creativity

Naming the January Full Moon

Posted by Barbara Techel
Joyful Pause Cottage Studio

It was a Substack post from Joanna P Colbert who posed the question: “What would you name the Full Moon where you live?” that enticed my creative juices to begin to flow!

So, I began delightfully simmering in what I’d name this Full Moon where I’m located – in a quaint, small village of 950 in Wisconsin, where we are currently experiencing melting snow, times of foggy conditions, and balmy temperatures.

Perfect weather in my book to be tucked cozily inside the four warm walls of my studio I lovingly refer to as Joyful Pause Cottage. A 10 x 12 space off the corner of my deck dedicated to all things that make my creative heart happy!

And where I’m currently joyfully getting lost in the art of mixed media collage creating what I refer to as animal oracle art.

My current company of completed creations is that of love-struck penguins, a unique yellow finch, a pondering hummingbird, and a flourishing fox.

This studio cottage, which took on the trendy name of a “She Shed” when all the rage of a place for a woman to call her own took off around 2013. Though I’d had my space since 2009 and never thought I’d be a trend-setter!

This space has nurtured my spirit, my heart, my creativity, and my dreams.

Where I’ve written many books, created an oracle deck, and guide others during oracle reading sessions.

And this whole month of January where I’ve been immersed in all things collage art that it occurred to me! And what I’d name the Full Moon where I live – here in my happy place – that I chose Creativity and Cocooning Moon.

And a lovely confirmation came this morning for the name I chose which was reflected in a reading I did for myself. The message from the cards to continue to ‘chop wood’ – doing small tasks each day – while following the feminine flow of what is in alignment for me at this time.

Cards from Wisdom of the Oracle

Not only is the Full Moon glowing in all her splendor, but so am I as I continue to create and trust the process.

So, how about you? What would you name this Full Moon where you live? I’d really love to know! And I’ll bet Joanna would like to know too if you want to pop over to her post and let her know also. And where you can also see what many others are naming the Full Moon where they live. So creative and inspiring!

XO

Barb

    

The Animals Inspired Me with My Word for the Year

Posted by Barbara Techel

I believe this is either the third or fourth year that I’ve picked twelve animal oracle cards for my year – one for each month. In the collage above you can see the animals that represent my year. As I continue to enjoy learning more about what wisdom the animals have for us, this is one way in which I enjoy playing and discovering more. Plus it’s a wonderful way to do inner exploration!

This year I worked with the Spirit Animal Awareness cards by Ona Christie. On each of her cards, she has positive and shadow aspects of each animal.

For the month of January, my card is Bee. After pondering it for a few moments the word that jumped out at me on the card is productivity. I began a project in late 2020 and am gaining momentum with it so productivity feels right for where my energy level and enthusiasm are at for this. It also feels sweet to be in this space of creativity that is filling me with much joy.

I have a spot on my wall next to my writing desk where I will post a photo of the card along with the word (s) that resonates from that particular card for the month. It will be something I can reflect on when I feel called to. At the end of the month, I’ll take a few moments to observe how that particular animal card played out in my life and what I learned.

I’d also been pondering what my word of the year would be for the last few days though nothing was really coming to me.

After pulling an animal card for each month of the year it occurred to me last evening that I should turn to the animals for their help.

This morning as I looked over the complete spread of twelve cards the word that came to me is devotion. My whole body felt it and it made me come alive with inspiration.

So far this is what devotion is representing for me for my year ahead:

  • Devotion to my creativity and more exploration of mixed media collage.
  • Devotion to learning more from the animal kingdom world.
  • Devotion to appreciating the sweetness of life.
  • Devotion to living by the flow of my own authentic being.
  • Devotion to living life with much more zest.
  • Devotion to listening to my inner guidance.
  • Devotion to affirming life through doing things that make me happy.

I’m also reflecting on a quote by John Cage that I shared during the weekly oracle reading I did and posted on Monday. The quote is below and in bold are the sentences that stood out to me. They add to the reason why the word devotion fits for me this year.

Our intention is to affirm this life, not bring order out of chaos nor to suggest improvements in creation, but simply to wake to the very life we’re living, which is so excellent once one gets one’s mind and desires out of its way and lets it act of its own accord.  ~John Cage

Next, I’ll print out a copy of the above collage I made in Canva and post that on my wall next to my writing desk as a sweet reminder of my intention for this year of 2021.

Just doing this simple exercise of pulling animal cards, pondering each month, and then discovering my word for the year opens up this path before me that I’m looking forward to sauntering down and what it is I’ll discover.

Do you have a word for the year? If so, let me know. I’d love to hear!

xo,

Barbara

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A Fall Tour of My Writing Cottage. Plus Announcement of Its Change in Name.

Posted by Barbara Techel

I’m always so inspired by the fall season! So I shot a video of my writing cottage all decked out for fall on the outside. But on the inside, I take you around my 10 x 12 space and share an update of how it continues to evolve and support my creative endeavors, along with something I’ve been contemplating for some time. And that is, a change in the name from calling it my Writing Cottage to….well, you’ll just have to give a listen to find out. Enjoy the tour!

xo,

Barbara

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