Raqasa

Depicted as a belly dancer, she is a goddess of fertility, allure and desire. Raqasa teaches that longing is a power meant to be used. Her veil both reveals and withholds, reminding supplicants that consent is the first rite of love. Her devotees are keepers of thresholds—matchmakers, midwives, and tutors of festival etiquette—charged to protect the willing and silence the coercive drum.

Her myths braid fruitfulness with grace. She sways beside parched orchards and the trees bud; she stamps a rhythm and the ewes quicken; she circles a grieving home and the will to live returns. Once, she danced before a tyrant’s army until their spears slipped from open hands, and the campaign ended in betrothals and treaties. Offerings are pomegranates split like laughter, copper bells, kohl mirrors, saffron, and vows spoken plainly.

Devotees keep the Night of Anklets: lamps of myrrh and rose are set in windows, couples renew their covenants, and the barren ask her mercy. Celibates also dance—turning allure toward art and service—because Raqasa blesses chosen restraint as surely as a union.