my very own shield of Athena

this shield that we are making in our Goddess group, for me, has turned into something bigger than Ben Hur as the saying goes.. I have weaved.. threaded, agonized, pondered and dreamed about this shield. and I have enjoyed every single minute.. it has for me, turned into something magickal..

I started with a framework of apple branches [Avalon, you know].. and tied them tightly together with string and then began to weave.. weaving wool, cut up blankets, lace, a torn up tablecloth.. I added a flower trim to represent my love of gardening - the middle represents my life so far..

"I have woven in my ancestral mothers who are always there to guide me, an old tablecloth cross stitched by my maternal grandmother who always laughed at life, despite being quite ill - black represents my ancestral grandmothers from Cornwall - the original village Wise Women, helping others with herbs & wisdom. the yellow wool represents my paternal grandmother - who crocheted - mother to 7 boys. a true Hestia Goddess, one who stood strong in her own spiritual self. bits of vintage blanket represent warmth and nurturing. blue and green for healing. a bay spirit bundle woven in to protect from bacteria, cinnamon for good heart health. the colours of the chakras and then the brown.. representing my love of earth and my wise woman self"

a ball of thick brown wool which was perfect for the next part - that of my hopes, dreams and wishes for my future..
and then I began to add 'bits'..

a wise woman with O'Yarrang hair and seeds from the desert, a jabiru feather found on one of my gathering walks, shells from my beach walks and a medicine bag representing my desire to be a wise woman who can share her medicine, her craft..

the gorgeous pink rose represents my eldest daughter Louisa

a bag of my hopes, dreams and wishes, where I can place notes and add magick to manifest them..

my home.. and a talisman to represent my mother.. who I struggle with... a heart and little baby with her.. me. the violet is for my youngest daughter Sophie and there is a blue button for my boy.

an Owl which is Athenas companion.. and meaning wisdom to me.. and some words which I dream to have within me.

an angel wing and a Bee, representing the Goddess..

an old purse with citrine crystal inside represents abundance of all kinds..and a little pocket for my new Moon Intentions.

and this is my finished shield..