The Goddess Discordia

   A plate depicting the Greek

    Goddess ERIS from 520 BC

               ~Wikipedia

 

 

 

 

Does it seem to you that the world seems more mixed up – that there is more discord? Have you ever wondered where the concept of discord originated? Some think it stems from the crucifixion of Jesus. However, mythology tells stories of a Roman Goddess called Discordia. These records date back to 600 BCE. Her name means “disagreement” in the strongest possible way. In the military, this type of disagreement would be a mutiny or seditious activity. The Goddess who is in opposition to Discordia is called “Concordia” who happens to be the Goddess of Harmony.

Discordia was known for her warlike and aggressive behaviour. She is known as a vicious opponent during battles between the gods and goddesses, or between mortals. She aided both sides in war and was joyful in the pursuit of disharmony. Virgil writes that in her “down time” the Goddess hung out with the Goddess Bellona (a war goddess) and the God Mars (the god of war).

Mythology compares Discordia to the Greek Goddess Eris (who is the Goddess of Strife). History/mythology attributes the start of the Trojan War to the Goddess Eris. Eris was not invited to very important Greek wedding because of her affinity with discord. Still, Eris showed up at the wedding location. However, she was kept out of the festivities. In her anger, Eris disrupted the wedding by tossing a golden apple on which she had inscribed “To The Most Beautiful”. These words stoked high emotion and ego in the Gods/Goddesses and mortals at the wedding. The conflict caused a man by the name of Paris to abduct Helen of Sparta, and incidentally, start the Trojan War.

If you are experiencing high discord in your life, perhaps you have invited the Goddess Discordia to be part of your environment. A gentle way to un-invite this goddess is to do a simple thank you ceremony and ask her to return to her place of power where you may call upon her again, should you require her assistance.

Since periods of great change, such as the present one, come so rarely in human history, it is up to each of us to make the best use of our time to help create a happier world.

~ Dali Lama ~

© May 2008 Judith Hirst-Joyeux. Judith is a Sage-Healer-Shaman who works with the Goddesses and Gods, Great Spirit, and angelic realms to move quickly to the source of issues or blocks and helps the client shift the blocks to begin their own healing process.