At the centre of your being you have the answer, you know who you are and you know what you want ~ Lao Tzu

Saturday, October 12

Focus on Life - Week 41

Ah, what a prompt this week - Connections...

I sense this whole year has been about connections, so where does one start!

As I've been doing the Journal Your Life course, which finished yesterday :( I've been connecting a lot with my journal (see post below), and thereby with my spirit, my soul, my identity...

Last weekend, I made an altar - on top of the DVD cupboard I sit opposite on the sofa!



The 'cloth' is a small wall-hanging a dear friend made last year as a birthday gift. It shows a haiku she wrote for me.

On the  front left is a coaster my daughter made in DT last year showing the deathly hallows (she's Harry Potter mad!)

Behind that is my Mary Magdalene statue, I found on ebay from France. I'm fascinated by MM having read this amazing book, and believe she has been misrepresented/misunderstood by 2000 years of male-dominated Christianity.

Next to Mary are two artworks bought from Birdie Fincham.

The monoprint (The Blessing of Water), I think perfectly shows one part of my soul; and hanging on the frame is a sweet altar ornament showing an angel surrounded by dried rosebuds. I've had it years - it was hanging on our bedpost :)

The painting (The Pilgrims) shows another part of my soul - I am a Taurean, and that white bull head scares me, but she is a part of me, as much as the calm, praying pilgrim next to it.


The canvas saying was given to me by a dear friend last birthday.

The wee green box housed earrings on my dressing table, but now it contains my prayer beads, made several years ago by Deborah Globus. They sit nicely in my gammy, right hand when I pray.

Then there's a heart stone with an earth symbol engraved on it (Taurus is an earth sign), and two necklaces - on the left is my Full Moon necklace...

... and on the right is my sanctuary pendant.

At the front and centre is a handmade Mary pocket stone - she's very tactile!

And finally, a coconut offering bowl bought from Lauren.
To me, it's the perfect representation of my word for 2013 Be a Vessel, and inside I've placed a wee murano glass heart, which I've had for years and truly cannot remember how I acquired it!

I'm sorry, this is so photo-laden, but I think you can tell why these items are on my altar...

I have a deep connection to every piece on it, and to the people who gave them to me, or who made them for me to purchase, and I treasure them all!

Now, enjoy visiting all the other great connections below:








11 comments:

Unknown said...

Such deep and gratifying connections. Thank you for sharing.

AntiquityTravelers said...

wonderful post Claire! so interesting to hear about how each piece is connected to you

Islandgirl said...

Lovely post. So many good memeories contained in your 'treasures'.

brokenteepee said...

Thank you for sharing the stories behind your altar pieces.

Becky Pancake said...

Claire I can tell that you are deeply connected with each of the objects on your alter. It is a wonderful idea. Thanx for sharing it with all of us.

Empty nester at last said...

Perfect connections! I have similar items, but alas, they are spread out over my house...hmmm...maybe I ought to bring them closer together...thanks for great post, it was awe inspiring!

Shel said...

What a wonderful post and a beautiful alter you have, as well. I could feel the deep meanings of each item as you described them in your writing - what a lovely feeling to be that connected. Thanks for sharing such a lovely post.

Alicia said...

Oh, wow, Claire, I've thoroughly enjoyed reading about your deep connections! Thank you for sharing

A Polymer Penchant said...

how great to have it all collected in one place you will set eyes on often. That's a great way to do it!

Bonnie said...

Thank you for sharing your altar and your connection with each item with us.

Beti Horvath said...

Love your connections! Each item filled with meaning and nicely photographed.