Filling the Well....



Filling the well is a term Julia Cameron uses in her book, The Artist's Way. The well is your pool of creativity, your dreams, ideas, inspirations, images and so forth. As your creative juices flow with tasks, projects, ideas you deep into that well or pool and start emptying it out. One must refill this pool otherwise you will be empty. I have been feeling like that lately with all the blogging activity I have been engaged in since I committed to the Ultimate Bog Challenge- 30 blogs in 30 days. I also find myself working on empty when my day job ramps up gets busy beyond belief and I need to come home and work on Ritual Waters - my real creative passion. So here I am in front on the computer and wondering what to write as I feel I am on empty and the bottom of the well is feeling abit crusty and damp instead of overflowing with cool water.

So one thing I did tonight to help settle my "monkey mind" that keeps interrupting me was to take a nice long hot bath with just a candle for company. This seemed to help me slow down somewhat and settle. Another thing I could have added about 10 drops of Lavender or Chamomile to the water which I thought about now instead of when I was in the water.  LOL

I also need to take the time to start writing morning pages again and dumping all the stuff on the page so I can get down to the good stuff. Like clearing out the mud and silt so what water there is will clear up.

One last thing I need to do for myself is to go on an artist's date and do something fun for myself- been way too serious lately. I need a play date with myself.  Maybe go to a nursery and get some flowers or herbs for the flower beds and be outside in the sun to plant them! That sounds like a great weekend project!

What do you do to fill your well to be creative ?

Bathing Rituals- Kumbh Festival

I wanted to share this video as it pictures how  people in India use the symbol of water and bathing as part of their religious beliefs. The Kumbh Mela is a major festival of the Hindus where many make a pilgrimage for the purpose of bathing in the Ganges River as a way to cleanse away all their sins. This act is seen as a way to break the cycle of reincarnation and attain enlightenment for those with firm belief in this ritual. Many millions make this journey and endure hardships from travelling great distances. The images of joy and feelings of spirit being expressed are moving to watch.

This belief in the power of water and bathing to cleanse the spirit is also seen in the Christian faith in the Baptism of young children and adults. Ritual bathing and cleansing whether it is the washing of hands or full immersion has touched all religions throughout the world.

Bathing and water and creating a space for washing away the worries of your day so you relax and be at peace is something we can do in our homes and in out Ritual Spaces. This is where we can create a sanctuary of peace in our very busy lives and renew our spirits.

Roman Baths in Bath, UK

In May,2009 I was able to take a trip to England, got my first passport and was a real tourist. I visited the town of Bath since bathing is one of my favorite things. Could you imagine bathing in a place like this - it was called The Great Bath.
We had a tour guide who was dressed as a Roman Legionaire and walked us through all the various rooms. There were rooms that were set aside for different temperatures- for tepid water tepidarium, another one for warmer water caldarium, one for hot water aconicum and lastly a cold pool frigidarium. There were dressing rooms, rooms for exercise, massage and classrooms. What an amazing experience!

"The way in which a civilization integrates bathing into its daily life, as well as the type of bathing it prefers, yields an insight into the inner nature of that period..." Fikret Yegul Baths & Bathing in Classical Antiquity

I would also want to add, yields an insight into the inner nature of the soul of that period. Greek and Roman times promoted baths and bathing as a way to general good health and to relieve ailments such as rheumatism and digestive disorders.We all know that a good soak in the tub with epsom salts helps tired and sore muscles and rejuvenates the body and calms the spirit.

In this time of jumping into the shower and then jumping out and rushing to get dressed and out the door we have lost that ritual of the bath. I feel we have also lost that time to connect with ourselves also. We don't need an elaborate building to create this space but we can close the bathroom door, run some water, light a candle and play some music and enjoy our time to reinvent for our selves a ritual for the bath. So what is holding you back?

Join the bath challenge!

I saw this picture on Pin-Interest and had to share it. I have always dreamed of having a clawfoot tub in my bathroom and hopefully one day that will happen or a garden tub. But a tub big enough to spread out and relax and not have my knees under my chin so much.  :o) So I am dreaming of this tub !  But I do have lots of candles and music and take that time when people are out of the house to grab the tub while all is quiet for some very important me time!
What sorts of baths do you have and what is your bathtime like?
I would love to have some feedback and hear what you all have to say with a picture of your bath and one that you love.  I am getting excited about this.
How about a challenge for the best bath story and we can start it next Monday 1/23 and end it 2/6. The winner will receive a jar of Lavender Bath Soaking Salts and a bar of Lavender Soap. Are you game ?

Creating Sacred Space

Start by running your bath water and putting on some meditative music. Light some candles, focusing on creating a sacred space for your bath. Sacred in that you are holding a space for you to celebrate your Self. Next place a totem next to your candles- a shell, stone, picture or whatever item means peace to you and your heart.
Pour some bath salts or bath oils into the filled tub and swirl the water with your hand to disperse. Settle yourself into the fragrant water- close your eyes & calm your thoughts. Slowly take three cleansing breathes inhaling through your nose deeply & exhaling out through your mouth and relax....

Be aware of your breathing in & out and relax. Smell the fragrance of the water and relax...

Wet your soap & inhale its fragrance and let your mind drift over things that have been crowding your thoughts- things that you want to let go of. Imagine that as you soap up your cloth that you are gathering the energies together to rid yourself of these negative thoughs. As you wash your body,know you are cleansing your body of all negativity and are purifying it. Relax in this new space you have created.

When you are ready, release the drain to let the water out, know that your cares and worries are also being released and carried away leaving you refreshed and renewed.