Show and Tell Friday: Hammer and Wheat

So, a few weeks ago, I drew this. Then I burned it.

I usually don't take pictures of sacrifices, let alone share them, but I felt like sharing some of what I do to honor my spirituality.

I draw pictures of symbols sacred to the powers I'd like to gain favor with, or show appreciation to. I start the drawings knowing I will be putting them into a fire, so I'm not making something I'd be worried about preserving.

I like watching the art for sacrifice burn. Fire transforms it, taking all the soul of the thing away and putting it into wind and earth. I can think of no better way to send something to another realm of reality. It's leaving my domain and entering the realm to whom I dedicate it to.

I don't feel bad burning art created for this purpose because that is the purpose. It's meant to leave this place and go elsewhere. I feel similarly when I draw for someone else as a gift or a trade. That piece is leaving me - once it's out of my hands, I really don't have any control over its fate. Whether the person cares for it, or loses it, is really out of my hands. The fact I gave them the piece, and the fact they enjoyed it, is what's important to me.

Gifts are important in my spirituality. Friendship isn't about owing someone, or keeping tabs, but... more about building a bond through gifts and support. So to completely and entirely give over a gift in sacrifice... to me, that is the highest way I can honor my Lord and Lady.

From the Gods to the Earth to Us,

From Us to the Earth to the Gods,

A Gift for a Gift