Aia

Also known as: the Seedmother, light-footed Aia, Mother of Joy, the fierce Mother, First Beloved, Bringer of Spring
A member of the pantheon and one of the true gods of Genesis, Aia is the goddess of joy, love, and fertility, and is seen as a protector goddess, particularly of women and children. She's a dark-aligned goddess, and the lover of the god Riev.
According to myth, Aia was once a hunt/war goddess until her love for Riev convinced her to set down her bow. Because of this, she's thought to know and stand for love in all of its iterations; not just the romantic, idealistic version between lovers but also love that endures hardship, or a mother's fierce protective love for her family.

Depictions

Aia is typically depicted as a beautiful young woman with piercingly blue eyes, light brown skin and long dark hair. She's often shown in clothing that's a mix of hunter's leathers overlaid by flowing swathes of jewel-toned fabrics to show her mixed past and present, with a gold torque necklace, but is traditionally depicted barefoot with her feet in the soil. Depending on what side of her is being shown, she can be shown holding the bow of her past, or sprouting plants and the fruits of the harvest.
While many gods are depicted without showing their face, Aia is an exception. It's traditional for artists to model Aia's face after the woman in their life they love most dearly, whether that be a mother, sister, daughter, or lover.

Followers

Followers of Aia range greatly, as is to be expected of a goddess with such far-reaching scope. She's most commonly worshipped by women, particularly those who are or are trying to become pregnant, young couples and those seeking to find love. Additionally, she's often worshipped by farmers and those who work the land for her fertility aspects.
Priestesses and chosen of Aia seek to uplift those around them, and are sources of comfort and joy in any community they choose to call home. Temples to Aia exist in almost all towns and double as shelters for those without a loving home or fleeing an abusive relationship. Those who follow Aia train with a bow, and are fierce protectors; to harm one of her chosen is to invite the goddess's wrath and it's rare that the sanctity of her temples is breached.

Worship Practices and Holy Days

Aia asks little from her followers in terms of specific acts of worship; it's thought that all acts done in love are witnessed and valued by the goddess, which serve in lieu of formal prayer. Her followers will often wear pendants shaped like an arrowhead made of wood inlaid with gold, symbolizing their devotion. Farmers planting their fields will also plant an arrow point-down in the ground in the corner of the field to ask for Aia's favor for the coming harvest; similarly, planting an arrow next to the threshold of a house is a promise to harbor only love within in exchange for the goddess's blessing.
Rather than a specific day, Aia's sacred days are the first day of the planting and the last day of the harvest. She's also often celebrated on the day of a child's birth, as thanks for the safe delivery. Celebrations to Aia can range in scale from small to large and involve meals that gather the family or community to enjoy the abundance of the land and the sharing of happiness together.

Associated Mythology

THE SEEDLING BOW
wip

AIA
goddess of joy,
love, and fertility
dark-aligned