Queens and Codes

Portal for a Queen

Next week I'll offer Queen of Your Own Heart, a playshop to encounter my student's 'inner queens' & embracing their personal power. I have been watching that series of videos from Shiloh (here's a little slideshow). It's interesting to see how her presentation style has shifted in the 4 years since that offering was produced.

Today I met with Sepha to plan a bit, then stopped by the co-op art gallery where I'll hold the class, & spent some time in the Classroom. It's laid out for workshops, with paint splattered tables & a group of easels, a deep sink and ample space. I've taken a couple of workshops there, but it's interesting to view it from the perspective of offering one.

Part of my process today was to sweep the floor. In our teacher circle, we've been discussing preparing for workshops & some of the energetics - & I'm working on a document that will include options for others to choose from. One of the simplest ways to clear energy is to do some physical clearing, & sweeping is one of the easiest. 

Last week, Shiloh Sophia and Emily Grieves offered: 'Codex,' painting Our Lady of Guadalupe, inviting us to explore with them the symbols (codes) & background of the lady. Her appearance to Juan Diego in 1531 has ripples back to the book of Revelations, chapter 12, where a 'woman rayed with the sun, and the moon was beneath her feet, and on her head was a crown of twele stars, and she was pregnant. ... the two wings of the great eagle were given the woman ...' 

Our Lady of Guadalupe

These elements correspond with the pre-conquest tradition of the people in that part of Mexico, 'She who flies on wings of eagles, from the region of Light!' The crescent moon is allied with the crescent shaped knife, which cuts away what no longer serves. Her knee is bent, she's dancing, as the indigenous women danced their prayers!

Several years ago, my daughter Mary found this little Guadalupe, painted on shell. Don't you love her sweet smile? & there is Juan Diego, whom Shiloh invites us to 'think of ourselves as him - what does SHE ask us to do?'

I love Emily (who now lives in Mexico)'s interest in & sharing about the different symbols. I've begun my lady, with the four petalled flower in the center, surrounded by those solar rays ... & the virgin (Shiloh quoted the origin of the word, which meant 'a woman in possession of herself') There will be stars - she comes from stardust, like all of us!

Am I not your Mother?

It will be interesting to see how she comes through this time, & what messages she brings, at this time, on this canvas. 
Dancing among the stars, with the moon under her feet

Happy 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!

In the Quantum Field

In a recent post 'You are Enough,' my friend & fellow Color of Woman teacher Heidi Sequoia Moondancer wrote, "Here’s the thing about not-enoughness. It’s BS. Have you every stopped and questioned it? Where/who did this message come from? Are they a credible source? What would make you enough? Enough what exactly? Who is holding your imaginary measure stick….and whacking you over the head with it every chance they get (hint, look in the mirror)?"

This is a great time of year to ponder this concept, as it's a time that we often resolve or intend to do 'better' at something than we have in the past. What if we embrace the 'who' we are as enough, and shift our perspective a bit - what do we wish to spend our life force on? What do we value about ourselves, just as we are?

What will best serve us, as we journey through this year? If you work with a journal, this is something you may wish to explore a bit more. 

•  What challenges have I overcome to get here?  
•  What are some of my accomplishments over the last year?
•  I'm happiest when _____________
•  If I could do a couple of BIG things this year __________________
•  My values include _______________ (often related to health, spending time with loved one, how you interact with your community ...)
•  If I could be remembered for one thing, it would be ____________ 

As I assimilate the teachings of the last year, & sit with who I'm becoming as a Color of Woman Teacher & Coach, I am working with some of these questions as well. And basking a bit in the glow of completing the training, & actualizing several of the items on my January list. 
I've taught a class, updated my website, had a couple of artist 'play dates,' journaled, (I'm thinking of following some of the prompts from Journal 52, as it's a free offering, that dovetails with the work I'm already engaged in.) I've spent time with my kids and grandkids, & even played a bit in the garden, in this Warm January weather.

Through Quantum physics, we realize that simply the act of observation changes what is being observed. What if we change our self perception?  What are some of the ways you are 'enough?' 
Happy PPF!

Sharing Community

The Way of the Red Thread

Our lovely new pastor, Erica Marksbury invited several of us to share stories related to the texts or that week during church this month. Earlier in the month, my daughter spoke about adopting her 'two beautiful daughters' (not a dry eye in the house!) & I was invited to speak on being 'called' by my community.

This dovetails beautifully with our Red Thread community's philosophy that we are 'called' to share these teachings by our beloveds, who seek what we have to offer. I brought several of my Ladies, (Mary of Magdala, Sisterhood of the Red Thread, & my 'thesis' painting: Priestess of the Cosmic Portal)& told of the Russian Orthadox tradition of Mary spinning a red thread for the Veil of the temple, and the Chinese legend that we are connected to those we're destined to meet bay a Red Thread. I read Shiloh's Poem 'Remember Me' at the end of my talk. 

Red Thread Ladies & Nadya

Saturday I'd attended the Art & Wine walk opening, visiting with other artists and guests at Current's Gallery, where my 'ladies' are hanging. I'll be offering my first class in the 'Back Room Studio' at the Gallery mid-February! We'll be painting the 'Queen of Her Own Heart!' 

Atelier - clean up and paint cart

Yesterday I woke up with the idea of moving this wheeled kitchen cart into my 'dining nook' atelier for storage - yea!! And doing a general (much needed!) mucking out - after the months of focus on painting & Color of Woman & #intentionalcreativity !

What's on your easel today?

Happy Paint Party Friday! 

Commencement

Our final project for my Color of Woman Teacher Training was to group all the blog posts from our Online Classroom into our Initiate books! I had done a good job of keeping up with the posts, and had saved most of them as files. My son, bless him, has a good document assembling program, so we played tag team to assemble it. I'd convert to pdf format, & email them, generally in order; and got together a couple of times (while he & his kids were in town for Nutcracker rehearsals), to format it. And finally, to add page numbers to the table of contents. Whew!

Priestess of the Cosmic Portal

One of our final assignments was to offer a two day workshop, then continue to work on our demo painting for several more days, completing it 'on our own' (rather than following Shiloh's lead & videos) for our 'Visionary' painting. 

My workshop (in November) was Medicine Woman, & the lady who emerged is: Priestess of the Cosmic Portal. The Compass on the bottom left includes totems from each of the paintings in our Color of Woman Compass - the Dragon dancing in the center from Legend, Rose in the N: Muse; Hummingbird in the East: Talisman; Owl in the South: Soul Fire; & Raven in the West: Visionary. There are words collaged around her heart which came during the journey I led; one is 'Raven's Gold' - the Sun is in the upper Raven's beak!

We needed to identify and document our 'Soul Work,' the work we're called to cause & create in the world; & develope our 'action plans' for 2016. Like many of our projects, this was done both Rt brain 'doodle,' beginning with December & working back, & linear from January on.


Here's my entry for January:

• Jan. 2 Visioning 2016 Red Thread event

• update website – new format? Host? Work on print materials – business cards, menus, format for flyers, photos of paintings for cards & prints, work on email list, put known dates on MeetUp, update FB artist page
• Meet with youth and childrens' coordiators at FBC (First Baptist Church)
• formalize plans for February workshop & advertize (MeetUp, Facebook event, flyers, e-mail list) coordinate with area alumni
• attend Work Week Winedown at Walnut City Wineworks Jan 29, take cards\
  
  

  

  Siren Song

  I also have several personal ongoing goals - to blog more regularly (!!), a paint day (minimum) each week, and to do some of the things I've neglected while engaged in Color of Woman (including a good general de-thug of the house)!
  
  
  We're halfway through the month, & I've facilitated the Jan 2 Visioning event, & helped with 'Faith & Watercolor' at Church last Sunday; took down my show at Walnut City WW November & December, and entered a couple of pieces in Currents Gallery's January Show - "Myths & Legends," Elen Star-Path & Siren Song; which were accepted & hung! 
  Not bad! 
  I've also been asked to speak this Sunday on the support of the Art Community during this past year, and signed up to be part of the newly begun Intentional Creativity Leadership Circle. Our first Circle call was Thursday, & today there is a group painting experience, Weave, another exploration of dreams for 2016. 
  So though I feel I'm still integrating the training, I also realize I've not been as 'lazy' as I've felt! 
  My friend Sepha, who has helped with several of the workshops & the Vision board session, is enrolled in this year's teacher training!! Woo hoo! She is already an artist and teacher, and has a lot to offer, & we love sharing studio time. Weaving dreams, community, creativity!
  
  
  Happy Paint Party Friday
  
  
   
  
  
  
  

Graduation and Workshop

It's hard to believe that we graduated from the Color of Woman Teacher Training a month ago!! Wow! Wonderful, wonderful time with two dozen students, plus Shiloh & Mary, the other teachers & several alumni.(Close to 45  students from around the world completed the training, so many of our sisters watched the Livestreams of the classes and Graduation.

Altar for Graduation

We wrote our own Graduation Ceremony, and were well supported as we took this next step on our journey to be Color of Women teachers & coaches. 

We still have several assignments to compete to receive our certification, including assembling our Initiate book (all our writing assignments, in pdf format), planning next year's calendar, completing the 'demo' painting from our two day workshop .... 

Stella Mac & Maestra Shiloh Sophia

 I offered my first two day workshop a couple of weeks ago, & had two students. One I'd just met at the Work Week Wine-Down at Walnut City Wineworks, where I have all the paintings from my Color of Woman journey; the other I've known for several years. 

Our theme was 'Medicine Woman,' & I sent out writing prompts the week before the workshop. Two beloveds came, & did an awesome job listening to their ladies' medicine, painting & journaling. My friend Sepha, who is very engaged in the work with Intentional Creativity, helped me set up the space at our Heritage center classroom. It was a great day. 

Linda & Stacy with their ladies

I am at work on finishing my Medicine Woman painting, & the other assignments due soon. I also have another show of my ladies hanging at Walnut City WineWorks, & participated in their events Friday & Saturday following Thanksgiving. The wild-salmon bake (Saturday) is an awesome event, and was well attended.  

I am a Color of Woman Teacher!

Happy Paint Party Friday!

On the Russian River

Early morning, as Maestra Shiloh wrote Monday: "My muse woke me up at 4am again. Sheesh. I go outside in the mornings and see the stars ... as the flow of night to day night to day reminds us how things work. It is happening all the time. And it is a miracle how it works.
~ ~ ~
"It is all moving all the time
whether we notice or participate or not."

And that's the choice, whether to participate, or not. Whether to observe, or not. And how we will carry our piece of the thread of connection.

~~ the lodge where 8 of us Mystical,  MáGïCâL CôSMïc cowgirls (with more to come!) are staying is on the Russian River, & the view of the river, and of Mama Moon & Stärs, is AwéSöMé.
When I'm staying somewhere away from «home», it's hard to sleep past daybreak, so I try to rise quietly, and , like Shiloh, go outside to orient myself.
Ahh, there's the Big Dipper, North is across the river! Ahh, there's the moon, peeking through the trees. The night is still, with the ripple of the water for background.
When it's Lïght, I'll go back out for Tai Chi/qigong on the shore.
Ooo, there's a sauna! Perhaps tonight after our gathering, I'll go....
bliss!

Graduation day with Carmen Baraka

The train ride down to Martinez was fun! A couple of the gals offered to pick me up at the station, so I skipped the bus ride, we went for cappuccino and dropped our bags off before coming back into town, and meeting a beautiful bevy of CôSMïc cowgirls doing what we do best! Visiting, meeting each other for the first (or umpteenth) time, hugging, sipping wine chattering, and settling in for a Red thread circle.
The thread is passed, we share our stories, we listen, we connect the faces and voices to SiStars with whom we've journied this last year. We'll be together «in person» through Sunday next, to disperse to the four directions, taking with us seeds to scatter to the winds.

Seeds  of beauty, seeds of harmony, seeds of respect for women and the seeds of our own interconnected & unique offerings for our own communities, for our beloveds. Gathering teachings, friendships, affirmation of the good work this is, the good work we share. 
It is all moving, all the time, whether we participate or not ... will you participate?