— (c) Cat Charissage, 2015, detail, Queen of Her Own Heart

Dear Friends,

Full moon, lunar eclipse, and Spring Equinox just a couple of days ago, trees budding out and many with that dreamy cloud of green hovering around their branches, so many new beginnings are here.  Yet some things have ended, as well.

A dear friend’s spouse died early this morning, unexpectedly. Though he’d had health challenges, no one thought his actual life was in danger.  He was in his prime, doing work/service he loved and for which he’d prepared all his life.  I’m still in shock, not yet even beginning to mourn.  They have four children between the ages of 12 and 19.  My friend is a member of our Story Circle which has been meeting monthly for more than 5 1/2 years.

Last year at this time another member of our Story Circle was in her final weeks before passing from a recurrence of cancer.  Both, and.  Both beginnings and endings.

Dr. Estes often tells us that we always are in life-death-life cycles.  Is it the night between two days?  I hope.  Hearts can be so big, big enough that when broken, can be broken open.

Both/And.  Broken/Open.  So grateful for those whom we love as we now begin life without some of those whom we love.

With much love,

Cat

“When you sow things in the spring, you commit them to the darkness of the soil. The soil does its own work. It is destructive to interfere with the rhythm and wisdom of darkness.”—John O’Donohue

 (c) Cat Charissage, 2016

This painting is from my recent “Tree of Life, Spheres of Light” Intentional Creativity Session.  It is the Kabbalah’s Tree of Life diagram superimposed on the spruce tree that I see through my studio’s windows, here surrounded by flames, yet unconsumed.

Dear Friends,

Happy International Women’s Day here on this New Moon in March!  May we all work to make justice in whatever ways are open to us.

I had the privilege of being at a silent retreat this past weekend.  It suited the waning moon, moving into quiet, silence, inner images.  Here’s an early draft of what came for me:

In my dream she asks for help.

A woman is behind the furnace.

I help her out — she’s wounded, burned, weak.

She’s also so wise, and so strong.

 

I sit in silence at the retreat

thinking of Moses’ burning bush, unconsumed.

I feel heat all around me, while my inner heat dissipates.

Myself:  burning bush.

 

The body’s inflammation can create dis-ease, pain.

Bodies ache with what we call arthritis, diabetes, fibromyalgia.

Hearts ache with what the newspapers, and history, have to say.

We are burning, but unconsumed.

 

I see the rose, opening.

At the center, flames burst forth.

Sacred Fire at the heart of Mystery,

and mysteries, unfolding.

 

Sacred Heart surrounded by fire

icon of compassionate love.

Earth is sacred heart, enflamed.

I will be bush, burning.

 

Unconsumed, and strong.

———————

May you be open to your inner visions and voices, knowing the rhythm and wisdom of darkness.

With love,

Cat

Note:  Another Tree of Life Intentional Creativity Session will be held on Saturday, March 19.  And on April 9, I will have a session on Navigating a Faith Crisis.  For more info, check at the top of this page on “Current Offerings” or email me at catcharissage@gmail.com.