(^60) A Wiccan Bible
The idea that any one moment in a person’s life is a dance between the past, present,
and future is not a new concept. Nor is the idea that all things have a beginning, a
middle, and an end. However, from the viewpoint of that moment we just spoke of, the
future is seen as changing because it has not yet taken place.
The Three Fates (Also known as The Moirae)—Female—Mediterranean
Greek goddesses and daughters of Zeus and Themis who presided over the destiny of
mortals. Calling them to bless a handfasting shows respect for natural law and can be
seen as the more common Wiccan pledge ‘A year and a day or for as long as love shall
stay.’
Goddess State Tense Condition Description
Clotho Potential Past Unchanging Spins the thread of life
Lachesis Opportunity Present Transitional Presents opportunity
Atropos Conclusion Future Changing She who cuts the thread
The thought of having an outside force cut your thread does not, on the surface,
sound very Wiccan, especially not when we make such an objection to a great record
keeper in the sky. But when we recognize the potential with which we are born and the
opportunities that are presented during our lifetimes, we see that we show Atropos
exactly where to cut our threads.
Carmentis Sisters—Female—Mediterranean
Roman goddesses who expanded on the idea of the fates to apply to the totality of
things that have come, are here, and will come. We see the development of the Triple
goddess as associated with past, present, and future as well as an association to the
unchanging and changing.
Goddess State Tense Condition
Postvorta Potential Past Unchanging
Carmenta Opportunity Present Transitional
Porrima Conclusion Future Changing
The Norns (Also called The Three Wyrds and The Weird Sisters) (Shakespeare)—
Female—North Europe
The Teutonic Triple Goddess of destiny is sometimes seen as a single goddess, Wyrd,
with three aspects: Urd, Verdani, and Skuld. Other times, the principle is seen as three
entirely separate goddesses of which Wyrd is one, the other two being Verdani and
Skuld. Urd represents one’s past, which is the potential for destiny. Verdani represents
the present, forever weaving the fabric of the future. Skuld represents the future and
the ability to tear the fabric woven by Verdani.
i WB Chap 02.p65 60 7/11/2003, 5:49 PM
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