Pantheon Part I

The idea behind Pantheon is a series of what ifs. What if the barriers upheld by racism, sexism, and gender bias were removed from society’s interpretation of the sacred, mystical, and spiritual? What might a Pantheon of Gods look like under those circumstances? At a time when many younger people are turning away from organized religion but still seeking meaning and guidance through practices like astrology, I wondered about the place traditional religions had in modern society. How might a religion or belief system relevant to the values of today look? As most religions do, I rooted my pantheon in legends that already existed. The figures chosen all have histories and legends that can and have been interpreted in the context of the real world. Traditionally, however, the physical visage of these idols and larger-than-life figures, have not often represented the masses whose devotion and admiration were required to give them lasting relevance.How relevant is a pantheon of all white Gods in a multiethnic society? I wanted to explore this idea in a more equitable and reparative way. I wanted to deviate from the traditional heroic representation of power embodied by Caucasian masculine figures and create something more inclusive and reflective of the multi-ethnic, multi-gendered diaspora that exists in many parts of the western world today.

Boudicca

“Queen of the Iceni tribe who led an uprising against the conquering forces of the Roman Empire in AD 60 or 61… She is considered a national heroine and symbol of the struggle for justice and independence.”

Circe

An enchantress with the ability to transform people into animals – she transformed Odysseus and his men into swine before they were rescued – she is traditionally associated with female guile and sexual temptation. However, there is a modern philosophy that she transformed people into their true nature as represented by an animal.

Dido

"The legendary founder and first queen of the Phoenician city-state of Carthage…a clever and enterprising woman who flees her ruthless and autocratic brother, Pygmalion, after discovering that he was responsible for her husband's death. Through her wisdom and leadership, the city of Carthage is founded and made prosperous.”

Rhea Silvia

The legendary mother of Romulus and Remus who founded Rome – symbolic in the west as the dawn of civilization

Sappho

“Sappho is known for her lyric poetry, written to be sung while accompanied by music. In ancient times, Sappho was widely regarded as one of the greatest lyric poets and was given names such as the "Tenth Muse" and "The Poetess"”

Cassandra

“A… priestess… fated… to utter true prophecies but never to be believed. In modern usage her name is employed as a rhetorical device to indicate a person whose accurate prophecies, generally of impending disaster, are not believed.”