Horses, horses, horses with wings

All this energy, all these wings.  This little handwoven coca-pouch from Machu Picchu in Peru has inspired me to weave for many years. It was woven in the 60's, probably on a backstrap loom. I bought it while I was still in school. It didn't cost much, as I remember, but more than I thought I had to spend, at the time, on something I had no use for. I didn't even have a loom, nor did I know that I would be a weaver for most of the rest of my life.

Its purpose is to carry coca leaves, and a small stone, held in an interior woven-in pocket, used to grind the leaf against the teeth when chewing the coca.  The leafs were used ritually, to stimulate thoughts, and also to reduce hunger.  The pouch straps hold the pouch over the heart. The coca leaf has been used in the Andean culture for thousands of years.  There are ancient woven pouches with the same designs on this one.

Though I weave nothing like this, and do not even like horses particularly, the black and white, and the swirling motion of the legs and feet still entrance me.  Such wondrous weaving. It depicts an imaginative state of mind, strong and transcendent emotion, which we humans are capable of, and which we strongly desire to experience.   Looking at this, and drinking good coffee this morning, makes me want to hurry up and do something remarkable.  That is, it makes me feel just fine.