Snake-charmer
Goddess-voluptuous
Viper-venomous
Whisperer-livewire
Lover
Original-Author
immaculate-Sinner
Sorceress-Temptress
Seductress and
Mentor
Thundebolt-wielder
bounteous-Mother
Earth-spitting
venom now breaking
asunder
You shouldn’t have crossed her
You shouldn’t have crossed her
Now cross your own heart
And admit that its over:
Cross your heart
Hope to die
Painlessly
Written for Earthweal Weekly Challenge: Mentors for a Changed World. Brendan has set us the following challenge:
‘Our times are dark indeed. For this week’s challenge, let’s write about mentors. Can these wise ones help with times like these? Can they rally and nourish a forwarding center? What are the figures, from myth and mystery, from the animal world and our dead, from prehistoric depths and personal history, who can tell us something important about going forward?’
For my mentor, I have chosen the so-called ‘Minoan Snake Goddess,‘ discovered by Sir Arthur Evans at Knossos in 1903. I say ‘so-called’ because the ‘Minoan Civilisation’ is a modern construct. The only written records left behind by the ‘Minoans’ have not yet been deciphered. So we interpret these figurines as we wish to interpret them, in the ‘light’ of our own ‘understanding.’ I’ve chosen to set up a few stereotypes about women in general and Mother-Earth in particular, then look at how these stereotypes may one day catch us out unawares: Mother Earth is more powerful than we think.
Love this. Goddess magic ❤️
Thank you 🤩
Ingrid, Imaginative take on the Minoan figures, which are quite intimidating! <3 Have a great day! Cheryl
We shouldn’t have crossed her….so powerful. This is wonderful, Ingrid.
Thank you Sherry: she is a formidable figure!
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I love your interpretaion and weave of mother goddess. Love the information too very educational. ❤️🙏 👏👏👏 Cindy
Thanks Cindy – I studied Ancient Greek history/prehistory for my MA
You’re welcome.. Such richness comes out of your work as a result which is so beautiful and eductional!
She will have the last word. (K)
I believe so!
We might be trying to interpret whale songs as translate the Minoan, but it was original and vast. (Minoan burial practices fascinate me.) Waking consciousness was interfaced by the dark mother, and this goddess is primal. Neumann in his Origins and History of Consciousness asserts we have become far too invested in the thoughtful light and are in desperate need of rebalancing in the dark. For Earth’s sake, if it isn’t too late. Three degrees C of warming will surely bid Her dance … Great read and thanks for bringing it to earthweal – Brendan
You’re most welcome Brendan, thanks for hosting.
I love the shape of this poem, Ingrid, the use of kennings in a list, and the repetition of ‘You shouldn’t have crossed her’ is such an effective warning. The Minoans are an interesting choice for inspiration and I would try to stay on the good side of the so-called ‘Minoan Snake Goddess‘! Juxtaposing stereotypes is the best way to make people aware of them and show how they could catch us out unawares. The ending is chilling.
Thank you, Kim. I studied the ‘Minoans’ and they’ve always fascinated me.
This is harsh, powerful, worthy of the goddess.
Thank you 🙏
Wonderful!
Thank you 🙏
Welcome!
This poem evokes so many feelings. Primarily it is clipped and chilling until the repeated warning that really punches. Thanks Ingrid.l just had to keep rereading. Love it x
Thanks Erica, I’m pleased it spoke to you!
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