Athena Shrine Photos

These are from our old apartment. We have new-and-improved shrines at our new residence. I'll try to get some new photos up shortly.

The shrine features an iron Spartan Cyclic-influenced statue of Athena from Basil Street Galleries which I like because it displays Athena with wings, her owl and a crescent moon, all of which are older symbols of this Goddess. At her feet is a hand-sculpted Gorgon head that I made to honor her Aegis and her relationship to the dark serpentine energy of Medusa. To the right is a goblet filled with red roses, owl feathers and prayer scrolls filled with hymns to Athena. I hope to replace the roses with olive branches eventually. Also to the right is an owl's skull, which was a gift from a dear friend. Behind that is a large holed stone. At her feet is a bronze oil lamp embossed with owls that I picked up at the Nashville Parthenon gift shop. The lamp is lit with prayers to Hestia and is filled with olive oil. Beside it is a small skein of undyed wool -- as Athena is the weaver's Goddess -- and an ancient silver tetradrachm which depicts Athena's profile on one side and her little owl on the reverse, a gift from Laurelei. To the icon's is a black-feathered replica of an Athene Noctua owl, the owl depicted on her coins. I like the symbolism of the black feathers, as Athena has some very dark (almost chthonic) roots. Behind everything is a painting of Athena I did in acrylics.

Kaboodle: Hellenic Recon Editon

I have a habit that is common to most westerners. I like stuff. Below is a list of things I've magpied from various places on the internet that I'd buy if I had the capital. Of special interest is the section on cloth. I want to have a nice and extensive collection of khitons and himations for use at festival. That also explains the big blingy safety pins which I plan to transform into fibulae. ;)

Greek Recon by nataliewitch

Stick Weaving

I've been wanting to take up fiber arts for Athena for a while now. I've learned how to hand spin using a top-whirl drop spindle via some excellent tutorials online.

There is a wonderful fiber arts store very near to where I live. But I've no idea of what to do with the yarn once I've spun it. Sadly, I'm all thumbs when it comes to knitting. I'm sure I'll try it again, but the results thus far have been less than encouraging.

I've been wanting to try my hand at weaving, but the initial investment is prohibitive, especially considering I might not enjoy it once I start. I'm going to purchase a lap loom soon, just to give it a good try, but I've recently been taken in by the concept of stick weaving. It's cheap, it's easy, and the resulting product would look great belted around a khiton at festival!

Esty carries weaving sticks for $5.00. I'll be making an order soon.