When we founded Labrys & Chronos, the search for a name wasn’t just a matter of branding. As writers ourselves we dug deep for a name that resonated and reflected our mission. We envisioned a space where faith and queerness could meet, wrestle, and -where possible- reconcile. We sought a name that could convey layers of meaning as profoundly as the stories we hoped to uncover and share.
The pairing of Labrys and Chronos emerged as a deliberate choice, weaving together two potent archetypes that stand at the heart of our identity.
The LABRYS is a double-headed axe, and an ancient symbol with roots in Minoan, Greek, and later European traditions. Over time, it has become an enduring emblem within queer communities – specifically lesbian identity, feminist resistance, and LGBTQ+ solidarity.
But the labrys is not only a mythic or symbolic object; it’s a practical tool. Double-headed axes played a vital role in shaping the pre-industrial landscape, valued by foresters and farmers for their adaptability. Each blade could be honed for a different purpose, one for chopping, the other for splitting, allowing the wielder to shift between tasks with efficiency and precision.
Ultimately, the labrys stands as a sign of defiance against erasure, a marker of survival, and a tribute to the many queer voices historically pushed to the margins. It is a symbol of standing unflinchingly in one’s identity, with the same dual purpose and defiance that has served both communities and individuals across time.
CHRONOS, the Greek personification of time, embodies more than the ticking of hours; it holds the weight of the human experience and the slow, sometimes painful work of transformation. Reconciliation, whether personal or cultural, is rarely immediate. It unfolds gradually, requiring patience to adjust, adapt, and listen.
Each era and generation brings its own challenges and opportunities, asking us to sharpen different edges of ourselves. Sometimes to cut away the opposition, sometimes to build, and all in it’s time.
A Commitment to Strength and Reconciliation
At its core, Labrys & Chronos exists to hold open the space where queerness and faith intersect. In a world where these identities are often set in opposition, we bring them together, as a double-headed blade. A work that only time can bless.
An Invitation
To the faithful, and the queer: this is an open invitation to engage. Labrys & Chronos is a house not only for stories, but for the labor of healing and reconciliation – a place where complexity is welcomed and the beauty of tension is honored.
Thank you for walking with us.
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