Lady of the Apocalypse

‘And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars …’

Revelation, Chapter 12

Because that doesn’t describe a goddess at all or anything…

This is my most recent painting. This is a recreation of a 14th century illuminated manuscript page illustrating Revelations. You can find the original here, courtesy of the British Library.

Lady of the Apocalypse

I’m really fascinated by the ways that the Goddess sneaks into Christianity.

In the description of the original, it says: “Detail of the woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, from the Queen Mary Apocalypse, S.E. England or East Anglia, 1st quarter of the 14th century, Royal MS 19 B XV, f. 20v”

The six heads are the winds and the guy holding the book and staff is old St. John himself, admiring the Lady…and of course, where would we be with pseudo Pagan imagery if we didn’t have some “foliage” hanging around?

Twelve stars on her head and the moon under her feet…? Where else have I seen that lately…?

Oh wait…

I like the idea that the end of the Christian world is ushered in by a beautiful woman and a seven headed dragon (not depicted) and I really like this image. Maybe next time you think of the apocalypse, you’ll think of the Lady too…