Illustration by Julie Z. Russo

 In Jewish mysticism, G-d takes the form of “El Shaddai” or mother of the mountains as defined by the female form as an embodiment of sustenance. Witnessing the display of the Northern Lights called the aurora borealis in Norway, the viewer marvels at the most spectacular light show on earth and reflects on a higher deity as the provider of creation.

 As both mothers and daughters, this Mother’s Day we celebrate the magic of our inheritance. Art provides a space for us to ponder the mysteries of life and the infinite expression of our individuality. In art, we find the great mother nurturer, the mother personified as a mermaid or sea monster, as a provider or temptress, attributes with positive and negative connotations. Faith helps us reconcile the tendency to think only in terms of black and white.

 As women we most often think of ourselves as consolers or providers in the care of our own mothers or our children as if we are still holding warm grains of sand in our palms from our time together on the beach. The ocean is symbolic of the origin of all life and our birthplace—the receptive yin that nurtures the creative yang. We feel most uplifted when we acknowledge the miracle of the cosmos, and our unique place within it as mothers or daughters or both. Happy Mother’s Day.