Giving thanks...the purple edition

The prompt over at 52 Projects is Giving Thanks. There are many people and many things I could give thanks for in the post, and so making it quite difficult to rest my focus. As I sat and thought, and thought, and thought some more, I became aware of how I am loving the small,every day moments, which weave the fabric of our lives so richly and so intricately. The photo I have chosen is no ordinary ball of wool, no, it is a jewel of incredible beauty. It is a reminder to myself that just sometimes I am in fact allowed to think beyond the practical ( for it was the most expensive wool on the shelf and my purse doesn't contain many pennies a the moment) and to just enjoy my senses. Its hues of purpleness and its softer than soft textures made my spirit sing. And do you know what, when I got home I dug out a set of knitting needles that I had been given as a present once upon a time. I shall take my first knitting steps.

Before I finish I must include this shot of a spirit protector I created this week, for oh how she too made my spirit sing. Once again the purple softness shines!

Something borrowed

This week's prompt has to be the most challenging yet:

After much contemplation I came to the conclusion that I am not a borrower. I like to possess, not that I am a materialist, but  I love that sense of something belonging. Years of instability in my past have meant that I treasure the constants. Funnily enough I don't lend often either, I like to give freely instead. I don't like that sense of obligation to return something, especially if you have connected with it. So I opted for the spin and the answer is simply: time, for I am finding that there are not enough hours in the day currently -life feels hectic, demanding and intense -I feel I need to claw back that special time for myself to create, to rest, to simply be.

"I'm late, I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date!"

The White Rabbit. Alice in Wonderland.

Remembered...

Men and women of the two World Wars,

I honour you with every fibre of my being.

May the world remember your spirit,

And continue to learn from your actions.

Aqua

I loved the idea of adding a splash of vivid brightness through the theme of aqua this week but found it rather challenging to frame a shot that  was actually the chosen colour and that I was  satisfied with. Sometimes, I am learning, you just have to say to yourself that what you have created is enough, even when it doesn't hit your expectations!

A bird does not sing because it has an answer.  

It sings because it has a song.  

~Chinese Proverb

Walking the threads

So this week Spider has been gracing me with her presense over and over again. Those who know me are aware that I have quite an irrational fear of spiders, as many do, and I am usually more likely to be found running away from the tiny creatures, squeeling and begging someone to save me, rather than sneaking up close to take a more detailed look. But as part of my work on developing my intuitive skills I have been delving into the world of animal/spirit guides, my perspective opening up and beyond. I shake my head in wonder over and over again how I am finally becoming aware of ancient wisdom and lessons, which  I would not have given the time, nor the respect, to before. How easy it is to accept that distance from our origins.

I came across the most delicate, glistening spider web in my back garden, spun from the crisp November washing line to a plant container sitting dorment on the ground, highlighted beautifully by late Autumnal sunbeams. I stopped in my tracks, rushing towards the next item on my to do list completely forgotten. In the centre she was, still as still can be. Watching me intently. I’ve never examined the beauty of a web before and felt drawn to photograph its intricacy. I honestly felt awe at the intense achievement of this clever spider, who can create such beauty just by being her natural self and felt myself examining her just as closely as her home.

Once back inside I started researching and in the process I found a wealth of  strong medicine. Here are some of the delicious morsels I discovered:

Spider is the grandmother, the link to the past and the future. She is the wheel of life, the wheel of connections.

She is the spiral weaver, the centre of a world she constructs. She weaves her destiny.

She is the creative force with assertive feminine energy, focused with intent.

She is a unique combination of gentleness and incredible strenght.

She walks the threads with careful balance, both the physical and spiritual realms.

She is an ancient keeper of languages, a writer’s totem, a keeper of  knowledge and words.

Who knew that my fear hid such beauty and clarity?! I have much to learn from Spider.

Trick or treat?

***A little late in coming but wishing you all the magic of Samhain ***

The theme this week is trick or treat and as I carved my first pumpkin  and my husband baked his first pumpkin pie ever, I thought I would show the evidence with pride!