I’m back into the studio and with that comes jumping into my series, Lunar Faces | Feminine Divine which I wrote about in my last post. Through this series I’ve been exploring the connections between feminine deities and the moon. Each piece in this series is a tribute to a goddess whose influence is intertwined with lunar symbolism. Among these divine figures, Al-Uzza stood out to me as a powerful embodiment of both female strength and the moon’s cycles.

Al-Uzza is a goddess whose name means “The Mighty One”. In pre-Islamic Arabia, she was revered as a protector, a deity of war, and a symbol of power. Her influence was especially strong among the Quraysh tribe of Mecca, there is even said to be a temple that was dedicated to her in Petra. Al-Uzza wasn’t just a distant figure; she was deeply involved in the lives of her followers, offering them the strength and protection they needed in times of conflict and uncertainty. Oftentimes coming through the acacia trees outside her temple. Al-Uzza is said to be the goddess of the morning and evening stars and also to have ruled over heaven.  Together with two other deities, Menat, and Al-Lat, they created the three goddesses worshipped as a triad. Some speculate that she started to become associated with the moon when Arabian myths blended with Grecian mythologies.

What drew me to include Al-Uzza in Lunar Faces | Feminine Divine was that intriguing connection. Although she is primarily associated with power and protection, there are hints in ancient traditions that suggest she may also be linked to celestial phenomena, most likely Venus, the morning star. But with the moon’s symbolism of change, cycles, and renewal it seems to resonate with Al-Uzza’s own attributes, making her a perfect figure to explore in this series. Through this connection, she embodies both the unyielding strength of a warrior and the subtle, cyclical power of the moon.

In Lunar Faces | Feminine Divine, I’ve sought to capture the essence of these goddesses, blending their divine attributes with the timeless symbolism of the moon. Al-Uzza, with her dual aspects of power and lunar mystery, is a compelling figure whose influence spans both the earthly and the celestial. Through this artwork, I aim to bring her story to life, allowing her strength and the moon’s quiet power to shine.

Follow along as I finish and post about all the goddesses I’ve found that are associated with the moon. The research alone has been quite the journey. Feel free to comment who you’d like to see next!