Tethys

Mistress of the Sea

ORIGIN:

Greece

Tethys is a primeval sea goddess. She and her consort, Oceanos, have multitudes of children. Three thousand of her sons are river deities. The Nereids are her granddaughters. Tethys is a goddess of fertility but also an oracular spirit. The Etruscans had an oracular shrine dedicated to her.

Tethys is the name given a primeval sea: What is now the Black Sea is considered a residual basin of the primeval Central European Tethys Sea, which existed from the end of the Paleozoic era to the Middle Tertiary period. Due to earthquakes in the Triassic period, the Tethys Sea was divided into a series of basins.

SEE ALSO:

Nereid; Oceanos; Thetis

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.