The Hermit.
Hiya :.)
I wanted to share my new painting of The Hermit. He is pretty much finished but I may fuss about with him at a later date. I really like him. He is a Giant :.)
I wanter my Hermit to be seen in his cave contemplating. He is sitting holding his lantern sketching on the rocks all of the little creatures he is discovering on his night walks. His staff is a tree, with the roots and branches twisted.
The Cricket - one symbolic interperatation of a cricket is of introspection and this is what I wanted to convey by this creature.
The Aye Aye - traditionally a symbol of death, however, for me represents the death of idealism and the false ego, the stripping away of the layers, and rebirth of the pure essence of the true self, awareness and enlightenment. So yes death, death of the false forms attached to us all.
The centipede - movement into the psyche, and new spiritual connections.
The hedgehog - I like to think of the hedgehog as resourceful and being able to take care of yourself, being practical. The hedgehog can also be seen as sybolic of centering and connecting with your core, as it curls up into a ball.
The Snail - being alone and protecting yourself from the world, withdrawing from society and spiritual awareness. Also the shell spiral is representative of expanding conciousness.
These are just a few ideas of the creatures I used, but there are so many more and deeper meanings of these creatures.
So here he is I hope he is ok, I may add a few bits later such as more branches entwined on his staff, my change the colour of his cape lining, little things like that.