Lady Justice is an iconic symbol that is found all over the world at this time.  One version or another of this symbol is found somewhere around most courthouses and many legal firms.  This modern version actually has its roots thousands of years in the past in ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece, and Rome.

The modern version of Lady Justice is often shown holding a balance scale in one hand and a sword in the other.  Often she is wearing a blindfold.  The blindfold represents fair deliberation without the influence of wealth, gender, politics, or the mood of the moment.  The scales represent the ability to weigh all of the information presented in a fair manner.  The sword is double edged and can cut both ways.  It represents authority and power.  It is finality.  It is the moral imperative to protect the innocent.

When we dig a little deeper, Lady Justice is patterned after the Roman goddess Justitia, The goddess of justice and morality.  In many ways, Justice is the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Dike or the Greek goddess Themis.

So we trace the symbol back to the ancient Greeks.  According to Greek mythology, Themis was a Titan that was married to Zeus.  She is the goddess of divine law, order, and traditional rules of conduct.  She symbolizes prophecy and the voice of the natural order.  Sometimes she is equated with Gaia and natural law and ethical conduct.  She is a Greek teacher of the divine laws of equity, justice, morality, and good governance.  She was the fierce protector of the innocent.

We can now trace this symbol back further yet into the ancient Egyptian civilization and the goddess Ma'at.  Ma'at is often seen as a winged woman with a feather in artwork that dates to before 2100 BCE.  She was the goddess of truth, justice, harmony, and balance.  The Egyptians believed that she weighed the human heart against her feather of justice.  If the heart was as light as the feather, the person was accepted into the afterlife.  She was the teacher and the symbol of the principles that govern the order of the universe.  Those who lived by morality, justice, and harmony were welcomed into her presence.  She expected humans to live a life that honored others and the natural world, respect life, and nurture the natural world.  She too was believed to be fierce in the protecting of the innocent.

So when we trace the roots of Lady Justice, we find a rich symbolism of how to live life and structure society.  All versions of this symbol through ancient history instructs us to live according to the universal laws of justice, fairness, equity, order, and harmony.  We are to live our lives based on truth, respect, and caring for others.  We should stay in harmony with the natural world and nurturing the environment and the life around us.

All three of these goddesses that are the base of Lady Justice are symbols and teachers of a universal code of conduct that forms the basis of truly civilized societies.  These principles are also embodied by other manifestations of the divine feminine from Kali to the White Buffalo Calf Woman.  Behave honorably with respect for others.  Do not take that which is not yours by either trickery or force.  Respect, honor, and nurture the natural world, ecosystems, and the life around you.  Live in gratitude and joy.   Spread that joy by caring for those around you.  Practice good and equitable governance.  Demand justice, equity, and respect in all interactions, structures, and systems.


Sources used for this article:
greekmythology.com
theo.com
kenelexperience.com
egyptianmuseum.org
bordaslaw.com
​heatherandlittle.com

Shifting the shape of reality
The messenger from spirit
From the shadows come
One as black as night

It seems as if crows are everywhere.  That perception may not be too far off.  The "crow is actually several common very closely related species of the Corvidae family that also includes ravens, rooks, Jay's, magpies, and jackdaws, among others.  the crow is, in most cases, an iridescent black bird that gathers into family groups called murders.  They are easily confused with raven, which is also usually black.  The crow is a medium sized bird that has a fan shaped tail and speaks in a "caw".  The raven is much larger, has a wedge shaped tail, a shorter heavier beak, and has more of a "croak".

​Crows can be found on every continent except Antarctica.  According to researchers, these highly intelligent birds use over 250 different calls when they communicate with each other.  They also collaborate to protect each other and their young from predators like hawks and owls.  They are often seen either sharing food sources or hiding them depending on the day and the crow.  They have an excellent memory and the capacity to learn.  They often will share gifts with people who feed them.

In some cultures, crows are a bad omen and a symbol of death, and are therefore feared.  This is understandable.  This omnivore will eat almost anything.  They eat grains and insects, but they also hunt and scavenge.  Most often crows are observed scavenging from discarded food and dead animals on the side of the road.  I personally prefer to see the more positive aspects of crows.  They take advantage of opportunity and clean up the negativity and gunk and recycle that energy back into the system.

Crows are a symbol of adaptability, cleverness, intelligence, transformation, and psychic ability.  They have shown the ability to adapt to almost any situation and thrive.  The fable of the crow and the pitcher highlights the crows problem solving capabilities, and they have been shown to make and use tools.  We can use this lesson from the crow to be flexible and adapt to anything that life throws at us.  Instead of resisting change, embrace the changes that life gives us and use what is available in order to thrive abundantly.

Crow is the keeper of the sacred law.  This is the universal law beyond the law of man and religion.  The crow is believed to working the spiritual depth of the laws of the universe in self and teaches us to always align ourselves with the deep truths and sacred law. This spirit animal is believed to travel between worlds and to cross the veils between the physical and the spiritual.  It carries messages from the spirit world to the physical world and may carry our prayers back.  It is a spirit of the void roe the shadows and as such can see from multiple points of view,  the past, present, and future, light and dark, inner and outer.  As a spirit animal, the crow teaches us to speak truth, walk your talk, and live with honor and integrity.

The crow is also seen as a gateway animal int the supernatural and to support and encourage your psychic ability.  Some cultures believed that the crow can bend the laws of the physical universe and shape shift at will.  This master of illusion can also be a trickster and manipulator.  It is a spirit animal of seers and prophets.  To learn the art of alchemy in your life, you might want to fearlessly follow the crow into the shadows as that is where true transformation occurs.  But be careful if you do, for your life will never be the same again.

This creature of mystery and power has captured the imagination of cultures around the world.  Most of the symbolism that I take from the crow comes from the Eastern Woodlands Native Americans, but there are other associations as well.  According to Norse mythology, crows were the messenger of Odin.  For the Greeks, the crow was the messenger of Apollo.  Crows were associated with the Celtic god of creation, Lugdunum, and polarity and prophecy.  For the Japanese, the crow was the heavenly dog and a messenger from the spirit world.  The Hindus believe that crows are the messengers from the ancestors.  And there is more.

Whether you are looking for ancient wisdom or the universal truth, you might want to listen to the crow.  If you seek transformation and the ability to adapt, you might follow the crow's example.  The crow can help you find your voice and strength to shape your future.  But be careful.  The crow can be the mischievous trickster leading you down the paths of illusion.

The sources for this article are:
uniguide.com
whatismyspiritanimal.com
yourtango.com
Medicine Cards by Jamie Sams

Sacred Hoop, sacred space
Four directions of ancient spirit
Interconnected to all my relations
All are equal in the cycle of life

The sacred circle is an ancient form and symbol that is found in most spiritual traditions on Earth.  In general, the circle symbolizes wholeness, unity, the cycle of life, and continuity.  The Medicine Wheel is an ancient form of this symbol found in North America.  The Native American Medicine Wheel can be a mental construct, made into artwork, or symbolic tools, or it can be formed into the landscape.  The Medicine Wheels built into the land are generally created with rocks and maintained by the people who use them.

Some of the oldest Medicine Wheels in North America date to before 4000 BC.  While we can not be absolutely certain of how these circles were originally used, by tradition, they are sacred spaces of prayer, connection, and healing.  Most Medicine Wheels in the landscape consist of a central stone, four stones representing the four cardinal directions, more stones around the perimeter, and spokes connecting the center and the circle.  There are variations on this theme, but those are the basics.  My Medicine Wheel is 12 points around the perimeter and the 13th point is in the center.

The specific meaning of the Medicine Wheel, or Sacred Hoop, varies from tradition to tradition, so I'm going to give a general picture of what the Native American Medicine Wheel represents.  Any specifics in this article are my own takes on the Medicine Wheel.

The landscape Medicine Wheel creates a sacred space that represents the circle of life, the interconnectedness of all life and energy, and the paths of growth and learning.  It is a way of thinking and being in the world that recognizes that every living being and energy is related, sacred, and to be honored. It is a sacred framework that gives an overall view of life's lesson and how life and energy flow in a circular fashion.  The artistic and mental representations of the Medicine Wheel are tools that help create sacred space and connections in life.

Besides the circle itself, there are five basic key points to understand.  The four cardinal directions are the main points on the circle.  The last point is the center.  The spokes of the wheel represent the paths that you take to learn the lessons around the circle.  According to Native American philosophy, all paths, all directions, all life is equal.  According to most traditions, the entry into the circle is in the east.

The East is the place of the sunrise.  This is represented by yellow and fire.  This is the place of the Eagle and the Condor.  The East is spring, enlightenment, and beginnings.  It is the Place of vision and strength.  I honor the East with Tobacco.

The South is the place of summer and the child.  Some traditions hold this to be represented by white. I represent this by red.  This is nourishment, growth, faith, trust.  It is happiness and generosity.  This is the place of the Coyote or sometimes the Hawk.  Some honor the South with Cedar.  I honor the South with Sweetgrass.

The West is the place of the sunset.  It is the place of all tomorrows. The West is introspection and where the past meets the future.  It is Earth, autumn, and solitude.  This is the place of courage, respect, and honoring culture.  The West is the place of the Bear.  I honor the West with White Sage or Prairie Sage.

The North is the place of winter.  It is the end of life, the end of the cycle, and the preparation for the renewed cycle.  The North is the place of wisdom and the elder.  The North is represented by the Bison and the home of The White Buffalo Calf Woman.  This is the place of ceremony and gratitude.  This is the point that I remember that life is a celebration.  Some honor the North with Sweetgrass.  I honor the North with Cedar.

The Center is the place of integration.  It represents the heart and the person.  This is the point of prayer and connection.  The center is that from which all begins and all returns.  To me, this is the fire of the heart and the understanding that none are greater and none are less.  I honor the center with fire.

To me, this is a tool for creating and entering sacred, energetic space.  Sometimes, I enter this space through a circle drawn in the landscape.  Sometimes, I enter this space through my artwork.  Sometimes,I enter this space through a space that I draw in my mind.  No matter how I enter this space, it is a place for connection and guidance.

Sources for this article:
ictinc.ca
oktalakota.sto.org
uwsuper.edu
nlm.nih.gov
sciencedirect.com
Medicine Cards by Jamie Sams
13 Indigenous Grandmothers by Jamie Sams

The Golden Ratio of nature's form
The cycle of life, evolution, and growth
Universal symbol of ancient wisdom
Follow it within to find your path

Trying to unwind the symbol of the spiral is almost like trying to untangle the chicken and the egg.  Diving into the research for this symbol points all over the world and eventually to the unifying ancient source, the Earth herself.  This is an ancient symbol that is found in the art of almost every culture on Earth.  It predates all written records other than the stone upon which they are etched.

There are only a handful of patterns that are very common and repeated throughout nature.  The spiral is one of them that is found at every level of physical reality from the cellular level of DNA to the structures of the galaxies.  The spiral can be found in seed heads and sea shells.  Here are a few of the places to find spirals if you care to look:  Pine cones and pineapples; Roses and sunflowers; Snail shells and nautiluses;  Fiddle head ferns and spider webs;  Cyclonic storms and the Milky Way.  This form was picked up and used by virtually all of our ancestors from Celtic to Greek, Native American to Mayan, Norse to Polynesian, and every culture in between and up to the modern age.

So what is a spiral?  It is a very efficient, stable, and strong natural form.  A perfect spiral or sacred spiral is a logarithmic form that is mathematically expressed as the Golden Ratio and approximated by the Fibonacci sequence (0,1,1,2,3,5,8,13,...).  This was first described in the ancient Sanskrit texts and popularized as a modern mathematical formula by Leodardo Fibonacci.  The sacred spiral has been used as a spiritual symbol and meditative device for as long as people have been creating art, as it still is today.

The symbolic and spiritual meaning of the spiral is fairly consistent across most cultures with minor tweaks in the specifics.  The primary meaning that most cultures give to the spiral is the concept of evolution and change.  Our ancestors understood that the world around them was constantly changing, evolving and growing.  The growth of the spiral from the center point to the ever widening circles is a concrete form showing the progression of growth.  They saw that symbol and growth in many of life forms around them like the growth of a snail or a fern.

One other aspect of the spiral is the cyclical nature of time and the cycle of life.  All aspects of life on Earth participate in this cycle.  The cycles of time are present in the movements of the sun and the moon, and the cycles of the seasons.  Each follows a pattern of change where each cycle is similar but is also different.  The patterns of the cycles make the turnings somewhat predictable.  Our ancestors also observed the patterns in the cycles of life that led from birth, to growth, to death, and eventually back to life again.  The spiral is used to symbolize the pattern that holds even when the details change.

On a spiritual or energetic level, the spiral represents both the life path and the connection between the world that we see around us and the spiritual world.  This is sometimes used on a symbolic level as a reminder that all things are connected.  But it can also be used as an energetic tool to focus meditation.  When used this way, the spiral takes the practitioner into an altered state that allows the exploration of the inner realms of the human spirit and the spiritual realms of energy.  This is usually done by following the spiral from the outer edge to its center of origin.

Here are a few more connotations of the spiral:
The journey to knowledge and enlightenment.
Ancient wisdom.
The release of old patterns.
The forces of nature.
The sacred feminine.
The flow of time.
water
air
expansion
healing

The spiral is a symbol that I use frequently in my art at all levels, from jewelry, to dream catchers, to my pen and ink.  To me, it has all of the meanings in this article.  However, if I had to choose one reason that I use it, I would say that I use the spiral to reflect the spiritual, sacred connection that binds all reality together.  Life, the Earth, and the cosmos are all part of a sacred fabric.  They all interact in a beautiful dance that coils in and out of our perception.

Here are some of the sources that I used for this article:
imaginationstationtoledo.org
embracingshamanism.org
learnreligions.com
49native.com
 
For downloadable prints with my stories check out my Buy Me a Coffee page
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Eternal spirit in the cycle of life
Infinite potential forged of fire
Keeper of the fire, consumed by flame
Sacred spirit living beyond time
Rising from the ashes reborn and renewed
Transformational magic of healing tears

The Phoenix is an ancient legend and myth that is close to my heart.  The myth and stories of this ancient archetype reach back to 1500 BC and beyond, probably originating in ancient Egypt or in the Middle East.  However, the mythological theme of the Phoenix seems to be universal with similar stories found in ancient Greece and China.  The Hindus, Japanese, Tibetans, and Native Americans have stories with similar connotations as well.

There are many versions of the Phoenix legend that seem to shift and blend depending on the story.  It may have started out as a humble bird that was reborn from a fire.  It may have been an immortal spirit that refreshes itself with fire.  However, all of the stories have similar threads of being reborn from a fire.  The most frequently told version states that the Phoenix is a powerful immortal spirit who, after 500 years of life in its body, builders a nest of aromatic herbs.  It then sets the nest and itself on fire.  The Phoenix then allows itself to be consumed and purified by the fire.  It is only after the fire consumed the old body that the Phoenix can rise from the ashes renewed and vibrant.

In most of these stories, the Phoenix is associated with the sun god.  It is a symbol of illumination, clarity, and rising from the darkness into a new day.  It is a symbol of creating new beginnings or fresh starts.  According to one Persian legend, it is a symbol of universal wisdom and purification.  The magical Phoenix is a symbol of empowerment.

As a spirit animal born of fire, the Phoenix is a keeper of the eternal fire.  It is the magic of rebirth and renewal.  The Phoenix is a spirit of passion, creative fire, and transformation.  This spirit tell us to get up and rise from the ashes to shine brighter and stronger after life knocks us down.

The Phoenix embraces the sacredness of life and the cycles of life.  It danced through the trial of fire to get to the point of renewal.  It is a powerful healer and teacher.  The tears of the Phoenix are said to heal both body and spirit from even the deepest wounds.  It is a reminder that you too are of unlimited potential and that you too can free yourself from your self imposed limitations.

Challenges will come into every life, and mine has had its share.  Every time challenges have come along and knocked me down, I have drawn on the power of the Phoenix to get up and thrive in abundance.  The ability of the Phoenix to rise from the ashes when everything that was is burned away is my reminder to take courage and rebuild even stronger than before.

This an archetype and guide that I work with frequently. This is what it means to me.  The Phoenix is a healer, teacher, and keeper of ancient wisdom.  It is a sacred spirit that represents both the cycles of life and the ability to step out of time and into the infinite.  This is a powerful spirit that has the ability to fly through the "cracks in the universe".  It is a reminder of infinite potential.  Most important, this powerful healer and teacher reminds me of my obligation and responsibility to the greater good of the Earth, society, and my community.

Here are some of the sources for this article
uniguide.com
spiritanimals.com
whatismyspiritanimal.com
tinybuddha.com
Manitu Okahas

While this piece of artwork is not for sale, here is some of my other artwork
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The print and story of this artwork is available on Buy Me a Coffee.  Click here:
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Rippling power of wild freedom
Holding wisdom in sacred balance
Stamina and tenacity in flowing motion
Rider and steed on a spiritual journey

One of the most beautiful and iconic animals in the service of humans is the horse.  It is also one of the earliest animals domesticated by ancient cultures.  While the ancestor of the horse originated in North America and migrated to Eurasia.  It is believed that the first domestication of the horse occurred in Ukraine or in the Steps region.  While there are a number of related species of mammals, the actual ancestor of the modern domestic horse may still exist in the Steps of Eurasia.

According to conventional belief, the horse was reintroduced into the America's by the Spanish conquistadors.  However, according to Native American stories, legends, and petroglyphs of the Southwestern Native Americans, this may not be entirely accurate.  There may have been a handful of wild horses in North America before the Spanish Mustang escaped on the continent.  Or were they captured?  The stories vary.  In any case, the wild horses of North America, and throughout most of the world, are descendant from the local domesticated horses.

This beautiful animal has great symbolic significance in most of the world's cultures, and plays a major role in many of the myths and legends.  Horses are associated with the Celtic deities Epona and Macha, and the Welsh Rhianna.  They are the power of the gladiators and the warrior.  They are a symbol of royalty, wealth, and prestige.  They are the wildness of the Mongolian Steps.

The horse is a symbol of freedom, vitality, and wild instinct.  They symbolize power and royalty.  Horses are beauty in motion.  They represent stamina, tenacity, and courage.  The horse ripples with life force in motion.

The horse is believed to be an animal of spiritual awakening and awareness, bringing a new path forward.  This animal of emotion and instinct can help you tap into your natural gifts and intuition.  They bring change and the courage to change for your own self empowerment.  It is an animal that easily leads you to your freedom and wild spirit.

The horse not only made long journeys across land possible, but they are also seen as a steed of the spiritual journey.  Many people believe that the horse can travel the bridge between worlds.  It is a liaison between the spirit world and the physical world.  And the horse will bring you back safely from your journey.  The horse is the reminder that "No abuse of power will lead to wisdom."  Jamie Sams, Medicine Cards.

Beyond the general meaning of the horse symbol, the color of the horse has symbolic meaning.
BLACK - symbolizes power, magic, mystery, transformation, intuition, and the cycle of life.
GOLDEN - represents solar energy, vitality, creativity, journey, and spiritual manifestation.
GREY - is for integrity and the resolution of challenge.
ROAN - is the horse of hardened beliefs and spiritual blockage.
BROWN - represents abundance and stability.
White - is the master of knowledge, spiritual journey, self mastery, wisdom, and power.

Ancient craft of the Spider's art
Feminine power, magic, and intention
Gather elements Earth, air, water, fire
Rhythm and altered states magical meditation
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Spinning fibers into cordage, yarn, and thread is one of the earliest skills learned by humans in order to create what was needed to survive and thrive.  It is such a critical skill that there is evidence of spun yarn dating back at least 34,000 years.  There is evidence of spinning and fiber processing equipment found in the Caucasus Mountains and other places dating back to Neolithic times.  The drop spindle has been existence for at least 9000 years and probably longer.  In comparison, the oldest spinning wheels were probably developed in ancient India some time around 400 C.E.

The magical art of turning fibers into thread is such a pivotal art that most cultures around the world developed some sort of spinning.  Most of them, sooner or later, developed some sort of spindle.  Most also have myths and legends around the art of spinning involving a mother goddess who taught the art of spinning and weaving.  In Germanic cultures this was Frau Holle.  In Gaelic it was Cailleach.  In ancient Greece it was Athena.  In ancient Egypt they spoke of Tayet.  The Dine' (Navaho) have Grandmother Spider and the Inca have Mama Ugllu.

The magic of the spindle and spinning is found throughout our cultural stories and symbols.  Most of the time, the spindle is associated with the powerful feminine and feminine magic.  Sometimes it is related to the moon and the changes and phases of life.  It is the art of the cycle of life and is one symbol of bringing forth life.  The spindle is the tool worked by the hand with intention.  Spinning is an act that brings together all of the elements into one creative moment.  The fiber is of Earth, The thoughts and skill are of air.  The water is the love, emotion, and heart that goes  into the craft.  The intention is the fire that fuels the spinster.  It all spins together to create beauty and function in the world.

Spinning with a drop spindle is an act of intention and focus that puts the artist into a state of unity with the rhythms of the spindle.  The altered state always puts the magic of the intention, the emotions, and the heart and hand into the yarn or thread and then into the finished cloth or craft.  Spinning is intrinsically an act of magic and power.  It is a spiritual act and process.

Briefly, the spindle itself has several symbolic connotations.  It is a symbol of the goddess and the cycle of life.  It is a symbol of fertility and bringing life into the world.  It is a symbol of feminine power.  It is associated with the flow of time.  To spin a thread is to create abundance and connection.  To spin a yarn is to create stories.  The spindle is the tool of magic and supernatural power.

As a spinner and a weaver, I find spinning to be a meditative process where the rest of the world fades away.  All that is in my world when I am spinning is the spindle, the fiber, my hand, and the heart.  All of my intention and energy flows through my heart and hand.  The spinning process is a dance between the spindle, the fiber, and the hand.  It is a conversational dance.  The conversation starts as my hand and heart hears and feels the stories that are being told by the fiber.  This vibrates in the rhythm of the spindle and the intention of the mind twists into the spirit of the yarn.  Somewhere in the process, the magic happens and flows through the work.  The history of the fiber and my experience comes together in a moment in time to create precious abundance for the future.

The resources used for this article are:
ghorbany.com
hearthandhomewitchery.tumblr.com
woollenwytch.co.uk
Manitu Okahas

Check out my hand spun work here

What do horses sea
Where the shallows be
To find a new perspective
Of balance and equality
We see the role reversal
In a creature that is mystical

Mystical and magical seahorses are found in tropical and temperate shallow coastal waters around the world.  There are close to 50 species of this unusual fish.  Among the smallest of these is the pygmy seahorse at about 1/2 inch tall.  The Australian big bellied seahorse is among the tallest at about 12 inches tall.  They prefer to live in the sea grass beds, coral reefs, and around the mangrove roots where they feed on tiny crustaceans and plankton.  In these waters, they anchor themselves to the available vegetation with their tails.

Possibly the most unusual characteristic of this fish is its method of procreation.  After a pair has mated, the female lays her eggs, up to several hundred, in a pouch on the male.  Once the eggs are placed in this brood pouch, the male fertilizes them and carries the eggs until they hatch.  This gestation time can be anywhere from 14 to 45 days depending on the species.  Once hatched, the young seahorses are released to the sea.

The wide spread but sparsely distribution of seahorses has sparked myths and legends around the world.  In Mexico, they are symbols of money and prosperity.  The Chinese see them as medicine.  According to the Maori and some other Polynesian descendant cultures, seahorses are the guardians between worlds and facilitate the travel between those worlds.  According to the Greeks and Romans, seahorses pulled the chariots of Poseidon and Neptune.  Capricorn may have been inspired by the seahorse.

Symbolically, the seahorse challenges our ideas of strict roles based upon gender or other characteristics of the body.  In most animals on Earth, the female gives birth and cares for the young.  However, as we see with the seahorse, this is not always the case.  As a symbol and a lesson, the seahorse asks us to question our assumptions and find a new perspective of balance and equality.

There are a number of other meanings given to the seahorse.  They are seen as a symbol of strength, perseverance, and power.  Some see them as good luck and the bringer of opportunity and prosperity.  Our ancestors often equated them with ingenuity, creativity, and alchemy.

These creatures of the shallow seas are often seen as holding power in the watery realms.  They hold authority over emotion and intuition.  They are believed to bring the subconscious forward.  The seahorse is a creature of vision, perception, and psychic ability.  Some believe them to be the keeper of Earth's histories and a guide for those lost at sea.

No matter how you perceive the seahorse, this enigmatic creature captures the imagination.  Their charm and grace invite curiosity, creativity, and mysticism.  Exploring with the seahorse might just lead you to the depths of your subconscious.

Some of the sources used for this article are:
mationalgeographic.com
pbs.org
uniguide.com
whatismyspiritanimal.com
​projectseahorse.org

Transformation and transmutation
Primal forces of life and health
Magic of the Staff of Hermes
Aligning self with the source

One of the symbols that is recognized world wide is the caduceus.  This symbol has been adopted and accepted by most people as the symbol of the medical sciences and healing.  One of its first clear uses in this context was in a 16th century materia medica.  The Caduceus is most often depicted as a staff with two serpents entwined around it.  The top of the staff is usually shown with a pair of hawk's wings.  Other versions have a single serpent wrapped around the staff or a "sun" or on the top of the staff.  In my artistic version, I used a pair of stylized dragons to represent learning and wisdom.

While this symbol is most often associated with Hermes and Mercury, it can actually be traced to cultures that predate both the Greeks and the Romans.  At least elements of the symbol can be traced to ancient Lagash, Babylonia, and Mesopotamia.  It  seems to have migrated to Egypt where it was associated with Thoth, then to the Greeks and Romans.  Some schools of thought believe the symbol is a marrying of the cult of the serpent and the cult of the Sun.  The serpent was a symbol of the cycle of life, health, and healing.  The sun was a symbol of enlightenment and learning.

This symbol can actually be broken down into its three symbolic elements in order to get a clearer idea of the scope of the symbol.  The first is the staff representing purpose, integrity, and values.  The second is the serpents representing flexibility, growth, transmutation, and mysticism, The third is the wings representing understanding and wisdom.

When the three elements are combined into one symbol, it evokes the primal and the divine source of life, health, and healing.  This healing is rooted in the alignment withing yourself of the body, mind, emotion, and spirit.  This alignment then extends to the earth and the divine source of life and health.  This alignment was the transformation and the transmutation that the ancients were seeking in this symbol and in themselves.

In its essence, the caduceus captures both the complexity and the simplicity of health, healing, and wisdom.  It captures the apparent complexity of the many moving and changing parts in our lives.  Yet, there is a simplicity of patterns and cycles underlying it all.  It is the strength and simplicity of staying firmly rooted in your purpose, values, and integrity.  It is the alignment of this core with the earth and universal patterns.  The Caduceus speaks of the flexibility to learn, adapt, grow, and change with the many ways that the patterns and cycles can present themselves.  It speaks to our ability to increase in wisdom and understanding of how our health is related to our environment and our experiences in life.  Above all, it represents the balancing of the forces that seem to be opposites so that the rhythms and movements of life can flow with health, healing, and wisdom.

There are a number of ways that this and related symbols resonate through various cultures.  In India, it is a symbol of the four elements.  In yoga, it is the primal forces of life and the balance of the masculine and feminine.  To me, it is the evolution and growth of the sacred spiral and the wisdom of living within that spiral.  All of these speak to healing in some way, and to the connection of body, mind, emotion, and spirit to healing.

Some of the sources I used for this article are
ncbi.nih.gov
innerdialog.org
occult-world.com
yourtango.com

To see and purchase my artwork click here
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My digital versions of my artwork are on Buy Me a Coffee. Click here

Gentle Rain Crow, harbinger of hope
Solace and comfort in the cycle of life
Eternal love, connection to the divine
Focus and healing, letting go of strife

When I was young, occasionally during the summer, I would hear a haunting call of a bird that I did not know.  These birds would show up occasionally in the small town where I grew up and would often call as a storm was coming in.  Their soft and mournful coohoo pulled at the strings of my heart and at the edges of my subconscious.  My father called this the call of the Rain Crow.

It was a couple of years before I actually connected the call to the bird.  This bird looks nothing like a crow (at 10, I was looking for a black bird) and is one of a handful of bird species that are known as a rain crow.  The rosy grey-brown back and peachy breast of the Mourning Dove is just as beautiful and haunting as its call to the storm.  These beautiful members of the dove family are a little more common now than they were when I was a child.  They seem to prefer spaces that have been "tamed" by humans.

As a child, I interpreted the name of this bird as "morning dove".  And in reality, the two most common times to see and hear these birds is in the morning or before a storm.  The real names of the bird, Mourning Dove and Rain Crow, give some insight into the symbolism of this bird.

The primary energy and symbolism of the Mourning Dove is of healing after loss and the ability to move forward with your life.  This bird is a symbol of being in harmony with the cycle of life and the solace and comfort that is needed for healing to occur.  They bring hope, renewal, and gentleness to the broken heart when it is needed the most.  They encourage new beginnings with peace and tranquility.

The Mourning Dove brings with it a deep connection to water, the cycle of life, and nature.  This works in the physical realm as a bridge between nature and people in the "tamed" spaces and as a signal that water or rain is near.  Emotionally, these birds connect us to our deepest emotions that we tend to hide from ourselves and others.  They are believed to be a connection to the divine and the Spirit realm.

Like all doves, the Mourning Dove is a bird of peace, love, and connection.  It is a reminder of innocence, devotion, and faith.  The Mourning Dove asks us to let go of anger, conflict, and negativity so that we have hope of a new beginning.  They are a simple bird of joy, contentment, and connection.

In some cultures, the Mourning Dove is a symbol of the spirit realm and is seen as a messenger between humans and spirit or the ancestors.  To some, this is a messenger f the divine and a connection to the Earth's Sacred Feminine.  In most cultures, the Mourning Dove brings wisdom, understanding, and compassion.

Even now, as someone who has been ancient for a long time (in my children's eyes), the Mourning Dove pulls at my heart strings with her bitter sweet song.  Hearing this bird's call or catching sight of her searching for seeds reminds me to slow down and savor life.  I breathe deep and enjoy the simple grace of the interactions of a mated pair.  Life is a ceremony, after all.  Take time to savor those special moments before they are gone.
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