Prayer Ritual

This short clip was filmed by Susan Patterson.  Susan approached me and asked if she could film me at work in my studio.  I thought it might be interesting to film the prayer ritual which I do at the beginning and end of my day.

I start by taking off my shoes I then light candles and incense sometimes white sage.  The studio smells lovely and the incense also helps to hide the smell of rabbit skin glue when it is at its most pungent.  The wafting smoke is also symbolic of my prayer rising to the heavens.  My prayer table faces south and the only window that gets any sunshine.  I give thanks for the suns warmth especially in winter but I am very fortunate that I also have great central heating!

I continue my ritual by facing south and praying to the Divine, then to the west, the north, the east and then back facing south.  Sometimes as I move around I visualize different things.  While attending a shamanic ceremony in the Amazon in Peru I watched the shaman pray towards the four directions at the beginning of the ceremony.  Afterwards he said it was to open up sacred space and pray for protection.  When he prayed facing south he visualised a snake a symbol of the connectedness of all life. West he visualised a panther, the great protector which consumes any negativity.  North the hummingbird, a gatekeeper to the heavens and a messenger between worlds.  East the eagle or condor who grants great vision and wisdom.  When I finish praying to the four corners of the earth I also given thanks for the earth and the heavens.  I see myself as a tall strong tree with deep roots and long branches reaching for the stars.

I have to confess though that what you see in the video is a tame version of what I usually do!  Perhaps when I feel more confident I will film this.  Normally I have music playing, something with a little rhythm.  My movement is more exaggerated sometimes more dance like and occasionally I sing.  I even incorporate some yoga poses.  I don't feel I can start my work in the studio until I have prayed and practiced my ritual.  I believe it grants me a focus for what my time in the studio is for which is to allow the creative spirit to flow.  It is a discipline that needs structures  and rituals of support.  At the end of my day I again go to my prayer table this time to close down my sacred space praying in reverse direction and giving thanks for a creative day while also asking that I continue the same work out in the world.

Saint Paul and the Huia

Saint Paul and the Huia

In 2008 I had the great privilege of being based in a studio at St Paul's Cathedral.  The Canon's had commissioned me to write an icon of Saint Paul and so for the next year I worked away in a room in the north of the cathedral accessed by entering a cleaning cupboard in the Minor Canon's vestry and climbing a winding staircase up into a room that seemed quite hidden and forgotten by time.

Regan O'Callaghan Saint Paul's Cathedral London stair well

The icon was dedicated on the 16th November 2008 at Evensong by the Bishop of London and is displayed in front of the high altar of the Cathedral.

Below is a description of the icon.

"Saint Paul is seen holding his letters upon which Saint Paul's Cathedral is carried.  Above him is his tent and on his shoulder an exotic bird.  The Huia, an indigenous bird of Aotearoa ( New Zealand ) is clearly not a typical orthodox image, but I have included it for an important reason.  The Huia, above all other species in the forest, was sacred to Maori.  It was believed a gatekeeper to the seventh heaven and was also closely associated with the great chiefs of the land and only chiefs of distinction could properly wear its tail.  When it became rare, Maori declared it 'tapu' (sacred) but sadly this was not enough to save it as its tail feathers became sought after in Europe as well.  The Huia became extinct in the early part of the 20th century.  As well as its plumage, the Huia's call was very beautiful.  The Huia that sits on Saint Paul's shoulder, reminds us that even though its song has been silenced, we are all still called to listen for the inspired beauty of God's song found in creation and Holy Scripture.  The flowers on St Paul's tent encourage us to smell the sweet scent of heaven.  St Paul himself looks directly at you the viewer.  He waits to hear what you have to say.  His hand which is about to bless points towards heaven and also appears to be waving.  The swirling pattern on his right side is the 'koru'.  This is an image inspired by an unfolding fern frond and it symbolises eternal life.

High Altar St Paul's Cathedral.

www.nzherald.co.nz/arts/news/article.cfm?c_id=544&objectid=10697341

www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2008/07/14/offscreen_feature.shtml

Patronal festival Saint Paul, icon, huia, gold leaf, saint paul's cathedral

St Paul Patronal 2011 - Day of the Phoenix

Photo by Graham Lacado.