Cancer New Moon Musings

Gabriel. Watercolor on paper, 8 x 10 inches © 2011 by Kathy Crabbe.

Cancer New Moon & Solar Eclipse July 1, 2011 1:54 am pdt

The Well is empty so what do I do, I grab a 'lefty' aka Creative Soul Card (see below) and a moonstone and I dream.

I float without words, formlessly without intention, action or purpose; i don't need them, i am guided. My life is full (i have several who will miss me when i'm gone). i have nothing to give you, just my heart which you may carve up as you wish.

When words go, poetry appears; a language for the birds (no twitter jokes, please). I do have ONE wish though, that you are open to change, seek knowledge, get off your damn cell phones and worship Nature as your Mother. That's all I have to say (for now).

Craft for Misfits: An Interview with Michelle Riley

This month's special guest in my Creative Soul Circle is Aussie Artist Michelle Riley of Threefold Designs: 'Craft for Misfits'. Sign up here for the Creative Soul Circle ~ it's free! Michelle Riley: Craft for MisfitsInterview with Michelle Riley

What aspect of creating your art do you find the most enjoyable?

The design and execution of my art is the most enjoyable to me … especially stitching!

What originally got you started?

I went to Art School after high school, but although I knew I wanted to be an artist, I hadn’t found a medium I ‘clicked’ with.  It was only afterwards that I was inspired by the designs of Kaffe Fassett, and realized that needlepoint was the medium that suited me.

Who has inspired you the most creatively, and why?

The aforementioned Kaffe Fassett (www.kaffefassett.com), who is a creative and colour genius!  I am also inspired by hearing stories of other artists who have made a living doing what they love.

How did you decide what medium to work in?

I’m not sure why needlepoint struck a chord with me – I think it’s because wool is so earthy, grounding and textural.  I also like the fact that needlepoint isn’t considered ‘cool’ – it’s a challenge convincing people that it can be ;)

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art?

To be honest, I’ve never really thought about conveying a message at all … I just do what makes me happy, and what is aesthetically pleasing to me.  If others love it, then that’s fantastic!  I do like to encourage people to learn cross stitch though.

If you had to choose a fruit or vegetable to describe yourself, what would you choose and why?

Rambutan – it’s weird looking, some people really love it and some people really hate it!  And yes, I can be a bit spiky at times ;)

Michelle Riley Stitching: Craft for MisfitsIf you had to choose one other medium in which to display your creativity, what would that be and why?

Woven tapestry!  This is what I am studying at the moment (in my second year of a 6 year diploma), and I hope to create one-of-a-kind pieces that complement my needlepoint kits.

What advice do you have for others who are just starting to develop creatively?

Seriously, just do it!  Don’t sit there thinking ‘oh, I’m not good enough’ – get out there are do what makes you feel happy!  Don’t worry about what other people think – the judgement is only as relevant as the judge ;)

What role does spirituality play in your creative life?

An enormous role!  My designs are ‘given’ to me by particular entities that want to make themselves known to me.  My very first design was Moon Phases, and I did this when I started studying Astrology.  Other designs came about after I was ‘visited’ by entities wanting their portraits done … for example, Hathor wouldn’t leave me alone until her design was done.  One day I set it aside to do something else, and the whole frame came crashing down (I still don’t know how!).  All was well when I started working on it again!

Do you have any business or marketing tips for other artists/crafters?

I’m probably not the best person to ask, since I’m still learning this myself!  If anyone reading this has any suggestions, I’d be glad to hear them ;)

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Life is all about doing what makes you feel good!  If you are thinking to yourself ‘I’d always like to be trying that’, then get out there and do it – you’re never too old, or not good enough to find your passion in life.

Michelle's Links: Threefold Needlepoint Shadowplay (Michelle's goth/dark wave radio show)

Each month in the Creative Soul Circle you'll meet a different guest and have an opportunity to interact with them in person. The Circle also features a Moon Musing Group; a support group for women.

Aries Crone Moon Musing

Aries Crone MoonJune 23, 2011 4:48 am pdt

Today is the beginning of the Waning (Crone) Moon. Every new/full/crone moon I post moon musings here in our Moon Musing Group with guided exercises, meditations, challenges and actions to help guide you on this Divine Feminine Journey into Moon Musing.

At the previous Full Moon many of us connected with your primary archetype. Well, now we're going to release ALL limitations, fears, burdens, etc. so we can move forward at the upcoming New Moon in Cancer on July 1.

Creative Soul Action: Let go of all labels, archetypes etc. so that you are standing on your own. Then pick a Creative Soul Card®. Take a moment to allow yourself to resonate with your card on a deep level. Then when you're ready I want you to embody the card on a deep level knowing that you are letting go of all you do not need or want.

Questions:

  1. Describe how that feels.
  2. How will you nurture this side of yourself?

How does your card tie in to the Crone Moon and also to the intentions you set at the previous New Moon?

To join the conversation in a group of Soul SiStars please join my Creative Soul Circle ~ it's free!

I come out of my hermit shell

Being interviewed by Karen, The Fog City Psychic on Blog Talk Radio was probably the high point of my week, or right up there with the Sag Full Moon/Eclipse meditation. We talked, we laughed and we were GREATLY inspired by the Sagittarian Full Moon Energy invigorating us all with passion, purpose, politics, and speaking up for our highest truth. Enjoy! (Click link above to listen)

Gemini New Moon Musings

Each month at the new, full and crone (waning) moon I post a Creative Soul Card of the month along with actions, challenges, questions in my Moon Musing Group in the Creative Soul Circle (free to join ~ women only!)  Many of you have already taken my eClass (Awaken Your Divine Feminine Soul) and have the lingo downpat ie. Moon Musing Journals, Collages, etc. so I really recommend taking this class if you’re feeling a bit confused. I’ve also included Moon Musing Playsheets for you to download so that you can follow along at your own pace.

Each month’s moon musing is different, because I wait for guidance from Mama Moon herself according to the zodiac sign she resides in and attempt to time my musings for the exact moment that she enters that particular sign.

I also suggest that you set intentions each new moon with the help of this New Moon Manifestation Exercise written by my favorite astrologer, Barbara Hand Clow.

John's Giant Banana. Watercolor on paper, 8 x 10 inches © 2011 by Kathy Crabbe

Gemini New Moon Creative Soul Card: John’s Giant Banana. Choose your own card here.

Challenge: There is so much going on right now that I’m going to keep it very simple, now that IS a challenge!

Action: I’d like you to envision your new moon intentions as if they were torches and then imagine lighting each one of your torches as if we were standing together in a circle all around the globe; one torch sparking another and another. Then I’d like you to share any visions and insights that you receive in regards to each one of your intentions allowing the torches to spark and illuminate your intentions in new and exciting ways. (I hope that wasn’t too complicated?)

Affirmation: Please share your affirmation with all of us below. My affirmation for the group is “I step forward with a light step walking with ever greater resonance into beauty".

Obstacles: What obstacles and challenges might you face in regards to your intentions?

Success Outcome Marker: please share in the Circle.

Question posed by your card to you: if you’re having trouble coming up with a question please let us know so we can all try and help.

How does your card tie in? please share in the Circle.