the plant dyed feather saga continues

In the midst of a busier than ever life as summer melts into fall *literally* I have managed to hand stitch the first in a small series of medicine shields. These will be made wearable although I haven't exactly worked out the exact method yet. This is where those lovely hand plant dyed feathers are going. Here is a short description of what a medicine shield is from a native american website.

 

"A medicine shield is an expression of the unique gifts that it's maker wishes to impart about his or her current life journey. This can be a new level of personal growth, or illustrate the next mountain a person wishes to climb.

Every shield carries medicine through it's art and self-expression. Each shield is the essence of a time and space that carries certain aspects of knowledge. All persons carry shields of the lessons they learned from the four directions on the medicine wheel.

They are the healing tools we give ourselves to sooth the spirit and empower the will. The truth needs no explanation,, just reflection. This allows intuition to guide the heart so that humankind may celebrate more than it mourns."

I realize I have taken artistic license and melded together inuit and native images here but hey this is my art.

This piece is called medicine bundles and depicts a little bear and fox carrying their healing bundles. The eagle feather is a messenger of the spirit world.

Thanks so much for visiting this little refuge of mine that is resurrectionfern.

 

Comments

[mathyld ▲under the pyramids▲]

I love it ! It is so very perfect !
Both the pieces compliment each other perfectly and they take a whole new meaning.
Love !
x x x
-m-

[Geninne D. Zlatkis]

It's beautiful beyond words Margie. It's such a pleasure to drop by here every day :)

[annri]

what a(nother) beautiful project! it is very moving. the fringe border is gorgeous. i like the idea of feathers as messengers.

[Lisa at Lil Fish Studios]

This is wonderful and you are reminding me that I must go to the Ojibwe museum before it closes next weekend. We've never been and it's a mere 10 miles away.

[melissa]

these are gorgeous, margie. i love the subtle colours you've acheived.

[joanie]

Margie these are lovely and I enjoy learning about the shields. If I was still teaching I should love to make an art lesson around this theme. I bet children would take this medicine shield theme in surprising directions. Thanks for giving us a preview :)

[Sera]

This is stunning, I'd love something like this.

[Cozymemories]

it looks so authentic, so traditional, it really could be part of a museum, that I wouldn't be surprised. Well done, again, my friend. xoxoxo
Sonia

[Julie Shackson]

I'm really drawn to the notion behind your medicine shield; thanks for sharing. It is your art indeed and you are following your heart! Julie

[duni]

thank you for sharing. i find this very inpirational. i hope to make something in this spirit for myself this week.

[rebekah]

i love your new banner!!!! amazing geninne! you never fail!

[Andrea in Argentina]

Thanks for letting us in on your little refuge. There's so much beauty and inspiration in what you do.
Thanks for sharing it.

[Lovely World]

I love the description of the medicine shield. Too bad these sorts of things are not taught in "western" medical schools. Self-expression (artistic, emotional, etc) and right intention are often times what is needed to move through a difficult health situation. I am fortunate that at Yale University (not always the bastion of alternative thinking), where I received my MS degree in Midwifery, our faculty emphasized such things.

[Nanou]

Thank you, Margie, for sharing this little refuge that is also mine. It's a place unique on the world, a forever wonderment ! This medecine shield is so beautiful and meaningful. I'm filled with admiration for your process. You definitely deserve a Museum, an open Museum !