This album was conceived as the first in a series of tributes to the various serpent deities of the world’s mythological traditions. Conjured through an alchemical process of evocation, the songs presented here tell a tale of the ancient Chinese goddess Nu Wa, the mother of humanity.

While this work takes liberties with the original legend, you are encouraged to experience it as a ritual offering in its own right.

Act I: Nuwa the serpent goddess has been busy preparing for a war with an invading army. She's been consulting with her generals and sorcerers to figure out the battle plan, but suddenly the sky splits open and a great flood comes. The waters rage and rage, sweeping away many of the beloved people of her kingdom and threatening to destroy not only her army but the very world itself.

In a panic, she flees up the mountain to ask Ao, the giant and wise tortoise, what she should do. Ao is as ancient as the universe and she used to play with him and ask him questions and he would tell her stories about the universe when she was a little girl, which is part of the reason she became so wise and powerful herself, Their relationship is a very special one and she loves him as if he were her own grandfather.

Act II: When she comes to tell Ao of the great flood and ask him what to do, he tells her that the only way to stop the flood is to prop up the sky to seal the crack, and the only things large and strong enough for this task are his own legs. He tells her that she must cut his legs off and use them to stop the flood and save the people. She is shocked, and begs him to give her another choice, to tell her some other way, but he cannot. He tells her that this was the only way, and that she should not be sad or afraid, that this is his fate and he is freely offering his strength for her. She sees that he is right, and after working up the courage she takes up her sword and chops off the legs of the ancient tortoise god Ao even while tears streamed down her face.

Act III: After committing this great and terrible act, she solemly marches down the mountain with Ao's legs on a carriage behind her and uses them to prop up the sky and stop the flood. In this moment, as the waters subside and she is left with the reality that she has taken the life of her dear friend and mentor to save the lives of all the others, she looks out at her kingdom and understands that her life as a goddess and ruler will always be a path of difficult choices and sacrifice.


Epilogue: The great battle between Nuwa's army and the invading forces is part physical combat, part magic and supernatural. They have never been a warlike people but they are forced to face the battle to protect their kingdom and their queen.

After the great war and the flood, all the people are celebrating. The Goddess Nuwa has retired to her chamber to reflect, when suddenly one of her key generals along with one of her advisors approach her to challenge the throne.

They attack her ferociously, full of bitterness and disdain after months of plotting and scheming. She didn't anticipate the fight - they have the advantage of surprise and they have her outnumbered. It is a vicious battle of serpent demigods. For a while it seems as if they might prevail, but they underestimate her powers.

At the peak of the battle she summons all her strength, filling the chamber with electricity as she grows to three times her original size. She is shrieking, arms wide at her side, as she unleashes her ancient magic and vaporizes her opponents.

Exhausted after all that has befallen her, she sinks into her throne, feeling both sadness and joy, for having lost her oldest companion, been betrayed by and destroyed two of her top leaders, but having saved all of the people she so dearly loved in the process. The world keeps turning...