Maiden
What you need to sow
Begin at the right moment rather than immediately. Choose the date and commit to it.
Inca / South America
Mama Quilla
Mother Moon, Guardian of Women
Inca empire, c. 1400–1533 CE, Cusco and the Andes
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Her story
Historical context
goddess · Inca empire, c. 1400–1533 CE, Cusco and the Andes
Mama Quilla's temple in Cusco was plated in silver as her brother-husband's was in gold. She governed the calendar — festivals, marriages, women's cycles — and during an eclipse the Inca believed a jaguar was eating her, so the whole city made noise until she was released.
Mythology & traditions
Her silver face was said to weep silver tears. She is the counter-rhythm to the sun: not constant, but reliably cyclical, and the entire ritual year was scheduled by her. The eclipse response is the most human detail in Andean religion — an empire standing in the dark, banging drums and shouting at the sky on behalf of a goddess.
Domains
- Moon
- Time and calendar
- Marriage
- Women's cycles
- Protection at night
Symbols
- Silver crescent
- Moon phases
- Silver disc face
- Festival calendar
In the oracle
Her guidance
Mother
What you need to grow
Nurture your own cycles. You are not a machine with a constant output.
Crone
What you need to know
You are in a phase, not a permanent state. Read the dark part as part of the round.