tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19390162808650566122024-03-13T01:43:33.132-07:00Catherine Athena LouiseMixed-Media Artist and IllustratorCatherine Athena Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15145390050061240630noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939016280865056612.post-48506963473967152092022-08-26T10:43:00.005-07:002022-08-26T10:47:46.578-07:00The Real Deal<div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Hello dear friends and readers, </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAWs8_V1P-Q80EBgbHjCbMw9xp1obKn2rfng-p3TDjOBPiUpW80DA8FCXzNjLh2TYlQ1ig5zLunO5N5TrYIfASW4SV3aqb0llaeIPc4Pq2ufp5BAT0zZP7lkKUv4koeLwsRoqDC2OTiervp-id0BcPNHjZfCSTPfCki3P7GPDehPBadGAYYOpVQ/s4032/SpiritsOfNature_Cover_Drum_.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAWs8_V1P-Q80EBgbHjCbMw9xp1obKn2rfng-p3TDjOBPiUpW80DA8FCXzNjLh2TYlQ1ig5zLunO5N5TrYIfASW4SV3aqb0llaeIPc4Pq2ufp5BAT0zZP7lkKUv4koeLwsRoqDC2OTiervp-id0BcPNHjZfCSTPfCki3P7GPDehPBadGAYYOpVQ/w300-h400/SpiritsOfNature_Cover_Drum_.JPG" width="300" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It was brought to my attention today that an unscrupulous person is posting on Twitter, promoting a download link for a PDF e-reader copy of my 'Spirits of Nature: Shamanic Coloring Book'.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">{In fact her whole Twitter feed is bursting at the seams with rip-offs of other peoples books}. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">So sad. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Please don't settle for anything less than The Real Deal... </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I find it really sad when people do that, instead of creating something uniquely their own, the best they think they can do is to steal and market other peoples art like it's theirs. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It was definitely a strange moment having to sign in to Twitter, {a social network I don't use and don't actually want anything to do with}, just to try to deal with this intellectual property theft. A bit like the archetypal Hero's Journey, where the initiate has to crawl down into the belly of the Ugliator Monster to face and deal with the challenge it presents. Sometimes you've got to go in deeper, to get out... You've got to get closer to the fire, to put it out, as they say.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I reported the post and the poster's account to Twitter. True to their reputation as being the lowest-common-denominator, nasty underbelly sewage-pond of the internet world (with no-ethics-to-speak-of) they weren't at all interested. They couldn't see an issue and they continue to enable and allow this sort of behavior to go on unchallenged on their platform. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">From an energetic standpoint, counterfeits rarely look or <i>feel</i> like the real thing. The integrity has been compromised. And it's not only bad Karma, but it's illegal to steal another persons intellectual property. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Here is my response to the @winfacli Twitter post:</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVg0k5321RFnTfCOdlcn1CxcBtP3H957iuGL0xUcGcoOWHl2L4Evdi91d7xmMCKoS1Nd3dvPgEl8psHmh01VHb9zVzVDXVlFHvE0W89f5AGVhPimY8hyftUrQlNwcLOZxHnsdyrYELRkksLRkk9q4iZJMM8AoApPt26eR_P9o47OVsQ6BG9kjy1Q/s1195/IMG_1590.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVg0k5321RFnTfCOdlcn1CxcBtP3H957iuGL0xUcGcoOWHl2L4Evdi91d7xmMCKoS1Nd3dvPgEl8psHmh01VHb9zVzVDXVlFHvE0W89f5AGVhPimY8hyftUrQlNwcLOZxHnsdyrYELRkksLRkk9q4iZJMM8AoApPt26eR_P9o47OVsQ6BG9kjy1Q/w402-h640/IMG_1590.jpg" width="402" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">** Polite Public Service Announcement** </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I'm sorry but I cannot guarantee the quality of what you might be getting if you put your credit card details in to the linked site via that Twitter post to get this 'Download' they offer... it may be just a part of my book, or it might not even be my book at all...</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Here's a link to my website page for my real book... <a href="http://catherineathenalouise.com/spirits-of-nature-shamanic-coloring-book" target="_blank">http://catherineathenalouise.com/spirits-of-nature-shamanic-coloring-book</a> -- showing a couple of the pages inside and some of the lovely reviews readers (and colorers) have given. </span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInBkqY-pNuWZ6_Y1rz4xnWi0sjrtqO94p4RG5qHYYNxYXLdMiu8-rqmfjOsrtzaWTzwMBMqo-bhkQXZ5yqmk3DwwGKvY_pgVi4Jx4T0rpejdDdO_LH5ZsYOkHKuHHYFHA3tbXqSLqTW8RJepJNbSZLiLyX24Q7egrNwsgu58uZS2pGIq0JE6OvA/s2448/IMG_2861.JPG"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInBkqY-pNuWZ6_Y1rz4xnWi0sjrtqO94p4RG5qHYYNxYXLdMiu8-rqmfjOsrtzaWTzwMBMqo-bhkQXZ5yqmk3DwwGKvY_pgVi4Jx4T0rpejdDdO_LH5ZsYOkHKuHHYFHA3tbXqSLqTW8RJepJNbSZLiLyX24Q7egrNwsgu58uZS2pGIq0JE6OvA/w400-h400/IMG_2861.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-size: large;">And here is the link on Amazon to get the genuine article... <a href="https://amzn.to/2RkNj7y" target="_blank">https://amzn.to/2RkNj7y</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for supporting handmade, artisan books and the hours of work that goes into making them. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Love and Blessings, </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Catherine Athena x</span></div><div><br /></div><div> </div>Catherine Athena Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15145390050061240630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939016280865056612.post-69491762009921842492022-03-06T10:24:00.006-08:002022-03-06T11:32:53.914-08:00Changing The World<div><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Hi there friends and readers,</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #26282a; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Here in the northern hemisphere, we are quickly approaching the Vernal Equinox, the mid-point of Spring in the Celtic Wheel of the Year - now just two weeks away! This can be a beautiful time of renewal and a gateway into healing and hope.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #26282a;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"><br /></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #26282a; font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEik3NKzYGBbaaG5Gec1w67sFVO2Fb_KrRA3hMVv-RX0es8yxaD_2mqocrMe3qMZEwxqZ09fw7H8Og8sjaVEoVQINpUO954oUChOZFTV3vt8NYIGKOthD_95AjnPUfcv4y1FbHcLPK93jeYHdORTMF63iiaa_tBcZG29X-77fI-VNC8EdTZccaMdTw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEik3NKzYGBbaaG5Gec1w67sFVO2Fb_KrRA3hMVv-RX0es8yxaD_2mqocrMe3qMZEwxqZ09fw7H8Og8sjaVEoVQINpUO954oUChOZFTV3vt8NYIGKOthD_95AjnPUfcv4y1FbHcLPK93jeYHdORTMF63iiaa_tBcZG29X-77fI-VNC8EdTZccaMdTw=w400-h300" width="400" /></span></a></div><p></p><p style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #26282a;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: #26282a; font-size: large;">We are seeing so much turbulence and stress in the world these days. In this time of war, uncertainty, great polarity and humanities' path unfolding, where we are each tasked with 'being the change we want to see in the world'. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42);"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); font-family: inherit;">I have created something with the intention and hope of somehow, in some small way, being a lighthouse in making the changes I'd like to see. Perhaps inspiring a new generation who can choose to live at a slower pace, mindfully and closer to the Earth once more.</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9OMyhywJ_uU7HsT0yEU4RbVnOoIe7_UawdoePukOuEtKRC5Px8NmZ4Enf67LA8Av9H2iIkuxgEBmeoWE2BAkEsS_-_8XQAkuXUtTy53nlyO08xwfpdwxi1ytDOSlGsEIktCz3WERPzVmY8jns3eaCRbto3s1Jd2YdJBS9SeA4rX8nBcCO6x3cKQ=s3020" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3020" data-original-width="2965" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9OMyhywJ_uU7HsT0yEU4RbVnOoIe7_UawdoePukOuEtKRC5Px8NmZ4Enf67LA8Av9H2iIkuxgEBmeoWE2BAkEsS_-_8XQAkuXUtTy53nlyO08xwfpdwxi1ytDOSlGsEIktCz3WERPzVmY8jns3eaCRbto3s1Jd2YdJBS9SeA4rX8nBcCO6x3cKQ=w393-h400" width="393" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> <a href="https://amzn.to/2RkNj7y " target="_blank">Spirits of Nature : Shamanic Coloring Book</a><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I have always believed that the young people (and some wide-awake older folks too) are our greatest hope, our best chance for bringing our planet back into balance and harmony. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;">If we could just reach young children early enough, positively influencing and inspiring them, it could make a profound difference to our World within the space of just a few generations.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><div><p style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #26282a;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Back when I was completing the Sacred Drumming Practitioner </span></span>training<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> course (in 2017), I had to come up with a dissertation subject, something I felt called to '</span></span></span><span style="color: #26282a;">specialize' in and then write about. I had a couple of ideas come to me about creating meaningful books. </span></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I re-read notes on choosing our subject matter from notes I took in class, and in my teacher's words “Make it something real, something you’d like to see happen. Work within the discipline of the Medicine Wheel.” </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;">It got me thinking, “Yes! this is something I’d like to see happen.” </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Then I set about the task. Creating one of those book ideas.</span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">I made a Shamanic coloring storybook - '<a href="https://amzn.to/2RkNj7y " target="_blank">Spirits of Nature</a>'. Every single part of this book was hand-made by me - from the hand-inked font in the title </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">lettering, to each hand-drawn image...put together lovingly piece by piece till it was completed.</span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">Here are some of the images contained within...</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDvX8l1rKZ8Dtw5Axtfp5DrLr7OvxGgCzWFCcE4PJAwgb3LjCkv7ImOtcVpuG7f9G-AxRQ41zlDzxi_CfsMy0zgEA3Y69jmVwOuQSGDzE2a2uHl6de4_57pELSsOglGDOGUCpkG72CLxhDbYMGtfT3E7xuA2Fw7kMSsVwkav4H4CbzAeelZFmXbw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDvX8l1rKZ8Dtw5Axtfp5DrLr7OvxGgCzWFCcE4PJAwgb3LjCkv7ImOtcVpuG7f9G-AxRQ41zlDzxi_CfsMy0zgEA3Y69jmVwOuQSGDzE2a2uHl6de4_57pELSsOglGDOGUCpkG72CLxhDbYMGtfT3E7xuA2Fw7kMSsVwkav4H4CbzAeelZFmXbw=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6zUQNmoYhx8fblKNQB89btJZdKCbvKNthDgF0fMFVW83uRfsi0GyNeM51Cgj4I7yRaprYt1gGJBkTByznW62yrEzN5vKn3WrJC0fqgK4odYImilnMzOke5zWyQrDBEvcB5XLLRjb7lbjvlKustX2QppoIp24Esy98OZhv0_Qcb8GXrszIaqndqg=s3752" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3023" data-original-width="3752" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6zUQNmoYhx8fblKNQB89btJZdKCbvKNthDgF0fMFVW83uRfsi0GyNeM51Cgj4I7yRaprYt1gGJBkTByznW62yrEzN5vKn3WrJC0fqgK4odYImilnMzOke5zWyQrDBEvcB5XLLRjb7lbjvlKustX2QppoIp24Esy98OZhv0_Qcb8GXrszIaqndqg=w400-h323" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6--M8ij2nYKt2juOnov_V1p6a-ofUOiA1CvfoaL7rHi6Su37WVh1oQvPceho3E4jWtQTiR0ttPqzFxgSwdR8fRV9QyTf_q8tlTvfq5Z2JdlB702VlAk0LQoe94GKypMszw1FXl0zgYhR30EefCBYlKoI79pTEnKo5ZttRkC9eOjBjur9Tz6M7wQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6--M8ij2nYKt2juOnov_V1p6a-ofUOiA1CvfoaL7rHi6Su37WVh1oQvPceho3E4jWtQTiR0ttPqzFxgSwdR8fRV9QyTf_q8tlTvfq5Z2JdlB702VlAk0LQoe94GKypMszw1FXl0zgYhR30EefCBYlKoI79pTEnKo5ZttRkC9eOjBjur9Tz6M7wQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPZB3f3DjqaZZXuGDy_fH_s35P83hCkdYSD94tjEeDQynwVUz1LgaiBFgUXZkfnM-ddDUK4wm4T9A9J6JRXgQrV86EV1SPUR3t7iqkaA0JXCQTTnWRqtytxJQwHDp-fAlV8lr6-TQxfvYL0TxIrUC5H-1n1HUyPK7pzVvNjfrM0i5z8oPrBifLow=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPZB3f3DjqaZZXuGDy_fH_s35P83hCkdYSD94tjEeDQynwVUz1LgaiBFgUXZkfnM-ddDUK4wm4T9A9J6JRXgQrV86EV1SPUR3t7iqkaA0JXCQTTnWRqtytxJQwHDp-fAlV8lr6-TQxfvYL0TxIrUC5H-1n1HUyPK7pzVvNjfrM0i5z8oPrBifLow=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxOaVNCZzTiLKAOQ9NyANAHgMUHbG7TmR60AXzSxiWrugJp7Ut8cJo5A0gZoXQLD0QHko2xXc0voZfJsRJ3daNx0ByhfTsRqTPeSkirbNT3lwY7mkyV3Cmy3D_YUwuZcb6dnq8sbsxsRtlo0cjs5R0dBUv8wZm1E1UxwG-4AZ9o5rWoGvEvS3FoA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxOaVNCZzTiLKAOQ9NyANAHgMUHbG7TmR60AXzSxiWrugJp7Ut8cJo5A0gZoXQLD0QHko2xXc0voZfJsRJ3daNx0ByhfTsRqTPeSkirbNT3lwY7mkyV3Cmy3D_YUwuZcb6dnq8sbsxsRtlo0cjs5R0dBUv8wZm1E1UxwG-4AZ9o5rWoGvEvS3FoA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgne07LiFzGgbXDdVzdsrRAEm10WBRykU5BQ02dzJ7b2HKBPGb2qF_uQnu4A5AXfdvurMuyyBINDR9GO5b8LaYJXdkULa7raO22wD53jWlv0hewsI05svY8-pQHtAPz8thmkEBlVQZ9cFmh48aPQu6ZN4QU8iWpo8WJRIqGEBrgZdVQ7DNnZmzE-g=s3644" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3020" data-original-width="3644" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgne07LiFzGgbXDdVzdsrRAEm10WBRykU5BQ02dzJ7b2HKBPGb2qF_uQnu4A5AXfdvurMuyyBINDR9GO5b8LaYJXdkULa7raO22wD53jWlv0hewsI05svY8-pQHtAPz8thmkEBlVQZ9cFmh48aPQu6ZN4QU8iWpo8WJRIqGEBrgZdVQ7DNnZmzE-g=w400-h331" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-_zKDXyXiWdUQ3xoMwrrrr8ieV94XGN1d3LhXOrbuGWVjqftLBLKNoqohFN-L0NFCymrgSTtcaVS7ubvf4Egj0maNuHmOXYlaPM1Sv8wTp5lgvrlCHALJ6FP9K0JLvautXNVWSvYakyq1q-U1rRxANIdJYGvN0RwKD2QT2fSO9bR12V4XXZoIGA=s3320" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3019" data-original-width="3320" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-_zKDXyXiWdUQ3xoMwrrrr8ieV94XGN1d3LhXOrbuGWVjqftLBLKNoqohFN-L0NFCymrgSTtcaVS7ubvf4Egj0maNuHmOXYlaPM1Sv8wTp5lgvrlCHALJ6FP9K0JLvautXNVWSvYakyq1q-U1rRxANIdJYGvN0RwKD2QT2fSO9bR12V4XXZoIGA=w400-h364" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">This artisan book sprang from Sacred Drum Medicine and from my heart wanting to share this message carried like dandelion seed on the wind out into the World... </span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please join me in the meditative, calming practice of coloring. </span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can find the on book on Amazon here> <a href="https://amzn.to/2RkNj7y " target="_blank">https://amzn.to/2RkNj7y </a></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4J7el8_GU5jOuX65PvPFu4ZtQXqxLf6uV65xhJaYUBtBK-wB8RRt2DcJfRqIM4G7hRlA2otbkybIBCr79WA-iMlHaT-YaWeozUphYBQ--aohm-BBl7x6d6ucYGRzg03ooPKknmaDFH_9LnWMLw-esfor5Uk--89Kf8qBNoX521PKXM2Rb2Lx3WQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4J7el8_GU5jOuX65PvPFu4ZtQXqxLf6uV65xhJaYUBtBK-wB8RRt2DcJfRqIM4G7hRlA2otbkybIBCr79WA-iMlHaT-YaWeozUphYBQ--aohm-BBl7x6d6ucYGRzg03ooPKknmaDFH_9LnWMLw-esfor5Uk--89Kf8qBNoX521PKXM2Rb2Lx3WQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgX86owJ5ntNZfSIq4RYfoTOTvvsUaKQeU6Sqvx3ybrfYN1a_vMzYENCo45Gv4Wx37gLXM27Fy_Am8yQPDHFp8ZfXktcay9Avma0BGrDJB7HoH4d9nASd_3B4G7OsxLwxqBqG8wjAlXUhn3WhK07WZsZh0hg8LFMhmHthuULYHy0GJT5r-SWTsv6Q=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgX86owJ5ntNZfSIq4RYfoTOTvvsUaKQeU6Sqvx3ybrfYN1a_vMzYENCo45Gv4Wx37gLXM27Fy_Am8yQPDHFp8ZfXktcay9Avma0BGrDJB7HoH4d9nASd_3B4G7OsxLwxqBqG8wjAlXUhn3WhK07WZsZh0hg8LFMhmHthuULYHy0GJT5r-SWTsv6Q=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); color: #26282a; font-size: large;">We are the ones we have been waiting for... </span></div><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Keep shining brightly! </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Sending Love and many blessings, wherever this may find you...</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Catherine Athena xo</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lynn Andrews (NewYork Times best selling Author of the Medicine Woman Series) says,</div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">“<i>Catherine Athena’s coloring book for children is a remarkable inspiration. In her fantastic imagination and effort she has created a bridge between ancient shamanic works and the abstract mind of a child. </i></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Through the abstract practice of coloring a figure she has demonstrated how energy can manifest into form. I can not imagine a finer explanation or process for educating the creative and innocent minds of today’s children</i>.”</div><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(38, 40, 42); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(119, 119, 119); color: #777777; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;">I have always believed... </p><p style="caret-color: rgb(119, 119, 119); color: #777777; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;">To create the beautiful new world we say we want, we must begin with the children -</p><p style="caret-color: rgb(119, 119, 119); color: #777777; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;">guiding, encouraging, and nurturing them in ways that honor & respect the Earth </p><p style="caret-color: rgb(119, 119, 119); color: #777777; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;">and all beings. My wish is that this book </p><p style="caret-color: rgb(119, 119, 119); color: #777777; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;">will be a living prayer to manifest this vision into being. </p><p style="caret-color: rgb(119, 119, 119); color: #777777; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;">This coloring book is a gentle introduction to nature-based spirituality, shamanism and earth medicine practices for young (and young at heart) artists. Coloring can encourage a relaxed, mindful state of awareness, and this is combined with imagery visioning a more simplistic, ancient way of being close to Earth Mother - Dreaming our world into Being. </p><p style="caret-color: rgb(119, 119, 119); color: #777777; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;">20 unique images, along with embellished story borders to color in, based on the authors years of shamanic learning and living.</p><p style="caret-color: rgb(119, 119, 119); color: #777777; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;">ISBN: 918-1-913402-04-4 — Published by ThunderRiver Publishing on 11 May 2021 and available now through <a href="https://amzn.to/2RkNj7y" style="color: #111111; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;"><strong style="word-wrap: break-word;">Amazon</strong></a> or by special order from your favorite bookstore. Please click <a href="https://amzn.to/2RkNj7y" style="color: #111111; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;"><strong style="word-wrap: break-word;">here</strong></a> to order your copy through <a href="https://amzn.to/2RkNj7y" style="color: #111111; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;"><strong style="word-wrap: break-word;">Amazon</strong></a><strong style="word-wrap: break-word;">.</strong></p></div>Catherine Athena Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15145390050061240630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939016280865056612.post-12649750095605067172022-02-14T08:32:00.008-08:002022-02-14T09:36:43.990-08:00Happy Valentine's Day 2022!<div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>[Moon in Leo - two days before Full Moon]</span><span> </span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Hi there my friends and readers,</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It's been a real long time since I last posted here on my blog. Oops... </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I've even published another book since then! (more about that later in another post...) </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, it's Valentine's Day! Yay! </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I love Valentine's Day and always have. It feels like this day is becoming <i>even more</i> a time of celebrating LOVE in all its forms - not only for romantic partnerships, but loving all those who are special to us, our pets, friends, soulmate peoples, our Anam Cara, our most important relationship -with ourselves... and deepening our connection with nature, Mother Earth and La Luna.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1ixlG1HeoD0TBv3uLrToWUSVad_7UoyjoBbJYsK7_PoXuOOAleG-0cC3-ifF-zfAZMdZrshzJlxm4qJiVzEVVVn8nxp_D2PKajwYAeoiScR2U2sIB_SwAQFuv_DL7YCg9e_N7kkPCKPR9oB8ZZfbrsNKrPLZ6ukNGdjVa6LdhbJ5VYEjNXrey5g=s933" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="933" data-original-width="666" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1ixlG1HeoD0TBv3uLrToWUSVad_7UoyjoBbJYsK7_PoXuOOAleG-0cC3-ifF-zfAZMdZrshzJlxm4qJiVzEVVVn8nxp_D2PKajwYAeoiScR2U2sIB_SwAQFuv_DL7YCg9e_N7kkPCKPR9oB8ZZfbrsNKrPLZ6ukNGdjVa6LdhbJ5VYEjNXrey5g=w456-h640" width="456" /></a></div>"Moon Tree" - new art prints available > </div><div><a href="https://catherine-athena-louise.pixels.com/featured/moon-tree-catherine-athena-louise.html" target="_blank">https://catherine-athena-louise.pixels.com/featured/moon-tree-catherine-athena-louise.html</a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It's a chilly early Spring Monday here in England. I'm pausing to have a self-care check-in. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">As we know, loving others strongly, begins with loving and caring for ourselves fully. I've taken some small positive actions with that in mind today.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span>I placed a large deep-pink rose quartz pebble in my drinking glass last night and filled it up with filtered water. Letting the stone release its unconditional love vibes into the water overnight. The water tastes subtly different when I drink it this morning. </span><span>It's one of my favorite, very simple rituals. Crystal infused water.</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQgpgCpgFI17U5dmS5bXvGaUuPG6bXG6HkRUgfWQgh2FVRBwruL9mP_1PtMSVKAYi8wxTepIfJ79J0cws-iDtaTVzmybbtcPStmhV_0H2TQU0PNjX0DdHTCoZ45qAzsnjKTvl2qwhK1xhkgclVoHsPLv2XPEzZNRNhEGFpP-RS2bm2qsM6PCrddQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQgpgCpgFI17U5dmS5bXvGaUuPG6bXG6HkRUgfWQgh2FVRBwruL9mP_1PtMSVKAYi8wxTepIfJ79J0cws-iDtaTVzmybbtcPStmhV_0H2TQU0PNjX0DdHTCoZ45qAzsnjKTvl2qwhK1xhkgclVoHsPLv2XPEzZNRNhEGFpP-RS2bm2qsM6PCrddQ=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I also chose a piece of rose quartz jewelry to wear that feels very intentional. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I love using vibrational energy medicine and gem elixirs for shifting consciousness and creating new patterns in my thoughts, body and emotions! </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">On the theme of self-care and loving kindness...Here are some ways we might show ourselves that today: </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIV2A9sY1YJSvZQ5LdPMplvWIJ4jX8fSy0ug3vAsaigk4fn8hcV5OxxuEGRcUjQqPFqt9R3zrdhximzIxHYtixHfRqNJoueu8Em0c5sZcLyQMKKhGpGU6y8Re5bGSXlWwBtbkvKzUMUA9unWNn0oMzKILoAiWh-wLnPfyIxEwuBMnMLGwbRA2Zrw=s750" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="750" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIV2A9sY1YJSvZQ5LdPMplvWIJ4jX8fSy0ug3vAsaigk4fn8hcV5OxxuEGRcUjQqPFqt9R3zrdhximzIxHYtixHfRqNJoueu8Em0c5sZcLyQMKKhGpGU6y8Re5bGSXlWwBtbkvKzUMUA9unWNn0oMzKILoAiWh-wLnPfyIxEwuBMnMLGwbRA2Zrw=w400-h394" width="400" /></a></div></span><span style="font-size: large;">* Enjoying a hot cup of your favorite brew (mine is Dandelion coffee with honey and GMO-free soya milk) </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">* Slow-living - allowing yourself some quiet time to read a book you adore.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">* Running an indulgent hot bath (with a few drops of Lavender, Sweet Orange or Rosemary essential oil)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">* Journalling what is on your heart.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">* Light a candle. Drum a slow heartbeat rhythm on a frame drum and feel your spiritual connection to all of Life.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">* Taking a meandering photo walk. See what details catch your attention and inspire you.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">* Spending some time outdoors in the fresh air and natural light [even if it is cloudy where you are - the sun is still up there shining down].</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBfouDP2Jv7YTJjl4vMH_ldt_Z9dN-tbm1ykOMMwpFwgYR9qCGFi-agus2cviFGczVLcds1OLqiVmqpcQOHVMhrtDVAT3BWB5kefofuEve4KtsF2iHRrzxL6jC-129k27mWntZZihOxVqsLClAlExegBMaA9MSx_zOCd8Jwxxgad1yQL6TCagUHw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBfouDP2Jv7YTJjl4vMH_ldt_Z9dN-tbm1ykOMMwpFwgYR9qCGFi-agus2cviFGczVLcds1OLqiVmqpcQOHVMhrtDVAT3BWB5kefofuEve4KtsF2iHRrzxL6jC-129k27mWntZZihOxVqsLClAlExegBMaA9MSx_zOCd8Jwxxgad1yQL6TCagUHw=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br />Wishing you a beautiful St.Valentine's Day, however you celebrate it. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Till next time. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">With love and blessings,</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Catherine Athena x</span></div><div><br /></div>Catherine Athena Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15145390050061240630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939016280865056612.post-9817860872435143172020-12-14T09:18:00.009-08:002021-05-05T04:06:16.225-07:00They're Here! Camino De Santiago Calendar Books! <span style="font-size: large;">Hi there my friends and readers, </span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">How are you doing out there? As an empath I'm feeling the collective vibes of intensity and pressure that have been going on pretty much all year. And what an unforgettable year it has been! </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Any quiet, reflective, self-care focused moment we can take is a welcome respite... </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Today it's the new moon in Sagittarius, and </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>(a</span><span>fter a little delay at the printers)...I'm delighted to say, the books are now here at last! In two different cover versions as promised! </span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's been quite a journey. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> -->><<--Available Now-->><<--</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcoEFugMVVmO5tbAb6tw5RGEDxWNPBtP8X1ijkdjWGjNKR2oHPj04R0cdFNVcOb4JPkZmlK57ecto-o8dDBavvt8WQz4kbB0MdRCdQMfnOOO6gdP-S_kBfQB_koS7GjsvxlMenXPkY/s2703/Twin_Books_Catherine_Athena_Louise2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1163" data-original-width="2703" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcoEFugMVVmO5tbAb6tw5RGEDxWNPBtP8X1ijkdjWGjNKR2oHPj04R0cdFNVcOb4JPkZmlK57ecto-o8dDBavvt8WQz4kbB0MdRCdQMfnOOO6gdP-S_kBfQB_koS7GjsvxlMenXPkY/w400-h173/Twin_Books_Catherine_Athena_Louise2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></span></div><div><h3 style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">To purchase your preferred cover version please click on the links in black below:</span></h3><p data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="color: #777777; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"></p><h2 style="color: #05e2ff; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 1em 0px 0.5em; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">USA / Canada / Aust / NZ / Global: —>> <a href="https://amzn.to/3ni5Dc9" style="color: #111111; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;">Morning Sun </a>// </span><span style="font-family: arial;">—>> </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3nk21q7" style="color: #111111; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Open Road Moon</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></a></h2></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you so much for supporting this handmade artisan book! I am super grateful and excited to see these twin books going out into the World. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Wishing you all a beautiful, magical week ahead.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Love and blessings, </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">C x</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="proxima-nova" style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #777777; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Please note: </span><br style="color: #777777; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;" /><span style="word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="color: #666666;">http://catherineathenalouise.blogspot.com</span></span><span face="proxima-nova" style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #777777; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Thanks for your kind support.</span></div>Catherine Athena Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15145390050061240630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939016280865056612.post-90699368698532417932020-11-26T07:43:00.029-08:002021-05-05T04:07:04.893-07:00Thanksgiving - Inspiration and New Book<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">There's this little town where I used to live... It's a place where artists and creative makers feel drawn to, to congregate, to hold classes and have exhibitions and gallery shows... And where some artists then decide to stay and open little boutique shops to sell their art and handmade wares. </span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I had the opportunity to re-visit this place, on a rare day away, after the Covid-19 lockdown eased. I returned from that cherished-treat-of-a-brief-excusion feeling refreshed, recharged and very, very inspired. Full from drinking in the visual soul-food straight from the Wellspring. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> My friend Patrick felt exactly the same. We were talking about enjoying this feeling of overflowing abundant, creative inspiration bubbling through us, and suddenly had this idea for a collaborative project : A Calendar-Book about the Camino De Santiago De Compostela - the ancient pilgrim route across Northern Spain. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Camino - yes, that mysterious journey-of-the-Spirit has been in my psyche for the past 22 years, since I first heard about it. </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This was my chance to make the book I wished I could find </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">when I was back in New Zealand dreaming of the Camino.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeA7OLFCqm79hd5YO934lzFjvwgFHhZYMOQ7lstxwBSsNMGvZwmI48W03axOyRykXKxcK8mpxNZpwZmvpBwKN_i7lpwrFNovxR9e8blwb9uqLOGfOpbAkTSh0GlaKhQfXN4OQ0uL2/s2048/CaminoLiveWater300.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1878" data-original-width="2048" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeA7OLFCqm79hd5YO934lzFjvwgFHhZYMOQ7lstxwBSsNMGvZwmI48W03axOyRykXKxcK8mpxNZpwZmvpBwKN_i7lpwrFNovxR9e8blwb9uqLOGfOpbAkTSh0GlaKhQfXN4OQ0uL2/w400-h366/CaminoLiveWater300.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We didn't pause to over-think it... we just started straight away. Firstly by looking through Patrick's photographs from his own four journeys along three of the caminos -- along Camino Frances (the most well-known pilgrim's Way), Camino Norte (the most northern camino route) and the Primitivo (the Original Way). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We laid the photos out in order, thinking about the flow of the twelve months, switching and moving their sequences around till they felt right. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvuCPAVD9bFi9MiL3uZmcIOD-bcPMY_tF5H-fGLTvq8X9_SDkBD8SGSMbTiJ2bUoPDl8PR1JfheeP-ZlCZmf3D2_m_-95o2Gs-zPrkW_fSAvPaVGh45tQaAG_YWY5Z6I-Uk08Id5_/s2048/IMG-0085.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1146" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvuCPAVD9bFi9MiL3uZmcIOD-bcPMY_tF5H-fGLTvq8X9_SDkBD8SGSMbTiJ2bUoPDl8PR1JfheeP-ZlCZmf3D2_m_-95o2Gs-zPrkW_fSAvPaVGh45tQaAG_YWY5Z6I-Uk08Id5_/w358-h640/IMG-0085.jpg" width="358" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And then I set to work creating the look I hoped to achieve consistently throughout the book. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I've always really loved old linen bound books and ancient maps. I imagined torn parts of maps, the color of the vintage paper, the smell of well-read, lightly golden tanned pages and hand-inked drawings. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I asked my Spirits for their help and guidance, waiting for the imagery to appear...letting the energy flow through to me and then I would quickly capture them, in inks and watercolor on my 'torn papers'. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I wrote an 'introduction' about the camino - because this book may be the very first time some people have heard about it - and also some positive declaration - affirmations. There is one included for each month. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTlIHVumZiXUSmEQQhr8-yvzdw_kt-b2hyuNO7JahtcSE3RdFmMc1PJDXEXEbya0YFzuuK4Sz7XeKkBwHBUQIvrMVSIvcZz-kwEN2V4uosLWTPgs1w2DWNrPIq_-tBFTs33YYAKPB/s2048/IMG-0157.jpg" style="display: inline; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTlIHVumZiXUSmEQQhr8-yvzdw_kt-b2hyuNO7JahtcSE3RdFmMc1PJDXEXEbya0YFzuuK4Sz7XeKkBwHBUQIvrMVSIvcZz-kwEN2V4uosLWTPgs1w2DWNrPIq_-tBFTs33YYAKPB/w300-h400/IMG-0157.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoGloe_kiO1wDvyMG1ilpY2skURuQyw1J6ubnpsLFzThl8evTuyO3XCAheloi8q1smExA0DDprvpnu7ciyGR_iFmHGio2MhlaxpUgj7D0fQD2nuBVuV0j77xLEhXokJTEYHrmF8Jq/s2048/IMG-0376.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoGloe_kiO1wDvyMG1ilpY2skURuQyw1J6ubnpsLFzThl8evTuyO3XCAheloi8q1smExA0DDprvpnu7ciyGR_iFmHGio2MhlaxpUgj7D0fQD2nuBVuV0j77xLEhXokJTEYHrmF8Jq/w400-h400/IMG-0376.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">There couldn't be a deadline to work to, I couldn't force things and had to let the book lead me to making itself. We also wanted to make a calendar that could be used in any year at all, and not have to be restricted to just one particular year cycle. We live in times of such a throw-away culture, I personally think it's nice to have things we can re-cycle and re-use.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_dyPWV-rrkbQDVQXEe1s83enTvb1O8RhAfNrs5In-FomlUcNpQlKPHuXw-tpq-206ASfzkHAQyaHll8d-JY49abyRQ9rMLE7fcoTG-G-yeYA2ISbGCwHCO_Z_ThM2IgZqB9VNAWu/s2048/BackCoverExample.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1619" data-original-width="2048" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_dyPWV-rrkbQDVQXEe1s83enTvb1O8RhAfNrs5In-FomlUcNpQlKPHuXw-tpq-206ASfzkHAQyaHll8d-JY49abyRQ9rMLE7fcoTG-G-yeYA2ISbGCwHCO_Z_ThM2IgZqB9VNAWu/w400-h316/BackCoverExample.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div><br /></div>We put the cover image to a vote and over 200 folks told us (quite passionately one way and the other) which image called them most, for their own different reasons. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We listened and will be offering both cover options -- we feel they show two quite different energies that can be encountered out on Camino, the golden light of the Morning Sun, and the Open Road, under a harvest moon... </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUbgCCM2UvG8jc-abRCz9OXWZQYNaCqFadOmY43rY_nYBWIIxz47W81sYY_BUBF6v2HeVznzjr1_Ji1ec5pppdWyNjysLBWKUvBmmf-d3zVld35rydyJIbh0J7i5k5qZ2-pvz3PK8/s2048/9781913402013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1589" data-original-width="2048" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUbgCCM2UvG8jc-abRCz9OXWZQYNaCqFadOmY43rY_nYBWIIxz47W81sYY_BUBF6v2HeVznzjr1_Ji1ec5pppdWyNjysLBWKUvBmmf-d3zVld35rydyJIbh0J7i5k5qZ2-pvz3PK8/w400-h310/9781913402013.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> 'Morning Sun' cover (ISBN: 978-1-913402-01-3) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-wQCAWZsO9yMSPDjhz7b59LP1cekBpogKoIdaMFrdvsgRQ4LqRRFIxlDm-gmfrVLo6TBY8-2tKI1HCZ7t0aN4Rkpc_-punGO24htXybVsIK9Avbsujy3FoBwHgXsgcT72ETDp2tn/s2048/9781913402037.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1589" data-original-width="2048" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-wQCAWZsO9yMSPDjhz7b59LP1cekBpogKoIdaMFrdvsgRQ4LqRRFIxlDm-gmfrVLo6TBY8-2tKI1HCZ7t0aN4Rkpc_-punGO24htXybVsIK9Avbsujy3FoBwHgXsgcT72ETDp2tn/w400-h310/9781913402037.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">'Open Road Moon' cover edition (ISBN: 978-1-913402-03-7)</div></div></blockquote><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Both these alternative cover 'book-twins' will be published through ThunderRiver Publishing and available from 30 November 2020! To coincide with the <i>blue</i> <i>moon</i> Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in the twin-sign of Gemini.</span></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I'm feeling so deeply grateful today for the opportunity to make this book, and all the gifts it has brought me during the process. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Thanks for reading!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Catherine Athena xo </span></div></blockquote><p><br /></p><p>Update: </p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"> -->><<--Available Now-->><<--</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNNa1q29UfN1oivKacZSbgiL8s9jmsboqrn0NhfwcmPoUh1sarB2ll-vWZit0vI-hRC6IOMUXm-I2c8LZlwVEqDTKOeRfn-BZlBorCPM1g2lfLcG8mZkqD-4Ydh3ZAo72xyFRR4id/s2703/Twin_Books_Catherine_Athena_Louise2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1163" data-original-width="2703" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNNa1q29UfN1oivKacZSbgiL8s9jmsboqrn0NhfwcmPoUh1sarB2ll-vWZit0vI-hRC6IOMUXm-I2c8LZlwVEqDTKOeRfn-BZlBorCPM1g2lfLcG8mZkqD-4Ydh3ZAo72xyFRR4id/w400-h173/Twin_Books_Catherine_Athena_Louise2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><div><h3 style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">To purchase your preferred cover version please click on the links in black below:</span></h3><h2 style="color: #05e2ff; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 1em 0px 0.5em; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></h2><p data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="color: #777777; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"></p><h2 style="color: #05e2ff; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 1em 0px 0.5em; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">USA / Canada / Aust / NZ / Global: —>> <a href="https://amzn.to/3ni5Dc9" style="color: #111111; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Morning Sun </a>// </span><span style="font-family: arial;">—>> </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3nk21q7" style="color: #111111; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: arial; word-wrap: break-word;">Open Road Moon</span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit; word-wrap: break-word;"> </span></a></h2></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you so much for supporting this handmade artisan book!</span><span style="font-size: xx-large;"> </span></div><p><br /></p><span face="proxima-nova" style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #777777; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Please note: </span><br style="color: #777777; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;" /><p><span style="text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word;">http://catherineathenalouise.blogspot.com</span><span face="proxima-nova" style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #777777; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Thanks for your kind support.</span> </p>Catherine Athena Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15145390050061240630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939016280865056612.post-55231104597270829292020-02-17T12:00:00.006-08:002020-02-17T12:05:11.550-08:00The Heart of All Knowing : The Alchemist<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">Dear friends and readers, </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Paulo Coelho's magical book "The Alchemist" has been an inspiring North Star compass point for my life and journey ever since I first read it back in 1996. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The fable held within the pages uncannily mirrors my own path... </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I too once set out on a voyage right across the world seeking adventure and my heart's desire, to ultimately find myself coming around full circle and finding the treasure I was seeking was right there in front of me, at that starting point, there all along. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So when I need a little nudge to remind myself that everything is on track and exactly as it should be, and the motivation to hold on tight and keep following my dream, this is the book I return back to. I hold the imagery and lessons close in my heart. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love this interview -- click on the link here>> <a href="http://www.oprah.com/inspiration/oprah-talks-to-the-alchemist-author-paulo-coelho/all?fbclid=IwAR2w5VjeBKj2ggFOw3M1wWVliX7rOR0BOnGtyfoDPqu8sJwEUAtikMBPC04">Paulo talks to Oprah about "The Alchemist"</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And I love remembering back to the day I met the Paulo Coelho myself. In my own words : Blog post Part 1 >> <a href="http://catherineathenalouise.blogspot.com/2014/09/watching-omens-and-following-signs.html">http://catherineathenalouise.blogspot.com/2014/09/watching-omens-and-following-signs.html</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2KFdlB_RMT1Mu5OthVBdPwuItYoUTcjA-5S7CynvwiKmeR5b35rNQ6HQk4lzyJhY6t_5AhyomgQPwEljtKNFWZDkfPADzAbnKOFMWlB71xpcbLCX4jLjQ7rmFo6zgpCeZJDVyWGq/s1600/CatherineAthenaLouise-Heart-PauloCoelho.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2KFdlB_RMT1Mu5OthVBdPwuItYoUTcjA-5S7CynvwiKmeR5b35rNQ6HQk4lzyJhY6t_5AhyomgQPwEljtKNFWZDkfPADzAbnKOFMWlB71xpcbLCX4jLjQ7rmFo6zgpCeZJDVyWGq/s400/CatherineAthenaLouise-Heart-PauloCoelho.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and Part 2 >> <a href="http://catherineathenalouise.blogspot.com/2014/09/revisiting-alchemist-part-2.html">http://catherineathenalouise.blogspot.com/2014/09/revisiting-alchemist-part-2.html</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuVN9iEecmb9taEz9yhdgJ-imIVbp40tNsUnkeACKN3Q6907296uzfHmxnJk9yrCHFA7KITbHwqOIhX4L83G9pyYxQXEPdsvL3oxh8sijNVl7ZMTY5YznZra4zvfkdPFkktsOBFMt/s1600/CatherineAthenaLouise-The-Alchemist.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuVN9iEecmb9taEz9yhdgJ-imIVbp40tNsUnkeACKN3Q6907296uzfHmxnJk9yrCHFA7KITbHwqOIhX4L83G9pyYxQXEPdsvL3oxh8sijNVl7ZMTY5YznZra4zvfkdPFkktsOBFMt/s400/CatherineAthenaLouise-The-Alchemist.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love and blessings on the way to following your personal Legend...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Catherine Athena xo</span></div>
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Catherine Athena Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15145390050061240630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939016280865056612.post-11738715702817627432020-01-24T06:59:00.002-08:002022-02-23T02:25:49.714-08:00The Art Heist...Valuing ourselves and our work and how I became Mark Rothko <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dear friends and readers,</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzMe9huVdzLG9a_JYOrjJwUWKjSVDpviCAWg6_Yv32Gn3ZD7yl3VUaoyfHKh6BB2MhBgJJG6_7oeYwUBxlI7TsoDkg217rEPe5w3RXmEwJgZ9sKsDmythtqzNoETnsVBlOHSuuUwk/s1600/DeerCandle-Catherine-Athena-Louise.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="482" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzMe9huVdzLG9a_JYOrjJwUWKjSVDpviCAWg6_Yv32Gn3ZD7yl3VUaoyfHKh6BB2MhBgJJG6_7oeYwUBxlI7TsoDkg217rEPe5w3RXmEwJgZ9sKsDmythtqzNoETnsVBlOHSuuUwk/s400/DeerCandle-Catherine-Athena-Louise.png" width="332" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday I thought about my mother. And remembered something about her, something she did I found very strange and almost unbelievable. Something she did with one of my paintings. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes the best way to understand things is to write about them, journal them out in expressive ways, share our stories and raw truths can resolve, complete cycles and close chapters - nail lids on their coffins - remember and let go, but never lose the lesson. </span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: medium;">"You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories. If people wanted you to write warmly about them, they should have behaved better." </span>~ Anne Lamott</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is my story. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I was in New Zealand in my mid twenties, I created a very unique, original piece of art work. It was a large oil pastel painting of a Crimson Phoenix, raising up from ashes and flames, set against a graduated dark royal purple and bright aqua-turquoise background. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After many, many hours, and long days of intense focus, this vast artwork was finally completed and I set about placing it under glass inside a very clean-looking white wooden frame. A recycled frame. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">This lovely square frame once contained an art print, of quite a famous painting by an American artist called Mark Rothko - 'untitled' - but known as "Purple, White and Red". Painted in 1953, it can be seen in the Art Institute Chicago collection and over here: <a href="https://www.artic.edu/artworks/100472/untitled-purple-white-and-red">https://www.artic.edu/artworks/100472/untitled-purple-white-and-red</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My ex-partner (who I owned a house with at the time) had been given this framed print as a gift when he left his accounting job in the City. He didn't care that much for it so he gave the frame to me. The print was taken out and the frame left empty to be re-used. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">And so my Crimson Phoenix found it's way into that huge white frame, where it hung on the wall, over the fireplace for several happy years. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I never thought to take the sticker off the backing board on the frame - it still had Mark Rothko named and the painting title on it, as the painting within was personal to me and was created solely for myself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A few years later we sold the house and I was leaving New Zealand to head out into the world looking for adventure. I left the Crimson Phoenix in safe keeping at my Mother's house to be collected later. Or so I thought. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">My mother and sister didn't believe I would be gone for long, six months or so maybe at most they said, and then I'd come back home again after a 'long holiday', with my tail between my legs, so they didn't bother even coming out to the airport to see me off or say goodbye. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I travelled up via Buenos Aires, and on again up to Rio de Janeiro, finally arriving in England where I settled in a tiny town in Somerset. Two years passed I decided it was time to pay a visit to the old homeland once more... so back to New Zealand I went on Christmas Eve 2003, for a three week stay. </span><span style="font-size: large;">It also felt like a good time to collect my Crimson Phoenix on this visit, to roll it up and take it back to England with me. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Only the oil pastel painting had now mysteriously disappeared. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">When I asked my mother where it was, she absolutely refused to discuss it. How curious (?!?)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">My sister finally revealed the truth. She filled me in on what had happened - that my mother had </span><span style="font-size: large;">seen the sticker on the back-board of the painting saying 'Mark Rothko - Purple, White and Red' and proceeded to telephone around various Art Galleries to enquire as to the value of this original Mark Rothko work of art. How much was it worth?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">When she was told, "He never painted phoenixes" she was adamant and simply refused to believe it saying, "it IS an original! </span><span style="font-size: large;">She could see the strokes and marks of my pastels through the glass. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">As far as she was concerned it was <i>definitely</i> an original Rothko. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">and having now gotten some idea of what the value of this 'original' might be, she then advertised my artwork in a free-listing paper and sold it for a small fortune</span><span style="font-size: large;">. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Apparently the buyer was a flamboyant same-sex orientated gentleman who owned a hairdressing salon on Parnell Road (or perhaps Ponsonby Road) both up-market areas of Auckland and wanted it for his salon. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">To say I was flabbergasted by the whole thing is an understatement. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Never once had my mother thought to check in with me and ask if this painting was still wanted by me. She could find the inclination to ring around art galleries of course asking for a value, but never once flicked me across an email or a quick phone call to check in with me first. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">And </span><span style="font-size: large;">any questions as to the purchase price paid and the 'presumed value' of this Crimson Phoenix were brushed under the carpet. This was simply never going to be allowed to be discussed again. </span><span style="font-size: large;">And to this day there has never been a single word of apology or financial recompense.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I never imagined my painting could be misinterpreted as someone else's work. Imagine selling someones handmade art without their consent? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">It draws some interesting questions about how we 'value' ourselves and our artwork, how that is measured and by whom? And what happens when your value is based on the premise that you are (or might be) someone else entirely? What are we worth to ourselves? What healthy boundaries need to be set, and maintained for the safe-guarding of our artistic life?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As many of my readers will already know, I have been on a long journey of exploring Jungian depth psychology, archetypes and the hidden messages from the subconscious and in fairytales and how these show up and appear in our waking lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are some interesting things to ponder if I look below the surface of this bizarre situation. A Phoenix that rises from the ashes for one. And my mothers relationship to my art... and how I noticed she would always change the subject immediately to something else whenever I would mention some small success I was having - like a painting of mine having been commissioned/licensed for publication in an article for a popular American health magazine. That sort of pattern repeating became very noticeable over time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have looked in and out of, skirted around and delved deeply into lessons of archetypal 'Mother' and how that manifests and plays out when she is the shadow mother; the unacknowledged mother, the forbidden, disowned, disavowed destroyer mother, cruel and neglectful mothers, narcissistic mothers, jealous competitive mothers,</span><span style="font-size: large;"> evil </span><span style="font-size: large;">step mothers (stepmothers get such a bad rep in fairytales don't they? along with wolves and witches). Our society has a tendency to make it forbidden to criticize the 'mother'.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">And then there is the mother wound, and the 'un-mothered daughters' and the un-mothered children who came from mothers who weren't ready to be mothers, or didn't really want to be mothers at all, or who were just sadly going through the motions, 'conforming' to what they thought societies expectations were, and had children because that was "what you did in those days".</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Watching the tv series 'Mad Men' really helped me understand the culture and kind of society my parents came out of in the late 1960's and into the 1970's. For the main part, you got married and you had children. It was the more radical, non-conformists who went against that flow. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">These days I am more interested in the healing, nurturing mothers, supportive kind mothers, gentle and wise mothers, the compassionate caring mothers, creative mothers, generous-loving mothers, passionate, holistic mothers. Remembering... and the healing blessing ways of Mothering (and re-Mothering) ourselves to wholeness.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Stepping it up a</span><span style="font-size: large;">s I self-parent myself from my own safe and loving, wise inner Mother. </span><br />
<br />
<i>"The bond that links your true family is not one of blood but of respect and joy in each other's lives. Rarely do members of the same family grow up under the same roof." ~ Richard Bach.</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's to making art and expressing ourselves (with or without encouragement and support) and knowing the Sacred Mother in ways that are nurturing for us. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Many blessings, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Catherine Athena xo</span><br />
<br />
• • •My journey through the senses• • •</div>
<b>taste</b>:: Hot buttered toast and Pumpkin soup - winter day nourishing.<br />
<b>smell</b>:: Cinnamon and violets<br />
<b>touch</b>:: Needle and thread gliding<br />
<b>see</b>:: "Little Women" (written for the screen and directed by Greta Gerwig)<br />
<b>hear</b>:: Heather Nova -Oyster<br />
<b>think</b>:: I can see the first signs of Springtime approaching!<br />
<b>feel</b>:: LOVE and letting go.<br />
<b>read</b>:: Untie the Strong Woman : Blessed Mother's Immaculate Love for the Wild Soul - Dr Clarissa Pinkola Estés.<br />
<b>intuit</b>::Telling the truth, telling our stories is healing on so many levels</div>
Catherine Athena Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15145390050061240630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939016280865056612.post-12869624825659401002020-01-14T05:17:00.003-08:002020-01-14T05:18:12.140-08:00Word Of The Year 2020 <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hi Dear readers and friends, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Another year has just flown by. I find I didn't blog at all last year! I had so much going on, I was naughty and let this little journal slide. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway without further ado, here is my One Little Word - Word of the Year 2020 : LOVE! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMS_HUFzjOVS_S2jvQ0Ls5XA4KmGFCw92JayCjR2lWzx-rN8z8RD7Nk1t5FO5z1kXI12cpN_GdkGYX9F6cU6nuDcBrkkHINoeVsAGoxKblIjO5sX8aPd8D-Fc8D0TTvndliTwcQm-/s1600/LoveCollage-Catherine-Athena-Louise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1272" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMS_HUFzjOVS_S2jvQ0Ls5XA4KmGFCw92JayCjR2lWzx-rN8z8RD7Nk1t5FO5z1kXI12cpN_GdkGYX9F6cU6nuDcBrkkHINoeVsAGoxKblIjO5sX8aPd8D-Fc8D0TTvndliTwcQm-/s640/LoveCollage-Catherine-Athena-Louise.jpg" width="508" /></a></div>
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Love Collage - <span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">©</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"> Catherine Athena Louise 2020</span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It really is where I want to be focussing my attention. As they say, where awareness goes energy flows! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I have some big plans afoot for this year. I'm looking forward to sharing the adventure with you here. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Wishing you all a beautiful 2020 ahead! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Love and blessings, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Catherine Athena Louise xo</span><br />
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• • •My journey through the senses• • •</div>
<b>taste</b>:: Red rose petal tea and honey - heartwarming on so many levels!<br />
<b>smell</b>:: Rosa Damascena - Damask Rose oil close to my heart.<br />
<b>touch</b>:: My wildish silver hair - enjoying how much it is growing.<br />
<b>see</b>:: Amélie inspired photos of Paris and the Sacre Cœur Basilica, Montmartre, Paris.<br />
<b>hear</b>:: Clarissa Pinkola Estés audio book 'The Dangerous Old Woman'<br />
<b>think</b>:: The 8 glasses of water I drink to start my day is making changes I love. Discipline!<br />
<b>feel</b>:: Slow and steady wins the race<br />
<b>read</b>:: Star Signs by Linda Goodman<br />
<b>intuit</b>:: The most powerful year (we've known in years!) is up and running. </div>
Catherine Athena Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15145390050061240630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939016280865056612.post-42628491482681150522018-12-30T13:08:00.002-08:002018-12-31T02:56:22.196-08:00Word of the Year 2019 : Luxury <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hi dear readers and friends,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I haven't done a word of the year one-word mantra for a couple of years now... But with 2019 just a day away I feel strongly called to set a theme.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I know from past experience how <i>powerful</i> setting intentions are, and what happens when I run with a guiding word for the year. It really does unleash a way to explore my inner and outer life. Things happen that show me all sides of that word-theme, like a magic spell. So here goes : 2019 - LUXURY</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">That word, that feeling. It gets me thinking.... What are my own personal luxuries? What feels luxurious to body and Soul? (as self care) What are my 'luxury items'? What feels like a complete luxury to me, decadent, indulgent even? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In a world where so many are going without daily on even the absolute basics - like clean water, air and basic shelter, the word 'Luxury' also has me also thinking of all the things the rest of us take so readily for granted that could be deemed lavish, frivolous and priviledged from a first world perspective. It's good to sit with that too and step into the accompanying feeling that can't help but come up for me : GRATITUDE.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">To me they go hand-in-hand. I just can't seem to feel into one without the other appearing. I'm finding it's such an important time on Earth to not take anything for granted.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHrbjveSNCMzjZnPnJgNmNoPLNzdVhTyccAuHBzsCc29SCaMpxhPzCZ-fgR6qrR1LqmijLDh9xQgTTwl7t-QB8uCBImVy9lE9JKkdY26PRgFyYeFcidqFxBi4-3acQT5bHbiTdLVY/s1600/Buckwud_Organic_Maple_Syrup_CatherineAthenaLouise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHrbjveSNCMzjZnPnJgNmNoPLNzdVhTyccAuHBzsCc29SCaMpxhPzCZ-fgR6qrR1LqmijLDh9xQgTTwl7t-QB8uCBImVy9lE9JKkdY26PRgFyYeFcidqFxBi4-3acQT5bHbiTdLVY/s320/Buckwud_Organic_Maple_Syrup_CatherineAthenaLouise.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">To me, this feeling of Luxury can be anything from a bottle of beautiful Organic Buckwud 100% pure Canadian Maple Syrup, to a Vitruvi essential oil stone diffuser from Goop, to smashing right out through glass ceilings into all kinds of things I never thought possible for myself.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg172TSyxaBRdMde6adC1lDawuJtarDqavbgy7d1cbIs1RadNJklph5nXI3lNy3E07bQT-qwb7l8WBnrm9-OwLWxg8dNN3CdaH8yUrcfUGePiOGlBoJjaY2qcEvAp_Ho0A9uM4h7pBW/s1600/Vitruvi_Stone_Diffuser_CatherineAthenaLouise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg172TSyxaBRdMde6adC1lDawuJtarDqavbgy7d1cbIs1RadNJklph5nXI3lNy3E07bQT-qwb7l8WBnrm9-OwLWxg8dNN3CdaH8yUrcfUGePiOGlBoJjaY2qcEvAp_Ho0A9uM4h7pBW/s320/Vitruvi_Stone_Diffuser_CatherineAthenaLouise.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This all started when someone close to me described the Sacred Drumming Practitioner Training course I was taking in 2017 as a 'luxury item'. That really got me thinking. It's something not everyone who would want to would get to do, for sure... and that naturally led me into feeling a huge wave of gratitude for how I was able to allow this and give this to myself. To work with the drum this way has felt like such a gift - I'm absolutely blessed and very lucky.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And so in 2019, I'm going to be exploring Luxury....while keeping one eye firmly on being grateful all the way...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Love and blessings,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Catherine Athena xo</span><br />
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• • •My journey through the senses• • •</div>
<b>taste</b>:: Tangerine oranges - my whole body is reveling in a good hit of natural sourced Vit. C!<br />
<b>smell</b>:: Dusk essential oil blend billowing from my Vitruvi diffuser<br />
<b>touch</b>:: Strong leather gardening gloves have proved to be a must-have for reclaiming brambley land.<br />
<b>see</b>:: Fanatastic Beasts - The Crimes of Grindlewald - Surprises me to say it, but seriously one of the most magical films I have seen in years!<br />
<b>hear</b>:: "Yes, that is possible."<br />
<b>think</b>:: "I can do this."<br />
<b>feel</b>:: Excited<br />
<b>read</b>:: The Four Agreements - Don Miguel Ruiz<br />
<b>intuit</b>:: Another powerful year of changes ahead. Happy New Year 2019! I'm ready for you! </div>
Catherine Athena Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15145390050061240630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939016280865056612.post-64600063443876640162018-01-07T11:51:00.001-08:002018-06-27T09:22:48.076-07:00Birthday Visit to Roald Dahl Museum<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">Dear Readers & Friends, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: large;">I was blessed to be taken along to the <a href="http://www.roalddahl.com/museum">Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre</a> as part of my Birthday treats this weekend. I grew up with Dahl's dark humor and quirkily whimsical characters as a child, so to get to visit this museum felt like a fun sort of inspiration as I push deeper into my goals of writing & illustrating published Children's books.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: large;">The little village of Great Missenden in Buckinghamshire (England) was the home of Roald Dahl and his family for some 36 years and now it is the site of the museum dedicated to his work. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: large;">As you walk along the High Street you'll come across a tall pastel purpley-blue building adorned with outlines of characters from his famous stories. Upon entering a small entranceway, you'll see the Willy Wonker Chocolate Factory gates, donated to the Museum by Warner Brothers from their film set.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I delight easily, so my smile widened instantly by the zany wrist tag we were given in the gift-shop-entrance, with the quote "Never grow up... always down." along with a little "My Story Ideas Book" and tiny pencil - just in case we were struck by a moment of genius there and then, that needed quickly capturing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Of course I had to take the height test to see where I measured up against various characters - in the Solo Gallery - which told the story of Dahl's time as a pilot during World War II and images of his family and home life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I particularly adored the photos of the Gipsy Caravan he had in his garden....</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">....and the backstory of how he collected photographs of celebrities' and politicians' eyes in cut-out strips and kept them on a scrapbook page to help him describe his characters eyes in detail. All magic and intention he felt could be seen through the eyes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> This idea formed the basis of his short story "The Wonderful Story Of Henry Sugar" about an Indian Mystic who could "see" without his eyes, based on the real-life tale of the Pakistani Mystic Kuda Bux. This story was first introduced to me by my extremely clever brother Geoffrey back in the 1990's, so it held a special significance to see this book in the display case. </span></div>
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</span> <span style="font-size: large;">Dahl was interested in how to portray magic and the unknown, and was greatly influenced by the folklore and fairytales from his Norwegian parents' lands, where he holidayed every year during his childhood.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I couldn't wait to see the famous chair. I was thoroughly charmed by this video which for me, portrayed what a wonderfully British eccentric Roald Dahl sounded to be, as he talks about his work space and his daily routine / ritual (the sleeping bag, chair, the thermos) : </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BBCArchive/videos/474625489577153/?hc_ref=ARRfDLN_mS9y2OSGry4udjgTnQYP2wbIWoF4TsFHId6x9Hw2AAc_mZa3_ZHauVrkDtg%C2%A0">https://www.facebook.com/BBCArchive/videos/474625489577153/?hc_ref=ARRfDLN_mS9y2OSGry4udjgTnQYP2wbIWoF4TsFHId6x9Hw2AAc_mZa3_ZHauVrkDtg </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">[these are Facebook videos - but I don't believe you need to be a Facebook member to view them - simply click on the link] </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="420" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fbbcfour%2Fvideos%2F474640292909006%2F&show_text=0&width=560" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqLVM3cOm8FDltB0Fla3tl-JGgGMD9lYJmLP5Gtsprh753mXeNi-koZbzg1D4OnFGt2nuaz7J1iHt3NCkasEXk1xfbZnmbyY98cNwbc6EQ0cBAdE5ITCdiKImhjW7U39EzVH9CZS2/s1600/Roald_Dahl_Garden_Path_Cat_Athena_Louise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqLVM3cOm8FDltB0Fla3tl-JGgGMD9lYJmLP5Gtsprh753mXeNi-koZbzg1D4OnFGt2nuaz7J1iHt3NCkasEXk1xfbZnmbyY98cNwbc6EQ0cBAdE5ITCdiKImhjW7U39EzVH9CZS2/s320/Roald_Dahl_Garden_Path_Cat_Athena_Louise.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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(way to work in his hut)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwKtg5OX1MWRUw-QHfJiqk3E8DX9lc0CECVJ_see1Bzc9i25N0glp3r3T66Y2zO3dsSGm09qxkl3LtYkIrDDt0RWQQqzxUXzTc0irS_vDyBKuMxWG2fA8nNzSeZ4hcvJa53zqpudM/s1600/Roald_Dahl_Work_Hut_Cat_Athena_Louise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwKtg5OX1MWRUw-QHfJiqk3E8DX9lc0CECVJ_see1Bzc9i25N0glp3r3T66Y2zO3dsSGm09qxkl3LtYkIrDDt0RWQQqzxUXzTc0irS_vDyBKuMxWG2fA8nNzSeZ4hcvJa53zqpudM/s320/Roald_Dahl_Work_Hut_Cat_Athena_Louise.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The entire interior of his hut has been carefully moved into the Museum gallery. Including pieces of geode agate crystals, photos, notes and memorabilia from family, the heavy molten-pewter, silver ball of Cadbury's Dairy Milk chocolate inner (wrappings) he had squished together - he ate one chocolate bar a day, every day, while working. </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=roald%20dahl%20chocolate%20historian">https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=roald%20dahl%20chocolate%20historian</a></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="315" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBBCArchive%2Fvideos%2F461490734223962%2F&show_text=0&width=560" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="560"></iframe><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Here is an amusing short clip where Roald Dahl talks about chocolate - he is known as a 'Chocolate Historian' in his author bio and clearly it's the kind of impassioned obsession that made Charlie and the Chocolate Factory so beloved.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then, finally, it was my turn.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJQcPv2mwmNZk47wFiGMe8snNp3SF5FAtv2GnZGqmbqawd_BqEzDnOa-ZKlgEut0SX4YAx6nUwZt2QpR-ofNYLAuZVCkGVjzEmpbqkEZPStkBUcSkPMtseSvmA6ZC-73LZTSbPLsb/s1600/Roald_Dahl_Chair2_Cat_Athena_Louise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJQcPv2mwmNZk47wFiGMe8snNp3SF5FAtv2GnZGqmbqawd_BqEzDnOa-ZKlgEut0SX4YAx6nUwZt2QpR-ofNYLAuZVCkGVjzEmpbqkEZPStkBUcSkPMtseSvmA6ZC-73LZTSbPLsb/s320/Roald_Dahl_Chair2_Cat_Athena_Louise.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6TIUlHn8jY0bJl2Morjh3VyMmKMthW-f1xNNPeh8xwoocUIyQiKr2QBpL4TWzxMWEsw8Ihf0uBImvnS5Ll4nqpzdrHyq_7sWuCaURvaxbeg4-rOjdxNMGIAUPqdN1fAiTme2WMXf/s1600/Roald_Dahl_Chair1_Cat_Athena_Louise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6TIUlHn8jY0bJl2Morjh3VyMmKMthW-f1xNNPeh8xwoocUIyQiKr2QBpL4TWzxMWEsw8Ihf0uBImvnS5Ll4nqpzdrHyq_7sWuCaURvaxbeg4-rOjdxNMGIAUPqdN1fAiTme2WMXf/s320/Roald_Dahl_Chair1_Cat_Athena_Louise.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">... not for the chocolate, but to sit in the replica chair. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEize1tsCRUhCMu-P3WzXEseA3sPN7e7zxnECdC-iOuJDHldazjZvyEETfC1FxlC-xOKV3KuRE4Nb8wqp6wT98DS9TtTi57olxxLGAuwLWgz4_lPTej2XQhV9FTQMdliL6YNo08dJPXx/s1600/Roald_Dahl_Book_Collection_Cat_Athena_Louise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEize1tsCRUhCMu-P3WzXEseA3sPN7e7zxnECdC-iOuJDHldazjZvyEETfC1FxlC-xOKV3KuRE4Nb8wqp6wT98DS9TtTi57olxxLGAuwLWgz4_lPTej2XQhV9FTQMdliL6YNo08dJPXx/s320/Roald_Dahl_Book_Collection_Cat_Athena_Louise.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: large;">This wonderful box set was gifted to me for my birthday (along with paints and red roses) How lucky am I? And so the magic and the stories continue....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKshPakrMay13iPMUxDh8FmlM7zKsvg0ATTCWn4KXATYZmS2NFtjLhL16BeobAKoRUQvEyGBu6m0c330aHC1l2lgMSqP1JycTA6BSk5QgZpyWrTm2eYyTi3LbBiK3WgRSsNvpVEoYV/s1600/Roald_Dahl_Cat_Athena_Louise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKshPakrMay13iPMUxDh8FmlM7zKsvg0ATTCWn4KXATYZmS2NFtjLhL16BeobAKoRUQvEyGBu6m0c330aHC1l2lgMSqP1JycTA6BSk5QgZpyWrTm2eYyTi3LbBiK3WgRSsNvpVEoYV/s320/Roald_Dahl_Cat_Athena_Louise.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Till next time...... Catherine Athena xo</span></div>
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Catherine Athena Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15145390050061240630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939016280865056612.post-35235063527937145862016-12-01T01:34:00.003-08:002018-06-27T09:22:34.607-07:00The Bach Centre Part 3 :: Meaningful Pilgrimages and Healing Journeys<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dear Friends,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is the final part of my three part blog-journey, </span><span style="font-size: large;">around the garden and home of Dr.Edward Bach, creator of the World renowned Bach Flower Remedies.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">For the links to the two earlier posts - please visit here: <a href="http://catathenalouise.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/the-bach-centre-part-1-meaningful.html" target="_blank">Part 1</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And here for <a href="http://catathenalouise.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/the-bach-centre-part-2-meaningful.html" target="_blank">Part 2</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOraYoiDKsAxuPUFX-OuEG2tUfwMcWT0NuoEiDE0A9JhZncd3vx7qh9CTFqQseUP4F22Oc_xamYAIg71ZNM9sVXB86MATNu_XhsDPI8L6svqF8oSIHNVU2RV3EF24vJRyeMoZLiCz/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOraYoiDKsAxuPUFX-OuEG2tUfwMcWT0NuoEiDE0A9JhZncd3vx7qh9CTFqQseUP4F22Oc_xamYAIg71ZNM9sVXB86MATNu_XhsDPI8L6svqF8oSIHNVU2RV3EF24vJRyeMoZLiCz/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers6.JPG" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">So on we go….</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As you come through the front door of the cottage, there is another room off to the right (the staircase in the middle divides them - and leads up to an office and space that is now a small museum displaying Dr.Bach's belongings. At the time of my visit this museum was being prepared but not yet open to view) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This room on the right is the lounge or sitting room, leading through to a small shop and administration office at the back of the house. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The room has a small fireplace, some glass cases on the wall showing some older Bach flower bottles and a book case full with many different books on the remedies. Most of these can be purchased from the shop, along with wall charts, boxed kits of the remedies and other gifts. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KXLTXuLNH7AaoIy0v2sYtDFNMvU8KHvNK7VjDMQpGCbakiGh6ufY4ggBFTjjbPz21pAHV12tZSnqkFcZL7zHfhn8CA2Uf_KiR7J_AIN_XaYLgnm2AEcWKrWw_MG3ez0LkZmULxfA/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KXLTXuLNH7AaoIy0v2sYtDFNMvU8KHvNK7VjDMQpGCbakiGh6ufY4ggBFTjjbPz21pAHV12tZSnqkFcZL7zHfhn8CA2Uf_KiR7J_AIN_XaYLgnm2AEcWKrWw_MG3ez0LkZmULxfA/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers7.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some Vintage Bach Flower Bottles</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">No pligrimage to learn more about a beloved 'teacher in Spirit' would feel complete without seeing where he rests eternal. I heard that Dr Bach is buried in the village churchyard, 50 yards or so from the Bach Centre. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was the only person in my class who took the opportunity to wander the lanes and seek his final resting place. This I must admit surprised me, as there were many other like myself from other parts of the world, some having travelled in from as far away as Canada and parts of Eastern Europe to be here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After wandering the churchyard I found him. His headstone reads 'Edward Bach 1886 - 1936 Behold I am Alive for Evermore' - and with the legacy he has left us, yes, that is indeed the case. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSwgHSwNgViJWdBZ-gblH1IJaejxrv3E0sfwr0_c7DU_rH4ORjBGV0vx5brW7mZlMToTSMIZp2ovMaSRL7wV_-xIu6VxBvvZunB0tf5AmolKnuTVy5Ib2vwIZ3OGndXcCKz_SUu-F/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSwgHSwNgViJWdBZ-gblH1IJaejxrv3E0sfwr0_c7DU_rH4ORjBGV0vx5brW7mZlMToTSMIZp2ovMaSRL7wV_-xIu6VxBvvZunB0tf5AmolKnuTVy5Ib2vwIZ3OGndXcCKz_SUu-F/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers3.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqmNSfWfi310kwzPqtp6CIDIh4NbwbHyrFR6rP-3wruJ-6jzgjaKMh0HXgQYojisR4u0NMRCY7dhunFHzX-s8zjw_dc8i7He8n-yvZ3Ua_dptJigqW2Fu3EmR4wMG9icRskIEsmYf/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqmNSfWfi310kwzPqtp6CIDIh4NbwbHyrFR6rP-3wruJ-6jzgjaKMh0HXgQYojisR4u0NMRCY7dhunFHzX-s8zjw_dc8i7He8n-yvZ3Ua_dptJigqW2Fu3EmR4wMG9icRskIEsmYf/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers4.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I stayed there for a while musing the impact on my life this man's work has had, the debt of gratitude I feel for </span><span style="font-size: large;">this alternative healing method (that in in such ready harmony with my body and mind) for</span><span style="font-size: large;"> the sacrifices he made, which were not inconsiderable, to commit to the creation and public use of these remedies - no small thing in 1930's England. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I placed an Apple beside the candle I found already there. A biodegradable offering befitting of one now in the Otherworld. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">…And lastly,</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXgeK05Fc_QsKooNVhn8ukIqpNXUJlkfVDX0u3VexMJbu7jHrJ1YaGYkZrjqcLkDzXwK5cpDP4UrvSaBkJ8nRR51cqdrskcHYzbv1GR4UdWVSdH_8JgpCghMJwKR5TgViq33p8rzD/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXgeK05Fc_QsKooNVhn8ukIqpNXUJlkfVDX0u3VexMJbu7jHrJ1YaGYkZrjqcLkDzXwK5cpDP4UrvSaBkJ8nRR51cqdrskcHYzbv1GR4UdWVSdH_8JgpCghMJwKR5TgViq33p8rzD/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers15.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLVBKTFEl6PUkoO61GItnFiM7jCHZn_MwmYMV_aWxyctsZUz8hJe3vhgpWJ9MT-ndg_cDcY6ykhlDJef_6Lheg4TtVlN5d2NIHHSh0cJyODdXVVkqPw3Uf1Z0bCSBlnhSPtiBAU2c/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLVBKTFEl6PUkoO61GItnFiM7jCHZn_MwmYMV_aWxyctsZUz8hJe3vhgpWJ9MT-ndg_cDcY6ykhlDJef_6Lheg4TtVlN5d2NIHHSh0cJyODdXVVkqPw3Uf1Z0bCSBlnhSPtiBAU2c/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers13.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">My books and Certificate…. And my own set of boxed remedies</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Having my own remedies to hand has allowed me to go much deeper into experiencing the healing levels of these plant spirits. I have found many ways of applying them - internally, and externally on pulse points, and on meridians and acupuncture points like *Floral Acupuncture* - psychic healers have described 'seeing' the changes to someones' aura after a remedy is placed on an acupuncture point… watching the change in color and the sealing over / healing of tears in the subtle body. Using the flower essences this way begins the healing of the etheric field - the energetic body where illness and disharmony enters into the physical body, working inward through a blockage imprint in the luminous light body. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bach Flowers are a beautiful and holistic way of taking charge of our own healing and emotional, spiritual, physical wellbeing</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdzDBgZRWo5x7O0vwbVMccjekj38oQEqGQC7KBtcrTHzyVi2Zfvdebjk-L1E7p0WwiB5XMbO5nPSwrnT47bgr1VjBleIjOxk3vifE_U8iFskgOWnoK_oM4A4whwBgaGKOLC0p35y6/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdzDBgZRWo5x7O0vwbVMccjekj38oQEqGQC7KBtcrTHzyVi2Zfvdebjk-L1E7p0WwiB5XMbO5nPSwrnT47bgr1VjBleIjOxk3vifE_U8iFskgOWnoK_oM4A4whwBgaGKOLC0p35y6/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers10.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Me, wrapped in winter coat on the path to Mount Vernon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope you have enjoyed this tiny window into the Bach Flower Centre. Perhaps I will visit it again one day in the high Summer when the garden is at its zenith of color and radiance. I am told it is a very different garden when all the plants are in bloom and full of life-force and vitality! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you would like to learn more about the Bach Flower Remedies I highly recommend these books:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2gAtNMy" target="_blank">'The Bach Flower Remedies' ~ Edward Bach, F.J. Wheeler</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">'<a href="http://amzn.to/2gbBc7Q" target="_blank">The Essential Writings of Dr.Edward Bach: The Twelve Healers & Heal Thyself</a>' </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and this wonderful book (an essential guide!):</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">'<a href="http://amzn.to/2fFexNy" target="_blank">Bach Flower Therapy; Theory & Practice</a>' </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blessings of Beauty and Mystery, Catherine Athena xo</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdzDBgZRWo5x7O0vwbVMccjekj38oQEqGQC7KBtcrTHzyVi2Zfvdebjk-L1E7p0WwiB5XMbO5nPSwrnT47bgr1VjBleIjOxk3vifE_U8iFskgOWnoK_oM4A4whwBgaGKOLC0p35y6/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdzDBgZRWo5x7O0vwbVMccjekj38oQEqGQC7KBtcrTHzyVi2Zfvdebjk-L1E7p0WwiB5XMbO5nPSwrnT47bgr1VjBleIjOxk3vifE_U8iFskgOWnoK_oM4A4whwBgaGKOLC0p35y6/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdzDBgZRWo5x7O0vwbVMccjekj38oQEqGQC7KBtcrTHzyVi2Zfvdebjk-L1E7p0WwiB5XMbO5nPSwrnT47bgr1VjBleIjOxk3vifE_U8iFskgOWnoK_oM4A4whwBgaGKOLC0p35y6/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdzDBgZRWo5x7O0vwbVMccjekj38oQEqGQC7KBtcrTHzyVi2Zfvdebjk-L1E7p0WwiB5XMbO5nPSwrnT47bgr1VjBleIjOxk3vifE_U8iFskgOWnoK_oM4A4whwBgaGKOLC0p35y6/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdzDBgZRWo5x7O0vwbVMccjekj38oQEqGQC7KBtcrTHzyVi2Zfvdebjk-L1E7p0WwiB5XMbO5nPSwrnT47bgr1VjBleIjOxk3vifE_U8iFskgOWnoK_oM4A4whwBgaGKOLC0p35y6/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
Catherine Athena Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15145390050061240630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939016280865056612.post-73877180452489625422016-11-30T03:19:00.002-08:002018-06-27T09:23:03.668-07:00The Bach Centre Part 2 :: Meaningful Pilgrimages and Healing Journeys<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">Dear Friends,</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is Part Two of a Three part blog-journey, where I visit the garden of the internationally famous Bach Flower Remedies, and the last home of Dr Edward Bach who created them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In todays post, we are outdoors in the rustic, untamed garden surrounding the cottage, where some of the actual plants and trees that are used to make the remedies are grown.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXU82jyQL6oPHe9fRQOAoJH0Z6OJUYTx0ZjnyHNuKHJ5tC9GWT4YzkAurTDCCS0ARjudXIK6aATtYw4JB5Jdg_IJZjCF7W1FKFH5bUkLhyphenhyphenKvf7ZMlrpDOLsS3-fyHrjurEc14oGbt/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXU82jyQL6oPHe9fRQOAoJH0Z6OJUYTx0ZjnyHNuKHJ5tC9GWT4YzkAurTDCCS0ARjudXIK6aATtYw4JB5Jdg_IJZjCF7W1FKFH5bUkLhyphenhyphenKvf7ZMlrpDOLsS3-fyHrjurEc14oGbt/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers21.JPG" /></a></div>
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Walnut - The link breaker that helps you move forward in times of transition, adjusting to life changes</div>
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- helping protect against sensitivity to outside forces and influences.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The sky suddenly clouded over, not unusual for this time of year, serving only to further imbue the silent, still garden with a deeply introspective feel. It was like all the plants and trees were continuing to dream even after the end of the long, cold winter months. Their vital energy pulled inward. Resting, waiting for the tide of new life to begin rising in them again. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipW0x6pkVGZUCgsz3gc-pQcMkyBMu_mfs611rLOl6YatEpZfhOECNlzPUn88gRWy1hZf9-TPKVjNsY75tbNRQFSmq1gfE-zcPHxiIymVuSRLySltnLvwScGBw5tspjlKamQ0JHwlUY/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipW0x6pkVGZUCgsz3gc-pQcMkyBMu_mfs611rLOl6YatEpZfhOECNlzPUn88gRWy1hZf9-TPKVjNsY75tbNRQFSmq1gfE-zcPHxiIymVuSRLySltnLvwScGBw5tspjlKamQ0JHwlUY/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers17.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9paYklIyhLH0CaWeU5MoYuolD5e1EUkn7IjTbjIcIg-0yBlk0j6xeu9CFWXXP-sNUj4QKAPmm5G6a34PI5XHqem9yyuxPHaSBIXhdnncz5OdohaYZgwuMpC_YJUVtS-888qHguUFT/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9paYklIyhLH0CaWeU5MoYuolD5e1EUkn7IjTbjIcIg-0yBlk0j6xeu9CFWXXP-sNUj4QKAPmm5G6a34PI5XHqem9yyuxPHaSBIXhdnncz5OdohaYZgwuMpC_YJUVtS-888qHguUFT/s400/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers16.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Clematis - the fuzzy-headed scatterbrained daydreamer, (just like the plant seed heads) - refocusses attention and connection to the real world of here and now.<br />
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Aspen - Vague fears of unknown origin, anxiety and apprehension. </div>
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Cherry Plum - Fear of losing control, losing one's mind, having a breakdown, doing something terrible you can't come back from, fears own actions in desperation, sudden uncontrollable behavior.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mimulus growing in the pond. </span></div>
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Mimulus - for fear of known things and hypersensitivities of all kinds</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The gardener showed me another pond, located at the back of the garden, and carefully lifted the plastic covering to show me several species of rare newts hiding there… </span><i>(I didn't take any photos of them to show you sorry… They are Salamanders, like small black Axolotl-like creatures - some crested with red bands on their tails) </i></div>
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Holly - For anger, jealousy, revengefulness, envy and feelings of hatred and suspicion - opens the heart back up to Love<br />
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Elm - temporarily feeling inadequate and overwhelmed by responsibilities </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I must say, it is a wonderful feeling to see these plants and trees, to touch them - the actual ones - here in this garden. To know that their energetic stories and healing help go out from here, to people all over the World. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">The Litre-sized bottles used to store the Mother Tincture. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The tinctures themselves are produced by placing pieces of the plant material (usually flowers) in a bowl of distilled water, set out in the sunlight. The suns rays allow the plant to 'discharge' it's subtle innate, energetic wisdom - the vegetal vibrational frequency into the water. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Water as we know, is a wonderful conductor and conduit of energy and storehouse of memories, and used in this way, it holds the vital imprint of the plants code (healing signature) within it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Science is only very recently (in the last few years) starting to acknowledge and agree with this fact…already known to shamans and herbal healers for thousands of years. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To learn more about the vibrational changes to water (effected directly by our thoughts and words, which are extremely powerful) please look at the works of Dr. Masaru Emoto - '<a href="http://amzn.to/2fEUEWI" target="_blank">The Hidden Messages in Water</a>' , '<a href="http://amzn.to/2ftkbXW" target="_blank">The Healing Power of Water</a>', '<a href="http://amzn.to/2gbvNOg" target="_blank">The True Power of Water; Healing and Discovering Ourselves</a>'. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please call by here again tomorrow, for our final part in this series…</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blessings of Beauty, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Catherine Athena xo</span></div>
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Catherine Athena Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15145390050061240630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939016280865056612.post-35230744363776965992016-11-29T05:00:00.003-08:002018-06-27T09:23:18.161-07:00The Bach Centre Part 1 :: Meaningful Pilgrimages and Healing Journeys<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">Dear friends,</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had dreamed of visiting the Bach Centre near Oxford for many years… I first learnt about this beautiful healing modality back in 1994 (in New Zealand) and I started working with and benefiting from the remedies straight away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For those who are unfamiliar with the Bach Flower Remedies, they are 38 individual plant essences that help treat health problems by getting to the root of the emotional cause. They come in little dropper bottles containing the vibrationally charged essence of various plants, trees and flowers (more on this later), utilizing the delicate -yet powerful- and soulful grace of the plant realm. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The most commonly known remedy is probably the combination essence "Rescue Remedy" which contains 5 of the individual remedies together, and is used especially to bring calm to traumatic and stressful situations. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2Hi5sU8FRSp9OvMur3eDJe7dhc0SGrYCrn-yRwc8AXaU5QD5EXJdJ1I_JtFwPw2xAVK8ap3GmR9VdDLxQ5d8ZWsluuIlwj9OExfxpQ5asJrBbxMkCmC7tOlllE7HIlaG2QVnMzAA/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2Hi5sU8FRSp9OvMur3eDJe7dhc0SGrYCrn-yRwc8AXaU5QD5EXJdJ1I_JtFwPw2xAVK8ap3GmR9VdDLxQ5d8ZWsluuIlwj9OExfxpQ5asJrBbxMkCmC7tOlllE7HIlaG2QVnMzAA/s400/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">And so it was….. on a chill Spring morning in March that I made the journey over to the little cottage in the tiny village of Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, Wallingford - about a 45 - 50 minutes drive south of Oxford. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Luckily it was a sunny day with a clear bright blue sky above, as I arrived at the cottage called "Mount Vernon" surrounded by its wildish English garden.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefa93mrMlfQ_3gQAyEN4gxT2a1-YYSVVGrhFFsqG6N8xW51v3_Y3g7i0ZBTjmovcSpmHQh7AtLMJ5HMMol81iDkVJjJcX_H-YYjmOebqMeNmms5IgJxsSKbMFO3YEOZSAdQVF0VEY/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefa93mrMlfQ_3gQAyEN4gxT2a1-YYSVVGrhFFsqG6N8xW51v3_Y3g7i0ZBTjmovcSpmHQh7AtLMJ5HMMol81iDkVJjJcX_H-YYjmOebqMeNmms5IgJxsSKbMFO3YEOZSAdQVF0VEY/s640/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers5.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;">This was the rented home and workplace of Dr. Edward Bach (for those interested, his name is pronounced correctly as Bach, <i>as in Johann Sebastian Bach</i> - as he is of Welsh ancestry, and </span><i style="text-align: left;">not</i><span style="text-align: left;"> Batch - as in *small seaside cottage*) - this quiet and humble man, </span><span style="text-align: left;">whose life's work and contribution was to bring these incredible plant treatments to the world. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9jGLQyihGZsM1v0HL_jLvtizexQbQYdg25CydUTsfuR-FrQKRovb5n5yPTkoAfdzu8hVqbhJVA2uXO1q0giHv-hqPHJ3KtwroANbmBo8sW3aNofNumbmPFvt_dCDrkvFH8L8cDWw/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9jGLQyihGZsM1v0HL_jLvtizexQbQYdg25CydUTsfuR-FrQKRovb5n5yPTkoAfdzu8hVqbhJVA2uXO1q0giHv-hqPHJ3KtwroANbmBo8sW3aNofNumbmPFvt_dCDrkvFH8L8cDWw/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers2.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9jGLQyihGZsM1v0HL_jLvtizexQbQYdg25CydUTsfuR-FrQKRovb5n5yPTkoAfdzu8hVqbhJVA2uXO1q0giHv-hqPHJ3KtwroANbmBo8sW3aNofNumbmPFvt_dCDrkvFH8L8cDWw/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFtmBIwgn9Z3DR_k4DlmJcCcP9Nt6ra54Ye8O70n0pn0pOV8DGG3qD66cVL2UQjgDQ74CmHruhLGwxxTr-HDYPUv5OFThlnjA7O7G98r_rdMtP92zoVsp0INrvhdAZIS0nkWXs7FR/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFtmBIwgn9Z3DR_k4DlmJcCcP9Nt6ra54Ye8O70n0pn0pOV8DGG3qD66cVL2UQjgDQ74CmHruhLGwxxTr-HDYPUv5OFThlnjA7O7G98r_rdMtP92zoVsp0INrvhdAZIS0nkWXs7FR/s400/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers9.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibeFG0M_WMRTHAXd-xcCdz3RzYw6KESJQQHpOvK4uOwECELOPtyllNFICpz0NjFe6jprZoyu_L7-YuyOO6Luso9SfyBwVKcnF4Rx8jPSqf8WLttCVSsn-TIKKwKoF4c9VMXD0vGtaI/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibeFG0M_WMRTHAXd-xcCdz3RzYw6KESJQQHpOvK4uOwECELOPtyllNFICpz0NjFe6jprZoyu_L7-YuyOO6Luso9SfyBwVKcnF4Rx8jPSqf8WLttCVSsn-TIKKwKoF4c9VMXD0vGtaI/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers12.JPG" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As you enter the front door, the room directly off to the left is Dr Bach's treatment room where he would see patients.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dr.Bach's original hand-made furniture is a feature in the room - the sturdy armchairs and desk, the corner where he worked complete with his typewriter and set of treatment bottles.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpgWPgNaNl_eWw0DX_ko_vx8EK7mpUkq_ihAfeBPdbYn08PK8txWNLiAt6nt8nmMR5xdboMSO4ffX2Qu8HfjoWrWnN6jhQAld6Gi5iFiH9cl2Ji8iHRBd1hme2SWLjW0yVC6FUuWe/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpgWPgNaNl_eWw0DX_ko_vx8EK7mpUkq_ihAfeBPdbYn08PK8txWNLiAt6nt8nmMR5xdboMSO4ffX2Qu8HfjoWrWnN6jhQAld6Gi5iFiH9cl2Ji8iHRBd1hme2SWLjW0yVC6FUuWe/s640/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers8.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A wonderful old Grandfather clock lends an atmospheric feel to this room-full-of-memories too...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UuyspRe0h3ocSZAkVrkADh5EOiVAp6gq5VAfQeWBWkL2rWKjZ7oJ0b2H8ymJq5v7blCk3_eUWmljxS6Y6H7LW1pU_OE_7kXigxyu_G-FDNX9UYeszQrSxcW1Evef1xEZ62EE8hTf/s1600/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UuyspRe0h3ocSZAkVrkADh5EOiVAp6gq5VAfQeWBWkL2rWKjZ7oJ0b2H8ymJq5v7blCk3_eUWmljxS6Y6H7LW1pU_OE_7kXigxyu_G-FDNX9UYeszQrSxcW1Evef1xEZ62EE8hTf/s400/CatAthenaLouise_Bach_Flowers11.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please call back here tomorrow, for part two of this three part blog-journey, where I'll show you the rustic garden and some of the actual plants and trees used in the making of the real 'Original' Bach Flower Remedies</span><span style="font-size: large;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Till then...</span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Blessings of Beauty,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Catherine Athena xo</span></div>
Catherine Athena Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15145390050061240630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939016280865056612.post-18121736633323969712016-11-28T06:58:00.001-08:002018-06-27T09:23:40.405-07:00Upcoming Blog Series : The Bach Centre<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dear friends,</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've gotten out of the habit of blogging of late, for two reasons really... Firstly because iPhoto on my computer hadn't been working, and so it was making it much more complicated to move images across from my phone for blogging purposes, and also because I've been focussing much more of my energy on my deep healing this year. Really, really going within…and away from the distractions and chaos of the world.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNORrHamSW2Y0qi4Q7UrhfUf9Bn-7HFJUSYkpMOcS3TIezSd6NV8OEFXOcw_9XUdM7uXaKvsowBxko9FxbPlmruj6StQIMbHHczrUDCfLYhmSET5Dc4RAfzlGWQogP-wssh9OE3rvR/s1600/IMG_0955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNORrHamSW2Y0qi4Q7UrhfUf9Bn-7HFJUSYkpMOcS3TIezSd6NV8OEFXOcw_9XUdM7uXaKvsowBxko9FxbPlmruj6StQIMbHHczrUDCfLYhmSET5Dc4RAfzlGWQogP-wssh9OE3rvR/s320/IMG_0955.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'd been looking at how art-making heals emotional blocks. How using all sorts of different media in whatever way feels right and good, can help express what words alone just cannot explain. </span><span style="font-size: large;">How rest and slowing down had become necessary.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhii3SKMYdLdwHbHUNbrn0-io_e15cOeFFYy7Krqqfbrhlf_J0viC44bbKPa2rOx1Ks3ATAqKXRk2srhCwzil3bStFzfp1zDsqwo_flHWaERJbYbMZ_BAzoxftsjxkFNbDA6Juv96NA/s1600/IMG_0271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhii3SKMYdLdwHbHUNbrn0-io_e15cOeFFYy7Krqqfbrhlf_J0viC44bbKPa2rOx1Ks3ATAqKXRk2srhCwzil3bStFzfp1zDsqwo_flHWaERJbYbMZ_BAzoxftsjxkFNbDA6Juv96NA/s320/IMG_0271.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">My art took a darker turn, which was in direct reflection to my inner world. There was, and is, much I feel I cannot voice…and so I am looking for other ways to speak. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now I'm circling round once more, figuring out what comes next. Where is my art journey going? What feels light, and fun and joyful?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhY-OjtnV7kp4-SYQjEGLV-_CHQVdHtxkBf0aRbM_sGwXViaq3VYSLd8j6qzXrZiAL1EZykNKTUOvhWmlPyJCb0fO0rNn0BQ-xsmcTE6PlMVDUKCaGc4yIg_fJQdZwkvSBqLdmvXh/s1600/IMG_0342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhY-OjtnV7kp4-SYQjEGLV-_CHQVdHtxkBf0aRbM_sGwXViaq3VYSLd8j6qzXrZiAL1EZykNKTUOvhWmlPyJCb0fO0rNn0BQ-xsmcTE6PlMVDUKCaGc4yIg_fJQdZwkvSBqLdmvXh/s320/IMG_0342.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And in the meanwhile, tomorrow I begin a 3 part series here on my blog sharing my many-years-in-the-making pilgrimage to the Bach Centre (near Oxford, England) from a visit earlier on this year… Come join me! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Catherine Athena xo</span><br />
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• • •My journey through the senses• • •</div>
<b>taste</b>:: Crisp apples and sweet Medjool dates<br />
<b>smell</b>:: cedar and piñon pine needles heady in my burner<br />
<b>touch</b>:: paint marks from fingertips and brush-strokes on paper<br />
<b>see</b>:: <a href="http://amzn.to/2gaN2PH" target="_blank">Surviving Picasso</a><br />
<b>hear</b>:: <a href="http://amzn.to/2fsDjFk" target="_blank">Justin Timberlake</a> on headphones while paining<br />
<b>think</b>:: the season is beautiful and I'm enjoying a ray of sunshine<br />
<b>feel</b>:: very quiet<br />
<b>read</b>:: notes on story plotting<br />
<b>intuit</b>:: Nightfall just up ahead </div>
Catherine Athena Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15145390050061240630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939016280865056612.post-9141644693725381752016-05-03T12:51:00.001-07:002018-06-27T10:07:02.547-07:00Painting Dreams<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dear friends and readers,</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My deep love of fairytales goes on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Having let the image of my dream-visitor, the Black Woodpecker (whom I wrote about in this <a href="https://catherineathenalouise.blogspot.com/2016/04/woodpecker-dreaming.html">post</a>) integrate fully with me, having taken in his gifts, I felt strongly compelled to call him deeper into this world through a painting, so that he now exists for me here too... brought to life and now living within a fairytale landscape I see in my mind's-eye.</span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEpk58dVqUJf3bfJ5Wib5qheklqKYhiB1o9BAp76So-KwOadSTIfiCgwq3azy5LuQoTqaigAHFrj7xqAZXJCFvDf_PEyZoqCcIO2q2NnQSLVYRAx8BfdMzgTUEZQR4_hg5G2auB3y/s1600/Sketch_CatAthenaLouise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEpk58dVqUJf3bfJ5Wib5qheklqKYhiB1o9BAp76So-KwOadSTIfiCgwq3azy5LuQoTqaigAHFrj7xqAZXJCFvDf_PEyZoqCcIO2q2NnQSLVYRAx8BfdMzgTUEZQR4_hg5G2auB3y/s400/Sketch_CatAthenaLouise.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Initial sketch up. </div>
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In process. Me at work in my studio.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This felt like such an important and empowering way to work with dreams I receive like this... To acknowledge them and bring them into form somehow, giving them a voice and honoring them. Opening the door and inviting further dialogue.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For those of you who also adore fairytales like I do, archetypal landscapes, little cottages in the woods and mysterious dark visitors who come knocking, I now have art prints of this painting available in my store > <a href="https://society6.com/product/black-woodpecker_print#1=45" target="_blank">https://society6.com/product/black-woodpecker_print#1=45</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you click on this link <a href="https://society6.com/catathenalouise?promo=WFM72994YT9Y" target="_blank">HERE</a> you can get FREE worldwide shipping on anything in my store {for a limited time -- through till Sunday May 8, 2016 midnight Pacific time (USA) } </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for stopping by and visiting me today. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Here's to dreaming strong! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">BlueSky Blessings, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">xo, Catherine Athena</span><br />
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• • •My journey through the senses• • •</div>
<b>taste</b>:: Fresh Blueberries and cool water<br />
<b>smell</b>:: Rose incense giving me a lift of the Spirit<br />
<b>touch</b>:: A beautiful Turquoise stone set in silver<br />
<b>see</b>:: The sun setting through my window beyond my desk<br />
<b>hear</b>:: Lana Del Rey<br />
<b>think</b>:: Healing starts on the inside and I am always willing to show up and do the healing work<br />
<b>feel</b>:: Life is reflecting back some wonderful new affirmations<br />
<b>read</b>:: <a href="http://amzn.to/1Y6bD4R" target="_blank">Grimm's Fairytales</a> - edited by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes<br />
<b>intuit</b>:: These 5 planets in retrograde right now are giving me valuable time to reassess my life!</div>
Catherine Athena Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15145390050061240630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939016280865056612.post-56851627696317505022016-04-02T11:58:00.000-07:002018-06-27T09:25:08.489-07:00Woodpecker dreaming<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">My night dreaming brings powerful messages and symbolism, continues to fascinate and helps me bridge across into other worlds, drawing new characters into my consciousness. I am beginning a practice of painting the animals and people that are appearing to me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In my dream last night two black woodpeckers had gotten into the house. Quite big birds (more like the size of crows) completely black with a red stripe right across the top of their heads. I have never seen woodpeckers that look like this before and I wasn't even sure they exist…I am only familiar with green woodpeckers and the small black and white woodpeckers, with banded stripy chests I've seen here in England….</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A quick Google search this morning and yes! There they are. There are my birds. I particularly adore these lines from W<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">ikipedia : "The piercing yellow eyes and manic, high-pitched calls of the black woodpecker have made it the villain of fairy tales throughout its range. Their voice is remarkable in that it has two different calls. One is a short single high-pitched note, a loud, whistling kree-kree-kree, done only twice in a row. The other is a screech-like shrill while in flight."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can completely relate to the fairytale element around these incredible birds… They are rather elusive and a little bit mysterious. </span></div>
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From Ted Andrews "<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; line-height: 21px;">“Sometimes the woodpecker will show up just to stimulate new rhythms. Rhythm is a powerful means of affecting the physical energies. Sometimes it is easy to get so wrapped up in our daily mental and spiritual activities that we neglect the physical. This can be when the woodpecker shows up. It may also reflect a need to drum some new changes and rhythms into your life. The woodpecker has strong hooked claws for firm holds upon a tree. Its tail feathers help to prop it upright. It also has a peculiar up and down flight. It will fly, coast down, fly and then coast down. It flies in a manner and rhythm unique to itself. All of this serves to emphasize the fact that it will become increasingly important for you to follow your own unique rhythms and flight. Do what works for you in the manner best for you. When woodpecker comes into your life, it indicates that the foundation is there. It is now safe to follow your own rhythms.”</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; line-height: 21px;"> <b><a href="http://amzn.to/1REIAkQ" target="_blank">~ Ted Andrews, "Animal Speak: The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great and Small."</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And in the second part of my dream I saw a horse give birth to a foal so quickly, literally shot out of the womb and into the world, with such dramatic speed that no one watching was even really certain it had just happened! A very hasty birthing of something new indeed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">xo,</span></div>
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Catherine Athena</div>
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Catherine Athena Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15145390050061240630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939016280865056612.post-33650010765334123132016-02-08T05:54:00.002-08:002018-06-27T09:25:19.787-07:00Two Little Words 2016 -- When One is simply not enough<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dear readers and friends,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If you've been following me for a while, you've probably noticed I like to chose a one word mantra as each year begins that acts as a guiding light and brings a certain energy and intentional flow in for that whole year… It's often referred to as <a href="http://aliedwards.com/projects/one-little-word">'One Little Word'</a> and was launched by Ali Edwards back in 2006.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And so rather than setting resolutions for the New Year, I have found I much prefer this way of 'dreaming out loud' as it sets a clear theme and focus for my 12 months ahead.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I've been doing this since 2012 when I launched in on a mission to be 'Brave' (blogging and sharing my art online), then 2013 saw me being '<a href="http://catathenalouise.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/one-little-word-2013-expressive_6.html">Expressive'</a>, 2014 was a '<a href="http://catathenalouise.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/my-one-word-mantra-for-2014-happiness.html">Happiness</a>' revolution that didn't go quite as expected, and in fact turned into a year <a href="http://catathenalouise.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/word-of-year-wrap-up-2014-happiness.html">where I got to see my shadow up very close</a>. Last year was '<a href="http://catathenalouise.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/one-little-word-2015-enjoy.html">Enjoy</a>'</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This year I'm encircling my Soul and life with Two Words -- because one just simply wasn't enough! ….and I've really taken my time this January and early February to just 'be' and sit with these words, journaled around them and about them, letting their power wash over me, before I share them openly with you all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">Miracles and Sovereignty.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And so far, already, just one month in, I'm enjoying a close encounter with the Miraculous… all sorts of things I once thought would be Impossible have begun to be 'I'm Possible' and I'm really learning more and more about what it feels like to be in my own power, self sufficient, self reliant, under my own self-rule and guardianship, holding a space of clear and healthy boundaries. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today just happens to be Chinese New Year and we welcome in the very 'yang' year of the bold and super intelligent Fire Monkey… a year that promises to be exciting and spontaneous for those who are willing to put themselves out there and stake their claim on the world and in their Life. S/he who dares wins!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Be bold, be daring, be uncompromising in your joy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blessing of mystery,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Catherine Athena xo</span><br />
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• • •My journey through the senses• • •</div>
<b>taste</b>:: Wild Flower Honey -the perfect remedy-treat for a sweet toothed me<br />
<b>smell</b>:: Sandalwood incense cones<br />
<b>touch</b>:: My feet on the floor - fully embodied, fully present.<br />
<b>see</b>:: '<a href="http://amzn.to/1KAPGc3">Milk'</a> ~ Sean Penn as Harvey Milk - completely incredible. A must see film!<br />
<b>hear</b>:: David Bowie - all his albums<br />
<b>think</b>:: The tide is turning (in so many ways)<br />
f<b>eel</b>:: Deeply inspired to follow my own path<br />
<b>read</b>:: <a href="http://amzn.to/1Sb83XC">C.G. Jung ~ 'Memories, Dreams and Reflections'</a><br />
<b>intuit</b>:: A life-changing adventure is just days away</div>
Catherine Athena Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15145390050061240630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939016280865056612.post-87980867861859170282015-12-24T10:20:00.001-08:002018-06-27T09:25:38.676-07:00Sensing the Sacred<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span data-offset-key="58dt4-0-0"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">More and more I find very simple things makes my heart sing…. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="dnadg-0-0"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">After the busiest shift at work in months… me and my man escaped into the woods to feel the chill air in our lungs, drink in the restorative pure energy of the trees and be as far from the hustle and bustle of consensus society as possible. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="ev2ro-0-0"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As the sun painted the clouds with the last color bursts of the day we headed into the wilds… </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="fcokk-0-0"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Slipping in the mud and clambering up hills as the golden orb of the moon rose behind the lines of skeletal trees on the ridge… </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="3orsu-0-0"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Two crows calling to each other as they fly low overhead, cutting stark silhouettes against the sky, heading home to roost. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="dsfvn-0-0"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Enjoying my other senses strengthening as my night vision picks out the trail through the gloaming, darkening woods by moonlight. I had a perfect Jungian fairytale moment, surrendering to being in the 'Underworld' {of the deep dark, woods} totally expecting the woodcutter or wolf to step out from the trees any second. This is my kind of Christmas Eve. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="fu8qe-0-0"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Wishing you all a beautiful Christmas and the magic of the untamed Soul,</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="95fd7-0-0"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Catherine Athena xo</span></span></div>
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Catherine Athena Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15145390050061240630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939016280865056612.post-22776928367937455882015-12-18T05:48:00.000-08:002018-06-27T09:26:05.693-07:00Worthy Vessels and Soul-sailers on the Stormy Seas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">Dear readers, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I felt called to share these words from one of my guides and teachers, and author of one of my all-time favourite books "<a href="http://amzn.to/1PdeI1w">Women Who Run With The Wolves</a>" ~ post-trauma specialist, Jungian Psychoanalyst, </span><span style="font-size: large;">Clarissa Pinkola Estes.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">More than ever now we need to keep the faith and hold tight to the mast as we navigate the high tides and stormy seas we see in the World. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">May wish is that her words remind us of our strength, grace and our own power.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Catherine Athena xo</span><br />
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<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We Were Made For These Times</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">My friends, do not lose heart. We were made for these times. I have heard from so many recently who are deeply and properly bewildered. They are concerned about the state of affairs in our world now. Ours is a time of almost daily astonishment and often righteous rage over the latest degradations of what matters most to civilized, visionary people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">You are right in your assessments. The lustre and hubris some have aspired to while endorsing acts so heinous against children, elders, everyday people, the poor, the unguarded, the helpless, is breathtaking. Yet, I urge you, ask you, gentle you, to please not spend your spirit dry by bewailing these difficult times. Especially do not lose hope. Most particularly because, the fact is that we were made for these times. Yes. For years, we have been learning, practicing, been in training for and just waiting to meet on this exact plain of engagement.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">I grew up on the Great Lakes and recognize a seaworthy vessel when I see one. Regarding awakened souls, there have never been more able vessels in the waters than there are right now across the world. And they are fully provisioned and able to signal one another as never before in the history of humankind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Look out over the prow; there are millions of boats of righteous souls on the waters with you. Even though your veneers may shiver from every wave in this stormy roil, I assure you that the long timbers composing your prow and rudder come from a greater forest. That long-grained lumber is known to withstand storms, to hold together, to hold its own, and to advance, regardless.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">In any dark time, there is a tendency to veer toward fainting over how much is wrong or unmended in the world. Do not focus on that. There is a tendency, too, to fall into being weakened by dwelling on what is outside your reach, by what cannot yet be. Do not focus there. That is spending the wind without raising the sails.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">We are needed, that is all we can know. And though we meet resistance, we more so will meet great souls who will hail us, love us and guide us, and we will know them when they appear. Didn’t you say you were a believer? Didn’t you say you pledged to listen to a voice greater? Didn’t you ask for grace? Don’t you remember that to be in grace means to submit to the voice greater?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world all at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach. Any small, calm thing that one soul can do to help another soul, to assist some portion of this poor suffering world, will help immensely. It is not given to us to know which acts or by whom, will cause the critical mass to tip toward an enduring good.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">What is needed for dramatic change is an accumulation of acts, adding, adding to, adding more, continuing. We know that it does not take everyone on Earth to bring justice and peace, but only a small, determined group who will not give up during the first, second, or hundredth gale.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show your soul. Soul on deck shines like gold in dark times. The light of the soul throws sparks, can send up flares, builds signal fires, causes proper matters to catch fire. To display the lantern of soul in shadowy times like these – to be fierce and to show mercy toward others; both are acts of immense bravery and greatest necessity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Struggling souls catch light from other souls who are fully lit and willing to show it. If you would help to calm the tumult, this is one of the strongest things you can do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">There will always be times when you feel discouraged. I too have felt despair many times in my life, but I do not keep a chair for it. I will not entertain it. It is not allowed to eat from my plate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">The reason is this: In my uttermost bones I know something, as do you. It is that there can be no despair when you remember why you came to Earth, who you serve, and who sent you here. The good words we say and the good deeds we do are not ours. They are the words and deeds of the One who brought us here. In that spirit, I hope you will write this on your wall: When a great ship is in harbor and moored, it is safe, there can be no doubt. But that is not what great ships are built for.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">~ By Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes</span></div>
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Catherine Athena Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15145390050061240630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939016280865056612.post-37529901953605135172015-12-02T05:35:00.000-08:002018-06-27T09:26:20.434-07:00The Return….<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Some day, if you are lucky, you’ll return from a thunderous journey trailing snake scales, wing fragments and the musk of Earth and moon. </span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.5;">Eyes will examine you for signs of damage, or change and you, too, will wonder if your skin shows traces of fur, or leaves, if thrushes have built a nest of your hair, if Andromeda burns from your eyes. Do not be surprised by prickly questions from those who barely inhabit their own fleeting lives, who barely taste their own possibility, who barely dream. </span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.5;">If your hands are empty, treasureless, if your toes have not grown claws, if your obedient voice has not become a wild cry, a howl, you will reassure them. </span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.5;">We warned you, they might declare, there is nothing else, no point, no meaning, no mystery at all, just this frantic waiting to die. And yet, they tremble, mute, afraid you’ve returned without sweet elixir for unspeakable thirst, without a fluent dance or holy language to teach them, without a compass bearing to a forgotten border where no one crosses without weeping for the terrible beauty of galaxies and granite and bone. </span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.5;">They tremble, hoping your lips hold a secret, that the song your body now sings will redeem them, yet they fear your secret is dangerous, shattering, and once it flies from your astonished mouth, they, like you, must disintegrate before unfolding tremulous wings.” </span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"The Return" by Geneen Marie Haugen</span></h1>
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Catherine Athena Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15145390050061240630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939016280865056612.post-43902295081581811502015-11-05T04:07:00.003-08:002018-06-27T09:26:38.116-07:00It's Here! Intuitive Painting Workshop<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTrAIqQ20XwUnLGZYukr9FStzoRua1db8-8YZEdMByb8oRdNfI62yxbfi3OK4tPkBT6vxyDAg7-r_lwGXygYoP4ufgNPhFZo4qu1194nyaJ_ERyobcZNDH6RFdQ2qVbHAMLNQ1voR/s1600/IMG_1273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTrAIqQ20XwUnLGZYukr9FStzoRua1db8-8YZEdMByb8oRdNfI62yxbfi3OK4tPkBT6vxyDAg7-r_lwGXygYoP4ufgNPhFZo4qu1194nyaJ_ERyobcZNDH6RFdQ2qVbHAMLNQ1voR/s400/IMG_1273.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dear readers, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This <a href="http://amzn.to/1Q6Ibe4">beautiful book</a> by Alena Hennessy is out now in the States and is getting rave reviews from those who have received it already. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It'll soon to be released on our shores over here in Europe too!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5vZZAZoOQTvnN2ai-N7IGOniPlkrivxkqrkBJUA_3lqCm-6PJ0lI1p-cGGuItlNDg2l-vDNJDOkfepodYqAnb6sGKa_g1BR_Yv6ErrLRGVELmOS4oeT3hlji1XziTzAHlHySmn6I/s1600/IMG_1265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5vZZAZoOQTvnN2ai-N7IGOniPlkrivxkqrkBJUA_3lqCm-6PJ0lI1p-cGGuItlNDg2l-vDNJDOkfepodYqAnb6sGKa_g1BR_Yv6ErrLRGVELmOS4oeT3hlji1XziTzAHlHySmn6I/s400/IMG_1265.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">My Buddha Painting in the book</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It feels incredible to have a couple of my paintings featured alongside the work of other artists I know and adore. So exciting to see these photos coming through today…I couldn't resist but share them with you. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's a spiral-bound Hardcover book to spark your intuition over a year, with painting prompts for each month and season. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is another sneak peek...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmZeLIHikjT4oka2i_ZL_mUe9fmCy5zOS4JGwi0UDe1p01fbsOILT4_32o4OIV-1q6m8gm4_9CrBP36UoPvkkCjduzA-70S7cD1_cNP6U1wJS81tbx7RFUmyUJhZSZ56TdVh8O2LQ/s1600/intuitive+painting+workshop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmZeLIHikjT4oka2i_ZL_mUe9fmCy5zOS4JGwi0UDe1p01fbsOILT4_32o4OIV-1q6m8gm4_9CrBP36UoPvkkCjduzA-70S7cD1_cNP6U1wJS81tbx7RFUmyUJhZSZ56TdVh8O2LQ/s400/intuitive+painting+workshop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIjsPfuAjDory4c-GD1QGFxrPfRxkHx8LQOMFX3wcJ2GjBQu7-BKs3wnqEoEAyS4HpPIKQB0xDKdAuFMlE7xBvDSaGk6ilYjcq8hiQNZfzJXVvNHkKLVjHqnC7qc2YYaAJwmTYM-2/s1600/IMG_1260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIjsPfuAjDory4c-GD1QGFxrPfRxkHx8LQOMFX3wcJ2GjBQu7-BKs3wnqEoEAyS4HpPIKQB0xDKdAuFMlE7xBvDSaGk6ilYjcq8hiQNZfzJXVvNHkKLVjHqnC7qc2YYaAJwmTYM-2/s400/IMG_1260.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Monthly Projects step-by-step</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can purchase on Amazon over here > <a href="http://amzn.to/1Q6Ibe4">Intuitive Painting Workshop</a>. It is color-rich and packed with ideas and examples to inspire your own process. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blessings of beauty and creativity!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Catherine Athena xo</span><br />
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Catherine Athena Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15145390050061240630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939016280865056612.post-43202807971510771682015-10-24T11:48:00.001-07:002018-06-27T09:26:54.421-07:00Syzygy (Soul-Zygosity)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">Dear readers, Here is a little Syzygy (Soul-Zygosity) sketch I've just finished… I wanted to make a visual representation of my Creative Twins within, which I spoke about in last weeks blog post (which you can read <a href="http://www.catathenalouise.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/i-should-have-listened.html">here</a>.) It was a big realisation, that thing that will open up a new door for me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blessings of mystery and Sacred twin-ship,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Catherine Athena xo</span><br />
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Syzygy ~ Ink on Paper © Cat Athena Louise 2015</span></span></div>
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Catherine Athena Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15145390050061240630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939016280865056612.post-89255404834598380482015-10-16T06:20:00.001-07:002018-06-27T09:27:21.245-07:00I should have listened… (Honoring the inner voice)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hi my art-friends & readers,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm currently taking part in a Creative Accountability Group being hosted by the wonderful <a href="http://www.stacydelarosa.com/">Stacy De La Rosa</a> and with the daily checking in, a bit like noting small diary entries I'm getting to see some things changing in me already and some unexpected breakthroughs too. And I'm all about the breakthroughs!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm finding that the deliberate act of showing up and giving yourself the gift of time to do your creative 'thing' daily somehow lifts the lid on the subconscious and allows other dreams and whispers to bubble up to the surface… wanting to voice their presence and be heard. A bit of a realisation (quite a big one actually) has suddenly happened for me overnight without any prompting other than just the showing up for myself and my creative process… </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And BOOM! I get this moment of absolute crystal clarity around a creative dilemma I've had going on, haunting, taunting and troubling me for several years.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You see I have these two vastly divergent styles. It's like I have two completely different artists within me both seeking outward expression and I've been struggling to reconcile these two halves of my artist self. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As an example, it's like my Natal Sun and Moon signs being played out, for want of a better way to explain my two distinct artistic "personalities". There is the cautious, more conservative Capricorn me who loves clean lines and the refined application -and gets a thrill from- a finely detailed watercolor approach, clear, structured and perfectly clean (a no-mess illustrative style 'me')</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">……..and then there is the wild, easily-bored, rebellious Sagittarius me who wants to splash acrylic, ink and gesso all over the place, charge across it with scratchy charcoal lines, cover it in beeswax and cut into it, in wild exuberant abandon, messy and deplorably badass delicious. A style I have always admired in others, but due to feeling conflicted, had never been able to allow myself to surrender into and have for myself too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love them both equally ~ and somehow between these two, I have felt myself become trapped. Frozen in amber. Unable to move because of my own false perception of how other people might respond to these two faces of me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">How did this happen… How did I get so stuck between these two inner artists? It sounds really silly… but… well it's all down to this unhelpful dialogue, a lie that runs around in my mind perpetually that I have believed to be true, and it goes like this… You have to stick to one thing. Your style needs to be recognisable. You cannot have these TWO vastly different approaches (at least not publicly)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I even allowed myself to listen to Benny's words in the movie "Basquiat"...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I first saw this movie back in 1997 and somehow I have taken on board what Benny says to Jean-Michel about creating a name (fame) for himself as an artist… (just before he met Andy Warhol and became infamously well-known)</span><br />
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At 2minutes 20 seconds in you'll hear him say: <i>"Then you've got to do your work all the time…. But I'm talking about the same kind of work, the same style so people can recognise it and don't get confused, you know? Once you're famous, airborne, you've got to keep doing it the same way, even after it's boring, unless you want people to really get mad at you, which they will anyway…"</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But no… I don't think it has to be that way for me anymore. I'm going to erase that old file from my hard-drive! Well the bit about doing the work all the time is definitely true. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">However I CAN find a way to allow both halves of me to express themselves fully. </span><span style="font-size: large;">And I finally know how, I've finally figured out how I'm going to do that and I give myself full permission. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I really should have listened to my own inner-voice all along, that whisper of disquiet that kept bringing this annoying little 'two-halves' thing to my attention in hope of finding some sort of resolution. Digging a little deeper down I realise I truly can have it all, I really can… despite myself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's so healing to have these awakening realisations, they can change everything.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I feel an art journal and some dark messy charcoal coming on… </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blessing of mystery, Catherine Athena xo</span><br />
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Catherine Athena Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15145390050061240630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939016280865056612.post-81492237939826202632015-10-09T07:04:00.002-07:002018-06-27T09:27:38.926-07:00The Times They Are A Changing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">Dear readers, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I always find this time of year very wonderful…and powerful. There seems to be a magic charge and excitement tangible in the air, all kinds of possibilities are swirling around in the ethers, laced with a certain divinely-guided element of chaos and spookiness too.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I personally think it has much to do with Samhain coming up at the close of this month, and the sort of party-spirit revelry and mischief that comes with that, coupled with the hallowed-edge of mystery as the veils between the Worlds thin. Our departed Ones and Ancestors draw in closer to the hearth fires that warm and gladden them and the food offerings we share in remembrance of those who hold us and guide us from the other side. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAiiEU6L6pkUXlVHTdByI2vrTUFeiyG_4XqQg_mJE2Zgt-QW-cQgxlmo_QVjDQeCyMXxaNtrtRukGemVmY9p-a9jrylF_0BNhwsmZYwVAJako5L5geXISLd7wdWLAFVr_fNhq84cLj/s1600/Samhain_JackOLantern_Cat_Athena_Louise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAiiEU6L6pkUXlVHTdByI2vrTUFeiyG_4XqQg_mJE2Zgt-QW-cQgxlmo_QVjDQeCyMXxaNtrtRukGemVmY9p-a9jrylF_0BNhwsmZYwVAJako5L5geXISLd7wdWLAFVr_fNhq84cLj/s400/Samhain_JackOLantern_Cat_Athena_Louise.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Jack'O Lantern at Samhain ~ North Wales 2006 ~ Cat Athena Louise ©</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today I've really been feeling it. The mystery, the charge. In the starry-skied heavens above Mercury has gone direct at last, and the vibes are distinctly similar to that of a New Moon energy flowing in and just generally lifting the mood and making things easier. The new Moon is now just days away too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the flip side, there is so much change going on in my personal world, it is almost unparalleled. Of course it is happening on a wider level too, being played out all too clearly on the World stage, globally for us all to witness. There is a lot of fear and confusion, turbulence and uncertainty resulting from that for so many people right now. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My astrologer friends tell me that these remarkable 'realignments' that are taking place collectively for humanity, this awakening, this bringing in of the New Paradigm that is being birthed on our planet, is going to be unfolding for some time yet… It started in earnest in 2008 and will continue through to 2024, as the Divine Feminine and Masculine come back into eqilibrilum and balance. This patriarchal time of control and systems that do not nurture the planet or ourselves in a sustainable way, are dying away. The transition is underway to return harmony and co-operation both inwardly and outwardly. A huge healing is taking place. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Anyone who has ever done a juice cleanse will know that things often feel so much worse before they get clearer (better). You just can't clean a house without stirring up some dust! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As this unfolds I draw inward. More and more I am deepening into a full body-mind-spirit understanding that truly "no problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it." (thank you Albert Einstein)… </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If we really want change in the World, it has to come from within first….through loving and healing ourselves… actively engaging our shadows and wounding so that we are no longer projecting the pain and hurt into the mirror-world that manifests as if by magic outside of ourselves. It starts with us… Never before has it been more important to truly do the inner Soul work on ourselves and "be the change we wish to see in the world." </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I write these words as a reminder for myself and for anyone with the courage to journey beyond the obvious.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPReEJmoPgaRg0luf93GrSKu2Ti4OrsswIziQLjxBH7cnnQeh7NFWEQgsC0Vb5_GP3zVqzp_0Vh9o4ibJFUyNUoFtQ_ChhyphenhyphenE7OseOsS2sx-1L1-3vAUbkOEFxsNEwB17xwvOctvtR1/s1600/IMG_1426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPReEJmoPgaRg0luf93GrSKu2Ti4OrsswIziQLjxBH7cnnQeh7NFWEQgsC0Vb5_GP3zVqzp_0Vh9o4ibJFUyNUoFtQ_ChhyphenhyphenE7OseOsS2sx-1L1-3vAUbkOEFxsNEwB17xwvOctvtR1/s320/IMG_1426.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bright Blessings ~ Self Portrait ~Cat Athena Louise © </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">May your October be filled with joy and Light,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Blessings of beauty, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Catherine Athena xo</span></div>
Catherine Athena Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15145390050061240630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1939016280865056612.post-44775361994452228642015-09-25T04:59:00.004-07:002018-06-27T09:27:55.505-07:00A Little Share of some Great Work<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dear readers,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So today I thought I'd do a little share of some Great work that a couple of friends of mine are putting out into the World. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I love hearing recommendations from others myself and then following these trails of virtual breadcrumbs to discover something wonderful or unique that I might not have chanced across normally…and so I have a couple of my own secret delights to share today (and now no longer a secret!) of folks I love to follow online.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">First up is Dan Nyne's blog… this is one I enjoy reading that some of you may also find helpful on the path… </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I find his posts and articles interesting, informative, and often very thought provoking… He covers a wide range of different topics such as esoteric teachings from the Western Mystery tradition, Archetypes, Tarot, Shamanism, Paganism, Faerie contacts, Nordic traditions etc … and he shares some really good book reviews too!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can find his blog over here >> <a href="http://www.dannyne.com/">http://www.dannyne.com</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next one is mixed media artist Carissa Paige, whose wild and exuberant bohemian painting and drawing style is really unique and colourful and directly mirrors her life both on and off the canvas!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">She currently has an e-course going, now available as a self-paced class, so it's not too late to join in the fun! For those who would like to learn to paint loose and free and may help them to get in touch with their own unique style and voice.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg130093n3hhC21R1PvgcnKF0YmLwVckwUiex6NrwdlNsbQHhVR8FH9lUdO2vBH0J1S49Ho8unTAhwLZfWHEKhZ5O2-Qj9E_ydo_j1pK4-ySupN8L2nFR07VKngZtpNrOkVQ3UKqYWP/s1600/Messy+Mavens+Blog+Button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg130093n3hhC21R1PvgcnKF0YmLwVckwUiex6NrwdlNsbQHhVR8FH9lUdO2vBH0J1S49Ho8unTAhwLZfWHEKhZ5O2-Qj9E_ydo_j1pK4-ySupN8L2nFR07VKngZtpNrOkVQ3UKqYWP/s320/Messy+Mavens+Blog+Button.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is the preview trailer >> </span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/137421276" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you haven't seen her art yet, seriously check it out! The link to her blog >> <a href="http://carissapaige.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/messy-mavens-self-paced-adventure-train.html">http://carissapaige.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/messy-mavens-self-paced-adventure-train.html</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You can also find her wonderful paintings on Etsy >> <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/carissapaige">https://www.etsy.com/shop/carissapaige</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Blessings of beauty and mystery,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Catherine Athena xo</span><br />
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• • •My journey through the senses• • •<br />
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<b>taste</b>:: Crispy Autumn-ripe Apples… the scent as you bite, the juiciness…… yeah, I know.<br />
<b>smell</b>:: Wood smoke at sunset, as the weather turns and the fire places in the town ignite.<br />
<b>touch</b>:: keyboard, frenetically but purposefully.<br />
<b>see</b>:: A view from my office window of the world passing by…so many interesting characters.<br />
<b>hear</b>:: Still listening to older Clannad tracks, that evoke so perfectly the mood of the season.<br />
<b>think</b>:: I'm going to film something soon.<br />
<b>feel</b>:: Alive from evening walks, in-deep discussions on archetypes, brainstorming, note taking on our discoveries for a future project. Strange, and wildly exciting.<br />
<b>read</b>:: Alejandro Jodorowsky's fascinating introduction, in his book "<a href="http://amzn.to/1Oy7KnB">The Way of the Tarot; The Spiritual Teacher in the Cards</a>"…. so many synchronisities while working with Marcel Marceau in Paris and Mexico and collecting his 1000 tarot decks, to how he uncovered and re-covered the original art and symbolism of the Tarot of Marseille. <br />
<b>intuit</b>:: It's going to be a phenomenal Eclipse and Full Moon this coming Sunday! (27 September)<br />
Fasten your seat belts! </div>
Catherine Athena Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15145390050061240630noreply@blogger.com0