Journey cycle 14/15 No. 4 January

I started with Goddess work and craft and that has become the journeying cycle
What is Goddess Work - Voice and Craft?
Goddess = the planet, holism*, ‘All That Is’ - that which created, nurtures and protects us, (Mystic Law), the physical body (most commonly women’s)

Goddess work = learning how to be happy in ones body, on and with the planet. Connection. Creating a sense of holism, connecting with ‘All That Is’, learning to nurture, protect and create value*1 for oneself and others.
(Giving) Voice = Allowing yourself to make sounds, play with tones, find your own notes, to play with your voice as if it were a favourite toy. Sharing voice with others creates joy, Playing with our voices is freeing
Craft = the hands channel energy to create craft, allowing heart, mind, hand, eye to manifest beauty.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, creator/crafter).
Striving to create beauty feeds one
Arts and crafts are  Thought,  Heart/Passion/Feeling

The first journeying of 2015 was this afternoon and evening. it went on much longer than I had planned. But it is always a little more difficult to keep the boundaries clear when i hold them at my home.
For most of the last year we have been journeying is a small venue in the West of Amsterdam. It's a great little spot.
Every now and again there is a complication. Today's booking had not been confirmed, so I didn't want to risk it. The time before last I forgot my key and had to bring everyone back home to get it done and in time.
I'm still working on my self sabotage.
At the moment I have a dedicated small of group of 2 women who have committed to coming every month. the most I have had has been 7. The last 6 months I haven't done much publicity or advertising. I am still working a lot of it out. Seeing what works and what can be improved.
I would have given it up if it wasn't for Consuela, she has now brought Jasmine. C told me that it has helped her sort stuff for herself quicker than her practise of Nichiren Buddhism or her 12 step programs but it is an addition to both something that highlights and reflects/mirrors the communal truths and/or creates a bridge between them.
The dates of the journeys vary from month to month. Every day is a special day! We decided on a Sunday afternoon as the best time. I have held them on Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat and Sun nights, Sat afternoon and Sun afternoon. There are usually a lot of gatherings on a Sunday so having 2 faithfuls is pretty good I think for only the second year. Mind you it could take me a while at this rate to build up a goodly following.
This one was on the day before full moon. It was the day of Hathor and Isis (according to one my daily Goddess correspondences!) and the beginning of the Gregorian year 2015.
The focus was on the elements with an emphasis on air and a de emphasis on fire. The meditation took us through air, water, earth and then around the body to bring conscious self healing into play.
We made cheese pasties to honour the cow Goddess and crafted a message for ourselves and of course we feasted. Today I made red soup, left over sauces, most of a jar of paprika spread from the Turkish shop and of course an onion to get it all going! - Should probably put them in the recipes!
The food/feast at the end of the work is possibly the most favourite time of the participants. Without underestimating the benefit of the journeying in itself. I learn so much from each of the participants about myself and slowly to begin to trust and listen to 'the gift'.

Journeying explanation

Journeying is a structured form of meditation the idea is to enable the 'traveller' to reach a deep level of relaxation. There is a goal or destination with a theme connected to the time of the year. It is believed that in deep relaxation, it is possible to re or de program ourselves away from negative traits, habits, thoughts etc towards healing*1 physical and emotional issues.

In a state of deep relaxation the body will employ it's homeostatic*2 nature to address the physical and psychological areas which are imbalanced. The return of balance is healing

Many experience problems sleeping. Most of us at one time or another have either not been able to sleep or slept badly because we 'can't turn our head off'. During the journeying a 'program' is created that can be utilised at any other point in our daily lives to bring about a feeling of relaxation which in turn reduces stress and tension



*1 Healing (literally meaning to make whole) is the process of the restoration of health from imbalance, disease or damage to the resumption of normal functioning. Behavioural, physical, cognitive or perceptual issues are resolved to the degree that one is able to lead a normal or fulfilling existence without being overwhelmed by physical or psychopathological phenomena. This process increasingly involves traditional/spiritual approaches.  Wikipedia.

*2 Homeostasis the tendency of a system, especially the physiological system of higher animals, to maintain internal stability, owing to the coordinated response of its parts to any situation or stimulus that would tend to disturb its normal condition or function.
2. Psychology  a state of psychological equilibrium obtained when tension or a drive has been reduced or eliminated.
dictionary.com