Goddess drawing of the day: Freyja

This drawing of Freyja is in stylistic opposition to the painting of Freyja I created for The Book of Goddesses and The Goddess Tarot. She seems so, well, sexy — not the fierce beauty I’d previously depicted swooping down from the heavens in her cat-drawn chariot.

Part of the reason for this Freyja’s rather sensual appearance was suggested by Michelle Skye, the author of the book that this illustration was created for. She associates Freyja with Beltane’s ancient fertility rituals and presents her as the ultimate earthy aphrodisiac — more akin to Venus than Athena. Anyone who has read any version of Freyja’s myth can support this supposition. Remember, Freyja was known for her lusty appetites — anyone who could sleep with that many dwarfs to gain a necklace must certainly be comfortable with her sexuality!

In any event, I’m glad I had the opportunity to explore a different aspect of Freyja. Goddesses are complex, rich creations of myth and spirit. It’s difficult to do any of them justice with just one portrait.

This drawing was created for Goddess Alive, a book I recently illustrated for Llewellyn Publications. I used pencil, white gouache on tinted paper. The book features 13 Celtic goddesses, each associated with the turn of the seasons and the phases of the moon.

Goddess Alive will be published any day now by Llewellyn Worldwide. It is now available for purchase at amazon.com. If you decide to order it, autographed bookplates are available upon request.

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what tarot card are you?

Yup, this quiz is totally frivolous. But it’s also fun, in a goofy Cosmo quiz kind of way. Given the way my life has been lately (between the New Book and Thea), my results seem totally appropriate.

You are The Empress

Beauty, happiness, pleasure, success, luxury, dissipation.

The Empress is associated with Venus, the feminine planet, so it represents,
beauty, charm, pleasure, luxury, and delight. You may be good at home
decorating, art or anything to do with making things beautiful.

The Empress is a creator, be it creation of life, of romance, of art or business. While the Magician is the primal spark, the idea made real, and the High Priestess is the one who gives the idea a form, the Empress is the womb where it gestates and grows till it is ready to be born. This is why her symbol is Venus, goddess of beautiful things as well as love. Even so, the Empress is more Demeter, goddess of abundance, then sensual Venus. She is the giver of Earthly gifts, yet at the same time, she can, in anger withhold, as Demeter did when her daughter, Persephone, was kidnapped. In fury and grief, she kept the Earth barren till her child was returned to her.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

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how I spent my weekend

The Coney Island Mermaid Parade marks the official beginning of summer in NYC. It is also is the largest art parade in the United States, “art parade” meaning that anything goes in the purest sense of the phrase. and one of New York City’s greatest summer events.

Founded in 1983 by Coney Island USA, the Mermaid Parade celebrates the sand, the sea, the salt air and the beginning of summer, as well as the history and mythology of Coney Island, Coney Island pride and artistic self-expression. In other words, it’s totally wild! The Parade is characterized by participants dressed in hand-made costumes as mermaids, Neptunes and various sea creatures in various levels of dress (and undress). And even a scurvy pirate or two, as you’ll see in this very blurry video!

See if you can pick out me and Thea at about 0.17. Hint: Thea’s stroller is blue, as is my skirt. Warning: blurry partial nudity (not mine).

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Goddess Inspiration Oracle: Cybele

On the Goddess Inspiration Oracle front, I’ve just received a first final printed copy of the guidebook from the printer. It’s 120 pages long and measures about 5 x 5″, about the size of a thick cd book showcasing an opera libretto — it looks adorable! I think I mentioned that I received flat proofs of the cards not that long ago too. So things are moving along.

According to my editor, in a few weeks I’ll be receiving an advance boxed kit with the cards and guidebook — the whole enchilada. I can’t wait to see it!

KEYWORDS:
the earth
catharsis
rebirth

In Phrygia, now part of modern Turkey, Cybele was honored as the great mother goddess. She was associated with caves and mountains, and associated with the Greek earth goddesses Rhea and Gaia. Each spring, Cybele was worshiped in wild, ecstatic rites that commemorated the death and rebirth of her son-consort, the vegetation god Attis. These emotionally intense ceremonies offered her followers a sense of catharsis, and suggests her connection to the fertile soil.

Since she reigned over beasts, Cybele was also honored with the title of Mistress of Animals. She was traditionally represented with lions, who were often depicted drawing her chariot, and bees. As well, her consort Attis was associated with bulls, which were sacrificed in his behalf.

Text and art adapted from the Goddess Inspiration Oracle, published by Llewellyn Worldwide. All content © Kris Waldherr 2007. All rights reserved.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Draw strength from Diana, the beloved Roman huntress. Channel your anger wisely with help from the Hawaiian fire goddess Pele. Consult Anuket for prosperity. The Goddess Inspiration Oracle makes it easy for women to tap into the sacred wisdom of these powerful deities.

From Abeona to Zhinu, eighty goddesses from across the globe are represented in this deck. Each card features a striking portrait of a deity, her attributes, and a message inspired by her unique story. It’s an ideal instrument for creating affirmations, sparking creativity, gaining fresh perspectives, and uncovering insights related to health, love, creativity, motherhood, and other issues specific to women. The guidebook offers in-depth descriptions of each goddess, keywords associated with her, and practical suggestions for working with the cards.

Purchase now.
Learn more or try a free reading.

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Read Me a Story

Four of my paintings will be on display for this exhibition — two from Sacred Animals, one from The Book of Goddesses and one from The Wolfhound. In addition, autographed copies of my books will be available for purchase.

I hope to meet some of you there!

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