Martha Graham
Born this day in 1894... the mahatma of dance (mahatma is contained in the lexigram of her name), and definitely the largest influence in my artistic life. I have read "Blood Memory" at least a dozen times and never fail to draw new inspiration from Martha's words. She was a poet and writes just like she dances. With a Gemini ascendant, Moon in Leo and an Aquarius midheaven--she was a messenger full of fire and clearly way ahead of her time. I think we are just now beginning to appreciate her legendary quotes about the importance for the artist to keep the channel open. She danced from the depths of her bones and there was no separation between her sensations and her expression. Every gesture was immediate, deep and eternal. She credits her work with Jungian analyst: "Mrs. Wickes" in her autobiography as having had a deep impact on her evolution as a person and as an artist.
Here are some of my favorite excerpts from "Blood Memory":
I know my dances and techniques are considered deeply sexual, but I pride myself in placing onstage what most people hide in their deepest thoughts.
Moon-rise
Moon-full
Moon-set
which is the evocation of memory deliberately and
precisely done with no sense of tragedy.
Deep Dark
which is like a dark miracle where all is excluded
except the absolute of the struggle.
The ordeal of isolation, the ordeal of loneliness, the ordeal of doubt, the ordeal of vulnerability which it takes to compose in any medium is hard to face.
Faith seems an acceptance of a larger view of things and a less accented personal personal attitude. Faith is necessary and hope is not... I suppose grace can never arrive if hope is there, specific hope.
You are doom eager for destiny no matter what it costs you. And the artist is doom eager, but never chooses his fate. He is chosen, and anointed and caught.
I wonder how long one can stay on fire. It is a curious fire. At least I think I know what it does mean to burn slowly from within...to feel possessed by flame as to be infinitely hot and about to disintegrate into ash at any moment.
