Name origin: Greek Naiad who was transformed into a laurel tree. Daphne was loved by the god Apollo, who pursued her until she grew exhausted and cried out to Gaia for help. The goddess transformed her into a laurel tree which Apollo then adopted as his sacred plant.
Laetitia’s name derives from the root word laeta, meaning “happy”, “glad”, “lucky”, “successful”, “prosperous”, “luxurious”, “lush”, or “abounding”, referring to happiness with prosperity and abundance. Laetitia would be portrayed wearing a garland, as wreaths were generally worn at ceremonial events and festivals, to depict celebration and seasonal rites.
Name origin: Aetolian princess who became a Spartan queen; mother of the Dioscuri, Clytaemnestra and Helen, after Zeus seduced her in the guise of a swan.
Name origin: Roman goddess of trust and good faith (bona fides). One of the original virtues to be considered an actual religious divinity. She is everything that is required for “honour and credibility, from fidelity in marriage, to contractual arrangements, and the obligation soldiers owed to Rome.”
Atalante was left to die at birth but rescued by a bear and later raised by hunters. Eventually she was reunited with her father, who insisted that she marry; she insisted she would only marry the man defeating her in a footrace, while those who lost were killed. Hippomenes won the race against her with the help of three sacred apples he received from Aphrodite.
Circe was a Greek goddess of sorcery, skilled in various magics, potions and herbs. She lived on the island of Aiaia with her nymph companions, and is best known for her appearance in the Odyssey.
Name origin: Greek; muse of sacred poetry, sacred hymn, dance, eloquence, rhetoric, agriculture and pantomime. Her name comes from the Greek words “poly” meaning “many” and “hymnos”, which means “praise”.
Name origin: Roman goddess of fruit trees, gardens, and orchards. She watches over and protects fruit trees and cares for their cultivation. She was not actually associated with the harvest of fruits itself, but with the flourishing of the fruit trees.
Name origin: Greek sea goddess and wife of Poseidon. He courted her in the form of a dolphin (or, in some tellings, sent a dolphin as messenger).
Name origin: Roman goddess of war; the name was chosen to mark the beginning of the Crimean War. Bellona is known for her temple outside of Rome being the official decision making centre in regards to war.
