Dear Rachel, Holly & Joy, 

This week as I assembled Ritual Maps I listened to a podcast with Joy Harjo who spoke about her love of maps.. she said "I think with my poetry I am making a map of the soul."

I started considering why I chose the word "Map" to describe these ceremonies I am creating. Perhaps because I hope these Ritual Maps are a place to navigate from? Perhaps they offer a path in, or out, or through? I have also always loved maps because I have always liked to know where I am. Maps help us get perspective in a literal sense but they also offer a chance to understand ourselves in relationship what is near. 

I was there, I am now here, this is to my left and this is to my right. 

A city I like the name of, a river, a familiar road...

If I go in this direction I move away from that

and closer to this

thank you Rachel for the podcast 

thank you Holly for introducing me to Joy 

thank you Joy Harjo for your map making and the poetry you have given us

Dear person who is still considering a Ritual Map, 

If you are still considering the Ritual Map: Honoring the Creative Wound, I want to share more information based on questions I received and insight I had while assembling the first few Maps. Questions & answers are below or you can find them on my website. 

what is a Ritual Map? 

Ritual Maps are ceremonies that come in the form of a document which will be sent to you in the mail, packaged with care and a handmade blessing card. These Maps are much like a score or a recipe, for you to use as you guide yourself through the ceremony. Each Ritual Map is dedicated to a life moment or transition.

what is a Creative Wound?

A creative wound is a blow to your creative spirit. This might occur after putting a specific piece of work out into the world if it is met with criticism or  little interest. Or it might occur when you begin a project inspired and excited but in the process of creation something is lost, compromised or warped. A creative wound can be caused by internal or external circumstances and simply means you feel pain around your creativity or art making practice.

who is this ritual for? 

This ritual is for anyone who has experienced pain from putting their creative work into the world or sharing it with others. The ritual is meant to help individuals acknowledge the wound around a specific work or their process, so they can move forward with joy and ease on their creative path.

will I be working with you directly? 

Unlike my 1:1 offerings that begin with an hour long conversation, Ritual Maps are created so you can move through the ceremony on your own. The Ritual Maps outline a ceremony with space for you to infuse some of your essence and aesthetics into it. I am accessible via email if you have questions,  need feedback or wish to share an idea while you are in process. If you would like to know more about my 1:1 ceremony work you can read more here. 

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what does the ceremony entail?

This particular Ritual Map will guide you through a process of reflecting and writing. You will be asked to create an altar, consider and engage your creative supports and participate in some symbolic gestures. At the end you will create a short mantra for yourself to carry with you. 

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what will I receive in the mail?

An eight page document which outlines the ceremony: what you need to prepare, gather and make before the ritual and as well a step by step structure for the ceremony itself, three postcards with stamps that you will send to creative supporters of yours and a handmade blessing card that will be used within the ceremony.

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what is a Blessing Card? 

Included as part of your Ritual Map will be a handmade blessing card which you will write your self generated mantra on. This card is meant to be with you after the ceremony... Perhaps it lives in your work space, kitchen, altar or anywhere else it can support you on a daily basis. 

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I don't have a specific project I am thinking about but feel my creative spirit needs some love, will this ceremony support that? 

​Yes. This ceremony can be used to focus on a particular project, a chapter in your creative journey or your creative spirit in a more general sense. Everything in the Ritual Map is a suggestion so if some part of it doesn't resonate, consider how you might change the language or proposed action slightly so that it fits your particular situation and intention. 

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how much does a Ritual Map cost? 

A Ritual Map is $100-175 sliding scale. you can use the button below to fill out a form to request a Ritual Map. 

Please reply to this email if you have a question that wasn't answered