Soul Treasures   Discovering the depths of our precious inner beauty through SoulCollage®   KaleidoSoul's Members-Only Weekly Newsletter   Issue #46 February 12, 2007 Special Note: This is not a free newsletter. If someone forwarded this issue to you, please consider subscribing yourself by clicking here.   Quotation of the Week If you feel incomplete, you alone must fill yourself with love in all your empty, shattered spaces. ---Oprah Winfrey  Inner Journeys with Anne Marie Bennett Integrating the Practice of SoulCollage® into Your Daily Life Be Your Own Valentine Wednesday is Valentine's Day, and the media is at it again. If you really pay attention to all of the advertisements, it might seem like you're not really special unless your significant other surprises you with diamonds, a romantic dinner, or maybe two dozen red roses. My husband's idea of romance has nothing whatsoever to do with Valentine's Day. In fact, he somewhat "rebels" against all the media hype and would rather this particular "holiday" didn't exist. His own philosophy is that you should show people you love them every day of the year, not just on February 14. Does this make me less special? I think not. And then of course, there's the issue of whether or not you actually have a "significant other" to celebrate with. I didn't meet my husband until I was 35, so I've spent many and many a Valentine's Day alone. Did spending all those Valentine's Days alone make me less special? I think not. My proposal to you, my dear Kindred Spirits, is to kick up your energy just a little bit, and make a special effort of some kind to be your own special Valentine this week. Make yourself a collage Valentine, address it to yourself and put it in the nearest mailox tomorrow. Cook yourself a special dinner on Wednesday night. Take yourself out to lunch. Send yourself flowers. Buy a box of your favorite chocolates and savor each bite. Even if you're in a loving relationship with a significant other, you can still take a few moments on Valentine's Day to do something special for yourself. Because in the long run, the most precious relationship in your life is the one you have with yourself. Take some time this week to honor that. Reflection activities of the week: Choose a pet name for yourself. You might use Sweetie Pie, Lambchops, Honey, Darling, Dah-ling, Baby... whatever name makes you smile inside. Mine is "Dear One." (Be sure it's not a nickname that someone once used to tease or put you down.) Use this pet name whenever you need to step in and say something kind to yourself. Use it on your handmade Valentine to yourself. Tattoo it on your ankle. SoulCollage it, or paint it in your journal. Remember who you are: precious, loved, whole. SoulCollage Expressions Idea of the Week  I'm a stubborn "do-it-yourselfer," so I decided to try reducing and laminating my cards for a travel deck. I found self-laminating sheets at Staples, experimented with my copier, and with a little practice it worked. Materials needed for 50 cards: Color copier, 20-25 sheets 8.5X11" photo paper, 20 letter-size self-seal laminating sheets, paper-trimmer (or scissors), brayer (or small rolling pin). 1. Set your copier on Best Quality. Copy 2 cards at a time, using a 65% reduction. Use thick photo paper - semi-gloss works best. You can reverse the paper and run it through again and fit one more copy on the same page if you position it correctly. (Experiment on plain paper!) 2. Trim the copies to about 3.25 by 5.25 inches. Position these carefully onto the 9X12 laminating sheets. You should be able to fit 5 to a page - 2 vertical and 3 horizontal. (Practice the positioning before you expose the adhesive.) Cover with another sheet, starting at the top and lowering the second sheet slowly, smoothing as you go. Smooth out any extra wrinkles and seal with the brayer. Trim to 3.5 X 5.5 inches. ---from Anne B., New Hampshire   Question of the Week Last night I did a guided imagery to invite animal companions. I thought I'd only see one but instead I had a stampede! They all wanted to be acknowledged. And there was one who couldn't (wouldn't?) speak. What should I do about this one animal that wouldn't talk to me? I would keep going back "inside" with that same guided imagery and continue placing myself near that animal so he/she could get a sense from me that I am safe. I think that in time it will speak to you.... it just might be waiting until the right time, or until it feels that it can trust you and that you aren't going to go away and not come back. Soul Friends The voice of a different Kindred Spirit each week! Doris E. Adams Round Rock, Texas A friend attended a day-long Introduction to SoulCollage Workshop about two years ago. She and I began "making cards" and went to the facilitators training with Seena in May 2005 in Santa Cruz . This experience was personally fulfilling and signaled a match with my personal mission and life work. I love the intuitive process of SoulCollage. I am amazed at the power of images on our unconscious minds. As one who is more likely to attend to the rational, thinking aspects of a situation, I have welcomed in and attuned to other ways of being through SoulCollage. I have personally benefited from the opportunity to investigate what is stirring in me and have cards appear to provide the fodder to explore the juiciness of my soul. Doing a reading with others is an amazing enhancement of this exploration. As I am held while addressing a key question in my life, I feel supported in fully attending to my inner wisdom. When I engage with my deck either alone or with others, I appreciate the mystery of the process and the guidance that emerges in the light and shadow of my cards. I have facilitated this experience with others through workshops and retreats. In the last 8 months, I have created a circle of women who meet twice a month to explore our souls through card making and readings. We have focused at times on the Chakras, Archetypes, and the role of light and shadow in our readings. We will hold a weekend retreat in April at a member's ranch to expand our circle, continue our soul exploration through card making and readings, and use the labyrinth and ritual to deepen our connection to Source. Although I appreciate the structure of SoulCollage discussed by Seena Frost in her workshops and book, I have found a more emergent structure for the generation of cards was more helpful for others and for me. In just leaving the window open for the intuition to do its work, images make themselves into cards and those cards become know to us as we work with them through the "I am one who" and "readings." Often, there are cards that seem more "powerful" than others, cards that create a stronger visceral response of this is important. These seem to be later identified as the archetypal guides in our soul. Naming them as such didn't seem important early on. As people become more comfortable with the process and the language of their soul that connects with the images, I then introduced the charkas and archetypes in sessions focused upon them. Exploring chakras seemed particularly important for looking at the integration in the heart of our earthward more visceral soul energy centers with the voice, higher mental functioning and spirit connection. In the last two years of making cards, I can see a pattern in my journey. During that time, I have retired, left my "community" in Vermont and a long-time partner, and moved to Texas to be near my adult children and grandchildren. I have found that there are many cards that have emerged as reflections of my inner process as I made this journey. And, the process of making cards and using them in readings has facilitated my journey. Each significant phase provides a distinctive series of themes. And, overtime, the cards reflect a pattern of change that can be witnessed in my cards. Some of the change is in a committee card that takes on a different look or nuance in a new related card. However, many of the "journey" cards are thematic. I also notice as I engage more deeply in spiritual practice and explore the divine in me - SoulCollage being one of these practices - that the soul is becoming more integrated with source and the presence of spirit in the cards has increased. Here are 3 of my favorite SoulCollage® cards: Spirit Calling Suit: Committee I am one who is called by spirit: to walk a different path with other soul sisters; to let the divine in me emerge into the light; to feel the guidance of the natural world as my journey unfolds.   Relaxing Into Spirit Suit- Committee   I am one who is relaxing into spirit; who is resting comfortably with the divine; who knows the feel of surrender to the guidance of Source.   Compelled to Guide Suit: Committee I am one who is compelled to guide others, to support their journey into a relationship with the divine and the goddess within; I am the one who will hold the light for others when darkness prevails. Kindred Spirits Member News Making the most of your KaleidoSoul Membership Keep track of all of your member benefits on the Kindred Spirits Home Page. If you ever forget your Member's Password, just email annemarie@kaleidosoul.com.  Other Things You Need to Know: Seena Frost's 75th Birthday is this Thursday, February 15. You still have a few days left to send us your Seena SoulCollage Cards so we can add them to the special surprise blog we're creating for her. Please send your card/writing by sending a reply to this email or to kaleidosoul@gmail.com. Save 25% on Mat Boards Members Only- Sale ends February 28! 2007 SoulCollage Retreat- Creating Inner Sanctuary with SoulCollage May 4-6, 2007 in beautiful Essex, MA We've just had a cancellation for this retreat, which means there is still space for YOU! What a perfect Valentine's Gift for yourself (and/or a friend). There is one room available now for this retreat (it can be a single or a double).... does it have your name on it? Join us for three days of creativity, community, and renewal as we explore the depths of SoulCollage at this beautiful retreat center located in the lush forest of Essex County, near the ocean. There will be lots of time for card making, sharing our cards and stories, and readings with our decks. Details about the Retreat, the Essex Conference Retreat Center, and registration.  Upcoming Tele-Playshops February: Extra! Extra! Write All About It with SoulCollage Facilitator, Anne Marie Bennett Join us as we talk about (and experience!) using creative writing as a tool to go deeper into your SoulCollage cards/deck. I'll have lots of ideas to share, and we'll actually try doing a few of them during this tele-playshop. Even if you don't consider yourself a "writer," this session will get you excited about writing with your cards for the purpose of your own self-discovery. Date: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 Time: 7 pm EST March: Creating a Personal History Suit for Your SoulCollage Deck with special guest Anne Boedecker Join us for a special hour with Anne Boedecker of Bow, New Hampshire, who has created a Personal History Suit for her SoulCollage Deck. She will talk about how she came to do this, and give suggestions for how you can do the same. She'll also lead you gently through a short process that will help you discern what your own Personal History Suit might look like. There will also be time for questions and idea sharing. Anne Boedecker is a psychotherapist and collage artist who uses expressive art for spiritual growth and healing. Her passion is the creative care of the soul thorough art, music, writing, meditation and movement. Date: Monday, March 19, 2007 Time: 7 pm EST Save the dates now. The tele-playshops are FR*EE for all members, always! We'll send you the phone number to call in upcoming issues of Soul Treasures. And remember, don't worry if you can't attend... we'll be recording them and you can listen to them anytime in your Member's Only Audio Library. Soul Nourishment Books, movies, music, & websites to support your inner work as you dive deeper into your soul.... Books: Dream Animals, by James Hillman. What a perfect book for anyone truly into SoulCollage! Hillman combines the language of dreams, archetypes, and animal totems. Beautifully illustrated with full-color painting by artist Margot McLean. We Are the Ones We Have Been Waiting For: Inner Light In a Time of Darkness. Meditations by Alice Walker. This is an important book, full of the rich wisdom and clear insight that Walker is known for. She talks about how to fill the world with peace and understanding, as well as her love for her little big dog, and everything in between. Read these essays and find yourself reaching deep within yourself for the best you you can be. Music: Music for Relaxing and Meditating- You'll have lots of fun on this page because there are so many great cd's to choose from. All of them would be great for quieting your soul, meditating, journaling, or SoulCollage card making. Websites: How Do I Love Me? Let Me Count the Ways? - wonderful essay on self-love by Licia Berry. Astronomy Picture of the Day- check out this site that has tons of great background images for your cards. Hint: Click on the words "Discover the Cosmos" at the top of the page to see more. Brought to you by KaleidoSoul Spinning the fragments of your world into wholeness and beauty through SoulCollage® Published by KaleidoSoul.com and Anne Marie Bennett. Please do not reproduce or forward this newsletter in any way. Inner Journeys, copyright 2006, Anne Marie Bennett All rights reserved. To give us feedback, we invite you to send a reply email to this newsletter.