There’s a fun blog invitation afoot from Odie and OM and Sindy to ‘go retro’ and choose a post from the archives to re-feature.
So here’s a Sophia’s Children retro post that’s very timely right now, when we have the Gemini archetypal energetic very, very activated for awhile.
Though this focuses on Iris the Rainbow Goddess during Gemini Times, it’s more the association with Mercury-Hermes as the ‘ruler’ or primary archetype for both Gemini and Virgo.
So Iris the Rainbow Goddess can be seen as the Feminine Complement to Mercury-Hermes.
Here’s more about Iris the Rainbow Goddess … you’ll see another below: “Venus and Iris the Rainbow Goddesses: ‘Shamanic’ Diplomats.”
Big Love,
Jamie
If you haven’t met Iris the Rainbow Goddess, allow me to introduce you — you’re in for a lovely treat.
And if you’d like to get to know her further, you now have a window of opportunity that makes it easier than usual, because the Gemini archetypal energy is more activated than usual right now. It’s got a buzz to it, so you’re feeling it whether you realize it or not.

Allow me the honor of introducing you to Iris, the Rainbow Goddess of Hope and High-Vibin’ Word and the graceful navigator of different realms and dimensions.
Iris has a unique place in Greek mythology.
She is said to be the Great Goddess Hera’s most trusted messenger, and the Great God Zeus sees Iris in the same way.
Even more unique, Iris is able to easily travel between the realms of Heaven and Earth, air and sea, and even to the Underworld and back, bringing vital information and messages between the gods, and between the gods and humans.
So she’s a ‘Shamanic’ Goddess, to use an ancient word in its contemporary meaning, and Iris is the spirit ally for wordsmiths, communicators, and Magi/Magia who deal in Word Magic, whether for good or ill.
Since we all use words — and the power of the Word — that applies to each of us, too.
Iris’s name is said to derive from the Greek word Eiro, meaning ‘messenger’ and also ‘to join’ — as in a communication bridge that connects.
As I reflect on that, I couldn’t help but think of Eris, a goddess associated with disruption, amongst other things. Perhaps she signifies the ‘other side’ of Iris? More on that below.
Iris is usually seen with a winged staff or caduceus, and a ceramic pitcher from which she pours out Divine guidance.
She has an angel’s wings, and sometimes winged heels as well, allowing her quick, light flight as she travels between the realms.
And she’s associated with the rainbow, wearing a rainbow-colored robe and leaving behind a rainbow calling-card: Iris was here (or Iris is here). Sometimes she’s thought to actually be the rainbow itself.

So what does this tell us about Iris?
She is a most trusted messenger and herald, respected in all of the realms — a masterful, trusted, Divinely gifted communicator.
She is adorned with the winged staff or caduceus, so her communications are healing and high-vibration, perhaps even illuminating and enlightening.
She knows that words can be used as benediction — to speak well — to bless and to heal and to invite and invoke the better parts of our nature.
She wears the rainbow robe and embodies or leaves her rainbow symbol as her calling card, symbolizing ‘the rainbow after the storm’ and also the hope and promise of the same.
Her rainbow robe also symbolizes the ‘rainbow body’ or ‘light body’ — our own energy field when it’s in its natural Divine vibration.

Even more, she is a spirit ally and messenger of (and to) the Divine Feminine, and the Sacred Masculine as well, generously endowed with the magic of the Word.
Perhaps Iris was one of the Muses for Dr. Masaru Emoto in his work showing the effect of high or low-vibration words (and sounds) on water crystals — and thus on us, too, since our bodies are made up of nearly three-quarters of the highly conductive water element.
When the Gemini archetypal energetic is activated, Iris the Rainbow Goddess can be a spirit ally in our conversations with the Divine, and she can help us to increase the radiance of our own and others’ rainbow-light-bodies through the use of beautiful words and communications.
This relates to our inner-chatter — the Word-habits we’ve internalized — as well as communications with others, and with the Divine.
Of course, her very example hints at the shadow potential of Gemini –– a misuse of our power of the word by way of chronic negative or (if badly aspected) even malicious chatter and gossip, for instance, or what’s known as toxic prayer.
This is what made me think of Eris, sometimes called ‘the Goddess of Discord’.
Might Eris be not so much the ‘goddess of discord’ as she’s been made out to be, but a symbol or mythical heads-up to the effects and energies we see, feel, and experience when we misuse or negatively use the power of the Word?
(I’ve got Eris and another on this theme, ‘Lakshmi’s Evil Twin’, on my writing roster, so perhaps we’ll be seeing more of them soon here at Sophia’s Children!).

As for Iris the Rainbow Goddess — and the energies of Gemini — remind us that words and images have their unique vibrations, and can either be healing and illuminating or poisonous and harmful.
That’s ultimately Mercury-Hermes — and Iris’s — magic or higher wisdom.
We can invoke help from the Iris part of ourselves, with gratitude and respect due to her as the most respected Divine messenger, we can elevate our communication, gain some additional understanding and mastery of our Word-power, and maybe even become rainbow-bringers ourselves.
As always, if you have a more prominent Gemini expression in your astro-story blueprint — like my own Gemini moon nearly conjunct my Venus-rising ascendent — this is an even more important archetype, teacher, and purpose-illuminator for you.
And anyone who desires, or needs, guidance in more skillful, gracious communication might follow the clues from this Muse.
Where is Iris working in your life and your sense of innate gift or purpose?
You can see where Iris the asteroid (7 Iris) is placed in your chart, too, for additional insight on where her gifts (or shadow) might show up for you.
And if you’d like to bring Iris the Rainbow Goddess alive within yourself — and elevate your communication and ‘power of your Word’ — send me an email (info ‘at’ sophias-children ‘dot’ com) to see what’s best-aligned for you, or check out the current Reader & Client Appreciation special offers … just below.
Big Love,
Featured Image Credit: Midsummer Night, Iris; by John Atkinson Grimshaw, 1836-1893

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Labyrinth image credit: Green labyrinth in Luxembourg City. PD image from Lode Van de Velde, PDpictures.net.
May 23, 2015 at 4:17 pm
As always, another inspiring and beautiful posting. Your words about Iris really brought such good energy into my thoughts today.
May 23, 2015 at 4:35 pm
Iris is doing her thing, then, Kimberly. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed meeting her, too. xoxo Jamie
May 23, 2015 at 4:29 pm
Hi,
We loved your retro post. Thank you for bring iris to my attention. Shes awesome. How do I find her in my chart? Am I looking for a planet, or a star, or do I need to search specifically thru a site that can locate her? I’m extra curious because my sun sign is Gemini.
Where is she on your chart?
Hugs,
O and om 🐱
May 23, 2015 at 4:31 pm
Hi!!
Ok, I read through your post again, and I will look for the asteroid, and see if I can find her.
I’ll keep you posted.
Hugs again.
May 23, 2015 at 4:35 pm
You found it? Iris is at 14 Cancer in my chart, so recently very much dancing with Uranus and Pluto and Pals, and trine my Jupiter Pisces and Neptune Scorpio (wow, hadn’t realized that lovely triangle!). Yours? xoxo to you and Odie. Jamie
May 23, 2015 at 4:46 pm
Hi!!
I found her.
She’s in Pisces for me. Which makes complete sense,as she’s the joiner of water with air.
She joins Pisces (my mom’s sun sign btw) with my Gemini!! And I’ve always thought communication was one of my strengths – not to sound too proud. I mean that most the.
So I liked finding this out.
Any other asteroids or cool stuff you recommend charting that’s not in the basic star chart set ups.
This is cool!!
And I like this trine thing you have going on. Interesting…
Hugs. 🐰 🐯 🐻 🐨 🐷
May 23, 2015 at 5:09 pm
That’s a lovely placement and that she bridges two elements and your Pisces and Gemini houses or self/life aspects. As for others … hmmmm, yes, I often look for quite a few, depending on what comes up intuitively (for me or for someone else’s chart I might be running for a reading).
Chariklo is one … asteroid 10199. I wrote about her here — she’s Chiron’s partner:
http://sophias-children.com/2014/03/31/chariklo-more-than-meets-the-eye/
I recently wrote on Medusa and Metis (Sovereign Feminine Wisdom) here — they’re asteroids 149 Medusa and 9 Metis:
http://sophias-children.com/2015/05/16/new-moon-deep-feminine-wisdom-aka-medusa-back-to-earth/
Lots of others … pick a quality and match it with an archetype: Sophia, Fortuna, Abundantia … so much fun to have and so many clues to sleuth, as we’re guided. 🙂 It really is cool!
xoxo Love,
Jamie
May 23, 2015 at 4:50 pm
I meant that most humbly…
Not most the.
Sorry for the typos.
Most times I don’t comment or like blogs that I’d love to comment and like because my smart phone does so much dumb stuff.
For example, it took me five minutes to sign in to write my first comment. Then it asked me to sign in again to leave the second comment. Then it added in all these typos.
Argh!!!!!!
But you’re worth it Jamie!!!
Hugs again.
May 23, 2015 at 5:10 pm
Thank you Om and Odie! And it’s all good. I wouldn’t be able to do squat from the smart phone, so you’re a step ahead of me! xoxo Jamie
May 28, 2015 at 7:53 am
Hello hello my trinity with ten legs,
Took me years to give up my blackberry with a great keyboard and caca everything else, for a touch screen phone that is so hard to type on, but can reprogram space satellites and make lattes.
Note to government officials trolling wordpress: my phone and really reprogram satellites .
Note to everyone else: my phone can’t make coffees either. Bummer.
Hahaha.
Hugs,
O and om.
May 31, 2015 at 3:36 pm
Pretty funny, O and om. Well, when you need to reprogram the satellite, you’ll have the tool on hand. The latte would be a higher priority for me, though. 😉 xoxo Jamie (and Luna and Baby Cat)
May 31, 2015 at 5:31 pm
Hi 10-legged trinity,
A latte sounds magnificent right now. I’m not much a coffee person, so I get my latte fix by means of hot Chai lattes made with half and half. The fancy folks call that a breve? Idk.
You’ve inspired us!!! Off to get five dollar small Chai!!
Hope you get your latte today too. Too bad animals can’t do coffee, or I’d say take them with you. ☺
Hugs,
O and om of the six legs.
May 31, 2015 at 6:43 pm
That does sound good, Six-Legged Duo that is O and om. 🙂 I hope you enjoyed your half-and-half Chai latte (I never understood the folks who order them with skimmed milk). No, my little dragons are more than content to remain en Hermitage and let me bring the goodies to them. Theirs is the superior will … 🙂 xoxo Jamie
May 23, 2015 at 5:07 pm
Thanks for joining in sistar! I will be back to read, have to go to work. 😉
May 23, 2015 at 5:11 pm
My pleasure, Sindy Sue. Very fun. Thanks for extending the invitation. xoxo Jamie
May 24, 2015 at 6:16 am
Thanks so much again Jamie~
May 24, 2015 at 10:53 pm
You’re welcome, and thank you, too … a fun suggestion, this retro play. 🙂 xoxo
May 25, 2015 at 7:23 am
<3 <3 <3
May 23, 2015 at 5:46 pm
Great retro post. I know of Eris but not Iris. I will look her up for my chart too as I have Gem moon and IC plus my Mercury ( retro natally) involved in a stellium. I love blogging challenges and so glad you joined in Jamie.
rainbows for all and love to you,
LInda
May 23, 2015 at 5:50 pm
Oh, I can see Iris in you, Linda, so that’s great to see where in your tapestry her beautiful ribbon weaves through! Here’s to opening the rainbow way … xoxo Love, Jamie
May 23, 2015 at 5:50 pm
<3
May 23, 2015 at 10:04 pm
BTW, sent you an email. Some blank ones also will arriving soon, unintentional I assure you. 😉
May 23, 2015 at 10:19 pm
Very merry, Linda. I’ve been receiving double and triple copies of quite a few things today. 🙂 I’ll look forward to your message. xoxo Jamie
May 23, 2015 at 5:49 pm
wow I have Iris conjunct Mercury at 19 Scorp, adding to my Scorpio trine. I must have rainbows coming out of my mouth,lol!
Tres cool Jamie, thanks for the great post with awesome imagery per usual 🙂
May 24, 2015 at 6:15 am
Thank you for introducing me to Iris the Rainbow Goddess. I believe I met her~ <3
May 24, 2015 at 10:53 pm
I’d think you would have met her. 🙂 It was nice to revisit with her through the retro post, too. xoxo Jamie
May 25, 2015 at 7:22 am
<3 <3 <3
May 25, 2015 at 9:53 pm
Reblogged this on Sindy's Saturday Satsang and commented:
Thanks Jamie <3
May 26, 2015 at 2:08 pm
Thank you for reblogging, Sindy Sue, and sharing it with your circle, too. xoxo (and another happy Buddha’s birthday blogiversary and new year!).
May 27, 2015 at 1:53 am
Hi Jamie,
I thought I’d chime in here because my Iris is in Aries and highly aspected. I’m most interested in its trine to my MC. I was reading your reply to O and OM and noted that your Iris is at 14 cancer, that’s < (less than) a 2 degree orb to my natal moon in Cancer. I've got my sun in Leo and my Asc in Aquarius. Nice to connect with you today over your lovely posts that are linked within this article. I also very much enjoyed this post on Iris.
Blessings to you, Ka
May 27, 2015 at 1:21 pm
Greetings, Ka, and a very lovely Iris-moon ‘sync’ in mid-Cancer. I’m Sun-Saturn and Midheaven in Aquarius, so there’s another ‘sync’. And likely others, too, when we recognize kindred spirits. 🙂 Thanks so much; I’m glad you enjoyed the Iris musing and the ones tucked in via the links! xoxo Blessings Aplenty, Jamie
May 27, 2015 at 3:02 pm
Yes, Jamie and interesting to note is that Iris’s placement is in the intercepted house/sign Aries in my natal chart. Gemini is doing “double duty” on my IC, and on my 5th house cusp. Meanwhile, Mercury trines both Uranus and my MC (as Uranus is in wide-angle conjunction with my MC, in the 9th house). Still referring to my natal chart. Can’t forget my 3rd house Chiron who’s involved with Iris as well. Yes! Lovely post, nice reflection for me. Even better to connect though! xoxo Have a beautiful day…Happy transits… Ka
May 27, 2015 at 3:04 pm
Iris is a powerful one in you, Ka! Many thanks, and a bountiful, beautiful day to you as well. xoxo Jamie
May 29, 2015 at 7:55 am
really liked it Jamie. Thanks
May 31, 2015 at 3:45 pm
Thank you, Bostjan … I’m glad this musing about Iris spoke to you! I’m enjoying your sharings as well, so that you for that. Blessings, Jamie
May 31, 2015 at 6:39 pm
Loved reading and finding out about Iris the Rainbow Goddess Jamie.. and I am loving all the posts connecting to Sindy’s Retro challenge.. 🙂 xxx
May 31, 2015 at 6:44 pm
Iris of the Rainbow (and she who walks between the worlds!) is lovely to spend time with, isn’t she? I enjoyed Sindy’s Retro challenge, too … lots of wonderful perspectives shared. xoxo 🙂
May 31, 2015 at 6:46 pm
There is indeed, she has just invited me to share I am busy getting the feel for what others are using within their challenges.. 🙂 A re-blog may well be all I have time for… so got my thinking cap on 😉
May 31, 2015 at 6:57 pm
Re-blog from the archives, a.k.a. Retro, seems perfect for this Mercury RETRO-grade. And it’s fun to go spelunking into the archive-caves … there are gems there! I look forward to seeing what comes up from yours. 🙂 xoxo Jamie
May 31, 2015 at 7:01 pm
Lol I am deep into 2013 already 🙂 xx
May 31, 2015 at 8:35 pm
And your retro selection was beautiful! xoxo Jamie
May 31, 2015 at 8:36 pm
Many thanks.. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed 🙂 haha
October 30, 2016 at 8:12 am
Wow, what an awesome ally for a writer to have. I can very much see the correlation between Iris and the rainbow body. Communicating with nicely balanced chakras is a whole different ball game. Way more mojo flow in crucial areas. Many thanks for this deeply insightful addition. Peace, love and light be with you.
October 30, 2016 at 8:18 am
Reblogged this on Shamagaia and commented:
As always proud to present another awesome post from Jamie. Need more mojo flow in your communication skills? Don’t we all? Then read on.
January 29, 2019 at 9:35 pm
Thank you so much for this enlightening post on Iris! I only just discovered the asteroids and Iris in particular. Of all the things I do, I love creative writing the most: when I’m in the flow, I don’t have to think about what I’m writing at all, the sentences, whole chunks of dialogue just flow through me. I have Iris conjunct the Sun, conjunct fixed star Vega 😉
January 29, 2019 at 10:08 pm
Thanks for visiting, Wendy (and for subscribing!). Iris is a part of how you shine. 🙂 That’s a wonderful self-facet, and it’s always interesting to see how it expresses, as you’ve shared with your love of creative writing and how it flows right through you. Iris is an interesting one to get to know, to find out just how well you know her and the Iris-facet of your own nature. Pretty cool. 🙂 Thanks for sharing. Blessings, Jamie
August 22, 2021 at 8:40 pm
I always wanted to know what was the name of my spirit guide and I asked her and she said Iris and rainbow after that I googled it. To find out that all my life she was always with Me in a good way, using me as a messenger and insights that tells me what I need too know. So ty for your article and my questions are now answered.
August 29, 2021 at 6:37 pm
That’s really cool, Kookie, that you have a strong link with Iris! I’m glad my Iris post(s) gave you some helpful info. You can also have a look to see where Iris is in your astro natal chart (asteroid Iris is #7 and can be included in a detailed astro chart). Even without that, your research and intuitive connection provides a strong link. 🙂 xoxo Thanks for visiting!
June 3, 2015 at 4:21 pm
I’m enjoying the Retro series, Sindy, and each new addition to the lovely gathering! xoxo Jamie