Goddess, Atahensic (Iroquois)

Atahensic is an Iroquois goddess of the sky who is known for her association with marriage and childbirth. According to legend, she fell from the sky to the earth at the time of creation and was carried down by the wings of birds. After her fall, she gave birth to Hahgwehdiyu and Hahgwehdaetgah, twin sons.

• Pantheon: North American Pantheon
• Deity Symbol: A symbol of a woman with outstretched arms and a bird in flight.
• Home Plane: Material Plane
• Deity Level: Lesser deity
• Alignment: Neutral Good
• Aliases: Atahensic, The Sky Woman
• Superior: None
• Traditional Allies: Hahgwehdiyu, birds, creatures of the sky
• Traditional Foes: Hahgwehdaetgah, evil spirits, demons
• Divine Artifact: A necklace made of bird feathers that is said to grant the ability to understand the language of birds.
• Servants: None
• Servitor Creatures: Birds
• Sacred Animal: Birds
• Manifestations: A gentle wind blowing through the trees, the song of a bird, the scent of fresh flowers.
• Signs of Favor: A sudden increase in bird activity, finding a rare bird feather, unexpected good luck in matters related to marriage or childbirth.
• Worshipers: Women who are about to give birth, women seeking a spouse, newlyweds, couples hoping to start a family.
• Cleric Alignments: Neutral Good, Chaotic Good, Lawful Good
• Specialty Priests: Midwives, wedding officiates
• Holy Days: The first day of spring, the first day of autumn
• Domains: Life, Love, Family, Air
• Favored Weapon: None
• Favored Class: Cleric
• Favored Race: Haudenosaunee
• Duties of the Priesthood: To assist women during childbirth, to perform wedding ceremonies, to teach the importance of family and love.
• Major Cult/Temple Sites: The birthplace of Hahgwehdiyu and Hahgwehdaetgah, any sacred forest where the first maize was grown.
• Benefits: Blessing for a safe childbirth, guidance in matters related to love and marriage, protection from evil spirits.

Hahgwehdiyu, the good twin, gifted maize to mankind by putting a plant into Atahensic’s lifeless body. Hahgwehdaetgah, the evil twin, is an evil spirit who represents the dark and dangerous aspects of life. Atahensic is honored as a symbol of motherhood, love, and family, and her followers pray to her for blessings in these areas.

In physical form, Atahensic is depicted as a beautiful woman with outstretched arms and a bird in flight. She is often associated with the sky and the air, and her presence is often felt as a gentle wind blowing through the trees, the song of a bird, or the scent of fresh flowers.

Atahensic’s followers include women who are about to give birth, women seeking a spouse, newlyweds, and couples hoping to start a family. Her holy days are celebrated on the first day of spring and the first day of autumn, and her sacred animals are birds. The duties of her priesthood include assisting women during childbirth, performing wedding ceremonies, and teaching the importance of family and love. The benefits of worshiping Atahensic include blessings for a safe childbirth, guidance in matters related to love and marriage, and protection from evil spirits.

Atahensic is often depicted as a woman with long flowing hair and wings, symbolizing her descent from the sky. She is beautiful and serene, with a gentle smile and sparkling eyes. Her clothing is simple and made of light, airy materials, and she often wears a necklace made of bird feathers. She holds out her arms as if to embrace the world and is often surrounded by flocks of birds, symbolizing her connection to the creatures of the sky. Some depictions show her with a cornstalk, a symbol of her connection to life and fertility. Overall, Atahensic is seen as a nurturing and caring goddess who brings love, life, and protection to her followers.