| Soul
Singing with Anne Marie |
Hi!
I'm Anne Marie, the creator of KaleidoSoul.com, and a
SoulCollage® facilitator in Massachusetts. If you're
just starting to sing your song with SoulCollage®, this column is
especially for you.
Animals from all Realms
I confess that all of my own Animal Companions are of the "real" world and not mythical or imaginary. The SoulCollage® card I am sharing here represents Fierce Golden Dragon, which is more of an archetypal "Destroyer" energy for me. He says:
 I am the one whose tail turns into a castle. I am the one who is the keeper of your Journey. I am the one who destroys anything that gets in your way.
I am the one who leaves the old black and white world behind. I am the one who comes away from that old, stale, shadowy world.
I am the one who fires up your life. I am the Destroyer. I cut away anything that doesn't belong to your true authentic self. I am dangerous to anything on the pathway of your Journey that doesn't belong to you.
Some people have looked at this card and told me how scary it is, but I find this Dragon to be one of my best and brightest allies, even though at this time he is not aligned with any of my chakra energies for the Companions Suit.
Here are some other beings from the mythical/imaginary worlds beyond our eyes. Don't be surprised if one of them shows up with lessons and energy to share in one of your own chakra energy centers:
Phoenix - a mythical bird known as much for its beauty as its immortality
Pegasus - the son of Poseidon (god of the sea) and the monster Medusa, often portrayed as a beautiful golden or white winged horse
Sphinx - has the body of a lion and the head of a human, dates back in ancient Egyptian mythology about 4,000 years
Mermaids - beautiful fish-maidens with long flowing hair and incredible powers of seduction
Hydra - multi-headed serpent beasts with poisonous blood and breath so bad it could kill a person
Centaurs - part man and part horse, they are stuck between two worlds: that of the wild beast and that of the civilized human being
Dragons - commonly depicted as large flying reptiles that breathe fire or shoot deadly poison from their nostrils
Unicorns - magnificent and noble creatures that are symbols of purity and goodness and the personification of untamed freedom
For images and more information about each of these creatures (and a few
others too!),
please visit this web page. Note that if you scroll down under the
image, you will see the numbers 1-10. Click on each number for a different
background of each mythical creature.
For a wonderful guided meditation written by Seena Frost, to help YOU discover
one (or more) of your own Animal Companions, please consider purchasing this CD.
Anne Marie Bennett is a writer, self-taught
artist, website goddess, cancer survivor, and SoulCollage®
Facilitator / Trainer who was mentored directly by Seena Frost. In
2005, she fell in love with SoulCollage® and was inspired to use
her professional experience along with Internet technology as a
means to serve the world by putting SoulCollage® "out there" in a
really big way with KaleidoSoul. Anne Marie lives in eastern
Massachusetts with her middle-aged husband, two elderly cats and
one youthful dog who keeps them all young. You can read more about
her on her website annemariebennett.com or on
her blogs Inner
Surprises, and Standing
Still.
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| Guest
Columnist: Catherine Anderson |
My name is Catherine Anderson and I'm a SoulCollage® facilitator from Charlotte, NC. I am delighted to be adding my voice to Soul Songs and hope that my words inspire you to look more deeply into your deck of SoulCollage® cards.
My Imaginary Chakra Companions
Having been trained in the left-brained field of law, I really didn't pay much attention to the imaginary realm until my daughter Amy was born. From an early age, Amy was drawn to unicorns, dragons and the flying horse, Pegasus, in addition to the world of fairies. I read many bedtime stories about this imaginary world to her, including some of my favorite childhood stories about the Magic Faraway Tree.
Sometimes it takes a child to remind us of magic and give us permission to visit the realm of all possibilities.
And so when my seventh chakra animal appeared as a Unicorn, it felt like I again had permission to believe in the realm of the imagination. My unicorn reminded me that
I Am One Who sees Awe and Wonder in the world around me.
 My unicorn reminds me to slow down and be guided by the natural world. My unicorn reminds me that everything is possible. My unicorn believes in the realm of spirit, and reminds me to suspend disbelief and be open to guidance from other realms of consciousness. In essence, my unicorn lets me know that I am divinely guided and protected. In addition the seventh chakra is the crown chakra, and is said to be our connection to the Divine, which reinforces the messages I receive from my unicorn.
My unicorn reminds me of the power of the imagination. Imagination is often thought to be something that we "make up," that is "not real." But our imagination is in fact very powerful. According to the dictionary definition,
imagination is "the ability to form images and ideas in the mind, especially of things never seen or experienced directly" and is "the part of the mind where ideas, thoughts and images are formed." It is also "the ability to think of ways of dealing with difficulties or problems." Our imaginary companion animals can wake us up to the possibility of looking at things from a different point of view and open up our creativity. They can remind us that the imagination allows us to explore a whole new world inside our minds.
Perhaps imagination is where everything starts. Einstein said "Imagination is more important than knowledge" and who am I to argue with a theoretical physicist! In fact it is thought that he was able to come up with his Theory of Relativity because as a teenager he began to imagine what it would be like to ride on a beam of light. He allowed his imagination to let him see things that were not observable.
Do you have a Dragon, a Flying Horse, a Unicorn or another special-to-you imaginary animal in your Companion Suit? How do they guide you to see what is not directly visible to the eye?
Catherine Anderson is the author of the book The Creative Photographer. She trained with Seena Frost as a SoulCollage®
facilitator in 2004. In addition to SoulCollage® workshops, Catherine teaches
photography, visual art journaling, creativity and bookmaking workshops from her
studio in Charlotte, NC. She will be teaching "Inspired Vision" and "Photo
Transformations" at Art & Soul
in Virginia Beach in March, 2012 and will be holding the first SoulCollage®
Facilitator Training in South Africa in April, 2012. You can visit Catherine at her website.
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| OASIS AUDIOS SALE |
Our unique audio breaks are short and imaginative guided imagery experiences designed with SoulCollagers in mind. They are created, written and recorded by Anne Marie Bennett.
Click and listen to one in the middle of a busy, chaotic day and let yourself breathe peace and renewal into any kind of stress you are experiencing.
Available as MP3 downloads, links to listen online AND written scripts.
Save 25% now until March 17, 2012
Use Coupon Code OASIS25 on checkout screen.
More info here.
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| KaleidoSoul Creations |
As promised, we are featuring
SoulCollage® cards from our readers in each issue.
Each card below is a card that represents Animal Companions - Imagination from
one SoulCollager's Deck.
Unicorn - Heart Chakra
Companions Suit
Maggie
New Hampshire
I am the one who:
Lives in the green glade of your heart.
Dances lightly in the sunlight of love.
Bows down to/honors the rose of unconditional love.
My golden horn, with which I chose you, radiates compassion and illuminates the power of all loving, that of yours and that of others.
In this way you are connected to all beings through your capacity to love.
I chose you to do this work.
I am always within you.
Come to me when needed.
Ravens Speak
Companions Suit
Judy
Massachusetts
I am one who is present in other realms,
ready to learn from wise ones who seek
to make their wisdom known.
I am one
who hears the whispers of ravens
guiding my way toward Mystery.
What you give to me is a bridge toward my
inner knowing.
What you want from me
is a heart that bears no veils and seeks
only Truth.
Walker Between Worlds
Companions Suit- 7th Chakra
Sarah
Ohio
I am one who has found magic in the world through making peace in the present and in seeing the larger picture.
I am one who finds joy and peace in the magical stuff of dreams.
I am one who BELIEVES.
Dragon Woman
Companions Suit (2nd Chakra)
Dawn
New York
I am the One Who lives in your belly.
I am the One Who stokes your creative fires.
I am the Water Dragon in waves of flaming creativity.
Magical Blue Unicorn
Companions Suit
Katherine W.
Texas
I am one who is pure of heart.
I am one who has a soul of white.
I am one who radiates beauty and power.
Red Winged Dragon
Companions Suit (Crown Chakra)
Melisa
Ontario, Canada
I am the one who is here to guide you down your path, to help you find your way.
I pass on knowledge that I have gathered over many years.
I am very old and very wise.
I have been to many realms.
I have much to teach you, when you are ready.
With me, you can fly -- I am your wings.
I am Love and Peace and Contentment.
I am what you aspire to become.
Please feel free to submit one of your cards for a
future issue by sending a reply email to this
newsletter.
Future themes include:
Fear
Journeys
Elements: Earth
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KaleidoSoul Notes
Noteworthy
resources for anyone interested in SoulCollage®
 Facilitator
Trainings: Information about content and
dates/locations of upcoming trainings of SoulCollage®
Facilitators.
SoulCollage
website - Seena Frost created the process of
SoulCollage®, and this is her website.
KaleidoSoul -
Spinning the fragments of your world into wholeness and beauty
through SoulCollage®.
Kindred
Spirits Join our fast-growing worldwide
membership of people who put the "soul" in SoulCollage®!
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| CONTACT US |
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Upcoming SoulCollage® Retreats
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CALIFORNIA
Sacred Body Retreat: The Art of Honoring
Bodega Bay, CA
March 30 – April 1, 2012
Facilitators: Cat Caracelo, MA. & Michelle Minero, MFT
Join us for a magical two night, three day weekend retreat, exploring Belly Wisdom in beautiful Bodega Bay, California! We will be gathering for an intimate weekend filled with community circles, expressive arts and soulful healing. SoulCollage®, writing, celebratory ritual and creating your unique belly cast are some of the highlights of this Sacred Body Retreat brought to you by facilitators Cat Caracelo and Michelle Minero. Limited to 10 participants, shared and private rooms available!
Registration Info Here
COLORADO
Heart and Soul: An Inspirational Escape for Women
Granby, CO
May 17 – May 20, 2012
Facilitators: Mary McCormick, LMT and Mary Scott, MSW
Life Coach Mary Scott offers wisdom for the mind and body, and SoulCollage® will be introduced by Mary McCormick, SoulCollage® Facilitator and Reiki Master/Teacher. You will have the opportunity to explore this beautiful process, make as many cards as you want and do readings with your own cards. Card making tables will be set up all weekend. Mary McCormick will be available to for sharing your card readings throughout the weekend as well. The registration fee includes a complimentary, pre-retreat coaching session with Mary Scott to help you get the most from your weekend escape. ! Move a little, learn a little, soak a bit, rest a lot. Do it for yourself AND those who love you!
Registration Info Here
FRANCE
SoulCollage® in France
Carcassonne, France
May 24-29, 2012
Facilitator: Kat Kirby
Come to a beautiful part of France on the outskirts of Carcassonne and join me for a 6-day SoulCollage® retreat. We will meet in a 200-year-old stone barn, renovated in Art Deco style with 8 comfortable bedrooms, private pool, tennis court, bicycles and home-cooked meals. We will combine our SoulCollage® sessions with a visit to the local market and optional field trips. Whether you are new to SoulCollage® or an experienced Facilitator or Trainer, this retreat might be just what you've been waiting for! You might even want to add a few days before or after our gathering and explore parts of Europe you've always wanted to see. Cost includes everything other than air fare.
Registration Info Here
WISCONSIN
Finding Your Inner Compass with SoulCollage®
Willard, Wisconsin
July 27-29, 2012
Facilitator: Audrey Chowdhury
Are you feeling lost during these times of great transition? If so, this is your chance to stop, reflect, and recover your inner wisdom. This retreat is designed to help you reconnect with your heart's desire.
You will have the opportunity to:
- journey through the realm of the soul through musical soul journeying,
- create SoulCollage® cards
- make mandalas (circle drawings using pastels)
- share with kindred spirits
- consult with Audrey individually
- walk in the beautiful wooded grounds
- eat delicious, organic, nutritious meals
- meditate in the exquisite chapel
Registration Info Here
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Soul Songs
Back Issues - Read back issues of Soul Songs on
this
KaleidoSoul page.
Just look for whatever SoulCollage® topic you are interested
in,
and read to your heart's content!
SoulCollage® is a trademarked process created by
Seena B. Frost.
For more information about Seena and the origins of SoulCollage®,
please visit her
website.
SoulCollage® cards are made either from one's own art or
from images found in materials which have been bought by or given
to the SoulCollage® card maker. These collaged cards are used only
for the cardmaker's own inner exploration. SoulCollage® cards are
not sold, traded, bartered, or copied (except as a back-up for the
cardmakers own use) as is stated in the "Principles
of SoulCollage®." Where SoulCollage® cards are available to
be seen by others, it is for the purposes either of demonstrating
the SoulCollage® process or of sharing the cardmakers' inner
process in the context of community. SoulCollage® is grateful to
the artists and photographers who make this deep awakening process
possible and in all ways SoulCollage® seeks to be respectful of
their rights.
All articles in SOUL SONGS are copyrighted
2012,
by Anne Marie Bennett and
Cat Caracelo, Imelda Maguire,
Kat Kirby, or Catherine Anderson.
Articles may be reprinted by permission only.
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Soul Songs
