Many of my regular Saturday morning readers know that I have shared many stories of the gods and those whose lives they have touched. In the tradition of the ancients, I have made vases to help tell and commemorate these stories. But what about before there were gods? Well brace yourself readers, because we are going to take a trip back even further in time.
Our raku pottery vase, The Titans, commemorates the gods of old and tells the tale of a paranoid father, a wife’s revenge, a dozen larger than life gods that shared power under their younger brother Cronus and a fiery end in the lowest levels of hell.
Before the gods of Olympus, times were much simpler. People were unaware of many things. Why the sun rose and set, how seasons changed, where we came from, or even a rudimentary understanding of how their own bodies worked.
As such, the Titans easily held on to their power and grew very comfortable from their godly perch on Mount Othrys. All except Cronus, the youngest of the Titan siblings. He had been told that in the future one of his children would topple his reign. This revelation would shape and change Cronus from a carefree king of the gods to a ruler that was rather wooden.
Rhea, who was also a Titan was not very excited about the prospect of marrying Cronus. He wasn’t a very good husband, let alone father. She was so unhappy that Cronus ate her first five children, that rather than hand over Zeus she gave her husband a rock. You might say she committed Nymphicide, as she gave the infant to the Nymphs to care for.
You can read more about the original ‘kids meal’ and how Cronus ate his own children here. Personally I could not do such a thing, but to eat their own. Cronus wasn’t the type to complain about an heir in his soup.
Cronus and many of the other Titans would end up in the lowest level of the underworld called Tartarus and be punished after their saucy behaviour in a ten year war where they were overthrown by Zeus.
But where did these Titans come from? Be sure to read our story next week and find out! Let me know what you think of this story and vase, which was done in a new glaze we’ve created. You can see more pieces in this glaze here. As well, of you enjoyed this story and would like to read more like it, you can buy a whole book of them here!
Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for reading!
“but to eat their own. Cronus wasn’t the type to complain about an heir in his soup.” And the Oscar for PUNitive Stellarness goes to…. THE ALCHEMIST’S STUDIO!!!!! I bow in reverence to your pun prowess. Our parents must be related.
Ha! Thanks Jordan! Heir is to a great day and weekend!
Heir Heir to that! Have a great weekend as well!
The glaze is stunning. It feels thick and viscous. It caused an instant identity pause. My head bounced a little as my mouth closed and my eyebrows went up. Inside, “Very much yes. That vessel has weight and stealth and grace and eternity in more than just its depths.” Oh, and I like it anyway.
Always such a way with words! Thank you for your kindness and support!
You’re welcome! You all spin poetry on the wheel.
Great interesting story of ancient history, the vase is exquisite well done.
Thank you! I appreciate your kind comment and hope you are keeping well
This is gorgeous!!! And I’m a total Greek mythology geek, so LOVE the story!!! Have y’all read ‘Circe’? It’s SOOOOOO GOOOOOOD!!! Wow! Cheers and Rock on!!! 💖
Thank you! I am so glad you like it. I have not read Circe – sounds like a strong recommendation! Keep well!
My pleasure! And strong recommendation, indeed! I also just finished reading her other book, ‘Song of Achilles’. Wow. She can write some mythological fiction! Amazing! Happy creating to You!!! And Thank You! You stay well also!!! 💕💕💕
Beautiful pottery! Beautiful story! Thank you <3
Thank you Premlatha! So glad you like it! I hope you are keeping safe and well 🙏
wonderful content!
That is very kind of you to share. I hope you are keeping safe and well!
Yes, i am…althought here in Germany things don’t look so good…
Gorgeous, as always!
Thank you Michele! I appreciate your kindness and support and I hope you are keeping well!
I love this vase!
Thank you! So glad to hear it resonates with you! 🙏 stay well!
What a beautiful piece<3
Thank you for your kind comment, Silver! I hope you are keeping well 🙏
I like your creations and the stories that you share. Cronus sounds like an interesting character.
I imagine he would be! Thank you for your kind comment, Linda! I hope you are keeping well 🙏
Just a note to say that I really love what you’re doing here, combining art and writing. Original and very interesting.
Thank you Leah! That is very kind of you to share. I hope you are keeping safe and well!
Hahah I’m losing it at “to eat their own”. Love this.
Thank you Luke! Glad it was able to bring you a laugh 🙏 I hope you are keeping well!
Beautiful work! Looks nice and sturdy as befitting a titan. And yay to Rhea for deciding to slip her husband some stone soup. 😁