Within every woman
a mystical template waits for her.
Whether or not she searches for it,
or ever finds it,
is a matter of her own choosing.
Self initiations don’t just happen every day.
They are chosen.
In real time, by real women,
seeking a real life experience of being.
Mystical Template by Shiloh Sophia
Red Thread Letter #833
Choosing Your Own Initiation
Dear Ones,
Self Initiations is a hot topic around our community. We talk about it. Dream about it. Paint about it. Act on it. The thing is, life is going to initiate us one way or another. Some of those initiations are chosen and designed as experiences, like weddings and birthdays. While others are brought on by crisis, heartbreak, and trauma – and then we make meaning afterward. That is what we do – we make meaning as human beings, we try to make sense of it all.
What is so interesting about us humans, is how when we experience something hard, we can then craft the whole thing into an initiation by being with it, naming it, claiming it as a cycle. We have learned to be pretty good at that. One example is to name a particularly challenging cycle of our life as a ‘healing journey’. By giving the experience language, we find a place to put it in our psyche. But what about the initiations we CHOOSE. The ones we walk into with open eyes.
The old ones say that stories have a pattern, severance, threshold and return. Well over here are Musea we are interrupting the pattern with a big invitation. Choose your initiations. The thing is – change is a ‘comin’ no matter what. I don’t see it slowing down anytime soon. So what is different if we run towards it instead of away from it. Choose it, get ready for it, anticipate it. Not make life or ourselves wrong for its arrival? I think this is one of the most powerful things we can do as human beings – to choose our own initiations.
I think each one of us has a mystic template within us – I really do. And that it is creativity and self-expression which can bring it into our awareness. You can think of a template within as that which you are here to cause and create, or your own soul codes, or your symbols, patterns, and stories that are waiting for you to come and pay attention. Without action, without choice, they remain largely dormant within us. We have to reach – to stretch and move and even groan into the unknown spaces.
Witness the bravery and beauty of 100 women artists today
Today I am inviting you to join me to witness the work of 100 women artists who chose their own initiation at our museum show. These are artists who started together as a group of creatives in November and submitted their finished paintings for our show, Legend : Mystic. In addition, we are sharing another show of the sacred spaces of our community – I am Musea. Come join us for this double feature! We begin at 4pm PT. Go here for zoom access.
For us in the United States, today is a big day as we mark the shift of one administration to another. Many of us, no matter where we stand, have felt anxiety, breathlessness, outright suspense and fear. The level of uncertainty we are experiencing feels epic. So whatever you are going through, I just invite you to honor your experience. Let yourself feel what you feel. Take it to the journal. Take it to the canvas. Take it to the dance floor.
My invitation for today is: What can you create that will bring you some joy and peace in your day? What do you enjoy creating for yourself or others? This could be drawing for 15 minutes and listening to what wants to be heard. It could be getting out your cookbook and making a wonderful meal for your family. It could be resetting your altar and infusing your home with beauty. Something that fills up your cup. If you are a Musea Member, come share it with us in our private app. If you are a Red Thread Cafe Classroom member, come share what you are working on, because today is also work in progress day.
Creating with intention is good medicine. Practicing regular ritual in your life can help beauty and creativity be your new default setting to turn towards when you need it. If you are called to join me and our community of over 250 women creatives for RITUAL, our yearlong painting course, you can jump right on in. Here is a photo from Chapter 01 of the Book of Mysteries called CONSECRATION.
I am on the other side of the Red Thread. I am here with you, thinking of you and praying that all of us will see a brighter today, and tomorrow. All I know is that I want to be a part of the great unfolding. And I sure would enjoy the pleasure of your company.
With so much love,
Our focus in 2021 is curating experiences for our Musea Members who are part of the active evolution and ethos of MUSEA : Intentional Creativity.
If you would like to be a part of our movement and mission to raise up women’s voices and art through supporting our global museum, we invite you to become a member. We have over 400 practicing members, and more are joining us every day!
When you join, you will be invited to a 2-hour virtual gathering with Shiloh Sophia and fellow members to begin your year together called Creative Path.
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