My name is Ryan and I am a leathersmith.
My aim with Babalon Leather is to create pieces that inspire confidence and accent the natural lines of the human body. There is much power in this design as the perpetuation of the species has depended on it. In a world where women are bombarded with rape culture and slut shaming I call on you all to take back that power, for it is a power that you possess, to feel sexy and harness the power that is drawn from that confidence.
The inspiration for creating this line of leather goods came from this image.
Behold Our Lady Babalon the Great,Mother of Abominations and Goddess of the texts of Thelema. This is the 11th card in the major arcana of the Thoth Tarot deck. Other Tarot packs name this card “Strength” but Aleister Crowley changed the name to reinforce the idea of the “Scarlet Woman”: a feminine aspect of the godhead that he believed could be represented on earth by a living woman. This is contrary to the Christian image of the Virgin Mary whose power comes only from her chastity and innocence. The Scarlet Woman seduces all, and with that seduction gives understanding (referring to Binah, the second sephiroth on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life).
Where the virgin finds solace in oppression the whore takes all and with experience gains understanding.
“This is the Mystery of Babylon, the Mother of abominations, and this is the mystery of her adulteries, for she hath yielded up herself to everything that liveth, and hath become a partaker in its mystery. And because she hath made herself the servant of each, therefore is she become the mistress of all. Not as yet canst thou comprehend her glory.”
“Beautiful art thou, O Babylon, and desirable, for thou hast given thyself to everything that liveth, and thy weakness hath subdued their strength. For in that union thou didst understand. Therefore art thou called Understanding, O Babylon, Lady of the Night!”
-The Vision and the Voice, Aleister Crowley
December 4 – 5, 1909. 11:30 p.m. – 1:20 a.m.