a capellaSoul: SoulCollage® Reflections: 2014

February 5, 2014

Shadow Reflections

This is a photo of my own shadow, taken in California the weekend of my SoulCollage® Facilitator's training in 2007. The more I reflect upon the energy of this Card, I am fascinated to see that my shadow, has a shadow!...which shows up...hovering on the right side of my body. During a reading with this Card about a year ago, it was revealed that the shadow of my shadow is my "Shadow Essence". Webster's defines essence as: "The basic nature of a thing. The quality or qualities that make a thing what it is." I exhale. A gentle smile emerges. I glow at the mystery of it all: "the essence of my shadow". What a holy moment for me, to glimpse and realize the reality of it all. It feels good. In some inexplicable way...it feels safe and comforting. My Sunday morning reading with this card revealed:

I am the one who is with you always...seeing and feeling all you go through and do. I am the one who sees what you might not consciously see, and feel. I have a unique point of view. I see you. You are me and I am you.

My message to you today is: Don't be afraid of the shadow side. I have gifts that your mind might not "get" right away. Gentle reflection and awareness of me brings deeper insight and appreciation. There is more to me than you realize. I am your Shadow...and the Essence of your Shadow; an integral part of you. You are doubly-sealed with this sometimes mysterious, yet compassionate energy. There is nothing to fear. My insights and wisdom for you simply come in a different way...a different point of view from what you're accustomed to. See from that different point of view. I am here supporting and balancing your wholeness. It's all to make you wiser and take you deeper into your own self-knowledge and mastery. Love me. Love you.

a bit about me -- my story...

I am a free spirit & creative soul exploring my inner and outer worlds through creative, contemplative activities and practices. As a result, I discover more about myself and live from a deeper, richer, insightful and more treasured realm. SoulCollage® has been a part of my life since 2005. The benefits are bountiful.

I am a mom, daughter, sister, friend, writer, artist, jewelry-maker, passionate resource for others, lover of life... and mindful knitter for the Mother Bear Project...(MBP) - and share the teddy bears I knit for children of the MBP at my blog: Yarn Jones.

I am a nature and animal lover, an avid reader and I am fascinated with learning and exploring what interests me!

Although words simply describe and are not "the thing itself", may the descriptions above and below offer a deeper glimpse of what has called me into deeper study and practice. Perhaps one will be a catalyst for you as well. So on that note, here goes: I am a trained and registered SoulCollage® Facilitator, taught personally by Seena Frost and the loving SoulCollage® mentors at SoulCollage®, Inc.; and also certified in Soul Coaching®, trained and personally mentored by its creator, the luminous, immensely generous and beautiful spirit, Denise Linn.

My inner-explorations have revealed that I love creating free-form mandalas - or "Mandala Medicine" as I call it! Over a period of 3+ years I created over 200. That practice helped to save me at a critical time in my life. My interaction with other creative spirits online was a source of connection and inspiration. I was inspired to share the mandalas on my Mandala Oasis blog...as well as to create the Yahoo Community which has brought together mandala enthusiasts from all over the world, each of us creating mandalas in our own unique way, and connected to one another by the over-arching Creative Spirit.

In 2008, I had the honor and pleasure of moderating an 8-week series of Mandala Webinars with Mandala Process pioneer and luminary, the late Dr. Judith Cornell. I loved every bit of getting to know Judith as we worked together... and was deeply saddened to learn of her passing. May her eternal soul rest... yet soar in love and peace.

Also, I am a Certified Empowerment Coach (via IPEC). I also trained in-person with Jill Badonsky to lead a variety of powerful creativity and expressive-art workshops known as "Muse Groups", and completed Jill's Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coaching training. I continue to reap the benefits of Jill's comprehensive, insightful and playful-yet-powerful work...to this day! Even though I opted-out of pursuing certification, I practice the principles and methods personally and in my work with others.

Through my luminous soul sister Lisa Sorce Schmitz, founder of Whispers from the Moon, and her Soulful Creative Offerings, I've also had the honor and delight of studying, working with and getting to know artist, teacher, art therapist and author Pat B. Allen. Her Studio (Pardes) Process of conscious intention-and image-making, and witness writing have not only deepened my my creative process, but has also enhanced my personal awareness, and life overall.

In October 2012 I was introduced to Process Painting. This painting process is opening my heart and awareness and opened me from the inside out, allowing release of old "stuff". It's akin to my spontaneous, free-form Mandalas, each one it's own one-of-a-kind jewel in my unfolding journey.

Each act of intuitive & spontaneous creativity is a precious gem-of-an-experience for which I am immensely thankful.

May your creative play open your heart wider, and bring you even more insight, joy and deep awareness. Ahh... "awareness" - that lovely place where choices are born.

Cheers to our vivid, creative, ever-blooming life! May the Creative Force be with you... :)

Important about SoulCollage®:

Using SoulCollage®, as developed by Seena B. Frost, a person creates a deck of collaged cards from found images. The cards are arranged in suits for the primary purpose of self-exploration and self-acceptance. (It is understood that in some group populations one or more of the suits may be emphasize while others may be omitted as not appropriate.) SoulCollage® cards are collaged from images found in purchased or donated magazines, calendars, books, cards, etc. and from stock photos and/or personal materials (e.g. photos, one's own art). SoulCollage® cards are not sold, traded, bartered, or copied as stated in the “Principles of SoulCollage®”.

Where SoulCollage® cards are available to be seen by others, it is for the purposes either of demonstrating the SoulCollage® process or sharing the card-maker’s inner process in the context of community. SoulCollage® is grateful to the artists and photographers who make this deep awakening process possible, and in all ways SoulCollage® seeks to be respectful of their rights.