This morning "The Moon" card was at the top of my Tarot Spread, and some insights came to me about my work, starting with one of my most recent paintings "Moonlight Portal".
I was first interested in this night scene about a year ago, drawn to the architecture, the colors, and the challenge to try a nocturne. I took some photos. About ten months later, in August of this year, I decided to paint the scene and had the opportunity to visit this pool again. I started the piece in my studio, and then took it with me to the location to continue the work. It happened to be the week of the full moon, and I instantly knew I had to include the moon in my painting.
It was very hot that week... actually 111 degrees at night. Floating on my back under the moon and the stars, cradled by the water while the wind rustled the palms, it felt safe to tap more deeply into my subconscious.
I was compelled to place the moon between the two palms in my piece, and suddenly noticed that my painting was creating a pathway, a portal. What struck me this morning is that in the Rider Waite deck, Pixie Smith did much the same with "The Moon" card by placing the moon between two towers or pillars. In both cases we are being invited into the darkness to face our shadows, examining our fears, shame, and regret, so we can embrace and heal them under the calming presence of the moon.
My sun sign is Cancer, who is ruled by the Moon, and this is definitely not the first time the moon has appeared in my work.
Another piece comes to mind that I painted in 2022 called "I Face My Shadows with an Open Heart". I painted this at a time when I was knee deep in my own darkness, triggered by a spiritual awakening in 2020. One of the final pieces in my Mermaid series, I depicted her with her heart chakra open wide, much the same way mine always seems to look when I have my aura report done at psychic faires. Surrounded by the butterflies of transformation, along with all the phases of the moon, she is open and willing to look at the less than pretty parts of herself, to embrace them and better understand them, so that they no longer control her.
By doing this deep work, we learn to come more from trust, and less from fear.
And on that note, I'll leave you with one more piece, which is a Milagro necklace that I created this year on the very same theme.
I call this necklace "I'm Stepping Fearlessly into the Unknown". The pearls represent the moon, giving us the calm courage to embrace each situation, while the leg Milagros (Milagro meaning "miracle" in Spanish) serve as a reminder to walk in faith, knowing that everything is not only going to be just fine, but even better than we can even imagine.
It delights me that I can express the path I'm on myself through my art, and it's my hope that it can continue to inspire you in some way as well.
With Love and Light,
Linda
