Adventures in Austin

I was blessed to be able to spend 4 days with one of my coven-sisters, and close friend, in Austin Texas. We have been friends for 13 years and even though we have been apart at times when we get together I feel as if nothing has changed. It is a beaiutiful thing to have someone who you can confide in and love without judgement and reservation. She and her husband are amazing people and were such gracious hosts. We had a wonderful time visiting the local botanicas,shops, listening to music and eating many different kinds of cuisine.  It was wonderful to be able to share in the religious stores, shrines and art with a loved one. The trip was relished and I look forward to returning.

These are photos I took while there, permission was asked from each vendor and spirit and appropriate offerings were left;

This was a huge Santa Muerte, probably 6 feet tall, at Green and White Grocery. Santa Muerte is a very predominant spirit in Austin and she is heavily reprsented. The owner here was very nice and let me roam the store, even behind counters, as I pleased. I picked up several items here including a new large High John root and a Santa Muerte statue. Notice the dollar bills someone carfully folded into octagons and placed in her eye sockets as well as her scales of justice and balance.

A large Saint Joseph statue was also present.

Nino de Atocha was almost as heavily present and represented in Austin as Santa Muerte.

Saint Jude was also very popular in Austin, many candles and statues of him were available as well as large shrines like this. This statue is about 5 foot tall.

The Virgin of Guadelupe was popular as well, as she is a highly traditional and iconnic figure in Mexican history and belief.

Another, smaller Santa Muerte. About 3 feet tall. She was created from clear resin and filled with lucky rice, seeds and curios! I was enthralled with this representation. This one was covered in money and cigarettes, a common offering to her.

Another Nino de Atocha. You can see the large amount of coins and dollars placed around this one.

Beautiful Passion Vines grew along the roadsides. The Pass Vine represents the Passion of the Christ.The colors vary from deep purple (the color of Orthodox priests’ vestments during the Great Lent) to scarlet red, yet the numerical constituents remain the same: 10 petals (5 petals and 5 sepals identical in shape and color), 1 column, 72 corona filaments, 5 anthers, 3 stigmas.

10 – Biblical account of Christ’s suffering tells us about St. Peter who distanced himself from Christ during His last hours, neither was Judas; whereas, 10 is the number of remaining Disciples of Christ at the time of crucifixion;

1 – Column of flagellation;

72 – Traditional number of thorns on a crown of thorns set upon Christ’s head;

5 – Total number of wounds inflicted to Christ at time of crucifixion;

3 – Nails.

Additionally, the vine’s leaves are shaped like a spear used to pierce Christ’s side. Some even find representation to Judas’ 30 pieces of silver (dark round spots on the underside of some species). 

A lovely stencil painting on the outside door of a restaraunt representing the Vigin of Guadelupe. I wish this was on my fence! I may try to find a way to that actually...

An old church icon of Christ.

A smaller relic of the Nino de Atocha.

Painting of Christ.

Antique condition oil bottles from the 1930's. I purchased the "Drawing" bottle for my own collection.