NAME: Chuang-Mu, Lady of the Bed Chamber. Also Ch'uang-Mu, Ch'ang-Mu,
Chuangmu.
SYMBOLS: The items found in a standard Chinse bedroom.
USUAL IMAGE: A Chinese woman in traditional robes, often predominantly
red, seated to the left of a traditionally dressed Chinese man.
AREAS OF INFLUENCE: The bedroom in all it's aspects, sleep, sex,
childbirth, recovery from illness, rest.
HOLY DAYS: March 4th The Lantern Festival.
PLACE OF WORSHIP: In the home at small alter preferably in the bedroom.
RELATIVES: Chuang-Kong (Husband)
FORM OF WORSHIP: The proper maintenance of the bed chamber, prayers,
burning joss sticks, candles, gifts of tea, rice, fresh flowers & fruit.
SYNODEITIES: Aizen-Myoo (Japanese), Alpan (Estruscan), Ani (African),
Branwen (Celtic), Eostre (Celtic), Erzuli (Voodoo),=A0 Freya (Norse),
Hathor (Egyptian), Isis (Egyptian), Kama (Hindu God), Lakshmi (Hindu),
Radha (Hindu), Ratri (Hindu), Makosh (Slavic), Milda (Slavic), Omamama
(Amerindian), Oshun (Yoruban), Peruda (Incan), Suonetar (Finnish),
Tlazolteotl (Aztec), Venus (Roman), Aphrodite (Greek), Xochiquetzal
(Aztec), Maria Makiling (Philippines), Inanna / Ishtar (Mesopotamian.)
DETAILS: It's true that Chuang Mu could be called a love goddess,
presiding as she does with her husband Chuang Kong over the love making,
or just plain sex, depending on how practical and/or cynical you are in
your descriptions of such things, that takes place in the bedroom.
However thinking she's "merely" a goddess of love/sex would be a
mistake.
She isn't the sort of sex / love goddess, like say Venus for instance,
who might find herself in a trist with the God of war behind her
husband's back, Oh no! Chuang Mu is a sex goddess in only the most
proper and appropriate way.
Also known as the Lady of the Bedchamber, she oversees ALL aspects of
what goes on in the bedroom, which means, sleeping, resting, giving
birth, recovering from illness, dying, as well as having sex.
Let's say rather than a specialist, Chuang Mu is more of a muti-tasker.
Like many other Chinese household goddesses, she is one of a pair that
guards and aids all though the house, from the doorway, to the kitchen,
to bedroom.
As such her aid is sought in anything having to do with what goes on in
the bedroom, this is done via offerings and prayers at a small alter set
up in the house, or one just for she and her husband in the bedroom.
There offerings of tea, fresh flowers, rice, or fruit are made while
joss stick are burned, while at the same time the bedroom is kept clean
and in proper manner with sheets fresh, and changed, no discarded socks
or cheongsams lying about on the floor, and clutter kept under control.
After all Chuang Mu is not just a goddess, but also a part of a vast
bureaucracy that sees to all the details of existence. Where in the
stove or hearth God even makes a detailed report on on New Year's Day on
what went on in the household the previous year so the Jade Emperor can
decide if the people in that house are worthy of blessings in the new
year.
(Making the New Year's Day the one time of the year when you can get
away with ANYTHING while he's away making his report.)
However that is not all Chuang Mu does, during the yearly Lantern
Festival, the first holiday after the new year, she helps in securing
mates for those who don't have anyone to share a bedchamber with, after
all you can't do all that stuff the right way, if you don't have someone
to do it right with.
A very popular goddess over the years, modern times have however taken
their toll, as there are more than a few hotels and inns noted for being
haunted by Chuang Mu & Chuang Kong where they cause all manner of
trouble in the bedroom.
Perhaps a Taoist version of the Gideon society might start leaving a few
joss sticks in the bedside desk?
I mean ghosts are one thing, but who wants to fool around with a ticked
off Goddess in the room!
For images, and links go to
http://community-2.webtv.net/TheObsidianMask/Chuang_Mu/
or find the Chuang-Mu link at
The God/dess Of The Month Club:
http://community-2.webtv.net/magentashadow/GOMC/
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