Sekhmet Lotus Painting

THE LOTUS SEKHMET

A Healing Talisman

sekhmet lotus

I painted "The Lotus Sekhmet" on a circular canvas as a gift to my sister, who is challenged with medical issues. I wanted her to be reminded of her own Beauty, Strength, and Courage during her ordeal. I originally thought I chose the leonine image because my sister is a Leo, but now I'm not so sure...

In staring at the image after it was finished, I became fascinated by something about it. I don't know why I chose to paint Sekhmet surrounded by pink lotus flowers. I just did. At the time, I was unaware there was an association with Sekhmet and the lotus flower.

Then I recognised the gift Sekhmet gave me. "The Lotus Sekhmet" came up so spontaneously and effortlessly that I'd almost missed it. As a perfectionist, painting has been a struggle for me. There is a part of me which has not trusted my own abilitites. All too often, I have listened to the voice of my inner critic. Now I have done a piece which will silence it. I've spontaneously created Sekhmet's "Shield of Healing" for my sister, for myself, and for the world.

Praises be to Sekhmet! I am truly thankful to be connecting with a such a wondrous and powerful Goddess!

valerie.chelonis@angelfire.com

LOTUS SYMBOLOGY AS IT PERTAINS TO SEKHMET by Lady Sekhmet

I was a little surprised when Valerie told me she had painted an image of Sekhmet surrounded by pink lotus and had not known of their association. Even more interesting was the fact that she had done the painting specifically for a healing purpose.

One powerful aspect of Sekhmet is Her healing aspect, the other end of Her creation/destruction polarity. Many people only define Sekhmet in destructive terms. But many Sekhmet healers can attest: Sekhmet is an active force which can be called upon directly to impart Sekhem energy, so beneficial in the healing process. Along with the anhk, a Sekhmet is often depicted carrying a lotus wand, symbollic of growth.

In the Memphis triad, Sekhmet and Ptah's son is Nefer Tem, god of healing--and a lotus-born one. The lotus from which Nefer Tem emerged became associated with him. Nefer Tem appears as a man wearing the lotus and two plumes on his head. Sometimes Nefer Tem is shown with a lion's head--so it is possible that the Healing Shield can also be of Nefer Tem. One story mentions that Nefer Tem brought Re a sacred lotus to ease his suffering.

Lotus symbology is usually concerned with spiritual unfoldment starting with the roots in the slime, rising up from the opaque waters, growing into the light of the sun where it finally blooms. "Gods springing from the lotus signify the world arising from the watery element with the lotus depicting the sun emerging from the primeval waters of chaos. A flame arising from the lotus is both divine revelation and the union of the dualistic forces of fire and water, sun and moon, male and female. Either the flower or the leaf of the lotus can be a source of support for any plane of existence." ("An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Traditional Symbols," J. C. Cooper p.100).

The final comment I have concerns Valerie's the use of the pink lotus. In very ancient times, only the white lotus and the blue lotus grew in Egypt. The pink lotus was a late comer to the region. However, in this case, I think the species of lotus is not as important as the meaning of the color. What is pink but red with a little white added? Sekhmet is always associated with red. So the color of pink acknowledges Sekhmet as the source, but in a strength copacetic to the healing process. The pink lotus means Love and healthy vitality.

SEKHMET LOTUS, Shield of Healing

Individual Prints $15.00

Size: 8 1/2" x 11" (Larger sizes available upon request)

valerie.chelonis@angelfire.com .

For more information about Valerie and her art work, please visit her web-site at: http://www.horse-talk.com/valerie/

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