(36” x 36”) Oil on canvas 2020

This painting is a visual impression of my spiritual awakening through the alchemical process of hieros gamos, the sacred marriage of the masculine and feminine within. It was catalyzed through another who acted as a mirror, which initiated a life-changing inner union that dissolved separation and induced a higher state of consciousness. This union gave rise to what is known in Hermetic and alchemical traditions as the Divine Child, or Hermetic Child, the symbol of rebirth into an integrated, awakened self.

The Seal of Solomon is located in the middle of the composition, interlocked by two triangles. The upward-pointing red triangle represents the divine masculine, fire, action, and consciousness. In contrast. the downward-pointing blue triangle represents the divine feminine, water, receptivity, and the unconscious. Their interpenetration signifies the union of opposites, which is the alchemical marriage that creates inner oneness and affirms our connection to the All.

I incorporated each section of the star with the planetary lords rather than traditional alchemical glyphs. I also included the Sun in the center of the star, which represents consciousness and life force energy. An ankh-shaped keyhole is embedded within it. The ankh, which is an ancient solar symbol, unifies phallic and yonic symbolism through sacred union. It represents the gateway through which higher consciousness is accessed once the inner marriage is complete.

Additionally, I included two dragons at the bottom. One is red on the masculine side and the other is blue on the feminine side. Their tails are intertwined to form an infinity symbol, which symbolizes balance, harmony, and eternal cycles. Kundalini energy is also ignited through their fiery breath, rising from the base of the spine where a lotus is entrenched in the mud but also striving upward. This represents the base chakra and the soul’s journey from earthly density toward spiritual illumination.

On each side of the star are a man and a woman facing each other. gazing directly at one another's eyes. They represent the mirrored masculine and feminine aspects of the self. Their heart chakras connect through a current of lightning, symbolizing energetic resonance and the activation of higher knowing. Their hearts meet when the current reaches the Sun, which is also where the shadow is confronted and integrated. This is where the unconscious becomes conscious through reflection and love.

Toward the top of the star are red and blue doves facing one another, symbolizing love, purity, peace, and divine connection. The mirrored colors of the doves reinforce the sacred union of opposites. The golden wings extending from the Seal of Solomon also represent the bridge between the physical and spiritual realms.

The very top of the star includes an illuminating crown, symbolizing the crown chakra, enlightenment, and unity with the divine. The crown includes keys hanging, which represent access to gnosis. These keys correspond to the ankh-shaped keyhole within the Sun, signifying that once the crown chakra is opened through inner union, access to Christ consciousness is granted. This is the moment of alchemical completion, the birth of the Divine Child.

The Divine or Hermetic Child is the third force created through sacred union, giving rise to the alchemical trinity: the Divine Masculine (Father), the Divine Feminine (Holy Spirit), and the Divine Child (Christ). This is more of an inner process, where the Christ is born within consciousness itself, than purely something external. The fleurs-de-lis scattered throughout the background further reflect this trinity, as each petal symbolizes the masculine, feminine, and child united in harmony.

All in all, this painting was created to express my own interpretation of sacred marriage, as it is a necessary initiation for soul evolution on Earth and a return to wholeness.