As a writer, inspiration can come from anywhere, and researching your chosen subject can be a useful tool. When creating a new world, researching geographical maps and landmarks is a good place to start. When developing events in said world, looking into historical events is a perfect way to build out the world’s history. And when crafting a brand new religion, it’s fun to research deities.
Below are some gods and goddesses from different cultures around the world themed after autumn (or as we say in the States, the fall).
Modron: Welsh Earth Mother Goddess
Modron is known as the harvest and fertility goddess. She centers on and is the celebration of the autumn equinox.
- Fun Fact: The symbols associated with Modron are grain, nuts, leaves, acorns, wreaths, apples, grapes, wine, gourds, cornucopia, and marigolds.
- Why I like Modron: I honestly love the symbols associated with this goddess—apples, grapes, gourds—it’s the perfect personification of fall!
Eurus/Euros: Greek Wind God
East wind Eurus/Euros is one of the four directional Anemoi (Wind-Gods). He was associated with the season of autumn and was thought to bring warm rains.
- Fun Fact: Eurus/Euros and the south wind late-summer-early fall god Notos/Notus would often clash.
- Why I like Eurus/Euros: The Wind-Gods are particularly fascinating to me, especially since there is such an overlap between them. I liked learning how Notos and Euros would clash, late summer and fall. Super interesting and also completely understandable!
Goddess Saraswati: Hindu Goddess of Wisdom
Saraswati is a goddess of wisdom, music, art and knowledge. She is one of the female trinity of gods, and wife of Brahma, the creator. She’s also known as Sharada (or the one who loves the autumn season).
- Fun Fact: All the Hindu gods and goddesses have unique animals in the form of their vehicles. In the female trinity, Saraswati rides a swan because a swan is the cleverest of animals.
- Why I like Saraswati: I want a swan friend. Plain and simple.
Pachamama: Incan Earth Goddess
Pachamama was a dragoness fertility goddess who oversaw planting and harvesting. She lived beneath the mountains, and occasionally when she feels disrespected, she quivers and causes earthquakes.
- Fun Fact: Her name translates as Pacha, meaning world, land, earth, universe; and Mama, meaning Mother, so she’s the Mother of the World.
- Why I like Pachamama: As someone who lives in Alaska—a place where we get hundreds of minor earthquakes every year—it’s fun to think of them as a goddess shivering. But does that mean we’re disrespecting her? Gotta go plant a tree, brb!
Báidì: Chinese West Deity
One of the Five Deities that relate to the five constellations, phases of creation, mountains, and dragons, he’s the White Deity. He’s Sh?ohào and is the god of metal and autumn.
- Fun Fact: His animal form is the White Dragon, and his stellar animal is the tiger.
- Why I like Báidì: Look at his fun facts! His animal form is a WHITE DRAGON and his stellar animal is a TIGER. So, so, so cool.
There you go! If you’re looking to start a new religion in your new fantasy world and need a deity associated with fall, glean some inspiration from some of these! I certainly did.
Title image by Couleur.
Richard Marpole
Jennie Ivins