There once was a psychologist whose preferred self-realization technique was to help her female clients identify with a personality from CBS Television Knot’s Landing. Taking on the persona of favorite soap characters Karen or Valene or Paige or Abby – perhaps posting a photo as reminder - meant handling one’s self the way the character did when faced with challenging situations, and therefore succeeding where one’s own natural behavior may have failed.
Early women would have placed a goddess image within sight, accessing strength, protection or some aspect of the universe personified via the deity and though many ancient traditions revered the female form above all others, western patrimony has not always looked lovingly on females, especially goddesses. One of my own initial teachers was adverse to having singular female art forms in an unattached woman’s domicile… she called it “goddess art” and was fearful that an unmarried woman, living alone, would stay alone – unable to attract a mate - if she indulged in wall art representing single females, especially a goddess.
Never mind that ancient wisdom prescribed female figures as a prerequisite on the walls of monuments to enhance the shrine’s auspiciousness, going as far as to provide mandatory guidelines for temple architects and sculptors as to their inclusion. A female art form was believed to be magically endowed to ward off evil and offer protection to the site and its visitors.
So here are three goddesses worthy of invocation via art forms:
* For regeneration and rest, Gaia
* For comfort and well-being, Kwan Yin
* For creative fire energy, Hestia
Manu, the first law-giver, said: "The gods are satisfied wherever women are honored, but where they are not respected, rites and prayers are ineffectual." So the next time you need to fill a room with auspicious energy try a female form, even a singular one, placing her well within sight, accessing her strength, protection or some aspect of the universe personified by her… ultimately tapping into her character when faced with challenging situations, and succeeding, like early women did. Mother Mary, come to me.
Debra Blackmon, interiors expert, author of the award-winning book, IRIS in the House, is a member of IDS, ASFS and IRIS; certified redesign, staging and color instructor. “When in doubt, decorate. Mindfully.” She travels frequently, transforming mundane space into sacred space, serving the world from Bakersfield, California where she lives deliberately with her husband and contentedly with herself. Copyright © 2008 Debra Blackmon. All rights reserved. You are welcome to reprint, copy or distribute this article provided this copyright notice and a link to www.debrablackmon.com is included.