This is a piece that I made as our coven symbol. Each of us in the coven has our own ideas of what we value. I tried to use the symbol to reflect those ideals. I drew it by hand with pencil and it was rather difficult because of the twists and turns of the branches which make the outer edge. It took our coven a few weeks to decide on what we wanted in our symbol. We might make a website someday, so we wanted to make sure it was one that was easy to put online and easy to duplicate. We knew we wanted it to have a balanced look and a spiral somewhere in the piece.
We started by deciding on a triskelle. The next step was deciding on how to make it appear rounded. We finally decided to include a Celtic knot. We love the intricate, delicate appearance of Celtic knotwork and we wanted that intricacy and delicacy to be present in our own symbol. We started by finding a simple picture that had the basic design. I then took the design and added the symbolism and drew it out myself to make the picture ours.
The twisting branches can be considered either vine or tree branches. They represent the earth and the way it is both intricate with trees, branches, roots, rocks, animals and is in the eternal circular shape of the earth. It encompasses the other elements.
Within the circle of branches is held the darkness and the triskelle....this part has multiple meanings. First, it displays the primordial darkness and the full moon shining through with the triskelle displayed atop the full moon. Second, it can is the eternal dark oceans and its spiraling waves and whirlpools. The dark triskelle that lightens to the center reflects the change from the darkness to our inner light. It also represents the movements of the air and the way it shifts and the vortex the wind creates. It is also the bright pale parts of flames and the dark, cooler parts of the fire. Looking down on it, it could be a cauldron that holds the elements and the spiral of spirit within. It is also the darkness of the primal goddess and the begetting of the light, or god within.
Our coven is called Spiral Essence. Each of us believes in the spiral as the shape of all things at least at a minute level. Whether it is the spiral of the smallest atom, or if it is the spiral of the greatest tornado, the spiral is one of existence's greatest shapes. It is also the shape of a unicorn's horn, an animal liked by everyone in our coven, and loved by several. This took a long time for me to devise and complete. I think it is one of my finest pieces. It maintained the simplicity and balance we were aiming for, yet created a complexity and duality that creates our own beliefs.
The unicorn is on the left, inspiring memories of horse and unicorn goddesses such as Epona, Rhiannon, Amalthea, Artemis. The griffin is on the right, reminiscent of gods such as Lugh and other solar/griffon/eagle/lion deities.
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