Soul Treasures   Discovering the depths of our precious inner beauty through SoulCollage®   KaleidoSoul's Members-Only Weekly Newsletter   Issue #37 December 11, 2006 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 My barn having burned down, I can now see the moon. --- Zen Koan Inner Journeys with Anne Marie Bennett Integrating the Practice of SoulCollage® into Your Daily Life Bright Side of the Road When this newsletter appears in your e-mailbox, it will be December 11, and I will be celebrating my 5th anniversary of my breast cancer diagnosis. It's been five years but I still recall exactly where I was (at work), what time it was (5:45 pm), and who I was with (my kind coworker John, sitting to my left). I remember the exact words the doctor said as I sat stunned, holding the receiver in my left hand. "There are some cancerous cells in your left breast." Talk about your barn burning down! Nine words from a doctor, and my whole life came to a screeching halt. The next seven months were occupied with surgeries, chemo treatments, wig shopping, support group meetings, and radiation sessions. Oh, and lots of long naps. I hadn't heard of SoulCollage when my "barn burned down." And even though it was almost three years after my treatments were over before I participated in my first Workshop, my heart was still longing for healing, and SoulCollage was the full "moon" that shined its light on my trauma, my fear, my anger, and then finally... my own inner radiance. The SoulCollage cards I made around the theme of breast cancer can be seen on KaleidoSoul's breast cancer page. Just hearing these inner voices through the process of SoulCollage brought a fine, clean healing to my muddied, wounded soul and body. Giving image to these voices only served to intensify the healing. Dialoging with them and then finally accepting them was a bright blessing beyond belief. This card is my Survivor card. It is my archetype, my spirit guide. Whenever I see it I am reminded of the one who helped me to walk through the fire. (It's not on the public KaleidoSoul website because of the popularity of the photographer who created the image of the young girl and the cheetah, but I am showing it here to our Kindred Spirit Members only, in order to illustrate this essay.) So yes, breast cancer was an insidious, unwelcome pyromaniac that wreaked havoc in my world. There were many days (even after the treatments were over) when I didn't want to get out of bed. And yes, it "burned down my barn" so to speak. But there's a bright side even to something like this. With the "barn" down, I could now see "the moon." For me, this moon showed itself in a variety of ways: my husband's rock-solid support and love, the gift of taking time off and eventually moving away from a job that was no longer serving me, a closer relationship with my oldest brother, a certain knowing that I was cherished by so many people, inspiration to write a book (Bright Side of the Road), two new friends (also survivors) I met online who held my hand and talked me through the whole seven months, and my dear wise woman therapist Fran, who I would not have found if not for my diagnosis. My point in sharing all of this with you (beyond the simple fact that I want to share my celebration with you!) is this: there is nothing that can happen to you that is too big for healing. Nothing. If something happens (or has already happened) to you that feels like the end of the world, know this: you can get through it. You will get through it. And SoulCollage will be the moon that shines its luminous light on your pain and brokenness. The practice of SoulCollage will be the glue that puts your world back together. Reflection activities of the week: Can you think of a time in your life when your own "barn" burned down? Or perhaps it's happening now in some way. Try to use SoulCollage to work your way through it. Listen to the voices inside of you who have something to say about what happened (or is happening). Listen to them. Let them have their say. Honor them with SoulCollages. Find some images that symbolize spirit guides to you. Create a Survivor archetype card to remind you of your own inner strength. Allow the healing to happen. SoulCollage Expressions Idea of the Week  I believe I actually have found the solution to a very nice and durable finish for my cards! It's a spray finish: blair is the brand (yes, it starts w/a lower case b....!). It comes in matte and gloss, and even the gloss is not "too glossy." I use and LOVE both finishes! The further descriptor on the can is "finishing spray for art/craft projects" and it is sold in most art supply stores. It dries very quickly and the finish is superb...not wet, no wrinkles, etc. - it's perfecto! The only drawback for those who care, is that it's one of those aerosols that say "extremely flammable," although it has "no fluorocarbons" and is "lead free." As most sprays, it does have a "toxic" component, but only if you "over-smell" it! I'm just careful when I use it - it's worth it and I would use nothing else! My experimentation ended when I found this product! --- Sara in WA Want to share a unique SoulCollage® idea with us? Send all your cool ideas to members@KaleidoSoul.com. We'd love to hear from you! Question of the Week I would like to have an Inner Child SoulCollage card and this is a concept that I have resisted for a really long time. I want the images on my Inner Child to be playful, fun and joyful but I do not have that feeling when I think of that part of myself. Because of the circumstances in my life, I was a very serious and quiet child. I realize today that if I want to move forward in my life, I need to heal this part of myself. What kind of suggestions do you have for working with SoulCollage in this way? My suggestion is to make more than one Inner Child card for your deck. I have several "inner children" in my own deck: wounded, vulnerable, rebellious, angry, shy, serious, happy. And I'm sure there are more coming! So spend some time gathering many, many images of children that resonate with you, and then after you have a good pile, to sort them out according to the different energies/emotions that they evoke for you. Then you'll be on your way to making several inner child cards for your deck, and you will be surprised what these inner voices tell you once you recognize them and honor them with cards. If you don't make a happy Inner Child card for a while, that's okay. Just stick with the process, and trust it. Have a question about SoulCollage® that you'd like answered? Send your questions to members@KaleidoSoul.com. We'll try to use your question (along with an answer, of course!) in an upcoming issue of Soul Treasures. Soul Friends The voice of a different Kindred Spirit each week! Amy Menard North Andover, Massachusetts Hello everyone! My name is Amy and I live in North Andover , Massachusetts . I actually grew up in this town, then moved all over the state after high school, and somehow wound up back here. Funny how that can happen! I was married two years ago and my husband and I are now looking forward to starting a family. I was first introduced to SoulCollage back in February of this year. I received a catalogue of upcoming classes from the local New Age store, and was intrigued when I saw Anne Marie's Introduction to SoulCollage workshop listed. I had never heard of SoulCollage before, but it seemed to combine two things I really enjoyed - collage work and tarot cards. It was so much more than that! The class was amazing, and I had a wonderful time, though I found myself getting so involved in the looking- for-images part of it I almost didn't complete a card! The fever had hit, and when I got home I started rummaging through old magazines I had held onto (now I know why!) and various clippings I had kept stashed away in a drawer. I created a couple more cards and wrote about them in my journal. It really felt amazing to put certain images together and have them speak to me. It was so personal and so much more powerful than any tarot cards I had ever used. While at the class I purchased Seena's book and tape and enjoyed those thoroughly in a matter of days. I loved the meditation on the tape to find one of your Animal Companions. I had done some Shamanism work in the past so I was familiar with having power animals, but this was different because it associated each animal with a chakra. I wasn't sure how it would work but I gave it a try. I went to my throat chakra and discovered a lynx was waiting for me. Upon reading about the lynx, I was really intrigued to discover that he is the Keeper of Secrets. It made so much sense to me, because sometimes I do feel as if my throat closes up and I don't speak my truth, and I hold a lot inside because of this. So I have since been working with the lynx to maybe loosen his claws a little and know when it is time to hold back and be quiet, and when it is time to speak up! SoulCollage has been an invaluable tool for me to really express what's going on inside my head. I have found that creating these cards and having them speak to me is much more effective than when I just try to journal alone. The visual aspect is really key for me. The cards also force me to confront some issues that I may not want to - parts of myself that I may not necessarily like but that have something to teach. They also surprise me because sometimes I will think that a card looks a certain way as I'm creating it, only to find that it is telling me something completely different when I journal. I had one card that I made when I was feeling depressed and it seemed to have a very negative connotation, but a couple of months later when I pulled it in a reading, I discovered that it was actually an aspect of myself that was protecting me. SoulCollage has really been a revealing and rewarding experience. In August of this year, I had the pleasure to join Anne Marie and many wonderful SoulCollage friends at the KaleidoSoul SoulCollage Retreat in Leyden , Massachusetts . It was hands-down the most spiritual and eye-opening experience of my life. To be among so many wonderful souls all creating cards and supporting one another was something I will never forget. I felt as if I had a moment of clarity while I was there, when I could see what was important in life and what wasn't. All the layers of stress of everyday garbage just peeled away and it was pure bliss. That SoulCollage Retreat really stoked my creative fire in an amazing way, and I have made some big changes in my life since then. One was quitting my grueling office job, and the other was to really embrace my creativity and run with it! So I have been faithfully creating SoulCollage cards and embarking on new creative adventures that I had been afraid of beforehand. I must send my deepest gratitude to Anne Marie and Seena Frost for introducing me to such a wonderful creative process, and to all of the SoulCollage Kindred Spirits. Thank you everyone for being so supportive, creative and utterly courageous! Here are 2 of my favorite SoulCollage® cards: Inner Peace Suit: Committee I am the one who is relaxed. I am the one whose soul feels nourished. I am the one who has finally listened to herself and heard her inner calling. I am the one who feels loved and supported. I am the one who has found inner peace. Death Suit- Council I am the one who leads you beyond the bones and into the beautiful. I am the one who is there by your side when you feel alone. I am the one who will show you that there are many paths, and it is okay to take risks. I am the one who shows you beautiful opportunities, if you are brave enough to follow.   Want to share your SoulCollage story and cards with other KaleidoSoul Kindred Spirits? Send them to members@kaleidosoul.com. We'd love to hear from YOU! 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.   And remember, as a Kindred Spirit... everything in the Kindred Spirits Shop is 50% off!  Things You Need to Know: KaleidoSoul 2007 Desk Calendars- Have you ordered yours yet? Your Members Only Audio Library- The Light Up Your Holidays With SoulCollage recording is now available. Have a listen! And lighten up your own holiday! Next Tele-Playshop Extra! Extra! Write All About It! Creative Writing with Your SoulCollage Cards Date: TBA (mid-January) 2007 SoulCollage Retreat- Creating Inner Sanctuary with SoulCollage May 4-6, 2007 in beautiful Essex, MA 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. More details about the Retreat, the Essex Conference Retreat Center, and registration. Soul Nourishment Books, movies, music, & websites to support your inner work as you dive deeper into your soul.... Books: Broken for You, by Stephanie Kallos. I just finished this novel last night, but I put off that last reading session because I didn't want it to end. It's the story of an older woman and a young woman whose lives connect and are forever changed in that connection. It's the story of two woman who are living in fear of their own broken places, and whose journey together is one of friendship and healing. It also weaves together the themes of theatre, mosaic art, and Jewish history in the most beautiful, heartful way. I borrowed this from the library on Jennifer Louden's recommendation, but today I bought my own copy because I want this one on my bookshelf always! Learning to Fall, by Philip Simmons. Subtitled The Blessings of an Imperfect Life, this book holds a special place on my bookshelf. I read it while I was going through treatments for breast cancer. Philip Simmons was dying from ALS (he has since passed away) when he wrote this book, but it isn't a book about dying. It's a book about living. It's about living with our own individual brokenness, and accepting all of our cracks and rough edges. It's about learning to get back up again once we fall. The essays are short, but they are packed with meaning, honesty, and strength. Music: Shi De: A Call for World Peace. Shi De means "peace that brings happiness" and the achingly pure soprano voice of this Tibetan singer aims to heal the world. Try it and see. I find these songs soothing, mystical and enchanting. Silver Solstice, by the Paul Winter Consort. A celebration of the Winter Solstice (the shortest day & longest night) with soulful, fiery melodies from Turkey , Ireland , and Brazil . Don't forget to check out CDBaby.com, a great new place to buy cd's. Their New Age section is a must for all serious SoulCollagers! Their customer service is unsurpassed and they stock cd's from over 158,000 artists. Great selections, great prices, friendly people, and a good deal on shipping. What more could you want? Websites: Angel Cards- These are beautiful! I can't wait to get my hands on these. Who knows, some of these images might just belong on one of your SoulCollage cards! Your True Spirit Meditation- 3 minute meditation, and so much more! Images of a SoulCollage Workshop- cool slideshow by SoulCollage facilitator Kat Kirby. 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. 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