Eros and Psyche

It's been years since I learned about Eros and Psyche, so long ago I can't remember why I became interested in the topic. I'm sure it had something to do with a longing for the idea that they represent, the union of love and the soul.

When we think of Eros, we mostly relate this character of Greek mythology with erotic love, and he certainly has something to do with it, but it is also significant that in the end of his story, he is not alone, but joined by Psyche, the soul. One is not complete without the other.

Just like each of our own souls when they are silenced by the logic of the mind, Psyche had lack of faith and because of that, lost her beloved. But once she realized her loss, she did all she could to win him back and had to pass immense tests of strength in order to reach him. In the end, she becomes immortal, because of love.

I began this watercolor years ago, together with others that remain unfinished and a series of canvases inspired by Indian miniatures illustrating the Kama Sutra, which I keep but never have painted. This year, I decided it is time to take Eros out of the drawers of forgetfulness, which is why I am publishing this watercolor so we can all get inspired to let our own Eros and Psyche find each other in our own heart.

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This watercolor is available as well as prints and cards of this and other images of Eros and Psyche when you visit this blog's special shop page: http://tanyatorres.blogspot.com/p/shop.html

and take a look at the image of MM and JC, do you notice? I did not realize it when I composed Surrender... but the placement of the figures is almost the same!

Song of the Magdalene: Mary Magdalene of the Heart

Mary Magdalene of the Heart, Oil on canvas, 16" x 20", 2010

An ancient Egyptian quote reads: "The Heart is the source of all knowledge." In my paintings, this is the meaning of the heart. Mary Magdalene meditates with her heart, made visible here. We process information with our mind, but we really get to learn it when we distill it in our heart. What good are numbers or facts or theories if we cannot use them for a noble purpose?

Mary Magdalene learned about love, and this knowledge transformed her by letting her shed her old self to become what we call a saint, or an enlightened being through whom love flows directly from the Source. In order for this to happen, her entire being must have had become connected to her heart. The teachings she received were transformed into knowledge at the center of her being, where her purity and innocence remained intact behind all the layers of life she must have carried as a human being, just like each of us.

In the chakra system, the heart chakra is at the center of the chest. It stands for love, acceptance, compassion, forgiveness, renewal, harmony, growth and peace. Mary Magdalene's heart is filled with all of these, and with fire. In the passionate fire of the heart, we patiently simmer all that is good until we create the healthy concoction that sustains us and gives us a clear perception of all that surrounds us. It is the antidote to fear and the elixir of a purposeful life.

Is there any other purpose to life than love? When we light it with the fire of passion, it melts the ice that fear tries hard to keep unthawed.