Ask the Moon to Come

Over the years I have released several collections that focus on different aspects of the night sky, constellations, the moon and its phases, moon spirits, dreams, and introspection. Ask the Moon to Come is the most recent collection and is, by far, the most cohesive. 

This collection, more than any others, holds deep personal meaning. Ask the Moon to Come ties together threads and memories from my childhood. It connects with a beloved Lady in the Moon story-turned-meditation that has been a longtime comfort, a source of insight and wisdom, and a beacon of hope in dark times. As I was developing the concepts for these pieces, the breath-taking meaning behind Sara Bareilles’ song Satellite Call came to mind and was integrated alongside other inspiration found in Rumi, Hafiz, Sappho, Pablo Neruda, Clarissa Pinkola Estes, and more. 

This collection further brings together personal explorations, Self-work, mindfulness practice, and creative research that I’ve done across several years, starting in Portland and continuing again in present day. It draws upon the idea of the moon as a symbol of introspection and turning inward, of the interplay of light and dark, of dreams and archetypes, of the heart and soul, and of cycles and patterns found in life.

This collection also connects to the development of my concept-based artwork. Most notably is the body of work by author Marina Warner, a mythographer and historian known for her writing on feminism, art, history, and especially myths; she draws fascinating connections between these things and shows why some stories and depictions have held such deep meaning or significance to us across time. Additionally, Joseph Campbell’s Hero With a Thousand Faces delves into the reasons that people revisit, retell, and add their own creative voice to the myths. I expanded my knowledge of past beliefs, folk tales, moon spirits and myths with the addition of The Encyclopedia of Spirits by Judika Illes.

Lastly, this collection draws upon more than one area of my art background: ink illustration, graphic design typesetting, and traditional printmaking techniques of relief printing and intaglio were adapted into my jewelry techniques. Flammarion’s 1888 star/meteorology engraving served as an anchor for the moon pieces and was used to imprint several pendants in this collection. 

Perhaps this is all superfluous compared to the visible, tangible pieces or personal connections that viewers will make themselves, but it’s rare that I really dig deep to outwardly share the full scope of my creative process. I felt compelled to communicate the meaning behind this one since it has been a profound experience to research, develop, and create. 

Awake my dear.
Be kind to your sleeping heart.
Take it out
Into the vast fields of Light
And let it breathe.
(— Hafiz)

It was as though the sky
had silently kissed the earth,
so that it now had to dream of sky
in shimmers of flowers.

The air went through the fields,
the corn-ears leaned heavy down
the woods swished softly—
so clear with stars was the night

And my soul stretched
its wings out wide,
flew through the silent lands
as though it were flying home.
 

"Let Go" Put your thoughts to sleep, do not let them cast a shadow over the moon of your heart. Let go of thinking. —Rumi

"Let Go" Put your thoughts to sleep, do not let them cast a shadow over the moon of your heart. Let go of thinking. —Rumi

"The Moon of Your Heart" Your thoughts are a veil on the face of the Moon. That Moon is your heart, and those thoughts cover your heart. So let them go, just let them fall into the water. —Rumi

"The Moon of Your Heart" Your thoughts are a veil on the face of the Moon. That Moon is your heart, and those thoughts cover your heart. So let them go, just let them fall into the water. —Rumi

"The Soul's Journey" At dawn a moon appeared in the sky, Slid down, and looked at me.  Then like a hawk hunting a bird It seized me up and ran across the sky. When I looked, I saw myself no more Through the grace of that moon My body had be

"The Soul's Journey"
At dawn a moon appeared in the sky,
Slid down, and looked at me. 
Then like a hawk hunting a bird
It seized me up and ran across the sky.
When I looked, I saw myself no more
Through the grace of that moon
My body had become all soul. 
—Rumi

"The Use of Night"  Look at the moon in the sky, Not the one in the lake.  —Rumi

"The Use of Night" Look at the moon in the sky, Not the one in the lake.  —Rumi

"The Night's Unruly"  Allow the dark to season you. —Hafiz

"The Night's Unruly" Allow the dark to season you. —Hafiz

"Blessed" My eyes traverse the night sky, emulating the moon in its isolation. Blessed. —Unknown 

"Blessed" My eyes traverse the night sky, emulating the moon in its isolation. Blessed. —Unknown 

"By the Light of the Moon"  Awake my dear. Be kind to your sleeping heart. Take it out into the vast fields of Light and let it breathe. —Hafiz

"By the Light of the Moon" Awake my dear. Be kind to your sleeping heart. Take it out into the vast fields of Light and let it breathe. —Hafiz

"Beyond the Visible Stars" There are stars beyond the visible stars where There is no risk of burning up or colliding Where astral travelers wander in other heavens Besides the seven that we know. —Rumi

"Beyond the Visible Stars"
There are stars beyond the visible stars where
There is no risk of burning up or colliding
Where astral travelers wander in other heavens
Besides the seven that we know. —Rumi

"The Pleiades"  The moon has set / And the Pleiades. / Midnight. / I lie in bed alone. —Sappho

"The Pleiades" The moon has set / And the Pleiades. / Midnight. / I lie in bed alone. —Sappho

"I Have Loved the Stars"  I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night. —Sarah Williams

"I Have Loved the Stars" I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night. —Sarah Williams

"The Moon Shines Bright"  The moon shines bright when it doesn’t avoid the night. —Rumi

"The Moon Shines Bright" The moon shines bright when it doesn’t avoid the night. —Rumi

"Stardust"  Scarcely have the immortal graces of your soul begun to shine forth on earth than bright stars offer themselves in the heavens which, like tongues, will speak of and celebrate your most excellent virtues for all time. 

"Stardust" Scarcely have the immortal graces of your soul begun to shine forth on earth than bright stars offer themselves in the heavens which, like tongues, will speak of and celebrate your most excellent virtues for all time.