Echidna tatu design...

The gentler bay...

The music lovin' Rhubarb, and I wandered down to Tallows beach for a swim the other day, but the water was stirred up and rough so we decided to head for the bay. Not sure if we smelled, or simply that it was close to the middle of the day and folks were being sun smart, either way, the beach cleared, pretty much just leaving us and several surf schools amidst the waves. The bay was gentler, and kindly turned on its picturesque nature for all and any to see. In the distance, mountains, one of which formed the centre of the volcano so pivotal in forming the landscape and soils of this area.

Spring beach walk observations....

This is the time of migrating whales, journeying with their calves, along the coast where we live. If youre lucky, it also helps to be up high, you can watch them play. Huge flippers and tails slap on the waters surface erupting in white wash, spouts spray into the air above. It really seems like pure ecstatic fun, i cant see what practical purpose it serves except perhaps to knock loose the odd barnacle. Humpback whales are bigger than any dinosaur that lived, when you see them next to boats or surfers, this reality comes home.

The migrating terns have also reappeared once more, with their black caps and pointy beaks. They are consumate fishermen able to dive from a height into the waves and surface bearing fish. They fold their wings and become arrows of accuracy.

Along the beach jellyfish wash up. This week I saw a blue 'man of war' type one that was easily half a metre across, wouldnt want to swim into him. One day along the tide mark was what at first seemed like a line of jewels, glistening in the sunlight, they were infact tiny clear juvenile jellyfish.

An array of sea worn pebbles are carried and delicately deposited onto the sand by the waves. Seemingly infinte in the variety of colours and markings as I walk my gaze is draw to them, often I gather one up into my palm and walk with it a while, some come home with me. A cornicopia of stonelike variety.

We live where an ancient volcanoes edge of lava once would have met the sea and I imagine the cooling process as I look at rocks beside the ocean. Fire and water frozen in time, forces of motion fossilised into one moment.

The sound of waves and incense smoke.....

The path winds and turns through greenery, the beauty of where I am on this journey, engaged in the present. The more distant way hidden from view, until I move ahead and reach the point where one may see it revealed. The path carrying me, through changes and consolidations, as knowledge and learning evolve and shift.

The place I am, one where the direct perception of, and engagement with, nature are a compass. Living by the ocean, I take daily walks with my dog friend Meg, beachcombing our way along, the coastal spray feeds my innards and core. That part at my centre which is confident, strong and centred, tiny as a grain of sand perhaps, but returning after a period of years absent. The sounds of the waves wash through me, clear away the stagnancy that catchs in the corners of my being. In the same way that incense smoke does for the home and hearth, reaching into unexpected places and opening them gently to healing or a shift in conciousness.

Spirit journeys that one might expect to draw away from daily reality infact imbue it with signs of its luminescent underlay. The bird of prey hovering on the air currents is beautiful in its intense physicality but also carries the language of spirit messages to come. A feather found on a well manicured lawn hints that someone who has passed is near. Banksia flowers, like torches, light the way to renewed energy. Each being has its teachings to offer, as, in my experience, do those in spirit realms. I learn to ask ‘what is it you are teaching?’ giving thanks for it, and find such an approach can guide me in many realities. Sometimes the teaching is repeated, difficult or challenging.

I find mental health and perceiving spirit are not mutually exclusive terms. The two dance around each other like a dna strand for me. Balancing brain chemistry and soul can be tricky at times, but is a worthwhile pursuit. Nothing beats the satisfaction of realising that I’ve now halved one medication, the other is completely gone. That I’ve travelled through two soul retrievals and come out the other side with somewhat clearer vision. Similar strategies, in some ways, heal their after effects, even if that’s just to ask for help. I journal, trying to remember. I am amazed at the humour of spirit guides who take the piss.

 As, with guidance, I gather the fragments of soul lost and reweave them back into my life, I learn healing is not an endpoint but a process. An approach to, rather than an ascending of, lives difficulties and challenges, that requires looking into old fears and joys, whilst slowly creating a box of tools on which to draw. Like the oceans sounds, the incenses smoke, touching forgotten places and calling them forth. 

Mika's back....

After a hiatus of several months, Mika, and her kids book story, are back on the drawing board. Shes had a makeover, as have the other characters and general style of the illustrations. The goal was a mix between traditional drawing and folk art. So Ive penciled in about seven of the twenty or so illustrations needed.

Im working on Arches100% cotton 185gsm watercolour paper, which is a bit lighter than Im used to, hence Im having to learn how to 'stretch' paper. Yep, like you do with canvas only different. Apparently it makes for ease of paint flow and stops buckling from washes.

Basically I got a 4 ply board and estapoled both sides and the edges to prepare it. Then you soak the watercolour paper in water for about ten minutes. Lifting it out you place it flat onto the prepared board, wiping off excess water. Then using special tape, which has a glue that activates when it gets wet, I taped the picture, with pencilwork side up, down to the board. Making sure to press out any bubbles or buckles. Ive just done this process with my first drawing, so apparently now i leave it to dry out on a flat surface, and then its time to add some colour to Mika's world. Exciting...

Soul retrieval...

Recently i undertook my first soul retrieval journey with Odettes contemporary shamanic guidance. The split apart that was retrieved was a small child part of me and she has gradually over the days since been absorbed into my body, where older, wiser aspects can care for her. She had been hiding under the bed (literally) for a long time and the kick back from the process has had its moments. Largely anxiety and feelings of vulnerability when out and about thats becoming knowing when to say enough, a lack of confidence that is evolving into finding a stronger voice. The thing with finding your voice, including parts that may have been silenced, is that its a bit of a one step forward two steps back situation initially. Integration occurs organically to its own timing.

 Soul fragmentation, called at times by psychology 'disassociation', occurs most often where there is trauma. In order to preserve a sense of self and survive, a part of the soul shoots off. Reconnecting to that part is a healing of embodiment, which can come with its confronting aspects. In the end though, we are here in body for the duration of our experience on planet earth 101 and becoming more present is a grounding and centring that soul retrieval expands upon. As adults we have more tools to begin to deal with and nourish through situations where we might have had limited empowerment as kids. In the same breath places where we have less presence as adults, can benifit from reintegrating child like parts that may have been missing for years.

So reintegration is a worthwhile process, as healing, but may come with its own challenges. Knowing to expect upsurges of emotions and memories can help, that these too shall pass.     




 

Little spirit....