Kabbalah and Magick
Art and expression
Art, Photos & blog by:
Katherine Lily Mae Harris
In this weeks blog, I’m sharing several different timeframes of art.
I also wanted to depict what occurs with my process of art, pulling in elements of my life, spirituality and Magickal practice to create. They often times morph into multiple expressions in that time: sometimes over years of painting. They are of my spiritual experiences so not always the finest art, as opposed to painting or sketching from a photo-but as an untrained artist, they are my expression. That art/design degree I dreamed of, will be a dream, as a woman in the lower ‘caste’ of American society.
When I was younger I could only afford one or two canvas, I saved money to buy myself nice brushes (unfortunately these brushes were taken and returned bristles cut and pretty ruined) initially, I painted in oils, doing sketches of pinups and portraits in pencils or ink, colored pencil or a combination.
This ‘transforming’ practice developed due to lack of supplies and I was happy to paint over the same image and allow it to morph into what I needed to see, or express at the time. My art was never presented or displayed.
Once job lots, the discount store, started offering inexpensive art supplies and canvas and I started using acrylic instead of oil, my paintings and process changed slightly and I created an entire series of art that are based off of my experiences traversing the Kabbalah.
I also added in this blog a few excerpts from my book of shadows and the art that is done in them.
The first time I used oils (paint) was at 14 years old, beginning of my freshman year of highschool.
I painted a faery.
It was beautiful.
It flowed.
The teacher asked me to paint them on the walls after.
I was not usually in the mood to do so and as an autistic woman, either you are or aren’t. Looking back, if I had kept my painting & music as inspiration, it would have been more enjoyable to paint the classroom. I was masking as an autistic already by then. I don’t know if that teacher has that painting still or not. I remember I loved the way oil paint glided on the canvas and filled the natural pours of the canvas. The downside was how long it takes to dry.
A few of the paintings pictured this week, I painted in 2011.
A painting of myself abstracted, in a mirror and embracing myself fully. I felt that my hearts mirror, was no longer on the earth that year, in 2011. Like the year 2011 they died.
However, I was becoming myself once again, diving into the many hobbies and interests I had as a child and before anyone’s influence or abuse, changed my expression. Bullying influences in life, that were jealous of my talents and instead of focusing on their own, they would bully me into not expressing mine.
The message was always, it’s unsafe to express yourself.
The other painting from 2011/12 was in honor of her. My friend who died in 2006. I have felt her around me many times since her death. I used to make her a garden at the accident site, leaving wind chimes and other little gifts.
We both were artists and we connected in that, and many other aspects. Kindred spirits.
Photos of myself on the mountain. Part of my regular life were the Camden hills, until the spine hit.
I practiced lots of meditation and Magick there, usually dancing at the top and with my Boston terrier, Persaeus.
My Magickal practice is engrained in who I am and was part of my daily life. I did not study witchcraft formally, until 2016 of September. In the beginning of this time, I found it difficult doing the bare minimum in Magick, because I was already an accomplished Magickal woman. Having experienced Kether, Samadhi & mahatma multiple times already.
However, I understood the need for the foundation of the practice to be adhered to. I also came into a strength and power through working with my ancestors, beginning with artwork, in 2015 & complimented by Magick.
Some other artwork included are my ink drawings done in 2014.
One that I had put on my body in 2015. The Lotus. A very protective & Magickal process for me.
In the year 2020 I was coming into a kind of power that was unstoppable and noticeable.
I had endured abuse, 3 shoulder surgeries in one year, and was still practicing Magick, not giving up on dance and painting-I was being myself no matter what!
Being abused even worse, during that time, caused me to receive the message yet again-
Expressing yourself and sharing who you are is dangerous.
Now I was in my mid thirties and decided, I was going to be me.
I spent a lifetime catering to the bullies in my life and dimming my light, no more!
I embraced every bit of my Magick and even injured, refused to let anyone take from me, my God/Allah/Shiva given gifts!
I dove into art, Magick and dance even stronger. Coming into a discerning point of my Magick and spiritual strength, resilience and power.
The hardship I’ve experienced since, hasn’t been easy, but it’s made me stronger.
I never had the support system (community) that was going to allow me to be successful in these expressions, I did however, have the desire to be myself for me.
Just like I have all my life.
Not for anyone else. For myself.
If no one sees my art, respects my dance, doesn’t acknowledge my healing abilities, who cares.
God knows. I know. And that is enough. I don’t care to be part of a society that tears people down because of their jealousy or desire to be someone other than themselves.
The true gift in path and purpose, is that when you are being authentic and yourself, the gifts from God, Allah, Shiva are so Magickal.
Undeniably beautiful, I am grateful I have spent a lifetime being who I am.
Even through messages all my life that being seen, is unsafe.
All my life, being abused when I begin to shine.
Being bullied when I step into who I am.
Not anymore though, I am crippled, I am intelligent, I am strong, I am powerful, I am enough. I am beautiful in Spirit.
I am a woman & I am 39.
I am and always have been, a dancer, artist, healer, singer and Magickal woman!!!
Be you.
Began 2018
Rainbow warrior
Shaman
Witch
Sufi
Magician
Sorcerer
My spirit guides and guardians
Morphing a few months later
2018
Bone protection Magick.
Bones found on a hike. Symbols for protection.
Handmade Peyton
Altar 2019
Phases of Magick
Warrior mode
After 3rd shoulder surgery.
Dragon tree, Owl & rainbow warrior
Warrior mode
Altar with my business logo (I made out of construction paper)
2020
Collection of paintings. From 2018-2020 beginning
My beloved dog Persaeus and a rainbow tree in my ‘Book of shadows’ 2019
‘Set yourself free’
2014 ink drawing
A depiction of others trying to force me into their stories….but they aren’t mine. Detaching and setting myself free.
Magick. Flowers. Bee. Butterfly
(They were found dead already and I made these jars as a sort of Magickal sanctuary)
Bee and owl wisdom
Embracing power
Post spinal cord injury
One of 4 total hikes I’ve done since.
I hiked 4 times the week I got hit.
Walking stick was used to help me stay ambulatory. At the top, embracing power and Magick. Movement and healing energy.
Altar 2021
Altar 2021
Featuring Osho tarot cards
I visited the Osho ashram when first in India 2015.
2017
Lady Liberty guarded by crows and Ravens.
This was supposed to be a rough draft (someday turned into a painting) depicting the MANY colors that make up the women of the USA. Many races, religions, & cultures, that are all diverse & beautiful and deserve the same respect, under the lady liberty’s protection. Breaking the chains of the sacred sisters/daughters as the ‘All’ mother figure, freeing us from this earth that insists on being hell. Rise up. The light guides. Flame ignite and burn bright.
Lady of the waves 🌊
Ink drawing done 2014
Someday I may have it put on my body as a tattoo.
Shiva as woman
Drawing in Rishikesh 2015
Rainbow warrior Morphing and accessing the power of the mountain.
Earning the Crown of Kether once more.
Altar 2021
Breaking the chains that bind to this Galaxy. Rising up.
Rough sketch from 2022 that will be made into a painting
2016 cloaked in Red and green eyes seen-
If what I know now, I knew then, what would be.
‘Selfie in a mirror’
‘Rising from Death’
Abstract
Painted in Oil 2011
‘When she left me’
In memory of a loved one
Painting in Oil
2011 or 2012.
Triple Goddess Healing arts and movement
(The arts of the Goddess, renaissance women, protected and respected, never objectified or in danger)
Morphing into the ‘princess mode’ of Kether
Still ready to call upon warrior energy and all guardians and guides.
Tattoo
Ink drawing from 2014 I designed
Tattoo was done 2015 by Siren Song.
Warrior and