I think I could turn and live with animals, they are so placid
and self-contain’d,
I stand and look at them long and long.
Walt Whitman
Welcome to our weekly art/life trail ride.
Were you able to pause, ponder and piddle last week with a bit of putzing added? It was excellent to hear from you via comments and emails … this concept touches a cord. We recognize the power of stepping off the fast track if even for just a few minutes a day.
I pondered a pair of fox browsing for acorns while playing on the quiet curve in front of Wren House. “Long and long” minutes passed. They were placid and so very self-contained.
Wren House Fox Family, Drozda, 2012
They created an unexpected and seamless opening to the night world as they moved, almost like shadows, beneath the tall oaks. Their presence now brings the prospect of off-spring frolicking on the lawn come the spring. Last night I listened as they cruised along the lake shore calling to one another…a wild banshee cry bouncing back and forth across the cove.
November is a time for stop-action/freeze frame/introspection. Place a finger on the symbolic pulse of your art/life. As the darkness expands in the weeks ahead make room each day to open yourself to the inner light. This is the time of year to invite in the feminine energy of empowered well-being that roots you to the earth and brings a feeling of being truly alive.
Well-being is the source of true wealth. Breathe in the unexpected beauty, goodness and truth of the art/life and all the strength that it supplies.
The vault-like door to the Creative Mystery opens in a matter of weeks. Between now and then leave time each day to simply BE. I remind myself often that ‘a lot can happen in an hour.’ You might have that long, you may only have a few minutes to grab…whatever is available you might…
Meander
Ponder the view
Take the trail down and in
Piddle with stones at your feet
Putz and pause
November and its keyword Introspection roll out before us. The Archetypal energy for November is Death and Rebirth. What has died? What needs to be let go of in your art/life?
Art Light Calendar Dana Cunningham
Notice all of the ways that you are reminded of death and rebirth. The landscape changes, temperature drops, animal habits sync in with altering bio-rhythms, the length of darkness increases, the desire to pull in and sink down results.
‘For Amy’, Drozda, 16 x 20 ” Acrylic on wood, 2001, Private Collection
Do you mind taking note this week…
Are you are in the wobble position attempting to keep all the balls in the air?
Are you trying to keep all of your ducks in a row?
Are you ‘thinky’?
Are you pushing on?
Are you telling yourself: I can, and I will!
Are you leaning in to DO THIS…whatever THIS is?
We’ve moved around to the other side of the natural calendar as of fall equinox. A rare jewel presents itself…call it slow time…call it womb time.
Imagine that for the months ahead we’re being offered the space to midwife a new relationship with the art/life trail ride. This can take place in mere minutes each day. Imagine the 6 months between the equinox points of fall and spring as alchemical treasure…turning creative lead to gold.
A slow time of getting acquainted with the mind in your body…down in the gut/solar plexus/don chien/Orenda. The names that you use may vary and yet the power that lives within this center is what you can now take a stand for. It helps to stop and ponder, piddle and putz so that the intuitive seam opens and inspiration rises.
…who doesn’t find value in stepping away from the machine and looking at the patterns of the wind on water? Who among us would pretend that sitting with the cat is less important than ‘getting things done’?
Woman with Cat, Picasso
Do you find it difficult to piddle?
Do you mind taking time to simply BE?
Is it a challenge to allow space for the pause?
Have you been able to putz lately?
November naturally reminds us that life is indeed short. Everything dies.
The symbol of Death stands for letting go _ perhaps old habits and patterns need to be dropped, or maybe there is a greater loss. Grieving is natural now and can symbolize transformation.
‘Guardians of the Moon’, Drozda, white media on black paper, 2013
For five years the November Creativity Salons took place in my studio located in the former high security lock-up ward for women. During this time of year our circle of twelve art/life practitioners devoted time to exploring death. Every November we would each create a work inspired by ‘What’s Dying?’ The work included an artist statement in the form of an obituary. The work and words were shared in the closing circle.
Exercise for this week:
Write your obituary
Sky Burial, Drozda, 25 x 25″ Acrylic on canvas, 1998
As a working Heartist with more than four decades of practice I focus upon the creative gold of mutual support. I practice encouraging the creative best within each of us.
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Connect with the uplift of ‘Luna See’ our moon/month newsletter. Explore Lifecycle as a time management tool and see if tit feel like a fit for your Act III. With Lifecycle you and I work together aligning with natural creative rhythms.
Discover and uncover the ecstatic thrill of ‘making life the master peace’ as we travel the art/life trail into realms of calm and continuous renewal.
My shadow at Frisbee Creek on my retreat farm,
