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 It was August of 2005, and I was on my second vision quest. I sat in the shade of a old juniper tree in the Inyo Wilderness, across from my vision quest guide, Anne. "I don't know why I've been crying ever since I got here," I said. "I'm usually a really happy person and there's nothing I can think of to be so sad about."  More ...
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Solstice Soul Renewal Breitenbush Retreat 2019 It might have been because the weather was spectacular, or the food was extra yummy. Could have been the labyrinth ceremony or the love letters that our SoulCollage(r) cards wrote to us. Or, maybe it was because just the right combination of kindred spirits came together. Whatever the reason, the 2019 Solstice Soul Renewal SoulCollage(r) Retreat was epic!  Maybe I say that every year, but it really did feel extraordinary. The witness circle was powerful and the sharing was deep. Every experience brought us closer to ourselves and to one another. We felt the presence of the ancestors with us as we drummed and rattled and received sound baths from Ann Christensen's  shamanic voice. We spent reflective time out on the land noticing how nature mirrors our own internal landscape -- Earth my body, Water my blood, Air my breath, and Fire my spirit. We held our cards and walked the labyrinth with prayers for integration and inspiration. We closed the retreat in a ceremony where each woman, one by one, stood in the center of the circle and declared what was emerging from within her. Then, we cheered, hooted and howled in celebration  -- May it be so! Blessed be! A-ho! I loved facilitating this retreat. The more I ...
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It's spring and green shoots are breaking through the muddy ground and moving toward the light. New growth is everywhere. Last Saturday in the Down to Earth Studio we did our own version of breaking and emerging to let the light shine in. Eleven of us gathered around the table in the studio...read more here  ...
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In the past I jokingly referred to myself an art doula when explaining my role in teaching and facilitating. "I'm sort of a birthing doula for artists," I'd say, "encouraging and supporting them through the process." Then, I realized it's not a joke. I AM an art doula! I am there by your side to coach you through birthing your creative ideas out into the world. I even had it added to my business card: "Glenda Goodrich, Mixed Media Artist, Art Doula, SoulCollage® Facilitator." What exactly is a doula?... Read more ...
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First of all, thank you for joining me on this creative journey. Thank you for reading my newsletters, coming to my art and SoulCollage(r) workshops, and for buying my art. Because of you, I have had an amazing 2018. And because of you, I am able to fulfill my heart's desire to make art and share my gifts with others through teaching. How can it be year end already? I sit back and look at the 2018 as another chapter in a book that tells the story of who I am, and how I am creating myself. I invite you to think about the 2018 chapter in the book of your life. Better yet, I'd love to hear about your year and witness your dreams for 2019! Come and join me for one of the new year workshops I am offering in January (more info on "workshops" page of this website) 2018 has been full and fulfilling. My wonderful astrologer, Carol Ferris, told me in my last reading that I am in a full-sun cycle, and I felt that this year, in spades! I wanted to put into place every good idea I had...and I practically did! I felt the ...
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At the September SoulCollage® gatherings in The Down to Earth Studio, we took the concept of Kintsugi, finding beauty in broken things (What is Kintsugi?), and applied it to SoulCollage®. The results were stunning, both visually and in the way it opened up our hearts and souls for deeper connection with one another. It still brings tears to my eyes when I reflect on what we shared together. I took a chance with this idea of Kintsugi for SoulCollage®, not at all sure whether it would work. I was soon reassured by the openness and willingness of the 17 women who came together for this unique experience. It was a gentle reminder to trust my instincts. Thank you, beautiful spirits, for making lastFriday a memorable day. Here are some photos of the cards we made, tore apart, and mended with gold ...
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I have a wall hanging in my home that says "The earth says much to those who listen," and I believe it's true because I've experienced it through many hours spent in intimacy with the natural world, listening and paying attention. If you stop and think about it, you probably have too. When you look out at a glorious sunset or see a sweeping vista of mountains and your heart aches a little in joy and melancholy, that's your connection to the voice of the earth. more... ...
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"The highest calling for a human being is to be a soul friend for another" Brigit of Ireland 5th Century. That's exactly how it was for nineteen women who came together with open minds and hearts to explore the magical imagery of SoulCollage® at the Breitenbush Hot Springs SoulCollage® retreat. We spent time together in sharing circle, meditating, moving, journaling, making and reading our SoulCollage® cards and sharing rituals to connect with one another in community. We used the Four Shields of the Wheel of Life to deepen our connection to the natural world and honor the Summer Solstice. The creative juices were flowing and the cards were spectacular. These pictures say it all.Retreat dates for 2019 are June 9th through 12th. Come join us next year!! ...
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Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming. This is especially true after a class like last Saturday's NPAF Collage Reveal technique. The participants were upbeat, kind and fun; and they created some amazing works of art. I loved every minute of moving around the room like an art doula, helping them birth their creations -- so fun for me! We started the day off with setting some intentions for ourselves: Here are the words they shared: Supportive, Creative, Open, Peaceful, Playful, Open to being Open, Playful, Explore, Explore, Inspiration, Brave, and Brave! And here is the art they made. Some of these are still a work in progress, but you'll get the idea of the beauty that was blossoming forth ...
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I’m writing this note to you from a hotel in Beatty, Nevada, just outside of Death Valley. A mourning dove coos a rhythmic chant outside the window. A not-so-wild burro woke me at 3 o’clock this morning rummaging through a garbage can right outside my hotel room. I opened the door to see what was going on. The beast looked up and brayed rudely at me, then went back to foraging. I came here to visit my first questing site from sixteen years ago in Hanaupah Canyon. Last week I was in New York City, surrounded by massive glistening man-made structures and too many people who refuse to negotiate passage on the sidewalk; they hold their ground fiercely. This week in Death Valley I’m in the company of stones and mountains which also, by the way, refuse to move aside to let anyone pass. They have been here for thousands of years and, by all rights, they do have the territorial imperative. There are very few people here. What there is, is an unfathomable number of rocks-- a crash of stones. The billions of stars in a clear Death Valley night sky are mirrored by the billions of rocks on ...
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