This folding altar honors Demeter, the Sheltering Mother. It is embroidered with love by hand, with additional handmade elements sewn inside to further call in Demeter. The outside features an embroidered depiction of Demeter as the Mountain Mother, a form in which she was syncretized with Kybele. She is seen rising between the mountains, her hands outstretched in blessing, with her sacred torch between her hands. Wheat and other growth sprouts around her, calling in the natural abundance she brings. When unfolded, the altar takes the shape of a pomegranate itself, honoring her daughter, Persephone, with whom the pomegranate is eternally linked. Demeter is depicted in profile, her eyes gently closed and one hand outstretched in blessing, while the other holds her sacred torch, with which she searches for Persephone when she was taken to the underworld. She is crowned with poppies, her sacred flower, and framed by sickles, a sacred symbol of hers used to harvest the abundance she grants. Lava rock is nestled in her crown to call in the volcanoes in which she is said to have lit her torches. Behind her, two snakes arise. Snakes were linked with abundance in the ancient world; they're further linked with Demeter through her form Demeter Erinys, where she is depicted crowned with snakes. Beneath this embroidered depiction is a statuette of Demeter Erinys (Demeter the Black), nestled inside the same green Grecian border that encircles the entire altar. This depiction was carved by hand by your local tricksters and cast in bonded charcoal, with elements highlighted in hand painted red and gold. It honors the Justice-focused aspect of Demeter, who would not rest under her daughter Persephone was returned to her safely. Sprouting from this depiction are embroidered branches of her sacred wheat. Beneath is a handmade translucent red skull, honoring Demeter's ties to the Underworld through Persephone and her control over humanity's fate, should she chose to deny us a harvest as she did when Persephone was taken. On the other side of the statuette is a branch of wheat, for the harvest she does grant when honored appropriately. These two aspects are balanced and in harmony, that we may never forget both sides of Demeter. This altar can be folded down to be brought with you throughout your day in a purse or deep pocket. It can also be displayed on a wall by hanging it from the closure loop on a thumbtack or nail. It measures 5 x 2.5 x 1.5 in when folded and 8.5 x 8.5 in when opened.
