FACTOID #151: The five countries with the highest coffee consumption are also the five countries whose citizens trust one another the most. Coincidence? Probably.
In Greek mythology, Theia (also written Thea or Thia), also called Euryphaessa ("wide-shining"), was a Titan. With her brother and husband Hyperion, she was the mother of Helios (the Sun), Selene (the Moon) and Eos (the Dawn). The name Theia alone, means simply "goddess," Theia Euryphaessa with overtones of brightness.
"Mother of the Sun, Theia of many names, for your sake men honor gold as more powerful than anything else; and through the value you bestow on them, o queen, ships contending on the sea and yoked teams of horses in swift-whirling contests become marvels".
She seems here a goddess of glittering in particular and of glory in general, but Pindar's allusion to her as "Theia of many names" is telling, since it suggests assimilation not only to similar mother-of-the-sun goddess like Phoebe and Leto, but perhaps also to more universalizing mother-figures like Rhea and Cybele.
Thia may be fictional, but there is enough shining through her story that makes me want to have her as a friend, a confidant.
Thia could relate to most problems that they might face and could provide insight by which they might achieve the self-confidence and determination that is so important for today’s youth to find and emulate.
Thia was alone in her struggles; there was no help from her mother, her siblings, her teachers or neighbors.