Hares Of The Winter Season. In December I created the Yuletide Hare to Celebrate this time of year which was traditionally observed by the historic Germanic peoples. Later; going into the Christianized reformation it became better-known as Christmastide or Christmas. To Celebrate our moving into the New Year I began creating an Imbolc Hare Roundel. Imbolc (pronounced i – MOLG) is a Gaelic Festival marking the beginning of spring, and the stirrings of new life. A time to let go of the past & look forward to the future. This transition I have illustrated with a bright red moth – a dash of colour, coming up out of the darkness following it’s path to the light.
As a creature of the night the moth is highly influenced by the power of the moon; which links to it’s animal symbolism of intuition and psychic awareness. There are still a few more touches to do in building up the texture of the fir in this Highland Hare panel, and a few more firings and it will be time to construct into a neat roundel – using the lead came. I think there is a symbolism of perfect completion in the form of a circle which I find very pleasing – I love creating round things!
