Little Black Book Index
A Woman’s Journey to Herself
You are invited to 12 Archetypal Voyages in discovering the depth of your own soul.
Introduction to “How Might Your Life Have Been Different If…”
In honor of Judith Ann Duerk July 22, 1938 - March 18, 2021 Author of Circle of Stones and I Sit Listening to the Wind
Judith Duerk’s work has been a vital inspiration for my heroine’s spirit voyage. Today, I introduce a new blog series and a marvelous resource for women embarking on their Heroine’s Voyage. Each series I create, are designed to reflect aspects of my narrative, combined with the therapeutic derivatives and inspirations that I have accumulated since becoming a licensed therapist.
The years of internal work create the unique elixir which has become the generative “transforming compound” resulting in my therapeutic salve. My soul always longed for connection through feminine energy spoken of in Judith Duerk’s works; Circle of Stones (A Woman’s Journey to Herself) and I Sit Listening to the Wind (A Woman’s Encounter With Herself).
“How Might Your Life Have Been Different If…” is the theme question that was juxtaposed in different contexts throughout her books. I began this particular journaling endeavor with that question in mind. As I “gave space to my inner voice,” in response to her question, I recognized I needed to grieve the regret and loss that had been buried deep within. It inaugurated another “deep dive” into my unconscious realm. Joseph Campbell, in an interview with Bill Moyer stated, “psychologically water is the unconscious [realm]. The creature [the whale as illustrated through the story of Biblical Jonah] in the sea, would be the dynamism [activity] of the unconscious, which can be [very] dangerous and powerful. [This power] is controlled by consciousness.” This is the emotional energy that reveals itself through our projections, both positive or negative, on others with whom we are in a relationship.
Therein presents a dilemma in knowing what resides in our unconscious; because… what is unconscious… is obviously not in our conscious awareness. This part of us, is unknown to us, yet fuels our fears, defenses, dislikes, attractions, etc. How we bring unconscious drives to awareness is part of the inner discovery. Art and journaling are two mechanisms of a multitude to reveal this undiscovered part of us, to us.
Discovering the treasures outlined in Judith’s Duerk’s manuscripts has been influential in my healing and also, in my therapeutic approach with others. The forthcoming blog voyages have been part of the Ophthalmology for the Soul workshops; “Looking at Life Through the Lens” of healing. A small aperture through a powerfully focused lens formed a penetrating question posed in Judith’s books; “How Might Your Life Have Been Different If…”
This question allows the woman to consider and honor unconscious parts of herself that we were told as little girls were wrong, dangerous, and sometimes we were shamed for expressing ourselves, and then admonished, “little girls are seen and not heard or shut the hell up,” as it caused discomfort for an adult-someone.
This is your invitation to pull anchor and take an inner voyage with me using some tools and methods I discovered in my travels. They are precious treasures I have accumulated through the years and I have condensed some of them for our 12 week voyage. Consider this as a customized comm-center dedicated in providing a network of resources for navigating your soul-voyage; wisdom on how to batten your sails, examples of real-time course corrections, equipment for search and rescue missions, reclamation of parts that went adrift, and reinforcements on using an effective communication system to replace constricted voicelessness.
This series consists of 12 sets, with two samples each week focusing on 1 of 12 archetypes revealing my adaptations of Judith’s work from my original art journal (Stages 1 and 2). For those who are not familiar with the 12 Archetypes in the Heroes Journey by Carol Pearson, I will cover more of this in later blogs.
Coming home to ourselves is an actual journey, although inward, and like any journey, it takes a guide. Sometimes we can find our way by scouring someone else’s nautical charts, interviewing island locals, or hiring a guide. Only you can determine what is the best option for your travels. GPS satellite, Vessel Tracker, Navionics, Google Earth, and Marine Traffic are technologies of choice in today’s world for sea travel. However, this type of journey is an inward journey, and it takes someone willing to explore the inner seascape with you, with loving-kindness and patience.
Music Credits: Come Back Home ~ Petey Martin & Lauren Daigle We'll Soon be Going Home ~ Paul Clark Heading Home ~ Julianna Barwick Art: No name found for the woman in vessel. Found on a french site called angledart.tumblr.com Actual art found on ~ https://ekladata.com/OUcgCGxjqisBqlpWCcOyGkWrAHM.jpg Music Credits: Come Back Home ~ Petey Martin & Lauren Daigle We'll Soon be Going Home ~ Paul Clark Heading Home ~ Julianna Barwick Art: No name found for the woman in vessel. Found on a french site called angledart.tumblr.com Actual art found on ~ https://ekladata.com/OUcgCGxjqisBqlpWCcOyGkWrAHM.jpg Jonah and the whale: Stock photography Magical Surrealism ~ Tomek Setowski https://www.setowski.com/index.php?lang=en&s=3&m=4 Jonah and the whale: Stock photography Magical Surrealism ~ Tomek Setowski https://www.setowski.com/index.php?lang=en&s=3&m=4
Crystal
The reticulated feminine imagination of Firefly Horizons and aesthetic architect of its contextual nature. Crystal establishes artful metaphor and metonymy in interpretative language to convey abstract questions to easy answers. Through sovereign reflection, she initiates imaginative beginnings. Read more about Crystal • Articles by Crystal
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