If you have been to my jewelry website, then you already know... I am in love with Greek Mythology! I am introducing a new Goddess to my collections this week. I hope to have her up by Monday or Tuesday the latest.
But first I thought it would be nice to introduce you to the Goddesses formally :)
Athena was the goddess of wisdom, strategic warfare, and artisans. Athena invented the flute, the trumpet, the chariot, and the ship. She also taught women's arts such as cooking and weaving. Zeus, King of the Gods, was her father. Her mother was one of Zeus’ many affairs that bore offspring.
Roman Name: Minerva
Athena was a very important Goddess to the Greeks. Named after the great city of Athens, Athena was the city’s protector. Her symbols included the olive branch, the owl and sometimes the snake. In making pieces for the Athena collection I have tried to convey both her strength and artistic skill.
Demeter was the Goddess of the Harvest and agriculture. She was the patron of farmers, and the goddess of everything green; trees, grass, gardens, and crops alike. She had given man the gift of wheat and showed them how to sow their fields.
Roman Name: Ceres
Demeter had a daughter named Persephone who was kidnapped by Hades, the God of the underworld. While Demeter roamed the earth searching for her daughter she became so depressed that she let nothing grow for six months and man was introduced to Winter. When her daughter returned Demeter rejoiced and the earth began to grow again. This is why Demeter is also the Goddess of the Seasons.
Artemis was the Goddess of the Hunt and the Moon. Her twin brother Apollo was God of the Sun. Artemis was one of the Virgin Goddesses and she was a patron of unmarried women and childbirth.
Roman Name: Diana
She was athletic, beautiful and deadly with a bow. The Greeks loved her for her protection of wild animals. Her symbols are all wild animals, which is why I incorporate many feathers into her jewelry. Also the moon and the stag represent Artemis.
Aphrodite was the Goddess of Love and beauty. Legend has said that Aphrodite was born sprung from the ocean foam near the Greek island of Cythera. The name Aphrodite means, "foam – risen." She was married to the unsightly Hephaestus, god of the forge. However Aphrodite was rarely faithful to her husband, as she was known to take a great deal of lovers, both immortal and mortal. One of her more famous offspring is the little winged Eros (or Cupid), the archer of love.
Roman Name: Venus
The pieces in the Aphrodite collection incorporate her connection to the sea. I use many seashells, pearls, and corals into the pieces. I have also incorporated lava in her pieces, which have a connection to her husband Hephaestus, God of the forge.
Hera was Queen of the Gods and wife (and sister) of Zeus. She was the goddess of Childbirth and Married Women as well as the Home. She was considered a jealous goddess, which is no surprise given the number of other lovers her husband had.Roman Name: Juno
Her symbols included the pomegranate, which was a symbol of fertility and also the peacock. I have incorporated evil eye jewelry into her collection as well as real peacock feathers.
Thetis was a very beautiful sea nymph. Thetis was prophesied to have a son that would become more powerful than his father. Once this had spread through Olympus she was no longer desirable, despite her stunning beauty. Zeus had even tried to court her but ceased because of this prediction. At last Thetis married the mortal Peleus and gave birth to the mighty warrior Achilles.
Since Achilles was the son of a mortal, Thetis tried to make him immortal by dipping him into the River Styx. She held him by his heel and thus his heel became the only mortal part of his body. This is where we get the phrase "Achilles' Heel" today. Achilles was only defeated in the Trojan War when he was hit in his heel by a poison tipped arrow.
So now that you have met all my wonderful Goddess inspirations! I will introduce you to our new Goddess tomorrow!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend friends!
Hygeia is the Goddess of Health and Healing. She was the daughter of Asclepius who was the God of Medicine and Healing. Her mother was Epione, the Goddess of soothing of pain. The painting above you can easily recognize as the work of Gustav Klimt. In both the statue and the painting Hygeia is pictured with a snake. She is often holding a medicine bowl (patera) as well from which the snake is feeding. Serpents are often used as symbols of healing and medicine as with Mercury's double serpent caduceus, which was adopted by the Medical Department of the United States Army and other medical related organizations.
Autism is a condition that I'm sure has touched everyone's life, or that of someone you know and love. I am fortunate to know so many people who help... and they have inspired me to do the same. Special thanks to Alaina and Samantha who work with Autistic and special needs children on a daily basis and truly make a difference. Love you guys!
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