“SIGNS, SYMPTOMS AND SYMBOLS” - By Peter Farrington

In 2008 I uprooted myself and moved to the other side of the planet after finally giving in to the steady stream of clear signs I had been receiving for over 1 year. My comfortable and fulfilling life focused on the environment and family in Canada soon became one filled with mystery and wonders.  Immediately upon my arrival in Oman I took to photography, and soon started painting, inspired by the many incredible trips around the country with Omani and expat friends.  I even coauthored an archaeological study I did with a still close friend from the Czech Republic.  Then I moved to Dubai; an experience I cherish so much.  This was a real step up in terms of energy. Crazy, amazing times. Not surprisingly, my spiritual awareness began to rise.  The signs grew in strength and frequency. My paintings were like Tarot Cards.  It couldn’t get any more dramatic than this I thought.  But this was just a warm up it seems for March 2020, when the Covid19 virus officially arrived.  Suddenly the signs changed to symptoms.  We were in lock-down, social distancing, wearing masks and gloves, disinfecting everything in sight while doing our best to work or study at home, for those lucky enough to. To say many were feeling nervous and fearful is an understatement, especially given the ever changing and conflicting news about this threat, which seemed to spread in all directions faster than the virus itself. Instead of years for societal shifts to unfold, this one took but a few weeks.  Instead of an event affecting only me and my family; this one was touching everybody and every living thing on the Planet.

I have lived mostly on my own for the past 12 years and rarely pay attention to the news; meaning adapting to lock-down was a simple transition physically, mentally and emotionally.  My office shifted well to remote working and the level of ongoing support from management and colleagues to this day has been high.  And while symptoms of the virus were present every day, and in every way in our lives, I count myself as one of the lucky ones in most regards. It has been an intriguing time to observe and feel Covid-19 impacts.  Shortly after the lock-down started  I began to wonder if I was experiencing  signs or symptoms?  Was one replacing the other or were both acting together?  The energy was far, far different.  And things were really changing, evolving.  It was a bit confusing but also exhilarating. 

My habits, interests and thoughts changed too. In March I did one painting, then stopped. The desire and feeling disappeared totally forever 3 months, a record for me by 2 months since I started painting 7 years ago. The energy I was feeling now was too intense, too fast, too dynamic to capture on canvas.  The skies were stunning, nature was everywhere; overwhelming. By the time I had started one of my paintings, which I do intuitively, the feeling had shifted massively several times. So much so that the final product was a complex and confusing layer of imageries.  I began photograph. A lot as I tuned into my environment. I used the built in phone apps to explore the photos revealing many wondrous forms, like hidden messages. I stopped eating flesh of any kind, soon eggs followed and now no more cheese and cow’s milk. I can’t explain why, it just happened. The world opened up on line. I spent many hours chatting and listening to people in Argentina, Oman, Canada, USA, Italy, Colombia, and India; wonderful the way these connections happened.

But then last week I had the urge to paint again. Wow! Without thinking or planning (which is my normal approach), I quickly painted star or cross like symbols on my two small canvases.  I had no idea why, but I continued to follow this direction. I wondered what these paintings meant; I ask out loud to myself now as a habit.  Soon I got the answers from random You tube videos that popped up an hour or so later. Everything happening so fast now. The symbols I painted were just like the portals in the movie I was watching.  When lined up properly they open a gateway to another place and time. It made so much sense. This is where I believe we are at now on this planet.  We are in this state of transition from one-way of being and life to another. Covid19 has been an important and necessary catalyst for this. I have little doubt. So, I wonder what is next? Perhaps my next painting or those of other artists will provide some clues.  Can’t wait.

- PETER FARRINGTON