Day 11: “Awakening, Cycles and Ceremony”

Beth Blair

April 30, 2019

Original Painting: No Title, 11/23/18, Acrylic on paper.  Notes on the back – “Spiritual Awakening, Reiki, Personal Bliss, Full Moon”

I am a person that follows cycles and ceremony in my daily life.  You could say my morning coffee is a ceremony.  My morning ritual starts with my four-legged alarm clock, 1^st out, brew the coffee, feed the four-leggeds and then I sit and sip.  Where is the ceremony in that?  It’s in my heart.  I sit in the same chair by one of my murals and I pause. From this chair, I can see out both the front window and the back.  I can hear the birds and other sounds of the morning.  I can see my altar with my icons, symbols and prayers.  The dogs celebrate with me, most mornings.  They come in close and lay on the floor…you can feel the pause that we are taking before the busyness of the day starts.

Cycles are nurturing and they create ceremony.  The cycles of the seasons, the moon, the calendar…we live our lives following cycles.  We find meaning by defining cycles. Spring would come whether named or not.  It is the ceremonies of Easter, Passover, or Beltane that mark the season of Spring. It seems that people like rituals and routines, even if they aren’t spiritual or religious. We can create ceremony from the simple or mundane.  Sometimes, pulling weeds can be a ceremony for clearing the mind.

When I created this painting, it was a full moon. I enjoy the changing of the moon cycle and the symbolism that goes along with it.  I was also focusing on my personal Reiki practice and I think I was reading a book on Reiki as well.  I took my morning coffee time to prepare to go into the studio.  I was also playing with technique of using a paint knife.  What blended in my studio time, in the quiet, in the creating; is the result of my pause, my honoring my practices of Reiki and painting…it is the result of personal ceremony.  It helps me in other areas of my life. How are you creating ceremony in your life?  What cycles do you notice?

In this painting, I see a heart rooted or rising out of the blue and purple. When we give or allow our hearts to rise, we can live life with purpose, passion and possibility. Have you felt your heart rise like this? Have you felt your heart root for a cause, a dream or a calling?  I hope you find ceremony that gives rise and root to your heart.  Blessings on your journey.

Beth is a seasoned and experienced bodywork, somatic coach and wellness professional. She is available to present on wellness, bodywork and somatic topics; or individual bodywork and coaching sessions.  Bring Beth to your area for workshops, speaking events or team building projects. Personal and business coaching are also services that Beth provides.  Consider coaching for individual or small groups/teams. Contact Beth for more information and rates.