Salamander in alchemy symbolizes the element of fire and represents transmutation, purification, and the transformative power of inner change. The horse centers on freedom, strength, intuition, and transformation.

I am in a time of transformation right now. I have found a new group of people who I resonate with, finally, after 12 years of being out in the desert. I have never painted this way before – the way this painting came about…I have never felt this free… since I drew the El Diablo Mask… and I know someone who has an El Diablo Mask, who is part of this new group, who may help me to understand that more…from a cultural perspective.

The thing is – there is an El Diablo Mask IN this picture – so I better be super careful! Thatś a warning!

Don´t look a gift horse in the mouth? Is that the secret warning message?

I have expanded my healing to include recovering from Disassociation which has been a huge difficulty I have had to deal with over the years and I am able to heal others as well. Since today is the Lunar Day of The Fountain (Spring)–The Day of Ancestral Memory and Family – very appropriate that I mention that, as it came from my family of origin.

The Horse, in my experience, spends most of the time here on earth in the Astral… which is where the Fire Salamander lives all the time. Of course there is no ¨scientific” evidence to prove this – this is simply my observation and experience and why it is much easier to speak to animals telepathically.

What are known as ¨Mythological Animals”such as Unicorns, Dragons, Faeries and Nature Spirits are visible in the Astral Plane – in my experience. Astral Plane and Aether are closely related concepts across esoteric, metaphysical, and fantasy traditions, often used interchangeably but with nuanced distinctions.

Aether is described as the fundamental, divine substance that fills the universe and constitutes all planes of existence. According to Aristotle and esoteric cosmology, aether is imperishable and not bound by physical laws. It serves as the material foundation for the astral plane, which exists within it. In this view, the astral plane is a realm within aether where celestial, infernal, and dream realms coexist and are interconnected.

Dissociation and Astral Projection are closely linked phenomena, often described interchangeably in both spiritual and clinical contexts. From a psychological perspective, out-of-body experiences are commonly referred to as astral projection—are frequently understood as a form of dissociation, where the individual experiences a sense of detachment from their physical body and self.

Take for example, in the painting, the negative spaces round the horse which looks kind of like a mummy with a mermaidś tail – I simply chose not to delineate that negative space, but in the Astral, there is no such thing as ¨negative space” because all is material made of Aether.

Lunar Day 6

I cut up all the substrates – I just didn’t like them – so I am mixing them all up…this might be the first time in decades when I am not thinking about selling my work so I am just free to do whatever I feel like.

Left handed painting

I baked a loaf of Artisan Bread in the Dutch Oven… the most beautiful loaf yet…

Lunar Day 7

I am seeing a few things here – a horse’s head… and elephant head…a laughing El Diablo Mask…

Lunar Day 8

A powerful day of transformation. Old patterns burn away. Ideal for renewal, repentance, and rebirth. I decided to bring out the horse head.

Lunar Day 9

A deceptive and challenging day. Illusions, fears, and hidden enemies may appear. Avoid risk and manipulation.

And then I saw the Salamander…and decided to add some fire – because Salamander is about Fire in Alchemy…