Cult of Leþa

Leþa is one of the main deities in Mörkel mythology, specifically the Eilatogían Tradition, which originated in Eila'togía, the earliest kingdom on the Plain of Kings where many common features of Mörkel culture developed during the second century a.Dr. She's associated with fertility, agriculture and animal husbandry.
Leþa's one of the most popular deities in Mörkel religion along with the sun god Aþar, and her cult has largely assimilated or even replaced those of myriad fertility deities worshipped by Mörkels, with some of the latter only surviving as epithets signifying their original roles.

Rituals

Leþa is usually given offerings in form of libations, flowers or food, with the latter being displayed on an altar, then wrapped in sacred cloth and buried. Small figurines made from straw are offered to her as well at harvest time. Although some ceremonies are held outside, such as in sacred groves or fields, Leþa's priests and priestesses perform her most sacred rituals within temples, often decorated on the inside with mosaics and invariably have rooms above- and underground. Larger temples feature gardens where commoner can pray to the goddess.

by Lappalingur

Priest and priestess of Leþa giving offerings.

Mythology

In Eilatogían Tradition, Leþa is counted among the five primordial deities who created the world. She planted a seed at the center of the world, which became the Heaven Tree, whose canopy not only forms the sky, but the world's boundaries as well.

Appearance and attributes

Leþa is usually depicted wearing a green dress and a flower in her hair, while holding flowers, vegetables or bundles of grain in one hand and a young animal in the other. Her home is generally believed to be underground.

Related deities

Írkana

Írkana is a minor goddess of vegetables, particularly Darg Roots, though on the western Plain of Kings she's associated with nilla berries as well.

Leþa Sarúþí

Leþa Sarúþí is a goddess associated with an ancient stone statue, near Ett River, of a woman holding a bundle of grains. The statue is often visited by pregnant women, who offer libations to the goddess in hopes of safe childbirth.

Leþa Vúlnetí

Leþa Vúlnetí is a goddess primarily worshipped by the the Tenrans of Yfrigía, closely associated with the red lilies endemic to the area around the town of Enórtal. The lilies are said to have sprung from blood dripping from the goddess' wounds after fighting a silver giant. She's offered regular libations in a sacred grove to ensure bountiful harvest.

Vól

Vól is a god associated with spring and flowers. He's closely connected with Írkana, and was originally worshipped either as her male equivalent or twin brother before the spread of Leþa's cult.

Ötrar

Ötrar is the god of the river Óv which forms the western boundaries of the Plain of Kings. Depending on the tradition, he's either the son of Leþa and Erkar or was created by Leþa in response to Aþar creating the fire goddess Tanra.

Type

Religious, Cult

Parent Organization

Mörkel polytheism

Related Ethnicities

• Mörkels