On the first episode of season 4 of the Art with Soul podcast, we talk about different ways to approach the 100 day project; discuss process over product; and see how a gentle reframe of this popular challenge can help you develop your own visual language and style.
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The February 2022 full moon falls in the sign of Leo. The bold and dynamic Leo archetype infuses us with a passionate zest for living. It is the archetype of the fiery creative who is confident and unafraid to stand in the spotlight. But this infectious dynamic can also 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 focused energy, which points to the spiritual principle that your beliefs about life tend to shape your life. You can see this spiritual principle at play with a regular gratitude practice. When you cultivate an active gratitude practice, you tend to experience a shift in your life and circumstances. And while your life may not change dramatically, your outlook to life can certainly shift.
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The February 2022 new moon falls in the sign of Aquarius. The independent, free-thinking Aquarius archetype encourages us to examine our inner wild self and celebrate everything that makes us unique. It is the archetype of the reformer, the idealist who strives for tolerance, unity, and a better and brighter society. And despite these rather lofty ideals, the Aquarius archetype isn’t afraid to get in there and get its hands dirty.
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.
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I don’t know about you, but I love spending the occasional weekend curled up with a book that I just cannot put down. Even better if it’s a thriller — or my latest book love — witchy / fantasy fiction.
Here are four recommendations, all of which I read and loved this month!
{Note: Click on the book images to purchase on Amazon India. These are affiliate links, which means I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you}
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The January 2022 full 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 recognizing that people, in general, act to the best of their abilities, limited by their education, upbringing and current awareness. The Cancer archetype knows that love and forgiveness, where possible, are the best way to respond to destructive behavior – along with firm boundaries, of course.
This full moon also highlights our partnerships, illuminating our marriages, business partnerships and the like. Emotions could run high around this full moon, so tread carefully, especially if any cracks or wrinkles are highlighted at this time. Spending time with loved ones — be it friends who are in your bubble or a zoom meetup could also be a lovely way to spend some time soaking in the energy of the January 2022 full moon.
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“Solitude, like a long love, deepens with time, and, I trust, will not fail me if my own powers of creation diminish. For growing into solitude is one way of growing to the end.”
– May Sarton, The House By The Sea
The world isn’t designed for introverted, solitude loving people. For a long time, I thought there was something wrong with me, what with my hermity tendencies and my need for pockets of quiet time, especially after I’ve peopled.
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Choosing a word of the year can be an intensely transformative journey — even when you lose sight of your word, it doesn’t lose sight of you. I should know. This is my eighth year choosing a word of the year. There have been years when I have forgotten all about my word (I’m looking at you, 2020), but that word has still worked its magic in my life.
Words, they say, are spells. They have an inherent magic and power that can work in ways you may never have anticipated to bring you the exact medicine you need at any point of time. The first word I chose, eight years ago, was Transform. It is a spell that’s been woven into the very fabric my life, impacting it far beyond just one year.
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The January 2022 new 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.
This new moon also highlights the home and hearth — both physical and psychic. Coming right on the heels of the turn of the calendar, this new moon is a good time to set some practices that will support and nurture you through the year. Given the rough few years we have had, practices that bring you tranquility, that help you feel grounded, and that give you a sense of connection with God/the universe/source will be particularly helpful.
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Sovereignty. That was my word for 2021. And what a ride it has been!
I started the year with a sovereignty list. A list of ideas that I had bought into that didn’t really hold true for me anymore. And as usually happens, as the year progressed, I lost sight of that list.
But it didn’t lose sight of me.
I pulled the list out while doing my year end Visioning, and to my surprise, I had achieved almost everything on that list, plus some more!
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The December 2021 full 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 dialogue, be that via books or blogs or letters.
Coming on the heels of the solar eclipse in Sagittarius, this full moon could bring more clarity to whatever was stirred during the eclipse. Being the last full moon of the year, this is also a good time to start your end of the year check-in, examining the habits and baggage that you’d like to leave behind and the vision you see for yourself in the coming year. {There are some resources to aid you with this at the end of the post}
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