Ah Sunday, the final day of the week! (or in some cases, the first?)

Sunday, as with Monday, is pretty easy to pick out what this day is named for- literally the Sun’s Day. In many religions, the sun deity is among the most important deities. Why would it not be, since it is the sun which is the literal source of all life on our planet? The sun is our closest star.

In ancient paganism, as well as some modern indigenous polytheism, the Sun Cult was and is incredibly popular. In Christian theology, Sunday is the most holy day, as Friday is for Muslims and Saturday for those of the Jewish faith. The name for Sunday in the Romance languages is related to Christianity

Amaterasu is one of the most revered goddesses in Shinto and the only solar deity, and the Egyptians had a great many deities whose symbol was the sun. In Chinese Tradtion, Xihe is a solar goddess who is one of two consorts to the Supreme Deity Dijun (her co-consort is Changxi, the lunar goddess). In Hinduism, Sunday is the day dedicated to Surya, the Sun God. Like many sun deities, Surya rides in a chariot, his drawn by seven horses representing the seven colors of the rainbow. Cleanliness is especially important on this day and oily and fried foods and salt are avoided.

The sun has always been a source of power and intrigue, and although in many Western cultures Sunday is a day of rest, for myself it feels more like a day of invigorating energy. Every day of the week has a different energy, and Sunday is no exception.

To say that Sunday is a day of rest is not untrue. By rest, I take it to mean doing things that bring me pleasure, but still doing things. On Sundays I go for my long morning walks, work outside more, or other such things. I generally feel energetic on Sundays, and I like to put my energy to use in some way. This does not mean I work; I consider doing anything for fun or please “not work.” Remember that Sunday can often set the tone for the rest of the week. Make sure to keep it bright and full of fun and happiness.

Animals; dragon, horse, scarab

Colors; amber, gold, red, white

Crystals; amber, carnelian, diamond, gold, sunstone, tiger’s eye, topaz

Elements; fire

Energies; agriculture, creativity, growth, happiness, hope, health, humility, self-expression, spiritual connection, success, victory

Foods; cinnamon, lemon, orange, other citrus fruit

Goddesses; Amaterasu, Bastet, Brighid, Sulis, Xihe

Gods; Apollo, Belenus, Helios, Khepri, Mitra, Ra, Ravi, Zhulong

I don’t plan to make this post as long as my others. I tend to be long-winded enough as it is and am trying to keep things short and sweet!

Saturday and its fellow weekend day Sunday are the odd ones. So far we’ve had Mani’s Day, Tyr’s Day, Woden’s Day, Thor’s Day, and Frigg’s Day. But literally today we have Saturn’s Day, who was identified with the Greek Cronus and the father of Jupiter (Zeus). He is a deity of many things, particularly of agriculture and later on time. He is also associated with wealth and plenty. As a god of renewal, he represents the constant cycle of death and rebirth. This idea of death and rebirth can be seen in our physical world, where time passes and the earth around us dies and grows back (this idea is also linked to the stories of Persephone and Hades as well). There is some link, perhaps, to the name Saetere, an obscure deity of Anglo-Saxon origin.

From Saturn we also receive one of the most well known Roman festivals: Saturnalia, a time of feasting and gift-giving! Saturday the day of the week however is much more somber, at least to me. It is a day to let the energies of the previous week leave you and prepare to replenish yourself for the upcoming week. It is a time to reflect on beginnings and endings, on the ever-changing and shifting flow of time. Saturn especially to me represents the idea of destruction in favor of renewal; the same way the fire destroys a forest yet from the ashes a new forest grows.

Saturday is a day for cleaning and cleansing; cleaning your house and then really cleansing your house is always a good feeling to air out the lingering energy of the previous week so that you may begin your day on Sunday with a fresh feeling.

What’s so interesting about Saturday is the fact that there was no equivalent in the Nordic and Germanic traditions for Saturn/Cronus, and so Saturn was never changed or adapted as the others were. In Spanish and French, names for Saturday are sábado and samedi. Because of Saturday’s odd duality of life-death, beginning-ending aspects, I’ve included deities of death and the underworld in this list though it is by no means necessary for you to acknowledge death gods and goddesses on Saturday. Especially as with in Chinese Traditional Religion, there are dozens upon dozens of deities associated with these aspects.

In Hinduism, Saturday is a relatively unlucky day, and is often dedicated to binding or banishing the bad luck or influence of Shani, a deity associated with the planet Saturn who in varying accounts carries either a sword and rides a giant crow, or a bow and riding a vulture.. Indeed, the name for Saturday in many Indian languages is Shanivar, and many Hindus observe a fast on Saturday to avoid misfortunes

Animals; bat, crow, leopard, phoenix, scorpion, snake, wolf/jackal

Colors; black, indigo, maroon, purple, dark or somber colors

Crystals; Apache tear, hematite, lead, obsidian, onyx, pewter, smoky quartz

Elements; earth, fire

Energies; agriculture, banishment, binding, caution, cleansing, debts, divination, endings, exorcism, karma, protection, psychic growth

Foods; beets, carrots, potatoes, radishes, sesame seed, other root vegetables

Goddesses; Geshtinanna, Hecate, Isis, Izanami no kami, Persephone,

Gods; Anubis, Cronus, Dionysus, Hades, Loki, Osiris

TGIF, AMIRITE? Phew this week has flown by so fast. I’m proud of myself for having made it this far! Now, onto our daily correspondence for the fifth day of the week.

Our English word for Friday comes from “Day of Frigg,” the Norse goddess who was associated with the Roman Venus, whose name was given to a few of the Romance derivatives of this day, vendredi in French and viernes in Spanish. In Islamic culture, Friday is the holy day of the week as Saturday is for those of the Jewish religion, and Sunday for Christians.

Frigg is the wife of Odin, and is associated with foreknowledge and wisdom. Many believe too that she is linked to the goddess Freyja, however this connection is not absolute or certain. Frigg and Freyja are at the same time separate and distinct, yet each of them is also likened to the Roman Venus (Greek Aphrodite) as they share the characteristics concerning, love, beauty, sexuality, fertility, and femininity.

In Hinduism, Friday is dedicated to the Mother Goddess, who goes by many names. It is a very auspicious day, and the Shukravar vrat is one of the most difficult and strenuous to observe. The food of choice is sweets and white colored foods such as milk, these are traditionally eaten in her honor.

This day, ruled by such powerful goddesses is auspicious for spells concerning love and romance, or perhaps if this applies to you, marriage and pregnancy, or even simple friendship and other familial relationships.

Because it is, for many people, the last day of the work week (and even those who work weekends, Fridays tend to be the best day of the week), Fridays tend to be our day to let loose and have fun. We go out very often on Fridays to wrap up the week, and I think it’s because of the energies we pull from Venus. On the flip side of that, Fridays are also great days to get home and rip off your bra (no judgement here) and put your feet up with a glass of wine and so well-deserved YOU time! Just because the goddesses of love and fertility are letting their hair down on this day, doesn’t mean we can’t put ours up and relax in a bath. It goes the same no matter which gender you identify or don’t identify with, everyone needs to feel self-pampered and there is no doubt Fridays are just the perfect day to do such.

Speaking of gender and sexual identity- because it such a broad spectrum, never fear that it is only heteronormal relationships we may honor on this day. And, if you’re ever feeling lost or unsure, just remember that in the Chinese Traditional religion, Tu Shen is a god who presides over and protects homosexual relationships. Baimei Shen is another interesting one, but I won’t go into detail. I want to keep this as PG as possible so you were duly warned.

That is what is so wonderful about many aspects of paganism and pre-Christian religions. Sexuality was never so specific. It doesn’t have to be for you, either. There were virgin deities (Athena, Artemis), deities who had a little too much fun (Jupiter, Dionysus, Freyja), and deities who were in healthy monogamous relationships (Persephone <3 Hades). Friday is a day to honor YOU and through honoring yourself, you honor the goddesses of this day.

Animals; boar, cat, falcon, rabbit

Colors; aqua, copper, coral, red, white

Crystals; blue lace agate, coral, rose quartz

Elements; water

Energies; beauty, fertility, friendship, harmony, love, lust, marriage, passion, peace, romance, sexuality

Foods; apples, apricot, cardamom, milk, strawberries, sweet foods, thyme

Goddesses; Adi Parashakti, Aphrodite, Chuangmu, Freyja, Hathor, Ishtar, Rati

Gods; Eros, Kama, Min, Pan, Tu Shen, Yue Lao (I especially love his story)

It’s Thor’s Day, let’s get Hammered!

Thursday is another strongly masculine day like Tuesday. As the bad joke above says, it is named for the Norse God of Thunder, Thor, and his Greco-Roman counterparts Zeus and Jupiter (jeudi and jueves as examples from Romance languages). It is a day strongly associated with thunder, honor, and leadership.

I can’t get through a Thursday without thinking of Sailor Jupiter from Sailor Moon....

As with Wednesday, prosperity and abundance are auspicious themes for Thursday, as are success and harvest (reaping rewards for hard work and good deeds). In a way, Thursday is a day of rewards for the work you have done in the week leading up to this day. It does not mean it is a day of rest of course, simply the day when our success begins to show and manifest.

Whereas Tuesday was a day of wild power and raw strength, often causing turmoil, Thursday is a day of stable power and confidence. In Tuesday’s power, we see the idea of, I want so I will take, but in Thursday’s power, we see the idea more in line with I need so I will receive, or I need so I will create. It is a quiet, steady strength that we gain from this day. It is a calming day much like Monday after the power and business of Tuesday and Wednesday. I see this day as Tuesday’s more mature older brother. Which, when thinking about the gods after which this day is named, simultaneously makes sense and is nonsense at the same time.

In Chinese Folk Religion, the number of deities associated with thunder and the heavens are astounding, such that I could not even begin to list them all. There are Thunder Emperors, Kings, and Generals of the Five Regions, five Marshals of Thunder, Twelve Lords each of Heaven’s Thunder, Earth’s Thunder, and Man’s Thunder, Thirty-Six Lords of Thunder and Thirty-Five Gods of Thunder, not to mention the three primary deities of thunder, including a Goddess of Lightning. In Shinto, there are also various deities associated with thunder.

Generally speaking, there are few goddesses associated with this element or this day of the week. The two I’ve mentioned are not so much thunder goddesses by their own right as much as by right of their husbands.

Animals; cow, eagle, peacock

Colors; dark blue, dark green, earthy colors, royal colors, yellow (Hinduism)

Crystals; amethyst, aventurine, brown jasper, lapis lazuli, lodestone, malachite, peridot, turquoise

Elements; air (storms), earth

Energies; abundance, allegiance, career, fealty, generosity, growth, happiness, honor, leadership, loyalty, optimism, protection, strength, success

Foods; banana, breads, cinnamon, clove, dandelion, dill, fig, maple, mint, nutmeg, sage, star anise

Goddesses; Dianmu (also Leizi), Juno Moneta

Gods; Amun, Raijin, Shangdi, Taranis, Thor, Vishnu, Zeus

It’s hump day!

Okay, I know that joke is way old, but it’s actually kind of interesting. To start out our Wednesday Coorespondence, let’s have a brief discussion of the history of the name of the day, as always. The English word for Wednesday also comes from Germanic roots, in Old English known as Woden’s Day (or the Day of Woden technically). During Roman conquests and assimilation, Woden/Odin was equated with Mercury. He is one of the most revered deities throughout pre-Christian religions and is a god of wisdom, healing, death, knowledge, battle, and writing. A great many things are attributed to him.

Now, in Romance languages, all derived from Latin, we have words such as mercredi and miércoles, which are named for the god/planet Mercury. How fitting that the middle of the week is named for the fast-moving planet and the god of travel.

The fun part of all this hump day stuff is that, in other Scandinavian and Germanic languages such as Icelandic (mithviku), German (mittwoch), and Finnish (keskiviikko), the word for Wednesday more or less means “mid-week.” So, yes, Wednesday is literally hump day!

Wednesday is a day ruled by the mind. It is a day perfect for communication, mental challenges and strengthening, and travel. It is also a fun day for good-natured pranks! In chakra healing, the anahata and vishudda (heart and throat chakra) are associated with this day, because through both your heart and your throat we communicate. In many Hindu practices, Wednesdays are auspicious for starting new ventures in business and education. In all cultures it is truly a day of communication and the mind.

Keep in mind too that Wednesday is ruled by a second planet, Uranus.

The deities I’ve listed below are deities that are represented in some way by wisdom, communication, crafts, travel, air or sky, and/or tricksters.

For spellwork and prayer, seek answers and help in legal matters, travel, education, and wisdom.

Animals; hawk, lion (Hinduism), owl, swan or ibis, tortoise

Colors; gray, green, orange, purple, yellow, silver, white, mixed colors

Crystals; amber, aventurine, citrine, mercury, zinc

Elements; air

Energies; business, chance, communication, creativity, education, fortune, luck, swiftness, travel, work, writing

Foods; lavender (as edible herb)

Goddesses; Athena, Seshat, Saraswati

Gods; Hermes, Lugh, Odin, Ogma, Tenjin, Thoth, Vitthal, Wenchang Wang

The second day of our Week of Rituals and Correspondences, Tuesday is a day of energy. Whether this energy is positive or negative is yet to be seen, just always expect a day of fast-paced physical activity. We get the English word for Tuesday from Tiw or Tyr, a Germanic deity associated with law and heroic glory. He is often portrayed as having only one hand. So, Tuesday is Tyr’s Day.

In Romance languages such as French and Spanish, the second day of the week is mardi or mardes, which stems from the Roman god Mars, the equivalent to the Greek Ares.

On Tuesday, we bask in the glory of the gods of war. We are energized by their being, which gives us the strength to face the day ahead. This can be a double edged sword for us, as tension can also run very high throughout this day, and we must be careful not to give in to stress and anger as the gods who rule this day often did.

As we leave the calming and largely feminine influence of the moon we are thrust into a powerfully energetic day under Mars. Tuesdays are days to connect with passion, energy, courage, victory, and protection. According to Hindu tradition, those who observe a fast on Tuesday must specifically avoid eating salt.

As there are many more deities of war and combat than can be named, I have chosen only a few with whom I am familiar but it is by no means an exhaustive list.

Animals;

Colors; black, orange, red

Crystals; bloodstone, garnet, red jasper, red tourmaline, ruby, steel

Elements; fire

Energies; aggression, breaking negativity, conflict, courage, dominance, ego, leadership, marriage, protection, revenge, strength, success, victory

Foods; allspice, basil, chili, garlic, ginger, onion, pepper, red foods, spicy foods

Goddesses; Bastet, Durga, Kali, Morrighan, Sekhmet, 

Gods; Ares, Chiyou, Hanumaan, Maahes, Mars, Rudianos, Tyr

I hope to successfully complete a week’s worth of daily correspondences, so here we begin! Monday is an excellent day; personally, I feel the week begins best with what Monday teaches us.

It’s common knowledge that our word for Monday comes from “moon” and “day.” This is the same in Romance languages as well; in French, lundi and Spanish, lunes, both of which come from these languages’ respective words for moon as well (lune and luna). In various cultures around the world, the moon is an aspect of a divine being, closely associated with a deity or avatar. Many times it is of a female deity or goddess, though in some, it is of a male deity or god. I believe the moon is most often portrayed as female, as it reflects closely a woman’s cycle, though this is not an end-all, be-all strict rule.

Regardless of whether the lunar deity of a culture is particularly auspicious on Monday, we can learn a great many things from observing the daily power of moon’s day. On the first day of the week, it is always important to understand the moon and what effects it has on our life, emotions, physical state, and the earth around us. Whether the lunar deity you honor is male or female is whatever is right with you. Regardless of this, Monday is a day of reflection and introspection. We flow, we wax and wane, we reflect what we see. In this, we learn how to accept change just as the moon changes its shape daily, waxing and waning through the month. We learn how to influence the things around us just as the moon influences the tides of the ocean. We let the calming, easiness of the moon affect our activities on this day.

Monday is a day of dreamwork, psychic pursuits, and emotional cleansing. Take care to not let illusions cloud your sight or judgement. The follow list of correspondences is not meant to be comprehensive, but I would love anyone to add to this as necessary.

Animals; hare or rabbit,

Colors; silver, white, gray, deep blue

Crystals; aquamarine, moonstone, mother-of-pearl, opal, pearl, quartz, sapphire, selenite

Element(s); space/void/ether, water

Energies; dreams, fertility, illusion, insight, peace, prophecy, serenity, travel, wisdom

Foods; banana, cauliflower, chamomile, coconut, grapes, mint, mushrooms, sweet foods

Goddesses; Anumati, Artemis, Chang’e, Diana, Ilargi, Luna, Selene

Gods; Khonsu, Máni, Shiva, Tsukiyomi-no-mikoto