Tag Archives: archetypal symbols

The Ouroboros and the Eternal Return

08 Thursday Sep 2016

Posted by in ancient symbols, archetypal symbols, Art, inspiration

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Ouroboros, ancient symbol

Ouroboros, monotype print, 30″ x 22″

In my Mazatlan studio, the Ouroboros rears her head and almost bites her tail.

The Ouroboros is an ancient symbol depicting the snake or serpent eating its own tail. There are many interpretations but in general it signifies Eternity or the never ending cycle – something constantly re-creating itself. Carl Jung named it the archetype of the human psyche. It is considered a symbol for introspection.  In Alchemy, it is infinity or wholeness.

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The Ouroboros has appeared in many cultures with the earliest siting in Egypt dating back to 1600BC. The Phonecians used it – then the Greeks who named the symbol, Ouroboros, which means devouring its tail. In Aztec mythology, Queztacoatl, was similarly depicted. More on the Ouroboros:  http://www.tokenrock.com/explain-ouroboros-70.html

 

The Ouroboros is closely connected to the circle and the spiral, two universal symbols that also point to wholeness and regeneration. These two symbols have been mainstays in my work over the years – but I had never used the Ouroboros until recently.

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What changed? After taking my group down to Oaxaca for the Oaxaca Art Vacation in July, I stayed for another week to soak in the city and the culture. I saw several works of art utilizing the Ouroboros symbol. I bought a watercolor by Hector Hernandez – a very simple cobalt blue rendition painted over some sheet music. I had recently done a series using sheet music as chine colle in my monoprints – so that caught my attention. I had admired this artist’s work over the years.

 

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On a tour of printmaking workshops in Oaxaca, the Ouroboros pops up again in this gorgeous large-scale woodcut entwined with figures.

As an artist, I draw my inspiration from ancient art to contemporary works. Whose to say what and where will get the juices flowing….We all have our on voice, our own style and way of working with the imagery at hand.

 

 

Uxmal – Visiting a Mayan Treasure in the Yucatan

08 Friday Jul 2016

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Uxmal pyramd

Pyramid of the Magician

I had the good fortune to visit the the ancient Mayan city of Uxmal last February.  Excaping the craziness of Mazatlan’s Carnaval was a prime motivation, but landing in the Yucatan wasn’t a bad choice.  Uxmal is located outside the city of Merida, Mexico and doesn’t get near the number of visitors that Chichen Itza receives each day, 2000 vs 20,000 I was told. (I had visited Chichen Itza many years before.)  Plus, the day we visited it was overcast and rainy which also kept the numbers down and so a very pleasant experience.

Walking the site was a visual delight. My eyes filled with this ancient architecture, my feet following in the footsteps of the ancestors. I crept inside a hidden space and sat for a moment, alone, soaking up the silence, overcome by the spirit of place. I was particularly drawn to the stone carvings, the circles, spirals, etc., the same universal symbols found in ancient sites around the world. Looking through an artist’s eyes, I relish the forms and shapes, the details.  This is what makes an ancient civilization come alive for me.

Some say Uxmal dates to around 6th century AD, others claim it is much older. I’m not much for retaining the history, remembering the names of kings, who ruled when, etc. so if you would like to learn more, you can visit this site: ancient-origins.net

Back in my Mazatlan studio, I play around with the shapes, creating a series of small 7″ x 5″ monotypes (one of a kind prints) – Uxmal I, II, & III. I layer texture and color to achieve the look of an aged document. As an artist, I am open to letting things happen on the plate, synchronicity in the studio, stacking the glyphs, letting them order themselves, and in this case, pairing them with a vertical column.

Notes from Uxmal I smNotes from Uxmal II sm

Notes from Uxmal III sm

Contact me if you are interested in my work or process. www.glenrogersart.com

Mitla, A Place of Ritual and Ceremony

21 Thursday Jan 2016

Posted by in sacred sites, Sacred Sites in Mexico, Uncategorized

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Mitla, an archelogical site in the Oaxaca Valley, inspired me with its running spirals, zig-zags and chevrons created with stone mosaics throughout the site. These intricate, geometrically designed patterns are what sets it apart from other pyramids in Mexico. Walking among these temples was a spiritual journey in itself, visioning what rites and rituals occurred within these ancient walls. One named, House of the Vital Force, really piqued my imagination. Mitla was a major Zapotec religious center that reached its zenith between 750 and 1521 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A - Mitla

Here are a few artworks created in the studio after visiting this site. I’m always trying to capture the mystery, the essence of a sacred space, rather than illustrate the site.

Notes from Mitla III, Oil on wood panel, 29″ x 18″
Notes from Mitla I, Oil on wood panel, 29″ x 18″

 

Mitla I, Monotype, 7″ x 5″
Mitla III, Monotype, 7″ x 5″

 

 

 

A Symbol of Renewal for the New Year

31 Thursday Dec 2015

Posted by in archetypal symbols, Uncategorized

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strip of spirals

The Spiral been carved on cave walls, rocks faces and used as decoration on pottery for milennia. It is a universal symbol found around the world from the Americas, to Old Europe, Australia to Africa dating back to atleast 6000 BC.  No doubt this ancient symbol was observed in nature by early humans in plant life, water flow, the wind, the heavens, and more. It signifies the universal life force and implies the underlying energy in all of life. According to Marija Gimbutas, the spiral speaks of renewal as it mimics the snake in its coiled form, eventually shedding its skin and regenerating.

The spiral is an image that continues to find its way into my work and continues to inspire me. It is an uplifting image that implies flow and change – a reminder that nothing stays the same, but continues to rejuvenate. A good message for the New Year!

Page 31 Double Spiral

Glen Rogers, Double Spiral, 52″ x 52″, Oil on Canvas, Private Collection

Reference: The Language of the Goddess, Marija Gimbutas, Harper & Row, 1989

http://www.ancient-wisdom.com/spirals.htm

Las Labradas, Mexico- Voices of an Ancient People

07 Monday Dec 2015

Posted by in sacred sites

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I paid a visit to Las Labradas yesterday – a sacred site north of Mazatlán, Mexico. I’ve been there countless times since my first visit in 1999, each one as breathtakingly beautiful as the last.  The expansive, pristine beach and ocean view alone are beautiful, but it’s the rich array of petroglyphs carved into the volcanic stone that really speak to me.  Moving from boulder to boulder, light and shadow play on the surfaces, revealing spirals, figures and other mysterious glyphs.  These visions and myths, voices of an ancient people, were created in ritual by The Toltecs thousands of years ago. I can’t help but be inspired by its symbols, the merging of stone and water, and the spirit of place.

In the last 15 years, Las Labradas has become a protected site and a tourist destination – a blessing and a curse. One now sees huge tour buses in the parking lot. On my first visit there was no parking lot much less a barely navigable road.  On previous trips, we would have the place to ourselves, rarely seeing another human being. This time, a “guide” silently shadowed me my entire walk, yet (blessedly) allowed me space to do my own thing.  The rocks still hold their magic and will continue to call me back.

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Clearly a pubic triangle. First time I’ve seen this one.

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Some of my monotype prints inspired by Las Labradas:

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A - Three Spirals

A - Four Way Path

There is a chapter in my book, Art & Sacred Sites: Connecting with Spirit of Place, on Las Labradas. Contact me for orders: glen@glenrogersart.com

 

 

 

 

 

The Language of the Goddess

27 Friday Nov 2015

Posted by in ancient sites in Europe, Art, sacred sites

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M G page of symbolsma Gimbutas page 2

In the early 90’s, Marija Gimbutas’ book, The Language of the Goddess, (Harper & Row, San Francisco, 1989) had a huge impact on my work. In this book, Gimbutas, a revisionist anthropologist, provided a fresh look at the Neolithic Goddess Culture, cataloguing the artifacts and symbols found on cave walls, rocks, sculpture and pottery from Old Europe. These matrilineal societies, peaceful and agrarian, existed long before our current patriarchal system. (The Chalice & The Blade, Riane Eisler)

At the time I discovered Gimbutas’ book, my artwork focused on the female figure in a feminist vein.  But while an artist in residence at KALA Institute, I began creating large-scale monotype prints that reflected many of the symbols I’d found in her book. The spiral, the pubic triangle, the chevron and concentric circles began appearing in these 42” x 55” monotypes. It was at that point, my art shifted direction to focus on archetypal symbols with a decidedly feminine nature, inspired by the ancient goddess cultures around the world. My work today still carries the influence from this pivotal point in my career.  Here are some of these early prints, some of which are still available. Contact me if you are interested is seeing more.

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Vortex

Power of Three Comb_monotype_55 x 42

The Power of Three – Comb

Chevron_monotype_55.5 x 42

Chevron

Circular Passage_monotype_54.5 x 42

Circular Passage

The Labyrinth – A Walking Meditation

17 Thursday Sep 2015

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This labyrinth no longer exists, and is now a skateboard park.

Labyrinth – Mazatlán, Mexico

I first discovered the Labyrinth as a spiritual tool in my readings on archetypal symbols. Based on a circle, it implies unity and wholeness, and is considered a metaphor for our journey through life. Dating back to the goddess culture of Minoan Crete, the Labyrinth was also used in medieval times as a walking meditation and was often included in the final steps of a sacred journey or pilgrimage. These large-scale symbols were imbedded into the stone floors of monasteries and churches, with the better known being Chartres Cathedral in France, whose Labyrinth continues to receive visits from pilgrims to this day.

My first opportunity to walk a Labyrinth was on a New Year’s Eve at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco – it was a profound experience.  Sometime later, I had the honor of attending a Women’s Quest with 100 women at the same cathedral – a sort of spiritual “slumber party,” an incredible evening of empowerment, with silent meditations, walking the Labyrinth by candlelight and making connections with like-minded women of all ages and backgrounds.

Dr. Lauren Artress, who organized the Women’s Quest, is responsible for bringing the Labyrinth to Grace Cathedral and helped revive this ancient spiritual tool with her book, Walking the Sacred Path. Some of her suggestions for taking this journey include quieting the mind, asking a question, repeating a mantra or prayer and allowing a receptive state. Walking towards the center is an opportunity to let go of things no longer useful. Reaching the heart of the Labyrinth, Dr. Artress suggests taking a moment to offer gratitude, and on the final circuit, asking for what you’d like to bring into your life.

“To walk a sacred path is to discover our inner sacred space: the core of feeling that is waiting to have life breathed back into it through symbols, archetypal forms like the Labyrinth, rituals, stories and myths.”

Labyrinth -Sibley Park, Oakland, CA

I never miss an opportunity to walk this mystical path and commune with the divine, knowing that somehow it will affect my life and my art. Here are some works that have the feel of the labyrinth.

Click on the images to enlarge:

This post is an excerpt from my book, Art & Sacred Sites: Connecting with Spirit of Place. To order, glen@glenrogersart.com.

Friday Art Post

04 Friday Sep 2015

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One of my favorite monotype prints from the last couple of years, “The Source II”.  The image feels grounded yet ethereal – feminine but with the addition of the gold leaf, it enters a spiritual realm. The oval shape suggests the womb, the beginning of life, renewal and regeneration. A one-of-a-kind print created in my Mazatlán studio. I did two in the series (similar but different), the other one sold, this one is still available.  Contact me for more information or visit my website: glenrogersart.com

Glen Rogers, "The Source", 30" x 22", monotype w. gold leaf

Glen Rogers, “The Source II”, 30″ x 22″, monotype w. gold leaf

Crop Circles, A Mystery to Behold

02 Wednesday Sep 2015

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Crop Circle

What are these mysterious earthworks with reference to sacred geometry and archetypal symbols – symbols so huge that you can only see the image from the air? I’m not talking about the hoaxes – guys with a board and string that have tried to debunk the whole phenomena. Yes, they exist too, but they are detectable and not as complex as the real deal. Are they messages from above, from another planet, or from below, earth’s energy, tapping into the collective unconscious? Whatever! It’s fascinating!

In 2006, a friend and I went to England specifically to see and experience them. I was worried that perhaps we wouldn’t see any after making this special trip but that was not an issue – I saw 9 while there, and more were popping up overnight. We went to Wiltshire County where the largest concentration was. The Barge Inn in Alton Barnes, was “crop circle central,” and had a large map updated with the latest sightings. But before we even got there, we spotted a formation of large intersecting circles just off the highway. We walked through the site completely awestruck, and at one point I laid down in savasana, a resting yoga pose, to let go and soak up the incredible energy from the vortex.

I flew over the area in a microlight plane to get the full visual impact. My pilot, Tony, recounted several experiences of flying over an area, and 30 minutes later seeing a formation where none had existed before. He also pointed out a field that had been harvested, yet the ghost of the crop circle was still visible from above.

The crops are not cut or destroyed, but are gently laid down and whirled from a central vortex. Some visitors claim to feel energy within the formations and scientists have detected changes in the cellular structure of the crop. They are often sited over ley lines, energetic paths that run underneath the earth’s surface, and close to Neolithic sites such as Stonehenge and Avebury.

Here are some crop circles that I photographed from the plane, plus a close-up of walking through a circle.

Some links to sites with the latest crop circles:

temporarytemples

CropCircleConnector

One of my paintings inspired by the energy vortices.

“Secrets in the Field”, Oil on Canvas, triptych

Where Art, Symbol and Spirit Meet – New Workshop

20 Thursday Aug 2015

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Dear Readers,

I’ve been teaching Monotype Workshops in my Mazatlán studio since 2007 and have been wanting to combine my interests in archetypal symbols and spirituality with my favorite monotype techniques. So drumroll…. here it is! I’m excited to be offering this workshop this January and feel it is a great way to bring in the New Year. This is for artists and non-artists – so no experience necessary. Feel free to email me with any questions.

water and symbols

Bring in the New Year with this Transformative Art Workshop

Where Art, Symbol and Spirit Meet
January 4 – 8, 2016
In this workshop we will use Monotype printing and collage techniques to explore  archetypal symbols, symbols in nature, and images from sacred sites. We will go beyond the art process to tap into the collective vision with meditation, journaling, and intuitive artmaking.  We will visit a sacred site, Las Labradas, where symbols are inscribed on stone by the shamans of the Toltec tribe.  Both artists and not-artists are welcome in this workshop where you will explore, create, and share.

Workshop Includes:

  • Welcome dinner
  • 5 day printmaking/collage workshop w. Glen Rogers
  • Lunches by Chef Alastair
  • Day trip to Las Labradas
  • Workshop Fee: $560 USD
  • Does not include airfare or accommodations
  • Let me refer you to my favorite B&B’s and hotels in Centro Historico

Glen Rogers Studio, Mazatlán, Mexico
The studio, located in the heart of the Centro Historico District, is 1 ½ blocks from Olas Altas Beach and a short walk to the Plaza Machado – a lively plaza with outdoor cafes and music. Other activities in the area include yoga, massage & spa facilities, great seafood, and shopping.
Olas Altas Beach