Monday, June 14, 2010

Following the Moon

'Bodhicitta Heart', Drozda 2009
24x20"
under painting on canvas

Welcome to Monday's brief opportunity to look-up and recognize your beautiful 'Luna See'. The keyword for this moon cycle is Illumination. The New Moon started on June 12 and extends through Tuesday afternoon. This is a great span of time to refresh the brilliance of your creative vision:



The world needs us to be balanced in creating and communicating.  What's possible through our collective brilliance? During this week illuminate your heart/mind and reconnect to your creative vision. Remind yourself daily of the importance of your talents and skills. Do your very best to stay close to your heart. Remember, as you may have read in the Luna See newsletter, that the last time our planet felt this level of collective global energy (for a full year) was in 2001. You may feel terrorized in new and different ways right now. Be aware and have courage.

In the five years (1990-1995) that my studio was located on the top floor, high security lock-up ward for women, in the former Fairhill Psychiatric Hospital in Cleveland I learned a great deal. I learned, in this raw unrenovated space, more (I'd previously learned a lot) about loss of power and loss of voice. I could feel, as a sensitive and member of the scar clan, the desperation left behind by the former occupants. The powerful residual deposits of  fear and agony were embedded in the walls and literally carved into the broad wooden window sills. I was there in that cavernous space alone. I could feel the pain and isolation of the women who had been there. I spent many a morning doubled over in heaving sobs.

The book The Cracker Factory (Natalie Wood starred in the movie) had been written by a patient. Reading her pithy stories about heavy medications, electro shock therapy and isolation deepened my resolve. I could stand for greater strength and self expression in my own life. I could honor those broken women in the name of the creative spirit that does no harm.

Within two months of moving into the Fairhill studio I became Artist in Residence for The Art Studio: Center for Therapy Through the Arts, now renamed Art Therapy Studio. I opened my doors and began holding many workshops and studios including the all day first Saturday Creativity Salons. Each Salon had a focus...the keyword for the current moon cycle gave twelve artists a 'way in' to discover fresh levels of self expression. We forged great friendships and shape-shifted the energy of a heavy, dense and foreboding space into a gathering place of tremendous healing and joy.

'Creativity Salon', Drozda 1991
Fairhill Studio


I share this story intentionally. I ask today that each of us consider all the ways we can deepen our commitment and resolve. This is the Illumination moon cycle. I am hoping that each of us will turn on our brilliance and contemplate the strength of the heart. Feel the depths of what your heart can create.

I know about brilliance from my recovery process. I know from my years in my Fairhill studio, how very powerful each brilliant creative step we take is for the whole.

'Bodhicitta Heart', Drozda 2009
24x20"
mixed media on canvas

There are so many exciting ways to engage your creative energy. Choose one and place it into the brilliant light of your imagination. Your imagination is like no other on the planet...celebrate that radiance.

What I have come to appreciate since 1989 when I started working with time in this natural 'follow the moon' way is the awareness that there is space for addressing what's most important. Find what that is for you. Then move through the year, following the moon, with a vibrant yet quiet focus.

Before we meet again for our Monday 'Following the Moon' we'll have moved through the first three phases of this cycle. That gives us from now through Tuesday afternoon to create our vision for this four week cycle, Tuesday through Saturday we can research the vision, Saturday through till next Tuesday we can take action on that vision. It would be lovely if you would tell your vision to someone who will honor you.


~May your heart find its song

15 comments:

  1. Dearest Iona, once again you have calmed my fears and given me a way to focus. My mind was whirling about and now I know what to do--reconnect, remind, imagine, research, action. Thank you.

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  2. A wonderful map for the next few days and year. Illumination toward our future creative focus and vision.

    The path that you have traveled has brought knowledge and wisdom to our doorstep. Wrapped in loving kindness and nurtured by love.

    For these gifts and for you I am thankful.

    Blessings. Happy Day!

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  3. Thank you for your words that have illuminated my spirit. And for your lovely comment. I will take heed. Have a beautiful week. roxanne

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  4. I spent the morning studying the Luna See Newsletter. I am trying to fall into step, or maybe I am in step. 2001 was the year I switched from sculpting to painting--I felt I could say more with painting.

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  5. Thank you for this gift, Iona! It is positive affirmation and much needed. You help me slow down, remember and be grateful, as I contemplate next steps. Your writings are a wonderful gift!

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  6. My time seems to revolve around a western artificial concept of time - days I work during the week, days I do my own work during the weekend. Hours of the day I am expected to be elsewhere. Hours my dear husband is expected to be elsewhere. I look forward to a more natural rhythm when I retire, but until then I'm grateful for the time I spend on my creative endeavors. I am not a linear person. I did a 7 day river float down 3 rivers in remote Alaska. Time melted into a very natural rhythm that had nothing to do with days of the week or hours of the day. The sun, the darkness, the river and our needs were dictating events. I loved it, and will never forget it.

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  7. Thanks Donna. Today I celebrate the brilliance of my imagination.

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  8. A wonderful encouraging post showing us good places to direct our energy that is often unfocused or misdirected. And Bodhicitta heart is beautiful.

    That creative salon sounds like so much fun on so many levels!

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  9. The timing of this post is perfect. It has affected me and I thank you for that and the enlightenment. I have work to do. Thank you so much!

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  10. how enlightening and inspirational--- which I need in spades right now-- all so important to our creativity.

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  11. Thank you Donna--although I've come to this post at the end of the week and the Moon has moved out of my sign, nonetheless, intuitive knowing was the dominant force in my week--and finally, I am listening and following her voice. I love that you keep us posted on these cycles...

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  12. Thank you all for stopping by to share in the creative joy of 'following the moon'.

    With my right hand in a cast I'm plunking out group thanks ...see you in the next while with more 'Luna See'.

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  13. Thank you so much for your inspiring post(s) They give me so much. Your heart painting is very, very beautiful.

    Sweet greetz and a hug for you!

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  14. I have spent the afternoon, reading your fascinating memoir.Beautifully written and illustrated! I took me awhile as it triggered so many memories of my own and they, like yours, were not all pleasant.I have manage to stuff them away and have never really dealt with them. I even found my self playing with Sumo!Saturday and Sunday are my days to read blogs, think, sketch, etc.I'll take your advise and put my visions into action before Tuesday :O)

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  15. What u did in that very psychic space is darn brave and exceptionally beautiful. Power to u

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Thanks for stopping '-)