My InstaDiary, including Goddess Ala, Photos from the WeVolve Box, Seeds of Intention Kit.
Ala, Igbo Goddess
Our Goddess of Imagination, Creativity & Fertility
Affirmation: I spread happiness everywhere I go.
Abiola’s Goddess Lesson: Can you imagine feeling unburdened by baggage? What if you used your thoughts to rehearse victories instead of defeats? You would experience much more happiness if you were willing to forgive yourself or others. Rejoice in this thought with the inspired spirit of Ala, Igbo goddess of creativity.
About Goddess Ala, From Wikipedia:
Ala (also known as Ani, Ana, Ale, and Ali in varying Igbo dialects) is the female Alusi (deity) of the earth, morality, fertility and creativity in Odinani. She is the most important Alusi in the Igbo pantheon. In Odinani, Ala rules over the underworld, and holds the deceased ancestors in her womb. Her name literally translates to ‘Ground’ in the Igbo language, denoting her powers over the earth and her status as the ground itself. Ala is considered the highest Alusi in the Igbo pantheon. Ala’s husband is Amadioha, the sky deity.
As the goddess of morality, Ala is involved in judging human actions and is in charge of Igbo law and customs known as ‘Omenala’. Taboos and crimes among Igbo communities that are against the standard of Ala are called nsọ Ala. All ground is considered ‘Holy land’ as it is Ala herself. With human fertility, Ala is credited for the productivity of the land. Ala’s messenger and living agent on earth is the python (Igbo: éké), which is especially revered in many Igbo communities. In art, Ala is often represented as a regal figure seated on a throne, surrounded by her family. In the past, such figures took the form of life-size mud sculptures in special festive shrines dedicated to the deity and known as Mbari.
It is said that if a person commits a taboo in a community, that they have also desecrated or insulted Ala as the abomination (called ajo njo or Aru Ala, Alu Ani) was committed on her earth. Ala is also responsible for many aspects of Igbo society, and guardianship of women and children in general. She is often depicted with a small child in her arms and her symbol is the crescent moon. It is believed that the souls of the dead reside in her sacred womb. All in the community have to respect Ala as everybody lives on ala, the earth. It was sometimes believed that Ala could swallow you up into the underground.
Ala is still worshiped by the Igbo of Nigeria and is annually paid homage to during the Yam festival.
“Every word is an affirmation or prayer. With every word you speak you are casting a spell over your life. What is that spell saying? Is it saying that you are beautiful, funny, talented, creative and lovable? Is it saying that you are stupid, a loser, an idiot, poor and not enough?
We fear rejection but we reject ourselves more than anyone. We fear criticism but we say things to ourselves that we wouldn’t dare say to our worst enemies.”
-Excerpt from The Sacred Bombshell Handbook of Self-Love, (c) 2014
