Today's Goddess:  Dainichi-Nyorai

The Cleansing Lily ( Japan )

Themes:  Beauty; Cleansing; Protection; Spirituality; Weather

Symbols:  Lilies; Gold-colored items; Light

About Dainichi-Nyorai:  This light-bearing Goddess comes in answer to the Japanese people's prayers for sunlight.  Having all the sun's power, Dainichi-nyorai embodies pure goodness, her name meaning "great illuminator."  With this in mind, call upon this goddess at midyear to assist your quest for enlightenment and keep the road ahead filled with radiance.

To Do Today:  In Shinto tradition, today marks a time when people gather lilies as an offering to entreat the goddess to stop flooding rains.  This is really a form of weather magic.  If you need rain in your area, burn a lily; to banish rain, wave the lily in the air to move the clouds away!

It is customary to anoint one's hearth (the stove) today with lily (or any floral-scented) oil.  This welcomes Dainichi-nyorai in all her radiant goodness into the heart of your home and the hearts of all those who live there.  Wear something gold while doing this, or decorate your kitchen with a yellow or gold-toned candle.  When you light the candle, whisper Dainichi-nyorai' s name so she can live through that flame, warming every corner of your life.

By the way, if you feel adventurous, lily buds are edible; they have a nutty taste.  Try cooking them in butter and eating them to internalize all the positive energies of this festival and the Goddess.

By Patricia Telesco~ From "365 Goddess"  and GrannyMoon's Morning Feast