This weeks MMM theme is "Again, I find myself....". For other people's pages see: Mixed Media Memoirs.
This title suggested to me how, especially through journalling, I've noticed how various cycles in nature effect me.
The arctic white hare shows Winter, the spring is Spring, a faked Stonehenge sunset shows Summer (I may have got the direction of the sun wrong but this was one of my best photos of Stonehenge so I used it), and the Autumn is shown by a wind-blowing cherub.
In the centre is the full moon and a strangely wrought silver key to the moon. This includes fish, newt, bird and bear in its symbols.
The words say: The cycles of growth and decay.
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12 comments:
Reading deprivation is hard to do as an absolute - when I want to do that I have to go on retreat.
I started journalling over 20 years ago to see what cycles were going on for me... it takes time to unwind them doesn't it?
This reminds me of a medicine wheel.
Growth and decay: very interesting concept. I always knew when spring was coming in Ottawa because of the smell of decay along the edges of where the snow was melting and grass was becoming visible. It actually stank at times. But it was a sign good nonetheless.
Wandering Coyote - yes I suppose it is a form of medicine wheel through the cycle of the year rather than the directions.
And things rotting make good compost.
The hardest thing for me to come to terms with has been that without death there is no life.
yes, I quite agree! I have such a hard time with that part, as it hurts my heart to much... beautiful illustration and words!
I wish I were more into journaling. I have one a forum I post to rather often. My blog has turned into a whine spot and brother bashing forum since my parents accident, but in a way my pictures are my journal and they tell a story. My pictures on Jan. 28, really brought it home to me how much I use the camera for self expression. The hydrangea was taken in the morning before I left to go and visit my parents and the red one taken as I was leaving to come home. I hate going home and it shows. When I saw those two side by side it hit me what I was doing. I cried at the sadness in the one picture.
I am really strongly attached to the sun cycle. That is why I mentioned Imbolc with the Stone Henge picture. The celts thought of this as the first day of spring. I like that idea. I celebrate when the days get longer and mourn when the wheel turns again.
I like your 4 seasons. I was not sure about winter but understand now. Cool. I have gotten away from creating art and only take pictures now. I have no confidence as an artist but I am learning to be a photographer slowly.
Thanks valgalart!
Catma - looking at the things we create - whether photographs or other artworks is one way that our not-conscious self has of communicating with us. Words may seem to come from the concsious self but we often don't hear them and not feeling heard even by ourselves is the pits... reading one's own writing out loud helps with this. I can cry at something I've written despite having been quite dry whilst writing it! I feel you need to hear your own words. Does that make any sense?
We've a new early Feb tradition here - last year we spotted our first frog spawn in the first week of Feb so we've been checking - none yet but there was the plop of a frog before we got to the pond.
The most amazing Imbloc day we ever had was going for a walk (when my legs were in better shape than currently!) up in the Welsh mountains and seeing a Brockenspectre. That year I was working round through all the Celtic festivals but I don't recall any others being so amazing.
Mostly though from the sun cycle I stick to celebrating the solstices. They are the points that really have meaning to me.
I have learned interesting things from both the post and the comments! Plus the collage is exquisite as usual. The cyclical nature of life is fascinating to me.
I especially like the way the border balances the interior. I think it has to do with how each flower(?) is unique.
Andrea - thanks - I'm doing such a different style of collage from the other MMMers that I'm trying not to get self-conscious about it...
Kyknoord - thank you! They may be flowers - they may be ring patterns in different trees - they could be moons - they might be suns - I feel that they have a significance that I've yet to grasp. And you are right they are all unique so maybe that is more significant than I'd thought too...
I wanted to say thank you so much for leaving lovely comments on my blog!!
I really appreciate it!
I am a little bit out of sorts still, but will be back in full force with new art and new sites soon!!
*hugs*
Annax - I'm still wishing you well so get better soon, all of you!
Your work is not only beautiful to look at, it represents an impressive depth of thought and reflection. As always, Nan is impressed!
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