The Healing Power of Gratitude

I have a confession to make. I  have turned into a raging maniac when driving. Blame it on the orange barrel hell my town has become for over a year now; blame it on rude drivers; blame it on my own spiritual deficiency – but no matter the source, it’s unpleasant and I want to be in peace even when driving under insane conditions.

So I began to consider the healing power of gratitude. With so much anger bubbling up on all fronts is it possible that gratitude could be the salve to heal our wounds?

Reflections On Light And Water, gouache on paper by Judith Shaw

It is hard to feel grateful while the ongoing destruction of our Earth’s systems creates more and more climate catastrophes. Yet these catastrophes remind us not to take Earth’s bounty for granted. After my sister lost power and water for almost a week from Hurricane Irma, I remembered what I usually forget and said a small prayer of thanks every time I turned on the water. The miracle of running water is something we all take for granted. I am grateful for the modern convenience of running water and the ease it provides to our lives. I am even more grateful for the waters of Earth, which arrive in many ways and provide life and well-being 

Read the rest of my thoughts on gratitude in my recent post on the Feminism and Religion blog.

UPDATE – the Celtic Goddess Oracle Cards
The decks and guidebooks are in production!
Expected date of arrival in my hands is the first week of December, 2107 (only a few days later than my projected date). That still gives plenty of time to give the deck as Christmas gifts. In the meantime you can pre-order through my website Judith Shaw Art.   There are still about 20 or so decks available from this first run.

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Winter Of Our Souls

We are in the winter of our souls.
A cold wind blows across the land.
A bleak sky pours down.
The land is strewn with the dead,
mowed down by hatred, bigotry, and ignorance.

The gates of the Underworld are open wide.
And we must walk through to get to the other side.

Wild Things, goauche on paper by Judith Shaw

It might be long.
It might be hard.
It might be cold.
But winter will surely give way to spring one day.

Life Awakens, oil on canvas by Judith Shaw

Memories of Peace

Somewhere deep within the DNA of each one of us lies the memory of a time of peace among humans, a time before the horrors of pride and glory spilled blood and blood on the earth.

Yellow Flower Mandala, oil on canvas, by Judith Shaw

The work of archeologist Marija Gimbutas revealed a time around 6000 – 4500 BC in southeastern Europe where people lived in harmony, with no weapons or warfare, where nature and life were revered.

What was once – what can be imaged – can be made reality once again.

 

 

On Mothers – For Mother’s Day

I am from my mother
from the swirling stars of the cosmos
through the long passage,
contacting and expanding
birthed of her body
nourished by her love.

I am mother.
You came to me
through blood and bones
to be suckled by me
and then slowly set free.

I am the Mama bear, ready to attack when you are threatened,
your pain harder to bear than my own.
I explode into a thousand stars when your star rises.
Your life always more precious than my own.

Mother Goddess your names are many – Isis, Rhea, Cybele, Danu……..
Your love flowers in our hearts.
Your strength gives us the courage
to birth, to grow, to die.

Night Turns To Day

As surely as night turns to day,
Suffering will turn to joy.

A Dark Night, gouache on paper, by Judith Shaw

A New Day, watercolor and ink on paper, by Judith Shaw

Seeking A Balance – Darkness and Light

“Deep in their roots, all flowers keep the light.” – Theodore Roethke

“Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”  – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Golden Bee Light, oil on canvas, 16X 20″

I began my latest post on the Feminism and Religion Blog with these two quotes.

King’s quote expresses how out of balance we were and still are.  Roethke expresses the truth the our world, when at it’s best, maintains a balance of the light and the dark.

In this post I explore my journey through darkness brought on by the recent increase in and acceptance of bigotry and hate to an attitude which embraces the light that shines in the darkness even more fiercely than before.  You can read it here. 

 

Love of Humanity – Love Drives Out Hate – Post 26

“The Beauty and Love of Humanity” by Simon Fredrick, 2011

I found this painting online while searching for images about the love of humanity.  I think it’s pretty compelling.  Hope it lifts your spirits too.