Spirit Bears

By: Michelle Cicala

When I lived in Florida, I would participate in a lot of guided meditation groups.  There was a very special group of people that would gather at my dear friends John Wulf and Laura Hughes' house. With the deep and reassuring voice of John as my guide, I would journey into my self. I would process many feelings during the meditations, and observe the shifts of my consciousness. I would feel unsure of my ability to do it "right". I would feel profound connection to my fellow meditators, and to my guide. I would feel hope and excitement, centered and grounded. I would float out of the room at the end of the evening.

  Grizzly Moon ~ by Michelle Cicala

Once a month we would do a shamanic journey - lead by my friend Frank. The four directions would be called upon, to help us create a sacred space. Sage would smoulder, and smell so good, earthy, and fresh. We would begin to drum together. The energy would rise, and build, louder and faster, and then stop. Silence would follow, and seem so loud in its stillness.

 Blue Moon Bear ~ by Michelle Cicala

When the time was right we would begin our shamanic journey. Frank, with feathers in his hair, would strike his drum with a slow steady beat, while circling the room. Slowly the beat would grow quicker, and quicker, growing in urgency. I would sit listening, breathing, and in my mind I would be walking down a dirt road on a bright sunny day. The clouds and sky were beautiful, and the land is rolling hills of  yellow green dry grass. The beat of the drum is the rhythm of my foot steps, and as they become more rapid, I begin to run. I veer off into dark green cool forest of redwood trees. The sun light is dappled in here, the sky is covered by the tall trees and branches. There are pine needles under my feet, as I run even faster now.

Blue Moon Bear Detail

Suddenly, the drumming stops and there is a cave. I have been here many times. I was born here. I am coming home. Inside it is dark, and warm, and silent. I let my fingers rub the rock walls as I walk deeper into the cave. I feel the ancient hieroglyphs drawn and carved into the stone by my ancestors. Pictures of animals, moose, caribou, and bears.

 Gazing Bear ~ by Michelle Cicala

I can hear his breathing, before my eyes adjust enough to make out his huge shape. The spirit bear is sleeping. His brown shaggy fur is dreaded and matted, and I can smell him. I lay down, and curl up next to him. Without a sound, or change in his rhythmic breathing, he lifts his massive paw and embraces me. This is where I was born. I am home.

Gazing Bear Detail

Stillness, silence, and breath, is all there is in this moment. I've come here with questions, but those are all gone now. Here with my spirit bear, all is understood.

We don't always sleep. He has talked with me, shown me the hieroglyphs that decorate his home. Sometimes, I find him outside. I use his shaggy hair to pull my self up on his back, and ride him through the forest. But tonight I just rest beneath his heavy paw.

Traveling Home ~ by Michelle Cicala

I hear the drum again. Its time to travel home. I silently thank the spirit bear - for all his wisdom, love, and power. I make my way back out, into the forest. Frank's drum is speeding up, and so do I. Out into the forest, and back out to the road. 

The drum is silent. I am back inside my body. I am back in John and Laura's living room, with my fellow travelers. They have all taken their own journeys, to the places, and with the spirits that have called to them.  I wiggle my fingers, and my toes. I stretch my arms above my head, it feels luxurious. I open my eyes, and I giggle.

Silver Moon ~ by Michelle Cicala

Many of the Spirit Bear Paintings are still available in my Etsy Shop.  
https://www.etsy.com/shop/PaisleyBearCreations

Thank you so much for taking the time to read about my journey. I feel so happy to have a forum to share it with you.
Namaste
Michelle Cicala

My First Post- My big bunting project

My First Post!

My Big Bunting Project

I started work last week on a big and colorful project for my SIL Lisa's up coming wedding. She will be marring a wonderful guy named Kevin, this July in Portland, Oregon. They recently bought a home in Portland together, and are overjoyed to have their ceremony, at nearby Mt. Tabor. The reception will be at their home, in a block party Portland styled hoe down! Complete with a band, food trucks, and hay bales! 

Lisa has decided on a red and turquoise color scheme (love!) I happily offered to help her plan her decor. I have had a blast day dreaming, pinning away on pinterest, and skyping with her on every detail. Its wonderful! I love weddings!

So I am making her some bunting. Actually, I am making a lot of bunting! About 250 ft of it I think. I am not exactly certain but its quite a bit. The plan is for it to define the dance area in the street which is 30 ft x 60 ft.  So that's 180 ft there, and they will need more to decorate the band tent, house, etc. 

So I started with 10 yards of white muslin fabric (100% cotton- $1.99 a yard)

 I cut out a triangle template 10x10x10 inches and invested in some nice pinking shears and cut away into the night.

 The next morning I worked on dyeing them red and turquoise. I used 5 gallon buckets and RIT fabric dye. I started with "Cherry Red" and "Teal."  However the "Teal" color turned out very green. We couldn't have that! So I added a small amount of blue.

I was delighted when I achieved just the right color turquoise!

 

I rinsed and dried the colorful little dyed triangles.

 

 

Pressed them.

 

Rather than binding, I ironed a crease down the middle of some long, matching, red ribbon and started sewing a zig-zag stitch with matching, red tread.

 

I am amazed how quickly this project has gone! In only a few hours of sewing, (a little the last couple evenings) I have finished 100ft. That's 5, 20ft rolls of ribbon. I bought more ribbon to start on tomorrow, and will probably need to make and dye more triangles, but this project has been a breeze. I love to sew, and day dream about Lisa and Kevin's big day, how fun our week in Portland will be, and what a cute flower girl Madilyn will make! 

Pics of the bunting in action at the wedding soon to come!!