Hieros Gamos. Created by Daniel Ford Tarr. Mandala Series-Limited Edition, Signed and Numbered. 32" X 32""

Hieros gamos is the sacred wedding. The conjunction of spirit and matter, male and female, yin and yang. Hieros gamos is the Alchemical Royal Wedding of the King and the Queen - gold and silver. It is the union of Heaven and Earth, sun and moon, sulphur and mercury, and it also signifies the spiritual conjunction that takes place when the process of individuation is complete, with the harmonious union of the unconscious and conscious. In this representation of the hieros gamos there are ten golden rings and ten green-silver and iridescent bubbles arranged in an interpenetrating double-helix or spiral. These rings and bubbles are, depending on one's point of view, emanating from or descending into a five petaled flower which can be seen (though distorted) through the rings and bubbles. The number ten (symbolizing the return to unity from multiplicity), stands for heaven and perfection and sometimes eternity as well. Ideas of reflection, transparency, interpenetration and conjunction lead the meditation on this piece. The golden rings represent all that is solar, male, spirit and action. The green pools or bubbles are all that is lunar, female, matter and reflection. As they wind around and through each other, one is reminded of the DNA double-helix. The shapes can be seen as rising or descending - clockwise or counter-clockwise. They are transparent and reflective - notice the images reflected are viewed through the shapes above. The creative action irradiated by the Word continues and develops into all the varied manifestations of life. Its sign is a curving spiral - a pattern of the universe representing the cosmic forces in action - the mystic Center and the unfolding of creation. Without the hieros gamos the continuous process of creation and preservation of the universe would be inconceivable. The union of the two worlds, or the zone of intersection and interpenetration (the world of appearances), is represented by the mandorla, an almond-shaped figure formed by two intersecting circles. The zone of existence symbolized by the mandorla, embraces the opposing poles of all dualism. The hieros gamos is signified by the number five, since it represents the union of the principle of heaven (three) with that of the Magna Mater (the Great Mother) (two). In this piece, I have given it the shape of a five-petalled flower and the royal color purple. Five is the number of Man - and Man is the hieros gamos.