Known as the “bluebird of happiness”, they are considered messengers of good fortune.
The Native American tribes revere the bluebird as a harbinger of spring, symbolizing the
end of a period of dark or difficult times. In some cultures, the bluebird sighting is
thought to be a sign from a departed loved one representing peace and the return of joy.
They are resilient and brave. Bluebirds are a literary metaphor representing a person’s
hidden inner purity, vulnerability, and soul.
The Ginkgo Bilboa tree symbolizes resilience, longevity, and endurance. The Ginkgo
tree has survived 200 million years, surviving the ice age, pests and human-made
disasters. It represents strength, adaptability and perseverance. They have an
impressive lifespan of over 1,600 years, associated with immortality, a timelessness.
They are often planted near temples in Asia as a sign of the enduring beauty of life.

We have planted 5 different varieties of fig trees at the ranch. The fig tree is a powerful
symbol of peace, prosperity, fertility, and spiritual growth. It appears in several cultures
and historical texts. It represents a life of abundance and deep divine connection. I love
the large hand shaped leaves that shelter a succulent fruit that has two crops a year.

The Blue Jay is highly territorial and vocal. They symbolize protection of the family and stubborn confidence. A friend recently told me about a pair of Blue Jays building their nest in his deck arbor. He can’t discourage them from their determination to nest in his space. I reminded him that seeing two blue jays represents enhanced good luck.

The Jay is thought to be a messenger from the spirit world, often appearing when one needs encouragement to carry on. I have been focusing on chakras in my yoga practice, and the throat chakra emanates a blue swirling energy in the throat and mouth, encouraging honest expression and communication.

I was drawn by jays’ rich black and white stripes on bright blue feathers. The intense energy in their communication reminds me of “The Annunciation” depicting the story of the Angel Gabriel appearing to the Virgin Mary to announce the impending birth of Jesus.

This piece is a departure from my framed icons. It was inspired by the studio of William Morris and the Arts and Crafts style of leaf patterned prints. Finished as a wall hanging, it encourages close inspection of the textures and thread stitching

Spirit, symbol, caller, clown; the blue jays are a force of nature.

In place photos:

Transformation and renewal are also associated with this orb. Mystery and emotion evoke feelings of deep connection for me. I find myself drawn to reflect the feelings of loved ones and events surrounding me. The moon reminds me to shift my perspective to reflect the pure light of universal power, the central energy and intelligence source.

Moon Goddess is enthroned in a galaxy of stars with her wings outstretched in worship and protection. She holds in her left hand the morning star, the planet Venus, the brightest object in the night sky. In her right hand is a star lily, the symbol of purity often illustrated in paintings of “The Annunciation” and “The Resurrection”. Both events portend new beginnings, like the dawn of a new day. The Moon Goddess silently favors the darkness, casting her spell on the earth.

Celebrate the longest night of the year, the Winter Solstice, by gazing into the darkness tonight with the joy of new beginnings.

In place photos:

My morning ritual takes me outside to watch the sky lighten and the stars fade beside the pool. The water reflects the light and mirrors the constant changes of color as the sun emerges from behind Geyser Peak. The bees arrive to begin their day’s labor with a gentle hummm. Any moisture in the air reflect the changing light in a subtle color shift.

The dawn chorus is a symphony of bird calls on our ridge, changing with the seasons as the birds migrate through. The goddess has the gift of flight, able to capture air currents over the Alexander Valley. My Sun Goddess is worshiping the rising sun, with the face of my beloved. The golden rays tint the clouds. The moon and stars fade.

Sun rise is a new beginning for me. It brings up thoughts of life, intentions for the day ahead, and offers the light of optimism.

In place photos:

Important decisions, like finding the perfect location for a new home, involve the worker bees, known as scouts, locating and then communicating potential sites to the population of their colony. The waggle-dance is a form of communicating direction and location for sources of nectar as well as new home locations. Imagine if we humans could speak to each other through a dance so convincing that other members of our families or countries or global communities could understand our message and make a good decision for the majority, one that all members would agree to follow.

The Queen bee is a mother and egg-layer, not an autocrat or leader. My Bee Goddess is laying larvae on the center of a sunflower disk floret, a Celtic knot symbolizing unity and eternity. The honeybees explore the ray florets of the outer petals, protecting and feeding their Queen.

The meaning of the sunflower in Greek mythology is the story of the water nymph Clytie and the sun god Apollo. Clytie loved Apollo, but he did not return her affections. She pined for him, daily watching his chariot fly across the sky. Clytie was transformed into a sunflower, destined to turn her face to the sun’s path for eternity. Sunflowers symbolize loyalty, adoration, happiness and longevity. The instinct to turn and face the sun is also seen as faith, positivity, and perseverance.

In place photos:

My owls of wisdom are perched on the Celtic Shield Knot symbolizing protection, the interconnectedness of all things, both physically and spiritually. This is my prayer for the universe. The horizon implies there are two ways of interpreting the image of Wisdom perched in space on the symbol of eternal unity.

It is challenging to stay informed of the current global turmoil and maintain a sense of strength and protection from evil spirits and horrendous outcomes.

My representation of red-tailed hawks, territorial and predatory raptors, engaged in negotiations with the central concept of peaceful resolution is aspirational, hopeful. I do believe in the collective power of prayer and the manifestation of spiritual intentions for Good. This is a Trinity Knot with a blend of Christian symbolism; life, death and rebirth, also found in the Celtic culture.

In place photos:

Mudras are the hand and foot positions used in yoga to awaken the life force in our breath and spiritual centers. Each mudra can be visualized as completing a closed electrical circuit to prevent the spiritual energy leaking from the system.

My Mudra Madrone is a Celtic Knot representing the endless cycle of life, death, rebirth, and the interconnectedness of all things in the natural world. The roots and branches have hands and feet in mudra positions expressing the contemplation of eternal life. The Gyan mudra (a circle of the index and thumb) is a gesture of wisdom or knowledge, a connectedness between the individual and the universal. The Dhyani mudra, at the base of the trunk, opens the palms to reflect, meditate and contemplate. The Anali mudra, or Namaste, at the crown of the madrone bows to the divine in you from the divine in me.

The four corners enclose the icon of the Mudra Madrone in the elements of Air, Fire, Earth and Water. The Namaste mudra is encircled by a sphere, the symbol of the Spirit.