Linde Burkhardt

GODDESSES OF PROTECTION

GODDESSES OF PROTECTION
Whether a divine being exists is something I cannot clarify today. However, I do not rule it out, as I am convinced that our current knowledge is still insufficient to answer such questions, just as it is in other areas of life.

Nevertheless: Goddesses of protection.

The religious and artistic traditions of all ancient cultures reveal an abundance of divine beings, demigods, gods, guardian deities, and local gods.

It becomes clear that people in all parts of the world have always sought ways out: In light of their own weaknesses, numerous vulnerabilities, and the need to protect important social contexts or areas of life, the longing for support, help from those who are stronger, wiser, more powerful, foresighted, and benevolent has been immense. In many situations, people sought help from outside and created very specific "divine" contacts.

The ancient Egyptians imagined that what we now call their gods are beings living in our world, who are simply much more gifted than we humans, who possess much, much more than we do, and therefore can generously come to our aid. It was crucial to take them seriously, to behave favorably towards them, and to offer sacrifices.

Thus, people created various such beings with whom they built intense relationships, expecting help in numerous troubles.

This fascinates me.

I have looked into many ancient cultures and discovered astonishing things about their gods:
In India, for example, there is the goddess LAKSHMI, who, among other beneficial qualities, strives to provide spiritual well-being. Who among us speaks of spiritual well-being?

I am sure that simply thinking daily about this longed-for state can have a significant impact. The small sculpture of Lakshmi can remind me day after day that there could be a state of well-being, but that I must do something for it, as our societies no longer regard it as an important and desirable state and do not promote it. Lakshmi, in the form of a small sculpture, reminds me every day that I must take my spiritual well-being into my own hands if it is important to me.

The little goddess of protection may only prompt me to think about where I could set priorities. That is already a lot.

Who would not agree that the arts and culture need protection? SARASWATI can remind me daily that there is a significant lack when I engage with this thought bridge.

Age increases, memory declines: MNEMOSYNE.

Our health is not guaranteed, but CARNA can help us keep harmful influences at bay through our lifestyle, through certain actions or abstentions.

TAJET protects the art of weaving, BELISAMA the crafts, and SAGA the writing of history.

One might argue that the sculptures serve as markers, that we have integrated them quite mundanely into our daily lives, and that everything "divine protection" has nothing to do with it. Seen this way, we could also replace the sculptures with a large written note: REMEMBER YOUR SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING! Who knows, perhaps the written word, placed in a central location in the home, would work just as well. Wonderful!

However, I rely on the aesthetic impact of the goddesses of protection, on a fascination that each figure can unfold in an individual living environment. The small sculptures could bring joy and quietly remind me that there is something that is so important to me.

I have selected only a few of these goddesses of protection, some of which are still very present in other societies today. They initially reflect my own needs. More protective deities are already being considered.

Linde Burkhardt Montecatini, April 2012