New Dryad Designs
Butterfly Pentacle Plaque By Paul Borda
7 1/8"x 7 1/2" x 7/8'
Available in wood or stone
finish
$30
Dryad Designs Garden
Sculptures
Made of fiberglass
Venus $250
Moon Goddess $550
Shipping in late April, preorder to ensure availability
White finish only, stunning!
Each approx 2 feet tall
Dryad Designs Baba Yaga Statue
by Paul Borda
original carved from mahogany
A figure from Russian folklore, Baba Yaga embodies the Wild Woman.
If encountered, this scary crazy old lady will either eat you, put you
to work or give you advice. If she gives you advice, the outcome
will be better than you could imagine. If she puts you to work,
the work will be hard but you will do better than you ever dreamed
possible. If she eats you, well, better luck in the next life!
In story and song, she is a Russian witch, best known for her dealings
with Vasalisa. Around the mortar are images from one of these
tales. She rides her mortar, using her pestle as a rudder and
sweeps away her tracks with a broom as she travels the night sky.
Available Finishes: Stone and Wood
Size: 7 1/2" x 8" x 3 1/2"
With her arms raised in blessing
and surrounded by a nimbus of stars this goddess was seen as the
embodiment of the Eastern Star - Venus. She is based heavily on the
mythology of Ishtar, worshipped as early as 4000 BCE in the area of
present day Iraq. The filigree is a working star chart as on an
astrolabe- an ancient devise used to navigate and tell time. The points
are referred to as flames and each indicates the position and name of a
star. The zodiac ring, also positioned correctly, is known as the
ecliptic. The text on this piece was inspired by the Hymns of Inanna and
intended to invoke the divine feminine healing power of the Universe.
Available Finishes: Stone and Wood
Size: 18 5/8" x 11 1/4" x 2 1/4"
Fabulous Dryad
Designs Drawing Down the Moon Plaque
by Paul Borda
The image is based on
the Rite of Drawing Down the Moon in which divinity of the woman is
acknowledged, invoked, and honored. In Wiccan circles, the Goddess
energy flows through the Priestess as she embodies the Goddess within.
The overall shape of the Viscia Pisces here represents the Yoni. A
popular Goddess chant encircles the outside: "Isis, Astarte, Diana,
Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna." A line from the Five Fold Kiss- "Blessed
be thy womb without it we would not be," serves to purify and align the
body in preparation to open to the Goddess energy. This rite expresses
the purpose of our physical form to worship and commune with the divine.
Available Finishes-
Stone and Wood size 10 3/4" x 6 1/4" x 2 3/4"
$69.99
Dryad Designs Chalice and Blade Plaque
By Paul Borda
The Chalice & Blade
represents the conjunction of divine male and female energies also known
as the Great Rite. This image may also be familiar as Excalibur and the
Holy Grail. The pentacle placed on the chalice symbolizes the active
nature of the feminine energy, and the crescent on the blade or Athame
represents the masculine energy as passive on the internal planes. The
phrase "Blessed Be" seals this sacred image. The ribbon spirals down the
piece to symbolize the energy generated during this rite, creating a
vortex of rebirth. May this energy bless your home with the harmoniously
balanced energy of active and passive, masculine and feminine, yin and
yang.
Available in wood or stone finish resin. 12 1/2" tall.
$35.99
Dryad Designs Crescent Raven Pentacle Plaque By Paul Borda
5 1/2" X 5 1/8" X
3/4"
The raven, indicted by
the point in his tail, symbolizes power, fate and transformation. The
crescent represents flow and change, the moon waxing and waning in the
night sky. With points up, it is known as the Horned Moon and is seen as
the balance of masculine and feminine energy. The dynamic asymmetry of
the Celtic swirl patterning, predates Christianity on the British Isles
and was purely Pagan in the origin. The pentacle grounds all that energy
in the element of the earth so that you can build and focus what you
wish to with this energy
by Paul Borda This laughing leafman light switch will bring his
jovial mischieviousness into your home. The leafman
face decorates many ancient buildings. As “gargoyles” they
often spouted water out of their open mouths. In modern
times instead of water this Green Man lights up your life.
Well, at least your room. Be careful though, if you flip the
switch too quickly he might give you raspberry! Enjoy!
Available Finishes:
Stone and Wood Size: 10" x 7" x 4"
$18.99
149 Dryad Designs
Cernunnos Switchplate
by Paul Borda
Original carved in Mahogany in the USA
Cernunnos, also known by many name such as Herne, Forest Lord,
Horned Man or the Stag of Seven Tines, is a Celtic God of Abundance,
Prosperity and of course – Fertility. This God carries his sacred
objects and his sense of humor for all to enjoy. Turn on the God
and light up your life! This is a God who knows how to have a good
time.
Available Finishes: Stone and Wood
$18.99
Too funny!
150
Dryad Designs Double Switchplate
by Paul Borda
Original carved in Mahogany in the USA
The Old Pagan Seasonal Gods were also sexual Gods, bringing
abundance and fertility to Mother Earth. The Green Man ruled
during the Summer or Light of the Year and the Horned Man during the
Winter or dark of the year. Like two brothers, they dance the
magic of life entwined in joy. So turn up the Gods and let them
bring light, abundance, enjoyment and a few giggles into your home to
brighten up your day!
Available Finishes: Stone and Wood $26.99
#151 Dryad
Designs The Guardian by Paul Borda
original carved
from mahogany
The Guardian was inspired by a wood print of an Etruscan
guardian spirit in Raven Grimassi’s book “Italian Witchcraft.”
It is believed that these house deities called Lasa or Lare,
served as the precursor of the “Watchers” or “Watchtowers” of
the four elements. Carved over doors or beds, in Etruscan times,
these figures acted as protectors and messengers of the Gods. It
is believed that artists used these images as reference for our
concept of angels. Those with eyes in the wings were of the
highest level, much like archangels. This Guardian represents
all four elements and carries aspects of both male and female.
On its sword is written “Defensor” in Theban script. Its wings
spread to encompass the dwelling in which it is hung. This
watchful being embodies the security and comfort of divine
blessing. May the Guardian bring safety and security
to your home and family.
Available Finishes: Stone and Wood Size: 5 5/8" x 10 3/8" x 2"
$52.99
Dryad Designs-Fabulous Lilith Statue
by Paul Borda
This image of Lilith is based largely on a Sumerian
clay tablet relief from 2000 BC. She wears the horned crown that marks
her as a Goddess not a demon in Sumerian mythology. Lilith appears in
Sumerian, Babylonian, Assyrian, Canaanite, Persian, Hebrew, Arabic and
Teutonic mythology. She is also known as Adam's "first wife" who refused
to "lie beneath." In the oldest mythologies she is a Goddess and in
later stories she is demonized. Lilith is a motherless form of the
divine feminine even known to some as the wife of Yahweh. As the
embodiment of the neglected, outcast and rejected aspects of the Great
Goddess she calls women to rise up in strength to reclaim their own
divinity.
Available Finishes: Stone and Rosewood Size: 11 3/4" x 5 3/4" x 5 1/4"
The Norse World Tree or
Yggdrasil is depicted with Odin sacrificing himself as an initiation
into the Mysteries as referenced in the Havamal. Above him Ratatosk, the
squirrel ferries insults between Niddhogg the dragon, the force of
destruction in the tree's roots and the Eagle who represents the highest
spiritual light. The three Norns are seen as Past, Present and Future as
they constantly pour healing waters on the tree's roots to heal the
damage of Niddhogg. Below them sits Hel in the Underworld flanked by
Asgard with its Rainbow Bridge and Jotunheim with Mimir's Head.
Available Finishes: Stone and Wood
Size: 19" x 9" x 1 3/4"
$125.99
Dryad
Designs Bewitching Cerridwen
By Paul Borda
Cerridwen, a Celtic
Goddess, was known for creating a magical brew that was stirred for a
year and a day to produce the Three Drops of Inspiration. These were
stolen by a young boy who grew up to be known as Taliesan, a great bard
and wizard. The myth of the Goddess' pursuit of this thief involves a
dramatic series of shape changing. Cerridwen was the muse who brought
inspiration to poets, musicians, writers and those of the creative arts.
Historically, Celtic bards were known as Credo, children of Cerridwen.
Size: 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" x
2"
Available Finishes: Clay/Stone
Artist's Note:
Though many Wiccans see her as a dark Goddess, Cerridwen, the first
goddess I ever worked with, was introduced to me as the goddess of the
full moon. To get to know her, I spent long wonderful evenings
meditating on the full moon. During one of these sessions, with others
present, I gazed at the full moon as its enormous shape rose over an
open field. The image of the moon seemed to break into a rolling form,
which assumed the shape of a woman stirring a great cauldron. She seemed
strong and powerful and lost in her work. Her whole body moved and
writhed in the slow rhythm of stirring. I saw this image for probably
only a fraction of a second before, much to the annoyance of my company,
I yelled, "somebody give me a pencil!"
The next day, I made a mess of things out at the wood pile as I looked
for an appropriate piece of wood to carve what I saw. The resulting
Cerridwen statue is, I think, one of my most inspired pieces. It doesn't
really look like it was carved by me, but by a different artist , using
a very different style. The way people react to it is kind of unique as
well. Either people don't even notice the statue, or they practically
throw themselves upon her and demand to take her home --PB
Dryad Designs
Odin
By Paul Borda
"Odin" is known as the
Norse All-Father. He sits astride his 8-legged horse, Sleipnir, who
carries souls to the unseen realms. The spear named Gar, when thrown,
will always return. Through ritual self-sacrifice, Odin discovered the
Runes while hanging from the Yggdrasill, or world tree. A parton of
warriors, he was skilled in magic and a master of primal forces. Known
as the One-Eyed God, Odin sacrificed his eye to gain wisdom from the
fountain of Mimir.
Size 7 3/4" x 7" x 1 3/4"
Odin Available Finishes: Wood, Stone
The Green Man is one of
the most frequently recurring and beautiful motifs of medieval art.
Known as God of the Woodlands, he represents the spirit of the trees and
the green growing things of the earth. Common among the carved
decoration of Europe¥s oldest churches and cathedrals; he is often
referred to as the foliate mask. The foliage that surrounds him is most
frequently oak, the sacred tree of Britain.
Available Finishes: Wood
Size: 2" x 3" x 1/4"
$9.99
Small Dryad
Designs Morrigan Plaque
by Paul Borda
"The
Morrigan" is depicted as a Bronze Age Celt. A triple Goddess,
her three aspects are know as: Neaim, Macha, and Badb. She holds
two spears and is known for being indomitable in battle. A shape
shifter, she would often appear as a raven or hooded crow. As a
protector she empowers an individual to confront challenges with
great personal strength, even against seemingly overwhelming
odds. Roman chroniclers reported that Celts went into battle
naked, exposing tattoos to summon their magical forces.
$14.99
Available in Wood or
Stone Finish
Small Dryad Designs
Cuchulain Plaque
by Paul Borda $14.99
Available in Wood or Stone Finish
Dryad
Designs
Faerie Pentacle
By Paul Borda
This pentacle design
sprang from an event that occurred during a consecration ritual. Each
invoked element took form slowly, swirling, swimming, and spinning
around the altar paten. Each group of elementals greeted the newest with
tenderness, appreciation, mischief, and joy. Like loving brothers and
sisters, they danced the dance of creation and became distinct in these
forms. The sprite represents Air, the dragon Fire, the mermaid Water,
and the satyr Earth. Needless to say the magic is quite successful.
Available Finishes: Stone
and Wood
Size: 11" x 9" x 1"
$55.99
Dryad
Designs Leafman Mask
By Paul Borda
The Green Man is one of the most frequently recurring and beautiful motifs
of medieval art. Known as God of the Woodlands, he represents the spirit
of the trees and the green growing things of the earth. Common among the
carved decoration of Europe's oldest churches and cathedrals; he is
often referred to as the foliate mask. The foliage that surrounds him is
most frequently oak, the sacred tree of Britain.
Available Finishes: Stone and Wood
Size: 17" x 12" x 1"
(Designed to
match Cernunnos.)
The Earth Mother, shows the phases of the Goddess through the
foliage around her. The intention is to present a flow from
birth with the buds, going through life and ending at death and
transformation. She is surrounded by animals, flowers and herbs
sacred to the Goddess. The crescent on her brow identifies her
not only as the Goddess of the fertile Earth, but also of the
ever changing Moon, symbol of rebirth. The torc encircling her
neck is a Celtic symbol of Sovereignty.
Available Finishes:
Stone and Wood Size: 12" x 12" x 4 1/2" $115.99
Dryad Designs
Small Earth Mother Wall Plaque
By Paul Borda
7"x 71/4" x 2"
This is the same as above but about half the
size and is not a candle holder.
Cernunnos, also known by
Celts as the Horned One, was the antlered God of the Forest and
Prosperity. He often carried a sack that spilled out coins and grain. To
symbolize the aspect of Provider, there are seven coins hidden within
this piece, each carved with one of Cernunnos' symbols. The right side
of his face is decorated with holly, the left side with oak and
mistletoe. His classic torc is worn at his neck and his ram's headed
snake coils among the seven tines of his antlers. Cernunnos depictions
are found all over Europe.
Available
Finishes:
Stone, Wood Size: 12" x 12" x 4 1/2"
Artist's Note:
I wanted to create a benevolent father figure, so in preparing
to carve this piece, I spent a lot of time talking with friends
about their relationship to their fathers. Mostly, I asked them
what they most wanted from their father. They all responded in
their own ways, but what I heard every time was that they wanted
their father's approval. It was this feeling and expression that
I tried to communicate in the carving.
Two different men posed for the image. I chose one because he
was an extraordinary hunter, not just successful but honorable,
careful and truly in love with the deer he hunted. The other
man, a close friend, had the perfect whiskers and a metaphysical
background.
I had great fun adding all sorts of signs and symbols to the
image. On Samhain night I took the image to be consecrated. We
set the carving up on the forest altar and with several others
present the ritual was begun. When it came time to invoke
Cernunnos, I stepped forward, holding a candle in a glass cup.
All the other candles had gone out because it was a very windy
night. Illuminating the face of the carving with my candle, I
began to invoke the god. The invocation became like a call and
response. As I called Cernunnos into the carving, I said, "I
call you in by oak and stone," and the coven responded, "Cernunnos
we call you in." I said, "I call you in by blood and bone," and
they responded again with, "Cernunnos we call you in." When the
chant reached its highest point I yelled, "thou art born!" At
that very instant, a large moth flew into the candle I was
holding, exploded in a flash of flames, and extinguished the
candle leaving us in darkness.
The next day I made room for one more image on the carving. If
you look carefully, you will find a moth hiding in the antlers.
--PB
Dryad Designs
Small Cernunnos
Wall Plaque
By Paul Borda
7"x 7" x 2"
This is the same as above but about half the
size and is not a candle holder.
$49.99
Dryad
Designs
Wheel of the Year
By Paul Borda
Depicting the eight Pagan
holidays or Sabbaths, the Wheel of the Year is laid out as a traditional
wooden wheel. Each pie-shaped section is a carved representation of a
particular holiday. The Quarters: Yule, Ostara, Midsummer, and Mabon
focus mainly on the movement of the sun and contain alchemical symbols
for the seasons. Each of the Cross Quarters: Samhain, Imbolg, Beltane,
Lughnasadh feature one of the four tools and portrays the transition of
our relationship to the Earth as the year progresses. Zodiac signs
depict the movements of the stars throughout the year and illustrate how
they relate to the holidays.
Artist's Note:
Carving this piece taught me a great deal about the pagan holidays.
When I designed the wheel of the year, I made sure the equinoxes and
solstices balanced each other aesthetically. However, I designed the
cross quarter days of Samhain, Imbolg, Beltane and Lughnasadh were all
designed separately. I didn't really try to balance them or make them
fit together in any way. I was well into carving the project when I
realized how these four designs still connected with and balanced each
other.
I carved Beltane first because that design seemed obvious, a man and a
woman dancing the maypole. Carving Samhain proved much more difficult.
Everything I came up with seemed like a cheesy ad for Halloween.
Finally, I gave up and settled on an image that was relevant to me
personally, ensuring that at least one person would be happy. The design
depicts the symbolic marriage between the goddess Morrigan, represented
by the cauldron and the Dagda, represented by the stang or forked staff;
this is a union I always celebrate at Samhain. Okay, so a very
Halloweeney Jack o’ Lantern still made it in there. What I didn't expect
was that when the Samhain image was placed opposite the Beltane image,
the stang seemed to run right through the ground and come out on the
other side as the Maypole, creating a sort of central axis through the
earth. This was entirely unintentional.
Lughnasadh’s image, that of two figures holding up a loaf of bread to
the rays of the sun, was simple to create. When placed opposite to the
image of Imbolg, however, the sun's rays seemed to run right through the
center of the wheel and come out of the fire, illuminating two other
figures holding up Bridget's cross, which like the bread, is made of
wheat. This balance was also unintentional.
Overall, I tried to depict the solstices and equinoxes as natural events
of the earth and sky. The cross quarter days are, to me, about human
experience. As I look at the piece, it strikes me that the solstices,
together with Imbolg and Lughnasadh, seem to be all about light; the
equinoxes, together with Samhain and Beltane are all about the earth. --PB
Small Dryad Designs
Venus Statue
by Paul Borda
Venus was inspired by
neolithic stone carvings of Goddess images that have been found all over
Europe. She represents the voluptuous beauty and fertility of both the
land and her people. The snake coiling at her base is called an "Uroboros,"
and symbolizes the never-ending cycle of life, death, and regeneration
$19.99
Size: 5 1/4" x 2 1/2" x 2"
Venus Statue Available Finishes: Clay, Wood
Artist's Note:
I carved this statue out of a little piece of clear alabaster
after studying the old Paleolithic goddess statues and wanted to
make one for myself. This may sound strange but what I most
wanted was to have a Venus statue I could touch. To me, there is
something about rubbing my thumbs over her belly and along her
hips that feels like a kind of worship.
Over the years I've heard that this statue has been
used in all kinds of abundance spells. Ive also heard several stories about
women becoming pregnant even after doctors told them it was unlikely. I've also
heard stories and I confess participated in a few that involved giving the Venus
to women who were not trying to get pregnant and then they did conceive soon
after receiving the statue.
Perhaps the statue
should come with a warning label on it: Warning! May cause
extreme fertility and sudden pregnancy, especially in women!
--PB
Dryad
Designs Morrigan Statue
by Paul Borda
"The Morrigan" is
depicted as a Bronze Age Celt. A triple Goddess, her three aspects are
know as: Neaim, Macha, and Badb. She holds two spears and is known for
being indomitable in battle. A shape shifter, she would often appear as
a raven or hooded crow. As a protector she empowers an individual to
confront challenges with great personal strength, even against seemingly
overwhelming odds. Roman chroniclers reported that Celts went into
battle naked, exposing tattoos to summon their magical forces.
Morrigan Statue Available Finishes: Bone, stone and wood Size: 11" x 5" x 3 1/2"
The Morrigan" is depicted as
a Bronze Age Celt. A triple Goddess, her three aspects are know as:
Neaim, Macha, and Badb. She holds two spears and is known for being
indomitable in battle. A shape shifter, she would often appear as a
raven or hooded crow. As a protector she empowers an individual to
confront challenges with great personal strength, even against seemingly
overwhelming odds. Roman chroniclers reported that Celts went into
battle naked, exposing tattoos to summon their magical forces.
Size: 7" x 3 3/4" x 2 1/2"
Morrigan Available Finishes: Stone, Bone
$38.99
Dryad Designs Moon Pentacle 127
By Paul Borda
This pentacle, carved
with Celtic knotwork as well as traditional Celtic swirl patterns, was
known as the Seal of Solomon. As seen in the tarot, it is a symbol of
Earth and Prosperity The pentacle in its upright position represents the
Spirit in balance and harmony with the four elements. The inscription
around its edge is from "The Charge of the Star Goddess" and reads:
"I am the beauty of the green earth and the white moon among the stars."
Available Finishes: Stone Large Size: 11" x 11" x 7/8"
Carved with the image of
Cernunnos, the antlered God of the Forest, Abundance and Shamanism, the
pentacle in its upright position represents the spirit in balance and
harmony with the four elements. It is also a symbol of Earth and
Prosperity as seen in the tarot. The inscription around its edge is
excerpted from, "The Song of Amergin;" and reads: "I am the stag of
seven ties. Who but I can reveal the secrets of the unhewn dolman?"
Cernunnos Pentacle
Available Finishes: Stone and Wood
Size: 7" x 7" x 7/8"
$29.99
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Dryad Designs Freya Statue
by Paul Borda
original carved from caramel alabaster.
Freya, Norse Goddess of Love, Fertility, Cats and Seeresses, is the most
beautiful of the Norse Gods. Queen of the Vanir and Commander of the
Valkyries, she flies using her hawk wing cloak and protects love
relationships. Freya possesses a chariot drawn by two giant cats and has
a love of jewelry and ornament. Her most precious possession is the
necklace Brisingamen which she won from the dwarves. In ancient times,
gold was often referred to as "Freya's tears".
Freya Statue Available Finishes:
Bone , Stone Size: 13" x 7" x 6"
$99.99
Dryad Designs Small Freya Statue
by Paul Borda
Freya, Norse Goddess of Love,
Fertility, Cats and Seeresses, is the most beautiful of the
Norse Gods. Queen of the Vanir and Commander of the Valkyries,
she flies using her hawk wing cloak and protects love
relationships. Freya posseses a chariot drawn by two giant cats
and has a love of jewelry and ornament. Her most precious
possession is the necklace Brisingamen which she won from the
dwarves. In ancient times, gold was often referred to as
"Freya's tears".
One dollar from each Freya Statue purchased is donated to animal
shelters
$39.99
Dryad
Designs
Thor Statue
by Paul Borda
Norse God, created thunder by striking his great
hammer Mjollnir. He protected the house of the Gods and humankind. The runes
around the base are an invocation of Thor's protection and depict a battle
between Thor and Ior the World Serpent. An ox head was used as bait, and the
struggle became so intense that Thor's feet crashed through the bottom of his
boat and he used the sea bed for support.
Size:8" x 2 3/4" x 3 1/4"
Available Finishes: Stone, Wood
