THE GOOD STUFF
Welcome back to The Good Stuff! I’m having a lot of fun pulling these links together for you every few weeks. Keep sending me what’s lighting you up, let me know by commenting below. As we enter October, what's your autumn pleasure?
Here’s what I’m into this month…
I’ve been getting back to painting lately. This is always a struggle for me. Nowhere am I more critical of myself than as a painter. Ooof! Whenever I have the urge to dive back in, I need to adhere to a set of guidelines. This helps get me past the pain - sounds dramatic, but it’s real - of honing my eyesight and dexterity to align with the act of painting once more. Otherwise it feels like I’m trying to run a marathon without ever having run a mile. It is easiest for me to start with painting objects with a photographic likeness. I can do this quite easily and without handling too much criticism or invalidation. Once my eyes can see a color, shadow, light, shape, I can recreate it. It is much more of a daring adventure for me to paint abstractly. It cannot happen right out of the gate, but if I get into a practice again, I will get there. These watercolor paints from Kuratake have been a favorite for many years. I love the vibrancy of color, the smooth quality, and the tiny bit of sheen. They mix easily, even with inks and different acrylic paints, do not pill on wet paper, and dry with a permanence. I’m a fan.
I am known around my neighborhood as a plant rescuer. My family often arrives with plants that others have left on the corner, or out by the rubbage bins. Ones scorched by too much sun, or weak from overwatering. I love these unexpected surprises, as it is fun to contemplate where each plant came from. Which neighbor gave up on the plant or finally decided it wasn’t a good match for their home or yard. Most of the plants that find their way to me are succulents and other desert varieties. I love tending to succulents and cacti, especially ones that have been abandoned. They are fun to cut and propagate and the rewards are quick and plentiful. I have been propagating and replanting specimens for many years and only a few months ago happened upon a tool called a dibber. A total game changer! Dibbers poke holes in the dirt to easily plant small buds and tiny growth. Plus, it’s actually really fun to use. This one from Terrain is my favorite, the curved handle enables better reach if replanting into a pot or a planter that cannot be moved. Especially, when adding a specimen to a mixed pot of spiky cacti. Also, it’s pretty.
I write about musician Remi Wolf quite often here, but sometimes a good thing deserves repeating. Remi was recently invited to play at NPR’s Tiny Desk for a mini 5 song concert and it’s great! She looks like she’s having the time of her life at Tiny Desk. I’m looking forward to catching her over at Stanford in a few weeks. Several months ago I featured a tote bag from Remi Wolf in The Good Stuff, you can find it here.
Poet Ross Gay, also often mentioned here, writes for Orion Magazine, a quarterly literary publication exploring the connection between culture and nature. It’s a beautiful magazine and this season features a piece by Ross about the colors of his garden. He’s lovely, wonderful, and amazing. So is his writing. Muse readers know how I feel about Ross. You can read a preview of his Orion piece here.
I absolutely love when people surprise us. By being more than we imagine, breaking outside the bounds of how we think about them. Reminding us we all have the capacity to grow and expand beyond our own little garden. I never imagined Will Ferrel to be one of those people. But omg am I ever glad he is. You have probably seen and heard about the Netflix film Will & Harper. I hope you will watch it. This film is about so much more than trying to find your true self in a complex world that can seem to do everything to keep us from getting there, as if that wasn’t enough - the film is also about friendship and love, creativity, reinvention, and the growth we can choose to take part in when those around us grow and change. A reminder that creativity can also be about becoming yourself and/or having the courage to finally share who you have been all along.
What are you about this month? I'd love to give it a try!
xxx
LAS
THE CREATIVE
Welcome to The Creative. Twice a month I share quotes from the books, Art is the Highest Form of Hope and The Creative Act. I find perspectives on the creative process to be so meta when it comes to life. We are a creative process and everything we do is subject to the same rules. Creation is non-linear. It's messy. It moves forward and backward. And also gets stuck. Often times we do not realize the purpose of a singular creative process until years later. Creativity likes to surprise us.
“If there is a rule to creativity that is less breakable than the others, it’s the need for patience is ever-present.” - Rick Rubin
I have a very mixed history with patience. Actually, I’ll come clean here…I hate it. I’m terrible at it, but ultimately it is so good for me. Patience is a very big part of Human Design. No matter an individual’s chart, patience plays a very large role. Whether it is being patient with emotions, patient with initiation, or patience with others, living your Human Design is at its core a practice of patience. I find the patience aspect of Human Design to be the most challenging for my HD clients to get used to but also the most life changing.
Patience of course is an incredibly necessary part of the creative process. Yet, the patience required here feels different. Part of this patience, for me at least and what I notice with clients, is the patience to know when to put whatever one is working on down. To walk away, and come back another moment, another hour, another day. Sometimes the communication between our hand and heart is just not clean. We are slow, we fumble, we struggle. The effort is enormous. The thing is spirit/soul, whatever you would like to call it hates effort. This kind of struggle, this push and pull, this need to wrestle whatever we are working on to the ground, chases the most valuable part of ourselves away. The part that feeds our creative process. The part that cultivates flow. The part that reminds us over and over again why we do the thing we do.
I have a podcast - Joy is Now - and a few years ago I was lucky enough to interview the illustrator and author of the beautiful book, Why We Cook, artist LINDSAY GARDNER. We discuss PATIENCE and how it pertains to the creative process, parenthood, and trust all with a little psychology mixed in. I hope you’ll listen (you can do so here), Lindsay has some beautiful insights about how patience has shaped her process. Lindsay is also on Substack! You can join her here.
NEW OFFERING
Office Hours: Break Through Creative Blocks
Is your creative process at a standstill? Are you super excited with a million ideas and direction but don’t know where to start? Whether you need insightful feedback, an honest critique (seriously ask me to do this - I love providing crtis and feedback), a motivational boost, or some clarity, my Office Hours are designed to help you regain momentum. In this 60-minute, $250 private one off session, we’ll work together to address your creative challenges, refine your ideas, and unlock your next steps.
Bring your questions, project, or ideas—and be ready to dive in. Click here to schedule with me.
NEW MOON SOLAR ECLIPSE
In Human Design and astrology, the lunar cycles shift our energy as the moon moves through Gates and zodiac signs; use it to tap into fresh creative inspiration.
10-2-24
Libra
Gate 48: The Gate of Depth
The upcoming New Moon Solar Eclipse on October 2, 2024, in Libra heralds a period of profound introspection and transformation in our relationships and personal dynamics. Libra, the harmonious and diplomatic Air sign, governs this solar eclipse, emphasizing themes of balance, partnerships, and the pursuit of justice. This celestial event occurs in the 7th House, highlighting areas related to relationships, collaborations, and our approach to harmony and fairness.
Libra, ruled by Venus, invites us to seek harmony and equilibrium in our interactions with others. It encourages us to evaluate the give-and-take in our relationships and to cultivate mutual respect and understanding. This New Moon Solar Eclipse prompts us to initiate new beginnings in partnerships, redefine our values in relationships, and seek deeper emotional connections.
Paired with Gate 48, The Gate of Depth in Human Design, this solar eclipse amplifies our exploration of emotional and psychological depths. Gate 48 invites us to delve beneath the surface and uncover hidden truths within ourselves and our relationships. It challenges us to confront our fears, embrace vulnerability, and cultivate authenticity in our interactions.
This New Moon Solar Eclipse in Libra and Gate 48 invites us to embark on a journey of self-discovery and relationship transformation. It encourages us to seek meaningful connections based on trust, honesty, and emotional depth.
Journal Prompts to Deepen Your New Moon Solar Eclipse Experience
1. Reflect on your current relationships: How balanced and harmonious are your partnerships? What adjustments can you make to enhance mutual respect and understanding?
2. Explore your emotional depth: What emotions or aspects of yourself have you been hesitant to explore? How can you embrace vulnerability and authenticity in your relationships?
3. Evaluate your values in relationships: What values are important to you in partnerships? How can you align your actions and decisions with these values to foster healthier relationships?
4. Contemplate new beginnings in partnerships: Are there new relationships or collaborations you wish to initiate or deepen? How can you set intentions for nurturing and cultivating these connections?
Embrace the energy of this New Moon Solar Eclipse in Libra and Gate 48 as an opportunity for deepening relationships, fostering emotional growth, and seeking greater balance and harmony in your life. Allow yourself to embrace authenticity and vulnerability as you navigate this transformative period.
Ready to explore more about your unique cosmic influences and Human Design? Schedule a reading with me to uncover deeper insights into your personal journey and potential.
SOLAR TRANSIT
In Human Design, a solar transit shifts our energy as the Sun moves through Gates; use it to tap into fresh creative inspiration.
10-3-2024
Gate 48
Gate of Depth
On October 3, the sun gracefully journeys through Gate 48, also known as the Gate of Depth. During this celestial shift, you are invited to embark on a profound journey of self-discovery. The energies of Gate 48 beckons individuals to embark on a transformative journey of introspection and self-discovery. This gate presents a profound opportunity to delve into the realm of self-worth, especially in moments when one doesn't possess all the answers. It invites a contemplative exploration of the beauty that lies in the acceptance of not having every piece of knowledge readily available.
The essence of Gate 48 is captured in its encouragement to embrace the uncertainty inherent in certain situations. It urges individuals to find solace and empowerment in acknowledging the validity of the phrase "I don't know." In a world that often values certainty and having all the answers, this gate challenges the notion that not knowing is a weakness and encourages individuals to view it as a perfectly acceptable response.
One of the key teachings of Gate 48 is the cultivation of trust in one's capacity for creativity, even in the face of uncertainty. It prompts individuals not to restrain their creative expression due to the fear of lacking comprehensive knowledge. Instead, it urges them to tap into their creative potential and allow it to flourish, irrespective of the unknowns.
In essence, Gate 48 serves as a reminder not to let the fear of the unknown hinder creative endeavors. It encourages individuals to break free from the constraints of needing to have everything figured out and to explore the depths of their creativity even in moments of uncertainty. By doing so, individuals can unlock new dimensions of self-expression and contribute authentically to their creative pursuits.
Here are some journaling prompts to deepen your understanding and engagement with this transit:
1. How can I cultivate and strengthen my trust in myself, especially when faced with uncertainty?
2. Can I truly embrace the concept of not knowing, and am I comfortable with it?
3. What emotions and sensations arise within me when I find myself in situations where I lack all the answers?
4. How can I enrich my connection with my own creativity so that the state of not knowing becomes an integral and accepted part of my creative process?
This transit is an invitation to dive deep into the well of your self-worth and creativity, allowing you to emerge with a greater sense of trust in your own abilities and a newfound appreciation for the enigmatic beauty of life's unanswered questions. Embrace it, and let it propel you forward on your journey of self-discovery.
TAPPING PROMPT
Do you know about Tapping? It can be an effective addition to energy work and nervous system regulation. Many of my Mentorship clients include Tapping as part of their daily ritual. You can learn more about Tapping and how to do it by hitting the button below.
And of course comment below with your questions!
EFT - Emotional Freedom Technique Tapping Prompt for this transit.
“Even though I am afraid of not knowing, I now choose to dive in and just do it, without having all the answers and I deeply and completely love and accept myself.”
Ready to explore more about your unique cosmic influences and Human Design? Schedule a reading with me to uncover deeper insights into your personal journey and potential.