Heretic

In this painting and process on Easter Sunday, April 20th, 2025 I feel an intensity of a story trying to come through me. Today waking to learn the passing of the Pope, I feel the energy of my painting connected to his story. A dream from a previous night seemed to be a place for gathering creative power and practice to enter the story that was tracking me.

Artist Studio 4/20/25

The night before, I dreamed of living in an art studio, where I had plenty of room to paint, and ample light to see through the windows of the skylight overhead. I felt empowered to create and supported by the space and vision to do so.

Today, I am seeing many elements included in the visionary painting I created. Pope Frances has chosen to be buried in the church of Mary Major, (the first Pope to do so) as well as his adding the feast day of Mary Magdalene to the liturgical calendar as resonate with the restoration of spiritual power to women.

The meaning of the word heretic is rooted in Greek for hairetikós, that means choice. Since the 13th century, the catholic inquisition weaponized the word heretic in their genocide of Women, who were the healers and Wise Women of their communities. In choosing Mary as his dying wish, Pope Frances chose Women.

The painting interweaves the story of the rebirth of Jesus, with a focus on the three Mary’s who attended, Mary Magdalene, Mother Mary, and Miriam, cousin of Jesus. The visionary powers of women are interwoven with generations going back to the Oracular powers of the Goddess.

The flow of waters coming down the mountain is connected with troubling the waters with the healing powers and intervention of an angel. Mary Magdalene is the first to enter and receive the healing powers of the waters.

The Christian priest is Peter who is kneeling staring at his shadow, where his lust for power created the base for many to abuse people around the globe in the name of God.

The cedar on the hill is a humble resilient tree that endures. In my mind I thought of generations of Palestinians who have survived, and those who have not, and how Pope Frances was a voice for the voiceless. The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, reflects a refugee whose life was endangered. The hope in the message in the rebirth of Christ, carries also to the Palestinian people of Gaza.

The death of Pope Frances the day after Easter, brings a spiritual message of his station in life and death, as someone of integrity and spiritual meaning. May the doors, and paths, and gateways be open for us all, where no one is turned away due to gender, religion, nationality, tattoos, wealth, sexuality, political party, or education level.