PJ Superior

art working, spell crafting, human being

[thepleasuregoblin]

Because Catholicism and by extension Christianity are so big and normal I don't think a lot of people consider how strange the Vatican is just conceptually. Like yeah in the capital of a long-dead empire there's an opulent temple district that acts as it's own sovereign nation, still speaking the dead language of that empire for their rituals, ruled by a prophet-king chosen by a secret conclave of the high priesthood. Yeah his followers eat a lot of fish in the spring.

[misspjsuperior]

Now most of these fellas out there upset about women hypothetically choosing The Bear are obviously city slickers because I have seen time and again the argument to the effect of "well you say that because you've never even been around a bear which WILL KILL you EVERY time!"

Well, y'all, I'm from the Smoky Mountain foothills of East Tennessee, where black bears roam wild. I grew up in Bean Station, to be specific, so you can confirm my rural roots status. I've been around the bears, wild ones, multiple times. Once by myself at home, a big black bear was digging through the fire pit in mom's front yard and it ran off as soon as I opened the door. Growing up and exploring the area where we lived, my cousin and I saw bear tracks around those parts. They were there.

At around pubescence I started sneaking out at night just to roam the woods at night, no flashlight, but with my dog Shadow, where we were among only the wild creatures of the Southern Appalachian wilderness, including not only bears but also mountain lions whose tracks we had also seen, whose intense cries we'd heard ring across the waters there. I did this frequently. And never was I bothered by these animal predators. But I did experience severe SA from old men as a child, long before my dark woods wandering, right under the roofs of both my parents' houses. Of course I'd choose the bear. I already have in the utmost literal sense. We are safer with the bears. At least the black bears. I'm living proof.

Choose the Bear T by PJ superior (medium pictured)

[misspjsuperior]

Self portrait as Saint Catherine of Siena with this Vulva Mary tattoo I did as the side wound of Christ from which she drank his “supernatural liquor”

[misspjsuperior]

Mater Dolorosa, the Sorrowful Mother.

Sharing on Good Friday, a holiday that commemorates the public execution of her son Jesus, proclaimed to be God incarnate by the very virtue of his flesh and blood mother there to witness his murder. This story takes place in a land from which this holy mother once fled to protect her young child.

It is in Jerusalem where this theme has persisted in modernity as the ethno state of Israel continues to, in their own terminology, obliterate and erase Palestinian people including and especially children, much like how in the Gospel story king Herod slaughtered thousands of babies just in case any were Jesus, son of Mary.

This year, 2026, was the first year in over half a millennium that the Palms Sunday processions that commemorate Jesus' final entry to Jerusalem on a donkey have not taken place due to the threats of the local government.

Contemplating these bloody spirals of history, including witnessing the holy grief of blessed mothers through time, inspired this Easter themed art of Our Lady of Sorrows that I made as tattoo flash- truly a dream piece to do @magic.pj.ink

[misspjsuperior]

March 18th, Sheelah’s Day, is theorized to be the original indigenous holiday that St. Patrick’s Day was made to obscure. St. Patrick’s Day has become very successful at this. Historians agree on very little about the ancient origins of Sheelah’s Day, celebrated only in certain communities of the Irish diaspora in Canada and Australia for centuries now, suppressed upon the Isle of Erin. What most folklorists can agree on and trace is that the whiskey drinking and shamrocks associated with St. Patrick’s Day were most certainly originally part of Sheelah’s Day rituals. Where the common three leaf clover ☘️ is emphasized to represent the Catholic holy trinity in St. Patrick’s Day today, the significance of three leaves is debated on its meaning in Sheelah’s Day. Four leaf clovers being lucky seem to be tied to Sheelah’s Day celebrations. 🍀 But who is Sheelah? She herself has been obscured in oppression. Often denied simply because of modern prudence, by far the most likely answer to Sheelah’s identity is the notorious Sheela Na Gig. Although these sorts of statuaries are found throughout all pre Roman Britain architecture and elsewhere across ancient European ruins, this Irish Gaelic name has been assigned to these figures in association with a goddess whose own origin story has been effectively lost. She is known distinctively, and almost exclusively, by a huge exaggerated Vulva that she pulls up into the rest of her body. Because of the placements of these figures in architecture it is apparent that these sculptural Sheela Na Gigs were both wards and blessings. I realize how my own Vulva goddesses art are effectively modern Sheela Na Gigs.

Slides:

1. Photo featured on Wikipedia article for “Sheela Na Gig” (12th century, on the church at Kilpeck, Herefordshire, England)

2. Photo collage of Vulva robed goddess art by PJ Superior

3. Four leaf clover 🍀

4. Photo I took of a badly weathered Sheela Na Gig during my honeymoon on the Isle of Iona, Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 2019

5. Photo of the plaque at the abbey ruins describing the Sheela Na Gig

6. Photo of myself standing in those same ruins

[misspjsuperior]

International Women's Day :

The Divine Feminine is indeed international, superseding foolish borders created in man's imagination then forged in real blood. The apparition of La Virgen de Guadalupe unto “Juan Diego” is such an example. Her words in native Nahuatl to a humble Aztec man on the slopes of Tepeyac, the site of a destroyed Aztec goddess temple, bolstered the spirit of a brutalized Indigenous population who yet persists through continued colonization today, allowing original peoples of Mezoamerica to continue traditions and pass knowledge under the mantle of Her protection/disguise. The Florentine Codex of 1590 written in part by Catholic occupiers blatantly complains how after the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe the native Mexican people were still worshipping Mother Mary by the title Tonantzin (an honorific similar to “Our Lady” in the Nahuatl language) and with many of their same ancient rituals.

Although Mary mother of Jesus was internationally used as a tool of obstruction in hopes to be a replacement, She often became more co-conspirator with, rather than destroyer of, the people wherever She was taken by Europeans. Caribbean Vodun is perhaps the most famous example of such specific syncretization. Mary was already an international phenomenon for Europeans before their own international plunders, originating from a Middle Eastern Jewish tribe. The Gospel story itself tells how Mary had to flee empires within empires in Her lifetime as a refugee from one land to another to protect Her child. This intuitive, courageous resolution to move about is part of the actual divine meaning in the ancient etymology of the word “Virgin” which you can read more about on Patr3 on. The Roman Empire who executed the son of the Virgin Mary by their extremely common method of crucifixion is the same responsible for the creation of the Catholic Church who would then be in charge of crowning European rulers for centuries. They twisted the story of the Virgin and the meaning of Virginity from wild and free, unmarried, untamed, unclaimed by any man, controlled by no man, to the shameful sexual shit we know today.

Continuing my musings on international Goddesses via my visual work is Kali Ma of the Hindu pantheon. This brilliantly fierce Mother of Time, slayer of ego, recycler of souls, originates from the Indian peninsula of South Asia. Kali is still found in name and visage among the Romani people across Europe, a testament to their heritage. These nomadic folks have mistakenly been called “gypsy” (widely considered derogatory) with the incorrect assumption that their heritage lies in Egypt. See my previous Kali post about the theory that the term “calendar” was appropriated in ancient Rome from from the Romani people and their lunar “time calling” rituals with Kali. These histories truly make Kali an international divine feminine figure.

Although the compassionate Guan Yin (also spelled in the Roman alphabet as Quan Yin or Kwan Yin) is famous for hailing from China, She actually came from India originally as well. She was first honored as the male bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara as a personification of empathy and mercy prior to transforming to Her feminine form during the Song Dynasty in China. In the time between the deity had attributes of both genders but became increasingly associated with mother goddesses in Chinese culture. By the 12th century, She was interpreted as a female form in flowing robes as far as Japan where She is known as Kannon. If you Google search “Kannon” you will likely be first served the Wikipedia article for Guan Yin. Her transformation is well documented. She is a spirit who has traversed the distances and time and through gender as well making Her not just an international Goddess but also effectively a Trans Goddess. May we embody the empathy and compassion for all our sisters internationally no matter how they started life!

Goddess Art by PJ Superior: available as fine altar sized prints:

https://misspjsuperior.etsy.com/listing/1685298056

[misspjsuperior]

Being from the Smoky Mountain foothills I ain't scared of no bear. They were around in the woods that I would wander alone at night as a kid, thrilling in a sense of freedom. I heard the calls of coyotes and cougars pierce the darkness, echoing across the lake water and cutting through the rhythm of the water's gentle laps at the rocky shore among choruses of crickets and cicada buzz. Nothing ever got me in the woods. No bear. And no man. It was under the roofs of those supposed to protect me that I was violated by grown men as a child. Yes I would choose the bear. I literally did every time I went in those secret night walks, healed by the wilderness that was such a blessing to me. Those woods are all gone now. I am too. I got a man who I know loves me, living that domesticated city slicker life abroad, a whole ocean and then some away. And still, my heart is free with the bears.

Shirts now ship free worldwide

https://misspjsuperior.etsy.com/listing/1725463689

[misspjsuperior]

We have entered the year of the Horse, specifically the Fire Horse. And altho this Astroportrait featuring a Gemini Metal Horse (born Mayan Dreamspell day of the Wizard) has a watery vibe to its vision, I feel that liquid essence is in tune with the sentiment towards the blazing element of the year “Fire melts Ice” 💧 May this new lunar year bless us.

More Astroportraits: https://www.pjsuperior.com/portfolios/astroportraits

Astro Portraits — PJ Superior

Astro Portraits — PJ Superior

[misspjsuperior]

Imbolc next week. The Day of Brighid (1st slide in my watercolor sketchbook) the multiplicital divine fire femme of the native British Isles. Poet, smith, healer. Spring goddess whose first stirrings in the winter are celebrated. She is not the only spiritual archetype of nature prominent on this day. The Celtic crone goddess Cailleach (second slide) gathers Her firewood for the winter's remainder during Là Fhèill Brighde during Imbolc. Her actions and the weather are one in the same and on this day in particular it is said we can predict the character of winter's end by what the Cailleach gets up to: The Cailleach will make sure the weather that day is bright and clear if she intends to make winter last longer so she can gather plenty of firewood to keep herself warm in the coming months. Traditionally folks celebrate stormy or especially frigid weather on Là Fhèill Brighde since it means The Cailleach has decided sleep in and will soon run out of firewood ensuring a sooner end to winter's chills.

It was the Dutch who brought a similar Indo European legend about a badger to America where the badger became a groundhog, native to their "new world" upon ancient Turtle Island, which is where the Groundhog Day tradition based in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, USA came from. - Cailleach is by contrast decidedly human in form, said to have snowy white hair, often veiled, her name translated from Gaelic literally as "old hag". She is mother of weather, most poignantly storms. She rules over winter as a seasonal deity in balance with fire-wielding, milk-laden Brighid who then in turn oversees the time between Beltane and Samhain, from May 1st to November 1st. Imbolc is known as St. Brigid's Day honoring the awakening of spring but it is still within the dominion of the divine crone Cailleach.

[misspjsuperior]

Here we go yet again

[misspjsuperior]

Imbolc next week. The Day of Brighid (1st slide in my watercolor sketchbook) the multiplicital divine fire femme of the native British Isles. Poet, smith, healer. Spring goddess whose first stirrings in the winter are celebrated. She is not the only spiritual archetype of nature prominent on this day. The Celtic crone goddess Cailleach (second slide) gathers Her firewood for the winter's remainder during Là Fhèill Brighde during Imbolc. Her actions and the weather are one in the same and on this day in particular it is said we can predict the character of winter's end by what the Cailleach gets up to: The Cailleach will make sure the weather that day is bright and clear if she intends to make winter last longer so she can gather plenty of firewood to keep herself warm in the coming months. Traditionally folks celebrate stormy or especially frigid weather on Là Fhèill Brighde since it means The Cailleach has decided sleep in and will soon run out of firewood ensuring a sooner end to winter's chills.

It was the Dutch who brought a similar Indo European legend about a badger to America where the badger became a groundhog, native to their "new world" upon ancient Turtle Island, which is where the Groundhog Day tradition based in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, USA came from. - Cailleach is by contrast decidedly human in form, said to have snowy white hair, often veiled, her name translated from Gaelic literally as "old hag". She is mother of weather, most poignantly storms. She rules over winter as a seasonal deity in balance with fire-wielding, milk-laden Brighid who then in turn oversees the time between Beltane and Samhain, from May 1st to November 1st. Imbolc is known as St. Brigid's Day honoring the awakening of spring but it is still within the dominion of the divine crone Cailleach.

[misspjsuperior]

Woodcut letterpress heart postcards- a Valentine’s classic

Get weird for Valentine’s Day! Or even weirder for whatever other occasion with these fine hand carved woodcut anatomical heart prints from

[misspjsuperior]

Lady of Love and Battle, ensure victory to us righteous lovers whatever we face under Odin’s eye!

Freyja of the Norse joins (along with her legendary cat companions) joins my Vulva Goddesses as altar art. There are currently five different divine feminine figures available:

Original Vulva goddess illustrations by PJ Superior featuring iconic Maria Rosa (aka Vulva Mary), the healing and compassionate Guan Yin, an

[misspjsuperior]

Created in a variety of colors from divine feminine lore around the world, these vulva goddess visions come in 5 options as altar prints:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/1685298056/updated-choose-your-goddess-vulva

[misspjsuperior]

Before we get on the Fire Horse in February we still have some time in these early weeks of 2026 with the Year of the Wood Snake:

Snake years symbolize times of collective and individually reflected growth with the comparison to how snakes cyclically shed their skins in order to grow. Many people experience some sort of loss in Snake years as well as expansion. This past Snake year's element of Wood deepens the Yin energy of Snake. So in contrast to the highly active Fire Horse's Yang energy coming we would do well to rest as much as we can this winter's remainder in preparation to embrace the opportunity paths and obstacle hurdles ahead as we ride that thang collectively. If we are very busy right out, we ought to treat rest as another thing to fit in our schedule, and embrace the tail of the Snake while we can. This will help us recognize when the Horse takes us to the proverbial water, so we may pause and drink.

There are also some other corresponding transits with the long lasting outer planets happening at this time that make this new year extra interesting astrologically. Both Neptune and Saturn are entering their years-long journeys together through Aries just ahead of Lunar New Year. I elaborate further on this with sources for my Star Gazers.

Each of these custom Astroportrait commissions feature a snake but not all are Chinese Year of Snake. There is also a Mayan Day of Snake. The first slide happens to be both. Every Astroportrait combines at least three different zodiac signs based on a single birth date of who the portrait is of. Made by request +* the drawings are size A3 (about 11x17" small poster size)

Astro Portraits — PJ Superior

Astro Portraits — PJ Superior

[misspjsuperior]

With Epiphany / King’s Day on January 6th Old Christmas is only now ending. In Alpine lore stretching from Tuscany to Bavaria this is also the day Frau Perchta comes through to assess if you’ve kept a good work-life balance through the festive season.

Frau Perchta (or Bertha) is an Alpine Christmas spirit who on the 12th day of Christmas (January 6th) will punish you, most popularly by fire, if you neglect your spinning/weaving work through the holiday season.

Her lore varies culturally by region. Some say she has a nose made of iron. I have chosen to include this captivating detail in my portrait of Perchta.

Perhaps this coloring page version could make a fun festivity for the Yuletijd’s end.

[misspjsuperior]

December 12th is La Fiesta de la Virgen de Guadalupe celebrating an apparition of The Goddess in the guise of Maria Mother of Jesus to an Indigenous man in Mexico named Toatzin- and dubbed Juan Diego by Catholics. The Holy Mother’s words spoken in native Nahuatl to a humble Aztec man on the slopes of Tepeyac, the very site of the destroyed Aztec temple of Earth Goddess Tonantzin, bolstered the spirit of a brutalized population that yet persists through continued colonization today, allowing original peoples of Mexico to continue ancient traditions and pass knowledge through generations under the mantle of Her protection as a disguise.

The miraculous vision of Guadalupe that appeared upon Juan Diego/Talking Eagle’s tilma is often seen as a self portrait by Her and there are many analyses of the visual element’s encoding of Aztec symbolism. I took these theories and insights into consideration while creating this goddess vision as commissioned by a dear Mexican American sister.

I chose a blue background to parallel Her starry mantle of heaven and also represent Lake Texcoco since the eagle, snake, and cactus from its story of the founding of ancient Mexico there are present. 💙🌵 

Tonantzin in various forms is frequently depicted with eagle feet so I thought it appropriate to have the legendary golden eagle clutch the silvery moon below Her in place of Guadalupe’s cherub 🦅 🌙 Tonantzin is often known, by many names, to wear a skirt of snakes- the celestial Aztec earth mother Coatlicue’s particular name translates to “She of Snake Skirts”. So I couldn’t help but see the snake emerge from the opening in Her folds here. Frequently in Aztec art snakes emerging from or replacing body parts represents blood so I feel a menstrual element from how the snake manifested in this vision 🐍 🩸

Tonantzin Guadalupe is one of my Vulva Goddess sisters in altar sized prints :

https://misspjsuperior.etsy.com/listing/1685298056

[misspjsuperior]

So grateful to help with the holiday spirit I be puttin in extra lil doodles. That way if it’s a gift for someone else the person ordering gets their own little custom gift of sorts to keep too. Maria is extra popular this time of year but there are other vulva-robed goddess sisters by her side.