Healing physically and mentally have long been separated from each other in the world of Western medicine. But even when they are brought together, expectations have been placed on the mind to be able to heal the body, hence “mind over matter.”
But what if the reason the body or mind is expected to heal or change is not for the benefit of the individual, but rather for society at large to avoid making room for individual needs?
Expectations placed on a person can greatly affect how they see themselves and form their identities, and can unfortunately also be a source of tension and anxiety. Secret of the Star is a graphic novel that follows the story of a young gray wolf named Firefly and her older sister Thistle, who set out on a journey to find Star Cove, the place of miracles they believe will cure Firefly's heart condition. What they discover calls into question the true meaning of healing and illustrates how much the expectations of a society influences it.
At the end of the story, Firefly completes a character arc centering around her personal healing journey. This story reflects my experience as an autistic person trying to constantly prove myself and meet the expectations of the system I live in. Realizing in adulthood this was not a healthy or sustainable way to build an identity, I began working on this project as a way of processing my changing worldview. I have been able to make several strides towards resolving my anxieties around judgment during the six years I’ve been writing this story, which now represents a milestone in my personal development that is coming to a close. The realms of present/day and past/night shown in the paintings, which serve as the front and back cover of the graphic novel are marked with character motifs representing identity, spirituality, and healing. Secret of the Star concludes that there are no simple cures for the trials of life, and explores one character’s journey of identity revolution.
(Citation:
Fields, Rick et al. Chop Wood Carry Water: A Guide to finding Spiritual Fulfillment in Everyday Life.
(Los Angeles: Jeremy P. Teacher, 1984) 181-2.
