Important Paintings by Olivia Robertson - 2009

The Honorary Secretary of the Circle of Brigid in Ireland writes: "Olivia asked me specially to send you these photographs of her newest art which she feels is very important in the times we are in."

Each painting is accompanied by a description and explanation of some of the symbolism incorporated within it. A full interpretation is up to each of you. The meanings may vary from person to person, as guided by their intuition and tutelary Deity or Deities.

Manannán mac Lir - Manannán of the Heights Above and Depths Below. God of the sea, Manannán has many aspects. He guides through the mists between the worlds. One of the Tuatha Dé Danann (though he may have originated in an older pantheon of Deities), he figures in the mythologies of Ireland, Wales, Scotland and the Isle of Man. The Book of Fermoy (1300 - 1400 AD) describes him as a lawgiver among the Tuatha Dé Danann. He possessed the power to create a cloak of fog or rainbow mist to avoid unwanted detection. He is also associated with the Cauldron of Regeneration, as Olivia has shown him in this painting. Manannán mac Lir appeared to Cormac mac Airt and said He came from a land where old age, sickness, death, decay and falsehood did not exist.

The Morrígan - (or Mórrígan, "great queen") Morrígan of River and Grael. She has many aspects and is often depicted as a triple goddess (usually as Badb, Macha and Nemain) She is also depicted as an individual, as in the Ulster Cycle. The Lebor Gabála Érenn lists her among the Tuatha Dé Danann, as a daughter of Ernmas, granddaughter of Nuada. During Samhain She met with the Dagda, who sees Her washing Herself, standing with one foot on either side of the river Unius. Her individual role may predate that of the triple one. Mórrígan as an individual Goddess is a Deity of earth, fertility and sovereignty; providing political or military aid and protection to the king. Here she holds the Cup of Sovereignty which is traditionally offered to the King upon ascending the throne. This same cup was named the Grael in Arthurian legend, a vessel of spiritual rebirth.

Olivia's new paintings of Manannán mac Lir and The Morrígan situated on either side of a sculpture of Winged Brigid by David Durdin-Robertson in the Shrine of Capricorn. Dedicated to Niamh, this shrine is located in the Chapel of the Well of Brighid. Water from the well has been used in FOI ceremonies since the founding of the Fellowship of Isis in 1976. A Priory of St. Brighid is believed to have once existed on the site where the castle now stands. The well dates back to the Neolithic period.

The Three Mothers - The Shining Mothers of Fate. Shown in ‘spirit form’, with glowing auras. They are each manifesting a different cosmic ray. Pele - Red: Strengthens the Will. Brigid - Green: Creates Inner Balance and Harmony. Yemaya - Violet: Connection to the Spiritual Self, Awakening of Higher Levels of Psychic Perception. This painting is located in the Chapel or Cave of the Mothers, in the Temple of Isis, Clonegal Castle.

Old Moon/New Moon - Old Moon Embraces the New Moon. Old Moon signifies the ending of a cycle or a season, New Moon, the beginning. Depicted as Mother and Child, Olivia shows us the former cycle does not end with death or dissolution, but through the act of giving birth to something new. Located at the left side of entrance to the Chapel of the Well.

Star Children - Star Child, Moon Mother. Olivia always says that ‘our future is the stars.’ As souls progress in spiritual evolution they discover their origins are beyond physical Earth. They are Children of the Great Cosmic Mother and bear within themselves a spark of Her Divinity. This painting is currently situated at a window near the Well of Brigid in the Chapel of the Well.

The Ship of Isis - Isis Guides Our Course. She is patroness of ships, sailors and travelers at sea, known as Stella Maris, Star of the Sea. In the writings of Apuleius, Isis said, “Devote to my worship the day born of this night…for at this season, the storms of winter lose their force, the leaping waves subside and the sea becomes navigable once more.” Positioned beneath one of the Windows of Eternity, east of the High Altar, Temple of Isis, Clonegal Castle.

Pele - Pele of Fire and Earth. Goddess of fire and transformation. Her home is located in Halemaʻumaʻu crater, at the caldera of Kīlauea, Hawaii, one of the most continuously active volcanoes. Kilauea volcano has been erupting fairly regularly since 1983, its most voluminous outpouring of lava in centuries. Once a lava flow has dried it is rapidly taken over by flourishing sprouts. Although the lava has destroyed nearly 200 structures and 8 miles of road, it has added more than 495 new acres of land to the southern shore. This painting hangs in the Chapel of Fire, Temple of Isis, Clonegal Castle.

Red Tara. An aspect of Tara, the Red Tara is known as Kurukulla. She is the "Heart of Tara." Olivia painted Red Tara on a door leading out from the Chapel of Asia or Chapel of Harmony. There are five aspects of Tara identified with colors: Red Tara, White Tara, Yellow Tara, Blue Tara and Green Tara. FOI Co-Founder Lawrence Durdin-Robertson wrote the following about Red Tara: "This goddess is described as a terrifying deity; but she is also one, who, according to the character of the onlooker, appears either to bear arms or symbols of divine charity. Kurukulla ... is represented ... with four arms..." (The Goddesses of India, Tibet, China and Japan)

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All photos on this courtesy of Minette Quick. All photos © Fellowship of Isis Central Website. Please do not reproduce. All rights reserved. Text © Fellowship of Isis Central Website.