Iberia and The Black Madonna

Guadalupe of Extremadura 

 

Art is a reflection of the evolution of human consciousness. It is also a reflection of human history. The Black Madonna for me is a reflection of the first thousand years of the Christian movement.

As humans were created to be the catalyst for the transformation of the Cosmos of Wisdom into the Cosmos of Love, we were given Freedom. To love involves freedom, as anyone who has experienced unrequited love will attest. But to have freedom, there has to be choice, and this was the reason for the introduction of evil into the world.

When Christ came, his purpose was to help us heal from all our freely chosen evil, for we would have been on a karmic cycle for infinity had he not. Ultimately the Cosmos of Love would never come to existence. The forces and legions of evil who had become accustomed to their earthly power were none too keen on this new development, and set to work immediately on thwarting new opportunities set into motion by the Christ Event. The main stumbling block to the widening Christ Impulse of love, freedom and equality was humanities affiliation with materialism. Materialism politically is expressed through power and greed. It is the main reason the Romans were so aghast against the early Christians, who simply were kind and loving to everyone. 

Constantine the Great decreed the official toleration of Christianity as a religion in the 4th Century, but he also knew of the power it represented. He co-opted the power by institutionalizing the movement. This concept became quite useful to secular power structures, specifically monarchies. As the centuries moved forward with the ever increasing connection between institutionalized religion entwining itself with monarchies, eventually there was quite a revolt against both. These movements resulted in the Protestant Reformation and various dynastic wars. 

On the Iberian Peninsula, there had been great conflicts over the invasion of Muslim conquerers. The resistance to such invasions took 700 years to complete, but it was finished by Ferdinand and Isabella in 1492. One of the only places the Muslims did not have control over was along the Northern Spanish Camino. This was also a place where the original Christ Impulse free from Roman influence flourished. There was an alternate liturgy, music, and of course The Black Madonnas dotted the landscape.

Could it be that these images along with the rituals and practice in the region represented a deep Christian mystery? Could it be these images were harkening to profound truths that challenged institutions?

The Iberian Peninsula was the embarking point for conquest, environmental degradation and religious persecution that spanned the globe. A counter to this stream was the healing message of The Black Madonna. As we face difficulties in our modern world, many that had their origins in the conquests initiated from this famed peninsula, let us look to the healing counter message of The Black Madonna for inspiration.