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Phoebe Anna Traquair: A Visionary of the Celtic Revival

In a letter to her nephew, Phoebe Anna Traquair writes:

“To the artist, be he the poet, painter or musician, the world is a great treasure house, stored with endless material for him to use, teach yourself to match the beauty of red-lipped buds, sunlight through green leaves, the yellow gorse on the hill, the song of the wild birds, so on, step by step, the world opens out. This is life. This is to live, the perfection comes when one’s own life is in harmony with this beauty” 

I recently stumbled upon an artist of remarkable depth and vision—though, in truth, I had already encountered her work without realizing it. For some time, I have been captivated by The Progress of the Soul, a breathtaking four-panel tapestry that speaks to the very essence of transformation and spiritual evolution.

Yet, until now, I had been unable to find other works in a similar style, and for good reason—the original source where I discovered the image had misattributed the piece! No wonder my search had felt like chasing shadows. But now, with her name illuminated before me, I am uncovering the brilliance of an artist whose legacy is far more expansive and profound than I first imagined.

THE PROGRESS OF A SOUL
  • The Progress of a Soul: The Entrance, 1895 (Panel One) Silk and gold thread embroidered on linen

This is the first from a suite of four embroidered panels which follow the journey of the human soul to heaven. It illustrates the happy stage of hope and innocence when the soul is in tune with nature, unaware of the realities of life. The theme was inspired by a performance of Richard Wagner’s opera Parsifal, which premiered in Germany in 1882. It was also loosely based on Denys L’Auxerrois (1887) by Walter Pater (1839-1894), a tale about the god Dionysus living as a priest in medieval France.

  • The Progress of a Soul: The Stress, 1897 (Panel Two) Silk and gold thread embroidered on linen

Here the forces of evil begin to invade the soul’s world and destroy all precious, living creatures. Hands reach out for flowers, birds and even the soul’s tunic, while a snake entwines one leg. The figure is reminiscent of both Orpheus (with his lyre) from Greek mythology and Denys l’Auxerrois. Pater described Denys, a character in a 13th-century tapestry, as a flaxen and flowery creature, sometimes well-nigh naked among the vine leaves … with all the regular beauty of a pagan god’.

  • The Progress of a Soul: Despair, 1899 (Panel Three) Silk and gold thread embroidered on linen

Pater described Denys l’Auxerrois as a ‘suffering, tortured figure’. – Traquair provided her own explanation of the embroideries, asserting that in this scene ‘frustration, disillusionment and despair have gained the upper hand’. She employed a vast range of coloured silks for each panel, using traditional and more fashionable stitches to create the rich, textured effect. They included laid and couched work (also used in the 11th-century Bayeux Tapestry) for the vine leaves.

  • The Progress of a Soul: Victory, 1902 ( Panel Four) Silk and gold thread embroidered on linen

Here the human soul is welcomed into heaven, awoken from death with a kiss from a red winged angel. According to Phoebe Anna Traquair, this final panel symbolised ‘ultimate salvation by the grace of Higher powers, rather than the merits of the individual’. She based the design around Pater’s description, not of Denys, but of a ‘wine-god who had been in hell’. As customs labels on the back of each panel confirm, all four embroideries were exhibited at the St Louis Exposition in the USA in 1904.

Phoebe Anna Traquair

Phoebe Anna Traquair was a force within the Celtic Revival and the Scottish Arts and Crafts Movement of the early twentieth century. Though celebrated as a Scottish artist, she was, in fact, born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1852. Her artistic journey began at the School of Design in Dublin, where she honed her craft before moving to Edinburgh in 1874. This relocation came after her marriage to Dr. Ramsay Traquair, a distinguished naturalist who would later serve as the Keeper of Natural History at Edinburgh’s Museum of Science and Art.

Traquair’s work was deeply influenced by the Pre-Raphaelites, William Morris, and the Arts and Crafts Movement, as well as the visionary mysticism of William Blake and the luminous storytelling of early Italian Renaissance painters—the very period that inspired the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood (so named for their reverence of art before Raphael). She corresponded with the eminent critic John Ruskin, was a friend of William Holman Hunt, and, through sheer dedication, carved out a career that earned her international acclaim as an artist, designer, and craftswoman.


Phoebe Anna Traquair

Her body of work is staggering in its range and ambition. While she produced a number of traditional paintings on canvas and panel, her artistry extended far beyond conventional boundaries. She was a master of mural painting, book illumination, embroidery, enameling, and tapestry, infusing each medium with an almost sacred quality—her work radiates with spiritual symbolism, intricate storytelling, and a sense of the divine feminine.

An incredibly skilled embroiderer, Phoebe Anna Traquair produced a body of stunning tapestries, including The Salvation of Mankind:


Phoebe Anna Traquair

Phoebe Anna Traquair

Perhaps most astonishing is the sheer scale and vision of her mural work, particularly in Edinburgh. She transformed spaces into realms of transcendence, painting vast ecclesiastical frescoes that shimmer with otherworldly beauty. Her most famous murals, including those in Mansfield Traquair Church, have been likened to the Scottish equivalent of the Sistine Chapel—testament to her ability to fuse art, myth, and spirituality into something truly divine.


Phoebe Anna Traquair

Phoebe Anna Traquair

Her legacy, once overshadowed by misattribution and historical oversight, is now being rightly reclaimed. The more I learn about Phoebe Anna Traquair, the more I feel she was not only an artist but a visionary—a woman who painted with a soul that spanned across time, bridging the mythic past with the ever-evolving present.

Have you encountered her work before? If not, I encourage you to dive into the luminous world she created—it is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Heart to Heart, Elizabeth

God Is Grand, God is Great

The Mystery Beyond Our Reality

There is a phrase that lingers in my heart—“God is grand.”  (Also known as God is Great) Simple words, yet they point to something so vast, so beyond comprehension, that they feel more like an invitation than a definition. An invitation to wonder. To surrender. To acknowledge that the Divine is moving in ways far beyond what my human mind can grasp.

When I say “God is grand,” I don’t just mean that the Divine is powerful or magnificent, though of course, that is true. It is more than that. It is the unseen hand shaping realities we cannot yet perceive, the silent architect weaving destinies, the intelligence guiding the rise and fall of universes. It is the force that exists beyond time and space, beyond even the stories we tell ourselves about what is real.

In my work, I often speak of the Divine Living Presence—Living Goddess the radiance that moves within us, the breath of creation itself. But this phrase, “God is grand,” feels even bigger and also suggests that God is rich in Mercy. It carries the weight of something that cannot be contained in language. It reminds me that no matter how much I seek to understand, there will always be a mystery beyond the veil, a presence so immense it can only be felt, never fully explained.

There is comfort in that. In knowing that even when I cannot see the movement, the movement is happening. Even when I don’t understand the changes unfolding in my life or in the world, they are part of something greater. I do not need to grasp every detail, because the Divine is always at work—aligning, creating, transforming.

And so, I surrender to the grandness of it all. I let go of needing to comprehend, and instead, I allow myself to be held by the vast, unknowable presence that we call God. The force that is always guiding, always moving, always beyond—and yet somehow, always within.

Because God is grand, God is Great !
And that is more than enough.

Heart to Heart and Blessings Abound

The Two Paths of Power

Addiction, Collapse, or the Rise of Light Leadership

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the nature of power—how it manifests, what drives it, and, most importantly, what happens when it is pursued without alignment to a higher purpose. Power, in its essence, is neither good nor bad; it is simply a force. But like all forces, it takes on the qualities of those who wield it. And here is where the great divide occurs. There are two fundamental paths that power can take—one driven by the hunger of the shadow and the other guided by the wisdom of the light.

The Shadow Path: Power as an Addiction

When power is sought after, it begins to operate like an addiction. The first taste ignites a rush—an intoxicating mix of adrenaline, dopamine, and a sense of invincibility. Those who chase power for personal gain often find themselves in a cycle of ever-increasing hunger, needing more influence, more control, more recognition to sustain the high.

This is the path of shadow leadership, where power is pursued not to serve, but to dominate. It is power hoarded rather than shared, manipulated rather than offered, used as a weapon rather than a gift. On this path, leaders often fall into one of two traps—implosion or explosion.

  • Implosion occurs when power is unstable—when it lacks true foundation, wisdom, or purpose. A leader driven by ego and insecurity may rely too heavily on others, using manipulation and coercion to hold onto influence. They create confusion, distractions, and drama to maintain their grip, but without genuine cohesion, their authority crumbles. Betrayals, miscalculations, and internal discord lead to collapse. Power, when rooted in instability, eventually turns inward and destroys itself.
  • Explosion happens when power-hungry individuals gain momentum. If their thirst for dominance is mirrored by those around them, they build an empire of control, pushing forward with brute force. This kind of power grows rapidly, but recklessly, crushing opposition and consolidating influence. Yet power accumulated without balance always reaches a breaking point. When the pressure becomes too great—whether through resistance, rebellion, or the sheer weight of unchecked ambition—it explodes outward, shattering everything in its wake.

Both paths—whether implosion or explosion—end the same way: destruction. Power that is not aligned with wisdom, service, and integrity will either consume itself or be consumed by the forces it underestimated.

Archetypal Power: Shadow vs. Light

Power is always expressed through an archetype—a fundamental pattern of human experience. Every archetype has both a shadow and a light expression, and the way power is wielded determines which side is activated.

Here are a few examples:

THE KING can be benevolent or destructive—a true king serves his people, creating stability, prosperity, and harmony. A tyrant, on the other hand, seeks to control, dominate, and instill fear, ruling through force rather than wisdom.

THE HERO can be altruistic or egotistic—a hero who serves a greater cause becomes a source of inspiration and change. But when the hero fights only for their own glory, they fall into arrogance, making reckless decisions and turning their journey into self-destruction.

THE HEALER can resurrect or victimize—a healer aligned with light restores and empowers. But a healer in shadow may manipulate pain, fostering dependency rather than healing, keeping others wounded to maintain control.

This duality exists in all archetypes. The path one chooses determines whether their power contributes to evolution or collapse.

The Light Path: Power as Sacred Responsiblity

There is another way. Power, when aligned with wisdom, compassion, and a higher purpose, does not implode or explode—it expands. It moves through those who recognize that true leadership is not about control, but about a deeper responsiblity.

This is Light Leadership—where power is not a drug, but a calling. It is power displayed in service of something greater than the self, guided by integrity, humility, and a deep connection to ones purpose.

  • Power aligned with divine wisdom is stable. It does not need to manipulate, because it inspires. It does not need to control, because it empowers. Those who walk this path are not afraid of losing power, because they understand that true power flows, rather than stagnates.
  • Power rooted in service creates rather than consumes. Light Leadership does not demand submission but invites participation. It seeks to uplift rather than oppress. It does not hoard power but distributes it, ensuring that influence is used for the benefit of all rather than the gain of one.

The difference between shadow and light leadership is not in the amount of power held, but in the intent behind it.

  • Shadow leadership sees power as possession. It must be controlled, guarded, and wielded to serve the self.
  • Light leadership sees power as a conduit. It flows through, meant to be shared, expressed, and used for the healing and evolution of the whole.

The Choice: Feeding the Void or Expanding the Light

At the core of all power is a question: What is it serving?

Shadow power serves emptiness—a void that can never be filled, no matter how much influence, wealth, or control is accumulated. This is why those who pursue power for themselves are never satisfied. They devour, but are never full.

Light power serves truth. It does not seek validation, because it is already whole. It does not need to dominate, because it understands that true power does not come from force, but from alignment with something greater.

We each have a choice in how we display power. Will we take the path of addiction, collapse, and destruction? Or will we rise, not for ourselves, but for the world?

The greatest leaders are not those who take power, but those who become vessels for it. They lead not with control, but with clarity. They do not seek to be worshiped, but to uplift. They do not hoard influence, but ignite it in others.

This is the path of Light Leadership. And in a world on the brink of transformation, it is the only power that will last.

Heart to Heart, Elizabeth

If you are inspired by what you’ve read?

You can dive deeper into your transformation by exploring my coaching sessions, workshops, and retreats. Let’s co-create a future where you step fully into your Souls Purpose. ~ You can visit my services or workshops and retreats to begin your journey today!

What if the ART of ALCHEMY is LOVE?

Is the Vibration of LOVE Simply the Coherence of Creation?

Often, we limit our understanding of “Love” to romantic relationships. But what if Love is something far greater—an all-pervasive, living energy that surrounds our planet and fuels the very act of creation? We know that heart-to-heart connections generate unity, but Love, in its highest form, is a co-creative force—far beyond the unconscious act of reproduction.

What if every connection we make is, in essence, a loving relationship? The depth of Love we invest in our vocations, our purpose, and our daily experiences fuels not only our creativity but the very essence of our existence.

We all have access to this boundless, powerful energy, yet we often fear it. The frequency of Love touches every aspect of life—our families, friendships, work, passions, environment, and even our relationship with the planet itself. We continually express what we love and what we resist. But what if Love is more than an emotion—what if it is the very substance that sustains the universe?

Could it be that what we call GOD is simply the force of Love itself? And that we are naturally wired to create coherence—to generate more Love, more Light, more of the divine essence that I call The Christos Sophia?

Throughout life, we oscillate between two fundamental energies: Love, which equates to LIFE and LIGHT, and Fear, which can manifests as DEATH and DARKNESS. But is it truly Love that we fear? Or is it our own resistance to Life and Light? For some, it seems easier to remain disconnected from Love, Light, and the Divine, rather than surrender to a frequency so powerful that it might actually be sustaining the entire cosmos.

For me, my guiding mantra is this: “I Love The Christos Sophia First.”

When I say these words, something profound happens:

  • First, I feel an instant connection to a source that loves me unconditionally.
  • Then, I feel a deep acceptance of myself and greater compassion for others.
  • Next, I sense a powerful assurance that all things good flow from this connection.
  • Finally, I intuitively know that this feeling generates more Love, more Light, more divine presence.

Perhaps the alchemy of turning lead into gold is simply a metaphor for perfecting Love—both within and without. It is the divination of matter and spirit, the merging of the human with the divine.

This understanding is not foreign to artists, visionaries, and creators. When we immerse ourselves in the process of bringing something new into existence, we form a sacred bond with it—we Love it into being. And through that Love, we seek perfection, wholeness, and expression.

This “becoming one with” is the essence of true alchemy. It is the sacred formula of transformation, requiring surrender—both of the Self and to Love itself. A true alchemist must undergo sacrifice, purification, and release of the ego-self, for at the heart of Great Work lies a singular truth:

Artist: Federico Infante

The ART of ALCHEMY is LOVE

It is the science of the Soul, the bridge between humanity and divinity, the understanding of the nature of the cosmos, the earth, and the human spirit.

For millennia, the sages, saints, and shamans have sought to harness this power—giving it names, rituals, and symbols. But in essence, they were all discovering the same truth: Love is the greatest force of all.

And this power is not beyond us—it is within us. We are hardwired to generate this miraculous force. Perhaps the ancients were right when they taught: “We must Love and acknowledge our Source first, above all else.”

It makes perfect sense. If we were created by a force fueled by Love, of course, we would Love that Source first.

Heart to Heart, Elizabeth

 

Why do we suffer so?

Do you sit down on a regular basis and get crystal clear on these two questions 

“What is my VISION, What is my PURPOSE?”

We suffer because there is a lack of resonance or alignment!

What I mean is that in order to be successful, happy, and passionate about your vocation or vision, you need 3 layers of alignment… which Iʼll share with you below.

1. What You Are Doing – You have to feel really good about yourself and what your business is about. Do you feel like itʼs making a difference in the world? Do you enjoy what you do? Are you adding value? If you would rather be talking about transformation, but instead youʼre stuck talking about sales – you will suffer.

2. How You Are Doing It – The way you demonstrate your leadership has to be congruent with your lifestyle and values. If you see yourself as a spiritual person and yet you donʼt have any time to practice the tools that keep you in that flow of energy – this will cause you to suffer. If you are using tactics or methods that are out of integrity – this will cause you to suffer. If you are making decisions from a “that’ll do” place – this to will cause you to suffer. The way in which you run and operate your business must be in alignment with your truth.

3. Who You Are Doing It With – Are the people you serve and the people on your team the type of people you truly want to help? Iʼve come to realise this is one of the biggest breakdowns in the alignment equation. If your business is built around serving a tribe (customers) that you actually donʼt want, because they complain, donʼt take responsibility, or are out of integrity, or the people on your team are not congruent with the principles of the over all vision – you will suffer.

Truth is, when the people factor is out of alignment with whatʼs true for your vision and vocation – you will definitely suffer.

And before we move on, letʼs clear something up.

Being in alignment doesnʼt mean that you wonʼt experience conflict, challenges, or obstacles. It simply means that you will FEEL more qualified, ready, and prepared to handle them when they arise.

SO, hereʼs what you can do to make the necessary changes to your life and vocation.

Start by asking yourself if you have alignment in these three areas. If the answer is yes, you are moving in the right direction. If the answer is no, understand that you may suffer a little until a change is made (and the only way to stop the suffering is to create alignment).

So do whatever it takes to let go, correct and transform. Then find the people, circumstances and pathways where and who you can be congruent with. Look for mentors and teachers who can show you the way.

I have come to see (over and over again) that when you experience whatʼs possible by being in the presence of someone who is a few steps ahead… you gain the strength and focus to change FASTER!

Itʼs not so much about the knowledge (though that is useful), itʼs more about trusting in yourself and trusting that true alignment/synergy is indeed possible, because you have actually experienced it first-hand.

  • Donʼt sit in your suffering.
  • If something needs to change, do it now.
  • You will never be fully prepared.
  • Circumstances will never be perfect.
  • Youʼre OK… Itʼs time… Start now.

Inspired by what you’ve read? Dive deeper into your transformation by exploring my coaching sessions, workshops, and masterclasses.

Let’s co-create a future where you step fully into your purpose. Visit my services to begin your journey today!

Heart to Heart, Elizabeth

Returning to What I Do Best

For years, I have woven my vocation into the digital landscape—crafting messages, tending to algorithms, and navigating the ever-growing demand for visibility. Yet, the relentless cycle of “feeding the machine” has become a burden, a distraction from my true purpose.

Social media thrives on endless seeking, comparing, and validation, keeping us tethered to screens rather than to our own creative wellspring. This no longer aligns with my path.

Bouncing between all the social media platforms—has fragmented my energy rather than allowing it to flow. Instead of nourishing my creativity, it has drained it. And my creativity is sacred to me; it is a life force that sustains me, the essence of my vocation, and something I know I must fiercely protect. When it is compromised, so too is the depth and integrity of my Spirit.

I gratefully hold a body of wisdom, teachings, and sacred tools designed to support transformation. And I no longer wish to pour my energy into a system that values speed over depth, and quantity over quality.

My soul craves something richer—genuine connection, meaningful exchange, the sacred unfolding of stories and beauty. I am returning to the heart of my work.

And so, I am stepping away from social media.

While this may mean reaching fewer people in the digital realm, I trust that the foundation I have built over the past three decades has already illuminated my path. 

I trust that those who seek my offerings will find me.

The modern world urges us to chase external stimulus, but I believe we are now being called to something much deeper and more valuable—to reclaim our true essence, our power, and to move with grace and intention in our conversations and exchanges.

This decision allows me to pour my energy into what holds meaning in my life—writing my blog, sharing my message and insights on my podcast THE CODE, dedicating myself to my books, courses, community gatherings and Living Goddess Coaching. These are the spaces where I can offer true value, where the Divine Living Presence flows freely, where transformation happens in its most potent form.

  • I choose beauty, depth, and longevity.
  • I choose the organic rhythm of life.
  • I choose the delight of authentic human interaction.

I trust in the Light of Divine Creation to guide this unfolding. And I look forward to continuing this journey in a way that honours the archetypal codes of my Soul—and of the Souls who choose to walk alongside me.

If you are inspired by what you’ve read?

You can dive deeper into your transformation by exploring my coaching sessions, workshops, and retreats. Let’s co-create a future where you step fully into your Souls Purpose. ~ You can visit my services to begin your journey today!

Heart to Heart, Elizabeth