cassiopeia • “queen”

constellation : CASSIOPEIA

symbol : seated queen

Astro-knot canvases can be used as a portable guide in your astronomical gazing, framed as a canvas, or token in personal ritual space. Each panel features a beadwork weaving of a constellation; all graph designs are my own as referenced from astronomical maps  

Every painting features in-house made botanical inks that were brewed from locally harvested sumac berries + riverbank grapes so their vibrant tones reflect the landscapes in our community. 

Astro insights: •CASSIOPEIA• appears as a distinct W shape; this pattern sits opposite Ursa Major across the celestial North Pole. One of its stars Cassiopeia B is a supernova remnant, from Tycho’s Supernova. There are many bright stars and deep sky objects within, including the Milky Way that stretches through its pattern from Perseus towards Cygnus. Also notable as host to the Heart nebula, Soul Nebula, and NGC 457 (aka an Owl cluster) 

In Greek mythos she is consort of Cepheus; Queen of Aethiopia, & was punished to wheel around the Celestial North Pole for insulting Poseidon with claims that her daughter Andromeda’s beauty rivalled that of his favoured Nereids. Chinese astronomers saw the stars Kappa, Eta, & Mu Cassiopeiae as forming a constellation called the Bridge of Kings. In Welsh mythos it is known as Llys Dôn (the Court of Dôn)

Product Specifications:

4 x 4in

1 Birch board panel

{• MEDIUM: Botanical inks, acrylic paint, metallic marker. seed beads •}