12/1/10

Goddess of the Week: Gyhldeptis

Formosan Sika Deer, Cervus nippon taioanusImage via WikipediaDo you hear that? That wet sort of sucking sound that is pulling you into the frenzy of the holidays? Are you exhausted already? You need Gyhldeptis.

Gyhldeptis is a forest goddess of the Tlinget and Haida peoples of Western Canada and Southern Alaska. Here's her story:

Once there was this whirlpool that was making everyone insane. It was crazy spinning and whirling all over the place. It was tearing up forests. It was swallowing ships and people. It was a big mess and a big time suck because, obviously, it was messing with traffic, and NO ONE was doing anything about it because everyone was all, "Blah, blah, blah I'm so busy. I'm so tired. I'm so not even believing in the whole "whirlpool" political correctness conspiracy.

So, one day, Gyhldeptis does what any smart goddess would do: she has a party. She invites the ice, the mountains, the trees--all the big players in town--to a feast. She puts out a nice cheese spread, some wine. Butter. And when everyone's all nice and full she says, "Aren't you tired of that whirlpool? Isn't it exhausting just enduring it? Doesn't it mess with your nice mossy hair and your cool glacial smile?"

Everyone had to agree that the whirlpool was a big pain and that it was a total drag wondering if a big old swath of whirly-wet-wind was going to cut out a chunk of freeway thus prolonging your commute.

"Together," said Gyhldeptis, "I bet we could turn that whirlwind into a charming, picturesque stream. A really cute one with, like, salmon and frolicking deer."

And so they did!

Gyldeptis reminds us that whatever whirlwind threatens to unwound us, with the right support, we can turn it into a flowing stream. Icy and cold perhaps it will remain, but less overwhelming, less chaotic. And, this time of year in particular, what we really need is support, not chaos. So relax. Think: Flowing stream. Frolicking Deer. End of chaos.

Channel this goddess: When you are at the mall and you can't find parking, when you are cooking for 12 and you have no wine, when everybody wants to whirlwind you. Remember: Flowing stream. Frolicking deer. End of chaos.

Need a goddess: The queue is wide open! Make your holiday request today! It's free! And you need a goddess. Trust me. You do.
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18 comments:

Watson said...

I'm kind of embarrassed that-living for some years in the area of Haida Gwaii and along the West coast, this is the first time I've met Gyhldeptis. She is a great model for this Advent season.

Daisy's Barbara ...with no inclination to rush about at all.

Unknown said...

Perfect, yet again! I knew I needed something to calm the chaos and Gyhldeptis knows exactly how it needs done

Joanne said...

Is that frolicking little deer by any chance named Rudolph :)

Petrea Burchard said...

Gyhldeptis is pronounced "godhelpus," right?

Rois said...

How do you do this? Find all of these lovely ladies to wow us all with?

claire bangasser said...

Ah, thank you! I feel so much better knowing Gyhldeptis is here. I very much need her today in my apartment!
Thank you.

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

Very appropriate timing on this one, Margaret. I'm making an effort to not get sucked into the hype that is swirling around me and calling itself Christmas. :o)

Oh, and nice little injection of butter in this one too. Happy holidays! xo

Pasadena Adjacent said...

That mantra is hilarious. So is this post. So is that picture. Looks like a teletubby backdrop.

btw: I discovered my friend Mary is one of those people who drives off to the Monticlaire mall at mid-night every Black Friday. I was wondering (with disdain) what kind of person would show up at Kohls at 3 am. Now I know...sigh..and now I must rebuild our trust; got a goddess for that?

TheChieftess said...

I giggled out loud at the butter reference too!!! I like this Goddess...Any Goddess who can solve a major problem with a dinner party has my vote!!!

Bec said...

"when everyone wants to whirlwind you" - great description of my day so far! And a party with butter as a solution - love it.

Anonymous said...

How is Gyhldeptis on kitchen plumbing?

Stacey said...

I love her.

Petrea Burchard said...

It took me this long to realize "godhelpus" was the wrong thing to say on a goddess blog.

Margaret said...

Rois: I do a lot of Googling and look at a lot of books. Luckily, I like doing it.

PA: You got it!

AH: With help, she's got it covered.

Petrea: Everything you say is perfect. Apparently, it's pronounced Geel-deptis

Jean Spitzer said...

My computer has been (temporarily I hope)sucked into the whirlwind, but I'm forging ahead with a borrowed one.

Deer and stream; This is one i can do easily.

Shell Sherree said...

I'm thinking the cheese spread, wine and butter will go a long way towards helping.

Mairie said...

sounds like the Goddess for procrastinators as well - someone will do it but nobody does!

Susan Campisi said...

Okay, so I have to confess this was my third reading of this post - and I'm sure it won't be my last. Whenever I feel the stress level beginning to rise, I come back to read about Gyhldeptis. Ah, the calming force.