Tala

The goddess of the morning and evening star | Group: Tagalog 

An illustration of Tala done by Kathryn Wadel.

Written by Nathalie DLS

Tala, the Tagalog goddess of the morning and evening star, is one of three daughters of Bathala and a mortal woman. According to mythology, Tala played a key role in creating the Tagalog traditional constellations. She used light spheres or orbs to guide men to safety at night, and without her stars, travellers would be lost in the seas.

Another story tells of the sun god Arao and moon goddess Buan, who both had families of stars. Buan feared that her stars couldn't survive the heat of Arao, so they agreed to destroy their stars. Arao devoured his stars, while Buan hid hers in the clouds, only bringing them out when Tala said the sun was too far away to pursue them. Eclipses are explained by Arao getting close enough to bite Buan. This myth explains both eclipses and the transitioning of day and night.

Artist Statement

“Reflecting on this piece, I created it under the night sky. Stars masked by rain clouds, peaked through every so often as a reminder of Tala. Stars hold the knowledge of our ancestors. In search of guidance as I navigate cultural reclamation, drawing Tala, goddess of the morning and evening star, felt like the right place to begin this journey. She uses orbes to safely guide sailors home. I look up at the night sky my ancestors looked up to, for guidance and connection to my culture.” - Kathryn Wadel