67: She of Many Names: Why Goddess Epithets Matter
What can we learn from a goddess who carries ten different names? In this episode, we explore the power of epithets, the sacred titles, descriptive phrases, and symbolic names given to goddesses across cultures. From “Athena Parthenos” to “Isis the Great Enchantress,” these names are more than poetic flourishes, they reveal roles, realms, and relationships that deepen our understanding of the divine feminine.
We’ll uncover how epithets preserve forgotten aspects of goddesses, challenge one-dimensional archetypes, and offer modern listeners more nuanced ways to connect with sacred identity. Because in the end, a goddess with many names shows us how to embrace the complexity in ourselves.
Thank you for listening!
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55: Ancestral Circle Meditation
Hi Folks! This week we are doing a very short meditation to connect with your ancestral circle. Connecting with one's ancestors is considered an essential practice in many spiritual and psychological traditions, especially in the context of ancestral healing, which refers to the process of addressing and transforming inherited trauma, unresolved emotions, and patterns that have been passed down through generations. The importance of this connection lies in the understanding that individuals are not isolated beings but are deeply embedded in family systems and cultural lineages.
By acknowledging and working with the emotional and energetic imprints of ancestors, people can begin to release inherited burdens, such as grief, fear, shame, or survival-based behaviors, that may unconsciously shape their present lives. Ancestral healing invites people to consciously engage with their heritage, not only to uncover wounds but also to reclaim the strengths, wisdom, and resilience of those who came before them.
This process can lead to profound personal transformation, greater self-awareness, and a sense of rootedness. It also fosters collective healing by breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma and restoring a sense of continuity, belonging, and identity. Ultimately, ancestral healing is important because it helps repair the unseen threads that connect the past to the present, allowing individuals and communities to move forward with clarity and purpose.
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54: El Naddaha: The Sleepwalker of the Nile
This week I am sharing the story of El Naddaha. El Naddaha is a folkloric figure from Egyptian mythology, often described as a beautiful, ghostly woman who emerges from the banks of the Nile River, particularly at night, to call out to men with her haunting voice. Her name, which roughly translates to "The Caller," reflects her role as a siren-like entity who lures unsuspecting victims to their doom, typically resulting in their mysterious disappearance or drowning. El Naddaha is deeply rooted in rural Egyptian oral traditions, particularly in Upper Egypt, and serves as both a supernatural cautionary tale and a reflection of social anxieties around femininity, desire, and the dangers of the unknown.
Scholars have interpreted her as part of a broader spectrum of Middle Eastern djinn and female spirits that combine allure with peril, acting as both moral warnings and symbols of liminality (El-Aswad, 2010). Her legend has been explored in modern Egyptian literature and film as well, particularly by writers like Ahmed Khaled Tawfik, who helped reframe her mythos for younger audiences (Tawfik, 1993). As a cultural symbol, El Naddaha embodies the tension between tradition and modernity, as well as the persistence of myth in contemporary Egyptian identity.
References:
El-Aswad, E. (2010). Religion and Folk Cosmology: Scenarios of the Invisible in Rural Egypt. Praeger.
Tawfik, A. K. (1993). Ma Waraa Al-Tabi’a [Beyond Nature] Series. Cairo: Modern Arab Association.
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66: Anankē – The Goddess of Necessity and the Boundaries of Fate
In this episode, we unravel the mystery of Ananke, the primordial Greek goddess of necessity, fate, and unyielding compulsion. Older than the Olympians and revered in Orphic traditions, Ananke represents the cosmic force that even the gods cannot escape. We explore her role in shaping destiny, her bond with Chronos (Time), and how ancient philosophers and poets understood her immense power.
Is Ananke the true architect of the universe or a shadowy figure behind the curtain of myth?
References
1. Atsma, A. J. (n.d.). Ananke: Greek primordial goddess of necessity and compulsion. In Theoi Greek Mythology. Retrieved April 12,2025, https://www.theoi.com/Protogenos/Ananke.html
2. Ballocca, A. (2022, December 15). Ananke, explained. Medium. Retrieved March 13,, 2025, https://albertoballocca.medium.com/ananke-explained-e46a36d5ee7
3. Cicero. (1928). On the nature of the gods (H. Rackham, Trans.). Harvard University Press. (Original work published ca. 45 BCE)
4. Orphic fragments. (1936). In H. S. Versnel (Ed.), Orphic fragments: Texts and testimonia (pp. 21–35). Cambridge University Press. (Original work 6th–4th century BCE, transmitted later)
5. Parada, C. (n.d.). Ananke. In Greek Mythology Link. Maicar Förlag. Retrieved September 6, 2025, from https://www.maicar.com/GML/Ananke.html
6. Pausanias. (1918). Description of Greece (W. H. S. Jones, Trans., Vol. 4). Harvard University Press. (Original work published ca. 160 CE)
7. Pindar. (1997). Odes (C. M. Bowra, Trans.). Penguin Classics. (Original work published ca. 5th century BCE)
8. Plato. (1935). Republic (P. Shorey, Trans., Vols. 5–6). Harvard University Press. (Original work published ca. 380 BCE)
9. Plato. (1929). Timaeus (R. G. Bury, Trans., Vol. 9). Harvard University Press. (Original work published ca. 360 BCE)
10. Proclus. (1992). Commentary on Plato’s Timaeus (H. Tarrant, Trans.). Princeton University Press. (Original work published ca. 5th century CE)
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59: Jezebel: Priestess, Queen, and the Power of the Divine Feminine
This week I am covering the story of the Biblical Jezebel. Jezebel is a figure from the Bible, specifically the Old Testament, known for her role as the wife of King Ahab of Israel. She was a Phoenician princess, the daughter of King Ethbaal of Sidon, and she brought with her the worship of the god Baal, which clashed with the monotheistic faith of the Israelites.
Jezebel is often portrayed as a symbol of wickedness and idolatry due to her efforts to promote Baal worship and suppress the prophets of Yahweh. She is especially remembered for her conflict with the prophet Elijah, who condemned her for leading Israel astray. Her story is primarily found in the books of 1 and 2 Kings. Eventually, Jezebel met a violent end; she was thrown from a window by her own servants and trampled by horses, fulfilling a prophecy about her downfall. Over time, her name has become synonymous with immorality, manipulation, and defiance against divine authority.
References for this Episode
Brenner, A. (1985). The Israelite Woman: Social Role and Literary Type in Biblical Narrative. JSOT Press.
Fuchs, E. (1989). Sexual Politics in the Biblical Narrative: Reading the Hebrew Bible as a Woman. Sheffield Academic Press.
Frymer-Kensky, T. (2002). Reading the Women of the Bible. Schocken.
Harris-Perry, M. K. (2011). Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes, and Black Women in America. Yale University Press.
Josephus, Flavius. Against Apion.
Meyers, C. (1991). Discovering Eve: Ancient Israelite Women in Context. Oxford University Press.
Tertullian. On the Apparel of Women.
The Hebrew Bible: 1 Kings 16–22; 2 Kings 9.
Welcome to the Goddess Divine Podcast! My name is Deanna - I am a teacher, author of Awakening the Psychic Self and Higher Self Oracle, Reiki Master, and Divine Goddess practitioner.
Join me as I:
Unveil the stories of goddesses from across time and cultures. From the fierce warrior queens of Celtic lore to the all-encompassing Mother Earth of indigenous traditions, we'll explore the diverse tapestry of the divine feminine.
Dive deep into the archetypes and energies these goddesses embody. We'll learn to harness the power of the Creatrix, the wisdom of the Crone, the fierce protection of the Warrior, and the transformative grace of the Healer within ourselves.
Explore the practical applications of goddess wisdom in our daily lives. We'll discuss how to connect with the divine feminine through rituals, meditation, creative expression, and acts of conscious living.
Spark conversations that challenge the status quo and empower a new era of feminine leadership. All through the lens of the goddess.
Whether you're a seasoned practitioner of goddess spirituality or just beginning your journey, this podcast is for you. Here, we'll create a supportive and vibrant community where we can learn from each other, share our experiences, and ignite the divine spark within.
So, grab your headphones, light your favorite candle, and prepare to be swept away on a magical ride. The goddesses are waiting, and their stories are ready to be heard.
You can find me on instagram at: @goddessdivinepod
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