The Birth of a Goddess - Brita of the Clean Water!

Goddess Brita by artist Cary Stringfield

Two days after the September full moon, you might have felt something shifting: the hint of humidity on your skin, the scent of rain, an almost inaudible tinkling giggle, a sudden desire for a cool drink of water. These were the first stirrings of a new goddess being born into the world: Brita, Goddess of Clean Water.

Brita’s Past

She was conceived in The Before Times – the pre-pandemic months of 2020 – when a diverse group of spiritual seekers gathered at the Labyrinth Temple in Oklahoma City for an American Gods-inspired exploration of how gods of the past relate to our current age. While springs and wells were immensely important to the survival of pre-modern peoples around the world and their spiritual and magical significance is easy to understand historically, they are not part of our everyday experience now. Even though I have well water at my home, my experience of the well is much different and perhaps less personal than that of pre-modern peoples. Water itself, however, remains just as critical as ever. And so we pondered what a goddess of clean water might be like if she appeared today.

The name Brita of the Filtered Water was suggested. There was giggling – a giggling of humor, of possibility, of true intentions of hope for places like Flint, Michigan, neglected Reservations, foreign countries, our own friends & neighbors. A giggle of conception. Everyone giggled that night. Even Brita.

Brita’s Present

Friday, September 4th, Brita was invoked in her own ritual. “Hold up,” you might say, “can you even *do* that? Who says you can have a new goddess at all?” There are some schools of thought that say it is possible. There are some that say it isn’t. I’m not here to promote any particular beliefs or metaphysics. I’m here to say that this whole process from re-imagining deities to performing a ritual for Brita was a useful and powerful experience for those involved.

This water healing ritual was designed by Priestess Emmah Eastwind of the Labyrinth Temple for the September Full Moon. We gathered in our masks and carefully spaced chairs inside the labyrinth as dusk deepened into night. We honored the quarters with cups of water and Sarah Sage invoked the Goddess in her own words:

“Child of the Fresh Waters! We welcome a new North American Goddess to our circle. Brita, we name you!

Granddaughter of ancient Sumerian God of freshwater, Apsû—primordial, the first, the begetter.

Daughter of Atabey, Caribbean Goddess of earth, fresh water, and fertility – she who represents the Earth Spirit and the Spirit of all horizontal water, lakes, streams, the sea, and the marine tides.

Brita, Pride of her Ancestors, purified by the Earth, flowing clean and clear through charcoal – maker of diamonds. She, too, is precious like the gemstone – shimmering, sheer delight. She blesses us, washes away negativity, freshens, and refreshes us inside and out. We splash and play, celebrating her youthful babbling. We thank you, Brita for joining us in circle tonight.

Merry Meet, Brita!”

Each person approached Brita in the center to receive healing by washing their hands in a poured stream of filtered water while the rest were led in chant by Emmah, haltingly at first as befits the birth pangs of a goddess, but strong and clear when the last person finished.

“Brita of pure, clean water
Wash us and we shall renew
Aid our healing, ease our cares
Strengthen each of us anew”

Some people felt calmed by the experience, some loved, some invigorated. Each received what they needed. It was… magical.

Brita at the Labyrinth Temple

Brita’s Future

The image of Brita created by Cary Stringfield sits on the altar at the Temple. We can honor her by approaching the clean water we have with gratitude and not taking it for granted, or by donating to organizations dedicated to increasing access to clean water on this continent or around the world, or by contributing to political action in places where clean water is threatened or unavailable. Or perhaps we can honor her in smaller ways like keeping our ice maker free of mold and cleaning or changing what water filters we use. She is a goddess of the 21st century so invent new ways to honor her! Thank a water treatment facility employee. Make a blog post. She is currently a child goddess, spritely and fun-loving. Play in your bathwater. Dedicate bubbles to her. 😀

Who knows what her future holds. Will we still honor her in 5 years? Will she be remembered in 50 years? 500? Whether she is still honored as Brita or returns in another form through whatever fates affect goddesses, water will continue to be integral to our survival.

So for now, HAIL BRITA!