Whether Ishtar, Persephone, ancient Eleusinian Mysteries, Aphrodite, Hera or Mary mother of Christ, to name a few Goddesses and their symbolic mysteries, the pomegranate is always there.
While talking at the current opening reception of “Plan B” presented by The Haggus Society, curator Terri Lloyd, artist Liz Huston and I were talking about the round bumpy red pomegranate. A simple fruit that symbolizes deep mysteries handed down through the ages. Terri mentioned that it represents transformation. I was touched by our conversation. My conversation at the Haggus exhibit helped me realize that I am not alone in my insight and intuitive understanding. Maybe this is what initiation is all about?
I remember years back when I had a similar conversation with a religious studies professor at California State University Northridge. I made this connection between the ancient symbol of fruit, Goddesses and Mary. My professor said that it was highly symbolic. He told me that there is, most likely, no relativity to be found there. I was hurt! I also learned that some professors are ignorant and should not be teaching.
Riding the bus from Van Nuys to CSUN, I was often filled with these types of insights. The late 1990’s did not give me the opportunity to bring forth my thoughts as I am doing now. I am happy about this!! A living Mystery! My intuitive self was right on the whole time. What a blessing!!
Sandro Botticelli marvelous painting shows Mary and child. She is holding a pomegranate .
Botticelli and Madonna Pomegranate.1487
As a religious studies major I’ve come to see that many cultures and religions have the same connections, sometimes as simple as a piece of fruit.
The pomegranate has been thrown around, here and there, thought out the centuries, always showing up in different places…art, literature and science!! A symbol that creatively whispers to our collective unconscious.
Years ago, one bright morning, I found a copy of a Botticelli painting in the trash. A copy of the painting was included in a large religious calendar. The calendar included twelve paintings of Mary. I was walking son to elementary school when we saw it leaning on someone’s trash can. It was still in good shape. It also was a year old, 1998. I took the calendar home and kept the calendar for years.
So go eat one. It may tell you something? Dissect it. Or better yet, go paint a picture of a pomegranate! Hold a hand full of reddish seeds and tell me what you think??
“Beautiful indeed is the Mystery given us by the blessed gods: death is for mortals no longer an evil, but a blessing ~ Inscription found at Eleusis”
Sammel Angus, The Mystery Religious and Christianity (London 1925,) 140: Mysteries of the Dark Moon- Demetra George
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