Radical acts of rebellion: living the slow life

Posted on February 25, 2019February 22, 2019 by Modern Gypsy | 16 Comments

I’ve been down with a severe case of viral, coupled with a stomach bug from hell. It’s not been pretty. I’ve been grumpy. And I needed a distraction, and to write. But seeing as I was confined to bed, the only distraction I had on hand was my phone. Writing ideas, well….none. So I did what anyone would do – I hopped over to my Instagram feed, and scrolled down in search of some inspiration.

I found this image from a couple of months ago, and decided to use it to write. Here goes!Continue reading→

February 2019: Tarot spread for the full moon in Virgo

Posted on February 18, 2019February 18, 2019 by Modern Gypsy | 9 Comments

The February 2019 full moon falls in the sign of Virgo. The Virgo archetype is logical and practical. This is a sign that thrives on meticulous planning, on honing skills to perfection and gaining mastery over their chosen vocation. This makes the February full moon a good time to celebrate the areas where you are putting in concentrated effort, and to let go of any negative programming that tries to sell you short from living your dream.Continue reading→

Art journal tutorial: intuitive painting demo from start-to-finish

Posted on February 11, 2019February 11, 2019 by Modern Gypsy | 27 Comments

I really enjoy intuitive painting – it’s freeing and challenging at the same time! The freedom to make marks, experiment with color palettes and mediums, and to make bold moves delights my inner wild child. The challenge of bringing so many elements together; of not knowing what the final piece will be like; of wondering if you can manage to salvage it all, is exciting. Each painting session becomes an exploration of something new; each canvas or art journal spread a delightful revelation.Continue reading→

On finding the strength to do difficult things

Posted on February 7, 2019February 3, 2019 by Modern Gypsy | 26 Comments

I took my introverted, hermit self to my neighbour’s house for a story telling session on Saturday. It was a session on performance art and spoken word poetry, along with a mini workshop on poetry writing in Hindi. I assumed that I would simply be an observer, but no – that was not to be.

Not only did I write my first ever Hindi poem, I recited it too. Not once, but twice. In room full of strangers. With shaking hands and twitchy muscles, because I really am not good with public speaking. Continue reading→

February 2019: Tarot spread for the new moon in Aquarius

Posted on February 4, 2019February 3, 2019 by Modern Gypsy | 19 Comments

The February 2019 new moon falls in the sign of Aquarius. The Aquarius archetype is radically individual, very strong-willed, and can be rather eccentric. This is a sign that is not afraid to walk to its own drum beat, which makes this new moon a good time to get clear on your own unique perspective on life.

After the powerful solar and lunar eclipses last month, February’s new moon presents us with a fresh slate from which to launch into the year. This lunation asks us to start at the beginning: with clarity on where we want to head and armed with a fresh mindset. This would be a good time to examine old thought processes and the limiting beliefs that hold us back.Continue reading→

When dystopian fiction feels chillingly real: Hugh Howey’s Wool and climate change

Posted on January 31, 2019January 27, 2019 by Modern Gypsy | 4 Comments

“The children were playing while Holston climbed to his death; he could hear them squealing as only happy children do. While they thundered about frantically above, Holston took his time, each step methodical and ponderous, as he wound his way around and around the spiral staircase, old boots ringing out on metal treads.”

Thus starts Wool, a dystopian novel of a world that has shrunken into a giant underground silo; where “outside” is dank and dangerous – a toxic wasteland where you are sent to die.

It takes a few pages for the story to build up, but once you understand the shocking reality of the world created by Hugh Howey, you cannot but help feel chilled to the bone.Continue reading→

Tarot reading for February 2019

Posted on January 28, 2019January 27, 2019 by Modern Gypsy | 22 Comments

I don’t know about you, but this year didn’t feel “new, shiny” in January. There was a lot of planning, thinking, and an easing in, at least for me. The only thing that really took off is my time at the painty table.

So when I saw these tarot cards for February, it felt like a “Hell, yes! Let’s get 2019 started!”Continue reading→

On my art table: Melancholia

Posted on January 24, 2019January 19, 2019 by Modern Gypsy | 10 Comments

melancholia
/ˌmɛlənˈkəʊlɪə/

1: severe depression characterized especially by profound sadness and despair

Tense, irritable, I crashed into a fit of melancholia and found myself crying over inconsequential problems.— Susan Wood

2: a sad quality or mood

There’s a touching melancholia to his voice …— Ralph Novak

Like Wallace’s breakthrough novel, “Infinite Jest,” “The Pale King” is pervaded by an air of melancholia, an acute sense of loss.— Tom McCarthy

– Merriam Webster Continue reading→

My depth year: planning my framework

Posted on January 21, 2019January 19, 2019 by Modern Gypsy | 23 Comments

Last week, I spoke about the idea of a depth year, and promised to share my depth year framework once it was ready. If you’re wondering what in heavens a depth year is, I suggest you read last week’s post first; I’ll wait!

Now that you’re in the know, here’s my framework. My aim is to go deep in a couple of areas that are important to me. One thing that I’ve decided to do slightly differently is this: I’m not necessarily equating a depth year with a no buy or low buy year. There are some areas where I have decided that a no buy/low buy year works for me, but in other areas, I may buy something if I feel it is needed to help me go deeper.Continue reading→

On my art table: Finding beauty in the darkness

Posted on January 17, 2019January 17, 2019 by Modern Gypsy | 19 Comments

There is beauty in the darkness, if only we are brave enough to find it!

But how often are we willing to even acknowledge our bad habits; our insecurities and fears; our anxieties. How often do we stop and reflect on our inner voice, and on how mean it can be sometimes…oftentimes? How often do we justify our bad behavior by blaming someone else for the way we may have acted out? We have a choice in every moment: we can choose anger or acceptance; irritation or flow.

This does not mean we have to put up with bad behavior – it simply is about how we choose to react to it. We can respond to situations by ranting and raving; acting out in anger or irritation…and often, that is our default. Or we can calmly address the problem at hand, or assert our boundaries and simply walk away from someone else’s drama.Continue reading→