(^404) A Wiccan Bible
she eventually arrived as goddess of love. Isn’t
that how it always happens? A little salad, a
little wine, and all of a sudden there you are.
Incense Recipe
2 parts Sandalwood (white)
1 part Frankincense
1 part Benzoin
1 part Cinnamon
1 part Clove
Vertumnus—Male—Mediterranean
Roman god of gardens, orchards, and vine-
yards. One of the shape-shifters of Roman
lore, probably acquiring that attribute from the
change in appearance of plants as they grow
and ripen.
Vesta—Female—Mediterranean
Animal associations: Donkey, Goat
Plant associations: Adam and Eve Root, Dog
Bane, Lucky Hand Root, Oak, Thistle
Roman goddess of fire and flame. Decem-
ber is her sacred month. In the home, she was
goddess to the hearth and to the preparation
of family meals. At ritual, she is the ritual fire
itself. From her service, we receive the term
‘Vestal Virgins,’ children chosen for service to
Vesta who took a strict oath of celibacy for
their 30 years of service. Roman records show
that during the thousand or so years in which
the Vestal Virgins served, only 20 broke their
oath of celibacy. Unfortunately for them, the
Roman records noting this are the accounts
of their death as punishment for such actions.
Vica Pota—Female—Mediterranean
Roman goddess of victory. One of the
older deity forms.
Victoria—Female—Mediterranean
Roman winged goddess and personifica-
tion of Victory.
Vinar, The—Male/Female—North Europe
Scandinavian tribe of gods and goddesses
of Nature and fertility who live in Vanaheimr.
They were at one time the sworn enemies of
the Aesir, but the two tribes were eventually
united. The story of the conflict between the
Vinar and the Aesir is told here in the Book
of Exodus.
Virgin Mary—Female—Middle East/Mediter-
ranean
(Also known as Bibi Miriam)
Plant associations: Hawthorn, Mountain Ash
(Rowan)
Mother of Jesus in Christian lore. She is
said to form a Triple Goddess with either Mary
Magdalene and Mary Cleopas or with Mary
Cleopas and Mary Salome (as opposed to
Magdalene). Her worship migrated into Hindu
lore where she is called Bibi Miriam and into
both Voodoo and Santeria. During the last
decade of the 20th century, the Pope and
Vatican reaffirmed her divinity. Essentially,
this was the confirmation that Catholicism sees
divinity in part as female.
Vishnu—Male—Near East
Wife: Varahini
Animal associations: Ape, Eagle, Boar, Bee,
Dolphin, Elephant, Fish, Horse, Lion, Pea-
cock, Swallow, Turtle, Tortoise
Plant associations: Acacia, Amaranth, Banyon,
Basil, Bay, Benzoin, Bodhi, Damiana, Frank-
incense, Ginseng, Gum Mastic, Jasmine, Mace,
Mandrake, Marjoram, Nettle (greater and
lesser), Oak, Palm (date), Sandalwood, Sun-
flower, Vervain, Vine (grape), White Poppy
Hindu sun god who forms the sacred triad
with Brahma and Shiva. Vishnu has thus far
had nine known avatars/incarnations: Matsya,
Kurma, Varaha, Narasinha, Vamana,
Parashurama, Chandra, Krishna, and Buddha.
The foretold 10th avatar/incarnation is said to
be Kalki who will come to be known only once
the world has been greatly improved. Vishnu
is one of the Adityas. The Hindu month
Chaitra (March 22–April 20) is sacred to
Vishnu. See Adityas.
z WB Chap 17.p65 404 7/11/2003, 6:05 PM
barré
(Barré)
#1