We all move in and out of dream space each night and each morning. This movement between the conscious world of wakefulness, and the unconscious world of dreams and symbolism is a transition between the known and the unknown. All such thresholds bring a sense of uncertainty, and vulnerability, along with the potential for change.
There can be times in all of our lives which leave us stumbling in confusion, with very little idea of what is happening. At times like this, dreams can bring us clues or symbols to help us find meaning in the unknown land. Symbols, like this hare, can rise from the wisdom of our own unconscious to guide us through the uncertainty towards our unfolding future. What have your dreams been telling you recently?
This is a watercolour I was working on over the weekend, for an exhibition with the theme of movement. It’s not finished yet, but I’m sure he’s trying to tell me something!
breathofgreenair 
I missed this post. It’s a beauty. Have you finished your painting? Hares are wonderful creatures. Last year a group of people met to chant mantras at a local farm. Sometimes while we were chanting I would see a hare bounding round outside. It felt like a very special visit. I once looked up the symbolism of the hare and read that it is connected to the celtic manifestations of the mother goddess.
That’s right Suzanne, seen as divine messengers, a hare would be released and divination done based on the direction and nature of the hares running! There’s a belief that Easter is based on the old Celtic festival Oestera…..a fertility festival celebrating the fertility and rebirth of Spring….hence the eggs, hares and rabbits 🙂
And yes painting finished, framed and now hanging in the exhibition!
The painting must look great. I knew about Easter but not about the hare as a messenger. That really makes me think for the hare I saw at chanting appeared on the very last chanting session that we were able to hold at that centre. The building was sold to developer shortly afterwards! I hope the hare has bounded off to safer ground.
Seonaid, I can only echo what has already been said by others – your talent pours off the page from this post – your writing, your art, and we all know how wonderful your photos are. Thank you for sharing it all with us 🙂
Many thanks Liz for such a ringing endorsement, it’s so wonderful to have such lovely readers and commenters. Makes blogging so worthwhile😆💕
Delicate and elegant!
Why thank you✨💕✨
Great theme, Seonaid! You are so talented. I really like the painting. 🙂
A thoughtful jump into the unknown, while looking back at the past. A beautiful watercolor, Seonaid.
I immediately thought of one of my favourite books – Watership Down. I remember crying when there were some 20 pages left – I never wanted it to end, never wanted to leave those charachters I had come to love. This must have been some 30 years ago. Now the novel is standing on my shelf, waiting to be re read.
So, this hare, to me he is saying: Follow me, go get me on the book shelf and re live the joy and pain me and my friends once did.
Above all – a very beautiful , colourful and lively picture!
He looks to me like he’s keeping a cautious eye on you, Seonaid 🙂 And he looks sleek and swift. Have a happy and productive weekend 🙂
Love your painting Seonaid – beautifully animated.
I think he is leaping into the future full of hope but keeping an eye on what happened in the past. Love the colours, you are a very talented artist.
I am a great believer that our Dreams leave us messages and your water colour art is full of life and vitality .. You are a very talented artist..
And I am sure if your read the Hare totem you will see more meaning for you 🙂
Blessings your way.
Sue
Love this painting, Seonaid. I don’t dream very often, and rarely remember my dreams. I love the look in the hare’s eye. It’s almost as though he’s saying. “Follow me.” 🙂
That’s great feedback, and I was hoping he might be saying something like that!!
It looks like the rabbit is jumping from the green area (solid ground) into the blue (water) -deeper into the emotions and unconscious? The rabbit is one of the 12 astrological symbols in China. It is associated with the powers of the moon, sensitivity and artistic-ness. The rabbit is also a symbol of fertility and new life. Just throwing it out there for you – only you know what’s true for you. I just posted on moths as symbols for showing our true colors…
Thanks for that Annette, lots of interesting symbolism there, and I’ll pop over to read your moths post, it sounds really intriguing…and of course I can never resist a bit of metaphor 🙂
For me the hare is a wilder creature than the rabbit, inhabiting mountains and moors on the edges of our world, and has long been linked with divination and magical transformations…
I’m thinking he’s admiring your artistic skills for bringing him to life – not an easy task. 🙂
Ha, perfect Judy…I also think he’s urging me to hurry up and finish his background as he needs to be hung next Thursday!!
Perhaps it’s because you planted the idea, but I can easily see the hare as a transition figure himself: sliding between land & water, taking on sleek seal-like silhouette as he plunges into the water, with that wise sideways glance telling us to pay attention …
That’s a lovely and very accurate interpretation Penny, at least in terms of what I was attempting to portray…..but of course everyone will see things in their own way 🙂
What a lovely watercolour! As the recipient of one of your water-colours (your gorgeous birthday card for my, ahem, 50th) I know that it will be perfect for the art show. As for dreams, mine are often ones to do with water, boats and travel. I can only imagine this is about change but I have never looked into it. 🙂
Delighted you like the painting Kellie😊 As for the watery dream symbols, a lot would depend on how you feel about these objects. It’s what the symbol evokes in you which is the clue…✨
Really nice. And what you say is true, for me at least, dreams are a guide to what is and has been on my mind. I wish I could remember more of my dreams for when I can, the honesty of my dreaming thoughts astonish me. Dreams have no compunctions. They hold nothing back. There they are, laid bare before us. I suppose we should all be smart and heed what it is they tell us. Also … really nice hare … you’ve captured both the movement and ‘attitude’ of the beast. D
Many thanks David, and I can only agree that dreams lay everything out bare and unadorned….if we have the courage to look! Things we know but might be hiding from ourselves…for all sorts of reasons. I find that metaphor is the language of my dreams, or rather the language which bridges the space or gap between the conscious and the unconcious. Xx
Lovely post, Seonaid. Your post is a beautiful gift. 🙂
My pleasure to offer such a well received gift Rachael 🙂
You are so talented! That hare is just magical – so full of character and he has a knowing look in his eye! He really does look as if he has jumped out of a dreamworld.
I love the idea of his knowing look, and now you’ve pointed it out I see it too😊 I was really trying to capture a dreamlike feel, so that’s great feedback💕
Thrilled to see you turn your talent to one if my favourite creatures!
I might have guessed that Gilly! He’s one of mine too, so filled with layers of mystery, myth and magic💕What could be better for guiding us over thresholds!
Beautiful! The hare looks like a dream himself, he seems to know something that I don’t… He also looks very quick, will be gone before we blink, just like a dream. Fantastic work!
That’s great to hear, I was really trying to capture a dreamlike feel, but filled with movement, so that’s perfect feedback😊
I think he is telling you that you are very clever! I certainly think so. Dreams .. I wonder about mine and my imagination 😀
I love it Julie, and now that’s exactly what I see when I look at him. I’m beginning to want to keep him and not put him up for sale!
As for your imagination…..the wilder the better😜💕
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so talented
Many thanks Bruce, that’s great for my confidence😊✨
Lovely post and beautiful watercolor painting! 💖😊
Very kind Trini, delighted you enjoyed the post✨💕✨
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I love it 🙂 Reminds me of the dream-like sequences in Watership Down! Bright eyes, burning like fire.
Seonaid, you are such an incredible artist and photographer. Your talent is amazing. When I dream, which isn’t very frequently, the symbol typically identifies something I’m either experiencing and need to deal with, or something I need to change. I love analyzing what is going on, but I no longer dream very frequently.
Gwynn you always make me blush with your compliments, but thank you for your wonderful comments. I hope the visitors to the exhibition feel the same way as you do, and snap up my pieces😜✨
Dream symbols are so fascinating, and yes they can represent all sorts of issues. I love the idea of symbols as guides, showing me the way through the mess I’ve usually got myself into!!💕
Thanks Sarah, I hadn’t thought about Watership Down for a long time, but now I can’t get the song out of my head😆!!
Same with me, Seonaid! 🙂 Love the watercolour painting and your thoughts.