Mayari Moon Story

M A Y A R I 

/ Malyari / Mallari - Goddess of the Moon

There are many different versions of this story (due to the many islands of the Philippines) however, this is the Tagalog version I’ve heard of most:

Bathala (the Supreme Being/Creator of everything) fell in love and had children with a mortal woman - Apolaki, God of the Sun; Mayari, Goddess of the Moon; Tala, Goddess of the Stars, and Hanan, Goddess of Dawn.

The story goes that Bathala passed away without announcing an heir. When Apolaki wanted to reign alone and have absolute power, Mayari on the other hand wanted a shared sovereign between them. Apolaki denied, and so they fought each other using bamboo sticks until Apolaki struck Mayari in the face and she lost one eye. Realising what he’s done to his sister, Apolaki was burdened by guilt and agreed to reign with Mayari, but during different times of the day. 

Apolaki soon became whom we know today as the “Sun”, who provides warm bright light during the day, while Mayari, the “Moon”, rules every night with a gentle light; soothingly dimmer due to the loss of her eye. 

Even though Mayari lost an eye, she is still regarded as the most beautiful of all the Goddesses. It sets a reminder to us that we are Divine and beautiful through all of our phases. It reminds me also as a woman, that we are so multifaceted - we can be gentle AND strong, ‘flawed’ AND sacred, and should not submit to spaces that require us to feel small or less than.

Mayari also represents revolution, combat, strength and war. 

 

Goddess Mayari as an Ancient Guide

The following extract is taken from my Kapwa Tarot Deck which was created by artist, educator, healer & activist Jana Lynne Umipig: 

‘Mayari is the guardian of the Moon, and the Moon herself. She is the protector and holder of the shadows. She reminds us that we are both Light and Shadow beings and one is not to be Love and cherished more than the other. Mayari is a Goddess who is calm and nurturing in her Loving nature, she understands the tenderness that is needed to be in the company of shadows. She holds truth in the deep lessons that our shadows teach us and is asking you to take the time to hold them, to listen to them as they will guide you through a transformation that will ask your heart space to be opened...’

There are many reasons why I decided to name this venture after the Goddess Mayari. One which is that I have always been pulled to the Moon as a child... Finding comfort staring up at her, and even now as an adult, my creative ideas often flourish during her reign at night.

Since she also represents Revolution, I feel highly resonated with her essence in my current journey of healing; of starting my own revolution WITHIN, as I believe that there is an external and internal world to decolonize from... There is so much to learn, and educating myself about Philippines' indigenous history, and our spiritual figures and practices, are parts of the inner work we must do that has no end line. 

... One day, I'd love to pass on this creative legacy and healing to my future children... And if I am blessed to have a daughter, I always thought of giving her a Tagalog name... 'Mayari'.