House Altar!

Here we have the altar of our house. It’s an interesting collection of bits and bobs for not only the family that we are, but the goals of the family as a whole. And it’s not just there as a post for the house guardians, but so that they can then keep watch over those who come into our home.

I started the painting in my old apartment in Chicago, but for some reason, I simply couldn’t finish it. Something was missing, but I didn’t know what. I brought it with me when I moved to Iowa, and when we had settled into our new house, the painting was ready to be finished. It was part of the altar for our new house, that much I knew, but what goes on a house altar? A stone, given to us by a siren who dug it from the earth with her own hands. Shells, so that love, truth, and laughter may flow freely. We have a bowl of offerings, surrounded by a full set of dice, of course. A bronze bell that the Buddah brought with him. A green obelisk for solid direction. A rabbit, because no one knows how to navigate a rabbit hole better!

The Buddah, because seriously, he’s the Buddah. And not only because he is the great balancing figure, but because he has so many faces. From the deep thinker we have here to the laughing wanderer, the Buddah goes across several countries as a symbol of the journey, not just the destination. His journeys have included various miracles, omens, and stories of wisdom through inner reflection of the outer world. He serves as not only a point of inspiration, but a constant reminder than home is not only a place, it is a state of mind. And home can be found in buildings, in concepts, even in people. And when I am surrounded by these people, by getting to make this incredible music with the love of my life, I am reminded that home is where I take it, not just where I come back to.

Last but not least, a tiny statue of Ganesh. I knew he had to be a part of this collection as soon as I saw him. I found him in a tiny shop recommended to me by a dear friend when the family was up in Madison, WI. Admittedly, I was looking for art project bits, ideas for upcoming projects, and the elephant god of beginnings and homes trumpeted. Why Ganesh? Funny you should mention that….

I do so love Sister Unity. She’s one of the wondrous Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and frankly, she’s lovely. Moving forward, Ganesh is the guardian of homes, even that of the great god Shiva. And he can take a hell of a beating in the name of his intentions. And so he looks after our home, and all those who pass through it. He helps us make our home a safe place filled with art. No, you may be asking yourself, "Then why isn't Ganesh the center of the altar?" Good question! This is what happens when you have a pair of artists raising a pair of artists. Ganesh keeps us safe, keeps us focused, and reminds us to cut away that which does not serve us. However, the Buddha is about the journey, and as any artist can tell you, there is no real end to that path. It's something that can be hard to accept some days. Let's face it, goals are good, and achieving them is fantastic. But if your path doesn't have a real end, it becomes harder to find your way because you don't have something definite to aim for. But when it comes to art, that's the whole point. There really IS no path. the journey is as individual as the seeker, so each makes their path, even if they feel that they follow in the footsteps of others. And so the Buddha, the pinochle of honoring the journey over the destination, is our center focus, keeping each of us on our own path. And that's NOT just for music, or visual art, or dance. Art is what you make it! Food, mathematics, gardening, it's all art as long as you remember that if you're alive, you're an artist.
The world can seriously kick you, but you cannot let that keep you down, nor can you let the knowledge that the world isn't fair stop you from taking the chance on your dreams, your passions, and your path.
Never be afraid, because fear is the demon that takes your legs, leaving you in one place. But without fear, you're running whether you know it or not. So take a moment and look down. See the ground beneath you moving at light speed, and then see if you can build up enough steam to fly. I bet you can.
So, what about you? What makes your home a home? Is it art? Is it music? Family, pets, what about your home makes it your place of refuge?