05/06/2026
So while I’m searching for a proper source of Chaste-Tree for Hestia, I’m moving onto my second design: Dionysus.
The plan is to use this beautiful Chevron Amethyst sphere for the base; in one version a Greek story, a beautiful nymph maiden known as Amethyste was turned into a clear quartz by the goddess Artemis to escape an unrelenting drunken Dionysus. When he realized his inebriated state caused this fate, he wept until his cup filled with his tears, and the wine inside spilled over and onto the clear quartz. The wine stained the clear quartz into the beautiful vibrant purple we know of the amethyst gemstone today!
-This further explains the belief that amethyst is used to deter drunkenness
(The word Amethyst even derives from the Koine Greek word “amethystos”, meaning… “not intoxicate”.)
Atop the Amethyst will be a chalice-shaped form with “roots” growing down the side of the amethyst. The wood will be made of walnut (a personal favorite of mine). The reason, of course is another Greek story.
Many Greek tales emphasize the significance of the walnut tree (the ancient Greeks called it ‘Karya Basilica’ or royal walnut, and considered it a prophetic tree); but in this case we focus on the story of Carya and Dionysus. Dionysus had traveled to Laconia, where he hosted by king Dion. It was there that he fell in love with one of the king’s daughters, Carya, who had reciprocated his feeling. Her sisters Orphe and Lyco grew jealous of the god’s relationship with their sister and began to gossip and slander the god, who drove them to madness before turning them to rocks. Carya, broken hearted of the loss of her sisters perished, and in his grief, Dionysus immortalized her memory in the form of a walnut tree.
Obviously the material choices have significance, but also the combination of the physical chalice and tree roots combine the two stories into one symbol of the God of Wine, Theatre, Madness, and grapes.
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Let me know your thoughts below!
