Circle of the Sun

Aquarius miscellaneous

2008-08-15T09:29:00.005+10:00

Aquarius menu

2008-08-15T09:29:00.003+10:00

Aquarius art process

2008-08-15T09:29:00.001+10:00

Aquarius Circle

2008-08-15T09:28:00.003+10:00

artwork by mercedes

layout by alex

Aquarius meditation

2008-08-15T09:28:00.002+10:00

Capricorn/Summer Solstice Miscellaneous

2008-08-15T09:27:00.001+10:00

Capricorn/Summer Solstice Menu

2008-08-15T09:26:00.000+10:00

Capricorn/Summer Solstice art process

2008-08-15T09:25:00.000+10:00

Capricorn/Summer Solstice Meditation

2008-08-15T09:24:00.003+10:00

…Capricorn Walking meditation…

Capricorn tells us that only through hard work and respect for ourselves and the earth may true abundance be reaped.

The Australian Aboriginal cultures embody this respect for the Earth. They live with a profound appreciation of the way things naturally are. While much of mankind has sought to improve on and dominate Nature, in traditional Aboriginal culture, rocks, sticks, trees and flowers are revered exactly as they are found.

In his book ‘Peace is Every Step’, Thich Nhat Hanh says that when we walk mindfully, we walk
"…[Not] in order to arrive, but just to walk. The purpose is to be in the present moment and to enjoy each step. Although we walk all the time, our walking is usually more like running. When we walk like that, we print anxiety and sorrow on the Earth. When we are able to take one step peacefully and happily, we are working for the cause of peace and happiness for the whole of humankind."

This walking meditation is to be a personal journey of walking back to a connection with yourself and with the earth. Walking back to a place of reverence and repect for yourself and the earth.

As you walk focus your attention in your legs and feet, feel the sensations of each step. Feel your legs and feet tense as you lift the leg. Feel the movement of the leg as it swings through the air. Feel the contact of the foot with the ground. Keep your eyes soft, seeing only enough to maintain your distance from the person in front of you. All that matters is each step. No destination, no concern for arrival, just the presence of each step. Keep your steps slow and small, the only necessity is that you feel the sensations of each step.

Once you are comfortable walking, if you wish, imagine a flower blooming in each of your footprints. In linking images of beauty and gratitude with the act of walking, we imbue each step with compassion for ourselves and for the land, and affirm our connection to it.

First we will stand and centre ourselves. Clasp your hands together in front of your body. Feel yourself balanced and comfortable in your body, feet connected to the ground.

Now begin to walk.

Capricorn/Summer Solstice Circle

2008-08-15T09:22:00.002+10:00

Sagittarius miscellaneous

2008-08-07T23:21:00.002+10:00

Lyrics sheet and quote

Sagittarius menu

2008-08-07T23:20:00.001+10:00

Sagittarius art process

2008-08-07T23:18:00.001+10:00

Handmade books and journaling

Sagittarius circle

2008-08-07T23:17:00.004+10:00

sagittarius flyer

Sagittarius meditation

2008-08-07T23:17:00.002+10:00

Scorpio miscellaneous

2008-08-07T23:15:00.002+10:00

Scorpio lyrics and quote

Scorpio Menu

2008-08-07T23:14:00.000+10:00

Scorpio art process

2008-08-07T23:12:00.000+10:00

mask making

Scorpio Meditation

2008-08-07T23:07:00.002+10:00

Sit comfortably and relaxed on your cushion. Notice your body, resting on your cushion, connected to the earth, in this room, with these women. Notice the air around your body, the way it gently slips over the surface of your face and hair. It caresses your neck and shoulders, and arms and hands. The air slides over your chest and back and belly, and down to your thighs and knees and calves and feet.

Become aware of your breath. Notice the air around your body as you breathe it in, through your nostrils, down your throat, and expanding your lungs. As you inhale, then exhale, let your breath carry you deeper and deeper within. As you inhale, and exhale the distractions of everyday life fall away. Let your awareness drop down into the inner chamber of your heart.

Begin to breathe a soft, white light directly into your heart. Inhale, and exhale, the cool, clear white light. As you breathe, feel the illuminating white light radiating from the core of your heart throughout the rest of your body. It slowly spreads through your chest, into your stomach and back, bathing you in a safe, white glow. Inhale, exhale, the gentle, glowing white light flows into your shoulders and arms, and flowing down through your thighs and calves. Breathe in and out, and with each breath you are circulating the safe, white light of clarity around and within your body. You are in a calm, secure space of trust, and acceptance of what is, in this moment.

The clear white light bathing your whole body is the light of the full moon, rising above you in the dark night sky. You are walking through a primeval forest, following a pathway of soft moss and fallen leaves. The scent of the earth rises up as you place one foot in front of the other, walking deeper and deeper into the forest, your way illuminated by the moonlight.

The air around you is comfortably cool, and the only sounds are the soft, rhythmic sound of your steps and your breath. Occasionally you hear an owl call out, or the sound of a breeze stirring the leaves, but otherwise…silence.

You wind around and among trees that are hundreds of years old. The moonlight reveals to you shapes and forms in the texture of the trees. They appear to you as faces, still and mask-like. Like ancient guardians the trees watch over your journey, as you walk further into the depths of the forest.

You notice the soft, trickle of water in the distance, in the same direction as your journey. The further you walk, the more distinct and clear the sound, and you notice the ground underfoot becoming damper and cooler under your feet.

Your pathway comes to an end at a still pool of water nestled in rock, and surrounded by luscious green ferns. The water trickles from a crack in the rock face, a fissure in the rock, worn over thousands of years by the slow, persistent, movement of the water from deep underground. The silver streak of the full moon across the surface of the pool beckons you to move closer to the ancient spring.

Leaning carefully over the edge of the rocky spring you peer into the water. Peering back intently at you is a vision of one of the many masks you wear. In the mirror of the water, illuminated by the full moon light, is an aspect of yourself. Study it with non-judging interest. Just notice the shape and expression and form, and most of all the feeling of the face you see. Just notice. And accept.

Now cup your hands and dip them into the spring, scooping up the cool, healing water. Splash your face and feel the water as it runs over your forehead and nose and mouth. Enjoy the refreshing, cleansing feeling of the water.

Once again become aware of the air within your lungs, inhale, exhale, become aware of the air around your body, and your body, resting on your cushion, connected to the earth, in this room, with these women. Take your time, and when you are ready, begin to move your fingers and toes, and arms and legs and lastly open your eyes.

Scorpio Circle

2008-08-07T23:06:00.003+10:00

Scorpio flyer

Artwork and layout by Mercedes

Libra Miscellaneous

2008-06-24T20:14:00.003+10:00

Lyric sheet and quote

Libra Menu

2008-06-24T20:14:00.001+10:00

foods

Libran art process

2008-06-24T20:12:00.001+10:00

Mandalas

Libra meditation

2008-06-24T20:05:00.002+10:00

Sit comfortably and relaxed on your cushion. Notice your body, resting on your cushion, connected to the earth, in this room, with these women. Notice the air around your body, the way it gently slips over the surface of your face and hair. It caresses your neck and shoulders, and arms and hands. The air slides over your chest and back and belly, and down to your thighs and knees and calves and feet.

Become aware of your breath. Notice the air around your body as you breathe it in, through your nostrils, down your throat, and expanding your lungs. As you inhale, then exhale, let your breath carry you deeper and deeper within. As you inhale, and exhale the distractions of everyday life fall away. Let your awareness drop down into the inner chamber of your heart.

Begin to breathe a soft, pink light directly into your heart. Inhale, and exhale, the soft, soothing pink light. As you breathe, feel the loving, soothing pink light radiating from the core of your heart throughout the rest of your body. It slowly spreads through your chest, into your stomach and back, bathing you in a safe, pink glow. Inhale, exhale, the soft, delicate light of love flows into your shoulders and arms, and flowing down through your thighs and calves. Breathe in and out, and with each breath you are circulating the safe, loving pink light around and within your body. You are in a space of love, and acceptance of what is, in this moment.

The soft pink light bathing your whole body is the light of the sun at dawn. The sky above you is aglow with the delicate early light of the sun, just beginning it’s journey across the sky. You stand on the edge of an immense, open plain, the infinite sky above you, glowing with the promise of a new day.

Turning to look behind you, you notice a high stone wall bordering the plain. You stand before an ancient stone labyrinth, a single entrance beckoning you to enter. With trust and curiosity, you step through the entrance. Feel the smooth, cool stone pathway beneath your bare feet. Still bathed in the soft pink glow of the dawn sky above you, you take one step after another. Your path is safely and securely marked by the stone walls…leading you on a journey to the heart of the labyrinth, a journey to the centre of your heart and your truth.

You just walk, one foot placed in front of the other, surely and soundly…following the stone pathway. The gentle curve of the walls carries you toward the centre.

As you walk, you encounter different aspects of yourself…those you accept and love, and those you shun or dislike. Notice these aspects of yourself…the beautiful, the awkward, the peaceful, the angry, the still, the active, the generous, the selfish. Notice them all in the soft light of acceptance. Release judgment of each part of yourself, just notice them.

As each aspect arises, sense the colours and shapes of each one. As each facet of yourself comes to your awareness, notice the shapes, and colours that come to you…make no judgement, no changes, just notice and keep walking, step after step, stone after stone, onward to the centre.

{pause}

The curve of the great stone walls around you has become sharper. The stone pathway beneath your feet has become soft, green grass. As you notice the change of texture beneath your feet, the stone walls on either side of you open out into a garden that is the centre of the labyrinth. Surrounded by graceful pink lilies and fragrant white roses, you lower yourself down onto the soft green grass. The sun has risen higher into the sky and you sit quietly and still, bathed in light, at the very centre of the labyrinth, breathing in the scented air, sitting in stillness at the centre of your heart.

Within the heart is all that you are…the truth of who you are...in this light of acceptance and love, you rest in the space between judgment, making no decision or allegiance, there is no need to change a thing. You are free to simply be, in this moment, beautiful in all your complexity.

{"all is full of love"...by bjork}

It is time to leave the garden now. Know that it lies within you and that you know the way to reach it when need be.
It is time to dance back through the labyrinth, through all the different parts of yourself …it’s time to dance from your heart, from the pure loving space of acceptance and joy within…dance….

Libra Circle

2008-06-24T19:50:00.004+10:00

...Libra circle flyer...

...Libra mail out...

Virgo miscellaneous

2008-06-24T19:45:00.003+10:00

Lyric sheet

Virgo menu

2008-06-24T19:43:00.002+10:00

foods

Virgo art process

2008-06-23T22:58:00.001+10:00

claywork

Virgo meditation

2008-06-23T22:57:00.002+10:00

Sound meditation

Virgo Circle

2008-06-23T22:32:00.003+10:00

...virgo mail out...

layout by alex

...Virgo Circle flyer...

artwork by mercedes

layout by alex

Misceleneous Leo

2008-06-23T22:31:00.000+10:00

Leo Menu

2008-06-23T22:24:00.000+10:00

Foods...

Leo Art Process

2008-06-23T22:23:00.000+10:00

Self portrait

Leo Meditation

2008-06-22T21:15:00.001+10:00

Sit comfortably and relaxed on your cushion. Notice your body, resting on your cushion, connected to the earth, in this room, with these women. Notice the air around your body, the way it gently slips over the surface of your face and hair. It caresses your neck and shoulders, and arms and hands. The air slides over your chest and back and belly, and down to your thighs and knees and calves and feet.

Become aware of your breath. Notice the air around your body as you breathe it in, through your nostrils, down your throat, and expanding your lungs. As you inhale, then exhale, let your breath carry you deeper and deeper within. As you inhale, and exhale the distractions of everyday life fall away. Let your awareness drop down into the inner chamber of your heart.

Begin to breathe a warm orange light directly into your heart. Inhale, and exhale, the warm glowing orange light. As you breathe, feel the light and warmth radiating from the core of your heart throughout the rest of your body. It slowly spreads through your chest, into your stomach and back, warming you from the inside out. Inhale, exhale, the warm energy flowing into your shoulders and arms, and flowing down through your thighs and calves. Breathe in and out, and with each breath your whole body is pulsing and radiating warm, orange light.

This glowing orange light is the light of the sun, bathing your body with warmth as you sit atop a lush green hill. The sky above you is perfectly clear, perfectly blue, perfectly infinite, allowing the rays of the sun to caress your skin.
You are a child again, free to follow your hearts desire, you are free to be your essential self. You are a child again, marveling at the simple, the complex, the infinite wonders of the world all around you.

The soft green grass cushions your body upon the ground as you sit upon this hilltop, warmed by the golden glow of the sun. All around you are thousands of wildflowers, more than you can count, in all the glorious colours of the sunrise…orange, yellow, pink, crimson, violet, a brilliant beautiful carpet of colour. All around you, and within you, the life-giving energy of the sun radiates and pulses.

You become aware of buzzing, a deep constant humm all around you. Honey bees are dipping and bobbing, sampling the nectar of the flowers all around you. Dipping and bobbing, humming as they go about their work. Their only purpose is to taste the sweetness of each flower. Just as the bees follow their purpose, you too may follow your soul purpose. Hear your inner longings, take notice of what effortlessly holds your attention. Know what brings you joy.

{pause}

Become aware of the music. Notice how your body feels as you begin to notice the music. Let your body, the body of a child of innocence and joy, move as the music moves you. Begin to move your sun warmed limbs, feel your body as an instrument of the music.

{pause}

You are a child upon a hilltop of wildflowers, dancing your joy and wonder and love of life. When it feels right to you, rise up and dance as a child. Dance as an instrument of the music. Dance as you, as a child, free to express, free to be.

2008-06-22T20:37:00.007+10:00

...Leo mail out...

...First Circle of the Sun flyer....

artwork and layout by alex

Gorgeous women...

As women and mothers nurturing, protecting, and caring for those around us, we can become swamped by the ebb and flow of the inconstant light of the moon. We sometimes lose touch with the core of ourselves that cries out for self expression, unhindered by the needs of those around us.

The moon calls on us to look within and make contact with our emotions and intuition. The sun however, calls us into the spotlight, to radiate our true selves with love and joy.

As the light of the moon fluctuates and shifts, completing it's journey through her signs and phases within each month, the sun maintains a constant energy for the whole month.
...Circle of the Sun... is your opportunity to harness this gift of the sun. Each month, on the solar ingress, the sun moves into the next sign of the zodiac. Join us in a celebration of this life-giving energy through meditation, dance, hands-on art processes, feasting, and sharing with other women in circle.
Take this time for yourself, to become immersed in a space created just for you...you deserve it.

The circle will be held for the next three months - Leo, Virgo, and Libra. Please see the attached flyer for details of the first Circle of the Sun on the radiantly Leo evening of July 24th.

Please pass this on to other women you feel may be interested in joining us.

...Alex & Mercedes...