Symbolic Cover Art for 'Big Magic'

Elizabeth's Gilbert's Big Magic truly changed the way I create and operate in the world as a professional creative. For this cover art I wanted to distilling the essence of Big Magic in a visual language of symbolism that captures the philosophical themes of this incredible book. After a great deal of research I settled on 12 unique symbols:

Throughout many cultures Cairns were placed to mark sacred spaces. Today they are used as an indicator that we are on the right path; that this is the place. By merging nature with the spark of creativity, Cairns invite us to honor the magic of mystery and impermanence.

Willow thrives close to water, an indicator of fertile ground, and regrows with vigor when cut back. This soft and graceful tree bends to accommodate challenging conditions for beneath the soil its roots grow with remarkable strength. It is a symbol of soft resilience and subtle, persistent vitality.

Ravens are custodians of ancient wisdom, harboring the secrets of creation and destruction. A trickster character in many Native American stories, these mischievous creatures beckon us to seek alternative paths and unearth hidden truths.

The Serpent leads us into the mysteries of the cosmos, calling on us to follow our intuition, explore new ideas and trust the pull forward as it beckons. This indicator of potency is a reminder that we must shed what no longer serves us to make space for what is to come.

Honeybee calls us to be diligent in our creative work, to develop sustainable energetic practices, and call on our community when the going gets tough. We are capable of incredible acts of generation through steady, humble determination and sustained energy, but we cannot do it alone.

A Knot signifies a steady union, connection and bond that lasts beyond trials and time. It is a symbol of devotion and an indicator of entanglement with forces beyond our understanding, calling us to meet the support we seek with equal strength and effort.

Symbolizing growth, learning, and awakening, Fiddlehead Fern contains a spiral, representing the cycle of life, expansive journeys, and a deep trust in the universe. Wherever we are in the process, we are folding and unfolding as we are meant to.

It begins with a Spark. The birth of an idea. A jolt of inspiration. You are on the precipice of something powerful and untold. You are called to work in collaboration with creativity, set your intentions and commit yourself to expansion.

Ginkgo is a symbol of duality, longevity and hope. Relating to the idea of yin and yang in Chinese herbalism, it is known for its profound endurance (four ginkgo trees survived the blast at Hiroshima and are still growing today.

The Oyster and it’s Pearl are an indicator of the power hidden deep inside us; a reminder that perseverance and resilience can transform a grain of suffering into luminous potential; that the pressures of life yield spectacular jewels over time.

Symbolizes the lightness of being and inviting us to seek out the sweet nectar of life, Hummingbird calls us to meet negativity wherever it creeps in with radical love. This capable little bird encourages us to develop our adaptability and resiliency while keeping a playful and curious outlook.

The potential for intense and meaningful creation is at Hand. We are called to meet the moment with receptivity, generosity and intention; to align our work with our values and create the world we wish to see.

I selected a bold, earthy font and color pallet of taupe, green, black and gold to convey the timeless message of this book and, after playing around with several layouts, chose to interweave my illustrated icons with the title. All of these choices were made with intention, in an effort to convey the subtle yet powerful message of Elizabeth's Gilbert's theories on creativity.