Vivid - Legend 2020

In the invitation to the newest Legend course, Shiloh Sophia invites us to examine what we are harvesting and what we've learned in 2020. In a bold move, she is offering Intentional Creativity® teachers the opportunity, after completing Vivid, to be licensed to offer this signature course to prospective students! 

As Shiloh began teaching the process we've come to know as Intentional Creativity, one of the first steps was a journey to reconnect with our Legendary Self in a several month course that includes journaling, visioning and painting. As the prerequisite for the Color of Woman teacher training, I first painted my legendary lady, Shanden'eah Star Path in 2105. 

Before taking Legend, I had the opportunity to take several local IC classes, from Elisabeth Friese-Mick and Heidi Moondancer; plus two online from graduates Flora Adobe and Jassy Watson. It was invaluable to have these in-person and small group experiences as a foundation for the course, and benefit from different teaching styles! And though I could include them in my initiate book, they didn't "count" toward the course.

Shanden'eah Star Path - 2015

Earlier this year, I again had the opportunity to paint Legend in the Oracle and Ally, and to help tend their online classroom. As in other years, some of the students began their IC journey in my classes. I'm excited at the prospect of offering the prerequisite course, both in person and virtually! 

Here are some of the students, and part of their stories: 

While I was still in Color of Woman, my friend Sepha Nisbet invited me to tea, to pick my brain about CoW. Long identifing as an artist, Sepha has taught watercolor, clay, and was offering Paint Night parties - but longed for the depth of creating with intention! She took my first Muse class and shared great practical suggestions for setting up and flow, and always asks the best questions! 

Sepha graduated from CoW 2016, and we co-facilitated many circles and classes before she took to the Road as a Travelling Artist. 

When it came time for Sepha to offer her 13 step class, Christy Cozby was one of the students, and I played harp and assisted. Christy came to another of our classes a couple of years later, then enrolled in CoW 2020, and will graduate November 1! 

I felt I'd come full circle to take Christy's 13 step class, Princess Silver Hands last month, virtually! I am so pleased with this small canvas and transformed princess! 

Linda Allen & Angie Delaplain began coming to classes from several hours away, both in McMinnville and at my friend Margot's in Corvallis, before deciding to enroll in Color of Woman! Linda competed the Red Thread Circle Guide program first, then decided to take the plunge and do CoW. They both took my spring 2019 class, Embracing Mother Gaia just before their CoW Quest began. 

They graduated fall of 2019, and Linda took the 2020 Cosmic Smashbook course, with founder Catt Geller! Linda co-facilitates most of my virtual Red Thread Circle, and has led several, Angie will lead her first this week! 

Another student in the Gaia class, Carol Fairbanks, has taken at least 4 classes with me, and attended numerous circles. An older student (78) Carol also has extensive art experience, and her paintings are phenomenal. She has taught paining and yoga, and is a dedicated environmentalist. She took my Harvest Queen and Wonder Woman classes last fall, shortly before enrolling in CoW 2020.

She chose Harvest Queen as the theme for her virtual class, which I also attended, and offered one of her other events via our RT Circle. She is graduating Nov 1 as well. 

Carol at Harvest Queen - 2019

In the summer of 2017, my friend Glenda's sister Sherry Rueger Banaka and I chatted on the way to Glenda's book reading, and the next week, Sherry contacted Shiloh for early enrollment! 

Sepha was one of the Art Doctors for Legend 2018, and with our local friends Sherry, Angie and Rema in the class, we decided to offer an open studio for those finishing recent paintings or in Legend. Gals loaded paint, brushes, and their big canvases in their cars to join us. Sherry graduated in 2018, and last fall we co-facilitated Grief to Gratitude. 

Sherry, Nadya, Rema and Angie 2018

Rema Tillet began coming to Red Thread circles several years ago, graduated from the Cosmic Smashbook training, offered by CoW graduate Catt Geller.

My cousin Leah Hankins has been a steady attendee of the Red Thread Circles, and also took Harvest Queen - she completed the Red Thread Guide certification in the summer, and I look forward to her presence and facilitating local circles soon!

 

I found it invaluable to have had in-person experiences as a foundation for the training, and have gotten wonderful feedback from the students who have gone on to take trainings themselves. There's a benefit from smaller classes, and experiencing different teaching styles! I am delighted at the opportunity for graduates of Color of Woman to "refresh" with Legend, and have the opportunity to be licensed to teach MYSTIC! 

 

    

Harvest Queen and Princess Silver Hands

 Last weekend felt like a Retreat, as two of my friends who are in this year's Color of Woman teacher training offered their required 13 step class - virtually! Carol Fairbanks has been a frequent student in my workshops and circles since 2016. I first met Christy Cozby in Sepha's certification class around the same time. 

Carol chose as her theme Harvest Queen, drawng from the Harvest Queen class I taught in person last fall. She scheduled her class over two sessions, so we'll meet again tomorrow. 

Heidi, Leah and Carol, fall 2019

Inquiries:

• What wisdom can I harvest from this year?
• What mature fruits are ready for harvest?
• What is ready to be Clipped?
• How can I make space for the next cycle?

I pulled the card Old man of Stories - Legba - asking, 'is the story one of healing? What will being balance and harmony?' (Rainbow Earth Tarot)

Underpainting 

For the underpainting, we chose 3 words and 3 colours to represent them - 'centered,' (Quinacridone violet and Dioxazine purple) 'renewal' (Green Gold and Yellow Oxide) and 'gratitude' (primary magenta)

Symbols: 

Apple, (fruitful harvest) spirals of life, wreath - crown, balance and wholeness

This week I revisited her face and expression, bringing in a looked Fae presence - and need to do loved listening/ journaling! We will gather again this Saturday, and delve deeper! 

*°*°*°*°*°*°*°*

Christy's class on Sunday was based on the tale of Princess Silver Hands, or the Handless Maiden - which she told beautifully! (Several of us weren't familiar with this tale)

• what gifts do your hands bestow?
• They are the "tools of tools," enabling you to feel and do.
• What do they hold, feel, grasp, fashion, give and receive? 
• What phases go with hands/restrictions? Sitting on my hands, hands are tied, waiting for a band out ... 
• How do we internalize the patriarchy, make a margin without all the information?

Our creativity grandmother, Lenore Thomas Strauss asked, "what ancient knowing lives within these hands?"

All the great stories are variations on the same story of challenge, journey into the underworld (forest) benefactors (a pear tree that offers its fruit, King, kind mother in law) initiating and renewal.

Sketch on the background

I appreciated the places in the story where in spite of challenges, our heroine is cared for, loved and nurtured. 

 

There's a pear tree in the background, and a bird nesting in her hair (I used reverse stencils on both paintings, the technique we learned in treesisters.) 

One theme in the story is a renewal of wedding vows with the King, after a seperation and misunderstanding, and a big celebration, lasting nine days and nine nights. 

Our Color of Woman SiStar Anna Corsini, from Florence, Italy, committed to continuing working with her lady over nine days! 

It is fun to see the shadows of the birch tree on my lady ... 

She's continuing to inform me as well. I look forward to what each of these paintings and process have to bring.

Happy Paint Party Friday! 

Rose Beads and Red Thread

June roses are so magical and I love those with old fashioned fragrance! 

Since my teen years, I've been making rose beads, you can read about my adventures here, and here. 

For yesterday's Red Thread Circle I led a group of 6 SiStars through the process, and everyone went home with at least a dozen beads in an egg carton! 

One SiStar shared a necklace she made when her son was young, strung with beads she'd made wrapping the petals around a toothpick, saying a prayer/wish for him as she wrapped each one. 

I have 5 fragrant roses: an old Moss from a pioneer cemetery, my family dark pink rose, a

Fragrant fresh rose petals

variegated   Rosa Mundi, with pink stripes on white, and two David Austin roses (Gertrude Jekell and Jude the Obscure) 

With the abundance of fresh petals, I gather petals daily, simply pulling loose petals off the centers, leaving the hips to develop. 

I filled my crockpot nearly to the brim, and added a splash of rose tea. I kept the spices simple, Garam Masala and some extra cinnamon, and began simmering three days before our gathering.

Rose tea : rose petals, rose geranium leaves, lemon verbena, yarrow and lavender, steeped in my little French press.

I'd turn the crock pot on, stir a bit, and leave it at the lowest setting for an hour. I did that a couple of times the first two days, adding a splash of liquid as needed. Late the second day, I ran then through my food processor, and returned the mash to the crockpot, heating and cooling again. Since many of the petals were pale, and the crock pot ceramic, the mash stayed pale. Using darker petals and exposure to iron makes darker mask and beads.

Rose petal mash after grinding

We had a delightful circle, with 4 of the 6 gals traveling 20 - 45 minutes to join us! One wore a necklace she'd made with beads filled with prayers and wishes for her son (now a teen!) She'd simple rolled petals around a toothpick! We each passed our necklace around the circle before beginning to craft the beads.

I brought fresh raspberries and strawberries (both in the rose family!) And two sun teas - one raspberry leaf with yarrow and lemon verbena from my yard, the other a ginger mango white tea. The chocolate was a delicious Honey Mamma bar, with rose petals and lavender! 

I brought shallow cups for our handful of mash (squeezing the juice back into the crockpot). We filled our cups, chatted while rolling our beads, and had plates for the finished beads. They will shrink as they dry, so make them about twice as big as you'd like them. (More details on the process here)

When we finished, we each had 1-2 dozen beads, and took then home in an egg carton or

A carton of Rose Beads

two!  Give the egg carton a shake to keep the beads from sticking, and pierce holes the next day. After our circle,  several of us went to a favorite restaurant, and then on to a drumming circle! What a lovely way to compete the day! 

When I got home, there was about 1/2 C of liquid with bits of mash in my crockpot, so I gathered a last round of fresh petals, and added them to the pot. Then got out a couple of jars of dried roses and petals, and separated petals from the stems and other pieces. 

Grinding dry petals: I fill the hopper of my seed mill, add a sprinkle of powdered Garam Masala and cinnamon, and whizz several times, then dump the powder into the top, and refill the hopper with whole petals, tip in the powder and grind again. I do that a couple of times, which makes for a finer grind! (I'm always learning!) 

- This was added to the pot, plus some more liquid, and heated (I may have left the crockpot on the warm setting all night, oops!! Could smell them in the morning - mmm!) So sometime today/this weekend I'll  grind them, then roll more beads!! I can think of worse things to do! 

Lastly, here's a sweet video Jodi shared with us - I love the way this Harper/ fairy women sings while rolling the beads! I'm a Harper as well, and the pale yellowish rose at the beginning looks like my Jude the Obscure (one of the Austin roses) 
If you are inspired to try it now - here is a tutorial on making 4-5 beads using a couple of dried roses! (Neither of these gals simmer their petals!) 

Jude the Obscure

Do you have a favorite memory/ use of summer roses?

Happy paint party Friday!! 

RT Circle Guide

Since she was a teen growing up in California's Bay Area, Artist Shiloh Sophia has been calling circles, gathering people, often "misfits and outcasts," inviting them to belong. In her art galleries, she often set up a station to create, and invited guests to do a project in art and inquiry. 

After a brief sojourn in art school, and resulting frustration with the focus on realistic painting, and scathing "critiques," she returned to her roots and independent study with her mentor, Master Painter Sue Hoya Sellers. (1936-2014) Sue invited everyone she knew to, "commit art," and Shiloh Sophia has taken that invitation literally.

After almost a decade of offering the Color of Woman Intentional Creativity program, which Hoya Sellers helped establish, Shiloh Sophia launched Red Thread Circle Guide training.  Around 50 women from around the world who are healed enough, and ready to call Red Thread Circles in their own communities are enrolled in the training. I am excited for these SiStars, and the beloveds who will be served. 

A Chinese Legend tells us a Red Thread connects us from before birth with those we're destined to meet. The thread may twist and tangle, but it won't break, and gradually draws us closer. We each have our own piece of the thread, what is ours to cause and create. RT circles help us identify our own piece, and to connect with others in our tribe. 

I have offered RT circles for the past three years, since my enrollment in the IC Color of Woman training, and am honored to be one of those offering support to this first RT Circle Guide training. 
Last night our monthly circle included 7 sisters and two Guides, including my 13 year old granddaughter. KK was my "guinea pig" for my first Red Thread Circle in 2015, helping me practice my first offering, a Cosmic Smashbook cover. 
Our inquiry art circle was what Renewal we are seeking this Imbolc season, what are we Devoted to? What title would we put on our "book?"

We created a small book, using 1/4 sheet of 90# watercolor paper, folded the long way and torn into two strips for a 6 page, single signature booklet. We used watercolors markers, and colored or Inktense pencils to create our covers, and red thread to tie the signatures. 

Inquiries:

•  Cover - what am I devoted to? What's my new Myth? What is my book Title?
• 1/2 - What is the challenge/ old story?
• 3/4 Middle - symbol / words of transformation 
• 5/6 - Renewal, devotion, resolution

 A Nation of Women With Wings 

These little booklets are easy to create, and could hold more signatures - here's a post on making a simple single signature booklet, and one for two or more signatures. This is a great project for any age and topic! Have you made booklets?  Post a link in the comments! 

My IC Guild cohort Sepha used three strips of folded paper for her booklet (for 10 inside pages), and painted a symbol that commonly appears in her art on each page. I love that idea, and am beginning one to contain the symbols I use. Do you have symbols, shapes orcolors you use frequently?

Though Shiloh didn't originally plan to include doing a painting in the Red Thread Circle Guide program, that's so integral to her work, we are working on a canvas "after all!" Here's the beginning of mine, the circle, with symbols for myself in the center.  ... 

HåPpÝ Paint Party Friday

Vesta and Crown

Creativity for well-being

This week I accompanied my friend Glenda as she spoke about her book and the forgiveness process. It was a lovely event, and sweet evening. Glenda and her sister Sherry recently competed an eft training, and as it says in

Ladyharper

her bio, "having dedicated her life to her personal healing journey, Glenda most envoys writing to inspire others as they wood their way through their own path to wholeness." 

That is the heart of healing in a nutshell, a personal journey to wholeness!

Glenda's sis Sherry has been seeking another tool to round our her basket of offerings, and was excited when we talked about the Color of Woman quest! Early enrollment for 2018 opens in July (the coursework starts next March) and I shared that info, so she can see if it's a fit! 
She's an artist, who quit art school years ago, and is finding her way back. Like others, she recognized how many people suffer wounds around creativity, and that she can play a role in helping them heal! Shiloh writes, "The energy of Color of Woman quest begins almost immediately with your interest in the work ... I hope our threads of change weave beautifully together."

I have known about the H.O.M.E. centre where Glenda spoke for years, and was delighted to finally visit! It's a lovely, welcoming community and a serene space, and I look forward to returning.

I have also been thinking about the path to wholeness. As a creativity teacher and coach, a Harper, a bodywork, movement teacher....well being is my business! And I agree that all healing/ wholing is a personal journey, teachers and practitioners merely serve as catalysts. Maestra Shiloh is in the process of gathering input in a survey on creativity and well being, through the IC foundation. Stay tuned for the results! 
Here are thoughts on creativity shared by sisters in our IC community. Ooo, I'm just a few "likes" shy of 500 on my Facebook artist page!! Stop by and say "hi!!"

Vision Plan Book

Like Glenda and Sherry, I have gathered tools and techniques in my Medicine Basket which align with the needs of my own beloveds. 30 years ago, a friend who's a chiropractor shared his daily prayer with me, "May those who will benefit from my offerings be drawn to me, and may others find their perfect healer!" That is my prayer as well! 

Happy Paint Party Friday! 

Winged One Playshop

In the studio

My friend Margot invited me to offer a painting Playshop at her Corvallis studio over the weekend, and we gathered to paint our Winged One, and give our dreams wings.  Four of her friends joined us for a lovely time of journey, sharing, red thread and painting.
Though I'm teaching, visiting her country  home always feels like a retreat to me as well. This is the second class I've offered there, and both have been well received. I played harp for our journey, we drew cards from the Mother Mary Oracle, and read poems from"Tea With the Midnight Musé."

Margot and Sherrie with their Winged ladies

As with all workshops, I love it as students get into their own painting grove, and each is drawing from her inner images and inspiration. Their creative Musé takes the lead, and their own style begins to emerge. 

As Shiloh says, "We us a step by step method, and my request is that you DO stick with the method. Magic will come - even if you are already brilliant at painting! And especially if you're Not!
"There's something sacred about the container; about the formula holding you, that allows for freedom to emerge! You are going to create an intuitive painting, from the heart of your own self. You'll learn to use your visionary lens for Active Imagination to connect with the light and spaciousness of your own sovereignty."

Through Intentional Creativity, you may:

Lillian and Sherrie

• Discover and integrate your own gifts and treasures
• Create poetry and prayers inspired by the process
• Receive clarity on what you are here to cause and create
• Access your own imagery and symbols which may only have meaning for you, or may affect the collective
• Embrace painting as a sacred practice

It's pure magic!

Sharon and Nadya

Artists for Love

On Friday, I was the Heath Tender for Shiloh and Flora's Power Creatives TV EXPLORE, which was a wonderful offering! Women from around the world joined virtually for café, and then an afternoon of painting! With so many telling in the aftermath of the recent U.S.election, it was a much needed respite. 
Sepha and I set up in her dining room Atelier, and used 16x16" canvases, so we'd both fit at her dining room table!

Paint station

I was so please this morning to see this Journal 52 prompt and tutorial on a spread for standing with community and diversity! 

Art heals! 

Phoenix Rises

PRISMs

Last week I attended a lovely organ concert as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations at our church. We have a marvelous pipe organ, and it was a treat to hear it in all its glory. During the concert, I found myself sketching on the program, something I've done since childhood (the best are those with lots of empty space!) 

PRISM in transition

A new "download" for PRISM was the result, and this week I brought some of that to the canvas. I've been enjoying watching the Wildheart Entrepreneurial series with host Shereen Sun (just begun, and free!!) I loved the first interviews with SARK and Dr. John Mills!!
Stirring their delightful interview, she identified the triad we deal with in varying degrees:

• Inner feelings
• Inner Critic
• Inner Wise one (Musé) 

PRISMatic Light Emerging

SARK suggests we identify and acknowledge our feelings when they arise, which can help us return to center more quickly than if we try to surpass them. Simply saying, "I see you, I hear you, I acknowledge you," invites softening and relief.

For the Inner Critic, she suggests reassignment. She called hers Scarcity Girl for some time, (critic did NOT like that!) 

So shifted to targeting to  Miss Preserver of Resources. Since California has been dealing with drought, SARK have Miss P. a new job assignment, to work for the State of California Water Bureau, and help out! If Miss P. pays SARK a visit, she is gently reminded of her (much!) more important job!! 

And of course we engage the wise Musé when we engage our creativity!

What's on your creative table this week? I'm continuing to play on the PRISMatic light, and prepare foot my weekend Playshop, Return to Innocence.

Happy blog challenge and PPF!

Into the Dark

On the weekend, my friend Sepha offered her two day workshop at a farmhouse retreat, what a wonderful way to spend a rainy weekend! We met the night before in the Wine Bar next to the studio for community, then moved into the studio for a little red Thread project.  
Saturday we went out to the refurbished turn-of the century farmhouse and set up for the weekend adventures. We brought soup and salad, tea and wine, and of course chocolate! 

Paint stations

Sepha's theme was Baba Yaga, "Fall is traditionally a time we look within. Sometimes we confront that shadow side, your Wild Woman. Learn how to embrace that dark place inside and use her teachings to open a new door in your conscious."

• What are some of the dark places coming forward for healing?
• What do you release to compost?
• What joys does this slow season bring?
• What gifts does your wise woman offer for your medicine Basket?
• What seeds are you saving, to plant in the spring?
• What treasures keep you cozy and warm?

My lady, "For a Breath I Tarry" (title from the poem by A.E. Hausman) WIP.

For a Breath I Tarry 

                           

First and Latest

Recently, Maestra Shiloh Sophia issued a challenge to post pictures of the first painting we did using Intentional Creativity methods, and the latest! I had just taken a workshop with one of the current Color of Woman teachers-in-training Tina Gain, and painted a sweet lady during her two day offering, "Caregiver, Heal Thyself!"

This seems a perfect time to reflect on that first class in February 2014, when I painted my "Musé of Creativity" Gabriela in a similar maiden voyage IC class, offered by my friend Elisabeth Freise-Mick. 

Gabriella, end of workshop

       At the end of class, (just one day!) Gabriela was still rather raw, and I later spent time developing her, filling her hair in, evening out her compassion, adding ribbons and details on her harp. 
       Elisabeth tried to get me to leave Gabriella "as is," as reference point for later work, but as an Artist, she felt unfinished! Several students have asked to see my early work, and now I see the value of keeping some ladies in a less finished state. 

Gabriella, Muse of Creativity

Star Song emerged out of the cosmos, during Tina's 10 hour workshop  weekend  (And yes, I'm still working on her!) I loved learning a new way of doing stars, and the appearance of her Dragon companion. I love the focus and depth of Intentional Creativity!

It is fun to view these ladies side by side, and see how my style and techniques have developed. Each carries a message of shining our light.

Star Song - 2016

Spreading the Word

While having tea with my Musé this morning, I was pondering promotion.

When we have offerings, how do we go about sharing the information, the Who, What, When and Where? Where will our beloveds find it? In this technical age, we have so many choices, where to begin?

I have several entry points, my MeetUp group, my artist FB page, Nadya's Atelier, and events created from that page. On Sunday, Sepha and I met, and created a couple of physical flyers, I found my thumb drive, and had some printed! Woo hoo! 

What are some of the ways to use Facebook? 
While this changes, there are some basic guidelines: 
I love Ann Manatt's tips on creating your fan page. She has lots of other quick videos on utilizing FB. Hot of the press, Ann just posted this one on increasing the effectiveness of your posts! 
And this one from Ann, on how to have your fan page show up on your personal page is awesome! I love these simple videos, that walk is through the steps!

Here are tips from Sophie Mahir oncreating your event invitation that's catchy and relays necessary info in a few words!

I'd love you too share your favorite tips! How do you and your beloveds connect?

Visions & Dreams

This year, sixty women from around the world have embarked on their Red Thread Quests, the Color of Woman teacher training. Over the next six months, they will discover more about themselves and their creativity, and how to encourage others to use creativity for both self expression and healing. As a Reader and trek guide, I am privileged to their stories, discoveries, and beautiful creative projects as they come in. And I love it!

I joined my friend Sepha, who's on this year's Quest, to paint Musés with the Livestream the first weekend in April. It was a fabulous spring day, so we were able to paint outside! With the completed paintings due at the end of this month, the finished ladies are beginning to appear in the online classroom. The second p
art of the assignment is to hand the Musé the pen, and receive a message. 
Last year, my Musé Gypsy Rose said, "Sweet Nadya, We bring wisdom voices from the stars and ancient pathways. You are so loved, so appreciated, so honored! We invite you to atune to your senses and enliven your Spirit. 
Sparkle and shine, share the joy you know deep inside. In attending to your own joy and in doing the little things, a-tend-ing, that you will bring them (your beloveds) home to themselves."

Sepha with her Musé

There are several forums for connecting with the Color of Woman offerings, both online and in person. Some are group sites, others, my SiStar's personal blogs and websites. This week I decided it was time to update my blog links to reflect current interests (and active blogs!) Check them out in the sidebar! 

You'll find links to sites and classes when you click on "contact ___" as you view a teacher's profile on our Intentional Creativity website. Click on the map to find teachers closest to you. Here's the link to my profile! 

Painting Musé with the online group

The Red Thread Nation site has a calendar with class offerings from many of us, click on the links to discover more information and register! Shiloh's blog has juicy food for thought, and links to her offerings.
Facebook presences include Shiloh Sophia's Artist page, the Red Thread Cafe Classroom, Sepha's and my artist pages. Many of my SiStars have artist pages as well.

Our beloveds can find some of our offerings through out MeetUp groups. Here are links to Heidi's, our NW group page, Cynthia in Australia, and mine. 

Amber, Denise and Jassy offer online teachings thought the year, and often, introductory glimpses into one. Several of my classmates will launch online courses this fall, so stay tuned! 

Today would be our Art matriarch Sue Hoya Sellars' 80th BïRtHDäÝ! She departed her Earth body in 2014, to dance among the stars. She is loved, she is missed! These teachings were part of her dream... Blessings, beloved!

"Whether I am doing studies of deer in my meadow or painting an angel moving between dimensions,there is always a glimmer of the cosmos showing through their bodies and parts of the landscape. My work has one primary concept: exploring the formation of our bodies from the cooling of gaseous material originating from the beginning of the universe."

~ Sue Hoya Sellars ~

Linking to Paint Party Friday

The Lady Washes her Face

We are at one of my favorite 'cross quarter' points, halfway between Winter Solstice & Spring Equinox; Imbolc; when the goddess washes her face, and all is made fresh & new. 

She Stands Between the Worlds

I'm busy preparing some of my ladies to take to my friend's Yoga Studio for the First Friday Art & Wine Walk. 

'She Stands Between the Worlds' was painted a year & 1/4 ago, at Hallows, (another cross-quarter) & is one of my favorites. She recently came home again, after being on display at a shop downtown.
I'll also offer a little Red Thread Class on making Joyful affirmation cards or a Valentine Card. 
I spent some time today making up some artsy biz. cards, as I still need to order some 'real ones;' (these are sometimes more fun!) I also updated my website this week - adding a page for classes & events.

Biz Muse

This cross-quarter is a good time for a bit of cleaning & decluttering inside, for lighting candles and saying prayers; and  a time I like to do a 'Land Clearing & blessing.'

My flower Essence friend Molly Sheehan of Green Hope Farm Essences shared this process several years ago, & I share it with her permission. She feels the more people who do this in harmony with their bit of land, the better! She has had several experiences where bad weather was avoided or diverted, after being nudged by the angels to do this clearing every day.

** Imagine the boundaries of the land you wish to clear (you may want to have a map of your property, if it's larger, & may be guided to clear it in sections. 
If you're in an apartment, clear your own space, imagining the grounding cord of the apt going into the earth below you, & clear the land surrounding the apt. Invite guidance for what best suites your circumstances!

Energy Cleansing Process
Find a quiet & comfortable place to center yourself. In the beginning, you'll want to be in the garden/ on the land you're clearing.
"Ask for assistance from:
The Overlighting Deva of the piece of land you want to clean. This being from the Angelic realm holds the divine plan for this piece of land. (Deva is a Sanskrit word meaning 'being of Light')
Angels Overlighting the land. They work with the Deva
The Elementals of the land. These are the beings who bring land into form & then hold it there so we can live in a physical world. Gnomes for the Earth element, Undine with water, Sylphs work with air, & Salamanders with fire.
Pan, Head Elemental of Earth (one friend calls Pan the 'CEO of Nature')
Any Ascended Master of God realized being who is connected with you or this piece of land. There may or may not be any connected, depending on the piece of land. (You can always invite the presence of the Ascended Master Jesus Christ, Mother Mary, Quan Yin, St Germain, & other Masters with whom you you feel connected.)
Deva of the Earth's atmosphere, Lunaria
Deva of the Earth's surface, Sapphalo
Deva of the sun in the center of the Earth, Darndella
Our Sun, Helios & Vesta.
"After you call in this group, ask them to CLEANSE, CLEAR, RE-BALANCE & ILLUMINATE the land you are clearing.
"You can visualize all the negativity being removed from the land both below & above the ground. You can visualize yourself or an angel holding a sword (Michael/Michaella) cutting all the negativity free, perhaps spinning in a circle holding the sword out; or you can imagine a big gyroscope whirling & cleansing. The image only needs to work for you.  
"If visualization doesn't come easily , it's OK. The land will still be cleansed because you have asked to have it done. Close the session with a thanks to everyone involved.
"This is the bare bones of a process. Over time you will probably develop your own individual approach. For example, you may get to know the names of the Deva & Angels of the land. You may get shown a process that will improve on this one. You may get asked to do several pieces of land. Thank you for doing this service."

~ Violet Transmuting Flame ~

** I also like to imagine a hedge of roses (think Brier Rose) with portals of violet flame at the entrances, clearing folks' energy as they enter or leave. (The Violet flame can TRANSMUTE denser feelings, actions, deeds, karma, etc. into a higher vibrational frequency) 
At times I erect a golden pyramid above my property (rectangular here; or a violet bubble - check in & see if any images come! I also occasionally clear the public areas in my town, as I figure any place someone can drop litter, I can do a little 'clean up,' with the intention being to bring safety & balance for the community. I live a few blocks from the High School, & bless the kids who walk by daily.
Molly and others who are sensitive to land energy feel that nature 'holds energy' of events that happen nearby, and will gladly release that energy to its own evolution when invited to do so. We live on a 'free will' planet, so we need to ask for this to be done. 

I have at times felt something that happened on a piece of land - decades ago, the landlord had our back lot mowed, (right after we'd scythed around the garden) - & the employee mowed our garden! As we drove back to town, I was napping while my husband drove,... I suddenly sat bolt upright & said 'They mowed the garden!' ... 
We were blocks from home - but when we arrived, sure enough!! We had several perennial herbs in one area - all gone. I was SO sad! If I had known this process at the time, I'd have used it! (I did write a letter to the landlord, and we were given a check to reimburse us for the loss of the perennial plants!)

If this feels harmonious, any time you feel vulnerable, are concerned about weather or safety, take a few moments to do this process. It helps to have quick name for the clearing: you may simply invite 'Devas, Angels & guides of land clearing, please CLEANSE, CLEAR, RE-BALANCE & ILLUMINATE this land!' 
I have a little slip of paper with that phrase up on my fridge.

Imbolc Blessings, & Happy Paint Party Friday!