Photos from the Nashville Parthenon

Laurelei & I just got back from a Caribbean cruise vacation, and on the way driving down to the port of Miami we decided to make a stop at the Nashville Parthenon. Here are some of the highlights.
Laurelei & I outside of the Parthenon.

The glorious 40 foot statue of Athena Parthenos. To give an idea of size, that statue of Nike in her palm is six feet tall.

Detail of the shield.


The interior of Athena's shield. Notice the figure of her near the handle, with her owl, overlooking Heracles.

Erecthonious gazes from a safe place behind his step-mother's shield.

Replica of the western pediment Parthenon marble of Athena.

Zeus watches as Nike presents Athena with laurels.

Detail of Nike and Athena.

Athena battles Poseidon.

The entire vacation was stupendous. I will share more about it soon. Hail, Athena!

Nashville Parthenon Pilgrimage

My family and I are planning a pilgrimage to the Nashville Parthenon on Saturday April 10, 2010. We'll be there at Noon EST until they close at 4:30 pm and we'd love to see some friendly faces from the Hellenic community there. Laurelei has blond hair. I have dark brown hair. We'll both be wearing dresses and have flowers in our hair.

The gift shop at the Parthenon is a Hellenist's dream come true, so come prepared to drop some drachma. They even have pink squeaky Venuses (Venusii?) and, really, who doesn't need one of those?

This pilgrimage is something I've been planning for over a year and is part of a devotional commitment I've made to Athena. If you've ever wondered why I'm so mad for Her, when you see Her 42-foot gilded statue you'll understand. Don't think that its just about Athena, though. There are wonderful reproductions of the Parthenon marbles on site that depict all of the Pantheon. If you live within driving distance and you haven't been to the Nashville Parthenon consider this a sign that it's time.

Best month EV-AR

April has been kind to me. I began the month being initiated into the bestest, funnest, mostest awesome Witchcraft order in the area, continued by trekking up to Chicago for my O.T.O. Minerval (which, aside from an incredible theatrical performance of Liber Al, was underwhelming, but I'll be taking MUTS later this year to make up for it) got a job at the local New Age/Occult store part-time, moved right along into Anita's totally kick-ass Aztec watermelon frenzy ritual (perhaps the most moving ritual I've ever witnessed) and left the next day with Lynn and C. for the indesribably goregeous St. Augustine Florida. Go look at our sqwee-worthy Florida photos! While in FL, I experienced many of the things FL tourists everywhere crave: seeing an alligator in the wild, splashing around on the beach in the middle of the night, spying a manatee, climbling a lighthouse, going on a ghost tour, noshing on the best key lime pie on earth, and, yes, GOING TO DISNEY WORLD! *sqwees in ways that make me indistinguishable from a piggy* We went to Epcot. It was awesome. The photos are in the link above. Also, on the trip, we stopped off at the Georgia Renn Faire (again, totally friggin' awesome) and the Museum Replicas store in Conyers, GA. But, best of all, while in FL, I got my 3rd degree G. initiation. I am purple beyond purple with glee. Beltane is coming up next (camping at the annual festival at Our Haven Nature Sanctuary) and the Babalon Rising Festival is getting better every day (I cannot encourage you enough to check out the website. The festival is looking stupid-good thus far.) I am in a place of complete joy and contentment with my life right now. What more can I say? Those Cakes of Light sure did the trick!

Reposted from LiveJournal Apr. 24th, 2006

Myrtle Beach Memories

So, as you could probably guess, Myrtle Beach was fun fun fun. Joe & I camped right on the beach. Every morning we'd start the day by running down to the waves, and we'd end each night splashing around while fireworks went off overhead. Tres romantic. :) We stayed at a wonderful "luxury campground" (oxymoron, I know) named Pirate's Land. Pirate's Land offered a private beach, golf carts, an indoor pool, jacussi, lazy river, arcade, minature golf, campsite water, showers, cable TV, a billard room, and even it's own ice cream parlor. Arrgh, 'tis a Pirate's life for me!!! (we plan to return next season) Joe even taught me how to SWIM, which is a talent I have somehow managed to survive for almost 25 years not needing.

While at Myrtle, we visted the Ripley's museum, where I scoured the collection for Fr. G.B. Gardner's pieces from the Witches' Mill. I found a corn dolly from his collection, and a lovely Malaysian kriss dagger that may well have served as one of the old goat's athames... well, I can dream, can't I? Anyway, I recorded both on film, and plan to post the photos here when I get them scanned. Furthermore, I want to visit as many of the Ripley's attractions as possible to document what remains of G.B.G's collection before 'Wicca Inc.' forgets it's heritage entirely.

For those who are planning to visit Myrtle Beach, but have never had the pleasure of doing so, I must warn you of one astonishing fact. The city of Myrtle Beach, SC consists almost entirely of Pancake Restaurants. I'm not joking. Along the same streach of road you will find The National House of Pancakes and Omlettes, the National Pancake and Omlette House, The International House of Pancakes (also serving omlettes), The House of Omlettes and Pancakes, the Pancake House (also serving omlettes), and my personal favorite... The OMEGA House of Pancakes and Omlettes. (the be all and end all of Pancake Houses, I'm sure.)

After leaving SC, Joe & I made a trip through Smokey Mountain National Park where we panned for gemstones. We found a green quartz about the size of my fist, two lovely rose quartz, two large amythests, a hefty moonstone, countless garnets and topazes, and a rough ruby about the size of a dime. We had such a nice time in the mountians that we agreed to return during the fall to see more of the sights.

BTW, after resisting temptation the entire time we were in Myrtle-land-of-Pancake-Houses, my will broke while in Pigeon Forge and I feasted upon pancakes at an IHOP.

Since our return home we've been keeping buzy. Joe's Mom has been in & out of the hospital, and we've been consumed with SCA events. (trying to get in as much as possible before Winter.) This weekend Joe & I will be camping once again at Our Haven. Tis our goodbye-to-Summer Mabon blow-out celebration, and all signs point to this being the biggest event yet. Joe & I will be vending with some friends. At least four rituals are planned (one of which -- concerning a wicker man and the song John Barleycorn -- I am writing). I will also be running my standard workshop on shapeshifting, and might teach a bit of bellydance if anyone shows interest. If you live anywhere near Indiana, please consider attending this event! We promise to make it a memorable one!

Reposted from LiveJournal Sep. 16th, 2003