Like a rainbow scarab, Cleopatra came in colors. A multi-faceted woman - goddess, queen, mother, lover - her iridescent shades varied depending on the angle and point of view, always changing, always magnificent. A crisis leader pur sang, Cleopatra’s colors shone brightest during times of trouble. “Have faith, take courage,” she would tell her people, dazzling in gold and vivid green emeralds, her eyes painted blue like the shimmering Nile. Standing in the blazing sun, arms outstretched, Cleopatra would invoke the scarab-headed God of the Morning Sun Khepri. What better symbol of hope and rebirth? After all, pushing the sun across the sky every dawn - like a beetle rolling a ball of dung - Khepri promises light after darkness, no matter how long and gloomy the night. I’m not surprised that Cleopatra is reaching out to us now, reminding us of our chance to be reborn, again and again. “In challenging times, dare to recreate yourself,” she urges us across many centuries and empires. “And you will shine brighter than ever, in your unique rainbow of brilliant colors.”