Creating Circles and Ceremonies: Rituals for All ... - reading...

276 Creating Circles & Ceremonies
(“Record of Ancient Things”) is the oldest recognized
book of myths, legends, and history of Japan.
The Shintoshu explains the origins of Japanese
deities from a Buddhist perspective, while the
Hotsuma Tsutae by Waniko Yasutoshi (1887) portrays
a substantially different version, contending
that Amaterasu, the Shinto sun deity, is male rather
than female. Japanese mythology also affirms the divine
origin of the Imperial Family. The word for the
Emperor of Japan, tennô, means “Heavenly Emperor.”
Amaterasu— Sun goddess. She was born from the
left eye of Izanagi, and went on to become the
queen of heaven (Takamagahara). She was considered
to be ancestor to the Imperial household
and the emperor.
Amatsu Mikaboshi (“August Star of Heaven”)— God
of evil and of the stars, specifically the pole star.
Ama-no-Uzume— Fertility goddess of dawn and
revelry. She charmed Amaterasu out of hiding.
Chimata-No-Kami— Phallic god of crossroads,
highways, and footpaths. Phallic symbols were
often placed at crossroads.
Inari— God of fertility, rice, and foxes. Inari’s pure
white foxes, or kitsune, are his messengers.
Izanagi (“He who invites”)— Creator god. He and
his wife Izanami bore many islands, deities, and
forefathers of Japan.
Izanami (“She who invites”)— Goddess of both creation
and death, as well as the former wife of Izanagi.
Kagu-tsuchi— God of fire. Born from Izanagi and
Izanami, who died from the burns in giving birth
to him. His father cut him into eight pieces and
the eight body parts became eight mountains, and
from Kagu-tsuchi’s blood came eight gods.
Konohana— Cherry-blossom princess and symbol
of delicate earthly life. She is the daughter of the
mountain god Ohoyamatsumi.
O-Kuni-Nushi— God of sorcery and medicine.
Originally a mortal governor, he became ruler of
the unseen world of spirits and magick.
Seven Gods of Fortune— Gods of good fortune.
Each has a traditional attribute:
1. Ebisu— God of fishers or merchants, often depicted
carrying a cod or sea bass.
2. Daikokuten— God of wealth, commerce, and
trade. Ebisu and Daikoku are often paired and
represented as carvings or masks on the walls of
small retail shops.
3. Bishamonten— God of warriors.
4. Benzaiten— Goddess of knowledge, art, and
beauty.
5. Fukurokuju— God of happiness, wealth, and
longevity.
6. Hotei— Fat and happy god of abundance and
good health.
7. Juroujin— God of longevity.
Susanoo— God of sea, storms, and thunder; also
snakes and farming. He is brother of Amaterasu
(sun) and Tsuku-Yomi (moon).
Tsuku-Yomi— God of the moon, brother of
Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess.
Uke-Mochi— Goddess of foods, who produces
food from her own body.
Judeo-Christian Pantheon
Although Judaism and Christianity both acknowledge
only one Supreme Creator God, called
Jahveh or Jehovah (meaning “I Am That I Am”),
their traditions also include large numbers of lesser
angels, demons, and saints, which are analogous to
the pantheons of other peoples. Moreover, Christianity
envisions the Godhead as triune, or threefold:
a Trinity consisting of Father (Jehovah), Son
(Jesus Christ), and Holy Ghost (Shekinah). In
Christianity, of course, the most important deity is
Jesus Christ, the son of God, born of the Virgin Mary,
and messiah (savior) of mankind. His crucifixion
and resurrection is the foundation of Christianity.
Angels (“messengers”) comprise the “Hosts of
Heaven.” There are thousands of them, organized
in ten ranked “choirs.” Each choir is ruled by an
archangel. The ten archangels in order of rank are:
Metatron— “Angel of the Presence.” King of all
the angels, and the youngest, he was once the
Hebrew patriarch Enoch. He is the link between
God and humanity, and his female counterpart is
Shekinah.
Ratziel— “Delight of God.” Prince of knowledge of
hidden things, who is called the Angel of Mysteries.
Tzaphqiel— “Contemplation of God.” Prince of
spiritual strife against evil.
Tzadkiel— “Justice of God.” Prince of mercy and beneficence
who guards the Gates of the East Wind.
Kamael— “Severity of God.” Prince of strength
and courage who bears the flaming sword.
Raphael— “Physician of God.” Prince of healing,
with Michael as his lieutenant.
Haniel—“Grace of God.” Prince of love and harmony,
his female counterpart is Hagiel.
Michael—“Protector of God.” Prince of art and
knowledge, with Raphael as his lieutenant.
Gabriel—“Strength of God.” Most beloved of all
the angels, he appeared to Mary in the Annunciation
and dictated the Quran to Mohammed.
Sandalphon—“Co-brother.” He is the twin of
Metatron, and was once the Hebrew prophet Elias.
Other important angels include:
Azrael— Black-winged angel of death, whose
scythe cuts free the souls of the dying.