sweet-smelling
creek waters
seep
into fertile banks
which like a sponge
soak up
the ever-giving flow of days
days filled with leaves
afloat
in whirlpools of light
gurgling voices amidst
rock outcrops
dreams suspended
The Power in You: A New Womens' Circle
I've been called to offer a new type of women's circle which is, admittedly, stretching me. The theme for this new 6-week series is The Power in You.
The intent is to create space to share intimately about the power innate to all of us ~ a power that supports, heals, and transforms - and how we can access this regularly in our lives.
The stretch for me is that I've held deep passion for this topic much of my adult life, but have shared it sparingly. Through this offering, I'm being asked to show up sharing intimate pieces from my journey and the ways in which I've learned to process in order to maintain balance and connect deeply with my inner strength.
I invite you to join me for stimulating dialogue and reflection that calls you to a knowing place.
The Power in You Circle offers opportunity to:
- Slow yourself and listen
- Awaken to your authenticity
- Honor your intuitive knowing
- Connect with your unique voice
- Be supported by a reflective circle of intentional women
This is a unique opportunity to gift yourself with a safe, sacred space and connection with your own powerful knowing.
The new series will meet in East Asheville Tuesday evenings from 7 - 9 pm beginning April 24.
Cost: $160 ($140 if paid by April 17). Space is limited. Registration and payment in advance required. Contact Anne (or 665-8316) with your interest.
March 2012 Newsletter
The ground iris and anemones are showing their colors in the woods behind my home. At the same time, new colorful opportunities are in the works for the upcoming spring season.
For those who wish to sit in sacred circle, I'm very excited to offer a 6-week Power in You series which begins in April - details below.
There are several rich opportunities that await to nurture you this spring ~ just keep scrolling. And, a special springtime discount is available for those who feel you can benefit from some energy balancing/healing.
New little people were birthed over the winter! Their stories are here.
I'm very grateful be working weekly with teen girls at a local school and to assist them as they journey into womanhood. This experience has been rich with meaning as we sit in circle and share intimately. A recent blog post offers my thoughts on conscious rites of passage.
I continue to hear from those who are touched by my interview on Conscious Conversations. If you haven't already, I encourage you to take a listen here.
You are worthy of time devoted to yourself to touch into those sacred places within you and connect with the desires of your authentic self. Perhaps one of the offerings below will resonate with such desires.
In the unfolding of the springtime season, I wish you gentle joy as you stretch yourself from the quiet of winter.
Much love, Anne
Power in You Women's Circle
Women from varied backgrounds and places are experiencing the call to reclaim their feminine nature, to slow themselves and listen, to awaken to their authentic selves and move in the world from their unique inspired and purposeful place of knowing.
The Power in You 6-week Women’s Series was born from a desire to provide women with sacred space for dialogue and reflection that calls them to this knowing place.
This new series of women's circles condenses powerful teachings and offers space for intimate dialogue. The 6-week series will meet Tuesday evenings from 7 - 9 pm beginning April 24.
This is a unique opportunity to gift yourself with sacred community and connection with your heart space. The circle is intimate and space is limited. Registration in advance is required. Cost: $160 ($140 if paid by April 17). Registration and payment in advance is required. Contact Anne via email or at 665-8316.
Energy Healing - Discount Coupon!
Keeping ourselves in energetic balance, especially as we approach the more active summer months, can be a key element to staying healthy and happy. I invite you to gift yourself and your loved ones with a session of relaxing and nurturing energy therapy. Taking time to get quiet and listen to your body's needs can be the first step in bringing ease and balance into your life.
COUPON: Mention this newsletter and receive a 20% discount on your healing session. Good through May 30, 2012; limit one coupon per person. Learn more here.
Book Doll Workshop for Mums & Daughters
Sunday, March 25, 2012 1:00 - 4:30 pm
Make a book that's a doll ~ a doll that's a book. Tell your story in mixed-media. A combination of oven bake clay, paper and fiber. This is an introductory class - great for young and old. Encouraged for mother-daughter pairs [. . . Read more here]
Spiritual Dowsing Workshop
Sunday, April 22, 1:00 - 4:30 pm
The teaching of blessings have been life-changing for me. Not only have they brought more balance to my life, but they have given me opportunity to develop deep awareness of my own energy body and how to identify shifts and bring things back to a balance point.
Dowsing or divining is the art of tapping into our own God-given ability to explore the world of subtle energies that are everywhere within and around us, subsequently drawing us ever closer to the Divine in our lives. [. . . Read more here]
Healing Doll Workshop
Sat., April 28, 2012 11:30 am - 4:30 pm
In many cultures, dolls have long been used for the purpose of healing. Through the process of creative play, you open yourself to your pure essence and in honoring the messages that emerge, you nurture your connection to your soul. [. . . Read more here]
Journey to the Heart Women's Circle
September 2012
The next 12-week session of this Asheville Womens' Circle begins in September 2012. This will be an intimate circle which will enable participants to explore their inner world deeply and to remember who they are.
I'm seeking those who are committed to walking this spiritual journey in community with other intentional women. Though it's several months away, I invite you to set your intention now to join us. Circle is intimate and space is limited. Reservations in advance required. Details here.
Dancing with the Ancestors
My journey of late has called me to be still and listen. Having lived a very active lifestyle up to this point, hip surgery and its recovery have been challenging for me.
When the ongoing pain and the need for surgical assistance became apparent to me last fall, I found my mind beginning to wrap itself around a belief that I needed to accept the pain as part of aging. However, holding such a belief went against my teaching, not to mention the fact that it wasn’t serving me to spin these thoughts. So, I did my very best to be present to my body and stay out of my mind.
In the midst of sitting still, I began to hear the voices of my ancestors. Having never had any surgical treatment, I had been asking for assistance. Those who showed up to offer support were familiar, and as we sat together, it was clear they held deep connection with me and intended to be intimately involved in my process. I was assured that all would be well and they would be present to guide me along this path.
My experience at the hospital went more smoothly than I had anticipated. I was clearly guided to the right physician for my issue - synchronistically his name is Dr. Elder. All things unfolded to me in a perfect way to offer gentle support as I prepared for surgery. I was directed to a wonderful healer who helped me template the surgery just days before my surgery date and had wonderful support in the aftermath.
What I've become aware of is the way that we -- my ancestors and I -- need each other. I drew them in for support in surgery and recovery and we now continue to connect as we have this synergistic relationship that serves us all. And so we’ve been doing this dance the past several months.
I'm healing in a gradual and consistent way and notice my progression as each week passes. The past two weeks, I birthed another doll. This one holds the energy of my ancestors. She’s kicking up her heals, letting me know I'm meant to dance ~ and on her face is a mirror, so I can see myself reflected in her.
Much, much gratitude to you ancestors for your invitation to dance with you.
On Trust
Three years ago this spring, I offered tobacco to my teachers to support me in vision quest. Almost immediately, some rather large shifts took place. I’ve learned this is quite common when we purposefully commit to ceremony with intent to make big changes in our life.
My family of origin didn’t know of my intent to quest, but within 2 days of my offering tobacco, one of my siblings acted with hostility towards me, using some very harsh words. I felt surprised and hurt and found myself keeping my distance as I felt I could no longer trust my sibling would be supportive and kind towards me. Interestingly, as I quested that August, many of the teachings I received were about trusting myself.
I carried those hurtful words for many months. On some level, I knew they weren’t mine to carry, but I sat with them, pondered their hurtfulness, threw them ‘round and ‘round in my mind. What I knew in my heart - but didn’t fully trust - is that those words belonged to who spoke them; it needn’t be my concern what was thought of me nor what was thought of the path I had chosen.
Recently, I became clear that I was ready to lay this to rest as I occasionally found myself spinning the story in my head. I understood that my mistrust of my sibling was not real. What I truly didn’t trust was myself. I didn’t trust myself to stand in my own power, knowing fully who I am. I didn’t trust myself to walk forward with certainty doing what I’m called to do. I didn’t trust myself to show up for me with boldness and heart-centered conviction.
I set clear intention to put this to rest and was gifted a wonderful dream in which I was doing heart-centered good work in the world while my lifestyle choices were clearly not to the approval of greater society. While there was judgment of me at superficial levels, there was no doubt about my intent to serve others in a loving way. I woke with much clarity about what I had learned: I need be true only to myself . . . and that, I can trust.
I can't say that I’ve moved fully into this new self-trusting behavior, but the awareness alone has given me focus and clarity about how I choose to show up and how I can re-focus my attention should I get derailed. The photo here depicts my trust angel which is whispering affirmations as I step into the world with this new awareness. (She's a pattern doll I made of cotton fiber; she boldly bears her heart).
This experience has led me to a place of deep gratitude for a less-than-supportive family member and the invaluable teaching about how to trust myself – deeply, fully and with intense resolve. Much gratitude to those sticky people and situations in our lives that ask us to take a closer look and to find a new way of relating to ourselves.
Body as Messenger
My new year’s greeting comes a bit later than most. I’ve been nurturing myself after mid-December hip surgery.
Having had a number of body challenges over the years, the primary thing I’ve learned is that pain is a messenger and the body will reveal the words it’s holding if we’re willing to listen.
As I haven’t been able to move comfortably for several months, my stillness has supported active listening and kept my attention focused on what’s going on within me.
Part of the message coming to me has been about transitioning into menopause. I’ve been listening to the stories of my grandmothers and eagerly seeking what they have to teach me at this time.
Another piece of what I’ve been hearing offers a different perspective on how I move in the world - encouraging me to transform my pattern of pushing to be and do more - and opening myself to creatively allowing my life to unfold.
In the midst of this exploration, a doll began taking form. She definitely holds the essence of my ancestors. She also requested much love and light focused on her left hip, so it’s been embellished with beads and lace.
There’s another element that’s curious about her -- she’s pregnant -- and I’m not quite certain what she will birth.
She gave me her name - Sweet One - and she feels complete for now, though I expect with her full belly, she’ll be calling on me to be midwife to her creation. As I walk slowly and gently in the world, I’m allowing all this to unfold. I'll be keeping you posted . . .
Fall 2011 Newsletter
I've had a full and juicy fall and am grateful for many wonderful learnings and experiences. I completed an inspiring and life-changing 7-week teleclass in Feminine Power with Claire Zammit and Kathryn Woodward-Thomas. 1500 female leaders from all corners of the globe gathered weekly to learn new technologies and participate in exercises that assisted in transforming core beliefs. This work supported the formation of an empowered relationship with our emotional selves, guided us to become empowered agents of change and encouraged us to create evolutionary partnerships to unleash our unique gifts. This was a tranformative time, has inspired me in many ways and is now being embodied to be shared in my circles and workshops in the coming year.
As well, I attended the SE Women's Herbal Conference and participated in plant meditations, dynamic movement, earth-honoring ceremony and luscious women-only time. I came away with a much wider spectrum of connections with the divine feminine and much gratitude for walking as a woman at this powerful time.
In September, I began apprenticing with Amrita Hobbs. Amrita lives in Australia and is an international speaker and facilitator of women's circles with a special focus on rites of passage ceremony. With her guidance, I'm connecting more deeply with the importance of ceremony in our lives and have become inspired to know my female lineage as I examine who I am with respect to those women who walked before me.
At the end of October, I was interviewed by Charlotte McGinnis as part of Conscious Conversations. Here, I share some of my story and the gifts that I've gleaned from my path. I hope you'll take time to listen here.
I also want to share a free and very valuable resource that I've made available to you. It's a series of blessings that I utilize daily to maintain clarity and balance in my life. At a recent workshop, one participant describes this work as her "missing link." The blessing process is available here ~ I hope you will take advantage of using this gift in your life practice. And perhaps you, too, will be interested in attending my spiritual dowsing workshop in the new year (see below).
I'm looking forward to bringing the richness of what I'm experiencing into my work in the new year. Journey to the Heart - an Asheville Women's Circle will begin in January. I'm seeking those who are
committed to connecting to their heart space and opening themselves to some new ways of being in the world. The group will be intimate which means space is limited, so contact me soon if you're interested in reserving your spot.
In addition to Asheville Women's Circles, I'll be offering some workshops in the coming year. These are described below. Lastly, I've been letting creative juices flow this past month and had opportunity to sell my newest fiber and clay art pieces at the Francine Delany Craft Fair on Dec. 3rd. Among my creations are these bright and joyful pin dolls, robot necklaces and my most popular seller for the tea enthusiast ~ tea wallets! If you missed it, I still have a bit of inventory so ask me next you stop by for a healing session or circle time. I love to share my artwork.
Joyful wishes to all of you this holiday season.
Much love, Anne
Journey to the Heart Women's Circle
The next 16-week session of this Asheville Womens' Circle begins in January. This will be an intimate circle which will enable participants to explore their inner world more deeply and to remember who they are.
I'm seeking those who are committed to walking this spiritual journey in community with other intentional women. There are currently two spaces left. Are you ready to journey to the heart? Details here.
Energy Healing Sessions
Keeping ourselves in energetic balance, especially during the busy holiday season, can be a key element to staying healthy and happy. I invite you to gift yourself and your loved ones with a session of relaxing and nurturing energy therapy. Taking time to get quiet and listen to your body's needs can be the first step in bringing ease and balance into your life. Learn more here.
Healing Doll Playshop
In many cultures, dolls have long been used for the purpose of healing. Through the process of creative play, you open yourself to your pure essence and in honoring the messages that emerge, you nurture your connection to your soul. In this playshop, you will:
~ set an intention that will guide your work
~ be guided to connect with your inner wisdom
~ manifest a meaningful representation of a protective guardian for your life and work, a uniquely personal piece that will carry your intentions into the new year.
~ allow your intuitive knowing to flow into form
~ utilize a journaling process to dialog with your creation
~ begin to trust the sacred wise woman within
Details: Saturday, January 28, 10 am - 4 pm. No artistic background required. Plenty of materials provided, though please bring anything that calls to come with you ~ fabric, charms, beads, moss, sticks, paper, ribbons, other things to personalize your doll.
Bring: journal, bag lunch, embellishments
Cost: $95. Registration and payment in advance required.
Space is limited; contact Anne to reserve.
Spiritual Dowsing Workshop - February, exact date TBA
Dowsing or divining is the art of tapping into our own God-given ability to explore the world of subtle energies that are everywhere within and around us, subsequently drawing us ever closer to the Divine in our lives.
I taught this class in October and received very positive responses to my teachings. One woman wrote a note to me with the following:
"Thank you so much for introducing me to spiritual dowsing. This is the missing link . . . you are the answer to my prayer."
In this one-day workshop, you’ll learn the basics of dowsing and how to detect beneficial and detrimental energies in your living environment. You'll learn to work directly with Nature and with the Divine to take charge of your life. Most importantly, you'll learn to use a blessing process to:
* change detrimental energies that weaken you and can make you sick, into beneficial energies that strengthen you, heal you, and enhance your moods and relationships
* attract new beneficial energies into your living environment
* eliminate the harmful effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF's) that radiate from TVs, computer screens, microwave ovens, electrical wires, cellular phones, etc. You can actually make these energies beneficial to you and your loved ones with the Blessing Process.
* attract what you most need and want into your life, drawing you ever closer to your highest potential as a spiritual being of Light.
Dowsing and Blessings
This weekend I presented a short workshop on Spiritual Dowsing at the Lake Eden Arts Festival. As requested, here's a brief overview of a simple blessing process that I've been taught by Joey Korn. I use this powerful work daily to maintain harmony within myself and in my environment.
First, bless yourself to clear and balance your own energy to support optimal clearing of all else.
Blessing yourself:
Creator (or however you address the Divine), please bless me. Create a unique energy configuration within me to support the healing and balance of my complete being - physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Thank you. Amen.
Bless all those who live/work with you:
Creator, please bless all individuals who live/work in this space (you may wish to name them) and all who enter here. Create a unique energy configuration within them to support the healing and balance of their complete beings - physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Thank you. Amen. (Imagine with feeling each of the individuals you live work with specifically receiving the benefits of this blessing as you say it). You may also wish to bless your space to support healing of relationships, peace among family/co-workers, or whatever you feel you'd like to create in the moment.
Bless the space and remove unwanted energy patterns:
Creator, please bless this space. Convert any detrimental energies within this space and those that affect this space to beneficial energies. Fill this space with light, love, healing, balance, peace, etc. Thank you. Amen.
Bless an object:
Creator, please bless this object (ring, necklace,etc.) with the Life Force to increase beneficial energies and balance and detrimental energies in my complete being, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Please charge this object with a specific energy configuration to support the healing, balance and resolution of the issue I hold in my mind and heart right now. Or state a specific intent for your own healing.
For those of you who attended the workshop and are interested in Dowsing L-rods or books and resources, I encourage you to visit www.dowsers.com
The Creative Call
I’ve just returned from Campbell Folk School where my mom and I spent a week together, both of us filling our days with glorious creative endeavors.
My mom immersed herself in watercolor painting while I made art dolls. Mixed Media Artist Dayle Doroshow was my teacher; she led us in using polymer clay and other media to fabricate tiny beings.
One of the many gifts my mom has given me is her love of art. A long-time quilter and an intermittent painter, she has taught me through example to make time for personal expression and has encouraged me to explore my creativity. This gift has been essential, really, for navigating the more challenging emotional periods of my life.
I feel it’s so important for all of us to realize that we are – each one of us – naturally creative. It’s our birthright to come into this world with the means through which we can express creatively the unique gifts we possess. Our culture enjoys intellectualizing our experience and often belittles the importance of being able to access the fullness that is available through other expressions – music, dance, painting, poetry.
What’s been important for me is to discover that what I would previously have considered a ‘down’ or depressed time is really a call by my body-mind asking me to go inward, encouraging me to get quiet -- to journal, to pray or contemplate and to create.
When I don’t dive in and participate in the “involution” of my life, I experience being stuck in the spinning of my mind around how to move forward and I become increasingly frustrated with myself.
The action step I’ve learned to take during these times is to connect with my body, get in touch with my feelings and then express them in some creative way. This involution is what propels me forward to a fresh perspective on life. What comes through me connects me more deeply to my authentic self and assists me in remembering the truth.
I write this, of course, encouraging each of you to create – not just when you’re called inward, but often, so that you can hold a fresh perspective and a close connection to your inner world.
Much gratitude to the artists, to my mom and to the creative experience that calls us to stay present to ourselves.
