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Father Time -Duality, balance, and the cycles of life

Feeling small

I am thrilled with how my most recent watercolor piece, Father Time, has turned out, and I am excited to walk you through step by step. Although Mother Earth was an emotional piece for me, Father Time played more to my actual fears about the path we are on worldwide. While mother earth was more of an internal reflection of who I am and how I react to certain situations, Father Time represents what we feel is out of our control. It is the feeling of smallness, hopelessness, and certain demise. It is that same feeling you get listening to the news about a tragic event, climate change, or hate. It is that feeling of frustration. 

The backstory

Father Time is rooted deep in cultural lore. The Greeks created the confusion of their word for time (Chronos) with their agricultural god, Cronos. Cronos was associated with being a harvester, and this is where the scythe was introduced. The Romans associate Cronos with Saturn. Again, with a sickle, but also pictured as an old man with a crutch. The wings and hourglass were introduced in the Renaissance, and eventually became the personification of death and synonymous with the Grim Reaper. 

The balance of light and dark. 

One of the first things you may notice about this piece is the balance of light and dark. Opposites give each other meaning and are intricately connected.  I often think about time and how my life has evolved over the years. The light and dark times. The things that once were so important are no longer. The worries of the past seem so trivial. With that said, I still look forward to the future with things that I now feel are important and I have found new worries. There has been a dynamic shift in my concerns. Rather than worrying about who likes me or social status, I worry about what this world is going to be like for my nieces and nephews socially, economically, and environmentally.  I worry things have gone too far towards the darkness to return to the light. 

The clock and scythe represent the sun and the moon. These are both measurements of time, but they represent much more. The sun is fashioned into both a clock and a nimbus. The clock represents the transitory nature of human existence, new beginnings, and opportunities; however, it also represents the end of life and the mortality of the human race.  For me, the nimbus represents a higher power, but not specific to one religion. The scythe has a dual representation of a waxing crescent moon. This moon phase signifies intention. At this stage, there is forward motion and hope for something more to come. 

Flight to night

This brings us to the owl flying from the light into the darkness towards the raven. While the waxing crescent moon brings intention, the white owl represents big dreams along with the ability to achieve them. A sign that timing is right to move forward with the power to face trials and tribulations [the raven]. 

Father Time is often depicted with wings, but that was not the route this piece was taking. Instead, I chose to place the raven on his shoulder to represent his wings.  The raven’s symbolism is complex.  Mostly associated with loss and ill omen, the raven is also known as a mediator between life and death.  He holds a pocket watch, symbolizing the importance of time and to live every moment to the fullest. 

Duality, balance, and the cycles of life

The hourglass embodies the constant flow of time. A unique connection of life and death. A delicate balance. Within the hourglass you will notice yellow butterflies resurrecting and fluttering upwards, while the sand flows down. There is much symbolism to the yellow butterfly and the beliefs vary widely. This is why I chose the yellow butterfly. In some cultures, they represent joy and creativity and in others a warning of sickness or death. 

Beautiful Lady 

I chose belladonna to fill the lower portion of this piece. Translated from Italian, bella donna, means beautiful lady. Every part of this plant is toxic. This plant has killed armies, but also used to heal.  Such as life, belladonna is equally beautiful and tragic. The belladonna is also a reminder that beauty can disguise danger and makes me think of times that I have fallen victim with stars in my eyes.  

Call for guidance

Finally, we have come to the wolf. Her call symbolizes a restless spirit yearning for fulfillment.  She calls upon the moon for guidance to use resources wisely and continue to move forward and evolve. For me, this is the ultimate meaning of Father Time. 

References: 

https://www.butterflyinsight.com/yellow-butterfly-color-meaning-and-myths.html

https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/ethnobotany/Mind_and_Spirit/belladonna.shtml

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father_Time

https://www.legendsofamerica.com/na-totems/