Mawu
The West African Goddess of Creation and Balance
Gemstone: Moonstone
Attributes: Moonstone, with its soft luminescence, mirrors Mawu’s nurturing energy, wisdom, and connection to cosmic balance. It enhances inner peace, intuition, and the ability to embrace change with grace.
Manifestation Point: Harmony and Renewal
Affirmation: "I move with grace and harmony, embracing the cycles of life."
Beneath the silver glow of the moon, where the night hums with whispered wisdom, dwells Mawu, the celestial goddess of creation, balance, and renewal. She is the quiet force of the universe—the gentle yet powerful deity revered by the Fon people of Benin, Togo, and Ghana.
The Moon Goddess and the Weaving of the Cosmos
Mawu is the goddess of the moon, symbolising rest, wisdom, and the nurturing force of life itself. She is often paired with her twin and counterpart, Lisa, the god of the sun, action, and strength. Together, they embody the eternal duality—night and day, feminine and masculine, intuition and power, wisdom and will. Their dance across the heavens mirrors the cosmic order, ensuring that the world remains in a state of harmony.
Mawu’s soft moonlight brings gentleness and healing, a reprieve from the unrelenting fire of Lisa’s sun. It is said that she drapes the world in her cool radiance, whispering dreams to those who seek guidance, wrapping them in the embrace of divine understanding.
Symbols of Mawu
Mawu’s presence is often associated with:
The Moon – A beacon of serenity and spiritual guidance
Serpents – Representing cosmic wisdom and the cycle of life
Cool Water – A source of healing and emotional clarity
White Cloth – Symbolising purity, peace, and divine connection
She is revered by women, healers, and those seeking alignment with nature’s rhythms.
The Creator of Life and the Guardian of Balance
Mawu and the Sacred Feminine
As a goddess, Mawu embodies the divine feminine in its most complete form—she is the mother, the nurturer, the wise one who restores balance when the world tilts into chaos. She is the protector of women, watching over their journeys through life, motherhood, and spiritual awakening. Those who call upon Mawu seek her blessings in times of uncertainty, drawing strength from her wisdom and the assurance that peace will always follow the storm.Mawu and the Sacred Feminine
As a goddess, Mawu embodies the divine feminine in its most complete form—she is the mother, the nurturer, the wise one who restores balance when the world tilts into chaos. She is the protector of women, watching over their journeys through life, motherhood, and spiritual awakening. Those who call upon Mawu seek her blessings in times of uncertainty, drawing strength from her wisdom and the assurance that peace will always follow the storm.
Beyond her celestial presence, Mawu is the great creator, shaping the very foundations of the earth. According to legend, she fashioned the world with her hands, sculpting mountains, rivers, and forests with careful precision. Yet, she did not act alone. She worked alongside Aido Hwedo, the cosmic serpent, who carried the weight of creation upon its back.
Once the world was formed, Mawu breathed life into its being, crafting humans, animals, and the vibrant ecosystem that pulses with vitality. She is the origin of abundance and fertility, ensuring that nature thrives, crops flourish, and the circle of life continues unbroken.
A Goddess of Renewal and Harmony
Mawu teaches that balance is not a rigid force but a fluid dance, an ever-evolving rhythm between giving and receiving, action and reflection, movement and stillness. She reminds us that strength lies in knowing when to shine and when to rest, when to forge ahead and when to surrender to the natural flow of existence.
To wear a piece inspired by Mawu is to carry the essence of harmony, creation, and divine wisdom—a reminder that the universe is woven with balance, and within you lies the power to shape your own world.
Caring for Moonstone Jewellery
To keep Moonstone’s energy aligned with Mawu’s divine wisdom:
Avoid Harsh Sunlight: Prolonged exposure may weaken its glow.
Cleanse with Water: Gently rinse under running water to maintain its vibrancy.
Recharge Under the Moon: Place under moonlight overnight to restore its energy.
Manifesting with Moonstone
To connect with Mawu’s energy of balance and renewal, use Moonstone in a manifestation ritual:
Cleansing the Stone: Charge Moonstone under the full moon to align it with Mawu’s energy.
Setting Intentions: Hold the stone and visualise your life coming into balance, with harmony between work and rest, giving and receiving.
Daily Affirmation: Carry or wear Moonstone while reciting:
"I move with grace and harmony, embracing the cycles of life."Water Ritual: Place Moonstone in a bowl of water infused with herbs or flowers and meditate on its cooling, calming energy, allowing stress and imbalance to dissolve.
Poem for Mawu
A silver glow, a whispered breeze,
A voice that calms the restless seas.
She shapes the earth, she paints the sky,
A goddess old, yet standing high.
In balance found, her wisdom bright,
She moves with peace, both dark and light.
Mawu’s gift, both soft and strong,
A world in tune, where all belong.
Why Mawu Inspires Us
Mawu reminds us that life is a balance of opposing forces—light and dark, action and stillness, expansion and reflection. She teaches us that harmony is not about perfection, but about flowing with the natural cycles of existence.
Her energy encourages us to embrace rest without guilt, to honour the wisdom of the night, and to trust that all things find balance in time.
By calling on Mawu’s guidance, we learn to restore equilibrium in our lives, nurture ourselves, and honour the sacred dance of opposites.
