The month of May slipped by without my monthly newsletter taking form. I love painting portraits through language as well as through visual art but felt at a loss for words this past month, so I flowed with life and simply rested in the heart and less in the mind. I have been reworking the painting shown here adding vines to the cool, stone wall, giving it more life while reflecting on the Andean "Prophecy of the Eagle and the Condor," on which the painting is based. It was five years ago in May that I went on pilgrimage to the Andes and spent time in ceremony with the local, indigenous peoples of that sacred landscape. (Read more here) Our journey was indeed a meeting of the eagle and the condor. The prophecy story relates that in the beginning all the earth's people were one, but long ago they divided into two groups, and each one followed a different path to development. The people of the Eagle became highly scientific and intellectual, indicative of a masculine energy. This would represent those of us living in the industrialized West. Whereas, the people of the Condor became highly attuned to nature and the intuitive realm, or what might be the feminine energy. This refers to the indigenous peoples-or the people of the heart.The ancient prophecy also speaks to the time we are in now when civilization is on the brink of collapse as seen in the economic, social, and ecological crises.
The prophecy says that at this time in the earth's history, the Eagle people and the Condor people will rejoin. Remembering that they are one people, they will reconnect, remember their common origin, share their knowledge and wisdom, and save each other. The eagle and condor will fly together in the same sky, wing to wing, and the world will come into balance after a point of near extinction. Neither the eagles nor the condors will survive without this collaboration, and from this rejoining of the two peoples, a new alloy consciousness will emerge that honors the Eagle people for their remarkable accomplishments of the mind, and honors the Condor people for the deep wisdom of the heart. Together-and only together-the crisis will be resolved and a sustainable future will emerge for all.I've been noticing where the spirit of the Condor is showing up and where it needs to weave its way more fully into our rationally-minded Eagle consciousness as well as into the activism many of us are engaged in on behalf of life on Earth. I recently attended the "Washed Ashore" gala fundraiser at PCC Sylvania. (Click here for more information.) The sculptural exhibit is centered around huge sea creatures made entirely from plastics washed ashore on Oregon beaches. They are beautiful yet clearly reflect back to us our role in this crisis. We see our shampoo and water bottles, flip flops, toothbrushes, etc. It can feel overwhelming. Many representatives from environmental organizations spoke during the event and while the data is essential, I believe that until we can bring these issues into our hearts and remember our interconnectedness with all life, change will be slow. I was honored to lead a water blessing ceremony with several women from my spiritual community, People of the Heart, which allowed those present to express their love and gratitude to the oceans and ask for forgiveness. Drawing on a Hawaiian chant, Ho'oponopono, this simple ceremony opened the hearts of the people in the audience to the crisis of plastics in the oceans. Many were moved to tears. For me, this is an example of how we can bring the wisdom of the Eagle together with the compassion of the Condor, both of which are needed to inspire us to move towards action.
Art and ceremony are two powerful ways to open and inspire the heart. What are the ways in which you are seeing the energies of the Eagle and the Condor coming together in your life and/or work? As always, I welcome your thoughts.
For love of the EARTH!
FROM THE WATER CEREMONY:
In Praise of Water (excerpt)
-John O'Donohue
Let us bless the grace of water:
The imagination of the primeval ocean
Where the first forms of life stirred
And emerged to dress the vacant earth
With warm quilts of color.
The courage of a river to continue belief
In the slow fall of ground,
Always falling farther
Toward the unseen ocean.
Let us bless the humility of water,
The buoyancy of water
The innocence of water,
Flowing forth, without thought
Of what awaits it.
Water: voice of grief,
Cry of love,
In the flowing tear.
Water: vehicle and idiom
Of all the inner voyaging
That keeps us alive.
Blessed by water,
Our first mother.
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Ah my beloved Amy!
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful! How sincere!
Both the painting and your words.
It was you who first shared with me this prophecy of the Eagle and the Condor and you who introduced me to the Pachamama Alliance.
Since that time, I have known quite a few people who have traveled south to be with the Condor people. They return changed people; people who recognize the gifts of Western Culture (particularly some medical treatments and procedures) as well as its limitations and its potential devastation.
It is this blending, this merging that is needed – this awakening of the heart—this understanding that everything (plants, rocks, earth, sky and sea as well every insect, fish, bird and animal) vibrates, everything sings.
Ah! Such a challenge at times, but there is hope – there is always hope!
The fact that you and others lead a water blessing ceremony at PCC; the fact that Rick facilitated a Drum Circle where we honored water, and the fact that Carolyn will facilitate another public gathering to honor, bless and help heal our water on June 26th; these are tangible, powerful acts of reconciliation. Opportunities that allow our overdeveloped, disconnected Western mindset to wake up and reconnect to our plant, to our communities and to ourselves.
On Samhain in 2006 my heart received the phrase “Tears for what was lost; tears for what was found – let reconciliation abound.” When I read of Dr. Emoto’s work and read of your water blessing ceremony I understand its meaning.
Reconciliation has begun. Yes radioactive waste seeped into the Pacific Ocean spreading its poison and oil spilled for weeks and weeks into the Gulf devastating its ecosystem. I cannot change these events, and I must accept my share of the responsibility for the Gulf spill at least.
I am an eagle who still consumes vast amounts of petroleum to fuel my auto, but I am an eagle who chooses to work close to home, who chooses to car pool, bike ride, hike and kayak.
I am an eagle who refills her glass water bottle over and over again, and I am an eagle who does reduce, recycles and reuses. I am an eagle who keeps an alter honoring all, and I am an eagle who has many friends who do the same.
Ah, there is hope!
Earth will heal itself.
As for the eagle?
Well, as always, your art inspires and renews me.
I too see the eagle and condor soaring together!
May all beings be happy.
May all being be free.
Aho! Mitakuye Oyasin.
Nicolette O'Connor
Aho. Thank you, Nicolette, for sharing was it alive for you in your heart. The eagle and condor fly together in you. And yes, there is hope! Blessings, Amy
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