Spring Art Release: Fire and Fog

I feel like at the beginning of each month this year I have felt a sense of relief. Like, “Whew! We made it another month!” And this time feels the same, although I am feeling a little lighter now that the weather is starting to get better. How about you?

January-March is an especially difficult time for those living in northern climates and in the northwest 80% of the time the sky is gray and the days feel dark. Vitamin D deficiencies and seasonal affective disorder is very common. Having been born in this region and spending my whole life here, I haven’t been affected quite as much as other people I know (in fact, pretty much all of my family has moved to southern parts of the country for this very reason) but this year I’ve been feeling it much more. Partly I think because I now work from home and am able to look out of the windows during the day and am more reliant on myself for motivation and direction on what needs to be done. Also partly because of the astrology. Last month I started thinking a lot about the planet Neptune. The Sun and Mercury made conjunctions to the planet, literally shining light and information on its influence and making its presence felt more. Not only that but the planet Jupiter, which expands everything it comes in contact with has been in the sign of Pisces since late last year (along with Neptune.) The sign of Pisces is ruled by Neptune. Rulership in astrology is a way of describing affinity and association. They are both numinous, mystic, dissolving boundaries and saying that we are all one. Both are watery in its influence, seeping into cracks and making us feel emotional, vulnerable and also very compassionate and loving. So with both Neptune and Jupiter being in this sign, we are feeling all things Neptune and Pisces even more. Neptune and Jupiter are also coming together in conjunction in a few weeks (exact April 12) but we will be feeling it now. Pisces is the end of the astrological year so we are often releasing, cleansing, and saying goodbye in March. I lost a family member last month and it is a common time for people to end their time on earth in physical form. It is not easy but also prepares us for new beginnings (Aries).

Not only is there an amplification of water energy, but there is also an amplification of air. Mars, Venus, Saturn and a few major Asteroids were all in the sign of Aquarius pretty much all of March. Air energy is all about ideas. But with the combination of air + water there can be a lot of anxiety. Your mind is running and your emotions get involved too. Plans/ideas for the future (air) seem to just dissolve which can feel very frustrating and depressing. Air + water also equals fog. Have you been feeling it? Some days I could not make any moves and felt like staying in bed until the sun came out. You really need earth energy to help ground and implement plans, and fire gives you drive and inspiration. When the planets are imbalanced it is important for us to bring in the missing elements so that we can feel more centered. So what are you supposed to do when there is no clarity or ground to stand on? Like you are a drifting boat in the fog with no lighthouse in the distance. Wait it out? That is one solution. You can also turn inward toward your own inner fire and knowingness. Offer gratitude for the small things, ask for help, pray… A part of what makes it bearable is knowing that the weather will clear eventually. In my painting process, I sat with a lot of insecurity about my work, looking critically but also having moments where I was able to bring in joy. That was yellow and oranges for me, imaging warmer days and sunny climates helped me get through the gray. But it was also an opportunity to really sit and try and appreciate the gray. So this collection is a combination of fire and fog. It is about seeing in the dark, learning to discern, trusting in the beauty that can be found in the unknown, and looking within toward your inner lighthouse to give yourself what you need to feel happy and contented when the outer world does not provide. I hope you enjoy.