Hello friends,

Has anyone heard of or even attended Santa Fe’s Burning of Zozobra? I first experienced it when I lived in Santa Fe back in the 80’s. It’s an annual tradition in the City Different, and it’s a big deal. I don’t know if I’ll make it this year. But when I read that on August 29, 2025, the Burning of Zozobra will enter its second century with a steampunk theme, I was inspired to participate by illustrating my own Zozobra. On the weekend of Aug 22-24, this piece will be exhibited as part of the Zozofest Art Show at the Santa Fe Place Mall on Cerillos. Maybe you or someone you know will be in Santa Fe to attend. I hope you’ll see the show. If not, I wanted to share my contribution.

Now seemed to be an appropriate time to participate in this powerful ritual for releasing heartache, pain, trauma, fear, and suffering. The Burning of Zozobra symbolically carries messages to the spirit world, creating a tangible connection between the physical and non-physical. This year, Satwant and I experienced the untimely deaths of a dear friend and our beloved 18 year old granddaughter. And of course, we are all living through an intense time of unbelievable change in the world. For me, this intense image of a vintage robot-like Zozobra symbolizes the alienation that results as technology and AI quickly replaces generations of human connection. Lightning bolts are the shock of it all. The flames are the purifying fire of surrender and rebirth. Santa Fe’s Cathedral Basilica of St Francis Assisi reminds us of Eternal Love.

If you’d like to know more, Rory Macpherson’s 2024 100th Anniversary article describes the spiritual and cultural significance of the Burning of Zozobra. It represents release and letting go, cleansing and purification, transformation and rebirth, offerings and sacrifice, catharsis, closure, and manifestation.

Love, light, and blessings.