Deities That are Great for Fabric Arts
Just a fun post for those who are working with deities and spirits using sewing or any kind of fabric crafting art in their craft, worship, etc. this can be weaving, spinning, crocheting, looming (Not sure if it's the same as weaving), even knot work. Or If you're interested in just learning about these gods and spirits! Context there isn’t going to be a lot of male deities since fabric arts were a domestic thing that women and girls would do in the household.
Athena, Greek Goddess of Wisdom, Craftsmanship especially by hand, and War. Association of weaving and spinning a domestic art that was traditionally was by women in the ancient Greco-Roman world. One of her depictions is often with a distaff being one of hey symbols for her, great Epithet to work with is Athena Erganê or worker and teaches and represents men in all their arts and craftsmenship.
Minvera, Roman Goddess of Craftsmanship, Arts, and Professions she was later merged with Athena but she was originated from Italy. Romans adopted her from the Etruscans. The Story of Arachne is famous about a weaver comparing herself to Minvera that led her demise after being defeated by the goddess but she was turn into the first spider as spiders are natural weavers. Some say Athena is associated with this story but historians believed more accurately that Arachne story originated from Rome since there is no record in Greece that shows Athena and Arachne, other than Ovid the Roman poet mentions this story. Can you associate Athena with the story, of course the Romans saw them interchangeably at times but I just want to mention that because for context and more accuracy.
Arachne, Greek spirit of weaving: Speaking of Arachne, she can be work with weaving as the story goes she was in the weaving contest with Minvera. She is often depicted as a spider.
Freyja, Norse Goddess of Magic, Love, Beauty, War, and Death. Freyja practices Seidr which is a shaman like magical the ancient Norse and Germanic people specifically women usually this was done by spinning yarn and practicing magic. The old saying of “Spinning stories” Freyja is said to be the Goddess and founder of Seidr that taught Odin who in turn taught mankind.
Frigg, Norse Mother Goddess of Motherhood, Childbirth, Fate, Womanhood, Marriage, Prophecy, Family, Hearth, and Wisdom. Said to be one of the wisest beings in the world more wiser than her husband Odin, she knows all people's fate and often is associated with the Norns, spinners of people's fates. Since spinning and weaving is a domestic art for women, Frigg is often depicted with a distaff being one of the her sacred symbols.
Odin, Norse Allfather, God of Magic, Death, War, Wisdom, Healing, and Poetry: He often is mentioned of being the creator of Seidr that involves spinning and magic, he taught mankind how to use Seidr. Also fabric arts are in the element of air which Odin is god of and he really likes craftsmanship.
Frau Holda, Germanic Goddess of Death, Winter, Domestic Arts, Children, Spinning, and Agriculture. Frau Holda or Frau Holle is more seen as a folkloric entity most famously depicted in the Brother's Grimm fairy tales. It is said she was once worshipped by ancient Germanic people and Anglo-saxons. But the most information is from the Brother's Grimm her story was about laziness vs hard working, if one is willing to bear hard work she will be rewarded if lazy one will be not so lucky (I highly recommend the story so great) Spinning and weaving was a big part of the tale. She is still practice in German folk magic today including Pennsylvania Dutch folk magic and traditions a derivation is Urglaawe a branch of heathenry. She is often depicted as an older woman and according to old stories she also joins Odin in his Wild Hunt.
The Norns, Norse Spinners of fate: that spin threads of fate, Urd (Wyrd or Fate), Verdandi (What Is Happening or Coming to being) and Skuld (Debt or What Shall Be) whom are place on the roots of the Yggdrasil where they sit by a well called Urðarbunnr or “Wellspring of Urðr.” They look over all mankind’s fate as well as the Gods.
The Moriai, Greek goddesses of fate: Clotho the spinner, Lachesis the measurer, and Atropos who cut the thread of life.
Habetrot or Hobbitrot Spirit of Spinning: A folkloric spirit originated in lowland Scotland that enjoys spinning and sewing. Depicted on being feminine and associated with the holed stones or hag stones a natural hole formations within stones.
Hekate Arkuia / Arkyia epithet of Hekate of the spinner of webs or spinner: This epithet is quite rare and seen in Alexandrian curse tablets and associates her with spinning and knot work “entrapping” as well like a net.
Artemis Eulinos “The Great Spinner” and Artemis Chrysselakatos “Of The Golden Distaff”: A unique epithet of Artemis, Artemis of The Golden Distaff was used in Bauron where handicrafts and looms were dedicated to her. Since young girls are often taught looming and weaving at home and Artemis looks over these aspects of handicrafts, looming, and weaving.
Saint Tabitha, Patron Saint of Seamstress and Tailors: Known for her acts of kindness and generosity. In her life she was skilled in sewing. Known as Dorcas in Greece.
Saint Anne, Patron of Housewives, Unmarried Women, Motherhood, Childless Women, Seamstresses, Lacemakers, Miners, and The Poor: Saint Anne is the mother of Holy Mary and Grandmother of Jesus, she prepared Mary for motherhood and how to create a loving household.
Brigid Celtic Goddess of Hearth, Fire, Water, Healing, Craftsmanship, Blacksmiths, and Poetry: Brigid is an Irish Celtic goddess but also named St Brigid, she is domestic goddess and weaving and looming is linked to her since it is a part of craftsmanship as well. She is daughter of Dadga, The Oak Tree is sacred to her, Bees as well as torches, anvil, wells, etc.
King Paimon, demon of Arts, Sciences, and Secret things: Part of the 72 demons of the Ars Goetia he is ranked a king and commands 200 legions of spirits. He can also bestow titles and bind men to the summoner. Depicted as a beautiful crowned man with a feminine face riding a camel.
