The assignment was to make a ritual object that could be part of an existing ritual or part of a modern day ritual that I created. I chose to create a modern day ritual to celebrate pollinators and made a ritual mask of a goddess that I named the Priestess of Pollination.

My ritual celebrated the arrival of the Priestess of Pollination at Botanical Gardens across the country to kick off the opening of National Pollinator Week. Botanical garden visitors would line the pathways of the Garden to welcome the arrival of the Priestess, shaking seed-filled rattles bearing images of pollinators as she passed. The presence of the Priestess of Pollination and the sound of the rattles would pay homage to pollinators everywhere and ensure they continue to do their important work.

Materials

Mask Materials: Cardboard, craft foam sheets, copper wire, air-dry clay, acrylic paint, glue stick, wood glue, colored pencil, palm fronds, squash seeds, felt fabric, plastic, masking tape, styro-foam, elastic.

Scepter materials: gourd, bamboo pole, macrame cord