There’s a timeless lesson that readers of Rick Riordan and Rick Riordan Presents titles have learned time and time again: The more you get to know a particular ancient god or goddess, the less you feel the need to worship them.

Let’s face it, the more we see guys like Zeus and Odin in action, the more they just seem like the grumpy dad who lives down the street (albeit with the power to shoot lightning out of his fingers). That said, we do believe there are still a few divine entities out there worthy of our praise.

Is it a coincidence that they all happen to be women?

So, after you’ve properly praised the mortal women in your life and studied up on the lives of real-life trailblazing women from history, make sure you carve out some time this Women’s History Month to get to know the following goddesses from around the world:

Urvashi

As seen in the Pandava Quintet, Urvashi is, for many, the most unforgettable member of the Council of Guardians. Urvashi is renowned across the world for her staggering power, beauty, and impossibly high standards. It doesn’t matter which legendary hero you’re the reincarnation of. The only way to get on this aspara’s radar is to embark on a life-threatening quest to rescue all of his existence. Only after you return will she maybe, maybe let you enroll in her dance class.

Well, what are you waiting for? Our bags are already packed.

Asaase Yaa

Need help with a local vampire infestation within your community? Not to worry. Just call the Asaase Yaa, the earth goddess in Serwa Boateng’s Guide to Vampire Hunting.

All you need to do is head out to the woods, conduct a complication summoning ritual, and then wait for a few (or more) hours for Asaase Yaa to arrive with a practical solution. Or at least a few words of encouragement. Results may vary depending on whatever mood she’s in. Which mostly depends on how many social media followers she has amassed that day. Why not plan ahead and start following her now?

But nice comments only! Trust us, the only thing scarier than a bloodthirsty adze is an angry DM from the literal goddess of all living things.

Athena

Determining which goddess from the Greek pantheon to shout out wasn’t easy. Readers have been arguing over their own personal power rankings of these goddesses for centuries. And while we’re not in the business of pitting one woman against another, the pantheon has been fighting among themselves way longer than any of us lowly mortals have been alive.

At the end of the day, we have to show our praise for Athena. Because deep down, we all know that if the pantheon really did come to blows, Athena’s keen strategic mind and ruthless efficiency in battle would leave her as the last one standing. Argue all you want, but divine wisdom truly is the most powerful weapon of them all. And, as a close second, giant spears.

The Goddesses of the Gifted Clans

As mentioned in The Last Fallen Star, The Last Fallen Moon, and the upcoming The Last Fallen Realm, each of the six goddesses of the Gifted Clans serves as the patron of her own community of witches. For example, the Cave Bear Goddess is the patron of the Gom clan of healers. So far, she’s the only one we’ve really gotten to know personally.

Aside from CBG, we also have the Three-Legged Crow, Water Dragon, Moon Rabbit, Nine-Tailed Fox, and Mountain Tiger Goddesses. Unfortunately, if you’re a part of the gifted community, you don’t get to choose your clan. So, if your patron goddess turns out to be not quite as benevolent as you once thought, you’re out of luck.

Without going into too much detail, let’s just say that all those goddess fancams made by one of those clans have aged really poorly.

Ixkik’

Are we endorsing the actions of the Mayan goddess of the Blood Moon as seen in The Fire Keeper and The Shadow Crosser? Definitely not.

Can we deny her vast power and ruthless ambition? Also, definitely not.

Are we afraid of what would happen if we neglected to include her on this list? Especially because she can disguise herself as anyone and anything? And that if she had her way, she would travel back in time and remove all these other goddesses from existence, before effectively transforming March, and every other month of the year into Ixkik’ History Month?

. . . No comment.

Which goddesses are you planning to worship this month? Be sure to let us know!