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Erzulie Freda block print designs that are up on my Etsy shop as a devotional set!

Years and years ago, I got into doing block print carving on this stuff that is softer than a pencil eraser and it was FANTASTIC. I made nine in total and I used to sell the prints at art fairs.

I made nine designs in total and as you can see I customized the frames I had them in. Unfortunately I lost all my original "blocks" when I had to leave my house for health reasons, and all I had left were these scans.

I realized that I could use AI to upsize my original images to be USEABLE again, and so I took all nine designs, got them to a better resolution and vectorized them so I can use MY OWN ART again, after years of it being out of my reach. I know that using "AI" and art in the same sentence is a trigger for most people, but I used it to PRESERVE and REGAIN something that was already mine, and I made sure that every wonky detail and imperfection was kept in, because that's what makes block prints beautiful.

I started with the Erzulie Freda because she's the lwa of love, beauty and abundance, and you can't tell me we don't need more of THAT. I added some New Orleans folk art flair and even an African adinkra symbol: Odo Nnyew Fie Kwan, which means “Love does not lose its way home.”

Here's one of my less colorful original prints of it.

Erzulie, or Ezili, is one of the most revered Loa (spirits) in Haitian Vodou, symbolizing love, beauty, femininity, and sensuality. She represents a range of female archetypes through her different manifestations, each with distinct traits and purposes.

https://ahavacelestialorder.org/erzulie-the-spirit-of-love-and-beauty-in-voodoo/

Manifestations of Erzulie

Erzulie Freda: The Loa of romantic love, beauty, luxury, and femininity, often compared to the Virgin Mary in Vodou syncretism. She is associated with wealth, jewelry, and indulgence, representing the ideal of feminine grace and beauty. However, Erzulie Freda is also linked to the pain of unattainable love, sometimes weeping because no love in the mortal realm can ever fully satisfy her divine desires. Offerings to Erzulie Freda include perfume, flowers, sweet cakes, and luxurious items, all representing her need for refinement and beauty.

Erzulie Dantor: Fiercely protective and maternal, Erzulie Dantor represents the strength of motherhood, protection, and justice. She is often depicted as a scarred warrior mother, embodying the spirit of the Haitian revolution. Erzulie Dantor is seen as the protector of women and children, especially single mothers, and is often associated with the Black Madonna. Her followers offer dark rum, pork, and hot peppers, symbolizing her fiery and protective nature.

Erzulie La Flambeau: Known for her fiery, destructive side, Erzulie La Flambeau is a more aggressive manifestation of Erzulie’s power. She is called upon in situations that require intense emotional strength, often involving revenge or retribution.

Role in Haitian Vodou

janet jackson for glamour magazine, 1993

My card for today is The World.

It is reassurance I don't need to be afraid of failure. I will succeed on my own unique timeline. Like healing, it may not be linear, though. No matter what, I will not give up. I can finally put my past to rest and embrace where I am at in my life now. I have a lot to celebrate and should spend time figuring out how to write about it in detail. I may move or travel someday, still. It's okay to broaden my horizons. Nothing negative will come if this.

Don't get "snagged" on anyone else's limited perception of me. We create closure for ourselves. I don't need anyone else's permission to move forward or enjoy my life. I don't have to justify myself to anyone when I do things that matter to me. They aren't the boss of me. I am.

Savor this moment of arrival.