SOULWork

 The invitation reads: "Your SOULWork Project is a culminating presentation exploring Intentional Creativity as applied to a personal interest. Plan to take 6-8 hours taking your interest to the 'next level.' Document in the way that makes sense: writing, link to a hosted URL, etc."

How do we make that connection between a personal interest and IC?

A good place to begin is to pull out your journal, your Medicine Basket, and draw a couple of Story Cards.  Sit with one of your paintings, and inquire, 

• What are some of my Personal Interests and how do they dovetail with IC? 
• How can I serve MY beloveds and my Soul Purpose? 
• Perhaps do a Metacognitive Drawing around the inquiry. 

If it's something you've already done, you can share the link (dropbox, youtube, blog post, google docs, etc) or you can simply flesh out your notes and any images you have of your project 'in the works.

I originally wrote about my SOULWork from the perspective of being a Grandmother, and using it to support my grandchildren. While that's been a part of work since the beginning, when my 4 year old grandkids added strokes (invited!) to my CoW paintings, I realize that another thread is my offerings as a Reiki Master.

In 2015 and '16, I wrote about this on my King's Touch Reiki Blog, "When studying Intentional Creativity, preparing to become a Color of Woman teacher and IC coach, I needed to offer several Red Thread Circles and events. My teacher Shiloh Sophia invited me to consider the connections between Reiki and the IC teachings, "I know there are connections, explore what they are."

A Chinese legend tells that we are connected before birth with those whom we're destined to meet by an invisible Red Thread. Through out lives, the thread may twist, stretch and tangle, but will never break. We each hold, and are responsible for our own piece of this thread.

I immediately saw a connection with my own Reiki Thread, and considered how to weave the IC teachings to support my Reiki students. In April on 2015, I included my first Red Thread circle for the training during a Reiki I class, inviting each initiate to share her piece of the thread. One, Lora Pirtle, was already certified in IC, and was tickled. During our 2nd Degree class in July, we incorporated the symbol practice sheets into creating a Medicine Basket as a journal cover. 

Students Creating Journal covers

When I took Second Degree Reiki in 1990, we first learned the three symbols, and then (gulp!) burned the papers!! Scary, but empowering! We were at the coast, & that night, I danced the symbols under the stars - WOW!

With Intentional Creativity, we can use the creative process as our Holy Fire of transformation and integration. 

Some of the Medicine Basket inquiries are:

• What will you be known for? 
• What Healing tools & remedies do you offer? 
• Who are your Beloveds?
• What is in your medicine basket?

When I painted & collaged 'gifts' onto my first Medicine basket, I immediately saw this as a lovely process to include in my upcoming Reiki 2 class (and included that as my first RT event assignment). I invited the students to bring scrapbook materials or Quotes they might want to include, and dream-stormed on how to integrate the teachings of Reiki, & the Medicine basket process. 

Intentional Creativity has proved to be a lovely support the Reiki teachings. I've formulated a Red Thread Reiki curriculum, with creative projects to help the teachings of each level. These Red Thread teachings are available separately for those who have studied with another Master, and I would love to collaborate with other Reiki Masters in offering these.

In later Reiki Classies, we've made Prayer Flags on the Reiki Principles during First Degree and Apothecary Vessels for the journal covers. So my SOULWork was already present, and interwoven into other assignments for my certification, I just needed to see the pattern!

I invite you to explore the connections between IC and your own interests/ skills/ healing tools - how can you weave the treads together? 

Calling Council

At times, writing about our paintings can be a struggle, and how do we translate their messages for the initiate book? One of my periodic practices is calling council! 

Like getting information from an individual lady, I set paintings around me, pour a cuppa, and invite their wisdom. I allow myself time, and am creative in my inquiries! Are there ladies in addition to the 5 from your quest you wish to include in your Council? Perhaps one painted with Shloh or another IC teacher, before you began Color of Woman? While you may not include their stories in your book, they are part of your story and journey!

Note: per Jena - if English is your second language, you can write in your Mother tongue, and just share some highlights in English!! 

I called my first Council on Summer Solstice 2014, after finishing the second painting in Flora Aube's Art of Allowing online course, Sekhmet. Flora was one of Shiloh's first students to branch out, and begin her own school! 

I held a 'council' meeting with 11 of the 12 of paintings I'd done between Feb and June (!!), & my "star lady" wall hanging in the background, which I stitched for my bodywork room over a decade before.

Spirit Council

Gabriella, Mary, Daffy-Down-Dilly

Gabriella - is my Muse of Creativity, from the first IC class I'd taken in February,  a 'Muse Encounter' workshop with my friend artist Elisabeth Friese-Mick! I refined her face, & added ribbons to her dress ... and added interference paint 'sparkle' to her hair!

Mary of Magdala - was the first I painted with inspiration from Shiloh Sophia from an online offering!
 & little Daffy-Down-Dilly (March) was for a local daffodil festival.

Dancers, Wind Horse

I began "Dancers" in March, on International Women's day, & gifted to my ballet teacher Emma Seth - it still hangs in the Marchant Dance studio. 

Beginning ballet classes as an adult with Emma's mother Lynn brought a whole shift in consciousness and body awareness, and intentional movement. Lynn is an important part of my creative lineage.

Drawing and painting horses was an early love, and Wind Horse, with her Red Thread Rider, began in an open studio at Elisabeth's home. The Blue lady, Presence, is my little mama Lois - inspired by her HS photo (around 1933) and her beloved hills and trees.

When calling council, you might pull out several of the inquiries from each assignment, and hunt up notes from your painting process: intention for each lady, notes on symbols, where you got stuck and how she helped you find resolution.

You might wait to review your notes till AFTER you've gleaned a round of messages; then do another council session after that revisit! 

Your story cards hold insights for this process as well - pull a card before or after chatting with each lady, which rewrite are you present to? Does one of the symbols in the painting match this shift? Is there an ally? Are there insights and messages from other IC processes like your Medicine Basket that dovetail?

After the council, you can pull out and refine the stories and information about your individual quest paintings for your initiate book.  I got a small journal to record these messages from my quest paintings and other ladies, for a dose of inspiration when I need it! 

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!! 

Avoiding Overwhelm

This week, one of our Muse Time SiStars asked about avoiding overwhelm,  as she works toward completion. 

What a good inquiry!  It can help to dance between the Easy Wins, and your more challenging tasks, and to pace yourself. And - breathe!  You've got this! 

You may wish to choose one or two assignments to focus on a day/week, perhaps a set timer (20-45 minutes) then take a break. Pull out a calendar,  and schedule time to spend with your Muse. 

Yesterday I took part in a friend's group EFT tapping session on business, and one of the inquiries was around being successful - what fears arose when we thought of having more clients? 

We taped around being busier, and that it's  ok to set boundaries as well as intentions! The leader shared that she liked talking trine to meditate and enjoy her coffee in the morning, (morning cafe!) She decided not to take appointments earlier than 9:30 - and that her business increased after setting that boundary! 

Look for places similar ideas interface, and group or cross reference them - What are some of the themes that arose in your story cards and medicine basket - do some work together and suggest a class?  

As you work on your Menu of Offerings , jot down ideas for what you want to include in different classes.

Mermaid: shells on the altar, a ritual of blessing water, maybe allies or treasures from the sea, ocean sounds or tmusic ... (etc)

I sometimes make a little booklet or card or two for a class theme; you may wish to start a "future class and workshop" file!

As you work toward completion, be sure to celebrate as you make headway and complete assignments! Every step takes you closer to your goal. 

Missing Out

In a chat with a Muse Time sister who is reengaging with her Quest, she said she  felt sad when she saw the assignment list, and realized how abbreviated it was compared to the the info available during the training. Would she be as well prepared as others?  I suggested she purchase a copy or download the pdf of the Color of Woman book, and check in with her Muse ...

Blessing Flower

This fear of missing out, and an urge to chase the Shiny Object are part of the Mindset that can lead to distraction! What would it take to start, and then see if we need more information? Can we set a task aside for a wee bit as we gather info, or start on a simpler one?

Rosie Mac and I led a call recently with 16 of our Muse Time SiStars, we invited you to submit questions and concerns, and to take stock of where you are on your quest. 

I suggested printing out writing out the assignment list from your class (Jena pinned post on the page with the link), and sorting them into Ta-das and ToDos, then fine tune the second list by: 

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

The blessing flower format is a creative way to arrange your ToDos. And for those yikes - remember to tug on the red thread - and that's often where the juice is!! 

Rosie, who completed her own Quest after 5 years - which included some major setbacks, offers inspiration and hope!  "If I can do it, you can, too!"

In addition to various physical challenges and unavoidable tragedies, which threw many off course, we identified several main issues: Mindset / limiting beliefs

• too little: time/ money/ energy. 
• I'm not as artistic as others // 
• I've got an art degree (and this should be easy for me!)
• Chatter from the Perfection Diva and Critic
• I'm not sure how to get inspired again!
• Overwhelm
• I can't get students [beloveds] for my class ...

Some of the solutions for these

• Simplify - it doesn't need to be a magnum opus
• Organize: put it on your calendar! 
• Can you commit 1/2-1 day a week?
• Do a bit at a time (even 20 minutes a day - or 5, if that's all you've energy for!)
• Use your tools - story cards to address old stories, vision plan book, medicine basket
• Collaborate, teach each other! 

If you halted during a painting, this post on journaling and reclaiming would be a good place to start as you revisit Her - does she need more work, or is she done for now? Again, simplify! (You can always return later - she'll call you back!)

If you've got several paintings to do, consider competing the current one, and be sure to do the journaling! Receive her message, and ask her assistance in moving forward. You can work on more than one painting at a time - Shiloh does this herself! Find what works for you! 

Be sure your studio is set up so you can do this easily, and put taking café with your paintings and process on your schedule - your own notes are a goldmine for future sessions and classes!! 

Check with the group, and see if anyone wants to paint or work on RT projects together virtually (it doesn't need to be the same painting!)  Share a Red Thread circle at the beginning, set a time frame, check in at the end! Be sure to sit with your cuppa and journal (at last 6' away!!) during/ after the session.

Red Thread mini altar

Organization  and writing

• Set up a file and folders for your Color of Woman assignments on the computer
• Write on paper first - write from your heart - then enter on your computer
• Simplify - you can always add more details later! 
• If English is your second language, write in your mothertongue, then translate
• Invite someone to help edit, and for tips on compiling your initiate book.

What's the carrot?

For Rosie, she wanted to join Kerry Lee in painting a series of murals in Christchurch, NZ - but needed to graduate first! So, even though she was still recovering from a brain injury, she reengaged with her quest, and graduated in 2019! 

Rosie and I have both benefited in many ways after graduating and becoming Guild members - access to classes, hearth tending, being support for courses. 

So ask yourself, 'what is my carrot?'  You began Color of Woman for a reason - what is it now? Look back at your Future Teacher Visioning - has it changed? Keep the orthogonal, but consider storing an update!

Take your inquiry to the page and canvas - what draws you forward? 

My beloved piano teacher, Marion Coe told me, "Commencement means to Begin!"

       

Metacognative Drawing

During our Muse Time call yesterday, We mentioned Metacognative drawing as a way to quickly tap into insights. Metacognation = awareness of our thoughts,  thinking about thinking! 

Shiloh has tapped into this over the last several years, and integrated it into the Motherboard coaching training. 

 Metacognative exercise: 

1) Take a few deep breaths, and ask yourself a question, perhaps 'What am I passionate about?' 'What's my next step?' 'Who are my beloveds?' ...

• Take a marker or pen, use a piece of paper, your Smash book, or fancier art journal. 
• Place the tip of your marker on the paper and doode for a minute or so, just letting the line flow. 
• Use your non-dominant hand if you wish 

Doodle, non-dominant hand

2) Then begin writing, inviting insights from your quick doodle. Write what comes to mind. Did new awareness arise? Write for another minute or two. 

3) Now, move to another page, choose a pleasing color, and sketch a symbol and wrote some of the words around it. Draw a line (a kind of ripple around your symbol and words) more words, and another ripple. 

Symbol and word ripples

In this case, the layers were:

• What becomes possible when I bring more scared space into my life?
• What form does it take?
• What needs to be released/added in my physical space?

Musea Atelier - step 4 sketch

4) Do a simple sketch, bringing form to your insight - here, we sketched our muse holding the visionary screen depicting our sacred space (my Atelier studio) 

This sketch can take any form - I like combining this practice with Neurographic noodling, and jotting a few words of insight on the reverse.

Wishing on a Star

We can jot down a couple of action steps that will help us bring our vision into reality, and choose one or two we can do in a day or two. I often put these on little cards on my board or in my Visual Planning pockets. 

Visual Plan Board

You can check the Educator directory to see who is in your part of the world, it look up sometime you've found inspiring. 

Using our Tools

During the Color of Woman quest, we are given treasure trove of tools for accessing our own intuition, insights and vision, and for calming the critic. Many of these make great offerings for our beloveds - and ... we may forget how helpful they can be for our own process! 

What can we do when the critic raises her head? 

In the 80s, Douglas Bloch suggested writing an affirmation, then processing "what comes up."  (Douglas Bloch, author of 'Words that Heal') We often decorated our "finished" affirmation with sequins and sparkles, ...put them up on mirrors, carried them in our wallets...

Story Card deck and cover

In The Artist's Way, Julia Cameron writes: "An affirmation is a positive statement of (positive) belief, and if we can become one-tenth as good at positive self-talk as we are at negative self-talk, we will notice an enormous change." Like Bloch, Julia suggests writing out the affirmation, then the 'blurts' which counter it, & suggests identifying their origin - "who told you that?" "Do you believe it's true?" 

With Intentional Creativity®, we approach the affirmation by first writing out the 'old stories' which hold you back, the critic chatter and negative beliefs on one side of a slip of paper: "I never have enough time!"  "I'm too old" (or too young, or too busy) "I'd love to do my art, but I don't want to end up a starving artist" ... "I can't afford__"

Then, we write an antidote on the other side of our process paper, and craft a short affirmation; the Antidote is transferred to our card & decorated. And then, ... we often tuck the deck away, and head off to the next assignment!! 

Oops! 

When talking to Creatives in our community, I notice some continue to "reaffirm" stories they countered during their CoW quest!  When I hear one surface, I often ask if they wish to reframe that story, & affirm something positive instead! (And try to remember to do this as well!!)

So my inquiry today is, "How do you utilize the lessons and reframe offered by your Story Cards?"

I invite you to light a candle, pour a cup of tea, pull out your journal and cards. Shuffle through your story card deck.

A direct approach: Journal about some old story phrases you notice your Inner Critic has been pulling out, and which block your progress. Perhaps do a Metacognative drawing. Then:

• go through your story card deck, and pull 2-3 cards which relate to that issue, and work with their messages. 
• Journal about the messages, and actions you can take. 
• Put them up on your altar or vision board till your next reading. 

Intuitive Reading

• Shut your eyes, breathe into your heart and belly
• Pull a card at random, and before looking at it, hold it between your hands
• Notice your impressions - a color, a word or two, a plant or animal ally
• Open your eyes and look at the card and affirmation
• Journal about both your impressions, and about that card and message
• How does it relate to the old story you've been battling?
• Place the card somewhere you can see it, and continue to receive messages

Oracle reading

• If you work with other Oracle decks, pull a card or two from your own deck as well
• Write about the Oracle in your journal, including impressions from your cards
• Add new insights to the back of the card 

Additional cards

One of my favorite Red Thread Circle offerings is creating 3-5 story cards in a 90 minute class. I'm always curious to see what beliefs tag along, and the variety of cards that will be created! Often several beloveds share similar old stories, and work on antidotes together.

This is great to do for yourself when you notice none of your cards read fully address a current issue! A piece of watercolor paper from a pad is a good size, and you'll likely want to make additional cards the same size as your current deck. I usually paint a sheet (often 9×12") then tear apart for cards, but only make a few. 

This can be a good time to assemble a little Story Card kit, for offering this as a virtual or in person class. Save so your process papers with old stories and their antidotes to include in your kit.

Additional Story Cards

Symbols, Totems, Elements and Angels

• Create additional cards inspired by messages and symbols from your paintings
• Write a short description on the back 
• Totems: Hummingbird came during my Artist painting, and it reminded each flower (student) of their unique beauty, and can match pave by slowing, or speeding ahead.
• Notice if symbols on your cards find their way into the canvas
• Time Angels is another favorite card, I invite them to help keep on time
• Grace Elohim invites us to "Grace it and Move On!"
• Other cards you've made might include soul collage or journey cards, and their systems
• My friend, Color of Woman graduate Linda Allen included cards for the elements and reminders to Breathe and Dance in her deck - watch her slideshow here

What are some of your favorite cards, and ways you work with them? 

Share in the comments!  

    

 

Visual Planning

Last spring, Shiloh and her biz coach Amy Ahlers offered Dancing Entrepreneur for both Color of Woman students and the general community. We created the folded Vision Plan books (one of the CoW assignments) plus a set of 16 cards to support moving forward with our plans. 

We connected with others in the class (a weekend workshop or 5 week class) and used the momentum of the class to bring ideas into action or products. I developed my virtual Red Thread Circles, and collaborations with other students and IC teachers.

Some of the posts that caught my eye were of Karen Dawn's Visual Planning system, and I joined her Beta Test group on crafting similar systems of our own! I love Karen's creative approach to planning! (Her blog includes some of these teachings!) 

Vision Plan Board

Mine is on a foam board I had from a vision board class I offered, and has two of the Dancing Entrepreneur action cards, a little vision board we created with Karen, and - pockets. The clothesline is a ribbon, and I just taped the ends to the back of the board using painter's tape! You can use nails to tack the lines directly on a wall - so many options!

Karen uses this 'clothesline' system for organizing ideas visually. She found that when her notes were tucked away in journals and files, they weren't as accessible, and often dropped off her radar. (So me!) 

Viola - make pockets to hold sets of cards with those ideas. Larger file folder size pockets can be tacked up, with in depth writings/images.

It becomes an easy way to see what's on your plate, and easily access, move them around, and to inspire action! You can include a calendar page with dates dedicated to working on your project, classes, calls; The larger visual could be your medicine basket or another graphic...

I also like making little vision plans in Zines - these could easily tuck into small pockets! 

Planning pockets

Some variant on a Visual Planning wall or board Board is an excellent way to picture and address your remaining assignments and projects for Color of Woman. Small pockets could hold a few of your story cards, assignment overviews and action step cards (these can be on index cards or something else simple). Large pockets could hold more in depth notes on projects. 

If this system works well for you, it can easily be adapted for planning a class or other project, and balancing various aspects of your life! 

We'd love to see your planning system! 

 

Creative Business Plan

Thoughout Color of Woman and the other Intentional Creativity® trainings, we are offered tips and tools to help fine tune our vision, and keep us on track. One of the recent offerings for both students and course graduates was Dancing Entrepreneur , which was offed as either a weekend course, or a deeper 5 week dive. This year's Color of Woman class could use the plan book created during the workshop, or the one following the older videos.

Vision cards

I participated I the longer journey, and enjoyed the depth of offerings, calls, and focus groups that emerged. Several of our teacher Shiloh's colleagues and advisors shared insights, and it was very rich.  In addition to creating a folded Vision Plan Book, we created a deck of 16 card Dancing Entrepreneur deck, as action prompts for our next 'Dance Move.' We wrote short prompts or Dares on the back, and Shiloh suggested drawing one daily.

Vision Cards

I loved seeing the other students' work, and was especially drawn to a visual organization system Karen Dawn created, and to how she incorporated the cards. Karen has developed a visual planning wall that helps her stay organized and focused, and I'm excited to participate in her 6 week course. 

Our next assignment is to create a Vision Board for our own planning wall. I've done several over the years, it feels timely to do one focused on current energies. 

I'm thinking of creating some calendar pages for my wall, like I've done in journals. One of Karen's inspirations for her wall was realizing how many great ideas were tucked away in her journals, and "out of sight, out of mind!" (Does that happen to you, too?)

Calendar spread

One of the Creative Business planning projects we did in CoW was to paint our Biz-Muse - she's a whimsical muse, with a winged eye, for seeing behind the ordinary, and intentions collaged on strips of paper.

Biz-Muse

Next up - collage time!!  

I used an 11×15" sheet of watercolorpaper for the backing, and images and words from several magazines for the board. The mountains are The Three Sisters, which I grew up with in Central Oregon. 

A piece of foam board could hold some of my planning wall - I'm excited to watch the next video!

Happy PPF!

Reset

Muses light fuses! 
What has your muse been whispering? Mine seems to have been on a bit of a sabbatical this year - I wish we could say we've been somewhere fun!! I've led my monthly circles, but only taught a few classes, and painting has been sporadic as well. As I feel into my piece of the thread, I pull out the new 18 month daybook/calendar I got this fall, and jot down notes.

What's your process for organization? When I began my CoW quest, I found a little red

Vision flower

checkbook style calendar at the dollar store, and entered each month's assignments in the notes at the bottom of the page, in addition to marking quest time each week. It was fulfilling to check them off, or Tune into what I needed to do to finish. I'm someone who can tend to procrastinate, and push deadlines, so it was often tight! i also like to play with Color and make plans in a less linear way, like this vision flower.

As you enter the next leg of your quest, I invite you to consider a reset.
 As we often did between paintings, this is a good time to clear and reset your altar, hang a different piece of art on the wall, set out a new candle. Choose a story card and place it on the altar. Spend some time in your studio, making it easier to work in. Sweep the floor, organize supplies, make a list of ones you need. Do you have enough light? A cozy chair for cafe and journaling? A place to sit "at least 5 feet back" from your painting/s? 

One of my periodic practices is calling council with my paintings! Like getting information from an individual lady, I set paintings around me, and invite their wisdom. I got a small journal to record these messages from my quest paintings and other ladies, for a dose of inspiration when I need it! 

For this next phase of your quest, you'll be setting your own time line, so this is a great time to take stock. Do you need a new calendar and/or art journal?  What Insights about your journey have come in?

What do you still need to compete? Are some almost done? Are any of those "good enough" already? 
Are they in the Color of Woman file on your computer? Have you offered your RT circles and 13 step class? You may want to rank your "to do" list by ease of competing, and alternate easier with more challenging tasks. 

Here are some ideas for a reset:

• Reset your studio and altar
• Refresh your Supply list (watch for sales, add add items to your wish list)
• Get a new calendar and schedule time each week/month for CoW
• Spend some time with your journal, process and inspiration

• Set goals and time frame for completion
• Prioritize assignments to write up and check off 
• Call Council with your ladies
• Revisit your Future Teacher visioning, has something changed?

• Choose a story card for your altar each week
• Revisit your vision plan book for ideas, contacts, 
• Connect with an Accountability buddy 

Tugging on the Red Thread, you've got this! 

Muse Time Welcome

Welcome to this gathering place for Color of Woman competing their quests on Muse Time, and those who have gathered in to offer support! These tips and insights are designed to supplement the teachings you received during the Color of Woman classroom, and provide encouragement for the rest of your quest.

Shande'nea Star Path - Legend 2015

Muses each have their own energy and timing, their own interests and inspiration. Shiloh Sophia has provided a wonderful vessel in which our Muses flourish, and encourage us to shine in our own special ways!

As always, Sarah Mardell is our communication priestess, and the person you will be checking in with for official business your initiate book. If you have questions about fees, Sarah can help! For clarification on assignments, requirements, and submitting your book, email Jena.  

Wherever you are on your quest, I invite you to take stock. This is a excellent time to pull out notes from your interview with Shiloh, and your original intention on entering Color of Woman. Has that shifted? In what ways? Do you have a calendar where you schedule painting and writing time? I like little 'check book' size calendars, and used one for my CoW Quest.

Paintings
You might wish to bring out your Legendary Lady, and Muse, plus your notes on them, and the intention you wrote on the canvases, and call Council.
Pour a cup of cafe or tea and sit with your journal, Red Thread and your ladies. 

Put on some music, perhaps what you've painted to, or something you currently love.

• What messages and insights do your ladies carry for you?
• Do they have suggestions for how to proceed now?
• Which of your other ladies carry messages for you and your quest?
• What is your next step?
• What's your piece of the thread?

If you are still in process painting any of your ladies, include them, as you consider where to dive in. Ask her! Sometimes I do a light glaze, then sit back and journal while it drips. If you've already taught your 13-Step class, and/or one of Shiloh's recent classes, check in with those paintings - what insights do they carry?

Reset - This is a good time to clean up your painting supplies, and reset your altar. Get out a new candle, your ball of Red Thread and maybe some flowers to welcome your muse! Include your Story Cards, and perhaps pull one weekly. Sweep the floor, open the curtains, it's time!

Though it was optional, creating a new Cosmic Smashbook is a great way to connect with where you are now and to process your Muse Time journey. The prompts "show me, teach me, inform me" invite the Muse's presence, perspective and assistance. You can write your frustrations, and then 'compost' them by painting or collaging over them! I also like making little monthly 'calendars' with colored circles for different projects on my agenda / wish list for the month!

Smaskbooks - planning and Grounding Spreads

Writing and Red Thread projects:

Gather your information! 

• Do you have written assignments in your word program, ready for your initiate book? (This is a vital step!)
• Did you record some things in your Smashbook or other journals?
• Or perhaps in external blog posts?
• Which assignments almost compete, and how are you tracking them?
• Have you written about each of your ladies?

You may want to choose one or two writing assignments to focus on and compete. In many cases, we've done much of the work, and just need to document it! What is "the low hanging fruit," something that would be easy to compete? That's a great place to start!

If you're almost compete, what will it take to finish? If you'd like someone to look over any of your writing, post a request in our Muse Timer group on iMUSEA. If you were in the 2021 class, someone from your Regional Cohort may be happy to help! 

Circles and 13 step class:

• Have you offered your Red Thread circle and events?
• Do you have ideas for other offerings? 
• Have you offered your two day class, or have your theme?
• Have you written about it, gotten feedback, and have photos? 
• Do you have a place to teach and ways to advertise?
• These can be offered online! Zoom is an easy format to use for these.

- Remember, your initiate book is really for you, and most of what you have is likely already *good enough* ... We often fall prey to the tyranny of perfection, which gets in the way of completion! 

As you go through your assignment list, note which are already good enough! If English is not your Mothertongue, you can write in your own language, and add little highlights in English.

I look forward to what you have to share!