Still No Internet, here's my next Wisdom Card-Maintain the Balance

In this next card, I reveal the inspiration behind Maintain The Balance.  I hope you find something that resonates with you.  Much love, Jules xxx

Maintain The Balance:

  

Maintain the balance in your current situation. Incorporate healing practices into your life that help you come back to centre.

Background to the card:

Inspired by my Australian friend Gaille, with very strong and ancient Scottish roots she was propelled forward to leave her native Australia and begin her life in Scotland. It didn’t happen swiftly, there was great change and upheaval, but her soul yearned for her Scottish Land and soon enough, she found her self immersed in the heart of North East Scotland, in the grounds of an old Castle.  Gaille’s profession as a forensic anthropologist sees her traveling all over the world to scenes of devastation.  In such an emotionally draining job, she maintains a calm and centred presence.  One minute she’s in the midst of carnage, the next she’ll be still in meditation.  It isn’t an easy practice for her to manage, but it is a necessity. 

The meaning behind the card:

If this card has fallen into your card reading, it is asking you to maintain the balance in your current situation.  The message that you hear may be different every time this card appears.  At times, it may nudge you to incorporate balancing practices in your life.  If your job is hectic and fraught, how can you balance this with something that brings you back to centre?  Maybe, Meditation, Music, Dance, Performance, Art, DIY, Sport?

The importance is for you is to maintain a balance and become realigned.  Perhaps you’re feeling a pull to a different way of life, the wisdom behind the card prompts you to explore the options and find small ways to move closer.  This is not about jumping and leaping, it’s relating to equilibrium and integrating a practice that allows you to re-calibrate. 

How to use this card:

Use this powerful image in quiet meditation or some solitary time will be very balancing for you.  Her eyes hold your gaze and by looking in them you can begin to feel a sense of balance.  It is almost like gazing at a mirror where she invites you to quieten your mind, breathing consciously and notice what you find in the image.  There is nothing to distract you except her beckoning, balancing eyes. 

Note down how you’re feeling in reading this wisdom.  Do you feel a pull to trace your past, or explore an ancient family town, city or area?  Do you feel a tug to incorporate or learn meditation? What is calling you?  How will you respond to this call?

Look into the eyes of this Celtic Goddess and feel your body respond.  There are swirls of energy underneath the canvas, whirls of movement, yet they’re balanced and symmetrical.  The metallic blue of the background is the blue that responds to your throat chakra, the centre of communication.  Remain centred and balanced, express your thoughts to yourself in your writing.  

* * * * *

I'm creating a set of 44 Wisdom Cards and Book -  each card will be inspired by someone who has meant something to me, someone who has inspired me or taught me something.  They could be people I know, or people I don't know, living or passed over. They may be people I have seen from afar.  They may also be animals and elements from the planet around me.  They may also be from dreamtime and with symbolism that I can’t recognise.  What I know for sure is, it will all unfold.  If you'd like to read more about this project, click here

Jules xxx

PS Text may change in final copy.

All photographs and text copyright of Jules Dolly/Julia Dolowicz 2012

Respond to Dreamtime - another Jules Dolly Wisdom Card

I am revealing another Wisdom Card.  I am so enjoying doing these; the paintings and the inspiration that comes with creating these pieces of art, but moreso I'm delighting in the wisdom and messages that are coming through.  This has been quite a unique experience for me.  I am finally allowing the messages to come through and honour the healer within me.  

I grew up in quite a traditional/religious environment, which was fine for me, to a point. Growing up, I was always questioning my own spirituality and my connection to the Divine. Asking question after question about why we did this and why we did that.  My appetite for some connection was insatiable.    I never fully engaged with the observance of my religion but I did very much so engage with the spirituality of life and the universe.  

I feel more connected than ever to the Divine. 

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Respond to Dreamtime

Listen to the whispers in Dreamtime and respond to them.  Become aware of the messages you’re receiving and notice subtle reactions.

Background to the card:

John Lennon is the inspiration for the wisdom of this card.  He appeared to me in a dream about 22 years ago.  I was very ill at the time with M.E/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and dreamtime provided me with very many messages.  I took note of the messages and kept them close to me.  This message remains with me to this very day.

He appeared in the garden at my childhood home, materialising on a magic carpet, transforming before my eyes from baby to man.  I just knew it was him; he had this glow about him and of course, his guitar. The flowers in our garden were abundant and the door he walked through shone with bright yellow light.

There was a gathering in the garden; a party of sorts and John came right up to me and looked me straight in the eye.

“Do you believe there’s a universal force out there?”

“Yes, I do,” I replied.

“Do you believe you will get better?

“Yes, I do,” I nodded once again.

With that he took hold of me and gave me the most incredible hug and squeeze.  I felt elated and knew, right there and then, that I was going to get better and that I would heal myself.  

John came to launch the healing process with a little bit of pizzazz.

The meaning behind the card:

If this card drops into your reading today, let John Lennon be the inspiration for this card.  It reminds you to listen to the whispers in Dreamtime and respond to them.  We all have to take responsibility for our own self and move forward in the very best direction we possibly can.  In a direction that makes us feel ‘whole’, ‘healed’, ‘well’ and ‘healthy.  Whatever it is for you right at this very moment, the card is guiding you to remember that you can read the messages from Dreamtime and notice your subtle reactions to them. 

Have you dreamt of something recently that you’re still holding? If so, can you work out the meaning? Is there a message coming through your unconscious mind, a spiritual guide that you keep pushing away?

For me, this dream had quite an impact.  It was extremely vivid and bright; full of sharp colours and the squeeze that I felt, carried me through my healing process.  I was a Beatle fan but not necessarily a John Lennon fan but this sparked my interest to know much more about the man, his beliefs, his ethics and passions.  If someone has appeared to you in a dream, maybe you are being guided to find out more about them. If it's a symbol, an animal, or maybe a person you don't know, then research the hidden meanings.

How to use this card:

This card asks you to record your dreams but more so, to respond to them.  Look back at your Dreamtime notes and see if there’s wisdom peeping through.  What do you need to know?  Write out anything that is remembered first thing in the morning, upon waking.  Do this for a month and go back, review your words and respond to the messages.  If you need to find out more information, do so.

* * * * *

I'm creating a set of 44 Wisdom Cards and Book - each card will be inspired by someone who has meant something to me, someone who has inspired me or taught me something.  They could be people I know, or people I don't know, living or passed over. They may be people I have seen from afar.  They may also be animals and elements from the planet around me.  They may also be from dreamtime and with symbolism that I can’t recognise.  What I know for sure is, it will all unfold.  If you'd like to read more about this project, click here or if you’d like to see some of my other Wisdom Cards, click here

Much Love

Jules xxx

PS Text may change in final copy.

All photographs and text copyright of Jules Dolly/Julia Dolowicz 2012

Revealing My First Wisdom Card Message - "By Your Side, Always"

By Your Side, Always

Close friendships are always there in the background.  Cherish friends and reconnect with the one who comes to mind.

Background to the card:

This card and image was inspired by a long time friend of mine.  We lived near each other and from a young age, we would spend hours riding our bikes, building tents in the garden and singing with gusto.  As we got older, we formed a duo and performed at concerts around our community.  Me on guitar and her on banjo.

When she moved to another country, she wrote me a wonderful letter which I still hold close to me nearly 20 years later.  In this letter she told me how she truly felt about our friendship. Writing from the heart, she wrote "I am incredibly lucky to have you as a friend.  You always look forwards and never backwards and tackle new things and I know you can do whatever you set your mind to in your life. It just takes time, so, practice.  You've got what it takes, so never doubt your own abilities."

The meaning of this card:

If you have picked this card today, here is a reminder to connect with friends who are perhaps not in your daily life right now.  It's time to show them how you feel about your relationship.  This card can also mean that today you need to be your very own 'Best Friend' as you have been neglecting yourself for a while.

If you have found that you have lost touch with close friends, perhaps one in particular, then you have chosen this card as a nudge to write them a letter, send them a card through the post and give them the joy of receiving your cherished words.

If you're feeling let down by friendships then this card reminds you to write your own letter to yourself and post it.  It also acts as a prompt to perhaps nurture some new friendships.

The wisdom is that there is someone By Your side, Always.  Find out more about who that may be.

The letter I have from my childhood friend is photocopied and incorporated into this painting.  The very essence of this message and the energy of the closeness we shared can hopefully be felt, by you, in this wisdom card.

How to use the card:

You can use the card in relaxation, by focusing on the image.  Hold it close in meditation.  Lay it out on your bedside table, desk, or mantelpiece as a reminder and write about how you felt in receiving this card in a reading.  Write about what resonated with you in your Journal.

Know that the words of my friend and the wisdom of this message are now connecting to you too.

* * *

If you'd like to read more about my 44 Wisdom Card Project, then click here

Much Love and Thanks for Reading!
Jules xx

Extra Note: the text may change in the final edit of my wisdom cards.

Painting in the Sunshine

I find if I am to paint then there's nothing quite having a block of time to spend, lost in colour.  I tend to have more than one painting on the go - sometimes I'll be finishing off one and I'll need to add some detail, perhaps another layer, then move on.  

This is how I spent my afternoon.  Today Will spent pretty much all day on the allotment and I de-camped and set up a table outside in the garden.  The sun was just gorgeous.  As a Leo, I love it.  So I took my little table, shlepped it outside, and then whatever paints I had at home.  I still have my studio over at my parents, tho' I find that I need to be more home based these days with work, clients etc... so I have to double up on art space.

I have been working on a commission and also finishing off my paintings so that I can make prints, and create some stock for my soon to be launched etsy shop.  Started making a design for my wedding invitation, which I thought would be a lovely Julesie thing to do.......More about this another time! 

I enjoyed being outside, catching the sun and deep in thought as I played with paint, colour, layers.   I have been reading my Kelly Rae Roberts book again which I just love and spent some time earlier going through her blog post timeline and how she started her art journey and where she is to this day.  It's inspiring and I must remember that it's possible for me too.  I'm doing quite alot of soul searching these past weeks about different aspects of my life.  Focusing on much journal writing, drawing and sketching, plus looking at how I can support my book coming out on 29th April.  Got to get my head round this and put some energy there in recording video.  Yikes!  

There's nothing quite like SunDrying!

My Muse and Painting Protector

Anyway I have found a great way to store my paints which was suggested by Melody Ross over at Brave Girls ... ingenious! I'll post that soon.

Happy Sundays 

and Mondays 

xxJulesxx

  

Have you ever been to therapy?

at Dream

I suppose you could say that I'm a portfolio worker.  What this means is, my time is split between various jobs that I do.  Part of the week I'm employed and then all the rest of the time I'm self employed as a artist, writer and creative coach. I don't necessarily call them 'jobs' but they're all projects.  I have been pondering on the word 'do' for a few weeks now since I started Beth Nicholls ecourse 'do what you love' which is hitting out some very tough questions.  The very first week we were asked not What do you want to do in your life?  But, how do you want to feel in your life?  Have you ever thought of this?

So, in my employed time, I work as a careers coach in an independent school in Liverpool and I also work in a health food shop, just me, on my ownsome, advising customers about vitamin and mineral supplements etc... and the other day I  am flicking through the March edition of "Your Healthy Living" magazine, and start reading an interview with Cindy Crawford.  We all know who she is right?  The interviewer asked her "have you ever been to therapy?"  I think that's a tad nosey but ok, I'm reading it, so this is how Cindy replies:   

"It's funny because I go to the homeopathic doctor and he's a great friend of mine, I walk in and he says, how happy are you on a scale from 1 to 10 and I say to him; Jim, my goal in life is not to be happy.  I don't need to be happy all the time, I need to feel.  First of all, you can't be happy all the time.  So if that's your goal, you're going to fail.  I just want to be present in whatever it is.  Even if it's the bad stuff.  I'm not afraid of rolling up my sleeves and talking..... I want to engage with whatever it is, good or bad.  I don't measure success by happiness or by things, I measure it by whether I was there"

Thump.  I felt hit by this very short paragraph.  I have read these words so many times over the last 20 odd years, in various forms.  But for some reason, on this day, this really made me go.  'Yes.  You're right Cindy.'  (believe me, I never thought I would be writing about Cindy C).  This article has been playing on my mind which is why I'm writing about it here. 

I had realised that pretty much all the time, I do have very high expectations of myself.   

I strive to be happy, to live a peaceful life, in a certain way and sometimes, it just doesn't happen that way.   If we could buy a measuring tool for happiness - I'm sure I'd find that what is being happy for one is not necessarily being happy for another.  If I'm not feeling whatever it is I need to feel, then I just surrender to it and say to myself 'It is, what it is'.

I thought I'd have lots of children by now and I don't have any.  Does that make me unhappy?  It does, Yes.  And yet, I'm working with this one and coming to terms with it.  I'm feeling it.  I can't measure my life against it.  I don't want to measure it against my happiness.  Does that makes sense?  Does it?

Who would have thought that a simple paragraph in a freebie health magazine would have sparked these thoughts.  It just goes to show that the written word is still incredibly powerful. 

Hope this makes sense.

Phew, you made it to the end.

Love

Jules xxx