This month's altar honours the Inuit form of the Divine Feminine, Sedna, Goddess of the Sea and of Marine Mammals. There are many versions of Sedna's creation myth, but they all involve her vengeful father chopping off Sedna's fingers as she clings to his kayak in the Arctic sea where he has thrown her. Sedna sinks down deep into the frigid water, where she grows a whale's tail as she morphs into a mighty sea goddess. Her severed fingers become the marine mammals (seals, walruses, whales) on which the Inuit people rely for food. If Sedna becomes angry and withholds her food source animals from hunters, Inuit shamans perform a hair-combing ritual to please and placate her since, lacking fingers, she cannot comb her own hair.
This lovely soapstone carving is by Lisa Douziech, an Edmonton carver, which I bought about a year ago. I don't know if the artist intended the carving to represent Sedna, but that's who it is to me. The fibre-optic tea lights with their ever-changing colours are meant to represent the Northern Lights of the Arctic.
The altar cloth is a quilted panel created by the quilters' group at an Edmonton seniors' recreation centre where I take art and poetry classes. I placed Sedna and the candles off to the side so as not to obscure its beautiful Arctic scene.
[Photos © Debra She Who Seeks, 2025]
Hubby and I enjoyed the full moon this morning at 3:30am while soaking in the hot tub. A bit early for us as we usually get up around 4:30.
ReplyDeleteI'd say you accomplished what you were going for in this alter. Good picks to represent each part of the story.
ReplyDelete...the moon was big and bright last night.
ReplyDeleteThere are beliefs in places like the Scottish highlands where seals are said to be dead people returning, selkies.. I wonder if there's always been this wondering about the relations of people and sea animals? This is a lovely altar.
ReplyDeleteThe carving is a beauty! Love it!
ReplyDeleteAnother beautiful altar and beautifully explained to us who have no knowledge of such things!
ReplyDeleteI love your Sedna and the Sedna myth.
ReplyDelete😍 A depiction of the Northern Lights...could Cleora Borealis be any happier?! Well, yes, actually. One of the best days Hubby and I ever had was spent whale-watching between San Francisco and the Farallones. The boat captain told our group that we were luckier than most groups because the whales were very active that day. We saw a few large adults breaching the water. We then saw an adult, probably female, breaching alongside a younger whale. Looked like we caught a training and frolicking session! The seas were pretty rough, but Hubby and I aren't prone to sickness. When we were sitting in calmer water right next to the southern Farallon island, while the rest of our group was up front dealing with illness, Hubby and I got a huge thrill at the back of the boat. A very large whale quietly came up out off the water, stared at us while we stared right back, then quietly disappeared under the water! We still can't believe how much like a movie scene it was! Hubby and I determined that all the luck the captain had mentioned was a direct result of us being on the boat because the whales clearly felt a kinship with us!! 😘 Well, who's to say it ain't true?! Hail Sedna; she blessed us that day! ✊️🥰
ReplyDelete@ Cleora Borealis -- What a marvelous experience to have had, personally communing with a whale. You were indeed blessed that day!
DeleteI love that soapstone carving and I jumped over to her web page too. I've never tried carving. Maybe for my next hobby.
ReplyDelete@ Barbara -- Yes, she is a wonderful soapstone artist! I agree -- giving carving a whirl!
DeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeleteLove the background story and love the altar.
ReplyDeleteI think if that carver would have wanted to represent Sedna, it would not have looked this perfect.
Love the idea of combing her hair for her.
XOXO
Beautiful altar as are its components..I love the soapstone carving..It was a beautiful moon this week..
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I spent a wonderful weekend on Martha's Vineyard last Fall. Many of the curio shops there are operated by the indigenous people of the island, and that carved figure was prominent in many of the shops. I never thought to ask... thank you for the lesson!
ReplyDeleteWhat an origin story! Yikes! I hope Sedna's father was eaten by something with very sharp teeth.
ReplyDeleteThe altar is serene and perfect. The soapstone carving looks like Sedna's tail is rough in comparison to the rest of the figure. Love that juxtaposition.
@ e -- Yes, you're right -- the tail fluke is rough and unpolished. I like the contrast too.
DeleteThe moon was big and bright. Lovely to see the soapstone carving.
ReplyDeleteHello Debra, Sedna has a big job these days taking care of the ocean. It seems that I am always reading about (human-caused) changing currents, salinity, levels, temperatures, acidity, microplastics, DDT, and other pollution, not to mention overfishing and toxic/nuclear waste dumping, even in the deepest and most hidden recesses of the ocean. Your altar will remind her that at least a few correct-thinking people appreciate her efforts.
ReplyDelete--Jim
@ Parnassus (Jim) -- Yes, the Oceans of the Earth are all dying and it's we who are killing them. Humans treat Sedna and Gaia with a callous disregard that will backfire on us all in due course.
DeleteWhat a sad and lovely story. The altar cloth and the soapstone carving are beautiful. I bet those tea lights look lovely in dim lighting.
ReplyDeleteAs the Sea Goddess, Sedna’s influence over marine life highlights the vital role these creatures play in sustaining the Inuit way of life.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful creation story. I love hearing all the different ones around the world. Yes definitely looks like Sedna
ReplyDeleteThat is a cool story. I hadn't heard it before. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThe art on this altar is awe inspiring.
ReplyDeleteGiven the melting of the icecaps, I'd say this goddess has plenty to be displeased about.
ReplyDeleteThe whole thing is lovely, but the candles are what really stand out for me.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!! I love the altar and story of Sedna.
ReplyDeleteSoap stone carvings are so lovely, especially when done by native Inuktutuk artists
ReplyDeleteThe polar bear cloth is so awesome. To get one custon done would cost a fortune but would be worth it as a wall hanging
A gorgeous altar, Debra! The soapstone carving is one of my favorite goddess statues you have collected. I did not know Sedna and her wonderful creation story. The bear cloth is truly lovely.
ReplyDeleteWhy do I keepmissing full moons?
ReplyDeleteYou wouldnt miss mine, it is huge
Deletewhat a beautiful way to honor Sedna and to celebrate the Full Moon. and the northern lights thing is awesome!
ReplyDelete~*~
The quilted cloth is so lovely, as is your statue. I wonder why her father felt the need to toss her into the sea?
ReplyDelete@ Busy Bee Suz -- That varies from story to story as well, but usually it involves Sedna being defiant of her father in some regard.
DeleteOh goodness----I suppose that is much harsher than when I was put on Restriction/Grounded!
ReplyDeleteHow have i missed all these posts!! LOVED the story of Sedna! and the Northern Lights.
ReplyDelete