Masculine/butch Goddesses?

[Saint Frankenstein]

Okay, so I know that there's a ton of Gods, even in my own tradition (Greco-Roman), who are feminine and androgynous, but what about Goddesses who gender bend? Does anyone know of any Goddesses who are more masculine, transform into men at times, etc.?

I ask this because I'm a female to male transsexual and it would be cool to know of some deities I can relate to on that level, as a trans man.

 

[Sees]

Don't know of any off-hand...I think war/warrior Goddesses will probably be closest.

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

The closest I can think of is Artemis who is a hunter, a warrior and whose behaviour would fit into what most patriarchal cultures consider 'masculine'. Of course there are more stereotypically genteel, feminine goddesses like Aphrodite or Hera who each have a violent side too.

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

Okay, so I know that there's a ton of Gods, even in my own tradition (Greco-Roman), who are feminine and androgynous, but what about Goddesses who gender bend? Does anyone know of any Goddesses who are more masculine, transform into men at times, etc.?

I ask this because I'm a female to male transsexual and it would be cool to know of some deities I can relate to on that level, as a trans man.

The Hindu Goddess, Durga Maa is one tough warrior. Not androgynous, per say, but takes on a fierce, more masculine role as a fighter. Plus she's often depicted riding a male lion....like a boss

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

The Hindu Goddess, Durga Maa is one tough warrior. Not androgynous, per say, but takes on a fierce, more masculine role as a fighter. Plus she's often depicted riding a male lion....like a boss

She is pretty awesome. Respect to Her.

 

[Riverwolf]

Not off the top of my head... there should be, though.

 

[vaguelyhumanoid]

I was reading an article (http://www.goddess-athena.org/Athenaeum/Psychology/Athena/The_androgyny_of_Athena.htm) about Athena as an androgynous goddess, being called both Parthenos (signifying an innocent female virgin) and Pallas (which typically refers to a robust young man).

 

[Liu]

Inanna (later Ishtar, Astarte, etc.), the Sumerian goddess of war and sexuality, was said to also appear in a male form, and to be able to transform males into females, and females into males.

There even was a sculpture found in an Ishtar temple at Mari of a very female looking musician with a male name who is assumed to have been a priest of her - that at least would imply that people of nondual gender had some way of being integrated into society at that time, but it of course is unproven. Normally, devotees chose a deity of the opposite sex as their main deity in Sumeria.

Then there are goddesses (and similar) who are "masculine" in that sense that they insist on having the active part in sexual intercourse, especially Lilith, and also Kali. I take it that you already know those two well enough.

And, not exactly a goddess, but I recall some Norse saga where a woman inherits the reign over their country from her father or husband and from then on gets referred to with male pronouns and acts as a male (but retains the female name). I don't remember the details.

Being genderqueer myself (born female), I think this topic might be of inspiration for me as well.