The Latifa is an ancient Sufi prayer that connects us with the essence of our being. It brings us closer to our (higher) Self, and is a great aid for discovering what truly moves us. Its beauty lies in its simplicity and the combination of words with a movement of the hands over the body.
Artist Maïmouna Guerresi’s series Giants is inspired by the “greatness and spiritual beauty” of African Muslim saints
THE STAR, MOROCCAN DESIGN AND THE 8 POINTED STAR. The star card has to be one of the loveliest in the Tarot deck. It holds much promise, dreams fulfilled, a bright future, refinement and beauty. Imagine my delight and intrigue as I discovered possible links to Morocco, a personal soul place and the 8 pointed star including the teachings of Ibn Al Arabi with our beautiful Tarot star. Firstly, if the star is the trump 17 then 1+7=8. On many depictions in the star there is indeed a star with 8 points. The 8 pointed star is the star of Venus and 8 years is the length of a full cycle of Venus. It is also called the star of Ishtar, a goddess of war, fertility, love and sex who was worshipped in Babylon around 2,000BCE. We must also include Sumerian Innana, goddess of light, love, life and death.She was linked to the morning and evening star. Both goddesses were deities of many dualities (we can see traces of this influences in the 2's of the Tarot minor arcana, especially 2 cups.) The 8 pointed star was upheld as a symbol before the formation of Islam. Images of it were discovered in Ur as an 8 petalled rosette. Babylonian star cult is the core and archetype of ancient astrology. The Greeks recognised Venus as evening and morning star 1,500 years after the Sumerians. Sumer is located where several civilisations converged and the symbol migrated into other cultures. Abraham, the father of monotheistic faiths was in Ur. Islam inherited pagan symbols as did other religions to accomodate astrology (astrotheology). Astronomy plays an important part in Islam. Stars were seen as part of creation and ancient symbols supported the Islamic view of creation. Planetary aspects determined times and places for prayer. Muslim scholars poured over Greek learning. Pythagoras played an influential part in all of this. Islamic art grew from the study of geometry. The idea being to seek to understand creation, not to worship it but to honour the creator. In Morocco you can still find representations of this geometry in the Khatim and the zillij image of the star. This image is particularly resplendant in Fes. A Moroccan city that goes back a couple of thousand years and it's long history can still be observed in the Medina. These mosaics were often on fountains and public drinking water taps. This four fold construct is the design for a more contemporary fountain, again in Fes. 8 is an important number to Sufi mystics who had an appeal in North Africa. One of the most famous being Ibn Al Arabi, a C12 sufi master and cosmologist. He said; '' All phenomena are nothing but manifestations of Being, which is one with God. '' His diagram is form symbolised by the square. Expansion is symbolised by the square with triangles pointing outwards, contraction is symbolised by square with triangles pointing in. The two star shapes together are the cycle of creation; 'the breath of compassionate', one of the 99 names of God and the highest pronouncable. The diagram is effectively a cosmological model of polarities that manifest form....( those 2's again!!). Moroccan ornamentation carries these patterns although the flag is now a 5 pointed star, the seal of Solomon, but in mediaeval times it would have had 8 points. The Khatim, (star mosaics) stand for interconnectedness, faith and ultimate harmony in creation, also the highest virtues in Moroccan culture. Learning, faith, community and love of beauty......it just about sums up the beautiful qualities of our Tarot trump 17, the Star card.
Artist Maïmouna Guerresi’s series Giants is inspired by the “greatness and spiritual beauty” of African Muslim saints
What do Sufis believe about music? What is the purpose of music in Sufism? Is Sufi music allowed in Islam? and more...
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Photographs inspired by Sufi spirituality by artist Maïmouna Guerresi
Artist Maïmouna Guerresi’s series Giants is inspired by the “greatness and spiritual beauty” of African Muslim saints
Photographs inspired by Sufi spirituality by artist Maïmouna Guerresi
Artist Maïmouna Guerresi’s series Giants is inspired by the “greatness and spiritual beauty” of African Muslim saints
Why settle for a conventional wedding when you can weave the magic of bohemian chic into your special day? Boho weddings, with their unique blend of elegance, whimsy, and earthy vibes, offer a dreamy alternative that can make your celebration stand out. This article unveils 25 captivating boho wedding ideas that promise to infuse your nuptials with charm and individuality. From ethereal floral arrangements to rustic outdoor settings, get ready to explore how you can turn your wedding into a mesmerizing, free-spirited festivity that reflects your true essence and style. Wildflower Wonderland Embrace the beauty of nature with a Wildflower
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What do Sufis believe about music? What is the purpose of music in Sufism? Is Sufi music allowed in Islam? and more...
