Fiery Phoenix: reproduction of my original acrylic and joss paper on framed wood panel painting.
The Phoenix represents: One of the Four Heavenly Animals, South, Fame , Sun, Freedom, and Recognition. Ruler of the southern part of the house. The Phoenix brings joy and honor to the family.
The Phoenix is such a powerful image for change and transformation. I personally have experienced the incredible ability of this piece to create beneficial energy movement in my own life as well as in the lives of others.
In my own life the first time I became aware of Phoenix power was a few years back. I had just finished painting the “Fiery Phoenix” and had it stored in my studio. At the time my husband was laid off, and we were at the end of his unemployment benefits. He needed to find a good position and fast. The bills were pilling up. What I was making wasn’t enough to keep us afloat for long.
One evening while reading in one of my volumes on Feng Shui, I came across a passage that talked about how the Phoenix when placed by the front door can considerably boost career opportunities especially for the male members of the household. In western Feng Shui also known as Black Hat, the front door of the home is symbolic North and the Career sector.
As soon as I read that, I immediately got the “Fiery Phoenix” from my studio and hung it by our front door. We also have another painting of mine – “Ancient Heart” hanging by our front door. Tortoise is the Heavenly Animal of the North and another very powerful image. She watches and protects the home. (More on that at another time.) Well, once the “Fiery Phoenix” was placed on the wall I could feel and almost see the energy pulsing from that area. My husband could see it too. We were both astonished and amazed at what we were experiencing. It was incredible! Within a week Ken found a very well paying position in his career field.
A friend of mine hung a 16 x 20 matted print of the “Fiery Phoenix” next to her front door and within a couple of weeks her life changed. She was single at the time and not liking the company she was working for. After the Phoenix entered her life she met her soul mate and found a better position in a much better company.
There are many stories like this. The Phoenix ushers change…very good and much needed change. You have to be ready to allow what you truly want to enter your life when you invite Phoenix into your home, because he will incinerate what no longer serves you so that way can be made for what does. This can mean removing jobs, people, things. Be ready to say YES! to what you really desire and ask Phoenix to help you on your way!
Let this powerful image help you set the intention to follow your passion and achieve great recognition for it. Peace and Light, Montana
All of my prints are matted using 100% acid free cream matte board. They come in two ready to frame standard sizes – 11”x14”, 16”x20”and are placed in a protective poly bag. I sign each print and include what they each mean on the back.
To see more wonderfully delightful images of my paintings, please visit my shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Montanablack
White Lotus on Blue – reproduction of an oil and acrylic painting I did celebrating the lotus.
The lotus is a symbol of enlightenment, creativity, nurturing and spiritual guidance. These beautiful flowers grow out of the dark, cold mud into the bright and warm sunlight. This can show us that we have the capacity to grow out of the mud of our perceived limitations into the full realization of our magnificence.
Within each of us is the power to transform the world. There is a light of wholeness we are born with… come from. In fact, this light is the foundation of everything around us.
In much of my work I strive to illustrate this light – this divinity- existing in all life…all matter. The flower is a symbol of the moment of understanding when self realization has been achieved – a flowering of consciousness. The blossoming plant is a wonderful metaphor for the expansion of human consciousness. A plant spends its days growing and gathering what it needs to live and survive, and then one day, when enough growing and gathering has been achieved and conditions are just right, a bloom appears…glorious, beautiful, life affirming and life giving flower.
We make our way, day by day gathering understanding, sometimes consciously, sometimes not, getting closer and closer to what our hearts are longing for. I call that longing Oneness with my higher power. I keep turning toward the light of Oneness because it is what my soul desires. And one day, when conditions are just right, my consciousness will blossom fully into total realization as will every being in this world.
Once we make the simple acknowledgement that we are a part of the whole, then a connection is made between our light and the world. We make this connection with our consciousness and with our imagination; then through this connection our light begins to flow. In this way we begin to redeem the work of the whole. These connections create pathways of light that find their way through the darkness of the collective psyche. Just as in our personal psyche, there are blocks and places of resistance to this flow of light; and there are also places of power, creativity, and unexpected qualities. *
This simple and radical truth was known to the alchemists: it is the light hidden in matter that will redeem the world.*
“Tender words we spoke to one another are sealed in the secret vaults of heaven. One day like rain, they will fall to earth and grow green all over the world.” -Rumi
Peace and Light, Montana
*From Anima Mundi: Awakening the Soul of the World; Published in Sufi Journal, Issue 67, Autumn 2005 by Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee
To see more wonderfully delightful images of my paintings, please visit my shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Montanablack
Giraffe represents: Vision, compassion, beauty,higher perception, gentle spirit
Beautiful, gentle, graceful giraffe comes to us when we are seeking a higher perspective. With their long necks giraffe has a vantage point like no other. Able to see above what would block all other vision. Insight is gained through love with their powerful hearts and far reaching vision. Call on giraffe energy to gently guide you to see your life or a particular situation beyond what may be your current view. If actions is required then it will be taken with compassionate wisdom.
Affirmation: “I am open to the gentle guidance of my heart center knowing that it can see far beyond to the highest good of all concerned.”
This is a reproduction of my painting, “Giraffe Bees”, Oil, Paper, Pencil, Drawer Pull on Canvas / 12” x 12” / 2012 _ Giraffe Days
Forest? How do you expect me to see a forest with all of these trees in the way?
I can’t tell you how many times I have worried myself into an anxious ball over situations that with a little higher vision on my part would have saved me a lot of precious energy and time. My mother–brave, beautiful, smart and crazy–was always the first person to jump on what my family jokingly calls “the panic train” over something. This is usually right after she has advised my sister and I not to get too previous (don’t get ahead of ourselves).
I have to laugh at that now. And on my good days, or what I like to call my “giraffe days,” I can laugh at my habitual tendency to jump on that “panic train” over life just being life.
It is a response that comes from only seeing my very small part of whatever the perceived problem is. When I am able to lift my mind to a higher view, that always does wonders for putting concerns into a more manageable perspective.
That is what I mean by giraffe days–when I am able to have a giraffe’s perspective. It is very easy to get bogged down in one point of view. When I take my queue from this tall, compassionate, higher-visioning creature then my world can encompass more and I am able to gain valuable insight that would have otherwise escaped my understanding.
Even if I am unable to “see” that higher view myself, I take tremendous comfort from the fact that there is one. I am not running this show. There is a higher power orchestrating a larger unfolding drama of which we are a small part. Giraffe reminds me not to take myself and my concerns too seriously. I am not suggesting that we cease to strive for our goals, dreams, and aspirations, but do it with a perspective that includes a larger view. This takes the pressure off of yourself and those around you so that joy can be experienced in the journey.
So when you need a little help to release anxious feelings and a reminder to “look up” knowing there is a higher, wider view, ask giraffe to stop by for a visit. They really do wonders for one’s morale.
Peace and Light, Montana
