30.01.2020
This glorious artwork was painted in 1896 by the French artist Jean-Léon Gérôme and is entitled - in full - Truth coming from the well armed with her whip to chastise mankind.
It was one of a series of four paintings by the artist that personify Truth as a woman. In each painting Truth had either been hurled into, got stuck at the bottom or was clambering out of a well. The artist was inspired by the axiom of ancient Greek philosopher Democritus. His name translates to 'chosen by the people' and from this we get democracy. He proclaimed that in reality we know nothing; for the truth is in an abyss. Truth always exists within a cauldron space that alchemises, destroys and creates all at once, the definition of dark matter and the hallmark of shadow.
Truth is naked which often sees her derided, banned or blocked. She is portrayed unadorned and furious as she emerges from the well of nothings: lies and disfigurement, obscuration and denial. Because the most inconvenient thing about the appearance of Truth is how we deny her.
So it is all well and good to point at the astrology or the government, your boss or your partner and scream liar but it takes two to tango. We all use our illusions. The unvarnished and less self serving Truth is how we each hurl her to the bottom of our own well. How we deny our intuition - which always senses untruth - and abandon ourselves. Drape Truth in pretty veils of delusion that keep everybody except us happy and tip her once more over the back of our heads.
Truth - and indeed the well itself - lives and breathes within you. Knowing your truth as distinct is key. But understanding what keeps you from it - and how and why - is truth's holy grail.
This year will no longer permit the use of our red flags as blindfolds. Revolution rips them to pieces. Pointing the finger at others is easy pickings. The work lies in how you treat Truth when she emerges from your well. That isn't a fault in our stars, darklings. It is how you respond to Truth and her appearance that sets the tone for this week, this year and your life to come.
A lie gets halfway around the world before truth has a chance to put its pants on.
~ Winston Churchill
Words c. Kerrie Basha 2020
Can you handle the truth? Book a reading, a crossroad muse or a shadow sesh to lure her out of your well.