Stardust Guild SiStars

 In 2018, Shiloh Sophia revived the medieval practice of gathering those who have developed proficiency in an art or trade into a Guild of Journeywomen for the graduates of the Color of Woman teacher training. We'd had a Graduate group for several years - this was the 'next step.' 

With the addition of the Motherboard Coaching program, and Red Thread Guides, the Guild now includes graduates of those programs as well. (The Certifications page has links to the prospectus for each program.)

Active Guild benefits include a group on iMUSEA, a monthly call, which may include a teaching, and access to a graduate Video library for Continuing Ed appropriate to each training. For CoW, this includes additional classes of varying length at no charge, and sign ups for several we can receive a license to teach after completing the painting and any additional requirements. (These include Apothecary, Legend, Diva X... ) 

There's a link to add yourself to the Guild directory, and volunteer or employment opportunities are offered to active guild members first. 

Sepha, Nadya and Shiloh, 2016

There is also a Regional component. Nearly 20 Guild Gals currently live in Oregon and Washington, and several of us met for the first time in classes, at graduation, during travels, or an in-person gathering. (You can find local graduates and Guild members in the directory.) 

In November 2019, I invited the local gals to a Gathering at the studio in MECA gallery (since closed). We set our circle for the afternoon, and Jan from Southern Washington, 3 hours away, choose to stay overnight! 

Sharing Purple thread with Sepha and Janet

While we do Red Thread circles when gathering with students and beloveds in our broader community, when meeting with other Guild members, we often use a Purple Thread of Leadership. I've shared purple thread with several SiStars as they traveled through Oregon, weaning strands of connection. It's always a delight when we gather, and this was no exception! 

Olivia, Sepha, Uma, Nadya, Jan  - Nov 19

During that fall gathering, we shared chocolate and tea, warmth and SiStarhood. Our Muses must have consulted - our colors were delightfully coordinated! We passed the thread, and shared highlights from our year, and dreams for the future. 
We planned to share a Metacognative drawing practice, but after our check-in round we just kept talking!  And talking - laughing, commiserating, and finally said our fond goodbyes, with a stronger connection and sisterhood.

In 2021, Musea added regional 'Constellations' of Guild Members, with Guides for each group, and ours began having monthly calls in the spring. Our PNW 'Stardust SiStars' begin with a circle, sometimes followed by a short teaching or activity. We have begun scheduling separate "Nuts and Bolts" sessions sharing info on making prints, and other practical tips. 

We may be drawn to Collaborate with others from afar, or in our area. I've co-facilitated in person classes with several, beginning with Lora Pirtle during my own Color of Woman training, then Sepha, when she entered the following year. 

Olivia and Uma collaborated many times while they both lived in Portland, and after Uma moved out of the area, offered the first 'guild led' Legend class virtually in the spring, and I was their Art Doc! 

Another local grad and Guild member Linda Allen and I co-facilitate bimonthly Virtual Red Thread Circles as a pivot during lock down. These are so fun, drawing women from around the globe!! (as far as NZ and India!) Graduates or students in our area are also invited to post their offerings in our PNW MeetUp.

Purple Thread cuffP

I used the purple yarn from several circles with my Guild SiStars to crochet this little cuff bracelet. It's both decorative and a wonderful reminder I can just give a tug, and the support and love from my Guild sisters is on the other end! 

I extend the thread to you, and invite you to explore guild membership!

Jump back on the train

 In early April, when I checked in with several of those still in process, one SiStar responded saying, "I need to jump back on the train."  

What a great image! Like our lovely Lighthouse circle last spring, jumping back on the train offers inspiration. It invites motion after a needed holiday, or necessary trip to take care of other business! 

Whilst several are in the last stages of assembling their competed assignments for the Initiate Book, (woot!!) others are still somewhere in the middle, with offerings, writing and or their paintings left to compete.

Before our Get R Done call in Dec 2020, Rosie Mac and I suggested sorting the remaining assignments into Ta-das and ToDos, then fine tune the ToDos into: 

• Easy peasy
• A bit more challenging, but I've got it!
• YIKES! 

Remember to check the pared down list of assignments, it doesn't have to be a Magnum Opus! The post with tips from that call is HERE.  

A couple of other posts on getting re-motivated are Reset and Welcome

Legend - Mythic Awakening - in process

The heart of Intentional Creativity is setting our intention for our paintings and projects, and this is a GREAT time to sit with your journal and calendar, and set intention for your next steps. Even if you plan for the longer extension, set yourself goals for your different projects! How do you best schedule and plan? Tap your strengths! The Visual Planning system is one of my favorites for SEEING what I want to focus on!

Check in with your Story Cards and see if you can identify any old stories that could hold you back - what  antidotes did you identify? I find I often have the tools to support me, but just forget to use them! Pull out your Vision Plan Book, and review your vision - what lights you up about IC? Perhaps you want to make a card or two that reflect this - a Chalice card for the abundance flowing - both your offerings nourishing others, and the energy exchange that will flow in .... A card for your Beloveds - Who is seeking you? ...

Heron Walking - Mythic Awakening

Writing a pros and cons list is a tool I sometimes use for making decisions - it can be helpful here, especially if you got off the CoW Train awhile ago - you still have the Ticket, what are some of the pros of jumping back on? 

What's are the Carrots on your Pros list, inviting you to finish your quest and compile your Initiate book?

• The relief of completion, and going on to plan your own offerings and collaborations!
• Graduates, including Muse Timers, are chosen for staff positions and support teams, (which includes payment or a scholarship for the class!) 
• Membership in the Guild at the Active level offers many opportunities for connection, continuing ed, and access to the wonderful library of classes we can take, and ones we can teach (some at no extra charge, others we need to be licensed for)
• I was the Art Doctor for the first Legend class to be offered by Guild Members, which will count as the prerequisite for CoW, and am licensed to teach Legend myself.

What may be holding you back - Cons 

•  Sometimes it's health or family issues - as much as you love IC and want to share it, you just don't have the band width! Your own health or responsibilities currently require too much time and energy. (A number of sisters have surmounted many of these obstacles, managed to complete 'After all!')
• What worked so far, and what was more challenging? (Can you approach that a different way? What are some other options?)
• One SiStar mentioned realizing she's so sensitive to energy, she's concerned about teaching groups. This is something Shiloh often addresses, reminding us not to allow other's energy into our fields, pushing it out with our hands and intention. Movement breaks during a class can help with this as well.  In her own in-person offerings, Shiloh clearly states she is not available during breaks, which she needs for recharge. Taking time for yourself both before and after classes is vital to staying energetically healthy!
• I'm happy to chat with anyone who wants to teach, but has a similar concern! My Reiki blog has some ideas for with and recharging your energy.
• And some gals realize the IC quest was more for personal growth, and feel complete the accomplishment, without certifying! If that's the case, you're invited to check in, and to fill out the Exit Survey.

You might want to take tea with your Muse and journal, or even a painting, to work with your personal pros and cons. Are their ways you can address/conquer your cons? 

If the pros prevail, pack your bag and jump on the train!!