All orders placed from August 4th, 2018 now include international tracking. Quan Kwan Yin - Fertility Goddess Statue Doula Midwife Gift Mother Earth Sculpture Pagan Buddhist Altar Birth Art Blessingway Womb blessing 14cm Of all the Eastern goddesses, Quan Yin is the most beloved. For centuries she has been the bodhisattva of Mahayana Buddhism and carries the Buddhist aspect of the Divine Mother. This same aspect is shared amongst many forms of worship, examples being the Virgin Mary for Christians; the goddess Isis in ancient Egypt; the Tibetan goddess, Tara; and the notable wives Shakti, Parvati, Radha and Sita of Vishnu, Shiva, Krishna and Rama respectively. Quan Yin is the embodiment of kindness and gives her sympathy, health, insight and fertility to any of us who ask. Her name means "listener of sounds" in that she hears the prayers and cries of the world. Her duty is to bring enlightenment to humans and ease suffering. Eastern custom invokes Quan Yin's blessing on young children and for those who hope to have children, an offering of sweet cakes or flowers is made to her. The theme fertility is common to all cultures of the world. Inspired by the goddess of fertility, these pieces are steeped Symbolism. A feminine figure representing this theme - either sculpted in wood or clay - was always paid homage no matter the culture in question. It is only in our western world that we forget to honour the feminine principle as cultures of old did. This principle was honoured for its influence over aspects such as arable land, vegetation, creativity, family, health, wealth and abundance. By focusing on the Symbolism of the sculpture, tribal members were able to manifest fertility in their own lives. My reproduction sculptures are created from my original, hand cast and hand finished in my studio. They are filled with this Symbolism, created with me paying homage to this principle long forgotten in our modern society. A beautiful gift for a doula / midwife, or as symbolism for bringing Abundance into your life. PLEASE NOTE: Colours on your monitor may differ from actual piece.
"Soma Goddess" - ACEO print of the original painting by Emily Balivet, 2015. The card measures 2.5x3.5 and is printed on acid free, archival quality smooth, matte stock. This ACEO is titled, signed, and dated on the back, sealed in a cello sleeve, and back by stiff mat board for safe shipping. *ACEO stands for "Art Cards, Editions and Originals". These cards can be made in different media and styles but have one main rule - they are 3.5 inches by 2.5 inches - the size of a trading card. ACEOs are tiny art works that can be matted and framed to hang on the wall or used as altar art. Soma is an ancient intoxicating drink frequently mentioned in the Hindu Rig Vedas. Prepared from a mysterious plant and used in Vedic ritual, it was believed to be the ambrosia of the gods and granted immortality. It has been suggested that Soma may have been hallucinogenic mushrooms. Soma literally means "body" in Sanskrit and unites the holy trinity of mind, body, and spirit. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments! My complete portfolio may be viewed at www.EmilyBalivet.com
This is my hearth Altar in honour of Hestia, the Goddess of the household, although a few other Gods and Goddesses sneak in from time to time (especially Ganesha who sneaks in everywhere...Jai Ganesh!!) I think its really important to have altars, especially a hearth altar to bless and offer nurture to the heart of the house. I have been feeling the darkness of winter lately,(I have a fluey cold..:() so I have put some lovely hyacinths on here to encourage and call the light back, and I.m burning some lovely incense that I made just now, with herbs and flowers I grew last summer. There is the antler of a Fallow deer at the back, my parents found it on holiday last year, and diligently bought it home for me (Im an antlerholic..) so that speaks of spring too. The rug hanging on the wall at the back is one of my prized posessions, its glorious, and was hard won over a few days of bargaining in Morocco a few years back. I have many different altars in the house, I will do a series of pics of them over the next few days.. I was experimenting with little bits of flash so you could see everything more clearly, but threw it out in the end, sacrificing clarity for atmosphere.. I have a rather eclectic approach to religion and don't claim to be a member of any one.. but take elements from Paganism, Ritual magick, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism to form my own spiritual path..Ganesha is my favorite though.
Who is the Greek Goddess Psyche? Psyche is the ancient Greek goddess of the soul. Her name meaning ‘soul’ or ‘breath of life’. In mythology, she is depicted as the wife of the god of love Eros. There’s no known worship of Psyche in antiquity. Psyche begins appearing in Greek art as early as th
“Never the spirit was born; the spirit shall cease to be never; Never was time it was not; End and Beginning are dreams! Birth-less and deathless and changeless remaineth the spirit forever. Death hath not touched it all, dead though the house of it seems!” - Sir Edwin Arnold A lot of Pagans love the darkly mysterious paraphernalia, imagery and settings of what I'll call the "Witch's Antinomian Aesthetic." (just Witch's Aesthetic from here on in) Who isn't drawn to that which represents mystery, antiquity, substance, and power? Animal bones or horns on the altar, half-melted candles on authentic appearing human skulls (imagery that represent mortality and the world of spirits), shadowy décor as often as not bathed in the smoke of burning incense, old leather-bound grimoires, fearful (to non-witches anyway) images of gods like Hekate, Cernunnos, Morrigan, colors such as black and red (death and blood, shadows and passion/power), ravens (Pagans seem to love ravens about as much as we love wolves), the moon (naturally), and night in general are part and parcel of the Witch's Aesthetic. I admit it, I love this stuff. Sure, it can be kitschy if overdone, but I love the aesthetic and find it more compelling than other potential aesthetic sensibilities. For me, as an issue of personal taste, the Witch's Aesthetic is simply more appealing than, for example, a New Age aesthetic with its bright, sunny, rainbow-kissed sensibility. However, because I have great respect for the power of symbol and metaphor, especially in a psycho-spiritual/magickal context, I don't casually embrace the Witch's Aesthetic in either my life or my practice. In my experience, to surround one's self with symbols not invested with purpose is to diminish their potency should one choose to eventually use them with purpose. In other words, anything of the Witch's Aesthetic that is on my altar or in my personal space is always placed there with a full awareness of its purpose and meaning. Even I feel it looks "cool" and witchy, those qualities are far and away of less importance than the deep meaning of the object(s) in question. It cannot come as a surprise that the Witch's Aesthetic embraces a "darker" sensibility when one considers the fact that witchcraft is essentially an antinomian path. There is an inherent rebellious spirit within the essence of witchcraft, even if that rebellion is, for many, unspoken, unrealized and largely unfocused. To be a witch is to firstly, embrace and reclaim terms (witch and witchcraft) that have, historically speaking, been defined as that which is inherently malevolent. Secondly, to be a witch is to, by varying degrees, stand outside of Western culture and the normative spiritual and religious dynamics of that culture and to be, at least internally, perpetually "other" outside of the Pagan/Witchcraft community. Whether consciously or unconsciously, the Witch's Aesthetic embraces what I would term "Sacred Darkness." Sacred Darkness is the holy ground where much of what is fundamental, sacred, and powerful in the human experience has been relegated . Within this Sacred Darkness are all of those things our ever-increasingly post-Christian society still, as a matter of course, rejects due to effect of the stranglehold moral dualism has had on the Western psyche for nearly 2000 years. Christianity, as practiced by the masses (ie. exoterically), is a moralistic, solar faith. All that is sinful, according to exoteric Christianity, has been relegated to the shadows. Much of that which is most powerful in the human experience, that which can be overwhelming, transformative, and dangerous, such as, for example, the natural process of death, has been made to seem an aberration not of this world. Death itself has been sealed away into the Sacred Darkness, demonized and turned into the work of The Enemy to be defeated once and for all when Jesus returns in glory to judge the living and the dead. Can it be any surprise that death, darkness and the seemingly macabre play a role in the Witch's Aesthetic? That which is culturally repressed will eventually find voice and the Witch's Aesthetic provides one such voice to a greater or lesser extent. To a greater extent when the aesthetic is consciously adopted to knowingly express/reflect the repressed realities in the context of one's spiritual path and to a lesser extent when one is merely the unconscious voice of Western Society's collective neurosis. To consciously choose one's aesthetic and approach is to be empowered and powerful, while to serve as the unwitting voice of the damaged Western Psyche is to be disempowered no matter how "Darkly Powerful" one believes one appears. To be unconscious is, in my opinion, to reflect a kind of angst ridden spiritual adolescence, a rebel without a cause, or as it has been termed, "Dark Fluffy." To be continued....
In the Celtic-Welsh lore, Cerridwen was a powerful enchantress with incredible magical talents.
"The Holly King" A print of the original oil painting by Emily Balivet, 2010. The Holly King is the lord of Winter woods, ruler presiding over the waning (death)year. A darker twin to the Oak King. The two are dual aspects of the Horned God battling for the favor of the Goddess. The print measures 2.5x3.5 and is printed on acid free, archival quality, matte Kodak Endura photo paper. This ACEO is titled, signed, and dated on the back, sealed in a cello sleeve, and backed by stiff mat board for safe shipping. *ACEO stands for "Art Cards, Editions and Originals". These cards can be made in different media and styles but have one main rule - they are 3.5 inches by 2.5 inches - the size of a trading card. ACEOs are tiny art works that can be matted and framed to hang on the wall or used as altar art. Shipping via First Class mail. I combine shipping on multiple purchases. Please contact me with any questions or comments!
As we move into the witchy energy of late October, veils between the worlds become paper-thin, boundaries dissolve, and we may find portals to other realms. It's a magical time that reveals life and death, light and dark, illumination and shadow. The play between the two. That liminal space. That threshold.Which is why, throughout time and across cultures, this has been a time of ancestor veneration. A time to honor and thank those who've gone before us and paved the way for us to be here.One of my favorite rituals is to create an ancestor altar. Ever since I made my first back in 2013, it has become one of my most cherished traditions. My first few altars, like this one from 2015, were very much in the Day of the Dead theme - brightly colored flowers, sugar skulls, and religious iconography. And this one from 2017 shows much the same vibe. It's only been in the last few years that I've brought in my own aesthetic - and that of my family lineage. We are not brightly colored Mexican folks. We are restrained and steady and staid folks of German descent. My ancestors were salt of the earth, midwestern farmers. And though, I will admit, I have at times longed for warmth and connection where there was a cool distance, it began to feel important to honor my ancestors as they actually were (at least in my perception) and not what I sometimes wished them to be. So the colors became muted and neutral and rustic. Fake flowers were replaced with dried greenery. Religious icons were kept to a minimum. Personal affects, like jewelry and journal pages and gloves were added. And crystals. Because, duh, crystals. And so this one from last year felt so much more like family to me. And in honoring my people as they actually were, I began to appreciate them in a way I hadn't before. Where I once bemoaned their lack of warmth, now I honored their strength. Where I once thought there was a lack of connection, I began to see we just connected differently. Instead of physical touch and deep conversation, we connect through shared activities. A day on the lake. Water-skiing. Doing puzzles. Playing cards. That's my family. So this is our altar this year. My husband's ancestors and mine. And their belongings. And their vibe. And it's been a tough one. And I knew it would be. The first year I've had to add mom to the ancestor shrine. I miss her so much. And I wish I could say I feel her with me, but the truth is I don't really. At least not yet. Right now, I just miss her. OK, onto some things you might want to consider as you put together your own ancestor shrine. 1. Gathering materials As you gather your materials - old photographs, jewelry, belongings - consider your family and your lineage. What qualities and characteristics did they embody? What have they passed down to you? How can you visually represent those qualities? 2. Choosing the space The space I chose is right by our front door, which felt like welcoming the ancestors in. But really I chose it mostly for the old steamer trunk that sits there, an heirloom passed down through the generations. It was the trunk that carried my ancestors belongings from Germany to America. Perhaps there is some symbolism in the place you choose. A mantle for the family that sat around the fire. A piano for a musical ancestry. A bookcase for a literary lineage. Within that space, consider how you can best use it. I like a lot of layers and height so I tend to use boxes - some are family jewelry boxes that hold special meaning, but most are just whatever I can find to create some depth and height - covered in antique doilies or fabrics. If your space is against a wall, you can attach photos and other ephemera to the wall. If it's in the center of the room, like on a grand piano or dining table, you can create a whole 360 degree display. You can even hang things from the ceiling. 3. Personal belongings In addition to old photographs, this might be my favorite element, and the one that really began to make things feel more personal for me. My maternal grandmother's gloves, locket, and pages from her journal. You could include a scarf, watch, pocket knife, army tags, silverware, eyeglasses, money clip, really the possibilities are endless. I am most drawn to those items used or warn on a daily basis. And if you don't have any actual items from your ancestors, not to worry, simply use an item as a symbol. A wooden spoon for the grandma who showed her love though her cooking. A deck of cards for that cardshark uncle. A quarter for the grandpa that would always pull one out of your ear. A journal for that poet great aunt. 4. Jewelry You will not be surprised that my favorite personal item to include is jewelry. There is something about jewelry - especially those pieces worn day in and day out - that feels so much like it carries the energy of those who once wore it. These rings - from my two grandmothers - are so dear to me. 5. Skellies, skulls, dried flowers or leaves, and other memento mori In Latin memento mori means
Your Yule altar is where you will work your magic through the Winter Solstice season. It's a personal space where you can ground and center yourself even when the world around you is hectic.
En-hedu-Ana was revered as the most important religious figure of her day. She is the first author either gender known by name in human history, because she wrote the first texts that can be attributed to a person. She was the high-priestress during the reign of Sargon of Akkad (Sargon the Great). While Sargon of Akkad united Sumer and Akkad and conquered the first empire in history, Enheduanna melded the Sumerian with the Akkadian gods to create the stability the empire needed to thrive. read here more about ......The Role of Women in Ancient Sumer INFO RAPID
Your Yule altar is where you will work your magic through the Winter Solstice season. It's a personal space where you can ground and center yourself even when the world around you is hectic.
Your Yule altar is where you will work your magic through the Winter Solstice season. It's a personal space where you can ground and center yourself even when the world around you is hectic.
![Goddess Morrigan: Prayers, Symbols, Books & More [Guide]](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/91/dc/f4/91dcf498a51e21db1c5fce3197d1058a.jpg)
Connecting with the Goddess Morrigan. Mórrígan, Morrígu, Morrigu. Divine Feminine. Prayers, Chants, Rituals. Symbols, Books, Witch. Deity
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The earliest known author of written literature was a woman named Enheduanna, who lived in ancient Mesopotamia around 2300 BCE. High Priestess to the moon god Nanna, Enheduanna came to venerate the goddess Inanna above all gods in the Sumerian pantheon. The hymns she wrote to Inanna constitute the earliest written portrayal of an ancient goddess. In their celebration of Enheduanna's relationship with Inanna, they also represent the first existing account of an individual's consciousness of her inner life. This book provides the complete texts of Enheduanna's hymns to Inanna, skillfully and beautifully rendered by Betty De Shong Meador, who also discusses how the poems reflect Enheduanna's own spiritual and psychological liberation from being an obedient daughter in the shadow of her ruler father. Meador frames the poems with background information on the religious and cultural systems of ancient Mesopotamia and the known facts of Enheduanna's life. With this information, she explores the role of Inanna as the archetypal feminine, the first goddess who encompasses both the celestial and the earthly and shows forth the full scope of women's potential. This item is Non-Returnable
Writers create altars to manifest inspiration and recharge when writer's block hits. Here are 6 festive gifts for a writer's altar!
"Soma Goddess" - A 12x18 print of an original painting by Emily Balivet. Soma is an ancient intoxicating drink frequently mentioned in the Hindu Rig Vedas. Prepared from a mysterious plant and used in Vedic ritual, it was believed to be the ambrosia of the gods and granted immortality. It has been suggested that Soma may have been hallucinogenic mushrooms. Soma literally means "body" in Sanskrit and unites the holy trinity of mind, body, and spirit. The image measures 12" x 18" and is printed on acid-free, archival quality matte Kodak Endura photo paper. There is a generous white border allowance for matting and framing. The print is sealed in a protective cello sleeve, signed on the back, and shipped flat. ~All prints are packaged professionally and shipped via Priority mail (within the US) ~Overseas shipping via USPS First Class International ~Shipping discounts on multiple purchases A selection of print sizes and variations of "The Soma Goddess" are available here in my shop... Giclée Canvas Prints 8x10 https://www.etsy.com/listing/511897271/soma-goddess-8x10-giclee-canvas-print?ga_search_query=soma&ref=shop_items_search_5 11x14 https://www.etsy.com/listing/511763975/soma-goddess-11x14-giclee-canvas-print?ga_search_query=soma&ref=shop_items_search_7 16x20 https://www.etsy.com/listing/512368027/soma-goddess-16x20-giclee-canvas-print?ga_search_query=soma&ref=shop_items_search_4 20x24 https://www.etsy.com/listing/499193270/soma-goddess-20x24-giclee-canvas-print?ga_search_query=soma&ref=shop_items_search_1 Matte Kodak Endura Photo Paper Prints 20x24 https://www.etsy.com/listing/469214360/soma-goddess-20x24-poster-print-pagan?ga_search_query=soma&ref=shop_items_search_11 16x20 https://www.etsy.com/listing/242329842/soma-goddess-16x20-poster-print-pagan?ga_search_query=soma&ref=shop_items_search_10 11x14 https://www.etsy.com/listing/242321206/soma-goddess-11x14-print-pagan-mythology?ga_search_query=soma&ref=shop_items_search_2 8x10 https://www.etsy.com/listing/242315976/soma-goddess-8x10-print-pagan-mythology?ga_search_query=soma&ref=shop_items_search_9 Clearance Sale Matte Stock Prints 11x14 https://www.etsy.com/listing/504788346/soma-goddess-11x14-print-pagan-mythology?ga_search_query=soma&ref=shop_items_search_8 8x10 https://www.etsy.com/listing/517428861/soma-goddess-8x10-print-pagan-mythology?ga_search_query=soma&ref=shop_items_search_12 5x7 Greeting Cards https://www.etsy.com/listing/242323002/soma-goddess-5x7-greeting-card-pagan?ga_search_query=soma&ref=shop_items_search_3 2.5x3.5 ACEO Mini Prints https://www.etsy.com/listing/242276823/soma-goddess-aceo-atc-mini-altar-art?ga_search_query=soma&ref=shop_items_search_6 Please contact me with questions or comments and visit my website www.emilybalivet.com to see my entire portfolio!
Je rend Grâce ! "Je rend grâce à la Déesse mère en ce jour et chaque jour. Je rend grâce à toutes les femmes-mères en ce jour et chaque jour. Elles connaissent le sacrifices, la force, la fatigue, le courage mais le plus important c'est l'amour qu'elles...
Photos from the 2010 Harvest Home ceremony hosted by the Chiltern Kindred.
grumble-grumble: Altar/Tophet commemorating sacrificed children, representing symbols of the consort of Ba’al, Tanit, Carthaginian and Phoenician Goddess of the moon.
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Art, History, Literature, and the Ancient World
