“For auld lang syne my dear, for auld lang syne, we’ll take a cup of kindness yet for auld lang syne.”
Every December 31st morning, for the past ten years, I have been guiding others through a reflective prayer process called “Soul Collage.” For several hours, we come together to create an icon or holy card to express the state of the inner journey. Print images are chosen that picture the frequently hidden depths of the true self. The collages are mysterious to those who gaze upon them but to those who create them, represent very real depictions of the transcendent. More than anything, these collages record and chronicle the soul’s quest for meaning.
I began making collages out of magazine photos when I was very young, using the finished products as greeting cards, story-telling, and to scrapbook memorable events. Resources were tight then and so this was a cheap way to express myself. Many years later, after having completed the certification for the art of spiritual direction, I was thoroughly delighted to meet Seena Frost, author of Soul Collage: Evolving An Intuitive Collage Process for Self-Discovery and Community, who introduced me to an expansive way to use collage for spiritual growth. Since then, I have created dozens of soul collages, but the best ones are always on New Year’s Eve. This morning, nine women gathered on Zoom, including a new friend from Canada. No, it was not the same as being together in person (which we had planned to do until Omicron reared its ugly head), yet, the magic of the process prevailed. The sharing was deep, heart-felt, and inspiring.
I have entitled this year’s collage “Liberation,” and am still working on the finishing touches, including some lines of poetry. The little boy, freefalling into the lake, is how I feel since I retired from ministry. Far from regressing, he is the inner child which has connected with me again in this, my 73rd year. The other parts of myself, including the generative woman on the dock with a portrait of Mary, the flexible, balanced and disciplined Amazon woman, and the wise crone staring into a sunset at the beach. In the sky, the Beloved eagle soars, inviting me to fly high after I plunge into the waters of new birth.
Happy New Year everyone! May your souls soar into 2022 with hope, resolve, and a tidal wave of love.
Seeking Wisdom 