(^386) A Wiccan Bible
Ru Shou—Male—Central Asia
(Also known as Ju-Shou)
Animal association: Dragon
Holiday: Autumn Equinox
Chinese messenger who arrives from the
west to bring bad news from the sky god with
each sun set. He is associated with the Fall.
His counterpart is Gou Mang.
Rudra—Male—Near East
(Also known as Nilakantha)
Animal associations: Cattle (bull), Boar, and
all creatures of the wild.
‘Howler’—Pre-Hindu personification of
untamed Nature as seen in the power of thun-
derstorms and wild animals. Because he was
being viewed by folk who had become accus-
tomed to city life, he was associated with death.
In a way, he is the male opposite of the loving,
life-giving modern view of Mother Nature. As
the Hindu religion developed, he became simi-
lar to Mother Nature and became associated
with the life giving attributes of wild animals
who were hunted and raised as cattle. His as-
sociations with the rain and thunder became
beneficial to the raising of crops and to the
prosperity of humanity. Eventually he grew
into what we now call Shiva, a god who retains
his attributes as a wildly destructive force who
is most often depicted with Shakti in the very
act of creation (sex).
Rutbe—Female—Central America
Guaymian water goddess.
Sabazius—Male—Middle East/Mediterranean
Wife: Bendis
Animal associations: Ram, Scorpion, Snake,
Toad
Early Hebrew sun god and maybe ulti-
mately the origin of the term Sabbat. However,
this is probably just wild speculation on my
part. Eventually he was associated and maybe
absorbed by both Dionysus and Bacchus.
Sadhbh—Female—Central Europe
Irish goddess of deer who was herself trans-
formed into a deer against her will.
Sakini—Female—Near East
Hindu goddess associated with the
Vishuddhi chakra (throat). Sometimes de-
scribed as an aspect of Shakti. See also Dakini,
Rakini, Lakini, Kakini, and Hakini.
Sakkan—Male—Middle East/Mediterranean
Father: Samas
Animal associations: Bear, Lion, Cheetah,
Wolf, Jackal, Hyena, Cattle (ox/wild), Gazelle,
Boar, Wild Cat, Lynx, Beaver, Mongoose,
Deer, Goat, Sheep, Leopard, Bear, Bobcat,
Panther
Mesopotamian patron of animals. De-
picted most often as a shepherd, he presides
over animal fertility.
Salacia—Female—Mediterranean
Husband: Neptune
Animal associations: Dolphin, Fish, Shark, and
all sea creatures.
Roman goddess of the oceans and of salt
water.
Salmacis—Female—Mediterranean
Greek nymph who joined with the god
Hermaphrodite to become the first bisexual
being.
Salus—Female—Mediterranean
Roman goddess of health and well-being.
Samnati—Female—Near East
Husband: Dharma
Hindu goddess of humility.
Sampsa—Male—Northern Europe/Central
Europe
(Also known as Sampsa Pellervoinen)
Finnish god who goes to sleep every Fall.
In so doing, he causes Winter. But when he
wakes, he is reunited with his bride in Holy
Matrimony, and Summer returns.
Sams—Female—Middle East
Semitic moon goddess.
z WB Chap 17.p65 386 7/11/2003, 6:05 PM
barré
(Barré)
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