Hello dear friends, I am writing to you well before the end of the month as there are two taster circles before the end of March. Also a chance to browse my encaustic art ahead of a long-overdue price increase in the new financial year.
Reflections: Vision
+ Sanctuary
New programmes April
(Early Bird discount ends 31st March), and June
Dare to Blossom Monthly
Circle on Zoom Saturday 10th April
From my archives:
April titles poem
Dare to Blossom Art: a
chance to browse before a price increase
Re
the taster circles: If you see this in time, you are warmly invited to join us
at a taster circle for "Vision + Sanctuary: Be Powerfully Yourself":
They are on Monday 29th March at 7.15 pm UK time, or on Tuesday 30th March at
9.30 am UK time. Again, contact me to receive the Zoom
link to join us. You can read more below.
Reflections: Vision
+ Sanctuary
When I came to look
back at the last newsletter, I couldn't believe how much has happened since I
wrote at the end of February. Then I wrote about 'Be Powerfully Yourself', and
that was also to be the title of my April offering.
During March, I have hosted the short four week Circle, 'Space
to Be: Space to Breathe', with a delightfully supportive small group. That
experience has given me that space, to be, and to breathe, and to let the ideas
for the April programme to grow and expand.
As that happened I connected my two words of the year for 2021 'Vision' and
'Sanctuary' with the Compass Rose, and with being powerfully myself. I now see
Sanctuary as a similar place as Peace, the centre point of the Compass Rose.
When I am myself feeling grounded and centred, then I also have a strong sense
of peace, and of sanctuary. From that doubly powerful place, I can step out, I
can connect with any point, any part of the Compass Rose, whilst staying
grounded.
Looking west from Morte Point,
North Devon
Vision is brought by all those directions, by Purpose, by Passion, by Power,
and by Progress. At the same time all those expand my vision, enable me to see
more clearly. To see the unexpected, to look beyond the obvious. Sometimes to
see beyond the physical, particularly in my own meditations and magic carpet
rides.
I have been using the photograph above while I have been publicising this new
programme, even as my thoughts have been developing. I now see how it offers me
that feeling of 'looking beyond'. There is something about the bright sunlight
on the surface of the sea, and the haziness on the horizon, that brings a
magical feel for me.
For you, for your
meditations or journal - to flow-write, doodle, paint, dance, sing - however
you wish to express your thoughts and feelings:
- What is your first
response to the word 'Vision'? What else is there? And,
what else?
- What is your first
response to the word 'Sanctuary'? What else is there? And,
what else?
- What is your first
response to the two words together 'Vision + Sanctuary'? What else is
there? And, what else?
- What is 'beyond
the obvious' for you?
New programmes April, and June
Vision +
Sanctuary: Be Powerfully Yourself - six-week deep dive Circle, April
Note: If you are already sure this is for you, take advantage of the Early Bird
discount of £10 (reducing the price from £128 to £118). This ends on 31st
March, but for newsletter subscribers I will hold it open a little longer if
there are spaces left in the Circle. Contact me to enquire
and book.
As I have described above, this new six week deep dive circle has evolved since
I wrote in March. We will begin after Easter on 12th April, when the
evenings are lighter here in Cornwall so I can offer an evening time slot for
the Zoom gatherings, Mondays at 7.30 pm UK time. There will also be a
gathering on Tuesdays at 9.30 am, to suit people in other time zones and
with differing commitments.
If you see this in time, you are warmly invited to join us at a taster circle:
On Monday 29th March at 7.15 pm UK time, or on Tuesday 30th March at 9.30 am UK
time. Again, contact me to receive
the Zoom link to join us.
Here are more details: this is
an invitation to a deep-dive six week exploration of how to step up. Step into
your true power. Be powerfully yourself.
If you are familiar with my
work, you will know I have been reflecting on ‘power’ for some years now.
Especially as a quiet one, an introvert.
The sort of power I wish to
embody, and to help you do the same, is the power of community, of
collaboration, of sharing. Power with, rather than power over, others. The
power that says ‘together we rise’.
The first title for this new
programme was ‘Be Powerfully Yourself’. In my reflections and meditations I
realised that is not enough by itself, inspiring as it may be.
How? How do I do that? These
questions arose for me, as they may for you.
Then I remembered the two words
I have chosen as companions for this year, for 2021: Vision. Sanctuary.
(prompted by the My Word Goddess reading I subscribe to each year, from Amy
Palko – who now shares most of her work on her Patreon page here).
Exploring in my journal, on the
first day this year that I found a warm spot on the cliffs to do this – a
celebration in itself - I realised something.
I realised that those two
words, Vision and Sanctuary, fit perfectly with the Compass Rose process I use
in my six week circles. Sanctuary is another word for the Peace we begin with,
and return to. Vision can be explored through the four points of the Compass
Rose: Purpose, Passion, Power, Progress.
Here is the flow for the six
weeks:
Week 1: Peace – finding your
sanctuary
Week 2: Purpose – what is your
vision right now?
Week 3: Passion – what lies
behind your vision?
Week 4: Power – how to truly be
yourself.
Week 5: Progress – what next?
Week 6: Return to Peace –
vision + sanctuary
Read more and book your
place on the website here.
I have been asked to repeat this six week Circle that I first ran last year. We will begin on Monday 7th June and end on Friday 16th July, encompassing the Summer Solstice, or the Winter Solstice, depending on where you are in the world. The live Zoom gatherings will be on Tuesdays at 11.00 am UK time, and potentially with an additional time if there is enough interest.
Full details will be available soon.
The Dare to Blossom Monthly Circle Saturday 10th April at 11.00 am
For those of you who prefer a 'light touch' commitment, here is a reminder of the regular monthly Zoom gathering. Last month I decided to change this from 'pay as you go' to a donation basis. If your circumstances allow, and if you wish, donations are received with gratitude - but not expected. Just contact me after the event to arrange how to make a donation if that is what you decide to do. In any case, you will receive a photo of your cards, and a link to download the recording (just shared with those present live on the call).
Here is the link to book, or simply contact me as always. It lasts between an hour and an hour and a half, depending on how many of us are there, and is perfect if you just wish to join us occasionally. It can be seen as a replacement for the in-person workshops that a number of you used to attend, with the added advantage of being accessible to you wherever you are in the world, time zones permitting. In case you are wondering, donations are between £0 and £20, occasionally more when someone feels they have received a particularly powerful benefit through the experience.
From my archives: April Titles poem
We are who we’re waiting for
Changes
Journeys
Be what you are
On reflection
Emergence
Becoming sure
Changes, and rest
Daring
Coherence and integration
Purpose
Celebration
Waiting
Waiting
Celebration
Purpose
Coherence and integration
Daring
Changes, and rest
Becoming sure
Emergence
On reflection
Be what you are
Journeys
Changes
We are who we’re waiting for
Dare to Blossom Art: a chance to browse before a price increase
Many of you will have seen occasional mentions of the encaustic art I love creating. Recently, in conversation with artists more experienced than I in selling their work, I have realised that I have undervalued the pieces I create. Of course 'value' is subjective, and even more so in relation to art, yet I have decided to increase prices from the new financial year in April.
So, you may like to browse and maybe you will see something you would love to hang on your wall, or to give as a gift. Here is the link to the artwork webpage. Most pieces are priced at £40, plus postage and packing to wherever you are in the world. Two paintings sent together usually come in at the same shipping cost, although I need to pack and weigh them to check for you.
Enjoy browsing and seeing what images you see in the swirls of colour.
Thank you dear friends,
with love,
Mary
Find 'Dare to Blossom Life Coaching' on Facebook, @daretoblossom on Twitter
