The founder/originator of this process is Seena B Frost. You can go to her website to find more detail not covered in this blog at http://www.soulcollage.com.au
The beginnings of this powerful process began in the late 1980s when Frost was a participant in a program led by Jean Houston, one of the principal founders of the Human Potential Movement. At the time Frost, a practising psychotherapist, was exploring world myths and archetypal psychology, alongside a variety of spiritual paths. The card-making process evolved over time with the aid of many women in Frosts therapy groups. As they made their powerful, personal cards, shared them with each other and consulted them, the transforming possibilities of these images became apparent. Seena Frost wrote the book, SoulCollage: An Intuitive Collage Process for Individuals and Groups, to share the process with you.
Seena B. Frost, M. Div., M.A. studied theology at Yale Divinity School, married, raised four children, and then received a Master's degree in psychology from Santa Clara University. She is a California licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Special trainings with Jean Houston and Robin Van Doren inspired the combining of three of her life passions: spirituality, psychotherapy, and creativity. The SoulCollage process and book have issued from this magical mix.
The beginnings of this powerful process began in the late 1980s when Frost was a participant in a program led by Jean Houston, one of the principal founders of the Human Potential Movement. At the time Frost, a practising psychotherapist, was exploring world myths and archetypal psychology, alongside a variety of spiritual paths. The card-making process evolved over time with the aid of many women in Frosts therapy groups. As they made their powerful, personal cards, shared them with each other and consulted them, the transforming possibilities of these images became apparent. Seena Frost wrote the book, SoulCollage: An Intuitive Collage Process for Individuals and Groups, to share the process with you.
Seena B. Frost, M. Div., M.A. studied theology at Yale Divinity School, married, raised four children, and then received a Master's degree in psychology from Santa Clara University. She is a California licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Special trainings with Jean Houston and Robin Van Doren inspired the combining of three of her life passions: spirituality, psychotherapy, and creativity. The SoulCollage process and book have issued from this magical mix.
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| Photo Source www.soulcollage.com.au |
"SoulCollage is a system for creating a deck of cards which is a visual journal, your own living journal to which you can add over years. Your deck of SoulCollage cards will help you identify and image your diverse inner parts, the beautiful ones and shadowy ones, the easy-to-like ones, and the harder-to-like ones. You will also reflect on the external guides and allies in your life, visible and invisible, human and archetypal, and make cards for them.
A SoulCollage deck is the Story of You. It is a tangible way to know yourself in your diversity and depth, and also to show yourself to others. Showing your deck of SoulCollage cards to another person is a holy experience.
In like-spirited groups, you can share cards and work with them in many sacred ways. You can consult them intuitively and discover wisdom within yourself which will amaze you. Besides all this, creating them is just plain fun! You will love your deck -- a multi-card Mirror of your Self and your Soul -- whether it consists of three cards or a hundred... "
SoulCollage cards are the key to unlocking your inner wisdom. Using your imagination, personal symbols and your intuition you will create a unique deck of collaged cards that will help you resolve issues and move forwards.
SoulCollage is a simple and fun way to tap into your intuition. No artistic talent is needed as you collect, tear out and glue images that you're attracted to. These creative images will allow you to discover insights about yourself and can help you to make positive changes in your everyday life. SoulCollage helps you to connect with your intuition and start to live a life you love.
People have found SoulCollage a help, when they wanted to: lose weight, land a dream job, heal a broken heart, develop stronger relationships with family & friends, recover from grief, build confidence and find balance after illness.
SoulCollage helps you bypass logical reasoning and your defence mechanisms and discover what's holding you back. As you reconnect with your inner wisdom it will guide you towards making positive changes in your life. SoulCollage can also help when you have a big decision to make and don't know which path to choose.
There are 3 parts to the SoulCollage process:
Making your own beautiful, intuitive SoulCollage cards, getting to know yourself by connecting with your thoughts, dreams, fears and aspirations and using your SoulCollage cards to access your inner wisdom and help make decisions and changes in your life.
To making your own SoulCollage cards & connecting with them you will need to gather together your card-making materials. You actually need very little the basics include: Blank cards (usually 5 x 8) available for purchase from SoulCollage Store @ www.soulcollage.com.au or mat board which is a heavy form of cardboard, it is used when you buy a framed picture and there is a mat around the photo - it can be purchased in art stores, scissors, glue, gel medium can be purchased in an art store which works well as an adhesive as well as a glaze on top (whatever you use be sure if says Acid Free on the label to ensure the long life of your cards without discolouration etc), an abundant supply of magazines, books, greeting cards, calendars, photographs, scrapbooking paper designs, rubber stamps, catalogues, brochures, travel brochures and junk mail, a frame- helpful when using large images you can lay the frame over the picture in different areas to see exactly what will fit on the card (take a regular piece of paper or cardstock and draw a 5 x8" rectangle in the centre and cut it out now you have a frame), scalpel (craft knife), cutting mat and metal ruler (optional- but useful).
A SoulCollage deck is the Story of You. It is a tangible way to know yourself in your diversity and depth, and also to show yourself to others. Showing your deck of SoulCollage cards to another person is a holy experience.
In like-spirited groups, you can share cards and work with them in many sacred ways. You can consult them intuitively and discover wisdom within yourself which will amaze you. Besides all this, creating them is just plain fun! You will love your deck -- a multi-card Mirror of your Self and your Soul -- whether it consists of three cards or a hundred... "
SoulCollage cards are the key to unlocking your inner wisdom. Using your imagination, personal symbols and your intuition you will create a unique deck of collaged cards that will help you resolve issues and move forwards.
SoulCollage is a simple and fun way to tap into your intuition. No artistic talent is needed as you collect, tear out and glue images that you're attracted to. These creative images will allow you to discover insights about yourself and can help you to make positive changes in your everyday life. SoulCollage helps you to connect with your intuition and start to live a life you love.
People have found SoulCollage a help, when they wanted to: lose weight, land a dream job, heal a broken heart, develop stronger relationships with family & friends, recover from grief, build confidence and find balance after illness.
SoulCollage helps you bypass logical reasoning and your defence mechanisms and discover what's holding you back. As you reconnect with your inner wisdom it will guide you towards making positive changes in your life. SoulCollage can also help when you have a big decision to make and don't know which path to choose.
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| Photo Source www.soulcollage.com.au |
Making your own beautiful, intuitive SoulCollage cards, getting to know yourself by connecting with your thoughts, dreams, fears and aspirations and using your SoulCollage cards to access your inner wisdom and help make decisions and changes in your life.
To making your own SoulCollage cards & connecting with them you will need to gather together your card-making materials. You actually need very little the basics include: Blank cards (usually 5 x 8) available for purchase from SoulCollage Store @ www.soulcollage.com.au or mat board which is a heavy form of cardboard, it is used when you buy a framed picture and there is a mat around the photo - it can be purchased in art stores, scissors, glue, gel medium can be purchased in an art store which works well as an adhesive as well as a glaze on top (whatever you use be sure if says Acid Free on the label to ensure the long life of your cards without discolouration etc), an abundant supply of magazines, books, greeting cards, calendars, photographs, scrapbooking paper designs, rubber stamps, catalogues, brochures, travel brochures and junk mail, a frame- helpful when using large images you can lay the frame over the picture in different areas to see exactly what will fit on the card (take a regular piece of paper or cardstock and draw a 5 x8" rectangle in the centre and cut it out now you have a frame), scalpel (craft knife), cutting mat and metal ruler (optional- but useful).
To learn about how to make SoulCollage cards and the corresponding journaling exercises you can:
Purchase the SoulCollage book by Seena B Frost. Download the FREE e-book on How to Make SoulCollage Cards-And use them to tap into your inner wisdom or attend a workshop with a trained SoulCollage Facilitator again all information can be found at www.soulcollage.com.au.
Accessing your inner wisdom and decision making, after you have completed a number of cards you can do a SoulCollage reading which can help you to tap into your intuition and make decisions that are right for you. There is a button on the website www.soulcollage.com.au that will give you a four card reading, I was really surprised just how my reading was so accurate for me at this time.
Another website also giving detail on the Soul Collage Cards is http://www.kaleidosoul.com again following the principles developed by Seena Frost.
Accessing your inner wisdom and decision making, after you have completed a number of cards you can do a SoulCollage reading which can help you to tap into your intuition and make decisions that are right for you. There is a button on the website www.soulcollage.com.au that will give you a four card reading, I was really surprised just how my reading was so accurate for me at this time.
Another website also giving detail on the Soul Collage Cards is http://www.kaleidosoul.com again following the principles developed by Seena Frost.
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| Photo Source www.kaleidosoul.com I am one who loves to create art. |
They talk about what does creating SoulCollage® cards have to do with spiritual crafts? There are many spiritual crafts available in the world right now. You can make prayer flags, meditation candles, and many more things of a spiritual nature. Most of these other crafts have a one time use…. you make the object and then you are done. But SoulCollage® cards are different. You will be making and using your cards for as long as you’re alive! And once you make a card, you can add to it later if you choose to. These cards are always in process.
Two ways to make SoulCollage® Cards is intentionally - When you make a card intentionally, you are making it with a plan in mind. You are mostly using your left brain which is logical and rational and goes about things in an orderly, organized, step-by-step fashion.
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| Photo Source www.kaleidosoul.com A Community card for a good friend. |
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| Photo Source www.kaleidosoul.com A companion card for your Heart Chakra animal - Dolphin. |
This is not to say that every Community and Companion card you make will be made intentionally. These are just examples.
The second way is intuitively. When you make a card intuitively, you go through magazines and collect images that appeal to you first, with no plan in mind. You are mostly using your right brain which is intuitive and creative and often times operates in a meandering, spiral-like manner.
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| Photo Source www.kaleidosoul.com Committee Card I am the one who has a choice. |
You’re still not sure what the card is all about, but you know that there is something that this little girl is trying to tell you.
Later you write the I am the one who I am the one who ..... exercise in your journal and discover that this is the part of you that currently is feeling pulled in one direction but is being called in a different direction.
You are in a card-making mood, so you gather all of your images around you and go through them in a meditative fashion. You choose four that somehow just seem to go together, and you lay them on a background of the celestial heavens that jumped out at you from a catalogue last week.
Ahhhh….. this is it. You have no idea what this card means, or why you have made it. You only know that you like it.
Ahhhh….. this is it. You have no idea what this card means, or why you have made it. You only know that you like it.
A few weeks later, you do the I am the one who ...... exercise with this card and discover that this is your Explorer Archetype who is always ready for new spiritual journeys and adventures.
This is not to say that every Committee and Council card you make will be made intuitively. These are just examples. It’s important to keep in mind that there is no “right way” to make SoulCollage®cards. What you are reading on this page are only suggestions.
You can make your cards any way that you like. Remember that you are making them for you and you alone, and you will be just fine!
You can make your cards any way that you like. Remember that you are making them for you and you alone, and you will be just fine!
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| Photo Source www.kaleidosoul.com I am the one who creates sacred space. |
The most important thing to remember while you are making SoulCollage® cards is to honour your own process. In other words, go with the flow of whatever is happening for you in the moment.
So… please keep in mind while you are reading the steps below that they are only guidelines. Feel free to deviate from them at any time and in any way!
And don’t forget to… HAVE FUN!!! Ready… Set… Create!
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| Photo Source www.kaleidosoul.com I am the one who leans back and trusts what is. |
Clear a workspace for yourself. Be sure you have enough room for all of your materials as well as space to spread out your images. Create sacred space for your SoulCollage® work by lighting a small candle and/or putting on some soft music that delights your soul. Or you can create sacred space by spending a few quiet moments of conscious breathing, or saying aloud a short quotation or prayer that inspires you. Anything you can do that will set the intention for conscious creating and delicious time with yourself is just fine.
Gather your materials and put them on the table in front of you. You should have the following: a piece of 5” x 8” mat board, a pair of scissors, some kind of adhesive, your frame, and several magazines or images that are already torn out.
Spend a generous amount of time (at least one hour) going through the magazines. Tear out any images that you like, that seem to appeal to you for any reason. Don’t question why you might be drawn to certain images. Simply rip them out of the magazines! It will be helpful to have large images that completely fill the frame, and smaller ones as well. You can use the larger ones for backgrounds.
Once you have 50-100 images torn out, take a few deep breaths and pause a moment. Give yourself a little space. Drink some water or make a cup of tea if you like.
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| Photo Source www.kaleidosoul.com Sense of Humour |
When you have a few different piles sorted by theme, choose one of them. Choose the theme that intrigues you the most. Or choose the pile of images that you already know the meaning of. It doesn't matter which pictures you work with first. Just choose some so you can begin to make your first SoulCollage® card.
Push the rest of the images aside or put them in a manilla folder or other storage device. Move them off of your workspace so they don’t distract you.
Start playing around with the images that you have chosen. Lay them on top of one another, or beside each other. Arrange and rearrange them until you come to a layout that you like. Trust your intuition. You will know when it looks “right” and when you need to add another image. Use the Frame if you like so that you can see how it will look on the card.
When the images are arranged “just right,” you can glue them onto the mat board. If you are using the Frame, you might want to mark the corners of the images in the upper right and left, and lower right and left corners of the frame, to make placement easier for you. You can use a brayer or rolling pin if you like to roll out any air bubbles you may have on the card. You may like to take a metallic gold (or other colour) marker and make a border around the edge of your card. Laminate your cards or cover with acrylic varnish to preserve them and to prevent edges from curling up. Try not to do this too soon, however, as you might want to add something to a card later on. If you use the acrylic varnish, be sure to use a very light coat and allow a LOT of time (at least 5 days) for each piece to dry.
There! You have made your first SoulCollage® card!
Now you might want to go ahead and make another one. Or two or three or…?
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| Photo Source www.kaleidosoul.com A council card I am the one who is on the edge of an adventure. |
Once you start making SoulCollage® cards, it doesn't take long before you realize you’re going to need some form of organization! This could be as simple as stuffing all of your torn-out images into a plain manila folder, or as complex as sorting them all into a rolling cart, or purchasing a scrapbook carrying case to hold everything. Give yourself some time before you decide on your SoulCollage®organization system. Some organization tools are more expensive than others and you don’t want to invest money in something that you will outgrow or not use.
A suggestion is to sort your images by: large backgrounds/objects, small backgrounds/objects, images of people and children, images of animals, images that I cut out but want to share with others, miscellaneous images, cards I’m currently working on etc.
You could also use an accordian-style folder that has dividers in it to separate your images. But if you’re not really into organizing, then just pile everything into one big box. You need to do whatever feels right to you!
Another site for those who love SoulCollage® and for those who want to learn more is http://home.earthlink.net/~soulcollage/id3.html - a place of support, inspiration, and renewal -- as you venture into your personal SoulCollage® work.
Whether done in solitude or in community with others, card making offers time to allow your intuition and creative nature to come forth in your unique and special ways.
In her book, SoulCollage®, Seena Frost recommends making cards that fall into various "suits" that will eventually make up your SoulCollage® deck. For a deeper understanding of these suits, you may enjoy reading her book. Attending a workshop or retreat will give you more information on this aspect of the SoulCollage® process as well. It is not necessary to know which suit your card will fall into as you are creating it...that can come later. If you do know, that's OK too.
A brief overview of the "Suits" of the SoulCollage® deck.
"COMMITTEE" Suit: I think of the Committee suit as all those various "parts" that reside within me, sub-personalities, almost like a group sitting around a conference room table. Whenever I am in a situation, certain members of my committee may speak up more loudly and others may hold back. Certainly, each of these parts wants to be acknowledged by me. Some examples of my Committee cards include "Playful Child", "Receptive Self", "The Judge", "Nurturing Mother", and "The Adventurer". The possibilities are nearly endless for creating Committee cards, it seems.
"COMMITTEE" Suit: I think of the Committee suit as all those various "parts" that reside within me, sub-personalities, almost like a group sitting around a conference room table. Whenever I am in a situation, certain members of my committee may speak up more loudly and others may hold back. Certainly, each of these parts wants to be acknowledged by me. Some examples of my Committee cards include "Playful Child", "Receptive Self", "The Judge", "Nurturing Mother", and "The Adventurer". The possibilities are nearly endless for creating Committee cards, it seems.
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| Photo Source http://home.earthlink.net/~soulcollage/id3.html The Source by SoulCollager: Mili |
"COMMUNITY" Suit: This type of SoulCollage® card creates opportunities to make cards that visually capture the essence of special people or pets in each of our lives. Each card focuses on one being or one group and is a tangible way to acknowledge and honour the impact that person or pet has had in our lives. These beings can be currently living or not and can be people we've actually known or perhaps those we have admired from afar. Some examples of my Community cards include "Buddy" (my son), "Johnny (my fiancée , and "Grandmama & Aunt Mary" (two dear women who greatly influenced my life).
"COMPANION" Suit: Companion cards recognize that many of us feel we have animal guides who offer us wisdom and insight at various times in our lives. Seena's book outlines a process to access these animal guides in a very personal way and to relate them to the various parts of the Chakra or energy system in the body. Examples of some of my Companion cards include "2nd Chakra Tiger", "6th Chakra Owl", and "1st Chakra Turtle".
"COUNCIL" Suit: Council cards represent various archetypes that we each recogise or feel operating in our lives. Council cards are often about various "bigger than life" concepts or ideals that are important to us as individuals but that also carry meaning for others. Archetypes reside in the collective unconscious. For a more thorough explanation of archetypes and Council cards, you may enjoy reading Seena Frost's book, SoulCollage® . Some examples of my Council cards include "The Hermit", "The Divine Feminine", "Death/Rebirth", and "The Fool".
"SOURCE" Card: One final type of card that can be really beautiful to create is the "Source" card. This card is deeply personal (and aren't they all!) in that it is each of our unique representations of what "Source", "God", "Great Spirit", "The Universe", or whatever term each of us may use to describe that highest aspect. My "Source" card did not come right away, but when I saw the images that eventually made up the card, I "just knew" they were the ones I wanted to use.
"SOURCE" Card: One final type of card that can be really beautiful to create is the "Source" card. This card is deeply personal (and aren't they all!) in that it is each of our unique representations of what "Source", "God", "Great Spirit", "The Universe", or whatever term each of us may use to describe that highest aspect. My "Source" card did not come right away, but when I saw the images that eventually made up the card, I "just knew" they were the ones I wanted to use.
Select a speciality or hand-decorated paper pattern for each of your SoulCollage® “suits”. Really let your creativity shine through here! Adding/drawing-in a gold border on the backs of cards is a nice touch and makes fitting the “suit” paper easier while providing a more finished look.
The next process is to do the I am the one who… exercise with one of your cards to deepen your experience with it, and to begin to integrate its meaning into your life. Designate a special journal to use to capture your “I Am One Who…” ponderings about your SoulCollage® cards or to capture your feelings and thoughts after SoulCollage® card-making or group workshops/gatherings.
The following website http://www.dancingwiththeshadow.blogspot.com.au/ explains this process more fully. Cheryl Finlay talks about her findings from her personal SoulCollage® cards.
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| Photo Source www.dancingwiththeshadow Creator Me |
Who are you?
I am the part of you who loves to create things with my hands…I am the one who becomes enthralled with your creative, “tactile passions.” I am the one who has my life in the palm of my hand. I am the one who knows she is co-creator, be it art or manifesting a new way of life. I am the one who creates your colourful life. I am the one who spins straw into gold. I am the part of you who can see diamonds in the rough; and I am also the one who feels, sees and knows that you are living in a wellspring of an enormous Diamond Mine! It’s all in your hands. I am the one who knows more than I know (don’t know what that means, but that’s what came up). I am one who is in partnership with God, G.O.D., Divine Mind, and the Universe, and any other names also known as the Almighty. I am the one who knows life is precious…like a pearl. I am one who sees and admires the beauty of my work and craftsmanship. I am the one who identifies with the stars w-a-a-a-a-a-y “out there”.
What do you have to give me?
I give you the knowledge that you can create what you desire….using your single-minded intention, and focused action… combined with your BELIEF and FEELING…and patience.
What do you want me to know?
I want you to know that you are empowered from within…and you can do anything you really want to do. I want you to know that you affect the lives of others, especially when you are living purely from “the stream of your authentic self”. I want you to know you can stop, breathe, decide what you want to create…be it with beads, or rings for chainmaille, or with yarn, fabric or paper…or anything other “straw” you are drawn to create with. This includes your words. All you have to do, Cheryl, is “intend” to focus on one project at specific time, and when you sit down…KNOW that you will create something brilliantly beautiful that anyone, including you, will love. Just an easy, breezy thought in your head...this intention…nothing serious…just think it and allow “it” to pour through you. Let your creative power soar…no judgements Just know that as a vessel of and conduit for dynamic creative power…all you have to do is be aware and willing to let It flow through you, and “go with It”…ride with It. Let your inner-genius have a ball! I want you to know that this is the way I created my one single luminescent comet-blue pearl.
I want you to know that you don’t have to fret with the dozens of projects going on in your head. Just set the intention to create something that makes your soul sing. It doesn't matter if it’s for someone else or for yourself, a gift, or to sell. I want you to let go of all ideas of if “they” will like your creation or not. Of course they will love it!
What do you want me to do?
I want you to let go of the hair-splitting details that can stifle you if you’re not paying attention, and are confident to make a decision and move on. I want you to acknowledge that your inner-creator (me)…knows how to accurately and efficiently handle the detail, and trust that….otherwise, the “part” that prevents your from creating with abandon and joy will not allow you to feel…and “live in”…your innate creative bliss. “She” has had more than their share of time on the stage of your life… no more encores for her! Poof! Be-gone!
Make a list of projects and prioritize them. Allocate the most important to a month, or to two weeks within the month, such as: Jan. wks 1-2: Chainmaile; Jan. weeks 3-4: Jewels of the Heart Earrings Project. Feb. wks 1-2: Creating Red jewellery (or do this in January so you can wear it in February in honour of Valentine’s Day!); Feb. wks 3-4: Pick a theme i.e. Bracelet & Earrings Sets; March wks 1-2: Pick Spring colours & Plan your Spring wardrobe….Show. You get the picture. You can plan your website this way too…or just about project for that matter. Schedule your time to create, and do it! And… remember to name your projects…it makes it more fun! – Thanks to Muse Jill for that tip.
What is your job?
My job is to make sure you allow yourself be the fount of creativity, creative joy, ingenuity, inspiration that you were born to be. My job is to coach you to do that for yourself so that you will be your most powerful when you teach and facilitate the creative-life-journey of others.
How will I remember what you've told me?
Visit this reading regularly, at least once a week. Read it aloud. Heed my directions. See yourself becoming a greater, larger creative power in your own life on all levels. When will remember when you sit down to create anything, or whether you’re puttering around at home. Mainly, set the intention to let me run free within you, heed my words and you will be on your way and living your creative bliss every day.
Is there anything else you want tell me?
Yes. Have fun; and…acknowledge & celebrate the “me” in you!
Now, go create!
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| Photo Source www.dancingwiththeshadow Inner Critic |
I am the one who rides your back and "killing you softly", whispering..."You are not enough''.
I was born from your self-criticism, which gives me more power.
I am the one who's had this job too long and wants to retire. I want you to stand up & let me slide off your back into retirement.
I want you to know it's easier to get me off your back than you think. I want you to know that "You are enough. Be yourself."... I am a queen in the making...I can be transformed from critic to cheerleader, helpful protector... and compassionate challenger. I am transformed when you love yourself without fail..no matter what. I am transformed into mentor through your authentic self-compassion, self-love and self-forgiveness. I am transformed each time you give yourself what you need most... in the moment.
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| Photo Source www.dancingwiththeshadow The Traveller - My Soul's Historian |
I am your soul's historian. I am the riches of the history of many lifetimes. Look around...see the death of the ancients. You are on sacred ground now.
I am one who lives beyond flesh and bone. My essence is forever...far beyond these dry bones and adornments of gold. I am the Traveller...lifetime upon lifetime in the great continuum.
I want you to take time with me. I want you to remember to really live. Life is precious. I want you to take the golden treasure in your heart and and spread it far and wide - throughout the world! Share your treasure with others. Show them their treasure and remind them that they too...have a crown to wear.
I am the Traveller. I give you proof that life is everlasting. I give you proof that what makes us, us is far greater than our body and mind...far greater than what you can imagine...and it lives on forever and ever.
I want you to keep loving...yourself, others...and continue to learn of me. Continue allowing your essence to flow through unobstructed for you are a living vessel.
You will remember each time you feel love deep in your heart, or think about those who have gone through the curtain to the other side. You will remember each time you see or think of me or see the colour of gold. . You will remember that you have an inner-treasure just waiting to fly even more .
Upon reflection, I realize that part of my soul's inspiration for this card came from over 10 years ago in the poem The Traveller by James Dillet Freeman, for which I am very thankful. That poem has blessed me and countless others I've shared it with over the years. I hope you enjoy it, at the above link.
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| Photo Source www.dancingwiththeshadow Wisdom |
I stand here knowing that you have the key.
I am the one who knows you must walk through the doorway...through new doorways.
I am one who knows you are strong, and vibrant and a being of influence.
I am one who challenges you to stand and walk through new doorways ...
to move forward; in doing so you teach others.
I am one who knows your power, your power is love
and charge you with using it.
...you must use it; our world needs it...YOU need it.
Your power... is love.
Suit: Council
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| Photo Source www.dancingwiththeshadow Inner - Sanctuary |
I am your highway to sanctuary and serenity.
I am always present, and patient and loyal.
I am devoted to being here for you.
I show you the beauty of the peace you have within.
I take you from the highway of the hustle and bustle of your daily life,
to the land of your soul. ~
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| Photo Source www.dancingwiththeshadow God's Fingerprint |
Draw a card daily or weekly to do “mini-readings” for yourself. Create or participate in a group that gathers periodically to make cards, share new cards, and do readings together.
Cheryl interviewed Senna Frost on 13th Nov 2010
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| Photo Source http://www.dancingwiththeshadow.blogspot.com.au/ |
One Saturday in 1998, Kylea Taylor and Jim Schofield came to my place to check out the Neter Card process and began the next evolutionary ‘shift’--a big one! That day they suggested I write a book that they would publish! I took a few years to write it, getting all the images of cards from people. At Jim’s suggestion, we renamed the process SoulCollage®. Hanford Mead Publishers, Inc., Jim and Kylea’s company, published this first book in 2001. It had pictures and images contributed by about 40 local people who loved the process and were eager to share their cards.
This SoulCollage® book and the listserv/website that developed along side it, and then the Facilitator trainings that began a few years later, were part of an evolution that was powered largely by the vision of Kylea and Jim. They urged me to do the trainings, and Kylea and I developed and did them together. We still do.
With the book and the trainings, the SoulCollage® community began to grow…and grow…and grow. As I taught and received input from others, and watched people quickly take to the process and transform through it, I was stimulated to add new ideas. The listserv/website became bigger as people sent in cards for the gallery. The Neter Letter developed for Facilitators. Then in 2007 the first Trainers were carefully chosen. These are Trainers who may train people as Facilitators in different states and in other countries. Alia Moore worked diligently to develop a new and much richer website which allows people to read articles, get news of trainings and workshops, and see a big assortment of cards.
SoulCollage® (now with this symbol to show that it is trademarked) is gaining in complexity on many levels, and a second book was a natural and inevitable next step in its evolution. We wanted to show more images from all these wide-spread Facilitators. Close to a thousand now. We wanted to say more about how the process is being used and with whom. I wanted to add words about the Soul Essence and Witness cards, the second and third Transpersonal cards. Exciting stories abound.
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| Photo Source http://www.dancingwiththeshadow.blogspot.com.au/ |
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Seena: There are several things although the basic information about the suits and the process is still there, sometimes in an expanded form. What is new are most of the card images. We replaced many in the first book with cards that would not have any copyright issues. Also new are explanations of two of the three Transpersonal cards, Soul Essence and Witness. These, along with the Source card, are described in depth. However, probably the biggest additions are the stories and experiences of many Facilitators and Trainers of Facilitators telling about the work they do with various populations. This book also has many more photos of people doing the process, and a more in-depth explanation of how we read the images on our cards and access our own wisdom when we do this.
Cheryl: Have the recommended methods of interpreting the cards essences changed from your first book?
Seena: I think the essential way we read our images is the same in both books. However, there are some interesting and helpful stories that Facilitators have provided in the new book, and I elaborate a bit more about the “I Am One Who” exercise, and also about readings.
Cheryl: From your experience, what is it about SoulCollage® that touches people, and allows them to do such deep, healing and revealing inner-work?
Seena: I believe the word “surprises” is better than “touches” when I consider how SoulCollage® opens a door to healing and change. Images are transformative because they surprise us and awaken us, often in ways that words coming from outside, (from books or lectures or sermons or therapists) cannot.. Our defence systems, those ego defenders of the status quo, are onto words coming from outside, and they generally take them in and throw them quietly into the trash can, rather than allow them to change anything.
Images can be different. Images will grab us when we glance at them, and they can slip down into our less conscious parts of Soul and sneak around those defenders of the way things are. When your image begins to speak with your own words it speaks from a deep layer of the Soul that usually doesn't have a voice. It is these words bubbling up that surprise us. Not always, of course, but sometimes the message surprises us into changing, into healing, into awakeness. So I’d answer this question with the words surprise, and the discovery of one’s own inner wisdom.
Cheryl: What is your wish...your prayer for the role of SoulCollage® in the world?
I think it has potential to do quite a bit if it continues to grow. The more people heal their own inner wars, the better they will be at healing the wars in families and communities and nations. However that is only the beginning of what I think is possible. If enough people gather, using their images to find consciousness, they can become one more of the imaginal cells forming and joining up in our chaotic world to envision the butterfly that we could become. SoulCollagers can gather and show that cooperation is better than competition, that partnership is better than hierarchy or patriarchy, that knowing the one and the many is far, far better than insisting on one way or the other. Perhaps there can be a creative inclusiveness in SoulCollage® that will be catching.
Cheryl: Can you share a little about your personal practice?
Seena: Every morning I draw two cards from my deck of over 100 cards. I have the cards backed by suits and I always draw one Community card and one from another suit. These become my Neters of the day and I put them up on my altar next to the 3 Transpersonal cards which are always there. The rest of my cards are in a pile in the centre. I record which cards I have drawn in my daily journal, and sometimes I will email or phone a person who is my Neter and just let them know--if they are alive and I know them personally. I don’t read from these two cards. I just have them up as special Neters to remember. Other practices, not daily, are sitting and tearing out images for my trainings, and also meeting with a peer group to do readings. We try to do this at least once a month or more if possible. (I have other practices like daily meditation and yoga and walking which are not so directly oriented to SoulCollage®.)
Cheryl: How has your personal practice changed you over the years?
Seena: This of course varies greatly with everyone who does some sort of a daily practice, and it is hard for me to separate out the results of my daily practice from my current life work which is so involved with SoulCollage®. This process surely has changed my life because I'm thinking about it probably thirty percent of my time. Unlike most people! But just in terms of my own evolving Soul, I believe that the images on many of my cards have taken on a vivid life of their own, and continually remind me of energies I have available to me. I think I use more of myself because of this, use more of my potential, and I balance my energies better because of this consciousness. I also have a real sense of the marvellous aliveness of the world around me, of the archetypes that inhabit our invisible world, and who are calling on me and all of us constantly. They guide us and nudge us. The synchronicities of the cards help me know this. I do not feel alone or separate in the universe and have no fear of shedding this body and going on without it into other realms.
Cheryl: How do you recommend using SoulCollage to mark a Rite of Passage in our lives?
Seena: I think the essential way we read our images is the same in both books. However, there are some interesting and helpful stories that Facilitators have provided in the new book, and I elaborate a bit more about the “I Am One Who” exercise, and also about readings.
Cheryl: From your experience, what is it about SoulCollage® that touches people, and allows them to do such deep, healing and revealing inner-work?
Seena: I believe the word “surprises” is better than “touches” when I consider how SoulCollage® opens a door to healing and change. Images are transformative because they surprise us and awaken us, often in ways that words coming from outside, (from books or lectures or sermons or therapists) cannot.. Our defence systems, those ego defenders of the status quo, are onto words coming from outside, and they generally take them in and throw them quietly into the trash can, rather than allow them to change anything.
Images can be different. Images will grab us when we glance at them, and they can slip down into our less conscious parts of Soul and sneak around those defenders of the way things are. When your image begins to speak with your own words it speaks from a deep layer of the Soul that usually doesn't have a voice. It is these words bubbling up that surprise us. Not always, of course, but sometimes the message surprises us into changing, into healing, into awakeness. So I’d answer this question with the words surprise, and the discovery of one’s own inner wisdom.
Cheryl: What is your wish...your prayer for the role of SoulCollage® in the world?
I think it has potential to do quite a bit if it continues to grow. The more people heal their own inner wars, the better they will be at healing the wars in families and communities and nations. However that is only the beginning of what I think is possible. If enough people gather, using their images to find consciousness, they can become one more of the imaginal cells forming and joining up in our chaotic world to envision the butterfly that we could become. SoulCollagers can gather and show that cooperation is better than competition, that partnership is better than hierarchy or patriarchy, that knowing the one and the many is far, far better than insisting on one way or the other. Perhaps there can be a creative inclusiveness in SoulCollage® that will be catching.
Cheryl: Can you share a little about your personal practice?
Seena: Every morning I draw two cards from my deck of over 100 cards. I have the cards backed by suits and I always draw one Community card and one from another suit. These become my Neters of the day and I put them up on my altar next to the 3 Transpersonal cards which are always there. The rest of my cards are in a pile in the centre. I record which cards I have drawn in my daily journal, and sometimes I will email or phone a person who is my Neter and just let them know--if they are alive and I know them personally. I don’t read from these two cards. I just have them up as special Neters to remember. Other practices, not daily, are sitting and tearing out images for my trainings, and also meeting with a peer group to do readings. We try to do this at least once a month or more if possible. (I have other practices like daily meditation and yoga and walking which are not so directly oriented to SoulCollage®.)
Cheryl: How has your personal practice changed you over the years?
Seena: This of course varies greatly with everyone who does some sort of a daily practice, and it is hard for me to separate out the results of my daily practice from my current life work which is so involved with SoulCollage®. This process surely has changed my life because I'm thinking about it probably thirty percent of my time. Unlike most people! But just in terms of my own evolving Soul, I believe that the images on many of my cards have taken on a vivid life of their own, and continually remind me of energies I have available to me. I think I use more of myself because of this, use more of my potential, and I balance my energies better because of this consciousness. I also have a real sense of the marvellous aliveness of the world around me, of the archetypes that inhabit our invisible world, and who are calling on me and all of us constantly. They guide us and nudge us. The synchronicities of the cards help me know this. I do not feel alone or separate in the universe and have no fear of shedding this body and going on without it into other realms.
Cheryl: How do you recommend using SoulCollage to mark a Rite of Passage in our lives?
Seena: I can think of a number of ways one could mark such a moment of change. Most obvious would be to do a reading from your cards either with a group that you regularly attend or just by yourself. Ask a question about this passage and what you might need to remember, want to honour about the past, etc. Word it however feels right to you.
A second way would be to create a special SoulCollage card that honours this passage in some way, perhaps with a Council card honouring the archetype who feels most involved in promoting this change. A Community card might be created with a photo of yourself and others if it is a very special gathering. Certainly there might be a Committee card or two created representing inner Neters who are excited, anxious, angry, grateful or whatever, for the change.
There also have been some SoulCollage experiences around passages that involved several people gathering with their cards and all doing a reading around this person’s passage and speaking to it. People can even lay out certain of their cards in a montage on the floor around cards of the honouree and photograph it.
It may be that only the person involved has SoulCollage cards and the others are present as witnesses. They also are thereby introduced to the process by seeing how meaningful the cards can be.
A session was held for one person’s birthday where, instead of the regular readings, the birthday person laid out all of her cards on the floor in patterns that showed her life story and then spoke of her story from her cards. On page 115 of the new book is a picture that was also in the first book of just such an honouring of one person. It is on page 80 of the first book.
What SoulCollage® is—The SoulCollage® process is a flexible, creative, and inclusive tool. SoulCollage® can be introduced to a variety of populations by facilitators with varied backgrounds and trainings and adapted to use in many contexts. The term “SoulCollage” is trademarked in order to differentiate it from other collage/art therapy processes, and to provide the training and support important for solid and ethical work done under the “SoulCollage®” name. SoulCollage® is a creative tool, but it is not in itself a therapy. The SoulCollage® Facilitator Training recommends that SoulCollage® Facilitators develop a referral list of licensed therapists who are familiar with the SoulCollage® process and to whom referrals can be made as appropriate. Some Facilitators will use SoulCollage® as an adjunct to various types of therapies for which they are already licensed; some will offer groups specifically to create and “read” SoulCollage® cards; some will invite an existing group to engage in the fun and deepening power of this process.
Using SoulCollage® as developed by Seena B. Frost, a person creates a deck of collaged cards from found images. The cards are arranged in suits for the primary purpose of self-exploration and self-acceptance. SoulCollage® cards are collaged from images found in purchased or donated magazines, calendars, books, cards, etc. and from stock photos and/or personal materials (e.g., photos, one’s own art).
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