About the Goddess of Earth Gaia
Gaia means land or earth and fittingly. Gaia was the goddess of Earth in ancient classical mythology. She was the spiritual embodiment of the earth. Gaia was often referred to as the Mother of All or the Great Mother goddess, since she was the primeval being from which all other beings sprang forth.
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History of
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According to Greek mythology Gaia existed at the dawn of creation and came into being from chaos. Gaia was considered a goddess of fertility, evidently because she was quite fertile. After her emergence from chaos, Gaia gave birth to Pontus (the sea), Uranus (the sky) and Ourea (the mountains). Gaia gave birth to these children without the aid of male intervention.
Features
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Although he was her son, Gaia took Uranus as her husband. Gaia once again gave birth to more children including the Titans, which consisted of six sons and six daughters, the Cyclopes and the Hecatoncheires (hundred armed giants). Uranus feared the strength of his monstrous children the Cyclopes and Hecatoncheires and so placed them in Tartarus (the bowels of the earth). Gaia was angered by the actions of her husband and sought the help of her youngest son, Cronos. Gaia provided him with a sickle and with it Cronos castrated his father, thereby severing the connection between earth and sky. Even so, more monstrous children were born when the Gigantes sprang forth from the blood of Uranus that fell to earth.
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Evolution
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As the saying goes, history repeats itself and it certainly did in this case when Cronos was overthrown by his son, Zeus, just as Cronos had deposed his own father, Uranus. Gaia had prophesied that Uranus would be overthrown by a child of his own. In order to prevent this prophecy from coming true Cronos took precautions. He began swallowing his children as soon as they were born. With Gaia's help, Cronos was given a stone wrapped in a swaddling cloth in place of his son, Zeus. Gaia's prophecy was fufilled as Zeus displaced his father eventually.
Function
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There are squabbles in every family and according to Greek mythology, the gods and goddesses had their share of family disputes. Zeus finally defeated the Titans with the help of the Cyclopes and Hecatoncheires. He placed them in Tartarus with the Hecatoncheires to guard them. After this myth, there isn't much more information regarding Gaia's involvement in the affairs of her children. Gaia did continue to be fruitful, bearing many more children through unions with Pontus, Tartarus and others.
Significance
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Gaia was worshiped widely in many cultures and known by many names. She has been identified with the names Astarte, Cybele, Terra, Demeter, Ishtar and Isis. Gaia was the Mother of the Gods and the Great Mother of all Creation. She represents feminity, power and nurturing. Gaia is still worshiped in many pagan religions.
Benefits
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In many ways, Gaia is a reminder of our connection to the earth and all of creation. Earth provides the sustenance for all living beings that reside upon her. She represents nurturing and the primeval parent in its most basic and humble origins. In recent years, there has been a resurgence in returning to nature and the awareness of the importance of our environment. Perhaps the spirit of Gaia is once again trying to connect with her errant children.
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