Treasures of the Earth – Black Raven

acrylic on birch panel – 18″ X 24″
© 2019 Sandra Ware

Treasures of the Earth abound
Like flowers of the underground
Though gem and mineral wait the art
Of human hands to do their part
Clean, cut, and polish that’s the thing
To let their colors shine and sing
But these have more than beauty’s hold
They buzz with meaning ages old

Black Raven holds in beaky grasp
A silver nugget tightly clasped
Connected to the Goddess Moon
Silver sings a dreamy tune
Symbolizing intuition
Self- reflexion, inner wisdom
Hold silver dear for all its worth
A sacred gift of Mother Earth
Treasures of the Earth abound
Like flowers of the underground

© 2019 Sandra Ware

The concept for Treasures of the Earth developed from a desire to try my hand at some highly decorative paintings. I had designed a line of jewelry in the past, and had come to love gemstones and minerals, not only because of their beauty, but because of the endlessly fascinating lore associated with their symbolic meanings.
This led to the idea of fantasy gemstone borders.

I chose ravens, black and white (white ravens do appear from time to time) as the centerpiece of their respective paintings because of Raven’s role as messenger – and gold and silver because of those minerals’ high ranking among the treasures of the Earth.