Thetis

ORIGIN:

Greece

CLASSIFICATION:

Nereid

Thetis is the great goddess of the Aegean Sea. She is now most famous as Achilles’ mother, but she is an exceptionally powerful goddess in her own right. A surviving fragment of an archaic hymn suggests that once upon a time, Thetis was worshipped as creator of the universe as well as goddess of the sea. She is credited with saving Zeus from an attempted coup staged by Hera and Poseidon. Her foster-sons are famous, too. She raised Hephaestus and Dionysus in her home under the sea.

Thetis is gorgeous, brilliant, and benevolent. Poseidon and Zeus both wished to marry her until Themis (Zeus’ ex-wife) foretold that Thetis was destined to bear a son greater than his father. In response to this prophecy, Zeus forced Thetis to marry Peleus—mortal son of his own son Aeacus and Endaïs, Chiron’s daughter. The tale of her marriage is the tale of her taming (at least temporarily). Peleus was instructed to hold fast to her while she transformed into a series of terrifying forms in her desperate attempt to escape. She doesn’t seem to let him hamper her style—Thetis has liaisons with deities and mortals as she chooses.

Thetis, who adores dancing, is described as “silver-footed”.

MANIFESTATION:

Thetis is a beautiful woman or mermaid.

Creatures: Snakes, lions

Mount:

Hippocampus

ALTAR:

Decorate her altar with marine motifs:nets, shells, and anchors. Images of Achilles and Hephaestus, whom she adores, will please her too.

SEE ALSO:

Achilles; Aiakos; Dionysus; Eris; Hephaestus; Hera; Mermaid; Nereid; Poseidon; Proteus; Tethys; Themis; 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.