Pandora Tarot

By Ellen Lorenzi-Prince  © 2005 All rights reserved

XVII    Astraea   

…of old she dwelt on earth and met men face to face, nor ever disdained in olden times the tribes of men and women, but mingling with them took her seat, immortal though she was…  ever urging on them judgements kinder to the people.

            Aratus, Phaenomena, ca. 300 - 200 BCE

  Astraea, the Virgin of the Stars, left the earth to live in heaven when men became too cruel. She was depicted with the accoutrements of a star goddess - wings, bright aureole and flaming  torch. She was also entrusted with the care of the thunderbolts of Zeus, as she would never misuse them.

 Image source: Apulian Red Figure Vase, ca.  350 BCE

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