| Soul Singing with Anne Marie |
Hi! I'm Anne Marie, the creator of KaleidoSoul.com, and a SoulCollage® facilitator in Massachusetts. If you're just starting to sing your song with SoulCollage®, this column is especially for you.
Riley My Inner Rebel
 Meet Riley, my Inner Rebel. I made this card years ago and it started out as a way to honor my Inner Rebellious Child. However after working with it a while, I noticed that there are also rebellious
adults on the card, as well as male and female images, even a teenager! So now I call this Neter Riley the Rebel as she/he represents my inner need to talk back, go against the flow, stand up for myself.
In my own childhood and adolescence, this energy was alive, but just barely, flowing mostly undetected beneath the surface while my Inner Good Girl/Pleaser Child had center stage. Even into adulthood I maintained the status quo and met expectations by securing a good teaching position and becoming a responsible citizen in that community.
The biggest influence Riley had on me was in my late twenties when I became involved (and later embroiled) in a passionate relationship with an alcoholic that lasted several years. Many parts of my inner world (and outer world as well) were not happy about this because they knew that this was a choice that would bring me chaos and pain in the long run, but Riley the Rebel simply Did. Not. Care.
Flash forward many years. Today I am aware of Riley’s rebellious energy in an entirely different way.
For the last few years I’ve been working intently on letting go of my need to companion myself with food. I’ve been eating healthier and taking care of my body by eating less and walking (a lot) more. Weight that has been stubbornly clinging to me has shifted and been released.
But there are days when I find myself reaching for the bag of chips, the box of cookies, the brick of cheese, and eating mindlessly. Those are the times when I hear Riley the Rebel most clearly. “No, I won’t eat that salad. You can’t make me put down this piece of chocolate cake. I’ll eat whatever I want to, damn it.”
This, for me, is Riley’s rebelliousness out of balance. Too much of this rebellious nature and Riley becomes out of control. In turn,
I become out of control if I buy into her old, old stories.
When Riley the Rebel is in balance, she uses her rebellious nature for good, as in speaking out against an injustice, or in a way that protects me from something that she perceives as hurtful to me. “No, I won’t stand for this way that you are treating me. I will take a stand against cruelty to animals.” And so on.
But when she swerves out of control, in my own life, it’s usually in relation to food. And I have learned, when I hear her “No I won’t; you can’t make me…” voice, I am alerted that something is out of balance in my inner world. I have learned that when this happens, my job is to pay attention to the distinct energy of rebellion when it arises. Paying attention is key because it allows me to notice what’s going on inside of me. Then I make time to sit down with Riley the Rebel and take her into my thoughts. I show her I care by asking, “What’s going on? What are you afraid of? What do you need from me?” Sometimes I do this in my journal; sometimes I do it in the quiet of my imagination.
Pretty much every time I do this, I discover that the little girl in me is needing more attention from me. She might ask me to stop working so much and take a break; she might need me to spend more time at the art table, more time writing fiction, or she might simply need a long walk by the ocean, or even a nap. The bottom line is that when Riley the Rebel acts up in my inner world by eating too much, it’s because my inner child is not getting enough “quality time” with me, her inner mama.
As you’ll notice in the column on the right where readers share their SoulCollage® cards, rebel energy can show up in many places in our decks. You might consider creating a card for your own Inner Rebel. If Rebel energy has played a role in your life over many years, you might choose to create a Council archetypal card for Rebel. Perhaps there is a rebellious person whom you admire- a performer or artist, or even someone in your family or circle of friends. If so, honor them in your Community suit. And finally, is there an Animal Companion who helps you access this Rebel energy for the good? Making a card for him or her might help you tap into many gifts.
Remember, like all of our Neters, any Rebel energy has a positive intent (light) and a negative potential (shadowed). It’s up to us to pay attention and bring our shadowed Rebels back into balance.
Anne Marie Bennett is a writer, self-taught artist,
website goddess, cancer survivor, and SoulCollage® Facilitator /
Trainer who was mentored directly by Seena Frost. In 2005, she fell
in love with SoulCollage® and was inspired to use her professional
experience along with Internet technology as a means to serve the
world by putting SoulCollage® "out there" in a really big way with
KaleidoSoul. Anne Marie
lives in eastern Massachusetts with her middle-aged husband, an
elderly dog and two adolescent felines who keep them all young. You
can read more about how SoulCollage® assisted her on her cancer
journey on her website SOS Cancer
Journeys. Anne Marie's newest book, Through the Eyes of SoulCollage® is now available.
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| OUR NEXT TELE-CLASS |
60 minute SoulCollage®
tele-class with
SoulCollage® Facilitator
Dot Everhart in Pennsylvania
Sunday, October 16, 2016
5 pm Eastern
Make a fist.
Better yet, clench both hands into one big fist. Now, without
opening any fingers from that tight ball of both hands, try to pick
something up-- or go to the faucet and turn on the cold water and
see how helpful this balled up fist is when you want to use your
hands as a cup to receive some delicious fresh water to fill your
thirst.
In order to receive, we need to have metaphorical open hands. In
order to welcome something new into our lives, we need to make
space for it-- often by letting something else go-- by releasing
something back to the Universe.
Take a look at all of your cards. Do you have one that celebrates
the gentle act of letting go? Do you have one that represents
something that is no longer helpful or useful in your life? Is
there a Neter that shows what you would love to welcome into your
life? Please bring all of these cards (or images) to the call along
with your journal and a pen or pencil. We will explore the art of
letting go in order to receive something new.
My card (above) celebrates abundance: I Am One Whose hands are
so full, I cannot hold more. I Am One Who must let go of something
I am holding on to if I am going to be ready to receive something
else, something new.
Dot Everhart, M.Div, MSW currently works part-time as a
hospice chaplain. She is a SoulCollage® Facilitator who has been
making and using her cards since 2005.
Easily Accessible from Anywhere in the World!
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| Guest
Columnist: Catherine Anderson |
 My name is Catherine Anderson and I'm a SoulCollage®
Facilitator and Trainer from Charlotte, NC. I am delighted to be
adding my voice to Soul Songs and hope that my words inspire you to
look more deeply into your deck of SoulCollage® cards.
Inner Rebel as
Protector of the Fire
I've always had a strong "dutiful good girl" Neter, and have come to see the Inner Rebel Neter as protecting me from being too dutiful and compliant. My Inner Rebel is one of my protectors, one who protects my inner fire and encourages me to say no to those things that others want me to do but which drain rather than sustain my energy.
It has taken me a long time to allow my Inner Rebel to have a voice. I grew up in a house where I was told to listen to and respect my elders, and I dutifully did this for fear of causing upset in the house. However, over the years I've realized that my Inner Rebel is an ally who can help me make sure that I am following my path. Because my dutiful “good girl” side was so developed I needed part of me to be able to stand up for the choices that allowed me to become more fully myself. I needed a strong and forceful part to support me as I practiced standing up for myself.
 I am grateful to my Inner Rebel for reminding me to follow my own path. This path is often on dirt paths, rather than paved roads, and the strength of my Inner Rebel allows me to have the courage to follow these unmarked pathways.
My Inner Rebel doesn't care what others think. She often says "So what!" And she is very direct (this comes from years of being ignored when she tried to speak more gently). She is prepared to stand up for what she believes in, even if others don't like her for it.
When I look at my Inner Rebel card (above), I am always reminded of a girl who had the reputation for being "the naughtiest girl in the school" at my all-girls, very proper and elite school. She also had red hair. I am reminded of her because of all those who were at school with me I think she has lived a life which has had the most positive impact on others, as she went on to lead an AIDS support organization in the rural area of South Africa at a time when that was not a comfortable thing to do. I admire the original path she has forged and I know that to do something that is original requires our Inner Rebel to step forward and take charge.
As I get older I hope that my "Rebel Rosie" grows stronger and more assertive in my life to make sure that I remember to create
my own unique path in life, rather than follow in the path of others.
Catherine Anderson is author of
The Creative Photographer,
Collage Imagery,
Journaling the Labyrinth Path and is a SoulCollage® Facilitator
Trainer. Catherine leads creative pilgrimages to Italy,
France and Ireland and is a teacher in the 2015 Spectrum Holistic Creativity series. Catherine's website is catherineandersonstudio.com.
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JOIN MEMBERSHIP - WIN A BLESSING
BUNDLE!
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Join the affordable and inspiring
Kindred Spirits Membership
anytime in October
and you'll have a chance to win one of
THREE (3) Blessing Bundles!
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| KaleidoSoul Creations |
As promised, we are featuring SoulCollage® cards from our readers in each issue.
Each card below is a card from one SoulCollager's Deck that
represents Rebel energy in their lives.
Interior Revolution
Committee Suit
Sue
Oregon
I Am One Who says, No. I reclaim my body and voice, and refuse to compromise my soul-felt values. I live on the raw edge of loneliness in living the life for which I was born. When I own my authority, my approval is what matters, not yours.
Temper Tantrum 2 Year Old
Committee Suit
Karen
Ontario, Canada
I am one who behaves internally as a temper tantrum two-year-old. I stamp my feet, yell and scream: “It's not my fault, I don't want this, I hate this, it's not fair, make it go away!” This internal chaos is ALWAYS triggered by "birth of a problem" or a perceived "tornado" destroying a precious part of my life -resulting in destruction -death -chaos.....and REBIRTH.
Rebellious One
Committee Suit
Helen
Idaho
I am the one who still runs from what is expected from me. I am the one who avoids situations by being rebelious. I am the one who expresses non-conforming by visiting my past and being a Rebelious Child. I am the one who seeks attention by rebellion.
Angelica Houston: Rebel
Community Suit
Deidre
California
I am the one who lives by my own rules, even if that means rebelling against the status quo. I look life squarely in the face, unafraid.
Little Big Mouth
Committee Suit
Michele
Arizona
I am one who said what needed to be said, loud and clear (even as a little tyke!).
Cool Cats
Community Suit
Natalie
Colorado
I am one who cool, feisty, smart and sassy. I am one who has lived a long time and knows the score. Mess with me and you're in trouble!
Rebel
Committee Suit
Veronica
New York
I am one sporting a power pose. I rock change when I'm connected to the elements of the Universe. My energy comes from bursting atoms, mineral laden earth, the flow of air and the roar of an ocean wave.
Rebel
Council Suit
Monique
The Netherlands
I am the one who wants to learn the world at unconventional ways. I am the one spreading my wings and letting myself go. I am enjoying my freedom. I am the one who doesn't hold back because of what people might think of me. I am unthinking and starting my journey to the unknown.
Please feel free to submit one of your cards for a future issue by sending a reply email to this newsletter.
Future themes include:
November: Animal Companions
December: Warrior
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KaleidoSoul Notes
Noteworthy resources for anyone interested in SoulCollage®
 Facilitator Trainings: Information about content and dates/locations of upcoming trainings of SoulCollage® Facilitators.
SoulCollage website - Seena Frost created the process of SoulCollage®, and this is her website.
KaleidoSoul - Spinning the fragments of your world into wholeness and beauty through SoulCollage®.
Kindred Spirits Join our fast-growing worldwide membership of people who put the "soul" in SoulCollage®!
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CONTACT US
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New Online SoulCollage® Series
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Connect to Your Vitality: Using
SoulCollage® to Thrive with Chronic Illness
November 13 - December 11, 2016
with SoulCollage® Facilitator Gail M. Syring
Are you living with chronic illness, or caring for someone who is?
Do you need a respite and reminder of the ways that you can experience the deep
vitality within you?
Would you welcome the chance to explore your own journey with chronic illness
with a compassionate community of people seeking the same?
Have you wanted the opportunity to explore the ways that SoulCollage® can
illuminate and deepen your experience?
If any of these questions resonate with you, this online workshop will speak to
the needs of your mind, body, and spirit. Come spend some time with others in
the tribe of souls experiencing chronic illness, and connect with the true
source of wellness within you.
There's lots
more info here.
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Upcoming SoulCollage® Retreats
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PORTUGAL
Facilitator Training
Hotel Baía, Cascais
October 20-23, 2016
Facilitator: Linda Woolfson, MA, PhD
Please email Linda for more info.
TEXAS
Dancing
with our Companions to the Rhythms
of SoulCollage® and Chakradance
Wimberley, Texas
February 24-26, 2017
Facilitator: Stephanie Warfield
Imagine a full weekend of dance, music, art, journaling, loving
community, and solitude in a tranquil Texas hill country setting.
This year's SoulCollage® retreat will focus on honoring the
Companions Suit with Tracy King, Chakradance™ Facilitator. Chakradance™, a movement practice for the soul, draws wisdom from
Jungian Psychology and a deep understanding of the chakra system.
It is safe for all body types and fitness levels. Dancing the seven
chakras is like dancing into seven different inner landscapes, each
with its own lessons, meanings and stories. It's a gentle
unfolding, an awakening of who you really are. From this deep
place, we will create our Companion cards for each of the seven
chakras.
Visit this page for more information.
WASHINGTON
Facilitator Training
Washington
October 13-16, 2016
Facilitator: Diane Jacobson Born
More info here.
Contact form for even more info.
ARIZONA
Facilitator Training
Prescott, Arizona
November 3-6, 2016
Facilitator: Kat Kirby
More info here.
MASSACHUSETTS
The Wholeness of SoulCollage®
Lenox, MA
November 27 – December 2, 2016
Facilitator: Anne Marie Bennett, Jeanne Marie Merkel
At this 5-night retreat, we’ll spend luxurious amounts of time making the cards, plus we’ll dive deeper into our own authentic selves as we work with the cards through journaling, sacred ceremony, modified movement, readings, and small group activities that are as fun as they are meaningful.
If you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next steps, SoulCollage® will bring you back home to yourself and give you permission to fully express yourself in a safe environment. If you’re already feeling balanced, this workshop will light up your life in a new, playful manner. Either way, you’ll receive an exciting new tool for opening more fully to your life’s possibilities.
Investment varies based on room choice (dormitory, double, or single). Your fee includes all card making materials, handouts, nutritious meals from the highly-acclaimed Kripalu kitchen, morning and afternoon yoga classes, YogaDance at noon, and evening activities (except for our Wednesday night group session).
We will gather daily from 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 1:45 - 3:45 p.m. as well as Wednesday evening
from 7:30 – 9 p.m. All other times are free time for you to enjoy the Kripalu grounds and other offerings (including the hot tub!).
For new AND experienced SoulCollagers. All materials provided.
Visit this page for more information now.
ITALY
La Dolce Vita- Goddess Retreat
Tuscany, Italy
September 24 - October 3, 2017
Facilitator: Cat Caracelo
Journey with a small circle of visionary, artistic and whole-hearted women, for 11 days in our own private villa near Florence! Enter into the mythic and living landscape of Italy, make art with SoulCollage® and mixed media as you explore La Dolce Vita. We will seek the wisdom of the Goddesses and explore mythic landscapes, sacred gardens, the dreamscapes of the Renaissance that influenced Il Sacro Bosco, and Niki St Phalle's magnificent Tarot Garden, as we make art and explore energies that will inspire the sweet life.
Visit this page for more information now.
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CONTACT US
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Soul Songs Back Issues - Read back issues of Soul Songs on this KaleidoSoul page.
Just look for whatever SoulCollage® topic you are interested in,
and read to your heart's content!
SoulCollage® is a trademarked process created by Seena B. Frost.
For more information about Seena and the origins of SoulCollage®, please visit her website
SoulCollage® cards are made either from one's own art or from images found in materials which have been bought by or given to the SoulCollage® card maker. These collaged cards are used only for the cardmaker's own inner exploration. SoulCollage® cards are not sold, traded, bartered, or copied (except as a back-up for the cardmakers own use) as is stated in the "Principles of SoulCollage®." Where SoulCollage® cards are available to be seen by others, it is for the purposes either of demonstrating the SoulCollage® process or of sharing the cardmakers' inner process in the context of community. SoulCollage® is grateful to the artists and photographers who make this deep awakening process possible and in all ways SoulCollage® seeks to be respectful of their rights.
All articles in SOUL SONGS are copyrighted 2016,
by Anne Marie Bennett and
Catherine Anderson, Cat Caracelo,
Karen Regina or Linda Woolfson.
Articles may be reprinted by permission only.
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Soul Songs
