Ornamentation for the Goddesses
While I continue to examine the natural world, I have also begun exploring feminism through the traditions of Celtic mythology. The cyclic pattern of nature was the basis for the mythology of the Celtic Goddesses. The Goddesses were closely associated with the land and the people populating the isles. For the Celts the source of life was so integrally associated with women, it would seem to follow that all origins of life were distinctly female. Their link to the seasonal cycles, to power, fertility and death, may partly account for the fact that a single goddess often takes three forms, or aspects – usually maiden, mother and crone. At times of joy or moments of pain, humans would turn to the Goddess who was honored in her many guises. My most recent work focuses on the adornment of the Goddesses using the natural materials closely associated with their domain.
No part of these images may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including
photocopying or recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the artist,
except for the inclusion of a brief quotation in review.
photocopying or recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the artist,
except for the inclusion of a brief quotation in review.
The Ornamentation of the Goddess - Damara
House Wren egg replica, vines, felted wool, pheasant feathers,
Tulip Poplar Tree peduncles
A fertility goddess who was celebrated in May at the festival of Beltaine.
Photo - Geoff Carr
The Ornamentation of the Goddess - Arianrhood
Clematis seeds, seed pod, Peacock feathers, crystal, Abalone shell
Arianrhood is a deity of air, reincarnation and karma. The Goddess’ palace is the Caer Arianrhold (Aurora Borealis). She is the Keeper of the Silver Wheel of Stars, a symbol of time and karma.
Photo - Geoff Carr
The Ornamentation of the Goddess - Cerridwen
Geranium seeds, silk cocoon, silk rove, skeletionized leaf, bee
Goddess of Nature, Cerridwen has powers of prophecy, and is the Keeper of the Cauldron of knowledge and inspiration. Her magical cauldron held a potion that granted knowledge and inspiration however, it had to be brewed and protected for a year and a day to reach its potency.
Photo - Geoff Carr
The Ornamentation of the Goddess - Corra
Seed pod, Amherst pheasant feathers, crystals, wood
A Goddess of prophecy who usually appeared in the form of a Crane a symbol of transcendent knowledge and transitions to the Otherworld.
Photo - Geoff Carr
The Ornamentation of the Goddess - Blodeuwedd
Clay, Hydrangea blossoms, Quartz crystals, Herkimer diamonds, Amethyst crystal, Garnet crystal, seed pod, Magnolia leaves
Blodeuwedd is the Goddess of Spring. She is the Lily maid magically crafted using nine wildflowers. The flowers were woven into a beautiful women who was not of this earth. Blodeuwedd means “Flower Face”
Photo - Geoff Carr
The Ornamentation of the Goddess - Cyhiraeth
Royal Paulownia fruit pod, Pussy Willow catkin flowers, Honey Locust thorns, Cicada wings, Thistle down, stone
Once a Goddess of streams, she later became thought of as a faery spirit who was a portent of death.
Photo - Geoff Carr
The Ornamentation of the Goddess - Faerie Dryads
Golden Rain Tree pod, vines, Moss, seed pods, leather, stamens,
Cithaerius bandusia butterfly
These faeries are found in all the 13 Celtic sacred trees. They make beautiful music with their voices, sounds which are very compelling to humans. The faeries can be found in the physical as well as the astral realm.
Photo - Geoff Carr
The Ornamentation of the Goddess -Habetrot
Silk rove, Golden Rain Tree seed pods, Tulip Poplar peduncles, Moss, paper
Habetrot was a “spinning” Goddess. Spinning refers to both spell casting and the turning of the Wheel of the Year. She is the Goddess of spinners
Photo - Geoff Carr
The Ornamentation of the Goddess - Latis
Hive, Agate, Agate beads, Garnet beads
Latis is the Goddess of ale and meade.
Photo - Geoff Carr
The Ornamentation of the Goddess - Nicevenn
Quail Skull, pheasant feathers, deer hair, Jasper stone, bone, gold leaf
A Samhain witch-goddess, Nicevenn is equated with the Roman Goddess Diana
Photo - Geoff Carr
The Ornamentation of the Goddess - Scathach
Vole skull, seed pod, leaves, Peacock feathers, wool, gold leaf
Scathach is a warrior Goddess and prophetess. Her name means she who strikes fear.
Photo - Geoff Carr
The Ornamentation for the Goddess: Scota
Leaf Skeletons, Red Bud Twigs, Cast Paper
Scota is the Goddess of Winter, the “Veiled One”, her name means she who strikes fear. The name Scotland s derived from the Goddess Scota.
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Photo - Geoff Carr
The Ornamentation for the Goddess: Belisama
Golden Rain Tree Fruit, Pheasant Feathers, Vine
Belisama the Celtic Goddess of light and fire, the forge and of crafts.
Photo - Geoff Carr
The Ornamentation for the Goddess: Badb
Cicada Ectoskeleton, Cethosia biblis Butterfly, Quartz Crystal,
Gingo Leaves, Gold Leaf
A shape shifting warrior Goddess, Badb symbolized the cycles of life and death, wisdom and inspiration.
Photo - Geoff Carr
The Ornamentation for the Goddess: Druantia
Acorn, Wood, Vine, Gold Leaf
Druantia is the "Queen of the Druids.” She is the Mother of the tree calendar and the Goddess of trees, protection, knowledge and creativity.
NFS
Photo - Geoff Carr
The Ornamentation for the Goddess: Epona
Magnolia Leaves, Pheasant Feathers, Pine Cone, Leather
Referred to as the "Divine Horse" or the "The Great Mare" she is the protectress of horses, horse-breeding, prosperity, healing springs, and crops.
Photo - Geoff Carr
The Ornamentation for the Goddess: Epona
Detail
The Ornamentation for the Goddess: Morrigan
Clay, Stones, Quartz Crystal, Wood
The terrifying crow Goddess, "Great Queen"; "Supreme War Goddess"; "Queen of Phantoms or Demons"; "Specter Queen", Morrigan is a shape-shifter. She reigned over the battlefield, helping with her magic, but did not join the battles. In her Dark Aspect (the symbol is then the raven or crow) she is the goddess of war, fate, death and specters. In her female aspect she is Goddess of rivers, lakes, and fresh water and patroness of priestesses and witches.
Photos - Geoff Carr
The Ornamentation for the Goddess: Morrigan
Clay, Wood
Badb’s Army
Cicada Ectoskeletons, Cicada wings, Rose Thorns, Quartz Crystal, Poplar Wood
Table designed by K. Polson Grubola,
crafted by Michael Gee
Photos - Geoff Carr
Badb’s Army
Detail
Badb’s Army
Interior Detail
