Nurturing the Child Within
// May 22nd, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Illustration, Introspection, Painting
I have come across several articles lately that talk about nurturing the inner child.
Through various meditation practices, these articles encourage us to revisit and reconnect with our inner child at various ages in order to heal past wounds. These articles (which I have listed below) insist that many of us overlook the inner child in ourselves, only to distance ourselves from who we were at certain points in our lives and the pain or needs that were not met. The psychologists suggest that becoming so removed from our distant selves can be harmful to our present selves.
Deliberating the Existence of My Inner Child
I found this all very interesting, and began to wonder if I was removed from my inner child, but I have to admit it. I am often the equivalent of a 4 year old child. Or a 7 year old or 11 or even 17 for that matter. I have always loved to entertain my inner-child. It keeps things exciting and fun. Upon further review of myself, I notice that much of my artwork is testimonial to nurturing my inner child.
I have recently finished 3 new pieces for the Heirloom Jewel Series.
The imagery is clearly child-like, and I have found that in addition to the imagery, I have fallen in love with the symbolism tbehind each of the animals I have depicted. This, too, is quite child-like and intuitive. So check out the images and the symbology and listen to what your inner child has to say about them.
The Octopus Jewel
The Octopus is an animal that holds very strong symbolism that is so extremely layered. A bottom-dwelling water creature, the octopus symbolizes emotion, intuition, and creativity that is also grounded. The fact that an octupus may loose a limb and regenerate that lost limb symbolizes self-healing, cycles, and regeneration. When an octupus is frightened it “inks” it’s predator clouding the water so that it may escape or it can even shed a limb to form a distraction. These are forms of creating an illusion for the sake of survival or self-preservation in the same way that people are often outwardly deceptive for the sake of survival.
The Dragonfly Jewel
A dragonfly is a magical symbol of agility in the face of change, especially changes having to do with deeper consciousness. A dragonfly can fly in any direction, but their wings are very sensitive to the smallest changes in the wind, thus they encourage us to heed the winds of change and not fight against it but work with the change. In addition, the Dragonfly is an animal of born of water and maturing to the air, thereby this beautiful creature is also symbolic of the passion and emotion of youth giving way to control and clarity in maturity.
The Sea Turtle Jewel
The Turtle is a special animal that takes the comfort of his shell with him on his travels. In this respect, the sea turtle is a symbol of protection, inner knowledge, and healing especially within the elemental water areas of emotion, intuition, and creativity. The sea turtle depends on water currents (tides of change) for fast-progression, but without the strong exterior currents, the turtle must courageously stick his neck out and patiently yet persistently progress on his own. Many Tribal Native American cultures believe that the continent arose on the back of a great turtle, and such they often referred to it as Turtle Island.
Articles about Nurturing the Inner Child:
Nurturing and Caring For Your Inner Child: How to Heal Emotionally and Master the Art of Self-love
Inner Child Focus, Work and Therapy from Elevated Therapy International in London.
