February 20, 2006 - Mother of Willendorf
Woman from Willendorf
Venus of Willendorf
As I ripen and grow closer to the earth with my growing of many herbs and my wild foraging for medicinal and culinary wild bits; my interest in the ancient pre-Christian Earth Religions intensifies. Somehow there is a deep ache inside of me which yearns to know these ancient roots. Women were never depicticted as skinny willowy creatures in these ancient times - usually they were large fleshy buxomy mothering sorts representing abundance fertile, pregnant with life... perhaps it is this I identify with as my waist thickens and my breasts deperk with age.
The first human images known to us are the so called Venuses; they were found in Upper Paleolithic remains (35,000 - 10,000B.C.)
Gaia - A Pre- Hellenic Myth
Acrylic - 2' x 4'
by Sharon
1993
|
These "Mother" guardians of daily life, death and rebirth were carved from stone, bone and ivory; and shaped from clay.
At their naming society labelled them "Venuses" - thinking they were aligned with love and sex. A major misdenomer. Unfortunately as with Willendorf the name has stuck, though just recently I have begun to see the useage of Woman from Willendorf.
Personally I like Mother of Willendorf.
These magikal images represented amongst other things, the mysterious power of the female to create life out of herself.
During those ancient pages of Gaia's history, the earth was viewed as a source of nourishment, protection, power and mysterious cyclic recurrence. Childbirth was and is a powerful drama and ritual. I read within a book called "The Great Cosmic Mother" that The "Essence" of God was female for at least the first 200,000 years of human life. They felt this was a conservative estimate as they felt wooden images were carved long before stone - and wood does not survive.
Even the oldest creation myths - stated that Gaia jumped out of the void - rolled herself in a ball - mountains formed along her spine etc. you get the gist. The EARTH is FEMALE. This painting which came into being because as I read a pre Hellenic legend years ago, vivid imagery popped into my brain and wouldn't leave till the painting was done.
|
The Venus of Willendorf: - more detailled information is here.
is quite possibly the oldest piece of sculpture extant in the world.
In my possession is a fantastic slice of polished yellow honeycomb calcite. This beautiful slice of Yellow Calcite came to me from a mine called "Colours of the Wind" years ago. It was propped on my work bench in full view for ages. I watched and listend to it for about 3 years. It measures approx. 3.5" wide and almost 4" tall being 5/8" thick it is a substanstial slice. Polished so fine it feels slippery to the touch.
For Christmas I received a wonderful batch of diamond bits for my dremel. As soon as I opened the box - there was a flask of yellow calcite in my mind with a Venus of Willendorf outline carved deep into its glossy surface.
The Mother of Willendorf - One of the oldest images of the Goddess, Her hands rest on her breasts in a nurturing pose. Her head looks down and is covered with 7 rows of indentations which are so detailed they must have some magikal essence.. Over 30,000 years old, Paleolithic stone, Vienna, Austria. She has always been my favorites - mainly because I knew her first.
The channels I am carving appear as whitish lines. She is framed in a mandorla or "vesica piscies" shape, an ancient symbol of the yoni, the source of feminine creative power. Spirals, a symbol of eternal cycles and the renewal of life dance at each corner. Something is telling me fill these channels with Malichite.
Calcite aids ones memory. It is a wonderful stone for those in the arts and sciences.
Yellow calcite is said to deepen intellect, memory, wisdom. Enhancing psychic and channeling abilities and bringing one to a higher consciousness, yellow calcite increases clarity in perceiving other people's motivations as well as one's own.
Malachite is the "Stone of Transformation". It helps clear and activate the chakras, and clears the path to your desired goal. It brings fidelity in love and friendship and is a protective stone for the aviation field. It brings tolerance, flexibility,and patience, and a stabilizing influence.
I will let you know how this piece progresses. My pieces always seem to have a life/will of their own. This time during February is a good time to be working on this piece.
February 18 ~ Spenta Armaiti
An ancient Persian goddess who protects the Earth. On this day a women's festival was held to honor the Goddess who dwells within. Play some of your favorite music, treat yourself to a massage, pamper yourself or take a girlfriend out to lunch. Give the women in your life a special gift to show your love and respect.
February 21 ~ Day of Nut
The Egyptian goddess of the sky and heavens, Nut was believed to have created the world through the act of sex with the earth god Geb. She is the mother of Osiris, Isis, Set and Nepthys. As the stars are part of Her body, tonight would be a good time to do a little star-gazing. Go outside and look up to the heavens, admiring Nut's beauty. She is also associated with astral travel and rebirth.
February 22 ~ Caristia
Ancient Romans honored Concordia, goddess of good will and forgiveness, on this day. Ritual meals were eaten, during which disputes were resolved and ill-will purged. Today is a good time to do spell-work or rituals to help bring harmony and accord to disputing or quarreling parties.
Hymn to the Earth Mother ~ A Homeric Poem
I will sing of well-founded Earth, mother of all, eldest of all beings.
She feeds all creatures that are in the world, all that go upon the goodly land,
and all that are in the paths of the seas, and all that fly: all these are fed of her store.
Through you, O queen, men are blessed in their children and blessed in their harvests,
and to you it belongs to give means of life to mortal men and to take it away.
Happy is the man whom you delight to honour!
He has all things abundantly: his fruitful land is laden with corn,
his pastures are covered with cattle, and his house is filled with good things.
Such men rule orderly in their cities of fair women: great riches and wealth follow them:
their sons exult with everfresh delight, and their daughters with flower-laden hands
play and skip merrily over the soft flowers of the field.
Thus it is with those whom you honour
O holy goddess, bountiful spirit.
Hail, Mother of the gods, wife of starry Heaven;
freely bestow upon me for this my song substance that cheers the heart!
And now I will remember you and another song also.
Translation by Hugh G. Evans-White, in the Loeb Classical Library 1914
Walk in Peace in the warmth of Grandfather Sun's Smile.
Sharon
"Touch the Earth
If you have any comments or would like to contact me: birzz@yahoo.com
TOP