Cave of Wonders without/with annotation

This piece portrays the history and possible history of life on earth and beyond. As you travel up the painting you travel through time and the major epoch's of the evolution of life on earth.

Where each species is painted is the point in history that species came into evolution up until the communication age then it is hypothesis of possible alternate future and far future. 

Based on Plato's analogy of the cave; the painting shows whats in the cave but illustrates another level of reality; depicted as a fountain of infinite conscience energy streams; streaming off into multiple universes. The painting alludes to another layer above the layer above the cave; "even gods have gods."

In the background can be seen layers starting with a mandala of the seed of life as the first circle with seven greater circles with greater number of circle; the first circle 6 petals, the second 8 petals, 3rd circle 10 petals and so on addition of two circles up to the 7th circle. These represents the holonic nature of the universe. and how from the perspective of a part of a greater whole may not be aware the the greater whole; What beyond the cave?

Annotated Image