Polyphemus

Room 1:

The Polyphemus moth is named after the giant cyclops son of Thoosa and Poseidon in Greek Mythology.

The most notable feature of the moth is its large, purplish eyespots on its two hindwings. The eyespots give it its name. 

It seemed like the perfect place to start, as on a first glance, it represents diminished or reduced sight, which can bring about ‘fear’ about the unknown. As a general reflection of 2020, we can feel a parallel to that of the cyclops especially early on in the year, when we were facing the void of unknown with COVID. This perpetuated a shared feeling for many of us that our ‘sight’ had been robbed of us meaning that we couldn’t see or anticipate what was going to happen next. In saying that, the deeper symbology shows us that we may in fact be connected to deeper knowing and awareness. When one sense is diminished another sense is heightened and therefore perhaps we have a chance to see further and deeper than before by this blessing in disguise which allows us to connect and rely on our own intuition as a seer.

You sent December 7 at 10:45 AMThe ailanthus webworm (Atteva aurea) is an ermine moth now found commonly in the United States. It was formerly known under the scientific name Atteva punctella. This small, very colorful moth resembles a true bug or beetle when not in flight, but in flight it resembles a wasp. This chameleon ability to morph dependent on environment, such as in flight or on ground, is the perfect representation of the second room. It turns the focus not inward on the seer by outwardly on the observer, connecting observer with observed. 

This moth invites us to remember that we are not one thing, we have many layers and all these details and complexities make up who we are.