#MondayMusings: Emerging from the hermit cave

As an introvert, my default state is to hide away in my hermit cave. I truly enjoy pottering about the house – the husband and I doing our own creative thing in companionable silence; reading; journaling; playing with the cats… But then, the cycle will turn and I’ll have a couple of weeks where my energy is more outward focused.

September, so far, has been all about stepping out of the hermit cave more often than not, and it’s been fun! It started with a farewell party for a teammate at work, and continued with meeting up with friends both old and new. Yummy food, laughter galore, counseling sessions, venting, retail therapy: this month has had it all.Continue reading→

Tarot reading for September

Recently, I’ve been strangely resistant to actively doing anything. I don’t feel like writing or painting or slinging cards. At first, I thought I was burnt out or experiencing a creative block. But as the days went by, and all I wanted to do was read to the exclusion of everything else, I knew I was dealing with something more than stress.

What I needed is a sacred pause: some time to introspect, to integrate all that I have learnt and achieved during the year so far, and to spend some time planning and envisioning what I want to go after next. So instead of a traditional tarot reading for the month, I decided to draw some cards to help us reflect, journal, dream, and plan. I hope you’ll find this Sacred September tarot reading nourishing.

Tarot reading for September 2018

Remember, this is a general reading for the collective. My intention with this one was: what do we need to introspect on and why. I used three different oracle decks for this particular reading.Continue reading→

On being seen

For most of my life, I’ve been afraid of being seen.

I’m the girl who likes to sit quietly on the sidelines – observing, listening, silently taking everything in. When I am thrust into the spotlight, I get tongue-tied. My heart starts racing, I’m never sure what to say, and I end up mumbling something incoherent and try to escape.

This fear shows up more starkly when I have to talk about myself and what I do, which is not helpful given that I also have a deep desire to share my work and my words. Continue reading→

On my art table: Find peace in the chaos

how to find peace in the chaos

“That’s your solution? Have a cookie?’ Astrid asked. ‘No, my solution is to run down to the beach and hide out until this is all over,’ Sam said. ‘But a cookie never hurts.” ― Michael Grant, Gone

It is no secret that most of us are suffering from information overload these days. From constant social media updates, the latest science and history lessons courtesy the University of What’s App, 24×7 news channels, to thought leadership articles and even humble blogs – content has exploded, and we are bombarded with opinions and views no matter which way we turn.

As with most things in life, this content explosion can be both good and bad. Continue reading→

Tarot reading for August 2018

We are marching inexorably closer to the end of the year. How has this year treated you? What have you learnt? How have you grown and healed? What have you discovered? All juicy thoughts to ponder as we enter into the eighth month of the year, don’t you think? And of course, there’s the tarot reading for August to offer further insights.

Tarot reading for August 2018

This month’s reading is slightly different – I was called to draw a card for the collective during the potent lunar eclipse at the end of July. The message that came through was powerful, and I knew this was a message we were meant to sit with this month. I added an oracle card pull for further insights, and it just reinforced the message.Continue reading→

Tarot reading for July 2018

June’s gone by in a whirl of interesting new ideas, painting sessions, and FIFA World Cup matches. Germany lived up to the trend of spectacular exits by reigning World Cup champions; and Argentina and Portugal got knocked out last night. I wonder, will France lift the cup this year? They’re playing really well! But, let me not digress from the task at hand – your Tarot reading for July!

Tarot reading for July 2018

Remember, this is a general Tarot reading for July, and my intention with this one was: What do my blog readers need to know this month.Continue reading→

31 lessons from 31 days of painting

I spent May immersed in the 31 days of painting project. This wasn’t about creating 31 paintings {I’m crazy, just not that crazy!}; rather, it was about spending 31 days painting a single canvas. It also wasn’t about how much or how little you painted on a particular day; rather, the only rule, per se, was that you had to alter the canvas in some way. That could be the addition of a ton of paint or the making of a few simple marks.

The entire process is a meditation on painting, and life. About releasing attachment and being open to the process. Of enquiry and allowing instead of forcing and imposing your will. And as expected, a process like this one, can teach you a lot – about painting and about life.

So without further ado, here are 31 lessons from 31 days of painting.Continue reading→

A call to arms: for peace; for love; for unity

I’ve been reading the news these days with a sense of increasing alarm. Everywhere you look, all you see is hatred and anger and vitriol. The spread of fake news and fake paranoia has gripped not only India, but the rest of the world too.

This series of tweets this morning have forced me to speak my mind. Please, tell me that I am not the only one who feels my heart shatter into a million pieces each time we demonise a group of people as “the other”.Continue reading→

How to tap into your inner wisdom

I thought I’d share this month’s issue of Gypsy Wanderings to give you a taste of the kind of letters I share in my monthly emails. I enjoy writing these letters every month – it feels so much more intimate than blogging, and somehow, a lot more personal too. I imagine you, my dear Wanderers, sitting with a cup of coffee and reading these words, and I hope they strike a chord with you each month too. You can sign up for Gypsy Wanderings over on this page. xx

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