Tree of Life

Layered symbolism

Kypris Aster Drake commissioned this piece for the cover of her book, Shamanic Stress Relief: Six Gateways to a Happier Life. The symbols on each door come from the Six Gateways spiritual paradigm Kypris has created, as a way of breaking down the Shamanic path into practical tools for navigating life’s challenges. Are they doors to other secret gardens? The Seed of Life is a symbol she has adopted to represent this six-fold way, and I noticed when studying oak trees (which feature strongly in Druid symbolism) the spray of leaves on a branch sort of resemble the Seed of Life from certain angles.

I created the whole book design for Kypris Aster Drake’s Shamanic Stress Relief.