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!

Collaboration

Since my own journey through Color of Woman, I've had the pleasure of collaborating with several SiStars in our community! 

The very first collaboration was at the beginning of my CoW journey, June, 2015! Graduate Lora Pirtle invited me to join the PNW MeetUp group, and post my offerings there. When I asked about auditing her upcoming 'Mystical Mermaids' class, she replied, "no, teach it with me!"
Here are the class photos from our afternoon class - I played harp during the visioning, and she'd prompt me to show them what's next throughout the afternoon. (Yikes!!) I was glad we only had two students, for this 'soft introduction' to teaching Intentional Creativity!

Serena of the 7 Seas

The next collaboration was as I was gearing up to teach my 13 step class, Dancing with the Muse. My friend Sepha Nisbet had been teaching Paint Nite for several years, and gave me tips for teaching in a carpeted room without running water (the chapel at my church!) and attended! She asked great "beginner" questions that helped keep me on track, and helped with set up!! (The link has some of her excellent set-up tips!) 

Sepha enrolled in CoW '16, and we co-facilitated many monthly circles and periodic classes over the next several years. We created and used our 13 step prompt card decks early on, and at Shiloh's request, created the video and handout for the CoW class of '18. 

4 of the prompt cards

With this Spring's turn toward virtual classes, I looked for SiStars to co-facilitate my monthly Red Thread circles, and decided to add a second circle to our offerings. It's exciting to team with gals who live over an hour away, and can't easily attend our in-person circles, and to benefit from their different passions and soul work.

Yesterday Linda Allen, who is a graduate of both Red Thread Guide and Color of Woman courses, and is finishing Catt Geller's Cosmic Smashbook course, offered "What's in your Basket?" (during this time). Linda has a strong background in crafts, and we've both woven baskets, so she she suggested a 3-D approach! 

Basket and Vision plan cards

In April and early May, I teamed with EFT (tapping) practitioner and CoW graduate Sherry Rueger Banaka, with a Metacognative process on resilience and short tapping routine. Gals from her tapping community joined us from England and British Columbia! 

Morning's basket, leather, twine...

One of the benefits of collaboration is that wider reach, connecting with beloveds from afar and different circles. Yesterday, our attendees included 2 other IC graduates, and two students - one in CoW 2020, one in RT Guide! Each is interested in co-facilitating a circle, and brings unique gifts. 

Whatever your own passion and soul work, collaboration is a good time for thinking outside the box. 

• Who has wisdom and skills that complement yours?
• Might beathwork, Tai chi or yoga be a good addition? 
• Does a friend know a craft you would like to learn? 
• For in-person classes, can someone help with set up in exchange for attendance? This is great for scholarship students.
• Who is responsible for what? (Spreading the word, registration, teachings...)

My circles are currently complimentary, but when you're charging for events, it is important to communicate, and be clear about logistics, including responsibility and how expenses and income will be spilt. 

If you still need to offer some of your circles or you 13 step class, consider teaming up with a SiStar student or graduate, and doing it together! 

One of the Silver Linings during this time of dsocial distancing is the opportunity for unexpected collaborations!!