(36” x 24”) Oil on canvas 2019
This painting was inspired by the most mystical, life-changing spiritual awakening of my life. However, part of the process is basically losing your mind and learning to deal with the after-effects. This painting was a way for me to heal and make sense of what I was going through. Temperance is the main theme and is notably a tarot card in the Rider Waite deck as well as its alternative name, Art, in the Thoth deck.
I sought to capture the following essence of what Temperance represents: balance, integration, and the delicate interplay between opposing forces. The imagery reflects the idea that true harmony is not merely the absence of conflict, but rather the art of blending diverse elements into a cohesive whole. Just as the Temperance card encourages us to find equilibrium in our lives, this painting invites contemplation on how embracing different perspectives can lead to a richer understanding of our experiences.
The divine being in the center is supposed to be a cosmic version of Gaia. She is doing Prithvi Mudra with her hands around our planet earth, a mudra associated with grounding, stability, and a connection to the Earth element. There are also stigmatas on each palm, symbolic of Christ consciousness.
The term, "Unite by Thine Art," is a phrase from the Book of the Law, the sacred text of Thelema. Since Art in the Thoth deck in tarot is correlated with the Temperance card in the Rider Waite deck, "Art" in this case refers to Temperance. This came as a synchronicity while working on this painting and listening to a lecture from someone knowledgeable on this subject. The full quote is, "But they have the half: unite by thine art so that all disappear." This quote happened to be associated with the Temperance card, and I felt it was perfect to implement in the painting. The deeper meaning is based on the concept of samadhi in Hindu and Buddhist spirituality. When a person balances the Ida and Pingala nadis (the energy channels of the spinal column that represent duality in existence), one experiences the state of deep meditative consciousness called samadhi. It is the union of the self and not-self where one breaks forth from the confines of their own particular identity and loses oneself in what it is not. In doing so, one achieves a higher level of organization and complexity by transcending the limitations of their previously defined sense of self and integrating features of reality into themselves that previously appeared as distinct entities. This is by definition the alchemical process of becoming a fully individualized being.
Furthermore, the woman hanging upside down from a branch of the tree of life in Vrschikasana pose (also known as Scorpion pose) in yoga represents The Hanged Man card in tarot, a card demonstrates letting go, surrendering, and shifting perspectives to understand a situation differently. Her mirrored version is supposed to be the card reversed, and she's positioned on the side of death. Essentially, each are a representation of the yin and yang.
The constellation located on both sides is divided into two parts and is each half of the constellation Ophiuchus. Ophiuchus is depicted as a man holding a serpent and his body splits the serpent into two parts. It's a special constellation because it is the only one divided into two parts: Serpens Caput (the serpent's head) and Serpens Cauda (the serpent's tail). Ophiuchus was a deity of healing and medicine, known as the serpent bearer. The ancient serpent is symbolic of healing as well, and is known to shed its skin, which likewise is seen as a symbol of rebirth and rejuvenation. Since the constellation features a man holding the snake in the middle, I made Gaia the focal point of that instead, as she is located in the middle between both parts.
The white doves rising from the fountain is symbolic of when one is born and baptized from holy water. Alternatively, the ravens flying downward towards the human skull represent the natural descension towards death. Together they embody the continuous cycle of life and death, illustrating that these two states are not endpoints but rather interconnected phases of existence. In addition, they are not only literal deaths, but also symbolic deaths of the human evolutionary process. In this cycle, balance becomes essential; it sets forth that in every phase, an ending is a precursor to a new beginning. By adopting different perspectives, we can appreciate the beauty in transitions and the lessons they impart.
As we navigate our own journeys, this painting serves as a reminder that embracing balance between creation and destruction allows us to move gracefully through the complexities of life. In doing so, we honor the cycles that shape our existence, finding strength in the wisdom that every experience contributes to our growth and understanding. Through this lens, we can transform challenges into opportunities for renewal, ultimately leading us to a more harmonious and fulfilling life.
