Tarot reading for July 2018

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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

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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 my lessons from 31 days of painting.

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

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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

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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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Tarot reading for June 2018

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And here we are, at the half way mark of the year. I don’t know about you, but 2018 seems to be flying by! Personally, I’m quite pleased with how this year is shaping up; fingers crossed that things continue smoothly on! I hope this year has been treating you kindly too! Without further ado, let’s get to June’s tarot reading!

Tarot reading for June 2018

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

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On my art table: The Buddha’s Blessings + a speed painting video

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Buddha speed painting abstract

Sometimes, I come to the painty table to play; at others, to relieve stress. Sometimes, I approach my art practice as therapy; at other times, I allow my emotions to direct my colour choices and mark making. And sometimes, I come to the page with deep reverence and to give gratitude for the many blessings in my life.

This was one of those times.

I’ve long wanted to paint a Buddha, but I didn’t want to paint Him with the usual peaceful face and closed eyes - you know the kind of Buddha painting I’m talking about, right? The ones that you find hanging in most home interior stores - pale blues and calm yellow tones, with a huge Buddha face, eyes closed, a serene look on His face.

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Unboxing The Mystical Shaman Oracle

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Mystical Shaman Oracle Cards Unboxing and review

I saw the Mystical Shaman Oracle cards on Amazon last month and fell in love with them. There was something about the imagery that really spoke to me, and despite my best intentions of not buying any tarot or oracle cards for at least six months, I clicked on the purchase button quicker than you can say “Hey presto!”.

Then followed a wait of a couple of weeks - not only was the deck on pre-order, it would be shipping from the US. As I waited for them to wing their way to me somewhat impatiently, I was also berating myself for not being able to resist the siren song of a shiny new deck of cards.

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In pursuit of passion: India’s first DIY woodworking instructor

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I have written before against the popular trend towards quitting your day job to follow your passion, and about defining success on your own terms. But behind this clarity, as is always the case, was a lot of confusion. Books helped a lot when it came to finding my answers, as did long discussions with the husband, who is uniquely qualified to talk on the subject. He is a living, breathing example of someone who has always followed his passion.

His first passion – for sports, and more specifically tennis, he converted into his day job. He’s been teaching lawn tennis since over 25 years, so he is intimately familiar with both the ecstasy and the agony of making your passion into your day job {which is possibly a post for another time!}Continue reading→

Why books have forever scarred my life

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Why books have forever scarred my life: the hero's call and dramatic expectations of change

I’ve always been a voracious reader. Growing up, I was the nerdy kid who could be found with her nose in a book. I spent most of my summer holidays lost between the pages of a novel, imagining myself in different worlds and far flung places; fighting heroic battles and going off on adventurous quests.

For a long time – longer than I care to admit – I was somewhat disappointed that my life was never as heroic or dramatic as all my imagined lives were, when I was growing up. I’ve had my share of adventures and gone through periods of intense change, yes, but the plot lines have been messy, and the trajectory has been slow and incremental. There have been no dramatic twists and turns, no neat tying in of my existential anxieties to create an epic story of my personal transformation.Continue reading→

Tarot reading for May 2018

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I don’t know about you guys, but April has been super busy for me! I have no idea where this month has flown, and what do you know, we are in the fifth month of 2018 already! How is time flying so fast?

Anyhow. Without further ado, here’s your Tarot reading for May 2018.

Tarot reading for May 2018

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