Life Force Wheel: The Phoenix & The Healer

The Phoenix is a person going through a process of transformation or healing. The name comes from the legendary Phoenix bird that immolated itself every five hundred years and then arose renewed from its own ashes, symbolizing profound transformation. The Phoenix knows that this cycle of death and regeneration is necessary, understands and accepts the process of change rather than resisting it. The Healer is the one who guides the Phoenix’s Process of transformation, holding the sacred space and time for the transformation to occur. The essence of healing is to become a new self, and the healing process is about letting go of what you no longer need and taking in what you do need to become that new self.

The artwork in this exhibit features a wide variety of media including painting, photography, sculpture, fabric art, and installation. Life Force Arts Foundation Executive Director Joan Forest Mage says, “It’s fascinating to see the interpretations artists have about this theme. From depictions of mythological healers to healing mandalas, from personal healing journeys to artwork that creates a portal into transformational experience, this show expands our understanding of these powerful Archetypes.
The Phoenix & The Healer is the fourth in the LifeForce Wheel year-long, six-show series of art exhibits and multiarts presentations that explore the deep Archetypes of human existence. The Life Force Wheel is a spiritual teaching based on ancient, universal wisdom, received through inspiration by modern shamanic practitioner Joan Forest Mage. The six-show series began on December 8, 2013, with the Teacher Archetype and concludes in January 2015 with the True Self Archetype. All shows will be held at Life Force Arts Foundation, 1609 W. Belmont, Chicago.