Gaia

by Samantha

"Gaia, the beautiful, rose up, Broad blossomed, she that is the steadfast base Of all things. And fair Gaia first bore The starry Heaven, equal to herself, To cover her on all sides and to be A home forever for the blessed Gods" ~ Hesiod ~ Gaia or Gaea is known as Mother Earth (the Greek common noun for "land" is ge or ga). It is written that Gaia was born from Chaos, the great void of emptiness within the universe, and with her came Eros. She gave birth to Pontus (the Sea) and Uranus (the Sky). This was achieved parthenogenically (without male intervention). Gaia took as her husband Uranus, who was also her son, and their offspring included the Titans, six sons and six daughters. She gave birth to the Cyclopes and to three monsters that became known as the "Hecatonchires". The spirits of punishment known as the Erinyes were also offspring of Gaia and Uranus.

The Romans believed every element in the universe, whether on land, in the sea or sky, was a single living entity of Gaia. More than any other Goddess, Gaia is identified as the divine and animate Earth Mother.

She is the living, conscious planet who provides sustenance and nutrition and the wisdom inherent in the earth itself. Her values are rooted in the sacredness of all life, whether it be plant, animal or the stars in the sky - respect for others is paramount if we are to attain the deep sense of balance and completeness that a connection with Gaia brings. Gaia connects us to the universal source of "mothering" and "nurturing", leading us to a feeling of profound peace and balance.

REFERENCES
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/g/gaia.html
http://www.paleothea.com/SortaSingles/Gaia.html
http://www.goddess.com.au/goddesses/Gaia.htm
http://www.webwinds.com/myth/elemental.htm
http://www.theoi.com/greek-mythology/titans.html