How to bloom where you are planted + an intuitive painting demo

Posted on by | 17 Comments

how to bloom where you are planted

As motivational quotes go, bloom where you are planted is one of the most ubiquitous phrases. But what does it mean? And more importantly, how does one know that they have it in them to bloom where they are planted?

The phrase stems from the natural world, where you can find plants, flowers, and trees blooming wild and free, often times in areas where you would least expect them. Like the Ginko trees in Hiroshima, Japan, which survived the nuclear blasts. Or the deodar trees that grow at the Tarkeshwar Mahadev temple near Lancedown, but are not found anywhere else in the area, because they actually grow at higher altitudes.

What this seems to symbolize is that with the right attitude and resilience of spirit, we can find within us the  strength to survive almost any adversity.Continue reading→

Art journal tutorial: how to paint a mixed media portrait

Posted on by | 26 Comments

how to paint a mixed media portrait in your art journal

Creating faces in my art journal is one of my favorite things to do. They add expression and personality to my pages, and offer me a way to access my innermost reaches and bring forth a variety of emotions. Often, I will journal the emotions and thoughts that arose during the painting process while waiting for layers to dry, building up a narrative that is deeply personal and meaningful to me. And by the time I have finished a painting, I will often find either a few words or a snippet from my journal or a quote to encapsulate what was going on during the painting process.Continue reading→

June 2019: Tarot spread for the new moon in Gemini

Posted on by | 9 Comments

The June 2019 new moon falls in the sign of Gemini. The Gemini archetype is very curious, an excellent communicator, and a disseminator of knowledge. It is the sign of the writer, of those who tend to think deeply, are highly perceptive, and prefer to learn from experience.

Spiritually, the Gemini archetype is about courageous conversation, be it with another person or with the Universe. Gemini adds its vibration to the advancement of culture and civilization through conversation, be that via books or blogs or letters.Continue reading→

#MondayMusings: Remembering the soft animal of my body

Posted on by | 21 Comments

For someone who has generally enjoyed good health, these last few years haven’t been kind. Ever since I developed a dust and pollen allergy, I’ve fallen sick with almost clockwork regularity.

Every winter, when the Delhi pollution hits new highs, I spend a few days at least battling my allergies. I’m convinced that this also weighs on my immunity, because I’ve been ill more often in the last few years than ever before.Continue reading→

On my art table: Enter the mystery

Posted on by | 11 Comments

I’ve been spending some time at the painty table almost every day since last month, when I started my 100 day project. This immersion in painting intuitively has been a learning experience in more ways than one.

One the art front, I’ve found new supplies that I enjoy using; experimented with different tools for mark making; embraced art as process rather than product; and understood how to combine a variety of mediums. I’ve surprised myself with the ways in which my paintings have evolved and with the themes that have appeared on the page. And each of the paintings has brought forth something from deep within my soul, each of them with lessons of their own – on life, on love, on being.Continue reading→

May 2019: Tarot spread for the new moon in Taurus

Posted on by | 1 Comment

The May 2019 new moon falls in the sign of Taurus. The Taurus archetype is grounded and steadfast, calm and composed, firm and also somewhat stubborn. This is a sign that is practical and earthy, and is associated with material pleasures and abundance, which makes this new moon an excellent time to create some practical rituals and routines that feel pleasurable. Yes, routines can be pleasurable, and that’s a shift in perspective you can work on during the May new moon!Continue reading→

To Amazon or not to Amazon, that’s the question

Posted on by | 8 Comments

Ever since Amazon became, well, Amazon, there have been furious calls asking buyers – especially book buyers – to boycott Amazon.

Some claim the online retail giant doesn’t pay taxes; there are in-depth stories and reports of worker exploitation, especially at Amazon’s fulfillment centers; and of course, there’s the high-profile bankruptcy of a number of large bookstore chains like Bookworld and Borders in the US. Closer home, there was a public outpouring of grief when the iconic Delhi-based independent bookstore Fact and Fiction shut shop a few years ago.Continue reading→

April 2019: Tarot spread for the full moon in Libra

Posted on by | No Comments

Full moon in Libra tarot spread and astro-tarot forecast

The April 2019 full moon rises in the sign of Libra, again! This is quite a rare occurrence, to have two back to back full moons in the same sign. Think back to what happened around the March full moon Libra. Whatever started then, will culminate now, for both of these full moons are connected.

The Libra archetype is associated with balance, fair dealings, and relationships. Spiritually, the Libra archetype can teach us about balance…the ability to remain centered  in our authentic self no matter what is going on around us.

While the last Libra full moon asked us to focus on our rituals and routines and to align them to bring some balance in our lives, the April full moon asks us to bring balance with our relationships. And the key to this is focusing on our own self-worth and examining our life from a more personal perspective – what can be called a journey of individuation. It’s an ever spiraling journey, as we define and refine our meaning and purpose and come into right relationship with who we are and how we choose to shine our unique light in our interactions with  others.Continue reading→

April 2019: Tarot spread for the new moon in Aries

Posted on by | 2 Comments

The April 2019 new moon falls in the sign of Aries and ushers in the astrological new year. The Aries archetype is fiery and action-oriented; on a quest to express its individuality and assert its willpower. I find shades of Fool energy in the Aries archetype – the innocence of taking a leap into the great unknown. 

Spiritually, the Aries archetype teaches us what it takes to act on our dreams and desires. After all, it is easier to talk about the things we desire than to go all out and work towards the attainment of that desire. The key to taking action is courage – and courage comes from having your head connected to your heart.Continue reading→