Hybla is an indigenous Sicilian spirit, a primordial goddess of the Siculi, the people for whom Sicily is named. She is a goddess of abundance and fertility associated with mud volcanoes and mineral springs. Earthquakes and volcanic activity were understood to indicate Earth’s fertility: her contractions and labor pains. Hybla’s shrines were centers of divination and dream interpretation. Her priests were considered especially skilled dream interpreters. Sicilian women’s mourning societies, banned by early Christians, are believed to have derived from Hybla’s rites. Greek colonists identified Hybla with Hera. The Sicilian city of Ragusa was once called Hybla Heraia. Lower Ragusa is still known as Ragusa Ibla.

ALSO KNOWN AS:

Ibla

ORIGIN:

Sicily

ICONOGRAPHY:

Hybla’s image, often veiled, appears on many Sicilian coins.

Sacred plant:

Thyme

Sacred creature:

Bee

SACRED SITES:

Various sites in Sicily were named for Hybla: Hybla Major, Hybla Minor,

Hybla Gereatis on the slopes of Mount Etna, and Hybla Heraia.

• Hybla’s temple on Mount Etna reputedly contained a portal to the Underworld.

• The Hyblaean Mountains of southern Sicily are named in her honor.

OFFERINGS:

Honey, thermal mud, mineral water

SEE ALSO:

• Aetna
• Gaia
• Hera

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.