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La Bruja. Art by Laura Bello, from Secrets of Paradise Tarot.
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Here is the 2nd reveal for the Witch’s Familiar Oracle deck I am creating with author Deborah Blake for Llewellyn Worldwide. It is a companion to our Everyday Witch Tarot and Oracle decks, coming August 2024. This is the Bear!
All of the paintings are 6.75 x 9.75 inches, created with ink, watercolor, and acryla gouache.
Patrons at www. patreon. com/ elisabethalba have been getting lots of sneak peeks of the art, and those in the Mini Print Tier can get prints from it already! (Link in bio!)
The Bear. Art by Elisabeth Alba, from the Witch’s Familiar Oracle.
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Ram. Art by Christopher Lee, from the Terrestrial Fauna Oracle Deck.
The ram, known for its strength and determination, brings forth a message of power and leadership. As an oracle, the ram reminds you of your inner strength and the power you hold within. Just as the ram fearlessly charges ahead, you too have the ability to overcome obstacles and lead with conviction. Embrace your inner power and harness it to make a positive impact in your own life and the lives of others.
The ram’s strong sense of individuality serves as a guiding principle for you. It reminds you to embrace your unique qualities and stand firmly in your own truth. Avoid succumbing to societal expectations and instead forge your own path. By honoring your individuality, you inspire others to do the same and create a world where authenticity and diversity are celebrated. The ram symbolizes determination and perseverance. It encourages you to stay focused on your goals and never give up, even in the face of adversity.
The ram oracle emphasizes the importance of balance between assertiveness and gentleness. The ram’s powerful presence is tempered with a calm and gentle demeanor. It reminds you to assert yourself when necessary, but also to embrace kindness nd compassion in your interactions. Strive to strike a balance between strength and empathy, for true leadership stems from a harmonious blend of both.
In summary, the ram oracle invites you to embrace your inner power, honor your individuality, persevere through challenges, step into your role as a leader, and find a balance between assertiveness and gentleness. Through the wisdom of the ram, you can tap into your inner strength, lead with integrity, and create a positive impact in your life and the lives of others.
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Henri-Paul Motte (French, 1846 - 1922), Druids Cutting the Mistletoe on the Sixth Day of the Moon, 1900, oil on canvas, 80 × 116 cm.; private collection.
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‘Druid’s Temple’, Ilton, Yorkshire
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Carlos Barahona Possollo, b. 1967, Summer Faun, ca. 2006, oil on canvas.
Good Night!
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Dionysus waiting for the grapes to be ripe
(91)
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Dionysus and Ariadne, after Ariadne has been abandoned by the hero Theseus and discovered by the god of revels.
One thing I learned in my research over the past months was that while people tend to think of ancient Greek women worshiping goddesses like Artemis, Demeter, or Hera, Dionysus was actually a (male) god of women. And while I’m not going to argue that his wild rites were totally safe and positive, it feels very significant that they were some of the few opportunities Greek women had to enjoy a measure of freedom.
Now, taking things out of the realm of actual worship and into the myths and lore surrounding the gods, another thing I learned is that the gods most honored by the ancient Greeks – Zeus and Apollo – were the two who most often violated and hurt women. Even Athena, goddess that she is, sided with men against women.
But Dionysus is different. While my research didn’t account for every legend about him, these two quotes from scholar Sarah B Pomeroy stood out to me.
When speaking of goddesses rescuing human men, she notes:
“With the exception of the rescue of Ariadne by Dionysus, we do not find the reverse situation of a male god going out of his way to aid a mortal female.”
And:
“the sole divine exception to male dominance and exploitation of mortal females was Dionysus … Dionysus rescues [Ariadne], marries her, and remains a faithful husband. Dionysus, of course, was a popular rather than an aristocratic god.”
As I said, I don’t know enough to confidently claim that there are no legends of Dionysus ever stepping out on Ariadne, though I can tell you that ancient Greek husbands were expected to sleep around, as long as their partners were slaves or sex workers. So Dionysus’ fidelity, or at least relative fidelity, is remarkable.
What also stands out to me about the Dionysus-Ariadne story is that Ariadne has been abandoned by Theseus, implying, to me at least, that she’s no longer a virgin when Dionysus finds her. In the ancient Greek world, this makes her far less attractive as a bride. But it doesn’t seem to bother him.
