Goddess~A~Day

Mnajra (Malta)

Tesana

Symbols:  Dawn; Red; Fruit

About Tesana:  In Etruscan, Tesana means "dawn." As the first pink rays of light begin to reach through the darkness, Tesana is there, offering the hope of a better tomorrow and the warmth of a new day. Through her steadfast attendance, the earth and its people bear life and become fruitful.

To Do Today: Mnarja is the primary folk festival in Malta and orginated as an orange and lemon harvest celebration. The name Mnarja means "illumination," and all the ritual fires ignited today symbolically keep Tesana's fertility burning. So, light a candle this morning at dawn's first light to welcome Tesana and invoke her assistance. Choose the color of the candle to reflect your goal: pink for hope, white for beginnings (a clean slate), and green for growth or restoration. If you like, also carve an emblem of your goal into the wax, leaving the taper to burn until it just melts past the symbol (this releases the magick).

In a similar prolific tone, the customary food to encourage Tesana's fertility and continuing good harvests today is rabbit. If this isn't a meat you enjoy, make rarebit instead; this was substituted for costly rabbits in the Middle Ages.

By Patricia Telesco ~ From "365 Goddess"