May 2022 - The Magic of May

 Reflections: The Magic of May - a photo journey

Last chance to join the next six week Compass Rose programme: 'The Key to Your Inner Guidance'
Dare to Blossom Monthly Circles on Zoom - a choice of day and time

Reflections: The Magic of May - a photo journey

Springtime in Cornwall, such a wonderful time. We have had a cool spring here, in contrast to some areas in the southeast of the country. There have been primroses out for a little while, the tiny blue spring squills are flowering on the cross-cropped grass where the sheep and cattle graze on the cliffs, and the very first pink of the sea thrift is just appearing.

I was a little concerned and missing out on a 'bluebell walk', a tradition I love to follow at least once each year.  However, this week - in spite of having a long 'to do list' (including writing these words for you), I consulted the weather forecast and my diary and decided that my first priority on Monday morning would be to drive to Respryn Bridge on the River Fowey. (I am so very lucky - those of you with commitments to an employer as I used to have for many years may be envious of my flexible schedule).

As I drove away from the windswept north coast of Cornwall, I began to see the larger trees, many of them in leaf, and a few bluebells in the hedgerows. Once I arrived, finding the carpark quiet, I set off along the river bank.  Rather than a 'reflection' in words this time, I am simply sharing photos - taking you with me on the walk up through the woods and then around the glorious gardens of Lanhydrock House full of azaleas, rhododrendrons, camellias, magnolias.




View up-river from Respryn Bridge


Ancient tree by the River Fowey.


From the foot bridge across the River Fowey


Bluebells and beech leaves


Bluebells at the base of a tree


Bluebells all around

It was very peaceful, hardly a soul around, just birds of all sorts - woodpeckers, pigeons, a jay, blackbirds and robins singing sweetly. Several trains passed on the mainline between Cornwall and London that runs along the valley here, yet peace soon returned.


Wood anemones


Mixed woodland trees

Closer to the gardens the flowering shrubs begin appearing.


A towering rhododrendon


Old fallen tree trunk

There are still many fallen trees and huge branches from the recent storms, the photo above shows an older one that has weathered.


An unusual camellia with pale pink stripes


Bright pink rhododendron


Wisteria against the wall of Lanhydrock House


The formal beds


Fresh spring leaves on a copper beech


Ornamental cherry?


The magnolia arch


Star magnolia


Wild bluebells mixed in with the garden shrubs


An usual azalea, stunning colour


A wall enclosing a secret garden?

Further along there are some metal gates that a locked, but you can peak through them. It is not clear if we are inside or outside the walled garden at this point - a magical paradox?


The view through the locked gates


Inside the circular 'cottage garden, this often features in my magic carpet rides


The sun dial beside the bench in the last photo


A type of fuchsia?


Back through the bluebell woods on the way home


Connecting with an ancient oak tree beside the River Fowey


Ancient oak tree

This photo is playing tricks and appearing upright when I edit, but sideways in the email...

There I will leave you, having shared some of my wonderful spring walk with you.

For your own reflections - perhaps simply choose one or two of the photos to flow-write with and see where that takes you?


Last chance to join the next six week Compass Rose programme: 'The Key to Your Inner Guidance'

There is already a small group gathered for this new theme with the familiar flow around the Compass Rose. Here are some words from someone who took part in a recent programme:

"Mary’s work helps us to weave deep connections - with ourselves, with others, and with the beauty that surrounds us. It has a subtle yet strong power."



We begin on Monday 2nd May, and I will be opening the private Facebook group on Saturday or Sunday to invite people in to find their way around. Full details are on the website here  The Zoom gatherings will be on Wednesdays at 11.00 am UK time, possibly with and additional call at 7.30 pm on Thursdays, depending on where people are in the world. There is a final taster session at 7.30 pm this Thursday, 28th April and you are most welcome to join us - email me for the details. After that date, you can still join the programme up to Wednesday 4th May, contact me if you would like to know more or to book.

Dare to Blossom Monthly Circles on Zoom - a choice of day and time

The drop-in circles are held twice each month The next dates are Saturday 14th May and Monday 23rd May. You can find the events on Facebook or LinkedIn,  or simply reply to this email and ask me for the Zoom link. It is a pleasure to welcome those of you who prefer not to connect via social media, all you need to join us is the Zoom link that I send to you in advance of the time.

Payment is by donation, depending on your circumstances. People offer from zero to £30. I host the circles with no expectation, simply deep gratitude for your presence. 




 

If you are observant you may notice there is no 'birthday giveaway' in this newsletter. I have decided to discontinue this as no one has taken up the gifts offered so far.  

I send wishes for health and happiness for you and all you love.

Thank you for joining me here this month, any thoughts, feedback, or questions are always welcome.

 

Mary

April 2022 Flow

Reflections: Flow

'Turn the Key' focused coaching session
An invitation to the next six week Compass Rose programme: 'The Key to Your Inner Guidance'
Dare to Blossom Monthly Circles on Zoom - a choice of day and time
The birthday giveaway, each month up to November


Reflections: Flow

Flow - how do you experience this? Losing myself in creative flow is one of my favourite things. Or in reading, walking in nature, listening to music. Maybe for you it is in cooking, running, swimming?

If you have ever watched a small child absorbed in something you will have seen the very essence of being in the flow - and you may have experienced their frustration at being interrupted by an adult saying 'Time for bed...' The tyranny of time, the rule of a clock, can sometimes feel like the enemy of flow for me.

And yet, balance is important too. In fact, I am noticing that right now - I have been sitting at my desk working on putting together the various parts of this newsletter for you for quite a while now. Really enjoying the process, thinking I have all the time in the world - or rather, not thinking about time at all. Now I notice it is thirty minutes later than the time I told myself I would stop for a break, for a stretch, and a cup of tea.

So, now I need to interrupt my own flow (despite my inner child wanting to stay on, and keep writing...) and do those things.



Now I am back, refreshed.

You may have seen this photo before, taken in one of my favourite places, the walk beside the River Fowey from Respryn Bridge. I love the flow of the river, and this beautiful old tree that seems to be dancing with her roots in the water. The tree is both in the flow, and removed from it. A balance. Using the water, and sustaining itself through the sunlight powering photosynthesis in the leaves. The photo was taken in spring, and I hope to walk there again very soon.



This word, Flow, is one of those chosen for the new Dare to Blossom No 2 Deck (if you don't have yours yet, click on the photo to be taken to the webpage).

As you see, this was taken by the ocean, the place the rivers flow into (well, most of them anyway), the place where the whole water cycle begins again. In geological time even the rocks have a flow, even in some cases beginning as molten lava, then being gradually worn away by the sea, the rain, the wind, turning into sand. One day, millennia in the future, a short time in the scale of the ages, to be turned into rock again by compaction, maybe altered by volcanic action, perhaps raised up into mountains in a completely new landscape.

Any consideration of the flow of time on this scale is humbling to me as a human being with a limited time on this earth. It could lead me to feel insignificant, powerless even. Yet, that is not so - we all have a power to affect those around us, to begin ripples whose destination we will never know, but which may have an impact on many others. I can choose to dance in the flow of life, to respond with love as best I can to events around me.




For you: for your journal, meditations, doodles -

• What does 'Flow' mean for you?
• When are you most in the flow?
• How do you feel then?
• If you wish to spend more time in the flow, how can you make that happen for yourself?

'Turn the Key' focused coaching session

In addition to the six session 'The Key is You' coaching offer I mentioned last month (still available here), I am often asked for something for a quick boost, a 'jump-start' maybe, for when you are mostly on track, where you want to be, and yet just feel in need of a little added focus.

What if there was a away to unlock what you need just now?  That may be your creativity, or insight. It could be ‘permission’ to rest, to let go.  Or perhaps to experience an ‘aha’ moment from your inner wisdom.

I have been supporting people through my coaching programmes since 2003 (and before that in a different context). I know how valuable a series of conversations can be.

I also know that in these uncertain times it can feel too much, too big a decision, to invest in a programme.

So, this offer, at a special rate is an opportunity for you to just take a key, and turn it, with me as your companion and cheerleader. Simply turn it in the lock – and see what happens. Often just this, a one-off session can be all you need to release what is needed and take you forward.READ ON

Click the photo or the link above to read more and contact me if you have any questions before you book.

An invitation to the next six week Compass Rose programme: 'The Key to Your Inner Guidance'

An opportunity for you to explore the theme of the Keys in a six week flow around the Compass Rose. There will be a taster circle at the end of April, on Wednesday 20th April at 11.00 am, (and possibly another the following week) and the programme will begin on Monday 2nd May.

Details are still under development, contact me by replying to this email if you would like to know more now. Or keep in touch with the webpage here  I expect I will send you a brief 'Special Bulletin' when everything is ready there.

Dare to Blossom Monthly Circles on Zoom - a choice of day and time

The drop-in circles are held twice each month The next dates are Saturday 9 April and Monday 25th April. You can find the events on Facebook or LinkedIn,  or simply reply to this email and ask me for the Zoom link. It is a pleasure to welcome those of you who prefer not to connect via social media, all you need to join us is the Zoom link that I send to you in advance of the time.

Payment is by donation, depending on your circumstances. People offer from zero to £30. I host the circles with no expectation, simply deep gratitude for your presence. 




My birthday giveaway, each month up to November

Here is this month's 'birthday present' from me, celebrating these months leading up to my 70th birthday in November.

As promised, completely different to last month. A moonstone necklace - one I love but rarely wear. I don't remember if the settings are sterling silver, I imagine the chain is silver-plated, but I am not sure.


 
I will allow two weeks for you to respond if you would like to enter this month, up to 15^th April.
 
Next month’s birthday giveaway will again be something quite different.

with love,

I send wishes for health and happiness for you and all you love.

Thank you for joining me here this month, any thoughts, feedback, or questions are always welcome.

 

Mary

March 2022 - The Key is You

 

March 2022
Welcome to the Dare to Blossom Newsletter 

If you would like to join me for the Dare to Blossom Circle on Monday 28th February at 7.30 pm, scroll down to the piece on Monthly Circles to read more.

Reflections: The Key is You
The Dare to Blossom Rediscovery Cards No 2 
"The Key is You" Coaching Package - and a special offer for you
Dare to Blossom Monthly Circles on Zoom - a choice of day and time



Reflections: The Key is You

As you can read below, "The Key is You" is the name of a new coaching package I am offering. Here, rather than talking about that, I wanted to reflect on the process of choosing this title and how that  opened a treasure chest for me during a Magic Carpet Ride.

'Keys' have been arriving in my life for quite a while now. Someone contacted me out of the blue because she had found one of the jewellery boxes that I used to sell enamel work in, with my name on. She looked me up and discovered I now offer life coaching. It was an amazing moment when she told me that the box no longer contained a piece of jewellery - just a key.

And then, last autumn I decided to gift myself something special for my 70th 'turn around the sun', my 70th year, that began after my 69th birthday on 3rd November.  I opened a newsletter that I receive regularly from Jo Anna Dane - one I only occasionally open and read, much like you may do with this newsletter. I looked at the wonderful 'Bespoke' options she creates as unique pieces, and decided on a Bespoke Oracle. Jo Anna explained that they take time to create, and delivery would take several months.  Anticipation was a big part of the enjoyment,  as well as my own Dare to Blossom cards, I love exploring insights from other decks of all sorts. Knowing someone was creating an oracle deck just for me, one that no one else in the world would ever have - well that was so deliciously exciting.

While I was waiting, my January 'Goddess Guidance' piece arrived from Amy Palko, it was The Sphinx, and contained these words:

"The image that I've got is of a set of keys and a series of locked doors before you. Each door represents each day of your month, but they don't feel like an obstruction or a blockage, because in your hand you hold all that you need to granted you safe and open passage."

More keys.... And then, when my Bespoke Oracle package arrived in the middle of January, I made myself a cup of tea and opened the beautifully packed delivery.  There was a cloth pouch, with a big key image on one side, and 'The Oracle of the Keys' on the other.  There were two packs of cards in green tissue paper (arranged that way to make the parcel as thin as possible to go through the mail). Keys! My goodness - how interesting.

I have been turning one card a day, there are 44, and with a few days at weekends I have missed, I have not yet read each card. Every one has a different key shape cut out and fixed to the bright green card. On the third day I drew 'The Key of Mary' - even more special. I am not ready to share more details or images just yet, maybe I never will, perhaps these cards truly are just for me - that will be as it will be as time passes.

And all this led me to a Magic Carpet Ride of my own, where I was shown a beautiful golden treasure chest containing gifts for my 70th year. Each time I visit, I find all my family and friends, some still living and others in the place where they have left their human selves behind, all there to celebrate with me. Each time I find a golden key in my pocket that hums when I touch it. When I place the golden key in the lock in the golden chest, the lid lifts up by itself. The first time I could just see golden light.  My mother was there, and she said "Your gift today is hugs, lots and lots of warm hugs."  She hugged me and so did everyone else.

The next time, my gift was Rest - deep peaceful sleep. And so it goes. I go there every so often in my personal meditation practice, and sometimes when working with the current group on the six week programme. 

During all these personal discoveries I realised that each of the parts of the Compass Rose that I work with in groups and in one to one coaching could be seen as a key. A key to unlocking our inner guidance system, connecting with the Compass Rose we each have within us. Our inner wisdom whose quiet whispers are sometimes drowned out in the hubbub of everyday life.

I had some fun browsing online and bought a bag of little brass-coloured keys, each a different shape.



I have been experimenting with finding backgrounds to photograph them on, I rather like this purple satin....

 
 

I love how all these different threads, with the common theme of keys (although it could be anything), weave together to bring me a rich tapestry of insights and support. When I look back I notice how 'keys' have been a theme for much longer than just the last few years I have written about here.

For you: for your journal, meditations, doodles -

• Are there any threads or themes you notice appearing in your life?
• If/when you find one, you may like to explore in flow-writing, or in a meditation, maybe a magic carpet ride.
• Look back and see if the threads have been present for a while without you noticing, do any further insights appear for you?

The Dare to Blossom Rediscovery Cards No 2 

Thank you so much to everyone who has already ordered the new cards,  I would love to receive photos to include in a future newsletter if you you are happy to share.

To order your own new deck, click on this link.  You can also purchase the Original Deck at the same time with a saving on post and packing. You can choose to receive each deck in a separate gauze bag or in a larger one.  I have begun to use both decks together as a big set of 100 words.



 
"The Key is You" Coaching Package - and a special offer for you

If you are thinking about trying out coaching - here is a special offer, a 20% discount for the first four people to sign up to this new one to one programme. The six coaching sessions, of one hour or 30 minutes, will take you around the Compass Rose, to unlock your inner wisdom. Beginning in Peace, rotating north to Purpose, east to Passion, south to Power, west to Progress, and then coming home to yourself, in Return to Peace.



The full details are on the website here  If you have already experienced the way I work with you through the Compass Rose process and are ready to jump in, just buy through the PayPal link or contact me to arrange to pay by bank transfer or to 'pay as you go'. If you would like to connect with me in person for a chat on Zoom before deciding, simply contact me (click on the link or just reply to this email) to arrange a time to talk so we can get to know each other a little.

Dare to Blossom Monthly Circles on Zoom - a choice of day and time

The monthly circles are now offered on a Monday evening at 7.30 pm, as well as Saturday at 10.00 am (until April, when we will return to the 11.00 am timeslot). The next dates are Monday 28th February and Saturday 12 March. You can find the events on Facebook or LinkedIn,  or simply reply to this email and ask me for the Zoom link. It is a pleasure to welcome those of you who prefer not to connect via social media, all you need to join us is the Zoom link that I send to you in advance of the time.

Payment is by donation, depending on your circumstances. People offer from zero to £30. I host the circles with no expectation, simply deep gratitude for your presence. 

I send wishes for health and happiness for you and all you love.

Thank you for joining me here this month, any thoughts, feedback, or questions are always welcome.

 

Mary

February 2022 Essence

 Welcome to the Dare to Blossom Newsletter

Before you read on, you are warmly invited, at rather short notice, to a Zoom gathering, on Thursday 27th January at 2.30 pm, or next week on Tuesday 1st February at 10.00 am (both UK times).  To receive the Zoom link, simply reply to this email with 'Zoom link' in the title.

These two events are 'tasters' for the new programme: "Be Powerfully You - Shine Your Light" (the title has evolved since I first explored the idea in last month's newsletter) - and there are more details on that below.

However I would love some of you who are simply curious to experience the processes I often write about here to join us. Even if you have no interest in joining a six week programme, it would be wonderful to have your presence live in the gathering. I will draw cards for each of us, and lead a Magic Carpet Ride guided visualisation.  

Reflections: Essence
The Dare to Blossom Rediscovery Cards No 2 
'Be Powerfully You - Shine Your Light' six week programme
'Coaching for Coaches' and 'Coaching for Creatives'
Dare to Blossom Monthly Circles on Zoom - a choice of day and time
Recommendations - Brigid's Grove and Womancraft Publishing


Reflections: Essence

This is one of the words in the new Dare to Blossom Rediscovery Cards No 2 Deck. (click on the image to find out more). There are fifty new words, and a number of new colours, people are already telling me there is a vibrant energy about these cards.

What is your first response? To the word? To the colour? What else is there? And, what else?



The card looks particularly bright in this first photo, taken out on the headland near Trevone, on a rare sunny day in January, and one when the wind had dropped. The light, the camera, and the screen it is viewed on all change how the cards appear. Not to mention that we probably all see, or perceive, colours differently. (if the image below appears sideways - my apologies, I have no idea why that is - it looks fine when I am editing here, but arrives sideways in the email version - most curious!)



You may choose to repeat those same questions.

What is your first response? To the word? To the colour? What else is there? And, what else?

For me, for this card, on this particular day, in this moment (and it will be different tomorrow, next week, next year) - my first response is to the sound of the word, even the feel of it in my mouth. "Essence......" How does it feel for you?

For me it is smooth with a hint of spiciness. Maybe the Essence of my experience is to understand that slight frisson. What else is there about that, about 'frisson'? Dropping into my deeper awareness, the feeling that arises is .... anxiety, fear?  How interesting. And, what else? Anticipation, excitement.  Aha, now I can see an image of someone, of myself - daring to step out, to be truly seen, to share the deepest essence of who I am.  That, that is where the spiciness is, the frisson, the spark of excitement mixed with the fear of being seen.

This connects to the new programme, to 'Be Powerfully You - Shine Your Light'.  And this is a challenge, for me, and for those who choose to join me. I am not a teacher, I do not run 'courses', I simply offer an experience for you to choose how much or little is for you.  And, I am also experiencing the programme along with all those who sign up, I am right there alongside you, a companion along the way.

The Dare to Blossom Rediscovery Cards No 2 

Thank you so much to everyone who pre-ordered the new cards, if you are in the UK you should have received your deck by now. If you are further afield, they are on the way.  I would love to receive photos to include in a future newsletter if you you are happy to share.

To order your own new deck, click on this link.  You can also purchase the Original Deck at the same time with a saving on post and packing. You can choose to receive each deck in a separate gauze bag or in a larger one.  I have begun to use both decks together as a big set of 100 words - although it is not very easy to shuffle them all at once....




 
'Coaching for Coaches' and 'Coaching for Creatives'

If you are thinking about whether coaching may be the type of support you are looking for, simply contact me to arrange an initial chat over a cuppa on Zoom. This will help you decide if my approach might be helpful for you, and if you feel comfortable talking to me. It is important to decide this for yourself in advance of committing to a coaching programme. I also find it useful to be able to assess whether it feels good for us to work together. If it didn't for any reason I have a big network of coaching contacts I could suggest for you once I know more about what you are looking for.

Often, once you take what can seem a large, and sometimes daunting, step of contacting me to arrange to chat, you will find that what I offer is perfect for you, at this time. There is no pressure to book, you can go away and consider - and, if you have got this far, why miss the opportunity? Why not book your coaching programme to begin whenever feels right in 2022?  If not now, then when?



I find that many of those I speak with are creative people who coach (in the broadest sense of that word), and/or coaches who are creative. In any case each of us creates our world in the way we respond to the events that we are presented with, the choices we make. If you would like to make an active decision to dare to blossom, I have capacity in my diary for two or three more one to one clients, so please do contact me to book that initial chat if you are intrigued.  Click on the flower image to go to the webpage for more details.

PS despite the titles, you do not need to be a coach (although many service businesses use coaching skills in their work with clients without seeing it as such). You may not think you are creative - and yet, we all are creating our lives, through our responses to the circumstances we are confronted with, moment by moment.


Dare to Blossom Monthly Circles on Zoom - a choice of day and time

The monthly circles are now offered on a Monday evening at 7.30 pm, as well as Saturday at 10.00 am (until April, when we will return to the 11.00 am timeslot). The next dates are Saturday 5th February, and Monday 28th February. You can find the events on Facebook or LinkedIn,  or simply reply to this email and ask me for the Zoom link.  Payment is by donation, depending on your circumstances. People offer from zero to £30. I host the circles with no expectation, simply deep gratitude for your presence. 




Recommendations - Brigid's Grove and Womancraft Publishing

If you see my posts on social media, you may have seen my photos of my second goddess sculpture from Brigid's Grove.  Today I took her out with a gift from a dear friend for my birthday last November. My Star Dance Muse goddess and rainbow fluorite look beautiful together.



Brigid's Grove is based in the US, and I buy my goddesses from Womancraft Publishing in Ireland, along with the goddess figurines. I have two now, here is the first, 'She Listens', along with the Learning card from the Original Deck.



Molly Remer, who creates the goddesses and other beautiful things at Brigid's Grove, is one of the Womancraft authors.  I loved reading her book 'Walking with Persephone' recently. It felt like an invitation to literally spend some time with her for the months when, in the myth, Persephone walks on the earth before descending to the Underworld once more.

Click on the cover image to learn more and to explore the other books from Womancraft Publishing. (I am not 'on commission', simply a huge fan of the very special library of books I have from Lucy Pearce and her authors).


 

with love,

I send wishes for health and happiness for you and all you love.

Thank you for joining me here this month, any thoughts, feedback, or questions are always welcome.

Mary