(no subject)
I haven't posted much but the year of colors (my first year of colors) is nearly done now. Black again now.
The brightest of the months, though, was Orange.
The brightest of the months, though, was Orange.
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Workbook questions for Green (still catching up)
1. I am interested in your perception of Green. If you were to meet Lady Green as you are today, how do you think she would appear to you?
A woman in a long green dress, long sunkissed hair (blonde/brown), thirty-ish, graceful, moving slowly and mindfully, calm and patient, brown eyes, smiling. The dress is mottled with different shades of green found in nature--grass green, moss green, apple green, that blue-green you see in lichens attached to rocks. Her hair is unstyled, natural, lovely. She is barefoot, her feet are dark from the dirt. She is beautiful but not frightening, not awe-inspiring but love-inspiring.
2. What do you think Lady Green represents for you in your life?
Comfort with the world, comfort with the body and the physical. I'm someone who tends to live in my head, so part of Green to me is about moving beyond that. Sometimes I feel like connecting to reality and the earth is as difficult as connecting consciously to spirit (and I am a psychic "cement-head" so that is saying something!). I think of her as rooted in a way I cannot be.
3. What are your three greatest pleasures? And most importantly, why are these three your greatest pleasures?
My three greatest pleasures? First is...you know when you're working on something, writing or studying or creating somehow, and you hit that perfect zone, where everything is smooth and there's this sense of pure joy? That. It's pretty rare these days for me, but all the more precious for that.
Second? Writing itself, even without that "perfect zone." Connecting with spirit in that way.
Third? When all is well, when I have nothing pressing that I have to do, when everyone is getting along, when there is a general sense of contentment in my house. That is a pleasure.
What I am noticing is that none of these are physical pleasures. They are all pleasures of the mind. Also, they all have to do with reaching a certain state of mind, sometimes a state of balance, sometimes a peak, but always a point where things just feel "right" to me.
10. If you could retreat to a little cabin in the woods, as did Little Bird in Chapter Six of the story, what would you take with you?
A computer to write on (and the internet for researching). Food I like that's easy and quick to make. A comfortable chair to work on, a comfortable bed to sleep in. A quilt to work on when I was tired of writing. And no company whatsoever.
11. Just as important, what would you leave behind?
Telephone. Television. People.
12. Would your purpose in staying in a little cabin in the woods be the same as it was for Little Bird in the story, or would you have a different purpose?
I think it would be different--my purpose would be to be alone to work. I don't know for sure that I'd get more done that way but it would be nice to have the opportunity.
A woman in a long green dress, long sunkissed hair (blonde/brown), thirty-ish, graceful, moving slowly and mindfully, calm and patient, brown eyes, smiling. The dress is mottled with different shades of green found in nature--grass green, moss green, apple green, that blue-green you see in lichens attached to rocks. Her hair is unstyled, natural, lovely. She is barefoot, her feet are dark from the dirt. She is beautiful but not frightening, not awe-inspiring but love-inspiring.
2. What do you think Lady Green represents for you in your life?
Comfort with the world, comfort with the body and the physical. I'm someone who tends to live in my head, so part of Green to me is about moving beyond that. Sometimes I feel like connecting to reality and the earth is as difficult as connecting consciously to spirit (and I am a psychic "cement-head" so that is saying something!). I think of her as rooted in a way I cannot be.
3. What are your three greatest pleasures? And most importantly, why are these three your greatest pleasures?
My three greatest pleasures? First is...you know when you're working on something, writing or studying or creating somehow, and you hit that perfect zone, where everything is smooth and there's this sense of pure joy? That. It's pretty rare these days for me, but all the more precious for that.
Second? Writing itself, even without that "perfect zone." Connecting with spirit in that way.
Third? When all is well, when I have nothing pressing that I have to do, when everyone is getting along, when there is a general sense of contentment in my house. That is a pleasure.
What I am noticing is that none of these are physical pleasures. They are all pleasures of the mind. Also, they all have to do with reaching a certain state of mind, sometimes a state of balance, sometimes a peak, but always a point where things just feel "right" to me.
10. If you could retreat to a little cabin in the woods, as did Little Bird in Chapter Six of the story, what would you take with you?
A computer to write on (and the internet for researching). Food I like that's easy and quick to make. A comfortable chair to work on, a comfortable bed to sleep in. A quilt to work on when I was tired of writing. And no company whatsoever.
11. Just as important, what would you leave behind?
Telephone. Television. People.
12. Would your purpose in staying in a little cabin in the woods be the same as it was for Little Bird in the story, or would you have a different purpose?
I think it would be different--my purpose would be to be alone to work. I don't know for sure that I'd get more done that way but it would be nice to have the opportunity.
(no subject)
I am finding that my understanding of the Twelve is shifting some in recent weeks. My vision of them is filling out. They are no longer "Lady Black is all about digging deep into the self, Lady Pink is about love and compassion, etc." They are becoming more complex to me. I am more comfortable with them that way but I think it may complicate my work somewhat!
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Prayer of welcome to the Twelve
To Lady Black, who knows the truths we keep unlit,
who holds in her heart the treasures of the self:
Lady of Black, be welcome in my heart and in my home.
To Lord Brown, who knows the peace of busy hands,
whose silence speaks where words could hold no meaning:
Lord of Brown, be welcome in my heart and in my home.
To Lady Pink, who shines the light of love and kindness,
who holds us close in comfort and understanding:
Lady of Pink, be welcome in my heart and in my home.
To Lord Purple, who knows of spirit and the sacred,
who tells of beauty in belief, of life in faith:
Lord of Purple, be welcome in my heart and in my home.
To Lady White, whose realm is brilliant, cold and still,
whose power holds each moment ever pure, ever clear:
Lady of White, be welcome in my heart and in my home.
To Lord Silver, who freely moves among all worlds,
who finds clarity in mystery, magic in nature:
Lord of Silver, be welcome in my heart and in my home.
To Lady Green, whose feet are rooted in the deep earth,
who grants to us the pleasures of the body:
Lady of Green, be welcome in my heart and in my home.
To Lord Blue, who knows the bliss of inspiration,
who guides the artist's hand, the dreamer's spirit:
Lord of Blue, be welcome in my heart and in my home.
To Lady Red, who burns with the fire of life,
who kindles the passions within us, whose heart is full:
Lady of Red, be welcome in my heart and in my home.
To Lord Orange, who sees the truth behind the mask,
merry one who knows change is life's only constant:
Lord of Orange, be welcome in my heart and in my home.
To Lady Yellow, who knows the worth of hope and joy,
who grants us the will to see the good in all things:
Lady of Yellow, be welcome in my heart and in my home.
To Lord Gold, who touches us with grace and fortune,
who is the soul of good and honorable might:
Lord of Gold, be welcome in my heart and in my home.
who holds in her heart the treasures of the self:
Lady of Black, be welcome in my heart and in my home.
To Lord Brown, who knows the peace of busy hands,
whose silence speaks where words could hold no meaning:
Lord of Brown, be welcome in my heart and in my home.
To Lady Pink, who shines the light of love and kindness,
who holds us close in comfort and understanding:
Lady of Pink, be welcome in my heart and in my home.
To Lord Purple, who knows of spirit and the sacred,
who tells of beauty in belief, of life in faith:
Lord of Purple, be welcome in my heart and in my home.
To Lady White, whose realm is brilliant, cold and still,
whose power holds each moment ever pure, ever clear:
Lady of White, be welcome in my heart and in my home.
To Lord Silver, who freely moves among all worlds,
who finds clarity in mystery, magic in nature:
Lord of Silver, be welcome in my heart and in my home.
To Lady Green, whose feet are rooted in the deep earth,
who grants to us the pleasures of the body:
Lady of Green, be welcome in my heart and in my home.
To Lord Blue, who knows the bliss of inspiration,
who guides the artist's hand, the dreamer's spirit:
Lord of Blue, be welcome in my heart and in my home.
To Lady Red, who burns with the fire of life,
who kindles the passions within us, whose heart is full:
Lady of Red, be welcome in my heart and in my home.
To Lord Orange, who sees the truth behind the mask,
merry one who knows change is life's only constant:
Lord of Orange, be welcome in my heart and in my home.
To Lady Yellow, who knows the worth of hope and joy,
who grants us the will to see the good in all things:
Lady of Yellow, be welcome in my heart and in my home.
To Lord Gold, who touches us with grace and fortune,
who is the soul of good and honorable might:
Lord of Gold, be welcome in my heart and in my home.
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Quick blue thoughts.
Alex is doing great, amazing how the young heal :).
Writing like mad for the Greek gods. It's a Blue thing, it's a Red thing, it's a Purple thing.
I am not a poet, I am not an artist. But I am, sometimes, a visionary.
Cleaning like mad, too. It's a Brown thing.
Nothing is ever only anything.
Writing like mad for the Greek gods. It's a Blue thing, it's a Red thing, it's a Purple thing.
I am not a poet, I am not an artist. But I am, sometimes, a visionary.
Cleaning like mad, too. It's a Brown thing.
Nothing is ever only anything.
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A peek at Blue's temple
The door to Blue's temple is not a door. It's a curtain of glass beads in all different shades of blue. I heard it before I saw it. I'm not going in yet, I don't have time right now for a full meditation, but just wanted to mention it because it is soooo cool.
Self reminder
Orange says to assert my value, assert the validity of my choices. Work within my own comfort levels, but assert.
A prayer of thanks to Black
You are the sudden shadow, the quiet voice
within, the center of the self, the dream
that still sings out loud at the end of the day;
you are the silent moment, the secret
never told, the root that takes hold in soil or stone,
the wish made prayerfully on a distant star;
you are the insight of the soul, the endless search
for capricious truth, the never-ending journey,
the treasure of the heart. Lady Black, guardian
of all we are and can become, I thank you.
within, the center of the self, the dream
that still sings out loud at the end of the day;
you are the silent moment, the secret
never told, the root that takes hold in soil or stone,
the wish made prayerfully on a distant star;
you are the insight of the soul, the endless search
for capricious truth, the never-ending journey,
the treasure of the heart. Lady Black, guardian
of all we are and can become, I thank you.
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Color affirmation
With the help of Black I will open myself to myself.
With the help of Pink I will open my heart to love.
With the help of Silver I will open my mind to magic.
With the help of Blue I will open my eyes and see.
With the help of Green I will open my senses to the world.
With the help of Red I will open my heart to passion.
With the help of Orange I will open my mind and take joy in change.
With the help of Purple I will open my spirit to the universe.
With the help of Brown I will open my hands and work.
With the help of White I will open my eyes to innocence.
With the help of Gold I will open my mouth and speak.
With the help of Yellow I will open my arms to the possible.
Just a quick morning thought that I extended a bit. :)
With the help of Pink I will open my heart to love.
With the help of Silver I will open my mind to magic.
With the help of Blue I will open my eyes and see.
With the help of Green I will open my senses to the world.
With the help of Red I will open my heart to passion.
With the help of Orange I will open my mind and take joy in change.
With the help of Purple I will open my spirit to the universe.
With the help of Brown I will open my hands and work.
With the help of White I will open my eyes to innocence.
With the help of Gold I will open my mouth and speak.
With the help of Yellow I will open my arms to the possible.
Just a quick morning thought that I extended a bit. :)
Focal points: Key words
Although the qualities of the colors are complex, finding a focus is helpful; these are my sort-of mantras.
Black: Inner truth. True self.
Brown: Nature. Home. Continuity. Reality. Roots.
Pink: Kindness. Compassion. Love.
Purple: Spirit. Faith. Meaning.
Silver: Magic. Visions. Dreams.
White: Renewal. Light. Innocence. Ice.
Yellow: Hope. Joy. Optimism.
Gold: Leadership. Excellence. Power. Ideals.
Blue: Clarity. Peace. Art. Learning.
Green: Life. Growth. Abundance. Pleasure.
Red: Passion. Energy. Creativity. Fire.
Orange: Joy and playfulness. Change and paradox.
Black: Inner truth. True self.
Brown: Nature. Home. Continuity. Reality. Roots.
Pink: Kindness. Compassion. Love.
Purple: Spirit. Faith. Meaning.
Silver: Magic. Visions. Dreams.
White: Renewal. Light. Innocence. Ice.
Yellow: Hope. Joy. Optimism.
Gold: Leadership. Excellence. Power. Ideals.
Blue: Clarity. Peace. Art. Learning.
Green: Life. Growth. Abundance. Pleasure.
Red: Passion. Energy. Creativity. Fire.
Orange: Joy and playfulness. Change and paradox.
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Black is a tool, an instrument
The problem with digging around for inner truth and personal reality isn't just that it's always changing, it's that there's no bottom. It's like digging any old hole in the dirt, there's no end. Really you can keep digging and digging and you're never quite sure that what you're finding is what's there. You think you've found a satisfactory and right-seeming answer to what you're looking for, but if you scrape off just another layer of soil, maybe there's something else buried there.
How damn complicated does a person have to be anyway? How precise does the digging have to be? Use a big shovel and you'll get further quicker, but a little trowel (and maybe an archaeologist's brush) will probably be more accurate and thorough.
How damn complicated does a person have to be anyway? How precise does the digging have to be? Use a big shovel and you'll get further quicker, but a little trowel (and maybe an archaeologist's brush) will probably be more accurate and thorough.
A Prayer to Brown
I call to Brown, firm-rooted in the deep earth,
dirt between your toes; you are simplicity
and precision, you are hard and honest work.
With hammer and saw, with chisel and knife, with
needle and thread, we make our homes, we build our lives,
we walk beside you, silently and mindfully,
the self we share with our mothers and fathers.
When we warm our hands in the brown-black soil, when
we dig in the dirt, we grow closer to you.
When we look back at what has been, when we keep
the old ways and tell the old tales, we know your heart.
When we are where we belong, we are with you.
dirt between your toes; you are simplicity
and precision, you are hard and honest work.
With hammer and saw, with chisel and knife, with
needle and thread, we make our homes, we build our lives,
we walk beside you, silently and mindfully,
the self we share with our mothers and fathers.
When we warm our hands in the brown-black soil, when
we dig in the dirt, we grow closer to you.
When we look back at what has been, when we keep
the old ways and tell the old tales, we know your heart.
When we are where we belong, we are with you.
A Prayer to Gold
I call to Gold, tooth of the lion, crown of
the king, light of the sun, glory beyond bearing,
beauty beyond understanding, you shine within
us. Through you we kindle our own flame, we light
our lamp, we warm our hearth; through you we discover
our own strength, we find our voice, we claim our might.
Grant us wisdom in our choices, grant us a kind heart
and a firm hand, grant us purpose and direction;
grant us the will, the desire, the character
to work for the good of all. Let us balance
with skill the trust and the doubt, the cleverness
and the integrity, to lead, to strive, to flourish.
the king, light of the sun, glory beyond bearing,
beauty beyond understanding, you shine within
us. Through you we kindle our own flame, we light
our lamp, we warm our hearth; through you we discover
our own strength, we find our voice, we claim our might.
Grant us wisdom in our choices, grant us a kind heart
and a firm hand, grant us purpose and direction;
grant us the will, the desire, the character
to work for the good of all. Let us balance
with skill the trust and the doubt, the cleverness
and the integrity, to lead, to strive, to flourish.
A Prayer to Purple
I call to Purple, seeker of excellence,
seeker of spirit; you guide us in our service
to the gods, you guide us in our journey beyond
the self. Faith is a gift, but one that must be
opened; faith is a shelter, but should be a place
of refuge, not of hiding. Faith is of the heart
and of the mind; faith is of reason as much as of
acceptance; faith is wide-eyed and curious,
never blind. The truth of spirit, the truth of myth,
these are within your realm; yours is the keen eye
that sees through what is false, that sees all centers
of spirit, each one honest, each unique, each true.
seeker of spirit; you guide us in our service
to the gods, you guide us in our journey beyond
the self. Faith is a gift, but one that must be
opened; faith is a shelter, but should be a place
of refuge, not of hiding. Faith is of the heart
and of the mind; faith is of reason as much as of
acceptance; faith is wide-eyed and curious,
never blind. The truth of spirit, the truth of myth,
these are within your realm; yours is the keen eye
that sees through what is false, that sees all centers
of spirit, each one honest, each unique, each true.
A Prayer to Green
I call to Green, Green of the wilderness, Green
of the fae, Green who gives much, who gives life, who gives
enough, for enough is all we need. Mother of all,
mother of mothers, you are abundance
and you are sufficiency, you are the soft grass
and the many-colored flowers of the field.
All that is new comes from you; all that flourishes,
all that thrives, all that live their lives are blessed by you.
You remind us of the joy that lies in plenty,
of the comfort in certainty--sure of warmth
in winter, sure of food when hungry, sure of love
when needed. As we grow our garden, we know you.
of the fae, Green who gives much, who gives life, who gives
enough, for enough is all we need. Mother of all,
mother of mothers, you are abundance
and you are sufficiency, you are the soft grass
and the many-colored flowers of the field.
All that is new comes from you; all that flourishes,
all that thrives, all that live their lives are blessed by you.
You remind us of the joy that lies in plenty,
of the comfort in certainty--sure of warmth
in winter, sure of food when hungry, sure of love
when needed. As we grow our garden, we know you.
A Prayer to Orange
I call to Orange, ever-moving, ever-changing,
ever-alluring one, you are warm and then cool,
dark and then light; you are uncertain, hard to see
truly because in you are many truths. You see
all sides, you know all faces, in contrast
and in paradox you make your home. You know
that laughter and tears lie side by side in the heart.
Mirth is yours, and joy, and merry-making; you play
all games, you care little for dignity or for
propriety, for change is a joy, if you but
join in, and transformation need not be so solemn.
Catalyst, impulse, goad, caprice, you find a way!
ever-alluring one, you are warm and then cool,
dark and then light; you are uncertain, hard to see
truly because in you are many truths. You see
all sides, you know all faces, in contrast
and in paradox you make your home. You know
that laughter and tears lie side by side in the heart.
Mirth is yours, and joy, and merry-making; you play
all games, you care little for dignity or for
propriety, for change is a joy, if you but
join in, and transformation need not be so solemn.
Catalyst, impulse, goad, caprice, you find a way!
A Prayer to Red
I call to Red, fire of life, fire of passion,
fire of fury, fire that burns bright, burns hot, that sears
the soul. All must be full, all must be whole, all must
be bright, and sharp, and harsh, and deep, all must be all.
To scream to the sky, to sing to the sea, you call
to the world to see itself as you do. Fire of love,
your glance ignites us, your breath scalds our skin,
your touch brands us as yours. Without your flame
we wither, without your heat we soon grow cold.
Many-splendored Red of the light and of the dark,
you are rage, you are pleasure, you are the firestorm,
you are the soul of the artist and the lover.
fire of fury, fire that burns bright, burns hot, that sears
the soul. All must be full, all must be whole, all must
be bright, and sharp, and harsh, and deep, all must be all.
To scream to the sky, to sing to the sea, you call
to the world to see itself as you do. Fire of love,
your glance ignites us, your breath scalds our skin,
your touch brands us as yours. Without your flame
we wither, without your heat we soon grow cold.
Many-splendored Red of the light and of the dark,
you are rage, you are pleasure, you are the firestorm,
you are the soul of the artist and the lover.
A Prayer to Blue
I call to Blue, Blue of the deep mind and the fine hand,
Blue of art and of intellect. Clear as the sky,
clear as a bell, clear as fresh spring water, your cool hand
calms the feverish brow, forms passion into creation,
directs the eye and turns the heart toward insight
and toward spirit. You see the beauty of the world,
O Blue; you flow within us, you firm our feeling,
you take the chaos of vision, the burning of inspiration,
the twice-sharp blade of ecstasy, and grant to us
the might to grasp the transcendent, to convey
the inexplicable, to see from behind
the eyes what lies beyond the dark, beyond the real.
Blue of art and of intellect. Clear as the sky,
clear as a bell, clear as fresh spring water, your cool hand
calms the feverish brow, forms passion into creation,
directs the eye and turns the heart toward insight
and toward spirit. You see the beauty of the world,
O Blue; you flow within us, you firm our feeling,
you take the chaos of vision, the burning of inspiration,
the twice-sharp blade of ecstasy, and grant to us
the might to grasp the transcendent, to convey
the inexplicable, to see from behind
the eyes what lies beyond the dark, beyond the real.
Progress again
I find myself disinclined to associate my work here with the moons. I no longer have clear regular natural cycles myself per se (thanks to getting older and to the Mirena IUD I generally go months with nothing resembling a period). And while I think it's useful to have divisions, I don't think they're always going to be identical portions.
Instead I think I may just go with knowing when it's time to change, or not to change. Knowing when I'm done, or done enough, or done as I'm going to be for now.
I don't know yet if this will be a one-time thing or an ongoing cycle, with segments that vary in length and intensity. I'm guessing the latter but we'll see.
Instead I think I may just go with knowing when it's time to change, or not to change. Knowing when I'm done, or done enough, or done as I'm going to be for now.
I don't know yet if this will be a one-time thing or an ongoing cycle, with segments that vary in length and intensity. I'm guessing the latter but we'll see.