SoulCollage® Council Suit: Eternal Return

 

I am the One who changes. I am transition. I am a window into death and into life. I am one who marries space and form. I am billions. And I am one who is the root of stillness underneath the frenzy.

What is your gift or message for me?

Silence is the window into life beyond this existence.

What do you want me to do?

Make time for more silence; immerse yourself.

Why did you show up today?

Lately dying and death have been weighing on me and the fear and curiosity are invitations to really see.

If you have a shadow, what would it be? Or, what light do you offer?

The shadow is resignation and apathy.

The light is a glimpse of unity. 

Encouragement

Encouragement

Let yourself be the earth and the days be weather.

Storms come, but they pass. Do not follow them.

Enjoy the sun. Notice the bees kiss the flowers

while you listen to a crow shout her opinions to the world.

What a gift, to be!!

-Kathryn Harper

SoulCollage® Council Suit: Connection

I am the One who, when you feel isolated and distant, brings you back into awareness that you are connected. You are never alone. I am the One who holds community for you.

What is your gift or message for me?

The Universe is all one, and separation is an illusion.

What do you want me to do?

Seek wha you need. You will find it.

Why did you show up today?

Sometimes you get lost inside your head.

If you have a shadow, what would it be? Or, what light do you offer?

The shadow is loneliness.

SoulCollage® Council Suit: The Analyst

I am the One who is transparent. I am the One who engages the left brain. I see things from many angles, I scheme, I plan, I deduce.

What is your gift or message for me?

The tool is effective only when used well.

What do you want me to do?

Use your left brain more.

Why did you show up today?

Because you've been resistant.

If you have a shadow, what would it be? Or, what light do you offer?

The shadow is linearity. 

Something Speaks to Me

For the first time since before I surgery I did squares today. The context is yesterday I felt good enough since surgery to move around and do things, tasks and fun things. But it cost me energy. And this morning I feel reduced, unsteady, slightly dizzy, raw. I did squares as I listened to music and I swear they leaped out and grouped themselves. They spoke to me. This happens. I'm not sure what the message is, but I received it. Sometimes a collage comes together that, when I look at it later, astonishes me. Because connections are there, ones I saw and made, and others I didn't realize even as I glued them down. As I finished the last square, I began to cry. Who knows why. Just grief. Sweetness, and grief. 

Whoo boy. Today I get to see the plastic surgeon and they take off the dressings to examine healing. I'm not ready (but am ready for the drains to come out and shower!).

My son gave me the sweetest mother's day card yesterday. Love love love.

SoulCollage® Community Suit: Syracuse Roots

I am one from whom you grew. I was your first world. I was gray, harsh in the winter, with limited possibilities. I was economically depressed. I am the one you escaped from to create a new life.

What is your gift or message for me?

I am your source. I served a purpose.

What do you want me to do?

Remember that I am "a good place to be from" even though I could not sustain you. To feel proud of your achievement of burning down your old life to release potential for new.

Why did you show up today?

To remind you of the many strengths you developed growing up with me. To ask you to remember me and not disparage your origins.

If you have a shadow, what would it be? Or, what light do you offer?

The light is hardiness, stamina.

Noticing

Day 5 after surgery feels pretty much like day 1. It's untethered to tasks beyond the bed and bathroom. 

I wrote that last sentence and ran out of steam. Noticing "I" am inside, waving my hand through the ether to grab onto another word only to find emptiness. And feeling flat about that. A state of being powered on but in standby mode.

In this physically diminished state what I've noticed over the past week is the daylong concert of birdsong. I'm unable to pair what I hear with the bird type, but there are at least a a dozen types of songbird singing their hearts out. And of course the wild turkeys and crows, oh my god the CROWS. Those assholes like to get started loudly around 5 a.m. and squawk for at least 90 minutes. At night I hear screeches of Barn Owls, eerie punctuations in the dark. Sometimes I hear Great Horned Owls giving the classic hoot-hooooot. 

When I sit really still, I feel my blood pulsing rhythmically through my body, and I notice the force is enough to shake my head minutely, a small vibration. 

My heart says hi. hi. hi. hi. hi.

SoulCollage® Community Suit: Stella

 

I am one who was your friend for 15 years. I am one who provided many moments of intimacy and comfort. I introduced Claire to her first animal companion. I am one who was vocal, expressive, loud. I was large and in charge. I had great personality and presence. I am one with whom you began again. I moved across country with you. I was 17 when I died, and I'd had a good, long life. I loved you unconditionally.

What is your gift or message for me?

You gave me a wonderful life, and I gave you all my love.

What do you want me to do?

Remember me.

Why did you show up today?

You are missing me and want to enjoy a reminder. I died two years ago on the day you are making this card.

If you have a shadow, what would it be? Or, what light do you offer?

I offer the light of happy memories. 

SoulCollage® Community Suit: Sofia

 

I am one who is a doula for your soul. I join you on the journey of finding your truth and expressing what is true for you. I am one who accepts emotional messiness and encourages intimacy. I am comfortable with silence. I help you listen to your wisdom and not abandon yourself. I am one who practices Presence.

What is your gift or message for me?

You can trust Life's wisdom.

What do you want me to do?

Notice your bodily sensations and where your feelings manifest. Keep practicing how to speak your truth. Listen to your intuition.

Why did you show up today?

To celebrate our work together.

If you have a shadow, what would it be? Or, what light do you offer?

The shadow is the potential to confuse boundaries.

SoulCollage® Community Suit: Smokey

 

I am one who, after living in your neighborhood for five years, decided to adopt you. I am one who is a cat about town, yet I am also loving. I am mellow and enjoy cuddling. I am one who brings you gifts of mice and birds. I am one who entices you to sit outside and watch the world with me. I am god in fur. 

What is your gift or message for me?

I am your cat, and I am not your cat. I am my own self.

What do you want me to do?

Keep loving me the way you do, with food, snuggles, and kindness. Keep coming outside to be with me. 

Why did you show up today?

You are thinking of your feline friends lately. Stella died two years ago on the day you made this card. You miss her. 

If you have a shadow, what would it be? Or, what light do you offer?

The shadow is the desire to take me in and make me yours.