132 ~ An Equinox postcard

Welcome to autumn. When the sun traced its finger across the equator yesterday, marking the autumnal equinox, this above was the view in the main bedroom at Taliesin, Frank Lloyd Wright's home and studio (about fifteen minutes' drive from the Bird in the Bush's abode): a Guangyin, a Chinese feminine representation of the Buddha, her face lit by the sun at the midpoint of its journey between equal day and night.

            In 1925 an electrical fire destroyed the Taliesin residence, and at the time the house was filled with one of Wright's passions, Asian art. From the destruction he salvaged the remains of some of his artworks, and incorporated them into the rebuild. He called these structural pieces "blossoms of the soul", and they helped provide continuity, a connection, with what he had lost - the new house rising like a phoenix from the ashes, some of its feathers merely singed.   

            The Guangyin is the most exquisite "blossom of the soul" in the house, and Wright intentionally placed her such that the sun illuminates her face at the equinoxes. It is significant that Guangyin is a bodhisattva paricularly associated with compassion. Guangyin means "Perceives the Sounds of the World" - that is, she hears our troubles, either our cries for help or our sadness held inside. And given the many losses, tragedies and rejections Wright endured in his lifetime, compassion must have held significance for him.

            Compassion is also important for us, especially at this time. From now until the vernal equinox in March, the nights, the darkness, will be longer than the days. We may feel a drop in our energy (physical or emotional) and an increase in our propensity for procrastination or slacking off. And that's OK. It's the time of year for the energy of bears and woodchucks - drawing down toward hibernation. We can take more time for that cup of tea or coffee or for a nap, and turn to the shining, gentle face of Guangyin for her compassion at this darker time. All is well, all is as it should be in the endless turning of the world.

Comment, share or support the writing, with thanks.