Feature Art Piece - Rising of the Phoenix.

Have you heard of the legendary myth of The Rising of the Phoenix? The legend has it that this amazingly beautiful bird that is one of a kind sets itself alight every 500 years or so and from the ashes rises a new bird born from it's own egg, ready to start the cycle of life all over again.  It's the story of life, death & rebirth.
There are hints that 2016 is the year of Purification.  Perhaps this is the year where the Phoenix sets itself alight?  2016 is a 9 year, 9 represents endings and beginnings.  I feel this is a year to "tidy up" cleanse away anything that is holding you back from becoming all that you truly are.  A real letting go (burning) away the old (death) and making way for the new (rebirth) improved, lighter & brighter you..  
This beautiful Dream catcher Wall Piece was a commission for a client.  I never know what is going to 'Arise' when I start creating.  This one was a real surprise and it's funny how it always seems to coincide with something that is going on in either our world at large, my world, or theirs.  In this case, I feel it is all three.  The energy of this piece is so 'peaceful'.  I had it hanging on one of my walls for a while after it was completed and every time it caught my eye, I smiled.  It just feels right and good.  It's time for renewal, it's time to free ourselves from the past and ascend to the future.
Rising of the Phoenix is lovinglyl hand made from strangler vine, branch, hand cut recycled leather for the fringing and also representing the flames as the Phoenix rises from the ashes.  Red coral which is very grounding also reflects the flames and passion as it arises anew.  The branch forms the Phoenix with beautiful black feathers that was the one request from the client - she loves black feathers.  There are chakra stones starting with red for the eye and then all the other colours are placed at the base of each feather as it ascends skyward.  Atop the piece is a beautiful Amethyst point that represents the spiritual rising.
If you would like me to create something unique and special (one of a kind) for you or a loved one, please feel free to contact me via my website, facebook or phone..  Creating personal pieces is my most favourite way of creating.
Here is just a snippet of the information that is available regarding this legendary mythical creature.  ​I was aware of the legend of the rising of the phoenix but hadn’t really read up on it until I created this piece.  I love the stories and I feel that we, as Universal Consciousness could be going through or about to go through a Rising of the Phoenix now.  There is so much turmoil in the world and I feel it is cyclic, but I also feel there is a definite change in consciousness that is happening.  We are all more aware of who we really are and that we are all connected and there is so much more to us than meets the eye.  I also feel we are letting go of the old patriarchal system and bringing in more of the Feminine, hopefully returning ourselves & our planet back to balance.   
(The Phoenix) has been around since about the 5th century. It seems many countries adopted this creature and have their own twist on it. Overall, The Phoenix is considered to bring good fortune and is a sign of immortality. This sacred firebird can be found in the mythologies of the Egyptians, Arabian, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Chinese, Hindu, Phoenicians, Mesoamericans, Native Americans, and more.
This beautiful, legendary bird lived in Arabia and, according to myth, consumed itself by fire every 500 years. A new, young phoenix — just as breathtaking — sprang from its ashes. In ancient Egypt, the phoenix represented the sun, which dies at night and is reborn in the morning. Greek mythology presents the stunning creature in the early morning — at dawn it bathes in water and sings an enchanting song. So beautiful is this song that the sun god Helios would stop his chariot to listen. There only exists one phoenix at a time. Upon its impending death, it builds a nest, sets itself on fire, and is consumed by the flames. A new phoenix springs forth from the pyre. Early Christian tradition adopted the phoenix as a symbol of both immortality and resurrection. Modern folklore utilizes the magnificent creature as a symbol of renewal, rebirth, and starting anew. 
In ancient Egyptian mythology and in myths derived from it, the Phoenix is a female mythical sacred firebird with beautiful gold and red plumage. Said to live for 500 or 1461 years (depending on the source), at the end of its life-cycle the phoenix builds itself a nest of cinnamon twigs that it then ignites; both nest and bird burn fiercely and are reduced to ashes, from which a new, young phoenix arises.
The new phoenix embalms the ashes of the old phoenix in an egg made of myrrh and deposits it in Heliopolis ("the city of the sun" in Greek), located in Egypt. The bird was also said to regenerate when hurt or wounded by a foe, thus being almost immortal and invincible - a symbol of fire and divinity.

• The Phoenix Christian Symbol represents the Resurrection and Eternity or Eternal Life
• The well known inspirational phrase "Rises life a Phoenix from the Ashes" is often used to describe someone who has suffered hardship or trouble and begins to rebuild their life to be better than before
• Legend tells that the phoenix is a bird that will not die because it did not eat of the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden
• During the Medieval period the Phoenix was considered a 'royal bird'
• The Phoenix is considered by many cultures to be a symbol of the mind and spirit
• In Christianity, the Phoenix is an important symbol. It represents how Christ suffered during the passion, was put to death but returned to life three days later, it is both a symbol of faith and success.

Oriental
The phoenix (known as Garuda in Sanskrit) is the mystical fire bird which is considered as the chariot of the Hindu god Vishnu. Its reference can be found in the Hindu epic Ramayana. In China, the phoenix is called Feng-huang and symbolizes completeness, incorporating the basic elements of music, colours, nature, as well as the joining of yin & yang. It is a symbol of peace, and represents fire, the sun, justice, obedience, and fidelity. The Feng-huang, unlike the phoenix which dies and is reborn, is truly immortal although it only appears in times of peace and prosperity.

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