This is a painting about courtship. The man rows his flower-filled boat to an island dwelling, symbolizing this new relationship. Note that this can be with another person, but it can also be with ourselves –the self-love and nurturing that is required for healing after a period of sustained sorrow. Filling our own hearts so that we can reenter the world in an expanded way that was not possible before the grief that reshaped us.

In dream analysis, rooms in a house represents aspects of one’s personality or emotional life. All are darkened here except for the warm glow from a single illuminated window. Perhaps it was from a previous loss that caused most of the lights to be dimmed. Yet hope and love remain – as witnessed by the lit upper room. The plants continue to blossom, in spite of sadness. And so he brings an offering of his own, a gift of wholeness, fresh and fragrant with potential.