When In Doubt....

Couldn't hurt....

Seeing the Seasonal Art

My lovely Green Man

In order to understand my thought process you'll probably need to read this blog.

HOW SEEING THE ART BEGAN

It's been a long time since I've been able to *see* religious art.

But now that I have, I'm on a roll.

Having just completed coordinating FESTIVAL of the SEASON, where one of my displays was a live barnyard scene featuring a storyteller gifting us with THE NIGHT THE ANIMALS TALKED, I stumbled upon this creche made in Italy just sitting in the thrift store, for $4.99.

It had to make the trip home with me.

(Because, as we all know, I need just *one* more piece of thrift!)  

;)

Nativity scenes abound in the shops this time of year but this one was particularly lovely.

I wouldn't say no to a barn like this!

(Though I could do without the three wise men and the camel........)

At any rate, this will be the first time in my adult life that I will display the Nativity in my home as I celebrate my beloved pagan Yule.  I see Baby Jesus as the Sun King and the animals, well, we know they played a very important part.  They always do.

All the characters were in a bag, but when I got home I found this......
a wee hidden oxen.  Amazing that he made the trip from donation to my home, hidden in his little cubby!

The stable is marked MADE IN ITALY on the bottom as are the characters, with the added date of 1983.
It all is so amazingly detailed.

There was no goat.....  :(
but I like to think that this would be my Darla.....
I also like to think that on that night, a goat was there.

It's all quite beautiful and I do look forward to enjoying it this holiday season.

'Tis the Season......See the Art!

Blessed Yule, my friends.

I honor and celebrate with you in the belief of your choice.

xox

~Mimi

Dark Madonna

Found this lovely treasure, a darker toned Madonna, in the thrift shop.

It's really quite lovely.

I love discovering art.........

GYPSY TREASURE

It's always a good day when one finds the

Ohmygod! score!

Vintage Gypsy Doll

Isn't she beautiful?

I love her and promise to give her a very good home!

SEE THE ART

So, here is the very first piece in my search for the Black Madonna.

Black Madonna

$1.99 at the thrift store.

Of course, it isn't the Black Madonna, and I have a feeling it will be a long search.

That sort of treasure doesn't just sit around the thrift store waiting to be found.

But, I think she's quite beautiful and I shall proudly display her.

(I know I could go online and all but my rule is I must stumble upon it. )  ;)

It has taken me a lifetime to make myself notice religious artifacts of this nature.

It feels good to finally open my mind..... and See the Art..........

It feels really good.

SELF PORTRAIT

Self Portrait:  CAUTION

Mimi Foxmorton September 17, 2012

The Black Madonna

In Southern Provençal tradition, the Black Madonna is associated with St. Sara, the patron saint of the Gypsies. She was said to be the black assistant who accompanied the three Marys to France when they fled from the Holy Land after the Crucifixion. In local gypsy tradition, she is said to have been a gypsy (some say 'Egyptian') woman who helped them to land safely. A cult of St. Sara persists today at Les Saintes Maries de la Mer, one of the earliest Magdalene sites in France.

******************

I've become quite taken recently with the Black Madonna, since having read the most excellent

AND THE VIOLINS STOPPED PLAYING

by Alexander Ramati.

In sooth, I am quite pagan in spirit, thought, word and deed and, if truth be know, shy away from

things such as the Madonna, having spent horrific years in Catholic school as a child and subsequently growing up in a world where time and again so called religious persons displayed behaviors toward myself and others that curdled my inner being.

It isn't as though I don't *like* Jesus.

I like him well.

But from my first memory in kindergarten of being slapped until I pee'd my pants because I couldn't tell a story about a picture of the Baby Jesus-my wee mind went so blank I can still recall the absolute terror to this day-(though funny how I grew up to be a storyteller.....go figure...) to adult encounters with those who would wish to *convert* me at all costs-I just run at the mention of God and the Heavens.

With that said, (and those are *my* trials and tribulations to overcome)

as I grow older I find that I am realizing I, without fail, for years have automatically closed my mind to anything even remotely religious in nature.  Mention religion and I stop listening.

Now really, Mimi, how fair is that?

And now, Ramati's most wonderful book brought to light for me a people who struggled through persecution, never losing the firm grasp on their culture or their beliefs.  I was in awe of their fortitude.

So......

Perhaps it's time I opened my mind and did a wee bit of exploring.

A closed mind is a terrible thing......no matter the direction.

Right, Mimi?

And perhaps one day, I'll tell that story about the Baby Jesus..........

I look forward to exploring this history.

Thanks for sharing with me.

xoxo