Aletheia

myminifactory

This sculpture honors a replica of the original by Marino Gropelli. In mythology, Greek Goddess Aletheia was Zeus' daughter, embodying ideals of Truth and Authenticity. Her Roman counterpart is Veritas. The word Aletheia translates as "unclosedness," "unconcealedness," or "disclosure." It literally means "not hidden" and implies sincerity, factuality, and reality. A combination of conversation, numerology consultations, and openness led me (along with Tracey, Co-Founder of MotherHouse of the Goddess) to Aletheia. Further exploration revealed the deft hand of the Goddess. Truth is Aletheia, but also entwined in the meaning and etymology of the word are concepts of remembering and being unhidden. Implication is that the journey needs to be "remembered" and "unhidden" to connect fully with Goddess Aletheia. Truth simply exists – laws of the Gods, universal laws, nature's rhythms exist. Perception filters, man-made laws, life experiences, and information interpretation make Truth human experience. Each person may see Truth differently but doesn't change Truth itself; it reflects who we are and our baggage. Women exemplify perception filters of Truth. Labels have been applied to Woman's nature for thousands of years – from sacred and divine to unclean and shunned, or accusations of wanton and tempting. Women accepted these labels and lived under them: Mother, Career Woman, Good Daughter, Attendant Wife, Whore, Bitch, too many to name. Under those labels, Aletheia burns brightly in our WomanRoots, Women's Blood, and Women's Mysteries. She held Truth until we were ready to Remember and Become Unhidden. For some, the journey to their True Selves is too frightening or perceived as difficult, relegating Aletheia to the obscured and forgotten.