Apparently I have at least one image of The Virgin of Guadalupe in every room in the house. I did not do it intentionally. As a matter of fact, I did not even realize how much she graced our home until our recent guest pointed it out. How on earth did that happen?!
A gift from my sister-in-law, at home in the living room in her own niche.
A bit of herstory, I was raised Catholic and about age 16 turned my back on it all and refused to even go to church. My mother was crushed.
An original watercolor by my friend Cat hangs in my studio.
For most of the years that followed, I refused to think much about religion. In the 80’s I developed an interest in women’s spirituality. Books such as The Mists of Avalon, The Holy Book of Women’s Mysteries, The Spiral Dance, charged women with seeking the holy feminine. Goddesses from around the globe, Brigid (Celtic), Artemis (Greek), Diana (Roman), Kali (Hindu) and many more replaced the dominant concept of God the Father. I loved the idea of God the Mother and irreverent as I am, resonated supremely with Guadalupe and her vulvar shape.
Stock photo.
Slowly and over time, my life filled with Guadalupes.
Pantry wall hanging by Alison Schockner, San Antonio fiber artist and dear friend.
Every house needs at least one refrigerator magnet.
Bathroom window.
One of the my most cherished spaces is the groto that greets visitors at the top of our stairs. It was built by our contractor David Gowen-Smith. My mother gave me the statue.
If you think that I have become a bit over the top loca, you could be right. Before you decide, watch the Netflix documentary “Marias-Faith In Womanhood”. It is difficult to describe the connection I have with Guadalupe, but I am clearly not alone.
This large wooden relief from Yucatán has a prominent place on our patio.
As I seek more spirituality in my life, consciously or unconsciously, Guadalupe plays an important role, front and center. My mother would be so pleased.
DOS TORTAS
the adventures of dos tortas 
I, too, love the Virgin. She is in many parts of my house and in my garden. Your Virgins are beautiful.
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Thank you. And there are more that I didn’t include, sigh 😇😳😅 watch the Netflix movie if you can.
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It is interesting how these religious symbols, without understanding how, creep into our lives. I was allowed to explore religion as a child, did the formal church thing also until early adulthood, left it and returned and left it again. In traveling Mexico, I began collecting crosses and purchasing every folk art church I ran across, as well as visiting and photographing the numerous churches everywhere. I don’t understand it except to just accept this part of the culture and how it has crept into my life. I love your collection.
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Watching the Netflix vid was very powerful.
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You are like every ‘raised Roman Catholic’……..you may have turned your back on organized religion, but you are spiritual down to your very toenails. Being immersed in the Mexican culture, where they truly know how to celebrate the Church’s feasts, like Christmas, OL Guadalupe, Palm Sunday, Holy Week, Easter, Day of the Dead, etc. makes you want a concrete symbol of it all…..and what better than that of Our Lady of Guadalupe, who symbolizes it all!
We spent winters in South TX, the Valley…..I still get high when remembering how the big feasts were celebrated down there. I also have Our Lady of Guadalupe gracing our home/car!!!
Blessings!…….Mary
Have you read “The Gift of Years” by Joan Chittister?? I think you will find it invaluable.
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You are spot on Mary. I am attracted to the old Catholic rituals, chanting, incense, Latin. I have not read The Gift of Years but I will. Thanks for the recommendation. When you get to south Texas there is no border as far as culture and religion goes. Where I live it is not Catholic like central Mexico. I miss the big cathedrals and visit them as often as I can.
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Alex, I’ve been reading your blog for over a year now. It was first forwarded to me by a niece who lives over by San Patricio, south of Guadalajara. I admire your “guts” to pull up stakes and relocate in another country. But you didn’t go into it blind, did your homework first!! Atta girl(s)!
I have always loved adventure, a challenge. Was in the nunnery, Duluth MN, for 30 years, left, married, was widowed after 19 years and now, at age 83, a brand new chapter has opened before me!
“Ah, sweet mystery of life!”
Mary
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Apparently I NEEDED this today! Here I go to splash…(thanks for the reminder…and sweet info on Guadalupe:))
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Ooooo what’s up Linda? Do share. Splash away my Dear.
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im not Catholic nor particularly religious AND i live in Indiana lol …… but i too am attracted to Virgin de Guadalupe
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Haha, there’s something about her. Thanks for stopping by.
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Me gusto las fotografías
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Perhaps she is a Spiritual Guide to you. Ask her. You don’t live where you do by accident. My grandmother always loved the Virgin Mary. Even though she was Lutheran I always thought she was a closet Catholic.
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She is definitely a spiritual guide Karen. There are many connections between Catholics and Lutherans. Sisterhood for sure.
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