Queen of Swords

I have been learning quite a bit about myself over the past few weeks: how much I still need the challenge of intellectual pursuits, how much BDSM nurtures me even in the absence of a romantic partner, how my priestessing can work, where I still need to grow in terms of handling conflict with others. . . .

Two or more years ago, while shopping for Winter Solstice gifts for my teacher, I found a beautiful dragon pendant: silver curls with amber insets. It was expensive enough that I would not have bought it for myself, but I thought she would like it. But when I was assembling her gifts to send, it just didn't seem to fit. I took a chance on spoiling a surprise, called her, and asked if it sounded like something she would like. She said, essentially, "Thank you, but no -- not my style."

That pendant has sat on my dresser ever since. Until yesterday. And today. My dragon is rising. Rising in response to the intellectual challenge of graduate school. Rising in response to Odin's presence in my life. Rising in response to putting my body on the line in BDSM scenes. Rising in response to being called beautiful and hot and desireable. Rising in response to facilitating a public sacred sexuality group. Rising in response to daily spiritual practice which I created. Rising in response to reconnecting in new ways with some of my fundamental archetypes and mythic meta-story. Rising, rising, rising. . .





"A New Beginning" by Katerina Romanova

This was even better -- especially because it's in color. . . .




Click to see full size image, or go here:
http://www.sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=3834

But as Erynn pointed out: it's Water that's missing, not Air!

I have decided to become a Pirate Queen.

Real life pirates are thieves and murderers, but on the archetypal level to be a Pirate Queen means to embrace freedom, to make one's own rules, to declare one's own sovereignty, to be bold, to joyously disregard convention, and to actively search out adventure.

I have not taken leave from my own real life and I'm not going to burn my bridges unless or until I have firmly arrived on new shores. But I am going to start spicing things up, taking risks so I can reach for rewards, and caring far less about what "they" might think.

This decision emerged, surprisingly, during a conversation with my new spiritual director. Inspired by my recent reading of Mama Gena's School of Womanly Arts (one of the factors in my recent healing), I had made a collage of images of pleasure. When I showed this to AA, she made it part of the altar and asked me to talk about it. Very soon, the conversation started to focus in on the images of piracy, and what they meant to me. Soon I found myself affirming that the best, most satisfying times of my life have occurred when I was somehow "outside the lines," and that true pleasure for me included freedom and not feeling constrained by what "they" thought was best/wisest/most prudent/respectable/etc.

From there, it was a short step to affirming and celebrating my inner Pirate Queen, and that's when the energy started surging -- and it hasn't let up since.

( Just a few of my images of pleasure )

"Transcend" by David Palumbo.





You really need to click for full size. It's amazing. And perfect.

My supervisor and I were walking past the office of a new employee last week and my eye was caught by the dark/vivid colors of the image on his computer desktop. I stopped short and tried to figure out if I was seeing what I thought I was. I wanted to into the office for a closer look, but it didn't feel right. Instead I waited until the new resident walked by my desk and stopped him. "I couldn't help noticing the artwork on your desktop. Is that really a steampunk Wizard of Oz?"

He seemed as startled that someone had correctly identified it as I had been to see it in the first place!

It's an incredible piece. Please do click twice for full size and gorgeous detail.



The artist is Justin Gerard, and the image was posted on his Quick Hide Here blog: http://quickhidehere.blogspot.com/
If you like high quality fantast art I encourage you to check it out.


As an Oz purist, however, I do need to point out that the Scarecrow should not be unconscious. Scarecrows do not breathe and he would not have been affected by the poppies mushrooms.

Never summon anything larger than your head.




"Azeazelbunny"
by Ursula Vernon

Click twice for full size -- and a good look at the unfortunate bunny who forgot the rule.

I just found this gorgeous, fun image.
I need a big print of it up in my room.

( Behind a cut because it's not quite work safe. )

"Lord of the Wildwood" by Helen Reed-Nelson.