Sunday, January 6, 2013

Ganesh and the Venus de Willendorf

I have a model of Ganesh beside my bed. Ganesh is the Hindu diety known as the Remover of Obstacles, and the Lord of Beginnings. My sister brought him back from India for me.

She has a felted model of the Venus de Willendorf that I made for her many years ago. The Venus de Willendorf dates back to 24000 - 22000 BCE and is a woman of size and power, although the orginal relic found was only 4" high. She has large breasts and a belly and big powerful thighs. She is beautiful.

Wherever my sister goes, so goes she. I have many, many pictures of the little felted woman of Willendorf on hotel beds, windowsills, and desks as she travels the world with my sister. When I get the picture via facebook I know that my sister has safely arrived at her destination.

There is a something in the fact that my talisman is made of heavy brass, and hers of felted wool. There is something about the fact the hers travels the world with her, and mine stays put beside my bed.

So every night, and every morning I see Ganesh. The Remover of Obstacles, and I am trying to hear what he is saying to me. Remove the obstacles and begin.

Remove the obstacles and begin. The obstacles of fear, and sadness. The obstacles of worry and melancholy. The obstacles of sore feet and blood disorders. The obstacles of procrastination and inaction.

So, Ganesh, I am listening. And, somewhere in the valley, for that is where she is right now, the woman of Willendorf is listening.

With these two on my side I know it will be alright in the end.

If it's not alright, then it is not the end.