Paganistan: Notes from the Secret Commonwealth
In Which One Midwest Man-in-Black Confers, Converses & Otherwise Hob-Nobs with his Fellow Hob-Men (& -Women) Concerning the Sundry Ways of the Famed but Ill-Starred Tribe of Witches.
When Statues Speak
They have mouths, but cannot speak.
So wrote a dyspeptic 7th century Hebrew poet concerning the so-called “idols” of the pagans.
But of course (as anyone who has ever actually lived with one for very long can tell you), he was wrong.
***
The little clay goddess sits elegantly on her throne on the coffee table in the living room.
A few days ago, I acquired a reproduction of a little bronze votive bull. Not having had in mind a specific location for him, I set him down for the time being next to the lady of the coffee table.
Yesterday, I thought I'd try him out someplace else, and moved him up to my bedside table.
This morning, the living room goddess spoke to me, clear as spring water:
Where's my bull?
***
Pagan lore is filled with stories of statues that speak.
And when they do, I mean, really: what else can you do?
I moved the bull back, of course.
After all, when statues speak, pagans listen.
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I make goddess sculptures for a living and I totally identify with this experience. I'd modify the quote for mine to: "they do not have mouths, but they speak." Thanks.