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? 

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!! 

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!"

       

Time to Shine

I just had a virtual chat with a couple of friends on this year's CoW Quest, and they're getting nervous as they near the finish line:

• The writing! 
• Teaching that 13-step class. 
• Feeling The Time Crunch
• The WRITING!!
• And Oh My Gosh! What happens after I finish?? 
• What do I say for my Artist Statement and Bio and ...??
• How do I write about my paintings?

As we chatted, I thought of each of you and your journey - wherever you are on the quest! And of your personal challenges and triumphs! And - you've got this!! You've come so far already - that's hard to realize sometimes! But you have! 

Soul Spark Muse 

So take a deep breath, and congratulate yourself on what you have accomplished!! 

Pull out your journal /print out of Assignments, what's left?

• Do you and your Muse have a time frame? 
• Utilise snatches of time!
• Do you have a word program and file set up to receive what you've written?

Categorize

• Which assignments have you shaking in your boots? 
• Which are easy peasy and almost compete? (Alternate some of these with the harder ones, and check them off!) 
• Color code these by difficulty, or make a card for each, with steps in the back
• Or: write on slips of paper and put them in a jar - pull one or two a day. 
• Write about/take an action step 
• Set a card or slip aside till later if you need, but pull another! 
• Are any confusing? Ask! 

Here are some strategies that could help

• Keep it simple! 
• Go through your journals with tabs or sticky notes, and mark pages that hold writing to distill for your Initiate Book. 
• If English is your second language, write in your mothertongue - then translate/ have someone proofread 
• Notice where you feel stuck - are there parallels with places you get frustrated or stuck in your life? 
• How do you typically react? Ask the Muse if she has feedback/ tips - this is a great place for a Metacognative process - draw, then write your insights

Inspiration

• Choose a few artist websites and blogs to check out - read their "about" info, and jot down phrases that whet your interest. 
• Have a place to record class names and ideas from your SiStars which appeal
• Connect with your passion and values for soul work and future visioning
• Find the notes from your calls with Stella Mac - there are often juicy tidbits!
• Call council with your IC paintings and ask for assistance/gems of wisdom

Allies 

• Schedule a chat with a classmate or one of the graduates in our FB group
• Team up and read each other's work, or ask a graduate to proofread 
• Schedule some self care, a massage, a walk in nature, a chat with a friend 
• Check in with Sarah if you haven't in awhile

What's your piece of the thread?

You are doing a great job, and have so much to offer the community! 

Thank you for saying "Yes!" to the quest! 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!