Lady's Arrow
Traditionally, the Arrow is a feminine symbol, despite its suggestion of phallic shape. Gods often used hammers or swords, or some supernatural force (such as Zeus’ Thunderbolt). Meanwhile, ancient myth preserves descriptions of several goddesses known to have used the bow and arrow exclusively. Famous examples include the Greek moon goddess Artemis (the virgin huntress), and Skathi, a Norse giantess who travels across snowy plains on wooden skis. In Slavic myth, we have Devana, goddess of the hunt, wild animals, and forest, who is often considered an Eastern European equivalent to the aforementioned deities.
Often, the bow and arrow couples with hunting, as opposed to rather martial weapons such as swords, clubs, daggers, and axes. Perhaps the distinction between male bluntness or brute strength is contrasted with the more precise and delicate art of archery (which is not a good approach for close combat, but is excellent for striking at distant targets). The calm precision required to aim for distant targets would imply a connection to prophecy, visions, and divination; thus, women often occupied the role of seeress, witch and oracle. Their intuition is an arrow reaching across space and time and striking at distant realities.
In a grimoire known as the Lemegeton or Goetia, several spirits feature arrows in their sigils. Many authors have analyzed the similarities between the catalog of spirits listed in the Goetia and ancient pagan deities, including beings drawn from folklore such as mermaids, faeries, and elves. [Please consult Denerah Erzebet’s insightful analysis in A Star Called Winter, particularly Chapter 10.]
First, we have Sitri, who may not feature a bow and arrow in their sigil but has told us telepathically that the association to arrows is pertinent. This is “verified” by a description of their powers in the grimoire itself: “He enflameth men with Women’s love, and Women with Men’s love”. Thus, we have immediate associations with Cupid or Eros, the angel-winged boy who causes lust by launching enchanted arrows.
Leraikha or Leraje (undoubtedly pronounced in European fashion, thus “Lerayah”) is actually a female entity derived from goddesses such as Artemis or Skathi, although her psychic impression suggests a Celtic nature. Her colors are green and silver, often appearing clad in a green cloak, her grey eyes concealed beneath a large hood. Her face may display tribal tattoos, her hair may be red or rust colored and braided. She has connections to Queen Boudica and is apt to cause “all great battles and conquests”.
It appears Leraikha presented herself during the burning of Londinium in the year 60 CE, when Queen Boudica led her Iceni people in an uprising against the Roman conquest of Britain. The resistance was eventually outnumbered and crushed, but her valiant efforts are still impressed on the astral plane for those who wish to relive it.
Leraikha appears as an avatar of the goddess Andraste. Several deities survive through traces among spirits, thus allowing mystics to rediscover their true nature centuries later. In this case, Leraikha acts as a messenger or emissary, while Andraste chooses to remain known under her original name, which many have translated as “unconquerable”.
[Note: Artwork depicting Devana by Jolanta Jaworska]