Watercolor on watercolor board, original sold. I’m honored and happy to announce that Imber has selected this image for the Pay It Forward group. This is what Imber wrote: ” “I wish I could have painted it!!!!!!!!!! She is so talented!!!!!! All those explanation marks made me laugh – its so nice to be appreciated now and then, isnt it? Thank you, Imber! Im a sinsere when I write that this was a great surprise and really made my day, and week. Everybody, click on the link and check out Imber’s beautiful imagery!!! Rhiannon is a Welsh goddess known by many names and in many manifestations, associated with light, summer, warmth, abundance, white horses, and birds to name a few. She has many faces and turns up again and again in the great mythic cycles for she is the primal force of nature and life itself. One of her better known manifestations left the realm of Fairie and her marriage celebration with a god in order to elope and wed a mortal. For this she was banished from the fairie dimension, lost immortality, and most of her powers. Still, Rhiannon maintained some relationships with the Fae,small birds, and wild creatures. If you’ve read the Mabinogion, you know she kept herself focused and centered during the many dark years that followed,never abandoning hope. The shadows in the painting are included because as we live, we acquire knowledge of what dwells within those shadows. Like the fairies, shadows may appear to be one thing and later prove quite another. Passing through dark forests in life sometimes leaves us bitter or unteathered spiritually, we might feel aimless, frustrated, or angry. Holding sacred the inner heart light enables us to take both the bitter and sweet of our existance and expand inner vision by seeing beyond our immidiate needs and sensations. Life can and will still hurt, very much so at times, but rather than destroy us the experience can prove transformative. The white dove is sacred in many spiritual traditions, and is included because she’s also associated with Rhiannon (and Aphrodite). Behind it burns the inner fire of Rhiannon’s being. Text and image copyright Helena Nelson -Reed
A montage of my photographs, the traditional Scottish Croft was photographed on the magical Isle of Ulva, Scotland and the woods were photographed on a misty morning in July on the Isle of Mull, Scotland.
I have always loved ruined and bare country chapels where the outside elements seem to be brought in through the windows and shafts of light. To me, the deep greenwood and forests are nature’s chapels,which can bring you closer to the divine than any grand,gold guilded cathedreal. For me there is no seperation between the divine and the natural world around us…..and I have found peace and harmony many times amongst the sacred Celtic springs and ancient trees in forgotten corners of this country. This image was particularly inspired by the small holy wells of South West Cornwall, where even to this day poeple leave offerings and gifts to the water elements and the old Gods.
I AM HONORED AND WANT TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUE TO ARTIST AND MUSICIAN DONALD DEAN FOR SELECTING THIS PAINTING AS HIS PAY IT FORWARD CHOICE. TAHNK YOU SO MUCH, DONALD. YOU ARE A TALENTED ARTIST IN YOUR OWN RIGHT AND A SWEETHEART TOO! HERE’S WHAT DONALD WROTE ABOUT THIS IMAGE” / “Its asking a huge amount to nominate just one artist amongst all the fantastic work on the bubble, but in order to perpetuate the group you need nominations. If I have to pick one artist who i find inspiring it would have to be Helena nelson-Reed. Now there is the even more difficulte task of nominating just one work amongst all her magic. Well,l let me tell you I’ve been back and forth through all her paintings on bubble several times and i choose The Hollow Hills. The imagry and delicays are mesmorising. Every time you view this piece you get something different from it and her explination just adds. I find with all her work a deep spirituality that comes through the painting and without knowing it invades your soul but also her warmth of character i believe shines through her work and for me after a difficult decision this painting captures all of those qualitys. I cannot express enough just how much her work moves me i think it comes down to the fact that not only does Helena create magical images she infuses the work with such an underlying philosphy that you cannot but be moved by her work.” Celts believed (and many still do) that earth is alive, intersected by a web of energy currents, or ley lines. The concept is similar, but not identical to the Chinese tradition of feng shui. Shorelines, hilltops, groves, wells, springs, and burial mounds (cairns) were believed to serve as points of entry into the fairie world. On certain dates the portals are either wide open or entered easily when the traveler used the correct incantation or ritual gesture. During Samhain veils between dimensions were thought especially thin, a time when spirits and ghosts may entered our world with ease. Samhain was a ritual period when one’s dead were honored and restless souls placated. Depending on the community, it could be a time for casting fortunes and auguring. Sensible folk stayed indoors close by the fire, for strange mischief was afoot and mysterious energies rode the winds. For mortals, crossing dimensions wasn’t without danger. The risk included not returning to one’s original place in time and geography with body, mind and soul still intact. Many entered faerie and never returned. Others returned but lost their minds along the way. Examples of some mythic imagery and personal symbolism follow. On the left side, is a faerie hill, the entry to Faerie. The woman represents the intuitive self, or soul, and the hill is the unknown. The entrance is luminous and beckons in the dark. At night the wilderness can be mysterious and frightening, it’s easy to get lost. Setting out to find a Hollow Hill and doing so with only stars lighting the way infers the traveler is serious about his/her quest, and is brave (or foolhardy) enough to take risks. Birch is a word descended from a Sanskrit and Indo-European word meaning “bright” and “shining”. Some state it’s directly derived from an Anglo-Saxon term meaning “to protect or shelter.” For this reason birch trees protect and disguise the entrance. Their bark is shining in the night, indicating no ill will befall the pure of heart who enter here, but to survive and avoid being lost the traveler must stay focused upon her goal, just as she will this distant light in the darkness. She might detour or tarry along the way, but it’s frightening, difficult journey that purifies and strengthens the spirit, not the destination or Fairie itself. We can’t reach The Hollow Hill without first undergoing The Quest. Text and Image copyright Helena Nelson – Reed
The Maiden, The Mother and The Crone From the original acrylic on 100cm x 100cm canvas. Metallic and glitter overlays… I started this mandala the week before one of my close girl friends was diagnosed with lung cancer and finished four months later – the week after she died. It was a hugely cathartic work and the three phases of the goddess reflect the changes in me over the years. I have been the warrior maiden; mothered my child and have entered into the spiritual crone phase of my life… This is a work in progress. Every year I add something to the picture as it reflects my journey through this life. Bright Blessings to all:) all rights reserved mt2008 !!
Lady of the Wildwood portrays the second, mother aspect of the Great mother (virgin, mother, crone) and is based on ancient Celtic myth and spirituality. When creating her I incorporated an alchemical formula for gold (wholeness and balance), a form of blessing on anyone who studies the image and the places where she hangs. Most of the elements represent images of alchemical symbols used during the early Dark Ages. Her consort is the Stag King, another painitng on my Red Bubble page. Here’s a portion of the material I’ve written about her: “I am the feminine spirit of the wildwood; past, present, and future. I sprout the fertile acorn, guard the pregnant doe heavy with fawn, and personify life energy emanating from the primordial forest itself. Withing my womb you see the Royal Child, my future dancing baby. We represent a visual doorway opening into the circle: embrace the poetry of my closed system in which all is connected, the great web of creation is my being. Nothing is simply a thing; all has life and properties of its own. Beware; don’t make the mistake of assuming this doesn’t exist. Think of the pentagram and its five points: the elements of earth, water, fire, air and the fifth essence, ether (the quint – essence); life quality made by a sentient, universal creative force. Pale and luminous against deep forest shadows, I am light itself, ruling the kingdoms of nature. My heart glows with life, rosy with health. Within the shadows are my creatures, my beloved hares and deer, birds and salamanders, all composed of graceful, vine – like patterns. This represents their wild environment and interconnectedness. You can understand me on many levels, all true, for I represent Queen of Fairy, the feminine energy of the wild and untamed wood. The Lord of the Wildwood, masculine energy perfected and personified, is my consort. I am the goddess in her guise as Earth Mother and protect the feral and freeborn. I am metaphor and allegory for certain truths, yet just as easily convey a personal meaning only you understand”. Text and image copyright Helena Nelson-Reed. Please don’t use without written permission.
SAMHAIN / Entry for The Spirit Walks contest / (Halloween , All Hallows Eve, All Souls Night) Celtic New Year / Beginning of Winter Festival of the Dead,ruled by the Crone aspect of the Goddess. Now in her wise woman aspect she returns to the underworld with the energies of the earth to rest and digest the years growth and lessons.The nights grow longer in the dark grip of winter untill the Sun is re-born at Yule (Winter Solstice) and the Goddess will return re-newed and virginal at Imbolc (Feb 2nd)
The complete and real title is : “Poupée – InnerSelf”. I asked to myself : Stars… They bright the sky, our eyes, our mind & soul. They are inside of us. We always look for them, for these glimpses of lights and happiness. / Do we really know ourselves? / Do we realize that we have all of this inside of us? / What are we in fact? / As we don’t really look in the correct place, we don’t really know ourselves i decided to ‘almost’ delete the face. My gallery is Copyright © Wandering Soul. All rights reserved. / All the materials contained in my gallery may not be reproduced, copied, edited, published, transmitted or uploaded in any way without my written permission. My images do not belong to the public domain. / Please read the Etiquette Policy and respect it! / Modifying, tubing, cropping, using it for letters or stationeries, layouts, backgrounds, stock, copyrighting, stealing my work is not only against the law but unethical. / Altaring or using without express written permission is stealing. View More ART here!
ORIGINAL FOR SALE $2800 plus P&H From the original Mandala, acrylic 100cm x 100cm with metallic and glitter overlays. The Hallows of Ireland The Morrigan – Samhain / Triple Goddess; Great Queen; Warrior Queen; Queen of War and Death; Shapeshifter (Raven/Crow); Protector; Goddess of Fertility / Bearing Claiomh Solais (The sword of light and death) / Wife of The Dagda The Dagda – Beltane / Master of Magic; Fearsome Warrior; Skilled Artisan / Guardian of Coire Anseasc, the never empty cauldron with healing powers / Master of the Harp / Husband to The Morrigan / Son of Danu / Father of Brigid Brigid – Imbolc / Exalted One; Bright Goddess; Goddess of healers, poets, smiths, women; Keeper of prophecies and dreams; The Flame of Ireland; Keeper of sacred wells and sacred earth; Goddess of Spring / Carrying Brigids Cross; Keeper of Lia Fail, the stone of destiny and coronation Danu – Lughnasadh / Great Mother; Goddess of faery ways; Goddess of fertility and wisdom; Goddess of Imagination; Earth Mother; Matriarch of the Tuatha De Danaan; Goddess of wealth and abundance / Carries the Spear Luin, the spear of might and light I never know where these Mandalas come from… All I know with this one is that I woke up one morning and The Morrigan was standing at the foot of my bed and the entire image was in my head and I just had to paint it… Now it sits on my wall and I look at it and wonder… Recently, while looking at this mandala, I saw that the big oak trees painted either sides of the four figures were forming the shape of the celtic cross underneath the sun cross… the more I look at this mandala, the more comes to me. I woke up one morning and came out into the kitchen just after I had finished this work and the rainbow was spot on the stone of destiny! It was goosepimple stuff, I tell you! The spirits walked my house that morning! These big powerful mandalas are connections… connections with spirit, connections with others, connections with myself. My ancient celtic ancestry is in full bloom… ALL RIGHTS RESERVED! Please DO NOT COPY this picture. It is protected in more ways than one… Cheers:) Marg
A witch travels through the doorway into another realm
The mysterious and ancient Rollright Stones in the depths of Oxfordshire, England. Photographed on a misty, frosty afternoon a few days before Christmas. A Robin came and sang to me….
/ The Morrigan is a Celtic goddess of battle, strife, and fertility. Her name translates as either “Great Queen” or “Phantom Queen,” and both epithets are entirely appropriate for her. The Morrigan appears as both a single goddess and a trio of goddesses. The Morrigan frequently appears in the ornithological guise of a hooded crow. She is one of the Tuatha Dé Danann (“Tribe of the goddess Danu” or the land of the Faries) and she helped defeat the Firbolg at the First Battle of Mag Tuireadh and the Fomorians at the Second Battle of Mag Tuireadh. She is often read about in books that are about the Fae. She appeared to the hero Cu Chulainn (son of the god Lugh) and offered her love to him. When he failed to recognize her and rejected her, she told him that she would hinder him when he was in battle. When Cu Chulainn was eventually killed, she settled on his shoulder in the form of a crow. Cu’s misfortune was that he never recognized the feminine power of sovereignty that she offered to him. She appeared to him on at least four occasions and each time he failed to recognize her. 1.When she appeared to him and declared her love for him. / 2.After he had wounded her, she appeared to him as an old hag and he offered his blessings to her, which caused her to be healed. / 3.On his way to his final battle, he saw the Washer at the Ford, who declared that she was washing the clothes and arms of Cu Chulainn, who would soon be dead. / 4.When he was forced by three hags (the Morrigan in her triple aspect) to break a taboo of eating dogflesh. / / Resources: Background: Funky Terrain by MatrixStock http://matrixstock.deviantart.com/art/Funky-Terrain-2-72714593 and Misty Ocean by LucieG-Stock http://lucieg-stock.deviantart.com/art/Misty-ocean-1-104660883 Woman by dazzle-stock http://dazzle-stock.deviantart.com/art/No-Sleep-For-The-Wicked-108278956 Crow brushes by lugubrum-stock http://lugubrum-stock.deviantart.com/art/Lugubrum-stock-crowbrush-53834827
Pencil and dry brush watercolor on Bristol board. / The original story is barely more than a mention in another, more important tale. All we know its that the affair was brief and couple soon parted. So it is with deities and fairie folk every where, or there’d be no stories about their adventures and entanglements. The few lines caught my attention because of the properties each deity personifies. Druantia, the Fir Tree goddess and mother of the Ogham, is independent, strong willed, free spirited, nurturing and passionate. Aengus Og shares these characteristics, and is a reputed King of Fairie (as well as deity) – but also a gentle and considerate lover. On the simplest level this is a nice little story for a painting. On the second level it demonstrates masculine and feminine energies personified and united in harmony. On the third level its about Soul reuniting with the Beloved, the Source. Their mythic roles, at the end of this paragraph, will illustrate why and how. The following verse describes their first meeting, in Druantia’s words. “Deep within my forest I see him, standing beneath the tall silent firs, and I sing out! Hearing my voice, Aengus Og, maker of sweet music, protector of lovers, is curious, and drawing near, replies by plucking an irresistible invitation upon his golden harp. Thus we strangers approach one another, weaving a spell both wild and sweet; the perfect binding of wisdom and beauty, form and substance. Overcoming strangeness we become familiar, knowing one another amidst slippery, cool needles and wild herbs. We each savor the other’s fragrance, mingled with that of spicy pine, damp earth, and a myriad of plants and blossoms. We whisper, I in the green, rustling tongue of trees, Aengus with tender messages delivered by tiny magical birds, formed by his sweet kisses and warm, moist breath. The perfect union; the guardian and healer of souls and the mistress of transmigrating souls, those spirits spiraling downward from human body into plant, animal, and stone form. DRUANTIA (Celtic, British) Queen of the Druids, mother of the tree calendar, fir tree goddess. Fertility, passion sexual activities, trees, protection, knowledge, creativity. Also she’s the goddess responsible for the transmigration of souls through lower animal forms, plants and inanimate objects. She is also connected with the oak (research Irish, Scotch, Welsh, Breton, Gaulish root words for Druantia and druid) ANGHUS OG (Celtic, British… several versions of this name) God of youth, physical perfection, beauty, creativity, protector of lovers, god of fatal love, guardian and healer of souls, associated with musicians and songbirds. An accomplished musician, he owns a beautiful golden harp upon which he plays irresistibly sweet music, his kisses turn into birds carrying messages. Has a fairy palace on the Boyne and is of the Tuatha De Dunaan. Text and Image copyright 2006 Helena Nelson Reed. Please do not use without written permission.
“DARE TO BE DIFFERENT” makes the perfect gift for the independent individual in your life. Could that be you? The image features a photograph of a real White Raven (also known as a “Spirit Raven” by local Haida people) born in May, 2008 on Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada. He is one of two rare white and 3 black Ravens born to 2 accepting (black) parents. The two rare birds are not albino which is what makes them so unusual. Their eyes are quite blue. All 5 siblings are getting along extremely well and all are thriving. White Ravens are very rare and hold sacred meaning for many groups and cultures throughout the World, including Native American Indian, Celtic, Norse and Wiccans. This artwork is another tribute to these remarkably intelligent and friendly birds. 50% proceeds from all sales go to the Mountainaire Avian Society in the beautiful Comox Valley on Vancouver Island.
Beltane Beltane (April 30th-may 1st) is one of the four major Celtic festivals of the year and marks the beginning of Summer. The Goddess is decked in green and her wells and springs are believed to be at their most fertile and magical. (The Malvina Well used in this image was sculpted by Rose Garrard and can be found in the centre of Great Malvern,Worcestershire.)
Infra red image of an ancient Oak tree hidden in the valley of the White Leaved Oak, Malvern Hills, England. The tree is thought to be about 1,500 years old and grew from an acorn of a true albino oak which is said to have grown in the area many hundreds of years ago. The Oak is located on the site of ancient earth works and is comonly thought of as being once an ancient place of worship for the Celts and Druids. It is still visited today by local Pagans and Witches and often decorated with offerings of ribbons and crystals.
Have you ever taken a twilight walk through the country lanes in May, after a gentle ,misty shower of fresh rain, when the hedges and woods about you carry the scent of wild garlic and May blossom on the breeze? try it :-)
A little get together with the girls ;-)
an old one…...
This image depicts Egyptian Hathor, a goddess whose father Ra once dispatched in the form of a disembodied eye to spy upon humanity and report bakc what she found. The ankh, among other things, represents her as this All – Seeing Eye, thus everything she gazes upon turns to abundance and multiplies. Hung indoors, ankhs created good fortune and prevented its leaking away from the dwelling. The temple pillars display cow – eared Hathor, sistrums, and prayers of praising and invoking favor upon all who gazing into her portrait and the text. Priestesses sing and play her sacred instrument, the sistrum. Like most mother goddesses Hathor has a shadow side, the Destroyer, but was commonly associated with: the Nile, joy, love, fertility, midwifery, motherhood, dancing, music, poetry. Cows, turquoise and malachite were sacred to her and the falcon, sycamore trees, color red, cobra, sun disc, cow horns and color red are also connected to her. I painted this as a sort of icon, and its intended as a visual prayer, to focus fortune inside a dwelling, and instill joy. Many ancient traditions hold that displaying a divine image invokes the blessings and energy of the deity or holy person represented. For some, meditating upon them opens an inner doorway to Truth. Others employ spiritual, mythic and religious imagery as inspirational and motivational tools. In each instance the divine imagery communicates a message without the interference of language and its connotations. This painting portrays Hathor prior to 2700 BCE. The ankh symbolizes her Eye, and thus all it looks upon turns to good fortune. The pillars are inscribed with hieroglyphics praising the goddess and invoking her favor upon all who look at the image and text., a common practice. I researched every aspect of this painting to make certain it is historically accurate and in harmony with what has been found in what remains of her temples.
ORIGINAL FOR SALE $400 plus P&H From the original acrylic and mixed media on canvas. Iris is the goddess of rainbows and symbolises hope and beauty. Her presence amongst the passion flowers and butterflies represents freedom from fear; transformation from the mundane and joy in life. The triple moon symbol symbolises the connection with the triple goddess. All images are fully copyrighted, all rights reserved.
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