Goddess of the Day: Awehai
Strawberry Festival (New York)

Themes: Harvest; Tradition; Growth; Longevity; Community

Symbols: Turtle; Seeds

About Awehai: In Iroquois tradition, this Goddess reignsin the sky and the heavens, watching diligently over family life and thecommunity.Mythology tells us that Awehai grabbed seeds and animals as she fellfrom heaven, landing on the back of a great turtle. From here, Awehai scatteredthe seeds and freed the animals, resulting in a growing, fertile earth filledwith beauty.

To Do Today: This festival takes place nearly in mybackyard, having been instituted by the Iroquois Indians of Tonawanda, New York.Here people come to the longhouse to enjoy ritual dancing, chanting, and thesounding of turtle-shell rattles, a symbol of Awehai. So, if you know any typeof traditional ritual dances or chants, consider enacting them outside as youscatter grass seed to the wind. This will manifest Awehai's productivity inyour life and in the earth.

Another custom is simpler ads a lot of fun: consumingstrawberries in as many forms as possible. In Iroquois tradition, these pavethe road to heaven, and eating them ensures you a long life and Awehai'sfertility. Share strawberries with a loved one to inspire Awehai'scommunity-oriented energy in your home, and consume fresh strawberries toharvest her powers for personal growth.

By Patricia Telesco ~ From “365 Goddess” and GrannyMoon’sMorning Feast Archives