Autumn Equinox Newsletter |
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Equinox Greetings! I hope you are transitioning well into Autumn. The swallows have flown south, the air is cooler, the nights are drawing in. My kitchen is filled with apples, waiting to be processed into chutney, jam, cake. The studio also apple scented, with trays of keepers stored for winter. I love this gathering in of winter stores, it feels so ancient. This week I'm gathering other produce, too. Preparing paintings and sculpture for an exhibition that starts next Tuesday. Including a new mandala titled 'Return of the Swallows', which I began painting at the time of the swallow's return in early summer, and completed just as they prepared to depart: |
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| | Return of the Swallows Watercolour on paper, 2023 When the swallows return from over-wintering in Africa, it's a cause for celebration and a sure sign that summer is really here! Suddenly they're back, swooping and chattering to and fro across the garden. My joy is mixed with relief and awe, that they've survived another migration, given the odds stacked against that being possible. It's so miraculous! And nowadays with the changing climate and diminishing insect populations, even more amazing that somehow they are finding a way to navigate, adapt and survive, albeit in smaller numbers. | | |
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| | So I held a prayer of gratitude gently in my heart when I began painting this mandala, at that threshold in the year of immense possibility: When Dandelion and Cleavers have cleansed the last wisps of winter away Nettle and wild garlic are restoring spring vitality And the frothy blossoms of crab apple, hawthorn and elder light up the landscape so maginificently, to welcome in the Summer. And the prayer contained a blessing, wrapped as subtly as the seeds promised by those beautiful flowers: May It Always Be So. May the swallows continue to find their way back to us, year after year. May the keepers of the lands and skies tend to the needs of soil and water and air in such a way as to create the best possible chance for thriving life for all beings. May we be humble and keen to learn how best to do this, so the rhythm of the sacred dance of seasons may go on. | | |
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The question of how best to take care of the soil in my garden has been in my awareness again this year. I've returned to a mostly no-dig approach, to avoid disturbing the delicate balance of soil micro-organisms, using mulches of organic matter from within the garden, along with seaweed from the beach, a bit of horse and guinea pig manure. Cultivating more perennial food plants is on my radar too. For years we've encouraged as many native plant species as possible, as food sources for insects and birds, as well as being amazing medicines for us humans. There's a lot we can do, in small ways. In the face of the poly crisis that's happening environmentally it's easy to feel overwhelmed and despairing, but if we each tend to the things we have some agency over it helps to keep us grounded, as well as actually making a difference. Because more and more we are discovering the importance of the little things: the soil micro-biology to the health of the garden, our gut biome to the health of our body. The effect that even a few minutes of meditation can have on our nervous system, or a kind word can literally save someone's life. Each and every small thing part of the interconnected whole. |
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Gut health is central to the teachings of Ayurveda, the 5000 year old tradition of holistic health from India, that I've been studying for the past seven years. Wisdom that scientists are just beginning to understand from a western medicine perspective; that taking care of the micro biome of our bodies is essential for the absorption of nutrients, the building of tissues, the functioning of metabolic processes. Just as the health of the soil biome is vital to the growth of plants. |
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| | Ayurveda Well being through the changing seasons 'Autumn is the season when vata, which rules all changes in the body, including those in the nervous systems, predominates. This can lead to us feeling mentally and emotionally ruffled, anxious and easily overwhelmed, tired, with disturbed sleep and a tendency to wake between 2am and 6am. We may exhibit other symptoms of excess vata such as a dry cough, lowered immunity, stiff and painful joints, dry skin and nerve pain.' ( Anne McIntyre) | | |
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| | Thankfully there are lots of things we can do to calm our bodies and minds, to help the body feel safe and bring relief to those kinds of symptoms. For example: Keeping warm Being regular with meal and bed times Spending time in calming practices Additionally there are herbs and spices and dietary suggestions to help. As I reach the end of my apprenticeship with teacher Anne McIntyre, I'm incubating ideas of how to begin to share some of the incredibly helpful knowledge and practices from the Ayurvedic tradition. For now, I'm quietly offering one to one sessions on a 'by donation' basis. Do get in touch if you are interested. | | |
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Autumn Exhibition & Workshops |
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Opening on October 3rd An exhibition of mandala paintings and shrine sculptures. Also cards and prints for sale. Venue: The Mulberry Bush wholefood cafe, Lampeter, mid Wales 3rd October to 10th November 2023 Open Mon to Sat 9.30am to 4.30pm | | |
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Also, on the theme of art in cafe spaces, I'm happy to share that my painting 'Turning of the Tide' has found a home in a newly opened little coffee shop, called Hermit Crab Coffee, in the thriving town of Machynlleth: |
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Hermitt Crab Coffee Is open daily from 8am to midday 12 Heol Penrallt, Machynlleth, SY20 8AJ You can follow them on instagram @hermitcrabcoffee Greetings cards of the mandala (which does in fact feature a hermit crab!) are for sale in the shop. |
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| | HALF TERM CHILDREN'S WORKSHOPS At Dyfi Ynyslas Nature Reserve Friday 3rd Nov, 10am to 12pm Window Stars Using special paper-folding techniques, coloured waxed paper can be transformed into beautiful & magical window stars, suitable for any season. It takes around 30 mins to make a star. Suitable for children age 7 and up, or younger if accompanied by an adult. | | |
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| | Friday 3rd Nov, 1pm to 3pm Numbers in Nature Geometric shapes are the secret language of nature, which we can discover in the forms of animals and plants, as well as patterns in the landscapes of earth and sky. Duration 1.5 hrs. Suitable for children age 9 upwards. Please book these workshops directly with Ynyslas Visitor centre on 01970 872901 or email: ynyslas@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk | | |
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| | An inspiring day workshop, studying and practicing mandala painting. Mindfully draw and paint your own design, tuning in to the qualities of the season. We'll be taking inspiration from nature and multi-cultural mandala, drawing geometry and painting with watercolour. AGE 14 TO ADULT All materials provided. Beginners welcome. Please book directly with Ynyslas Visitor centre on 01970 872901 or email: ynyslas@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk | | |
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Kirtan Sunday 22nd October, 11am to 1pm At the Iron Room, Eglwysfach, Machynlleth Mikaela is returning to share devotional songs from the bhakti yoga tradition; uplifting and heart opening. Feel free to bring candles, flowers or other sacred objects for a Samhain altar. Drums, rattles and other beautiful instruments also welcome! Bring warm things to sit on. Donation £5 + Please let me know if you intend to come Email: annethomas23@hotmail.co.uk |
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With all good wishes for Autumn, Anne xx |
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Mandala Cards Single cards and multipacks, printed on recycled card, with recycled white envelopes. 155cm x 155cm £3 each or £11 for 4 plus p&p Mandala collection (16 designs) £40 | | |
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