Faces of the Goddess Magazine SGC 21

Clay workings;Emerging Gods and Goddesses
Jade Melany
As an Artist I have worked with lots of
different mediums over the years. Two Tarot
decks in using Oil paint as my preferred tool
of expression, change was knocking gently at
the back door of my brain, and nudging me to
begin something new.
Working with clay has been a completely
instinctual and unplanned process that has
taken on a life of its own. Or should I say, it
has become a medium through which the
Gods and Goddesses have begun to speak to
me in a very clear voice. This last winter was
one of the darkest I have experienced yet, in
my years of being. Seasonal Affective Disorder
can become something of an unsurmountable
challenge in the depths of a long dark winter.
Coming out of the cave of introspection has
illuminated a stronger connection with gods
and goddesses, deities and spirits speaking
to me through the land. And especially those
of the wilds frequenting sacred streams and
waterfalls of nearby rivers. I am so blessed to
live within walking distance of forest, rivers,
and the sea, and only a short drive away from
many sacred sites in Cumbria.
those struggling, so you can imagine, that
didn’t leave a great deal of room for artistic
expression.
During the first lockdown in 2020, on a daily The creative genius didn’t return until the
walk to the shore, I was graced with a vision of stirrings of the spring tide this year. Winter is
the Sea God Manannan Mac Lyr, who emerged always a difficult time of year for me, and even
on to the canvas that hangs on the western with careful planning and measures in place,
wall of my creating space. To my absolute it is still a real struggle to keep a hold of the
horror my creative urge completely vanished, vision of the light returning in spring. But it
for the first time ever, at the outset of the always does return. This year on the Spring
second lockdown in January this year. I had a Equinox I was guided to go to Castlerigg Stone
panic stricken moment in which I wondered if Circle in Keswick to perform a ceremony for
it was ever going to return!
all those that had passed during the winter
Being a mother of twin boys has challenges of months. During this ceremony, when I went
its own, let alone during a global pandemic. into meditation, I saw a vision of the Barge
The many roles of mother, teacher, friend, coming to take the souls of the dead to the
cook, cleaner and guide, keeping them happy, otherworld. This had a profound effect on me
healthy and sane was my primary focus during and I was truly honoured to witness this event,
that time. When the children were sleeping and travel as a companion on the journey,
that left just enough time for devotional seeing those souls back to the otherworld for
worship, and to send prayers and healing for healing and preparation for their next life.
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