Spring has Sprung

March 23, 2009 · by Christine

For see, the winter is past,
the rains are over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth,
the time of pruning the vines has come,
and the song of the dove is heard in our land.
The fig tree puts forth its figs,
and the vines, in bloom, give forth fragrance.
Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one,
and come!

-Song of Songs 2:11-13

 The following is excerpted from last spring’s zine
“What is Blossoming Within You“:

*~*~*~*

It is in the movement toward blossoming I discover a new joy, as the world begins its shift — the slow tilt of the earth back toward the sun, the days growing longer, the air getting warmer.  It is almost imperceptible at first, but gradually we can feel the quickening of the earth set in motion by the thawing ground.

These last several days as I move to complete this project I have seen clusters of crocuses thrusting themselves out from the ground into the brilliant sunlight.  The branches of cherry trees begin to hum, preparing to burst forth.  Small shoots are ready to press outward, anticipating their explosion into a pink spectacle of petals.

I believe deeply that the seasons have a great deal of spiritual wisdom to offer us if we make space to listen.  They teach us of the cycles and seasons of the earth and of our own lives.  We are invited into the movements of blossoming, fullness, letting go, and rest, over and over again.  Just like the lunar cycles of the moon’s waxing and waning, so too does the body of the earth call us into this healing rhythm.

As we enter the season of blossoming I invite you to tend the places of your life that still long for winter’s stillness as well as those places ready to burst forth into the world in a profusion of color. 

*~*~*~*

This spring I have another Reflective Art Journal to offer, also an invitation to tend those places of expansion and bursting forth within you.  Illuminating Mystery: Creativity as a Spiritual Practice will be back from the printer in just a couple of days and is filled with inspiration for the creative life as a sacred call and practice.

Themes in the Illuminating Mystery: Creativity as a Spiritual Practice: 

Visio Divina (Sacred Seeing)
God, the Original Artist
Creativity as Process & Journey
Spiritual Practice of Art-Making
Becoming an Artist of the Inner Life
An Artist’s Prayer

This brand new issue includes a variety of quotes and beautiful art from many of the wonderful artists in my Sacred Artist Interviews accompanied by some of my own reflections and questions for your  creative journey.  This issue (as all of my Reflective Art Journals) makes a wonderful companion for a time of retreat or for journaling and prayer and a perfect gift of inspiration for spring!

Cover Art for Illuminating Mystery is by Bette Norcross Wappner

Excerpt from Illuminating Mystery / Photo above is from Bill Hughlett at H3Images

Excerpt from Illuminating Mystery /Artwork above is from Leah Piken Kolidas at Blue Tree Art Gallery

Give a copy of “What is Blossoming Within You?” for Easter instead of a bouquet of flowers. 

Order copies of both spring zines to give away to friends and family in celebration of springtime.  Contact me for discounts on purchases of multiple copies (4 or more).

Two page spreads above from “What is Blossoming Within You“

(c) Christine Valters Paintner at Abbey of the Arts:
Transformative Living through Contemplative & Expressive Arts

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Posted in Cycles and Seasons, zine journal | 2 Comments »