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Last night was a new moon and a few friends and I pulled together a ceremony ~ gathering ~ woman circle ~ and Crone ritual all, pretty much last minute. Of course, we knew that the new moon was happening, but this just goes to show you how quickly a small celebration with deep meaning can be pulled together. All I had to do was drape some scarves and cloths over chairs and benches and tables and make a fresh flower wreath for one of the ladies who was celebrating becoming a Crone and entering a new age and phase of her life. It was very powerful to embrace the divine female energy of who we are and how we are connected to each other and our mother earth. Caregivers and nurturers of all life. The meaning of the word Crone in fairy tales and folklore are generally negative in content and make reference to being more like a hag. However, Crone reveres “ancient feminine wisdom” “the wise elder”. Regardless of the origin, the act of participating in these ceremonies are beautiful and full of loving intent. In our modern, American society I feel that we have lost many traditional rites of passage ceremonies to pass onto our children of all ages. I am thrilled to have my daughter present with me during these gatherings. After burning sage to clear the energy in our sacred circle around the campfire that blazed in the center, even adding a little sage to the fire. We began one at a time, each reading what we wrote earlier on a piece of paper of the things that we want to release and let go of, and then placed the paper into the fire after it was read. Following the releasing, came the time to read what we desire, what we are ready to receive in our lives. One by one a paper was read, some were lengthy and some were short and after each reading, the paper was placed in the fire to send our heart’s desires into the Universe. Our prayers, our hearts and our higher selves were shared as a collective and it was powerful and so beautiful. It sprinkled and tried to rain a little while we were in the circle, so I thought that there was something magical about the fire and rain ~ earth and wind elements that were all at play. The fire did some pretty interesting things with the papers as they were placed into it. Each one was something different. One took on the form of a butterfly as it burned, another blew out of the fire pit and sat on the ground at my daughters feet and sparkled like a million, tiny stars. Another had to be prodded into burning ~ it was something that one of the ladies wanted to release ~ apparently, she must have been uncertain of wanting to completely letting go! We later found out that she was. One paper just flared up like a dragon’s breath and, of course, it didn’t escape me that it was also Chinese New Year~ the year of the dragon! The entire evening was like that. Full of everything connecting perfectly and with ironic timing, it was crazy fun.

After the release and receiving New Moon ritual~ we named in a woman for the Crone ceremony. One woman read a beautiful piece on the passage about entering into the wise elder. The Crone took on a new name, for the purpose of strengthening her place in this new phase of life and group of elders that she is joining. She took on the name of Helga, which means “holy” or ” blessed”. Honoring ourselves and those who came before us and those who come and will come after us is necessary when gaining wisdom. After she was called in with her new name and we acknowledged that we were present and bore witness. I placed the wreath of fresh flowers on her head to crown her. The circle was opened and we continued our healing with good conversation,wine and cupcakes on the patio. It was lovely having candles lit everywhere and The Bells of Arcosanti playing and twinkle lights hanging around the patio.

We also did a “Rock Reading”, which I will post about next time, it was incredibly interesting. I would rather dedicate an entire post to that.

“I celebrate myself and sing myself. And what I assume you shall assume. For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you” ~Walt Whitman

“Celebrate life we will for life is short but sweet for certain” ~ Dave Matthews Band

One unique plant that we have in Arizona, of course, is the saguaro cactus. More than one cactus is called cacti, although so many people still say “cactuses”. Having lived here most of my life, I feel that it is my duty to correct that. I’m not sure why, maybe because these things were pounded into my head at a young age. The saguaro cactus is protected by state laws, so you cannot just go into the desert and dig one up and take it home and plant it. You must purchase them through a reputable grower. I am certainly not a cactus expert, by any means, but you don’t have to know anything about them to enjoy them. I love to see them in the front yards of homes, as well as in the undeveloped desert areas. That gives us the opportunity to observe them a little closer. Birds nest inside of the saguaro, like owls, woodpeckers and hawks.  Eventually, as the saguaro dies, like every other living thing, the flesh of the cactus gets eaten by animals and decays leaving the skeletal remains. I was able to get some close up shots of a cactus with holes large enough to see the skeleton inside. Close up shots with the textures and various shades of grays and greens and browns only inspire me to want to paint these beautiful designs. I am always in awe of these clever, desert giants.

Even my tallest shadow is dwarfed by the magnificent height of these prickly neighbors. North Scottsdale is full of pristine, desert landscaped yards. It is good to see the natural beauty of xeriscaped residential landscaping. It makes complete sense to use drought resistant plants that are indigenous to the region. Conserving water means more water to make things like…….

TEQUILA!!! Which is made from the blue agave plant, of course

Okay, class….. that is our lesson for the day! I just had to share a little bit about the glorious state that I live in and love so very much. I don’t get out very often anymore, but this is one visual pleasure that I don’t have to go far to see. With my eyes and arms and heart wide open, I await every breath that this desert city exhales onto me. If I close my eyes and be real still I swear that I can feel the heartbeat of this great land that is alive and beating under my moccasins, just below the surface of the desert floor. The same life force that sustains me and all of the life around me ~ lives that are stationary and lives that are flowing ~

Quite a few years ago, I designed this stained glass door panel for a doctor in north Scottsdale. This weekend, I had the pleasure of finally seeing it in person. It was stunning in her gorgeous home. I only did the drawing and she took it to a stained glass artist who transformed my simple drawing into this gorgeous piece of art. It is on the stationery side of a sliding glass door. Of course, I had to take lots of photos and share them, being pretty happy with the finished piece!

Her home and yard are filled with custom pieces from different artists. So here are a few photos that I took of some of the pieces she had made and installed in her backyard around the pool area.

These totem poles are outrageous! I don’t know the artist’s name who made these ( I will find out and post it)  but they are just spectacular. The chocolate lab totem pole is representative of her love of big, chocolate labs and the fact that she works with therapy dogs.

~If it makes you happy, then DO IT, MAKE IT HAPPEN, SURROUND YOURSELF WITH IT!~

Got To Be True To Myself

(click on the above, underlined link to see the video)

This song pretty much sums it up for me and where I am in my life right now. I am pretty sure that it speaks what is in many of our hearts. The desire to live freely and authentically without drama. If I don’t make room for daily drama, it must certainly have nowhere to go within my sphere. It is a hard lesson to learn, especially when you genuinely love those people who are creating heartache and unwanted challenges. My wish is that we all find happiness in the truth of who we are.

~ Namaste ~

~ To Thine Own Self Be True ~

As we go forward into the changing seasons to come, I feel that it is necessary to inform some readers that this blog is intended to give a small glimpse into the world as I see it. Flowery, as it may be, it is the way that I interpret the spaces around me. It is not intended to exclude or dismiss people in my life who I love deeply but am separated from due to physical location or my inability to stay in contact. If our paths have crossed at anytime along my journey, may they cross again. I am not one to toss away the sacredness or preciousness of friendship unless it is extremely toxic. I consider every circle of friends to be my close circle of friends. I am a sucker for people loving and caring and inspiring each other. So, as I share glimpses into my life, I hope that you are inspired and turned onto new things and that your close circles of friends continue to gather and grow. Loving, caring for and inspiring each other to be the best that you can be.

Oh, 2011~ You were such an awful year. One of the most challenging and worst years on record. I am so glad to see you leave. And take ALL of your crap with you! I want no trace of ever knowing you. And, if you leave anything behind that I stumble across, I shall throw it away or burn it so there isn’t an ounce of your nasty energy left lingering around me. ~ I actually had to do that several years ago with some boarders who became a nightmare. After they departed I had to throw away a few “crafts” that one of them had made for me (a painted box, a painting, those sort of things). Even though, at one time I would have and did treasure them, I had to release all of the energy that was attached to the memory of that person. I no longer have ugliness in the space that they occupied in my life. Once I rid them from my life, it opened up a sacred space for some new and beautiful friendships with people who are like minded, supportive, inspiring and creative. The Grateful Dead really did sing it best when they said, “Ain’t no time to hate, barely time to wait”…. (Uncle John’s Band)

We gathered with a close circle of my “good witch” friends on New Year’s Eve to share in a burning ritual to release the unwanted and also to manifest desires. The new moon and New Year’s Eve are good times to end and begin any project. More specifically, our life project. It is an ever changing, ever challenging, ever enjoyable journey. These times of escorting out the old and welcoming in the new requires some self reflection, that’s for sure. What changes do I need to make to live life to it’s fullest? What will make me happy? What relationships need to be put to rest? What do I need to be aware of or what actions do I need to take to live my life authentically? The questions that we ask ourselves may lead us to some surprising or new places that we didn’t think of before. Just simply being awake and aware of our own needs and desires is sometimes enough.

After gathering together and writing down a list of the things that we want to let go of and release into the Universe. Same thing as “giving it to God”. Another way of praying and giving away. We wrote another list with a compilation of our desires, wishes, hopes and dreams. All of the desires usually include something that means “for the highest good for all”. It may sound a little white magic like but, we all know that collective energy is powerful. So gathering with dear friends who all have a deep love for each other to manifest our desires and to courageously support each other in our letting go processes is good work. ~ By the way, what you write on your paper is kept private, nobody knows what is on your paper but you.   After writing the two separate lists. Bundle or fold up your papers. You can take this as far as you want to, even use fancy paper and tie them up into little packaged bundles with hemp string, or what ever feels right to you. I used a natural, brown, paper sack, wrapping paper with dragonflies stamped on it to write my lists on and folded them up the way I fold my towels. lol

We had a mini, metal, fire vessel that we lit a small fire in using small sticks and paper. Alongside of that we had a prosperity candle burning. Each of us put our bundle in the fire and said a silent fare the well prayer.

After the release it was time to receive. That is almost scarier than anything because it means that you have to become open to new possibilities! ADVENTURE! Before placing our desires in the new fire we smudged ourselves and each other with sage for protection and to clear away any energy that my block the pathway for each individual’s energy of desire to flow through.

As each person puts their paper in the fire, the idea is that the fire creates the smoke to carry in the wind to the Universe. Another way of praying. And asking. I believe that the force that put the seed of desire in my heart is the same force that will help it to flourish.

May all of your deepest desires manifest in your life ~ May all of your wildest dreams come true

~ Here’s to new beginnings ~

~ PEACE ~ LOVE ~ JOY ~

Another magical Christmas season is upon us again. The festivals of lights and everything merry and bright is just a reminder of the light within each and everyone of us. It’s hard for me to look away from shiny things! lol We have parties to attend and hugs to exchange throughout this month. Those are some things to look forward to, for sure. We have just begun to decorate our home. The trees are up and decorated, for the most part. We have one big bowl of old fashioned, pan popped popcorn (say that three times, quickly) that we are slowly stringing for our “handmade, old fashioned, country tree”. I have found stringing popcorn to be a really great time to relax and meditate. I’ll post more tree photos soon. They are all fake trees~ the only obviously fake one is a small, silver, aluminum tree. I could never kill a tree. I feel a real kinship with trees. Maybe because my last name is Dove, who knows. lol

Wherever you are ~ whatever you believe ~ May you be happy

This year’s holiday season started out with one party after another. To protect the innocent and not-so-innocent, I have kept the photos vague or without people in them. I think that I may have the smell of campfire forever embedded into my skin. It is that time of year when there is nothing better than hanging out around a fire with a bottle of wine and good friends. Chocolate wine to be exact. It is my new love.

We made it to the Lingo Thanksgiving, Saturday night. That was a huge hippie potluck with a live band, lots of friends that I don’t see often enough and lots of good things. We later moved onto another friend’s party that was fabulous. Again, there was a campfire and live acoustic music. ~ I LOVE my circle of friends ~ I have so much to be thankful for.

This year’s PAPA festival was much different than the years prior. It was held at  the Civic Space park at 424 n. Central Avenue in downtown Phoenix. Just north of the main Metro terminal. I didn’t see any vending going on at all. No arts or crafts or food vendors. This was my only disappointment. Maybe I didn’t walk far enough into the scene, but I only saw folks getting ready for the parade and lots of kids playing, hula hoopers hooping and people just hanging out talking and laughing. It was very mellow. This year seemed to be geared completely towards families. They always are a family event, but this 2011 had a much different vibe. Last year, 2010, we gathered mostly on Garfield and 5th avenue and around that whole Roosevelt Row area. The galleries were open and there was A LOT going on. It was, however, a little “grungier”, mostly because of the dirt fields nearby and all of the foot traffic through the streets. I, personally, prefer the 5th avenue “grungier” location, but this year’s parade was nice. No matter where it is held, it is such a joy to see all of the people who participate making Phoenix such a fun place to be.

The floats are made out of anything non motorized, like shopping carts, wagons, bicycles, scooters, etc. and the costumes are so brilliant and alive with color. Everyone is open to stopping and having their photo taken and talking a spell. I met some beautiful and interesting folks. I LOVE my Phoenix neighbors! This city is full of creative, friendly, open and beautiful, people. I have lived here for about 47 years, minus a few years that I lived out of state, and this place just keeps getting better. I know that Arizona has been under a lot of fire politically and especially with immigration issues, but the arts will always survive and help the city to come together, with all of it’s differences, and pull through any situation or issue that we are faced with. I truly believe that art saves lives and heals people and places.

Thank you, Phoenix and everyone who participated and attended the PAPA fest and rolled with the changes!

~ I art Phoenix ~