#wathan

Picture: Incense burner depicting an ibex (goat) with an inscription on the back to the goddess Shams

Wathan/Arabian Deities: Shams

Shams is the Arabian goddess of the sun, fertile lands, crops and domestic life. She had the power to bless the crop fields but she was also responsible for drying up the lands. Some of Sham’s other titles include “Shams the Most High” (Shams-‘Aliyyat), “Lofty” (Tanuf) and “Lady of the Heat”(Dhat-Himyam).

Frankincense was often burned in her southern temples. Oryx (antelope) and ibex (goat) were often hunted and given to her as offerings as well.

Painting: The Bathing Cove by Frederick Arthur Bridgeman

Wathan/Arabian Deities: Dhu’Shara and Ka’ibah.

Dhu’Shara is the “Lord of the Mountain” and Ka’ibah is said to be the virgin mother of Dhu’Shara. There is some speculation that the goddess Ka’ibah did not actually exist and her name was a translating error. I personally believe she is a goddess although she might be a new goddess as opposed to an ancient one. Dhu’Shara, however, did exist and there is clear evidence of this.

Dhu’Shara - Lord of the Mountain / God of Vegetation, Oasis and Freshwater Springs / God of Kingship and Immortality / Protector of the King / The One Who Separates Day and Night / Protector of Tombs

Dhu’Shara had a temple in Petra (modern day Jordan) and was a patron of the city Madain Saleh. His worship also spread to south of Mecca. He was held in high regards alongside Al-Uzza and Al-Lat. He was the brother of Al-Qaum (Shay al-Qawm) possibly by a different mother. Al-Lat was either the consort or mother of Dhu’Shara. Al-Uzza was also possibly his consort as her “virgin” characteristic may have come from the Greeks and Romans associating her with Athena/Minerva and not the ancient Nabataeans.

Dhu’Shara’s worship also spread to Rome in Puteoli, a trading port city. There the Romans called him Dusares. His worship was mostly centered around the Nabataean merchants who traveled to and living in the city.

Ka’ibah - Virgin / Maiden / Mother of Dhu’Shara / Goddess of the Cube (Kaaba)

“Dhat Badan” by Marissa Longo. October 7, 2018. Acrylic Paint on Canvas. Etsy Print | Blog Post about Dhat Badan

Dhat Badan (Dhat-Bada, Dhatu Ba’dan) may have also been known as Dhat-hami. She was worshiped in what is now modern day Yemen and Ethiopia by the Himyarite Arabs. Worship of Dhat Badan spread to Somalia as well. Dhat Badan is a goddess of nature, oasis and the wilderness. She rules over the wet season and natural forces. Her worship was held at tree-circled pools.

we should make all our PSAs sarcastic

Arabian Mythology at Wikipedia

Arabian Paganism, Wathanism

Arabia Antica, Pre-Islamic Arabia

Middle Eastern Archaeological News

Al-Muqaddas, an Arabian Blog

Arabian polytheism is sometimes called Wathan or Wathanism, and finding sources related to it can indeed be difficult on occasion. The Wikipedia page has lists of different entities, both deities and spirits. While you should not take Wikipedia’s information at face value, better resources can often be found in the footnotes where there are sources, references, and similar listed.