Moon Minders – New Moon 

This is Michael Parkes' enigmatic "Moon Minders - New Moon," though made in our time, it whispers of ancient rites. Here, a figure reminiscent of a Renaissance courtier carries a crescent moon with a human face. The moon, a potent symbol across cultures, embodies cyclical change, fertility, and the subconscious. This "man in the moon" evokes lunar deities, like the Greek Selene or the Mesopotamian Sin, gods embodying nocturnal observation, and the passage of time. Consider the enduring image of Diana the huntress, often depicted with a crescent moon headdress, a motif resurrected countless times in art and literature. The new moon, held in the figure's hand, marks a period of growth, a time of reflection. The act of holding it suggests a profound understanding of these powerful cycles, an ability to manipulate these natural rhythms. This image touches upon a primal human desire: to control the uncontrollable, to navigate the shifting tides of fate. This deep, subconscious level is a powerful force that continues to engage viewers across time.