

(serpent)

‘He who washes away cares’ —Greek god

of the river by his name as well as other flow-

ing bodies of fresh water. So much did he love

Deianeira, that he wrestled with Hercules for

her hand in marriage. He lost not only the com-

petition but his arm. Sometimes cited as son

of Helios and Gaia

Achilles—Male—Mediterranean

(Also known as Achilleus)

Father: Peleus

Mother: Thetis

‘Lipless’—Greek god who warns that we

are all vulnerable. From his story, we have the

expression “Achilles Heel.” His mother,

Thetis, did her best to protect him from harm,

dipping him in the River Styx so that all parts

of his body which contacted the water would

be invulnerable. To his downfall, Thetis had

held him by his heel when dipping him into the

water, leaving a vulnerable spot. Achilles fell

when his heel was struck by an arrow shot by

Paris at the Trojan War. Although he fell dur-

ing that war, he was one of its greatest heroes.

Achlys—Female—Mediterranean

‘Darkness’ or ‘Dark mist’—Greek creator

who gave birth to the creator Chaos. Her name

shows a clear link to the story of Diana (Dark-

ness) giving birth to Lucifer (Light) and the

story given in the Book of Genesis.

Anchises—Male—Mediterranean

Father: Capys

Lover: Aphrodite

Roman mortal who did so love the goddess

Aphrodite that she welcomed him to her bed

and bore him a son, Aeneas. He was the owner

of six incredible horses which he created by

mating his own mares with six divinely bred

stallions.

z WB Chap 17.p65 273 7/11/2003, 6:04 PM