Partnering with the Earth: the Sacred Art of Chrisalis

by Ron Sering - Part Two

When Art Becomes Spiritual

With this understanding, Chrisalis's spiritual and artistic life converged, and soon she began creating small clay figures in the image of the Goddess. Her creations have evolved to include wearable art, statues, and shrines embodying the images of goddesses from many cultures.

In keeping with the earth-centered nature of the Goddess, Chrisalis works with natural materials, in a mixed media of clay, metal and stone. Her techniques are non-traditional, which instills a truly unique character to her creations.

She begins the creative process with the historical image of a particular Goddess. "Ideas come to me all the time," Chrisalis says. "I read lots of books about the cultural origins of Goddess and their role in their respective religions."

Her wearable Goddesses are handmade from fired clay, which after an initial bisque firing, are then glazed or painted. Some of her figures, such as Shakti, are decorated with precious metal lusters and fired an additional time. The pieces are then wrapped with 14 kt. gold-filled or sterling silver wire, and adorned with natural gemstones.

She also creates original one-of-a-kind shrines from wood, metal, or clay. These can hang on the wall as decoration, or become a centerpiece for an altar. Each design is original, but the concept and characteristics of each Goddess come from their historical and cultural significance.

"Pachamama is one of my favorites," Chrisalis says, "maybe because she is "full-bodied," or perhaps for deeper reasons." The Incan Earth Mother, Pachamama has been overlooked in most Goddess references. A primordial feminine image, Pachamama is one with the earth, centered, calm and content.

One of Chrisalis's customers said, "I recently found out that Pachamama, to the pre-Incan people, was considered a dragon Goddess, and that thrills me as I am very in tune with dragons."

She has recently added portable Goddess altars to her offerings. These beautiful and affordable pieces are a collage of fabric and paper which frame a print of one of Chrisalis's original Goddess shrines. They can serve as greeting cards for special occasions, or as portable shrines.

Some designs come easily, for example, Kali, the Hindu Goddess of transformation, was complete with only one prototype. "I'm very connected to Kali, and I think that's why it came so easily." Other Goddesses take much longer and require several months of design and reworking.

Tools for Feminine Empowerment

Her Goddess images are more than simply beautiful; they provide a sacred connection to the dimensions of the unseen spirit world, becoming a source of strength for the possessor.

"I have one of Chrisalis's sculptures on my mantel and people constantly comment on the beauty of the piece," Karen, another customer, said. "Feminine power and grace radiate from it. I recently bought the Lilith pendant (as she is my guiding Goddess) and it always attracts attention. Having her close to my heart and feeling her energy empowers me."

Women buy the Goddesses as much for their beauty and feel as for their meaning and significance. "Women often buy my work," Chrisalis says, "for very personal reasons. Many women have an intimate connection with a specific Goddess. A certain Goddess has spoken to her, maybe through a personal crisis or life transition. The image can provide comfort, inspiration, and empowerment, sometimes for the rest of her life."

Just as Chrisalis's wearable art and Goddess shrines have deepened her connection with the earth and the spiritual, they have touched the lives of people the world over.

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You can shop for Chrisalis's Goddess jewelry and shrines on her Web site www.sacredearthdesigns.com

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