Garden Plum
Welcome to the gardenplum.com healing blog. Read here for thoughts and inspirations about the collective consciousness of the world as we grow and develop through these changing times. Spirituality, herbal healing, the law of attraction, prophecy, abundance and prosperity- delightful creations and thoughts gather here.Archive for Artwork
What Creeks, Streams and Rivers Do You Pass Along Your Way? Do You Notice Them Everyday?
The water can hear you.
Bring your voice! Pour
your heart into the river.
Say “Thank you. I love you.
I promise to care for you…
With purest intention,
may all water be BLESSED,
restoring it to life sustaining balance.
You are the river!
So many of us have beautiful river stories, but we forget them. Its time to remember everything about our water and to learn as much as we can to protect this essential life-giving element! What creeks, streams and rivers do you live near or pass along your way? Please begin to at least notice them everyday. Bless them with your attention, your awareness. These are the words of Debbie Berrow, the creator of these wonderful sculptures. This is her latest creation entitled River Keeper.
The Divine at Work, a Letter from Medicine Crow Woman
Below is a letter received today from Native American Elder Medicine Crow Woman that I wanted to share; an illustration of the magic of wondering, and the magic of the phrase “Who Knows?”:
THE MASK
Once upon a time, not so long ago, in a land not so far away, a magical mystery began to unfold. As an invited guest to the lovely home of wonderful Wendy, I decided to browse the website for her business, Garden Plum, before going to her gathering. In navigating the site, it was interesting to see the wide variety of merchandise she featured at her shop. When I opened the link for the page titled “Masks”, there was a fantastic photo display of masks this artist had created. I was immediately drawn to one sculpture in particular named “Crow Mask”. It is the face of a profoundly spiritual man with an image of a crow head embossed upon his forehead. Crow Medicine.
The connection I immediately felt to the spirit of this beautiful creation was more than a little unnerving. I thought the artist and I must surely have shared some form of spiritual connectedness for her sculpture to touch me so deeply at first sight. My sense of anticipation for the upcoming opportunity to touch that mask grew each day. The price shown for the mask made it something beyond what I typically invested for a personal indulgence, but I mused “who knows? Maybe it will be possible”.
The day of the gathering finally arrived, and I was so excited to meet with this loving group of people. I arrived at Wendy’s a little early with the secret anticipation of an opportunity to see and perhaps touch the mask. Imagine my disappointment when told the masks were not in inventory, but available to be ordered through Wen. When I went into her sweet little shop, I could understand that she certainly couldn’t carry everything shown on her site, and felt that the mask not being there was a sign for me to be grateful for having seen a picture of it. The impact was there. The awakening of some deep primal connection to the spirit of the crow was a gift many people never received.
Many years ago, since the time I was given my Spirit Name, Medicine Crow Woman, there have been innumerable events that have affirmed my Elders visions of my purpose here in this world, at this time. Creator gave them insights when they named me, insights being revealed to me in little, manageable segments. The spirit connection revealed to me at this time and through this mask has been profound.
The gathering at Wendy’s was, of course, a loving experience with these people who are connected through their light work, and by their sharing with others in their lives. I felt so very privileged to have been included in this Circle. My life’s purpose brings such magnificent rewards, and so many blessings.
Time went by, as it always does without our individual help, and we scheduled a Sacred Healing Circle to be held again at Wendy’s. I looked forward so much to this gathering with this group of light beings. The Sacred Circles are such an important part of my life, and help me to understand more about the connectedness we all have to each other and to all life in general. This particular Circle feels like a reward to me! It’s All about Love.
I arrived early, to set up for the Circle. In the moving about of the chairs, I was aware of a quilt-wrapped bundle next to one of the display cabinets, but it wasn’t anything I needed to move, so I just left it in its’ place. We gathered in the Circle and opened the Ceremony to Spirit. We passed the talking feather during the Ceremony with each participant sharing, and following the first round, I felt the calling to pass it again for a second round. Someone must have something else to share! Sometimes, when people come to their first Circle, they get more comfortable with speaking from the heart after they hear others share their heartfelt offerings. As the Circle Connector, it is important for me to follow my guides and remain open to the Spirit of the Circle.
When the feather was passed to Wendy, she became very animated and said “I almost forgot”! She got up and walked somewhere behind me, but I was not focused on her actions or whereabouts. I was still centered on the love in this Circle, and was totally surprised when she placed the quilt wrapped bundle on my lap. It was heavy! I couldn’t imagine what could possible be in it, or why she was giving it to me to hold.
I was shivering from the energy.
She told me to open it, and as I carefully unwrapped it, I was overcome with emotions and covered in goose-bumps. It contained the Mask! The Crow Mask! How could that be? She said it was for me! For me? Oh no, surely not, I thought. But she said, “Yes, for you”.
Wendy then explained that she had ordered it so I could see and touch it, but during the shipping, it had been broken into many pieces. She had contacted Mary Everson, the artist, and was given permission to reconstruct it as well as possible, and to gift it to me. Me, Medicine Crow Woman! Imagine such an act of love. Wendy and her husband, Steve, had stayed up well into the wee hours to put it back together! Absolutely overwhelming, this loving gift of all those involved. The Crow Spirit was profoundly present during the reconstruction of this shattered art creation. The Mask now has character lines unique unto itself. There will never be another just like this one, exactly like each of us as spirits in human form! I am so blessed to have been here at this time, and to be able to share these wondrous experiences with all those in Circles. This story and mask have been shared with many, many people who are always overwhelmed by the Spirit shared.
Blessings and thanks to Wendy, Steve, and of course to Mary Everson, the spiritually gifted artist who created this powerful image of Spirit in the form of Crow Mask. I am changed as a person, and have grown exponentially as a Spirit.
Thank you for your Love and Prayers. I am grateful. Ah hau!
Noreen (Medicine Crow Woman) Powers
Auntie Crow
BEFORE:
AFTER:
We welcome you to comment below on your impressions of before and after! The mask it certainly speaks either way!
50% Off Sale PLUS free Susan Seddon Boulet Print with Every Order!
Now through the end of March, we are having a spring cleaning inventory reduction sale! We are offering 50% off everything in the store, excluding sale items, consignment items, flower essences, soaps, bulk herbs and teas.
There is a lot to choose from: Stones, books, sage… stop in and see! We also have a large selection of sterling silver jewelry, clear quartz spheres, oracle cards, essential oils, greeting cards and more!
Also, with your order you may choose one Susan Seddon Boulet image from her prior year calendars while supplies last. Many beautiful selections including the one pictured here.
Please stop by and enjoy your savings! If you are not local and would like to take advantage of the sale, since it is for items in-stock only, please call for details and we can process your order over the phone!
NEED SOME IDEAS? HERE ARE SOME PICS:
We are located in Weare NH and are open Monday-Friday, 9-5. Here are google directions.
New Works by Kristine Antonia Hanson
I am impressed with each new work Kristine shares with us. Imagine creating this image using watercolor! Beautiful, colorful, and carries the gentle medicine of deer. Deer medicine, as depicted in Jamie Sam’s Medicine Cards, talks about the gentle energy of deer overpowering a terrible monster with just a simple look of love. Most people see gentleness or meekness as not powerful and strong. Its less obvious but when looked at closer its a trait closer to love isn’t it?
Here’s another one of Kristine’s new works. Poppies are satisfying to so many given their bright color and huge petal size. The bright red orange is so high on the natural color scale, it seems to fire the senses no matter what setting they are in. California Poppy, as a flower essence, is utilized for moral development untainted by outside influences. When used in tincture form, it serves as a powerful nervine that calms the frenzied soul.
A Sacred Moment: Making YOUR Own Medicine Drum
Please join me on Saturday, Sept. 26th here at Garden Plum Herbals for a most sacred event.
This Medicine Drum Building Workshops is an opportunity to build your own 15″ shaman drum, a sacred instrument, healing tool as well as beautiful piece of art. In indigenous cultures and shamanic teachings, creating your own tools imbues them with your personal power, your personal medicine. This is extremely powerful.
Participants have expressed their awe and wonder at the creation process. Others have become aware of their resistance, or aware of embedded feelings associated with the animal whose hide they are holding in their bare hands. Grounding, sacred, emotional for some, challenging creatively for others. None the less, each participant goes home with their own drum, perfect in it’s own way.
When finished, the drum can be used at drum circles, private healings, shamanic journeying, connecting with the earth and many other ways. People have used them in Inipi ceremony or sweat lodge, one man was simply drumming in a field and the cows in the adjoining pasture came over to listen. He felt the cows were connecting with their relatives as his drum was cow hide. For him it was a magical experience.
Painting the drum is an individual experience. Some people paint, some leave their drum plain. It is best left to the day of the workshop to feel into what the drum is saying as it is created, or what messages you are getting during the day. Some people come with a rigid plan of what they will paint. It is up to each person how they would like to proceed. A sacred, spiritual experience for those called to be present, with compassion, care and love.
WORKSHOP COST: $225. $50 deposit due upon registration.
Location: Garden Plum Herbals, 290 Quaker St. Weare NH 03281 Google Directions
** Jane will have horse or deer hide available. Drum is 15″ wide and made with a 10 ply maple hoop made here in NH.
About Jane King
Jane has been holding Medicine Drum Building Workshops in surrounding towns of New Hampshire for many years. Well known and cherished, she has established herself as one of the most integrous alternative healers with a generous heart and exceptional healing qualities. Her practice, called Energy Medicine & Hypnosis, is a complimentary alternative health care practice serving all sectors of the community through the use of hands on healing and hypnosis. Jane assists her clients in achieving positive life changes using professional holistic body work techniques including laying on of hands, gentle hypnotic suggestion and guided visualization imagery along with many other Brennan Healing Science skills.
All Is Well! Please Welcome New Artist Laura Koniver, MD
Today we are expecting an unusual 90+ day, the sun is shining, there is a nice breeze. What will the day bring? Will I go into it with fear, with exhaustion, with a positive outlook? By believing the dreary news? What am I expecting? When All is Well, we expect the best. And when we expect the best, that is what we receive.
Laura’s prints remind us All is Well… did you forget? It can be easy to forget living in a chaotic world environment. This wonderful brightly colored print helps to consciously invoke the positive. All IS well. Even the blessings in disguise. Say it to yourself every morning, every evening. This would be beautiful in a doctor’s office or in an entry way to a home where you can invoke positive energy.
A great feng shui print for your earth corner or your mentor corner!
Here is another fantastic blue moon creation of Laura’s, great for your feng shui water corner or for a moon altar.
Welcome Laura, and thank you for bringing your positive light to the garden plum gallery!
Kingfisher: Symbol of Peace, Abundance & Love
Here is one of Susan Seddon Boulet’s mystical paintings of the KingFisher, one of her cards in her deck Animal Spirits Knowledge Cards.
The kingfisher is named for both its dark crest, which suggests royalty, and its skill in hunting fish. Unlike other birds, the female of the species is more colorful than the male.
In Greek mythology, the bird is the reincarnation of Halcyone and her husband Ceyx. Halcyone threw herself into the sea after discovering the drowned body of Ceyx. Her devotion impressed the gods, who then transformed the couple into two kingfishers. In further tribute, the gods also made the seas calm and the weather fair for the seven days both preceding and following the shortest day of the year— the so-called halcyon days. The female bird’s colorful appearance is thought to reflect Halcyone’s unmatched love for her husband. The kingfisher is commonly associated with peace and the promise of good fortune. In the painting, Jupiter, the planet of abundance, appears as a reminder of that promise.
The other 48 cards in this deck as as breathtaking, click here to check out Swan.
I Have a Funny Story to Share
Man or Beast Alive MUST TOUCH THE NECKLACE!
Greetings! Here is a pic of me in the necklace that is involved with my story! Its such a funny story about these wonderful earth dwelling cherubs full of woman power!
I received this package of homemade sculptures from my friend Heiki from California. All of the sculptures were sitting out in a row. A member of the male species walked by once, twice, then NOPE – he is touching the boobies! He could not resist them! Can you blame him? LOOK at them!
I think the little spirals painted in them must have hypnotized him so he could not walk away. I laughed in delight.
Wearing this necklace (I’m wearing Moon Goddess in the photo which has sold..) made me feel like the Goddess Archetype in all of her curves!They just FEEL nice! They feel heavy and grounding, each handmade and has its own sacred symbols. Enjoy reading about them and their folklore, and please join me in welcoming Heiki and her Goddess Sculptures to the Gallery.
New Healing Originals by Michelle Johnson
Browse Michelle Johnson’s gifted original artworks (Just $25 per piece). I had to keep one of these beauties for myself as they speak directly to the ancient feminine. Her unique mixed media style on black paper is remarkable and I think she would agree, it is guided by Spirit. Be sure and check out Messages of Strength, another of my faves.
Thank you Michelle!
Please Welcome New Artist Michelle Johnson
I love the way Michelle captures the moon and female energy on the canvas. She experiments with lots of different media and shares the joy she finds in doing so along the way. She is a treasure to be cherished with her wit, wisdom and charm. If you visit her blog, you will see what I mean – She is NOT JUST a Housewife! She is hilarious and fun, and she tells it like it is. An opinionated Wise Woman of many accomplishments!
