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.

Vivian, my Vivacious Inner-Organizer

I am rather tickled that I am a excited to begin working on a project: clearing clutter, organizing and beautifying my home and my life...again. Normally, this dredges up feelings of gloom, procrastination, overwhelm and guilt. This time though, after working with the Professional Organizer, Gail, which got me off to a great start and kept me focused... I intentionally began incubating my self-determination.  This intention manifested my awareness of Vivian, my Vivacious Inner-Organizer. Gracious me! is she excited to get started!  Vivian is over-the-moon that I finally recognized, talked with her and that I will be providing her with what makes her happy. Projects! Whether it's cleaning out drawers, closets or my art room closet; or planning out the week, or a project at work...Vivian is eager and grateful to finally live her passion.

As I reflect on her emergence I see that by working with Gail (the Professional Organizer) twice... that allowed me to open up space within myself so Vivian could rise to the surface.  Prior to that I felt so bad about it all that Vivian couldn't see the light of day by a long shot! All those yucky feelings closed her out...which in essence was closing out a crucial part of myself that needs expression. It wasn't until I created this card and had a dialogue with its essence, that I realized sweet Vivian existed...and that she is "Fired up and ready to go!"  I sense Vivian will bring an entirely new perspective and energy to my to-do list projects, my daily rounds and creative projects as well.  -- Here's what our heart-to-heart conversation revealed: 

Who are you?  
I Am One Who loves to organize, plan and make lists.  I especially like pretty office accessories, day-planners, colorful highlighters, post-its and systems for staying on top of things.  I LOVE staying on top of my projects.  I Am One Who thrives on, and craves structure.  I Am in the flow, within structure..and in creating a Map for my Day.  I love consulting my daily agenda and to-do list, and crossing things off!

What do you need and want from me? 
I need you to give me more time 'front and center' in your life.  That keeps me happy and will keep you happy too. You'll see!  You will sail through your projects and love it.  You will be energized.

I need time with you to plan and map our daily agenda and projects..those for necessity and pleasure.

And...I would like pretty folders and appealing storage; colorful highlighters, markers and decorative, unique ways display them; plenty of organizing items that are artful, pleasing to the eye and useful. I love all that!

What gifts do you have for me?  
Ease and grace.  And...the gift of looking forward to a project no matter how large or small. With my help and your persistence, and perseverance you will enjoy these gifts and  how good they make you feel.

What else to you want me to know?
I want you to know I especially like this time of year, because I can be knee deep in projects, preparing to clear out the old and welcome the new. The New Year is a fresh new chapter of 365 pages...a brand new circle of 365 days. I am your loving, eager companion and each day I am waiting to play in what I love...bringing order and efficiency to all I do.

What can I do for you? 
Let me reign. Keep me close. Be aware of my presence and desire to serve you.  Invite me in, every day. Use me.

How will I remember what you've told me?
Set the intention that every time you open your day-planner, look at your to-do list, open the mail or walk by papers that need filing...  know that I am there. Put my Card where you can see it. Thank you, for honoring me with a Card.

With immense gratitude, I thank you Vivian.
Cheryl 

The Nurturer / Honoring the Divine

Blessings abound... above me, beneath me, to my right and my life...eternally surrounding me and soaring within me.  Ahh, there's nothing like knowing... and remembering...my  Oneness with Spirit.  

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I am one who honors the Divine.  I know the healing benefits of ceremony... of sacred space.. of acknowledging and honoring the Divine within and around me...every day...at all times.  I am one who feels complete and whole when I honor the practices that bring me into conscious awareness of my Union with Spirit.  I am one who knows that union is eternal.  

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I am one who turns to, honors and celebrates the Source of All Creation and my Oneness with it.

I am one whose soul soars with gratitude, thanksgiving, peace and assurance..in knowing my Oneness with the Creative Spirit is eternal. I am one whose soul is fed as I bathe in this Oneness, and honor it every day in every way.

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I am one who beholds and is a part of this Divine Beauty and Love.

I am one who is thankful, and rests in this Grace.

Shadow & Light, Dancing

This card has been in my deck since March 2010, without an expressed voice.  Recently, it came to my mind.  I spent time with this part of me, and I asked:

  

Who are you?
I Am the One Who has metamorphosis and evolving as a Governing Energy of my being.  I see and give thanks for the life cycle of the leaf...from Spring through Fall.  I Am the One Who sees the shadow and the light and knows and trusts its inter-play.   I Am the One Who knows one exists because of the Other.  I revel in the awareness of the power of Shadow and Light... and the healing activity of their integration...and balance...and beauty.

I Am the One Who is made whole in the Shadow and the Light, and the reconciliation of expressed and unexpressed energies.   I find peace, acceptance, self-acceptance and contentment in this Divine Integration of energies.  I Am One Who is content and at peace with the cycle of life, and Who realizes life eternally cycles and recycles, just as the seasons demonstrate.  In this pure awareness I am fully alive, joyous, contemplative and adventurous.  I realize my wholeness.  I recognize and celebrate that each day, each moment is beautiful and new. 

What do you want of me?
I want you to see the value of the light and the shadow.  Examine each within yourself.  Dialogue with the light and shadow of whatever you’re current challenge is, both archetypal and inner - OR - ask questions and allow the answers to reveal themselves in their right time.   Allow the alchemy of their integration make you anew.

What do you want me to do or know?
Ask each, the Shadow and the Light, what gift...lesson....and wisdom it has for you.  Ask each one what it wants of you....then watch and wait.  Listen.   Befriend each one.. as well as the Synergy of the pair...even if you don't know what their message: invite, contemplate, listen and feel.  Let their Essence be your companion and counsel, and the womb of your transformation.

What else do you want to share with me?  
Realize it’s the beauty of the darker energy that illuminates the leaf…the object of your current life-project or challenge.  Remember that the "shadow" also expresses in extremes: too little or too much of  the opposing energies, resulting in being off-kilter, dis-integrated... and being blinded to the less-expressed "part".

What else do you want me to do?  
Ask and contemplate these questions:   "What in me is wanting more expression?  What is trying to emerge in me?" - Then open yourself, open your heart to "let it".

Also....
Research, study and embody what metamorphosis entails (i.e. your current study of Birthing a New Reality).  This will assist you greatly.  Be open to that emergence and re-birthing.   Let this energy and contemplation be your catalyst, counsel and guide.
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(....and now, to heed Its counsel)

Autumn's Grace

The essence of this card says:

I am the vessel that receives the timeless wisdom and teachings of autumn.  I am the one who embodies Its counsel.  I travel the path of trust and release,  letting all that's running its course fall away, naturally, knowing  something new and vital will take its place.  I am the one who is tuned-in to the spirit and wisdom of the trees....feeling their love and essence reign on me.  I sense their stories and their Witnessing Grace.

I give you counsel to go with the Flow... the Flow of  the natural order of things; don't resist the season and timing of your daily tasks.   Don't push against the river.  Embrace the freedom and renewal that going with the Flow brings.

I want you to let go of all resistance.  Let it all fall away like leaves from the trees on an Autumn day.  Trust where you're being led in each moment.  Trust that you're not procrastinating, but heeding Spirit's call.   Trust and follow your Intuition.  This is the essence of Autumn's Grace.

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Autumn...my favorite season (other than Spring :) -- September, my favorite month as it's the threshold that announces the Fall...  September's wisdom is a template of wisdom and intuitive whisperings as I open to receive Autumn's Grace.  May my "Ode to September" inspire you (click here) ...to receive Autumn's Grace.

Sweet autumn blessings to you, every step of the way...

Cheryl

More Cards at Gallery 2

I'm so glad you stopped by. You are invited to view more of my cards and readings at my other card gallery: please click here. I look forward to seeing you there!
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Inner-Sanctuary

I am one who waits for you to join me.

I am your highway to sanctuary and serenity.

I am always present, and patient and loyal.

I am devoted to being here for you.

I show you the beauty of the peace you have within.

I take you from the highway of the hustle and bustle of your daily life,

to the land of your soul.

I show you the light within...your light

I am one who helps you smell the beautiful fragrance of life.

I want you to be devoted to me; seek and spend time with me every day.

I want you to create more beauty in your surroundings. and add more color.

I want you to wear more color and let its vibration enliven you.

I want you to take time with me, and be nurtured the tending of your self and soul.

I want you to remember me. I want to be your conscious companion.

You will remember me when you take time for sacred tea,

and when you see images that remind you of peace, and meditation.

Your soul will remember and urge you to spend time in your

inner-sanctuary. It is a healing place for you, it is essential for your well-being.

I want you to put this card in places that will remind you to stop,

and spend time with me.

Sweet Ike

My daughter, Kamaria and I adopted Ike into our family in the summer of 1999. Before the three of us discovered each other, Kamaria and I were browsing the animal shelter to see who we would gravitate to.
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We stopped in the kitten room, I stooped to pet one, and I must've looked like a jungle gym to them! They were all over me! Before I knew it one was climbing up the back of my skirt (from the inside!)...one lept onto my back and was racing to my head (ouch! those sharp claws) then another one sprang onto me from out of nowhere! OMG!! I realized that was too much energy, we needed a mellow cat.
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As we walked out of the kitten room, Ike was sitting right there...eye level on his litte carpeted kitty-kat patio -I saw him, he saw me...and he said "meow!"... "Oooo, you talk" I said...and the rest is history! Kamaria and I both fell in love with Ike...and he's still talking!! Boy does he talk...in different tones i.e. a questioning meow, or a whining, nagging meow...and he's quite conversational, at length!...and he purs up a storm, you can hear him from across the room! I love it! and we love our Ike!
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Through this SoulCollage card, Ike says to me...
I am your furry companion. I am one who knows it's perfectly fine to be me...no apologies required! I am the one you give love and attention to, but not enough for me. I always want more of you...on my terms, and I know my terms are just fine. I know how to tell you what I want. I am one who speaks my voice, consistently. I know how to get my way. I am the one who's persistent and patient, sometimes. I am the persistent one...you can learn a lot from me. I am the one who loves you so much I want all of your attention. I am the one who turns on a dime from purring to biting...and you love me anyway.
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I want you to give me more of your undivided attention. I want you to realize that that time is tender and sacred and relaxing. I want you to want to give me more affection. I want you to soak up my love and do nothing else but cater to my desires.
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Through me you see that it feels good to be at peace with (and in) your body...jiggles and all. I give you overflowing love and affection. I give you love and companionship you can count on. I give you an example of authenticity. I give you permission to take as many naps as you need. I want you to know I love you and love being with you. I miss you when you're not here. I'm glad when you come home and sometimes get mad when you leave out again so quickly. I am one who likes being around you.

Hi...I thank you for stopping by! Sharing SoulCollage, the cards and the process is one of my favorite things to do. You can also see more cards and dialogues on my second gallery by clicking here.

Inner-journaler

Each Soul-
Collage® card represents the Essence of an inner-facet of our multi-jeweled self. Below is my conversation with this "part" of me:

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Who are you? - I am the part of you that feels centered and balanced when I write. I am the one who is exhilarated and enlightened at what comes through your writing. I am both the writer and the one who benefits from it. Writing is the way you listen to me...listen to yourself. Writing is the way you discover what you're thinking and feeling...long before it comes to your conscious mind. I am the part of you that knows journaling provides the yin and yang of knowlege, self-knowlege and revelation.
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* I want you to spend more time with me. Let me express more often and more consistently. I want you to ritualize my writing time so it's free from distraction, and calming to the mind and soul. Do a few minutes of relaxed breathing and meditation before-hand; and then let me take center stage of your being. I promise you, the gift you receive from this will far exceed what you can imagine. The gift is... giving this time to yourself freely and regularly; making it a ritual. I want you to create a beautiful space for me to write. It need not be elaborate. Surround it with items that are meaningful to us. This way you will look forward to keeping your daily date with me. You'll see...it'll be worth it.
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* I want you to keep my card on your altar, to remind you of the beauty and healing of journaling; and to remind you that I am here and need to be heard. This is how you will remember me, and invite more illumination into your being. This is by far the biggest gift for both of us. I love you. Remember me.

Anne Marie Bennett (Suit: Community)

This Community Card from my SoulCollage® deck honors my dear friend Anne Marie, SoulCollage® Facilitator and creator of KaleidoSoul - a virtual online university and playground for SoulCollage®. Anne Marie was trained in the art of SoulCollage® by it's creator, the luminescent Seena Frost. Also, Anne Marie originated and moderates the very lively, informative and kindred on-line KaleidoSoul Yahoo Group, which is a great place to become better acquainted with this creative, intuitive-collage process of self-discovery. Here, you can be as active as you want...or a fly on the wall, your choice. Either way it's bound to be an enriching experience...so I invite you to check it out.

Regarding my Community Cards, I am blessed that I have so many teachers in my life that show up as: family, friends, angels, teachers, pets, online friends - thank Goodness for the world wide web!...as well as challengers in my life, past and present. They all provide a rich medium from which I can learn and grow spiritually. In time I'll create more cards for my Community members and feature them...so please stay tuned, you might just look up and see yourself here!

Anne Marie's message to me...from the essence of her card says...

I am one who is an earth angel...and I graciously wear my butterfly angel wings. I give of my heart and soul in all that I do. I am one who loves rainbows and believes in the pot of gold at the end..for myself, and others. I am one who see the rainbows in many aspects of life, of people and in situations. I am one who knows rainbows come after a storm.
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I am one who greatly appreciates and marvels in the diversity of humanity. I am one who sees the kaleidoscope of beauty in our souls. I am generous. I share my creative passions freely and nurture them in others. I am one who is compassionate and understanding. I am one who invites you to "retreat". My resonance with SoulCollage® makes my heart sing....it is my soul food. I am the one who has a bond with nature; I share a loving, forever-bond with my beloved cat, Scooter...still. I am the one who knows he is with me always, and that I can visit with him whenever I want. I am the one who smiles as I journey with childlike wonder...innocently and freely toward my rainbow.
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I want you to accept at your own pace, my invitation...to discover more about yourself through SoulCollage®... card-making, interpretations, readings...and sharing. I want you to rejoice in the resources that are offered...for your soul's growth. I want you to share your journey with us.
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I give you my heart's resources...another way of discovering your precious inner-beauty...through my giving, my sharing. I give you hope, inspiration and encouragement. I give you the benefit of the stories of my experiences. I give you a place to share your SoulCollage® journey with others, and myself, worldwide. I give you reminders of the loving, powerful gift of Seena's SoulCollage® process. You will remember when you see or think of rainbows, kaleidoscopes, SoulCollage®, retreats...and nature. -- I give you abundant blessings along your journey.

My Intuition

I am one who knows before you know.

I am one you can count on. I am your gut instinct, facts don't matter to me.

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I am the one who tells you your truth, and dances in delight of it! ~ I am the feeling in your heart and deep in your bones that you cannot let go of.

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I am your guide in the darkness and the light. I am the one who celebrates when you listen to me!

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I want you to continue heeding my call, and trusting what I communicate to you. ~ I bring you messages from your deepest self.

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Whenever my voice is faint, seek quietness until you once again sense our union. I want you to know you can ask me anything, and I will answer.

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I give you everlasting reliability. Remember I am always here. I give you insight, and peace. I give you your most unequivocal self.

Becoming the Butterfly

I am one who willingly "lets go" of... and sheds what I no longer need...and what no longer serves me. I am one who courageously walks the path of my transformation and change.
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I am the one who bids my beloved and faithful catipillar a loving "thank you" for nurturing my Butterfly-self. I put my fingers to my lips and blow it a kiss...bidding it a long, yet dark, goodnight... for it has fulfilled it's destiny. I am the one who welcomes the beauty and freedom of being my Butterfly-self.
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I am the one who excitedly says "yes" to change...and the promise of new beginnings!
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Change is good. Without change we would never experience what I feel is one of the most beautiful symbols of life: flowers, (and all vegetation for that matter). If flowers never "changed" from the delicate bud to the voluptuous bloom--and all the stages in between--we might not ever know the beauty, the memorable fragrance of..let's say... the rose or the soft, suppleness of it's petals...or the prick of its thorns...which to me, are prompts for us to pay attention. Ahh yes...although often challenging, agreeing with change and meeting it with courage, confidence, trust and the support of loving ones in our lives... saying yes to change is saying yes to our growth...and life.
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Lastly, according to the book, SoulCollage, this could be called the Death card -- death meaning transformation, change. I call it "Becoming the Butterfly"... a renaissance of mySelf. I now declare my heartfelt "yes" and my "willingness" to walk into change, one step at a time, one breath at a time. When I do this... in my mind this tells the Universe my deepest intentions, and they then enter into this Cosmic Easy-Bake Oven to stir things up...to manifest my highest good. And...just like when I was a little girl, I couldn't wait to see what came out of my E-Z Bake oven...I now wait with a smiling heart, and patience to see the good that is in store.
Today, I welcome my Butterfly-self!

I am so Thankful

I am the one who is so thankful.

I am the one who has gratitude pulsing through her entire being.

I am the one who knows that thankfulness...is it's own reward, and greatest blessing.

Tree of Abundant Manifestation

I am your love made visible: the bountiful, colorful, textured, fragrant... ripe & delicious fruits of your labor.
I am the one who lives to give...to soak up your heart's fire & transform it into the brilliant shapes, colors and substance of your every True desire.

I am the one who nurtures your journey...beckoning you to prepare & tend the soil of your consciousness...while in planting season.
I am your tree of abundant manifestation, and I delight in being heavy-laden with the harvest of your life's passions and purpose.
I am the one who reminds you of your inborn power, given to you by the Creator, to co-create and manifest your heart's & soul's desires. I am the one who shows you infinite possibilities, and varieties of manifestation.
What do you want from me?
I want you to feed me the love & sunshine of your belief in my purpose, and serenade me your heart's convictions. I want you to keep me thriving with the radiant energy of your "happy-expectancy" of beautifuly-imagined outcomes in "your" Perfect season.

How will I remember?
You will remember each time you see the Earth's statuesque, graceful, and giving trees; and each time you witness every flower sprout, bud, and bloom...for your dreams are also expanding and growing stronger and coming-into-form right before your eyes!

I am your Tree of Abundance, the one who knows the Fruits of Your Labor will not only abundantly bless you, but countless fellow-travelers as well.