MYTH GEMS FROM THE ASHES

The Emancipation of Eve

Myth Weavers: Constructing Beauty and Power This is an evolving series I am working on, creating and constructing an allegory of beauties. But beauty is relative, and my intention is to deconstruct that notion to make it particular to struggles women face in the realm of archaic conceptions of gender identity and roles; essentially identities dictated by a patriarchal society. I can find sources all around me, but I have chosen conventional, traditional sources, for those seem to be where the vast majority of people find their foundational societal misgivings, whether willingly or otherwise. This is dangerous as women and men innocently fall prey to myths and constructions, some which have held us prisoner for centuries and continue to do so through a collective unconscious level. The root of it all: how does Eve’s identity continue to perpetuate and influence women’s self-esteem and lack of empowerment? How can we as women function in a healthy manner when we subconsciously view ourselves as ‘the root of all evil’? We teach our children, girls and boys that this is the case and continue the cycle. No one escapes the damage done, it is part of the collective unconscious. We construct our lives, sometimes unknowingly controlled by these underlying systems, creating a divide between men and women and remain relentlessly in a power struggle. It all starts with the forbidden fruit. I use the apple as a paradox of the fruit of knowledge, desire and fear of the unknown, and yet also represents the most commonly devoured fruit. The source of nourishment that protects us from disease remains the source of the downfall of humankind. By eating of that which informs us and makes us aware, we are freed from limiting belief systems. Women will discover how powerful they are, and men will find that they aren’t as powerful as they might think. Only then can we truly live free of dictations meant to keep us all slaves. I offer glimpses of those moments of awareness when women empower themselves by redefining notions of evil. Ariadne’s Release Persephone The Taming of the Fox Romulus, Remus & Wolf Mother