3 OC New Moon, March 28, 2006

Keyword: WILL

 

The strength of my spirit

 

3 OC. March 29, 2006

ARTIST'S COMMENTARY

DWAYNE & TERESA

DWAYNE: The Lightning Path presents us with a step-by-step journey related to the 7 chakras of the human light body. The journey from 1 to 7 refers to what is called the liberating current; the journey from 7 back to 13 is called the manifesting current. Seven represents the pinnacle, the thousand petaled lotus, source of cosmic energy, insight and inspiration.

With this Moon the 3rd chakra is highlighted and Terry and I were very aware of this as we began our painting. Classical 3rd chakra imagery shows a downward facing triangle indicative of the entry of Spirit into Matter and we chose to allow this convention to guide us. Looked at from the reverse perspective, the traingle indicates the ascent of what is Earthbound into more and more ethereal realms. At the 3rd chakra we must develop our will.

After a period of meditation and introspection, we began our painting proces by exploring as sketches, some of the images that came to us. Once we agreed upon a starting image we penciled in a basic geometrical grid on our painting surface and began to add color. The image was a mandala but it was not until morning that I became distinctly awate that we had unconsciously shifted our orientation from that established by our two previous paintings. We were clearly setting a precedent by changing the orientation so we had to really be clear if this was appropriate. My choice was to keep withthe diamond orientation and Terry agreed. This meant we had to start over from scratch so we covered what we had done completely with white gesso and started fresh.

Once again we sketched out a geometric form and this served to guide us to a new level of engagement. By the end of the second day, however, neither of us felt at all excited about what we had accomplished. It seemed just so very abstract and lifeless. Taking a few moments to really sink into the painting meditatively, I concentrated on its center and suddenly "saw' a fire being emerging from below up and into the triangle. I sketched it out on paper and handed it to Terry who immediately connected with its presence in the same way I had. We placed the sketch next to the painting and went to bed satisfied that we had finally invoked the muse we had been missing.

TERESA: Before we started painting, Dwayne and I sat in meditation, as we usually do, in order to invite inspiration. After "trying" to catch a vision", my meditation brought me into a deep quiet place. The message was to stay clear and become an instrument, to just trust this man, and aid him in his own vision of what this moon meant. I came to this: my hands have the skill to paint, and I must trust the purpose of this painting path: to learn to love unconditionally.

I must explain that my physical condition posed a great challenge. I was encountering a deep undeniable ache in my bones, and was unable to find any comfort. It was very hard to stay clear of the frustration caused by this, and I swam in an emotional turmoil because of a lack of energy. Consequently, the manifestation of this painting was due to a sheer act of will on my part. Dwayne described his state as "being on fire" with inspiration, yet I was feeling so daunted by our intention to co-create. I forged on throughout the three days it took, laying down, stretching, drinking water, massaging my feet, etc. I tried to stay firm in my commitment, but I was very passive. My surrender and lethargy was perceived by Dwayne as a lack of creative involvement, but I felt I was doing my best under the circumstances. When he proposed a fire being holding the eclipsed sun, it seemed so right. My energy was being eclipsed, and the energetic spirit behind the moon personified Will. It was saying I needed to muster up all the will I could to create what I wanted in my life, that this is a hard time for me, and my physical body was reflecting it. As I write this, and the pain has subsided, I realize that it was all about emotional body issues centered on the third chakra.

Suffice it to say that I am drawing a lot from the Fire Spirit of Divine Will to guide me. She is my spiritual strength. And Dwayne, my companion of destiny, is helping me on this path. All the keywords for this moon have hit home: life is about showing up, and a life worth living requires total immersion.