“pixelated ambience.” Collage, cut New Yorker Magazine paper, 9" x 12" — **“pixelated ambience.”**
Collage, cut *New Yorker* Magazine paper, 9" x 12"

TWENTY WEEKS! That’s FIVE LUNAR MONTHS of my self-imposed art challenge.

And a “challenge” it has been lately. Mostly just timewise. I still love the project, but I’m at a point where I might need to rethink my process.

This week’s New Yorker issue had been on my radar for a while, simply because I love the cover (by Luci Gutiérrez.) It had some articles I knew I would enjoy reading, so it became the chosen one.

“Shelf Life” by Luci Gutiérrez @lucigutierrezillustrationThe New Yorker , March 27, 2017 — “Shelf Life” by Luci Gutiérrez @lucigutierrezillustration
The New Yorker , March 27, 2017

Well, one thing after another kept encroaching on my reading time. I got behind on my routine, and on the night that I am usually writing and posting, I was still gluing.

I had to give myself some grace—and I didn’t even have to wrestle with Inner Critic Ursula.

URSULA: Too bad. I love a good wrestle.

ME: Behave.

URSULA: (pats mouth while fake yawning.)

As I was saying, I cut myself some slack. I didn’t get to read all that I intended, but I read enough to find a workable title for the collage. So now I have a second piece in my Pixelated Series (see week 7.)

This time I had the good sense to make the “pixels” bigger so it wouldn’t take me as long. Best-laid plans. I cut out enough squares to cover about half of the board before I realized I didn’t like the look of the color combo I was working with.

So I scrapped those squares, reassessed, turned to the cartoons, et voilà.

With so much shite happening in the world right now, I knew I wanted to bring a little whimsy into focus. And with all the Halloween decorations I’m seeing on my walks right now, I thought why not pay homage to the black cat.

I have shared life with two cats. Miss Mamie and Sister were the feline loves of my life. I grew up with dogs and consider myself both a dog and cat person. My favorite spiritual teacher says, if you want to learn about receiving unconditional love, get a dog. If you want to learn about giving unconditional love, get a cat.

Pretty much.

Symbolically, the cat has been associated for eons with particular goddesses. And over time, as the Goddess was suppressed and maligned, and women healers were burned as “witches,” the poor black cat became an unlucky superstition.

Did you know that black cats and dogs take longer to adopt than other pets? Just one more way culture equates “black” with “bad.” (Rolls eyes, smacks head. Again. And again. And again.)

Still, the Halloween season is my favorite. It allows for collective play. A bit of whimsy and mischief and sweetness. (We don’t have to mention how it’s also a sugar addict’s heaven and hell rolled into one.)

You may already know that Halloween is associated with the ancient high holy day of Samhain (pronounced “sow-win,” with “sow” rhyming with “cow.”) It’s one of the Earth holidays, like the solstices and equinoxes. Samhain is the Celtic new year. And they say the veil between the worlds is thinnest at this time.

I love the notion of the new year beginning as we head into winter—that the cycle of life begins with the dying season, a time of going within, before the return of the light at the winter solstice, and rebirth in the spring.

For me, Halloween is extra special because at midnight, it becomes my birthday. So it really is the start of my new year. But it doesn’t have to be your birthday, and you don’t have to be a witch, to claim it as a new beginning. I’ll take as many excuses to hit the refresh button as I can.

Speaking of, this project needs a refresh. Or at least my process does. If I am going to make it all the way through to thirteen lunar months (another goddessy/witchy remnant—we can talk about thirteen and lunar energy another time—) then I need to figure out how to make it happen without taking up so much of my time. I’ll let you know how that goes.

Meanwhile, I am looking to the feline for inspiration. I love how balanced they remain, no matter what. Even if they have a klutzy moment, they still land on their feet. They create their own rules. They don’t give a damn what other people think.

URSULA: Are you talking to me?

ME: Are you taking notes?

Cats love to find the highest spot for a wider perspective. They’re great at setting boundaries. They purr when they’re content; they purr when they need healing. They love in their own way.

And some cultures actually think the black cat is good luck.

So, as we approach the new year—and the upcoming US election—here is some good luck crossing your path. May we all find balance in this coming month. May we all look from our highest perspective. May we set healthy boundaries with others. May we learn more about giving unconditional love.

INNER CHEERLEADER JULES: And more purring, please!

ME: Love it.

Keep on purring, y’all. The world needs those healing vibes!