"Way out here they have a name for Rain and Wind and Fire. The Rain is Tess, the Fire's Joe and they call the Wind Mariah. Mariah blows the stars around and sets the clouds aflyin'. Mariah makes the mountain sound like folks was out there dyin'...." (Excerpt from "They Call the Wind Mariah" - 1951 Musical - "Paint Your Wagon", 1960 The Kingston Trio) She is revered, feared, respected, honoured and reviled. She can be a gentle kiss of softness through the trees on a Summer's afternoon...or she can be a vicious, deadly gale that leaves none to survive her wrath and fury. She is brisk, cold, warm, gentle, calm, and biting. Honoured as a Goddess, she was worshiped and honoured by mariners of ages past. Her honour and blessing asked for in safe passage of ships with reed or linen sail. When her honour was affronted that which sea farers called the doldrums, cast palls that could only be placated by sacrifice. When riled she is vicious and heartless being of no pity or remorse for her victims. However...when touched to the right mood, she is benevolent, gracious and grants a kind of beauty to us poor observers, that even a Master artist's touch cannot come close to comparison, or to dare to rival. She is raw power harnessed. Flight without wings. A lover's kiss on a sun touched cheek. She is Wind! And she is always...untaimed, wild, indomitable...power! ~~~~ Second in a four part series (possibly five) representing the catalytic elements of life - Earth, Wind, Fire, Water (and possibly Metal). Each a Goddess in her own right, as my gallery nears the milestone of 200 images. Then, as promised, my Knights will be returning with a new leader at their helm....and new conflicts to overcome. ~~~~ Victoria 4.1 -- DAZ Tabitha -- Liquid Rust Jane Hair -- Zachrael2002, SWAM Fae Realms -- skirt, arms and armbands, slippers, crown and choker -- Ravenhair Centurion -- top -- Bobbie25 Erenrai Textures -- nirvy Feathered Wings -- etujedi Eagle 2.0 -- DAZ Raven/Crow and Seagulls -- Noggin Photo -- San Simeon Skyline -- Twilight Productions 2009 Posing and lighting by me