VOICES OF THE ANCESTORS
1985
by Eric Whollem
mixed media on paper
20" x 15"
Collection of the artist
COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST
VOICES OF THE ANCESTORS
The Mysteries of Initiation
This painting delves into the human subconsiousness, to evoke the
mysteries of initiation. Among many mystery rites into warriorhood,
the initiate must enter into the realm of the ancestors. The ancestors
represent the sum of the collective knowledge of the race; but on a
more intimate level may represent the psychic history of a tribal group.
This is all parcel of shamanism, as has been practised for centuries in
many cultures and in many places.
For example, among the Concow Maidu Indians of Northern California,
initiation into warriorhood is made at special dreaming places, where
the initiate is expected to contact the ghosts of people who have lived
before. Usbuki is the dream power. It is represented by the great white
lizard. The dream of the ancestral voices is the gift of initiation.
THE VIDEO
BELOW EXPLORES SOME
OF THE SHAMANIC
BELIEFS OF THE
CONCOW MAIDU
ERIC WHOLLEM
Among the ancient Greeks, inititation was symbolized in the ritual
sequestering of the initiate in a sacred sarcophagus. In these rites life
and death were merged into one.
Among the Phoenicians, the rites of Dagon, wherein the mystic initiate
was enclosed for three days in 'The Belly of the Whale,' was the pattern
if initiatory practice. A chamber that was located in the abdomen of a great
statue of Dagon was reserved for the visions of the otherworld.
__________________________
See my blog posts on INITIATION:
Read more about SHAMANISM:
See what I have to say on MYTHOLOGY:
THE VIDEO BELOW
SHOWS MORE OF
MY FIGURATIVE
EXPRESSIONISM
ERIC WHOLLEM
