In this post, I am going to introduce you to one of my favorite spiritual items found in my Spirit Room. She’s known as the Spiral Goddess, and stands approximately 8 inches tall. Cast out of white resin, she shows two different images on either side – a large spiral symbol and a sacred tree coupled with the three phases of the moon:
The Spiral Goddess was created by Pagan artist Abby Willowroot as part of the Goddess 2000 Project. The purpose of the project was to help bring attention to the Divine Feminine by encouraging women to create their own images and build their own temples – “A Goddess on Every Block!” Although Abby took a leading role in the development of the Goddess 2000 Project, as she likes to say:
The Goddess is the Mother of this project,
the Internet is the midwife,
and I’m boiling water as fast as I can!
The Spiral Goddess has become perhaps the best known modern symbol of the Divine Feminine; and both the spiral and the moon are strongly associated with Her. The moon is the symbol of the Goddess, and its three phases – waxing, full, and waning – relate to the three aspects of Maiden, Mother, and Crone.
Anyone who knows me well knows of my love for spirals. I am immediately attracted to anything bearing this particular shape. The life renewing potential of the Spiral appears in the stories of various cultures, as a representation of the universal process of growth, as well as the desire for diverse expressions of creativity.
It is a natural function for human beings to grow, change and evolve…and the Spiral symbolizes this process of growth and evolution. It is a process of coming to the same point again and again, but at a different level, so that everything is seen in a new light. The result is a new perspective on issues, people, and places.
Couple this with the image of the tree and the moon on the opposite side:
I know that sometimes us Pagans get referred to as “tree-hugging hippies.” Personally, I think that if that’s the worst someone can call me, I shouldn’t complain. There is some truth to such name-calling…I do love trees, and I have been known to embrace a couple of them in my lifetime. Certainly trees hold a position of prominence within Earth-Based faiths, and have an important role to play in the practice of nature religions. And even if you don’t consider yourself Pagan, as a fellow blogger stated to me in a recent email:
“I’m not pagan, but I believe that if we paid more attention to nature, we wouldn’t be in nearly the trouble we’re in.”
The tree represents both that positive, dynamic energy branching out into nature, and also of being deeply rooted in the energies of the Earth. One could view it as being the Tree of Life…swelling towards regeneration, while bathing in the glow of the Full Moon that shines through its branches.
As mentioned above, the Moon is a symbol of the Goddess, and the three phases of the moon shown here help to reinforce that concept of change and evolution as signified by the Spiral.
But perhaps it is Abby Willowroot herself who best defines the concept of this Spiral Goddess figure, whom she named “She Who Creates from Her Own Source.” As Abby explains it (as quoted on the Wild Wisdom website – www.wildwisdom.net/goddess.htm ):
“She Who Creates is about claiming your power and allowing the magick and uniqueness within you to express itself in the world. Look into yourself and claim that part of yourself that is deep at your core. The part you cover up with defense because you think no one would understand or relate to that part of you. It is the part of you that is your humanity, it is the part of you that everyone would relate to. It is your true self, it is where your power resides. Dare to claim that part of yourself and spiral it into the world, and be the strongest, most brilliant, shining you that there is.”
I keep my Spiral Goddess close by as a reminder to reclaim my own power to grow, to change, to evolve. To not be afraid to express my own creativity.
To forever partake in the spiral dance.
With loving blessings and a sincere hope that you too will spiral your power out into the world…
~ Ocean
For more information on the Goddess 2000 Project, check this website at
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Thebes/3163/
Another excellent resource for information about
Abby Willowroot and the Goddess
This sculpture shows the sign for "connect"...and that is what Deaf Pagan Crossroads is all about - making connections. Connections between Deafhood and Paganism, connections between the Deaf Community and the Hearing Community, connections between myself as the writer and you as the reader. I hope you will take the time to read my various posts, some of which are listed below. Welcome to the Crossroads, and I hope you make some connections here!
What a beautiful statue! I love Abby Willowroot’s stuff.
This is a beautiful statue indeed! Okay, I have a confession…of course, being of Earth based faith, I have a deep love and respect for trees as well…I can’t remember the last time I hugged one…but I can tell you that there are a couple of trees on my parents farm that I actually sing to regularly.
That is a beautiful explanation of why spirals are awesome. For year’s I’ve wanted a shaman’s hand tattoo (a stylistic hand with a spiral in the palm), because it symbolizes healing, which to me also symbolizes growth and awareness, which symbolize… well, you get the point. I’ve put getting the tattoo off because the last time I got a tattoo I regretted getting it, so I want to make sure I want THIS one!
But after seeing your explanation: “It is a natural function for human beings to grow, change and evolve…and the Spiral symbolizes this process of growth and evolution. It is a process of coming to the same point again and again, but at a different level, so that everything is seen in a new light. The result is a new perspective on issues, people, and places,” nothing’s holding me back now!
Both of these statues are beautiful
Thank you for sharing the images, they really brightened my evening.
Blessings
Mama Kelly
[…] of my posts focused on Pagan Spirituality (Defining Paganism, Prayer for the Earth, The Spiral Goddess) as well as discussing the merger of one’s identity as a Deaf person with the spiritual path […]
i love the statues and spirals too, i have a necklace like your statues,with the spiral on the goddess in the front and the tree and moon on the back
I’ve been spiritually guided to your site Ocean, there are so many messages and signs i have found here that are significant to my life and I was supposed to find them. Thank you! Your an angel! 🙂
I love this post! Sprials are highly significant and have great personal meaning for me.
The pix of the statues aren’t showing up today, but I saw Abby’s statues online, I believe on Goddessgift.net I love trees too, I had a post on the Celtic Tree of Life and Celtic belief in trees as sacred, mystical, healing entities with unique spirits of their own. You have a lovely place here in cyberspace…great energy.
Ahh…there they are. The pix showed themselves after I posted my comment. Must have been a momentary computer hitch.
[…] https://deafpagancrossroads.com/2007/02/18/the-spiral-goddess/ […]
Ocean, a friend just sent me a link to the wonderful piece you wrote on the Spiral Goddess, Thank You! Reading it was a great Christmas present 🙂
Magical Blessings,
Abby Willowroot
Dec 25, 2008
Greetings, Abby!
Welcome to the Crossroads… pull up a chair close to the fire and make yourself comfortable. There’s hot cider, and if you prefer, the chalice of mead should be making the rounds – if someone hasn’t drank it all!
Reading your kind words was a wonderful Christmas present for me as well. Thank you for leaving a comment, and feel free to stop by the Crossroads at any time!
Blessings,
~ Ocean
is there any picture book out there including all goddesses, prehistoric, egyptian, classic, western and oriental?
Two days after our Handfasting, my new hubby paid for my latest tattoo. It’s ontop of my foot and is By Far my favourite! It’s the tree and moon goddess side of the statue and my next ink adventure is going to be the spiral goddess on my other foot.
I’ve always been really self concious about my feet because of my toes but now I can’t help but smile when I look at it!
It also inspired a friend to go ahead and get the phases of the moon done on her back like she has been wanting to.
I just came across this post about this statue. Which I have on my altar right now,she is my favorite. I am actually getting the tree/moon side tattoo on me next week.
My ex sister wife gave me this statue knowing I had admired it for years. It has chips and the head is cracked but everytime I look at it I am filled with a sense of peace. This statue is a guide of sorts on my journey to find strength,power and my inner goddess.
I love what you wrote about it. I never looked at the spiral in that way and I feel different about it after this. Thank you.
Chiara
[…] https://deafpagancrossroads.com/2007/02/18/the-spiral-goddess/ […]
hi am rahaman from tamale the northern part of Ghana.and also i will like to be your friend.i have completed in the savelegu school of deaf.and i am now at home .how are you and how is the family with you ?hope to hear back from you soon.
RAhaman
I’ve been looking information about this spiral bellied goddess because i want to make a tattoo of it… i wasnt quite sure about it because i didnt know what it meant… But know i know and i will like to thank you for your info!!
Hi Ocean,
I hope it’s ok that we referenced your blog! I found your blog while searching for “spirals and women” … Take a look
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Moni-Poni-Ponytail-Holder/100952305840
We LOVED what you had to say about spirals. And we’d love to send you some of OUR spirals 🙂
Many Thanks,
Beth
Moni Poni Ltd.
While I don’t normally endorse products on this site and try to remove all references to sales here, I think in this case I can make an exception! Thank you for referencing my blog and for the kind words, and I wish you the very best with your enterprise.
~ Ocean
Hi, What a beautiful piece. You have inspired me today.
Reblogged this on JoNeaIsisMarie.