You Beneath Your Skin: cover reveal

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You Beneath Your Skin by Damyanti Biswas cover reveal

I’m thrilled to reveal the cover for Damyanti Biswas’ debut crime novel, You Beneath Your Skin, which will be published by Simon & Schuster, India, this September. I’ve known Damyanti as part of the blogging world since years, and though we have met only once, it didn’t feel like we were strangers – we knew so much about one another via our blogs and many shared conversations. It’s such a blessing and joy when you meet virtual friends face to face, and realize that your virtual friendships do actually translate into real-world friendships!Continue reading→

August 2019: Tarot spread for the full moon in Aquarius

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Astrology and tarot spread for the August 2019 full moon in Aquarius

The August 2019 full moon falls in the sign of Aquarius. When independent, free-thinking Aquarius hooks up with a full moon, it’s a good time to illuminate our inner wild self and celebrate everything that makes us unique. And since the Aquarius archetype isn’t afraid to get in there and get it’s hands dirty, you may find yourself chomping on the bit to act on some of the plans that have been marinating in your brain.

Spiritually, the Aquarius archetype teaches us how to be true to our own voice, to listen to and follow the calling of our own heart and soul. By learning how to tune in rather than out, by being true to the things that make us unique, we undertake the journey to individuation. Continue reading→

July 2019: Tarot spread for the new moon in Leo

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Tarot spread for the July/August 2019 new moon in Leo

The July/August 2019 new moon falls in the sign of Leo. The Leo archetype is bold and dynamic, with a passionate zest for living. This is a sign that is creative, fiery, and confident, but can quickly succumb to its shadow aspects of overbearing pride, drama and arrogance.

Spiritually, the Leo archetype teaches the principle of creative manifestation. Clarity of thought and focus direct energy, which points to the spiritual principle that it is your beliefs about life that will shape your life. You can see this spiritual principle in play with a regular gratitude practice. As you cultivate an attitude of gratitude, you experience a significant transformation in your life and circumstances. And while your life may not change dramatically, your outlook to life changes, which leads to a shift in how you shape your life.Continue reading→

Mixed media painting: Lotus Moon

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Mixed media painting lotus moon

Art, people think, needs to be done on canvas – if you want to be taken seriously, that is. People tend to look at paintings on paper as “less than”. But why is that? Who made the rules here?

Canvas was the preferred medium at one point because of its archival quality. It lasted longer, it was easier to transport without tearing or damage. And it’s easier to hang up without the need for framing.

But art on paper is no less durable – you get excellent quality archival paper in various paper weights that you can use depending on your medium. It is much easier to transport than canvas – less weight, easier packaging, better portability. Depending on the size of the painting, you can frame it and hang it up on your walls or stick it into a frame and display it on a table or mantle place. And most importantly, it is easy to store, unlike canvas, which requires a lot of real estate.Continue reading→

July 2019: Tarot spread for the full moon in Capricorn

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full moon in Capricorn July 2019

The July 2019 full moon falls in the sign of Capricorn. Symbolized by the  mountain goat, which maintains perfect balance while it climbs over precarious rock ledges, the Capricorn archetype is one of disciplined and dogged determination towards the attainment of our worldly desires.

Spiritually, the Capricorn archetype teaches us about integrity and helps us to harness the ability to plan our work, and stick to it, no matter what. In these times of 24×7 consumption culture, it’s easy to be addicted with shiny object syndrome and forget about our goals and plans. Capricorn teaches us about the meaning of integrity: to align ourselves with our highest ideals and actualize our potential.  Continue reading→

#FreewriteFriday: What if

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What if...reflections on life and living

Can you imagine a time when you will go to theatre to watch a play. That you will meet the actors afterwards and compliment them on their acting. That you will forget that one of those actors is your daughter.

That’s what Alzheimer’s does to you.

Can you imagine a time when you will want, more than anything else, to go for a walk with your beloved. In the cool, crisp air. Eyes soaking in the greenery around you. But your legs cannot support you any more, they have the tremors. You may lose your balance and fall at any time.Continue reading→

5 of my favorite art supplies and why you should try them too

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Paint bottles and paint brushes and some of my favorite art supplies

Me: “See, I can finally fit all my art supplies into one box!”

Husband: “Stop calling our house a box.”

That’s {almost} a true story. What can I say, I love buying {and hoarding} art supplies! Acrylics, inks, watercolors, fabric paints, acrylic mediums, gel mediums, crayons, pastels, pencils, brushes, brush pens, paint pens, foam rollers, glues, scrapbook papers, embellishments…the world of art supplies is vast and ever growing and filled with shiny beautiful things!Continue reading→

The little moments that make the biggest difference

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After an almost month-long illness and a heatwave from hell kept me away from the painty table for almost 2 months, I found myself plunged into the depths of depression. The lingering illness, continued weakness and lethargy brought on by the intense heat {48 degrees, for crying out loud!} combined to push me down did me into a funk from which I found it difficult to pull myself up.

Art is my therapy, and no matter how much of a constructive spin I tried to put on this time away from the painty table, it didn’t help.Continue reading→

July 2019: Tarot spread for the new moon in Cancer

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Hands reaching up to the crescent (new) moon in Cancer the night sky.

The July 2019 new moon falls in the sign of Cancer. The Cancer archetype is emotional, intuitive, nurturing and healing. It also symbolizes “home” and all the things that home represents – not just our physical home, but also our emotions, energy, body, and the spiritual hearth of our souls.

Spiritually, the Cancer archetype is one of compassion, of recognising that people act to the best of their abilities, limited by their education, upbringing and current awareness. The Cancer archetype knows that love and forgiveness are the best way to respond to destructive behavior.Continue reading→