Shadow Elk Speaks
Reflections Under the Blood Moon
This a painting my sister bought for me from my painter friend, Nick Emery—I began to write about it around this time last year, not long after I received it—it was the full blood moon lunar eclipse—I stayed up til three or four in the morning to see the lunar eclipse, as I contemplated this image of ‘shadow elk’ in this piece
First, I’ll share that ‘shadow elk’ is the name that was given to me by one of the men’s groups of my recent past — generally speaking, they saw me to be like the elk, and more specifically, one who expresses his shadow
My sister then commissioned Nick to paint this, not long after men’s group
I appreciate contemplating the metaphor of ‘shadow elk’ this time of year, as the nights grow darker, entering into the solstice—we can again begin to appreciate the light inside the dark—the light we discover from within the dark of our own shadows
Journal entry, about a year ago:
November 7, 2022 — Early Tuesday Morning, Full Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse
Under the enchanting glow of the recent lunar eclipse, I found myself captivated by Nick Emery's 2021 masterpiece, a profound rendition that brings life to the ethereal "Shadow Elk." Bathed in the silvery blue-white light of the moon, the artwork captures a solitary elk standing in the solemn tranquility of an obscure forest. The snow around it glistened, reflecting the cosmic dance of lights, while a nearby river flowed with serene persistence, and a beaver carved its path, seeking solace within the artistry of its dam
This vision inspired a cascade of thoughts that the Shadow Elk itself seemed to whisper into the stillness of the darkened woods. "I am grateful for the luminance within the dark," it said. "And when my time comes, may I return to the Earth with grace. Let the wolves honor me, the river carry my essence, and the sea welcome my spirit. In freedom, I shall dissolve."
In the transient eclipse, as Earth's shadow caressed the moon into a blood-red hue, the elk embraced its existence. It spoke of being a testament to all the dawns and dusks that have ever been and will be. In that moment, it stood as a symbol of the ancient rhythms and cycles untouched by the hands of human reckoning, echoing a time when harmony was not just a concept, but the essence of being, and the majestic giants of land and sea roamed in bliss
The Shadow Elk's message was clear — it is a time of transformation, a call to action for all of us. Like the elk, who evades predators by finding strength in its tribe, we too must find our community to thrive and endure. Now is the time to seek solace inwards, to find peace in the embrace of nature, and to take the profound rest we often deny ourselves
To be 'depressed' is but to be in 'deep rest' from the inauthentic selves we've conjured. Let us heed the Shadow Elk's counsel: to hibernate from the falsehood, to journal our dreams, to cleanse and meditate, to disconnect from the cacophony of the digital realm, and to breathe life into the wisdom of our spirits
As the lunar eclipse cast its transformative light, the Shadow Elk bestowed a final piece of solace to the inner child within each of us, who may feel lost or misunderstood. "You are never alone," it reassured, "for I am you, and you are me." This unity, this belonging, is the crux of our existence
In the portrayal of the Shadow Elk and the infant within its care, we find a narrative that weaves through time, from the lore of ancient rhythms to the enduring presence of the redwoods in Big Sur, standing sentinel over the sea. Here lies the tale of life's perennial cycle, where endings are but the seeds of new beginnings
Let us all take a moment to absorb the Shadow Elk's wisdom, to slow our pace and to truly be present in the now. Our existence is fleeting, accelerating with each passing day. Yet, in the heart of the elk's message, we find a timeless reminder to cherish each moment, to stand in our truth, and to embrace the profound journey of life
Embracing the Shadow Elk's wisdom, may you find solace in the moonlit night and strength in the silent understanding that we are all connected, to each other and to the ancient cycles that govern the very essence of life
May we be grateful for Nature herself, Mother Nature, love, being here, being connected with ourselves, with one another, with the natural material world within which we live, for Native American spirituality—being connected …. may we focus our attention on the gratitude for what serves us well, for what we can co-create to make the world a little better, and for bridging the divide between whites and natives
This Thanksgiving, let us be thankful for all the ties that bind us together to create the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible