Ancient Wisdom Strikes
Maple, Koa, silver, grass fibers
Ancient Wisdom Strikes was one of the most time-consuming of the Sweeping Changes brooms. The stick was a solid piece of hard Maple, carved into two intertwining snakes, in a sort of Caduceus. The snakes have little forked tongues made of silver, looking like lightning striking the outstretched arms of the priestess between them.
The priestess figure will be familiar to students of history, or religion, or religion. Priestess or Goddess, with a snake in each hand, found in Knossos, Crete, by Arthur Evans around the beginning of the 20th century, dating to 4000 years ago or so.
Rae carved the figure from a piece of Koa, a dark, rich tropical wood that carved well and took a great satin finish. The Goddess/Priestess has an owl sitting on her head, symbol of wisdom and spiritual power, and holds the two snakes with are touched by the silver tongues of the snakes, like lightning bolts striking and imparting energy to her through them.
Cretan Snake Priestess
Priestess/Goddess at top of broom. Detail
The skirt for this one is an antique-looking broadleaf grass, looking somewhat like corn sheaves, slightly thinner.
The symbology here is not subtle, the name of the piece tells the story. Wisdom, sought after or not, can come with a blinding clarity and immense power.