"Hear ye the words of the Star Goddess, She in the dust of whose feet are the hosts of Heaven, whose body encircleth the universe." The Ancient Greek goddess Astraea "star-maiden" was a personification of justice, innocence and purity. She weighs the deeds of mortals in her scales to deliver law and order on earth.
According to legend, Astraea, the celestial virgin, was the last of the immortals to live with humans during the Golden Age. Fleeing the injustice and wickedness of humanity, she ascended to heaven to become the constellation Virgo. Her scales of justice became the constellation Libra. One day Astraea is expected to come back to Earth, bringing with her the return of the utopian Golden Age.
Virgo was also associated with the goddess of wheat, Ceres. The late Republican Ceres Mater (Mother Ceres) was described as genetrix (progenitress) and alma (nourishing). Ceres was patron and protector of plebeian laws, rights and Tribunes. Goods, property and fines raised through prosecution of those who offended her laws were used to fund her temple, games and cult. Ceres was thus the patron goddess of Rome's written laws; the poet Vergil later calls her legifera Ceres (Law-bearing Ceres). Ceres' role as protector of laws continued throughout the Republican era.
In Britain, a soldier's inscription of the 2nd century CE attests to Ceres' role in the popular syncretism of the times. She is "the bearer of ears of corn", the "Syrian Goddess", identical with the universal heavenly Mother, the Magna Mater and Virgo, virgin mother of the gods. She is peace and virtue, and inventor of justice: she weighs "Life and Right" in her scale.
In the Middle Ages, Virgo was sometimes associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary. During the European Renaissance, Astraea was identified with Queen Elizabeth I as the virgin Queen reigning over a new Golden Age. In Russia, Astraea was identified with Catherine the Great. The commonly depicted crown of stars that forms the Virgin Mary's halo hints at her associations with Virgo Astraea.
The personification of justice balancing the scales of truth and fairness dates back to the Goddess Maat, and later Isis, of ancient Egypt. The worship of Isis was so widespread that she had become completely syncretic with the Greek goddess Demeter. The Romans identified Isis with Ceres and called her Queen of Heaven, a title that was passed on to the Virgin Mary.
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According to legend, Astraea, the celestial virgin, was the last of the immortals to live with humans during the Golden Age. Fleeing the injustice and wickedness of humanity, she ascended to heaven to become the constellation Virgo. Her scales of justice became the constellation Libra. One day Astraea is expected to come back to Earth, bringing with her the return of the utopian Golden Age.
Virgo was also associated with the goddess of wheat, Ceres. The late Republican Ceres Mater (Mother Ceres) was described as genetrix (progenitress) and alma (nourishing). Ceres was patron and protector of plebeian laws, rights and Tribunes. Goods, property and fines raised through prosecution of those who offended her laws were used to fund her temple, games and cult. Ceres was thus the patron goddess of Rome's written laws; the poet Vergil later calls her legifera Ceres (Law-bearing Ceres). Ceres' role as protector of laws continued throughout the Republican era.
In Britain, a soldier's inscription of the 2nd century CE attests to Ceres' role in the popular syncretism of the times. She is "the bearer of ears of corn", the "Syrian Goddess", identical with the universal heavenly Mother, the Magna Mater and Virgo, virgin mother of the gods. She is peace and virtue, and inventor of justice: she weighs "Life and Right" in her scale.
In the Middle Ages, Virgo was sometimes associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary. During the European Renaissance, Astraea was identified with Queen Elizabeth I as the virgin Queen reigning over a new Golden Age. In Russia, Astraea was identified with Catherine the Great. The commonly depicted crown of stars that forms the Virgin Mary's halo hints at her associations with Virgo Astraea.
The personification of justice balancing the scales of truth and fairness dates back to the Goddess Maat, and later Isis, of ancient Egypt. The worship of Isis was so widespread that she had become completely syncretic with the Greek goddess Demeter. The Romans identified Isis with Ceres and called her Queen of Heaven, a title that was passed on to the Virgin Mary.
I've never heard of "The Star Goddess" before... very interesting & the top & bottom pics posted here are especially gorgeous! Love the way the black of the bottom one morphs from folds in her dress into almost wings & then the swirls of the cosmic background. And- the top one reminds me of John Currin's work, who I'm sure was influenced by that era.
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