Aradia, "Queen of the Witches," is believed to have been a real high-born woman who taught witchcraft to oppressed people in Italy, despite persecution. Legend tells us she was the daughter of the Goddess Diana, sent to care for her worshippers. Here Aradia calls on Diana to bless and inspire her teachings as she stands at the crossroads by the pillar of Hecate. Cimaruta symbols surround and support her. The inscription reads, "Listen to my teaching in the voice of the wind."
The symbolism of the Cimaruta, which means "sprig of rue", can be traced back to the pre-Roman Etruscan period. Originally a charm to protect against enchantments, over time it has become a symbol of the old religion in Italy. The enlargement of a single vervain blossom is associated with the fairy race. The rooster dispels darkness and heralds the dawn. The knife, Diana's dart, represents enlightenment as a ray of moonlight. The serpent represents the goddess Prosperpina, the moon Diana herself and the key is symbolic of Hecate.
"The Guardian" was inspired by a wood print of an Etruscan guardian spirit in Raven Grimassi's book "Italian Witchcraft." It is believed that these house deities called Lasa or Lare, served as the precursor of the "Watchers" or "Watchtowers" of the four elements. Carved over doors or beds, in Etruscan times, these figures acted as protectors and messengers of the Gods. It is believed that artists used these images as reference for our concept of angels. Those with eyes in the wings were of the highest level, much like archangels. This Guardian represents all four elements and carries aspects of both male and female. On its sword is written "Defensor" in Theban script. Its wings spread to encompass the dwelling in which it is hung. This watchful being embodies the security and comfort of divine blessing. May the Guardian bring safety and security to your home and family.
Venus was inspired by Neolithic stone carvings of Goddess images that have been found all over Europe. She represents the voluptuous beauty and fertility of both the land and her people. The snake coiling at her base is called "Uroboros", and symbolizes the never-ending cycle of life, death, and regeneration.
Vesta, Roman Goddess of Household Harmony (whose Greek name Hestia means "hearth"), is accompanied by the donkey-god Pales, a symbol of creative labor and fertility throughout the ancient world. The serpent represents Vesta's generative function, while her scepter and headdress signify her rank. Harmony will reign in your hearth and home as you meditate on this image. [Berlin Staatliche Museum, 2nd cent. CE] Brown/gray Gypsumstone statue.
Dreaming Goddess of Malta is Goddess of the Shamanic Journey. Following the influence of dream imagery is one of the most ancient techniques of spiritual growth. Native American "vision quests" and Tibetan "dream yoga" are but two traditional examples of a practice whose modern champions include Karl Jung and Joseph Campbell. On the Mediterranean island of Malta, underground temple chambers shaped like the body of the goddess facilitated this practice. Invite this inspirer and fulfiller of dreams to your altar or bedside. [National Museum, Valetta, Malta; c. 3200 BCE]
The focus of a warm and happy household, Hestia is the embodiment of the hearth flame. This is a modern interpretation of the classic lamp used in the Mediteranean and Far East. Great for use on an altar, for ritual, or for a romantic evening, this small lamp burns olive oil or mustard seed oil. Wicks included. Please use caution around children, pets, and flammable materials and do not leave unattended.
In these midnight colors, the Triple Goddess reveals her wisdom and healer aspects, which were vital to midwives and common people well into the Middle Ages. Hecate embodies the original Holy Trinity who held sway over heaven, earth and the underworld. Her torch of lunar fire, serpent of immortality, and knife of midwifery imbued her with primal power. A perfect symbol for those days when you need the strength of three people!
A Powerful Personification of Female Creativity, Greek Hecate embodies the original Holy Trinity who held sway over heaven, earth and the underworld. Her torch of lunar fire, serpent of immortality, and knife of midwifery imbued her with primal power. A perfect symbol for those days when you need the strength of three people! [Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City] White marble colored Gypsumstone.
Cybele and Hecate were leading deities of mystery cults and considered powerful in divination especially for those at a cross roads or starting a journey or giving birth.
Amazon women worshipped Artemis, Cybele and Hecate as Maiden Mother and Crone, and Thracian Bendis was closely allied to Cybele and Hecate. Diodorus says that the Amazons offered sacrifice to Cybele, Hecate and Tauric Artemis and served as votaries.
The cult of Cybele idolized an earth-goddess of fertility in human, beast, and field. Her worship was accompanied by the sound of crashing drums and cymbals, the music of the pipe, and the voices of frenzied votaries. Her inspiration came as a form of holy madness, which endowed the worshiper with a sense of mystic ecstasy and supernatural strength.
Cybele's name may have a connection with stone cubes (Kybos means dice). The sacred image of her brought to Rome in 204 C.E. by order of the Cumaean Sybil was a black meteorite. Sybil means "cave-dweller" and is a Latin form of Cybele. The Sybils of Cumae lived in a sacred cavern dedicated to Triple Hecate which was classically believed to be the entrance to the underworld.
The worship of the Great Goddess seems to have been common in Asia Minor and the islands of the eastern Aegean has been documented going back to the Bronze Age goddess of the city Karchemish on the Euphrates river in south central Asia Minor.
Here, Hecate cradles a torch, Cybele, her drum and offering bowl, and the two goddesses look on each other. [fourth century relief, Piraeus, Greece] 9" silver / black resin plaque
