'Artnlight' in Hindustan Times Mint
Friday, November 21, 2008To her from whom we derive our strength,
our powers, our vision, our grace,
where does she dwell?
In our dreams, our inspiration,
Our breath, our space?
Who is your Goddess?
Which Goddess are you, in the shape of your beliefs,
in the sweep of your work, in the grace of your home?
I am about to share with you a book which has long been my favourite "Goddess at Home" by A. Bronwyn Llewellyn. This book introduces the seven Greek Goddesses- Aphrodite, Artemis, Athena, Demeter, Hera, Hestia & Persephone and goes on to explain how you can infuse your home with a divine grace worthy of the Goddess in you. Specific characteristics of the goddesses and their symbolism is explained with examples of ways to welcome her home by adding specific objects, colours, patterns or motifs reminiscent of her.
"Although Artemis shared the quality of strength with other Goddesses, she possessed an untamable individuality. She knew her own nature well and honoured it. So create a space that announces who you are, where you come from and where you are going. Make it personal, use things that resonate at the core of your being. Don't be swayed by others opinions and choices. Exercise your intuition."
"To summon Artemis, invite nature into the den in all its wildness. Add a vase of tangled twigs or aromatic silvery Artemisia, unrefined containers of clay, drilled stones or wooden containers. This Goddess roamed fearlessly through moonlit thickets. Step boldly into colour realms you may have been too timid to try. Consider warm umber or delicate bamboo, add a woodsy hue of oak or gleaming chestnut."
Cover your floor wit natural fibres like coir or jute.
Frame naturalists sketches depicting natures beauty in every leaf, petal and stem.
Use natural containers of bamboo canes, twigs and basketry for magazines and other storage.
Display photographs of your travel to exotic places, whether a continent away or the next town.
Collect your found objects and souvenirs there, whatever denoted the life you have or the life you want.
To Artemis, everyday is new and overflowing with potential. She doesn't worry of what others think or expect of her. Her spirit is independent, individual and untamed. So bring her home, into you life and let your imagination run wild, literally J
Symbols of Athena
Moon- particularly the crescent
Bow and arrows
Mirror – clarity of self knowledge
Roads and harbours
Her colours
Earth tones and colours of deep woods, sundrenched meadows
Saffron and red
Silver
White
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