Mandala

The snail reminding me to slow down, and stay close to center.

The tree, reminding me to stay grounded. * o

Mandala

Standing.....ready to go in

Despite an onslaught of wet weather I managed to walk the labyrinth three times over the weekend. Each time, it took until I reached center to unwind my mind. The twists, the turns, getting closer to center and then further away were physical metaphors of my life's journey and my spiritual one. Sometimes, I felt like I'd never get to the center. Once, I got to center quickly and then walking out it seemed to take forever.

At center, I felt grounded and peaceful. I wanted to spend a long time in the center, but there was always a time issue or a weather issue and I felt like I needed to leave. Again, much like my life - I want to spend more time centered by there is always something else needing to be done, someplace else I need to go to.

Around me the birds sang, the squirrels squawked and the trees rustled. I found the most beautiful snails along the path - beige/brown shells that spiraled and wound themselves tight to center. They were probably out enjoying the damp bark of the path and the wet weather because on the last morning, when it was drier, I didn't see any.

Grounded and strengthened. God is good. * o

Standing.....ready to go in

The Labyrinth

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The Labyrinth

Her Dreams Are Brewing

When I was talking with my spiritual director this weekend, I was going on about how I have all these things I want to do creatively and spiritually and that I was unsure of what I was supposed to be doing and what direction I wanted to head in next.

She encouraged me to recognize that I was in an "in-between" place at the moment, a transition, and to be comfortable in this place. To rest in my creativity.

And then she said she had this image of a large pot, or cauldron. Mixing it all together and brewing up what's next.

This weekend, I will be walking the labyrinth and wondering what it is that I will bring in and what I will choose to take out.

Mixed-media acrylic - "Her Dreams Are Brewing" - Apr 2008 * o

Her Dreams Are Brewing

Dancing Labyrinth Spirit Dolls

Created these with polymer clay, to honor my upcoming labyrinth retreat this weekend, hosted by the Sisters of St. John.

I'm excited about getting to walk a labyrinth again, and just spending some time with the Sisters - something I've been looking forward to for a long time.

Hopefully, I'll have some pictures to share when I get back. The weather forecast is calling for rain (ugh). * o

Dancing Labyrinth Spirit Dolls

Spirit Box

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Spirit Box

It is Finished

My collage for the Nouwen course.

I am the prodigal daughter and the elder daughter, journeying home to the Father's welcoming embrace. * o

It is Finished

Playing with Clay

Spent the afternoon playing with some Sculpey clay, making faces and tiles for future projects. It was a lot of fun.

We've had a quiet weekend, John and I. Oldest son not home from college yet, and youngest one off spending a weekend in a VeryBigCity across the border. It's the quietest the house will be for a few months now.

Spent a little bit of time in the cottage yesterday, straightening things around in hopes of soon working out there again once the weather warms up. Spring is coming, albeit slowly. Too early yet to move my paints out there, but soon I should be able to start doing some work in there. I can't wait to have my own space again! * o

Playing with Clay

Note Cards and Collages

Got my note cards completed this weekend for the Artella Note Card swap. This was a fun and easy project to participate in. Just have to pop my cards in the mail tomorrow and wait for my swap cards to arrive!

Also spent the better part of the weekend working on my collage for my final project for the Henri Nouwen course. I've decided to work with Nouwen's book, "The Return of the Prodigal Son" based on his reflections on Rembrandt's painting and the parable. There was so much in that book that spoke to me and had me examining how I've been the prodigal and how I've been the elder and what it means to be the "Beloved" - the child welcomed home. (Speaking of the spiritual home here, of course ).

Here's a sneak peak at the collage in progress. I'll post the final piece when it is complete.


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Note Cards and Collages

New Song

She sings a new song,

gives lift to a new dance,

notes inscribed on her heart,

give hope another chance.

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New Song

Little bits of the end of March

Take the whole kit
with the caboodle
Experience life
don't deplore it
Shake hands with time
don't kill it
Open a lookout
Dance on a brink
Run with your wildfire
You are closer to glory
leaping an abyss
than upholstering a rut

~ James Broughton ~

(Little Sermons of the Big Joy)

I got totally inspired for the above collage from Kelly Rae Roberts article in the latest Cloth Paper Scissors issue. Actually I got inspired by a lot of things and I have no idea why I never thought to check it out before!

Got Teesha Moore's latest Art & Life issue today in the mail so I'll be pouring over that the next few days. Such a visual feast and it always makes me want to grab my journal, paint and play. (....There's a little piece of Teesha in the above collage...)

April will find me busy trying to complete my integration project for my Henri Nouwen course. I've been immersed in Nouwen's writings for two months now and have enjoyed every moment of it. My final project is going to be a collage, but I won't post the details until it is complete (surprise!). There is so much flying around in my head for it right now, I hope it translates OK from head to canvass.

Currently listening to Susan Lincoln's "Mother Heart" CD - beautiful.

Waiting for spring.....

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Little bits of the end of March

Clowning Around Newsletter

My friend Zura is putting out a weekly newsletter called "Clowning Around", on the subject of journaling and art journaling.

You can read about it at Zura's website and sign up for it here.

When you sign up, you'll receive a free"Journal Prompt Cards" e-book, full of great journal prompts and tips. * o

Clowning Around Newsletter

Bloom

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Bloom

Blossom

Sometimes when I set out to create a SoulCollage card it turns out quite differently than what I expected. Like this one. I sat down with magazines around me, flipping through for images, intent on creating a card that reflected a phrase I had been meditating on - "I am the glory of God".

I ended up going in a slightly different direction. I'm still not sure exactly what this card is trying to reflect. I've thought of the seasons - winter turning to spring; of the cycle of life - birth, death, renewal; and finally of "blossoming". Blossoming or birthing the crone (although I am not quite near crone phase in my life).

Today I got my copy of Christine's latest reflective art journal "What is Blossoming Within You" and I read the following which ties in so well to this card I had been working on:

"There is a playfulness and spontaneity to the season of spring, that invites us to join this joyful abandon. We are called to both listen deeply to the blossoming within ourselves as well as to forget ourselves - setting aside all of our seriousness about what we are called to do and simply enter the space of being." What is Blossoming Within You? Christine Valters Paintner, PhD

What are you longing to give birth to as spring approaches? * o

Blossom

Tulips

Just a simple little bouquet. A little under $4 from the Big City Store. Not much really, but they look so cheery on my kitchen sink that I can't help but look at them and long for spring.

Sometimes it's the little things that get you through the days.

Lent is almost over, Easter is coming. Winter is almost over, spring is coming. Death, rebirth, renewal - and the wheel turns on another season. * o

Tulips

Silence

Come,
pray with open hands,
emptied and willing to receive.
Uncurl and unclench fists - let
go of all you are clinging to,
hang on to nothing.

You have nothing to offer
and everything to receive.
Be willing to be empty and choice less.

You have made it to here - you do
not need to worry about anywhere else.

I wrote the above at a silent retreat yesterday, in response to the question "What does God want me to let go of?". The day of silence was so very welcoming and refreshing to me. I have been exhausted by words and talking lately, and was definitely ready to enter a room and not have to make small talk. All that was required of me was that I sit and listen.

While eating lunch in silence with about 40 or so others, I thought silence is such a great equalizer. Without listening to anyone speak, I made no judgments or impressions about anyone else in the room. I wasn't basing my likes or dislikes on something someone was saying. Everyone was the same without words. Silence is very communal.

The other great joy of my day yesterday was the opportunity to meet with Sister Elizabeth (SSJD), my Associate Director. We only had about twenty minutes to chat, but it was an opportunity to connect, and for me to get some wonderful advice and affirmation. God is good. * o

Silence

Interesting

You’re St. Melito of Sardis! You have a great love of history and liturgy. You’re attached to the traditions of the ancients, yet you recognize that the old world — great as it was — is passing away. You are loyal to the customs of your family, though you do not hesitate to call family members to account for their sins. Find out which Church Father you are at The Way of the Fathers!

I get the love of history and liturgy. Not too sure about the "accounting family members for their sins" thing.......

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Interesting

Candlemas Blessings

Garden of Renewal
May you enter your soul garden today
and find that winter's cold is not quite as cold.
Maybe we don't feel it yet, as old ideas do linger.
But Spring has called her maidens,
I can hear them chanting today. Listen...
Her paper white narcissus are blooming
right next to the red poinsetta.
And the flowers are sending out their messages:
forgive...try again...move forward...life comes...
death comes...find new life...joy is dawning.
Turn the garden beds of your mind.
With a bright pitchfork. The pile may be deep.
It may be hard ground. It may be murky.
Surely it is compost for the new flowers.
Do with it what we must do with compost.
Use it to nurture new life.
Don't leave it in a pile in the corner
where no one wants to go.
If you look, you will see that nasturtiums are
growing amongst the dank.
They sing...
You can grow anywhere you are planted.
The robins, who live by the hundreds in your garden
red breasted and full of spark
are singing songs of renewal. Of letting go.
Of holding onto only what is needed.
Things have happened that make us sad,
uncomfortable, doubting and in anger too.
Pick up a few stones, and for each one say a prayer
for the hard things you have witnessed.
And place them at the gardens edge - organized - so
they do not take up too much space.
Turn that earth over and over. Smell the fresh soil.
Then get your seeds ready.
Begin planting and saying new prayers. Intentions.
Hopes. Dreams. Visions. Creations.
See the flowers bloom in your mind.
Tiny worms travel in twos like veins beneath the earth skin.
Making space for your seeds and sprouts.
Creating a great exhale for your garden,
she welcomes your new thought seeds
and the wild seeds all over the garden of the soul.
Even though our challenges will persist
(they always do)
We can choose day by day bliss and beauty.
We have to in order to survive. So choose.
It has been a long day in the garden,
and it is time to go into the kitchen now.
Turn on the tea kettle and light three candles.
One for yesterday and one for today and one for tomorrow.
Write in your journal.
Weave your shawl.
Make a pot of medicine soup.
Pick up your guitar.
This is the time of renewal.
And it belongs to you.
Amen
Shiloh Sophia McCloud © 2008

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Candlemas Blessings

Chalice Prayer

Prayer of the Chalice

Father, to thee I raise my whole being
a vessel emptied of self. Accept
Lord, this my emptiness, and so fill
me with Thyself - Thy light, Thy
love, They life - that these Thy
precious gifts may radiate
through me and overflow the
chalice of my heart into the
hearts of all with whom I
come in contact this day
revealing unto them
the beauty of
Thy joy
and
wholeness
and
the
serenity
of Thy peace
which nothing can destroy

Source: Diocese of Florida website

image: Chalice Prayer, mixed-media collage, Jan 2008

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Chalice Prayer

Mid-Winter Blahs

This week’s blog topic at Artella is heroes . Specifically, who is your hero and why. This morning I was thinking that right now, my hero is anyone who can work a full day’s work, come home and find time to create some art, or write some poetry, or exercise, or stretch their body. The mid-winter blahs have officially hit me, like they do every winter, and I have zip energy left for anything at the end of the day. See, my body is somehow primitively wired back to those ancient days of hibernation. Days without artificial light, TV, computers or other stimulus to keep you going long after the sun has gone down. Days when the darkness came, you hunkered down in your cave or cabin or whatever, threw another log on the fire and rested. You slept, you dreamt of warmer days, and you waited for the light to return. You worked when it was daylight, and you rested when it was dark. You only moved in the darkness to keep the fire going. That’s where my body is at. Instead, my body lives in modern times. Times when everyone’s mantra seems to be “how can I do more?” I get up in darkness, go to work and spend the day under artificial lighting, go home in darkness and try to accomplish more things in a day then can be accomplished. Sooner or later, the body wins. It must have its rest. “Resistance is futile” it says, in its best Star Trek Borg voice. So forgive, if I post not much these days, or create much, or have the energy to respond to an email. My body is craving primordial hibernation and it’s starting to win the battle. And so I ask, is it not more “heroic” to listen to the body’s needs, rest when it is craving it, and return to fight the creative battle another day? Wishing you sweet winter dreams and time to hibernate, however that looks for you. Spring will return eventually. * o

Mid-Winter Blahs