Dirt Woman stalks people’s dreams. She is primeval. She probably does not speak although she may make sounds. She probably means no harm, but she is so primordial that her presence can be frightening and overwhelming. She appears in Jungian discussion but rarely in mythology because Dirt Woman is so old, she has no myth. She just is.

Dirt Woman is the primordial woman. The spirit of Earth is among the earliest goddesses: not Earth herself, but something that emerged from Earth, an avatar of Earth. Thus in Greek mythology, Gaia is sacred, prescient Earth, but Rhea is the spirit of Earth, her daughter, avatar, and emissary on Earth.

Modern mythology books feature illustrations of spirits of Earth dressed in beautiful, clean gowns with elegant jewels and perfectly coiffed hair. Dirt Woman looks like mud took the form of a woman and started walking. One version of the biblical story of Creation says that man and woman were formed together from Earth: that primeval first woman is Dirt Woman. The earliest, most primordial origins of the goddess Kali may lie in manifestations of Dirt Woman.

The appearance of Dirt Woman signals the beginning of a psychic or spiritual journey you must take. She may appear if you are consciously or subconsciously resisting a spiritual calling. Modern niceties mean nothing to Dirt Woman; she only comprehends and values primeval emotion, action, and human skills, including divination. She can be a fierce guardian and may be invoked to help you guard your children.

The figure of the dream – stalking First Slayer in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer resembles Dirt Woman.

She appears in dreams and visions: sometimes people describe seeing her from the corner of their eye although when they turn to face her, she has vanished. Dirt Woman stalks silently like a leopard (and sometimes appears with feline spots on her body, possibly painted on), the animal that author Bruce Chatwin described as humanity’s primeval predator.

She sometimes manifests briefly in person; encounters with her are often emotionally harrowing. Dirt Woman may be invoked via visualization and divination (especially scrying). She is afraid of nothing and can banish Demons.

ALSO KNOWN AS:

Soil Woman; Mud Woman

Manifestations:

Dirt Woman’s skin is coated with dirt or mud. She may be any color including brown, dull green, or ghostly chalk white. She may be covered with thick layers of multicolored dried mud. Twigs and leaves may stick to her hair and body. She may decorate herself with stripes or patterns of different-colored clay or chalk. She may be naked. She may be draped with a mud-covered animal skin. She may wear shells, teeth, or pebbles. Her teeth may be large and prominent.

SEE ALSO:

• Gaia
• Kali
• Lilith
• Pandora
• Rhea

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses – Written by : Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.