8 Steps to Living with a Natural Flow

        "Only engage, and then the mind grows heated, begin it, and then the work will be completed."

Goethe

'The Four Directions #2'

drawing: white ink on black bristol Drozda 2001 

For today's Blog Triage assignment we are asked to choose a topic that we are ready to blog about and then write it in three different voices. We are then asked to post the voice that most closely expresses our natural voice. We've been provided with a list of choices and I have selected mother, student and fellow artist. I decided to post all three since I thoroughly enjoyed the process.

My topic: Living  with a Natural Flow

Dottie, I think about you often as you've been 'resting in peace' since 2003. As my mom I don't know if you realize how you helped me (as well as your four other children) learn to live with a steady and continual focus (I notice that in the photos here you had provided me with binoculars for observing closely). It may have been those many trips to the Cleveland Zoo, wandering and watching, or the bi-weekly trips to the Cleveland Public library. I adored being able to go through the files of animal photographs filling the large brown paper envelope (the one with the figure eight closure around the paper buttons) with my favorite pictures for my next group of drawings. You encouraged me every step of the way to believe in my talent and to help me to create skills. Remember how you would remind me to draw, whenever I didn't feel well, or when I was frightened by something. You never failed to bring me paper or my sketchbook and you didn't coddle me...I don't think you saved any of those drawings, knowing there would always be more to come.  As I've looked back and reflected I appreciate that lesson. I took from that to value what's taking place now and to let the rest... rest.

Sabastian, you are eight years old. When you entered the studio you couldn't know that we'd be working together here at the contemporary art center studios until you're twelve. However I do hope that when you look back you will recall this: whenever you mentioned,with such joy and determination, "I want to be an architect when I grow up." I asked you to wait just a minute! Then, with a big smile, I would remind you that you ARE an artist/architect right now!! I would suggest that your only concern will be to not ever ever forget. I trust that you will have, at your fingertips, the memory of conceptualizing, drawing, planning, and constructing your many projects...from foundation to shutters to handmade trees and lawns surrounding your magical structures. Whenever you were in the studio you radiated a quietness and a focus that touched my heart and helped the other young artists by watching your example.  Each time your mother came to pick you up her tender pride filled the room.  

A house that Sabastian built

To my fellow artists I send out  a salute and an awareness that most of you already have a sense of flow and connection to the natural unfolding of time. For those of us who periodically lapse let me offer up a simple 8 step approach to 'going with the flow'. This eight fold path is based upon the natural and eternal phases of the moon. I've been a master teacher of working with the phases since the early 90's. It's a gentle and merry way to row your art boat down the stream.

All you need to begin is a classic kitchen calendar. Find the next new moon (which is April 14) and you can step into a gentle flow of time...month-by-month, year-by-year:

With each New moon…have a vision. Close your eyes and open your heart. Set a goal. Ask for clarity, which will lead to wisdom and illumination during the coming 29 days of the unfolding moon cycle. Create a treasure map using color, images and words to illustrate your heart’s desire. Three days later at the Crescent moon phase do your research and allow your vision/goal space to struggle like a seed planted in the ground. Imagine that it reaches up to find the light as it simultaneously stretches down to set a root. Breathe in the beauty and the wonder that surrounds you.

When the three days of the First quarter moon come it’s the time to take an action (write the letter, make the phone call, dance, or paint or sculpt your vision) all to inspire growth, trust and love for your goal.

The Gibbous moon phase is three days before the full moon; this is the time to remain positive…remain completely focused and create, create, create in connection to your goal.

The Full moon reflects. This is the three days in which you can see the shadow or hidden side of your vision or goal. This is when you can experience your goal's challenges from deep within. Now you can see, sense and feel what works and what may not. Introspection at this time leads to inner strength.


Three days after the full moon comes the Disseminating moon phase. This is the time to share what you have learned thus far regarding your goal. Speak to a trusted friend or mentor or write in your journal, or blog, recording your discoveries.

The Third quarter moon each month offers a time to say “thank you”. Now we begin to cleanse, renew and purify our thoughts and feelings being very grown up and recognizing that we’ve done what we can to accomplish the goal for this cycle.

The Balsamic moon phase each month falls three days before the next new moon. Now we release what has come and prepare to begin again…this is the time to dream the dream of the seed idea or vision that will be planted with the next new moon…

There you have it, a simple gentle recipe for circles, cycles, and following your moon….or as I like to say…enjoying your Luna-see…each new moon gives a chance to create a new vision.

winged moon

drawing: white ink on black bristol Drozda 2009

The two black and white drawings are taken from my archives of years of contributions to the pages of the beautiful Luna Press calendar...a wonderfully creative tool for walking in rhythm with the wheel of life. I also send out a monthly newsletter that keeps you abreast ot the current key energies of the cycles. You can subscribe at my home page here.


~sing the day