The sun, symbolism & 'Sun Medicine'

​In case you haven't caught my posts by now, EAST direction on the Medicine Wheel is new beginnings, spring time, fire energy, hope and the spark of creativity. EAST is courage, spirit, preparation, and morning.

It always makes me think of the scene in Lord of the Rings where they are about to go into the battle at Helm’s Deep and Gandalf leaves to find help from the Rohirrim. ‘Look to my coming, at first light, on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the East.’ Why East?

First off, Gandalf, being a wise wizard as he is, knows that by appearing from east direction precisely as the sun rises he will appear on a hilltop to blind the evil enemy with its rays and overpower them, then riding down on them in an army on horseback. The enemy literally won't see him coming. A military tactic of perfect positioning and natural resources when weapons and manpower are in short supply.

Secondly, because as night peels away and the sun rises, we have hope. Every day begins without fail, and light is where most of us prefer to be, at least psychologically, because the light is about seeing rather than fumbling in the dark and the unknown. Our fears are always worsened during the night hours.

But what does all this mean in terms of visual art?

The sun is one of the oldest symbols we know as humans, a circle around a central dot. It is unity, the cycle of life, a wheel.

As children we draw a yellow circle and often prongs of short lines projecting out from its centre. Everyone can interpret what this simple symbol means across the world, whatever our native country. This is when imagery and symbolism transcends language.

Abstract art is all about these simple and known symbols.

With the sun in mind, which brings positivity – much needed at the moment – I am going to suggest some basic exercises and art and craft projects for balancing mind, body and spirit. And to start getting our creative juices flowing as spring progresses into summer.

I’ve decided to call it Sun Medicine.

Oh, and in case you missed it on the Home page, I’ve set up a new YouTube channel Natasha Giles Art to begin the healthy, natural regular doses! Join me, meet me, laugh along!


Images: Natasha Giles & (top left) Jake Givens, unsplash.com