Asteria – Starry One

Zeus got Leto pregnant. Hera, his enraged wife, cursed Leto so that she couldn’t give birth anywhere the sun had ever shone. Leto’s pregnancy stretched on interminably. Zeus’ wandering eye moved from Leto to her sister, Asteria, who attempted to evade Zeus by transforming into a quail and flying away. His interest piqued by what he considered a game of hide-and-seek, Zeus transformed into a predatory eagle, pursuing the little quail.

Asteria transformed into a stone and dropped into the sea, where she quickly transformed again, this time into Delos, the small rocky island where Leto was finally able to give birth. (The sun hadn’t yet shone on Delos.)

Asteria is the goddess of the magic powers of night. She has dominion over various magical arts, including astrology, divination, dreaming, and necromancy. She is an oracular spirit and may be requested to send prophetic dreams. Like mother, like daughter: Asteria may be Hekate’s mother.

ALSO KNOWN AS:

Astraea; Astraia

ORIGIN:

Greece

CLASSIFICATION:

Titan

FAVOURED PEOPLE:

Those practicing her arts or seeking to learn them

Sacred site:

Delos

Bird:

Quail

OFFERINGS:

Fragrant incense; divination tools; pilgrimage to her sacred island

SEE ALSO:

• Astraia
• Hekate
• Leto
• Zeus

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.