Category: Art Journey

Greetings, Dear Brave Ones!

I am Destiny Joan, also known as, Sue’s Muse. I know you’ve seen me around some, lately. Today, I have a big story to share with you!

Let me explain, first, what my job is around here. Then, we’ll talk about why you may not have met anyone like me before. Okay?

In the simplest way, my job is to break the kind of worldly spells that keep us from being who we are meant to be. You see, there are those who want us to stay small. To believe that we have no magic for making change. To think that their rules are the only things that are – or can be – true.

I know more! And I want to share that with you. First, though, let’s talk about where I come from.

Some people would tell you I don’t exist. That there have never been beings like me. That somebody just made us up.

Other people would say that I am half human and half mythical. Mythical is a word that is sometimes understood as meaning “made up” but can also mean “is hard to explain, especially for children, without stories.”

I like that second notion better! And I’m going to tell you the story I learned from my Grammy. It goes like this…

Once upon a time, a very long time ago, there were beings known as Melusine. They were understood to be half human and half magical. They looked a lot like mermaids and often had “tails” that curled in both directions. Like two halves instead of just one.

Many of us came from the place we now know as France and from Celtic areas like Scotland and Ireland. Long, long ago, people told stories of us as magical beings of feminine power, and as guardian spirits, near sources of fresh water which, as we’re learning again in this moment, is very important for our world.

Mostly, though, we didn’t fit into people’s  thought boxes! In fact, one of the most powerful things we did is to help people consider more possibilities! To get out of  either/or thinking. To learn to hold the power of both/and  thinking… and of stories that are bigger than our personal experience.

Sue says that feels important to her because she has two grandteens trying very hard to grow up in this world, now, where way too many people are afraid of stories different from their own.

If you look carefully, you’ll see a mark in the palm of my hand. That’s Sue’s “secret code” for her grandteens! Just above there, and a bit to your left, is another of our favorite symbols.

It’s the star-sign for the constellation called Pegasus, or the winged horse. As you’ve probably guessed, horses with wings surprise a whole lot of people!

One of Sue’s favorite stories is about two famous authors – C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien – talking about a Pegasus. One of them said, that they’re not well-trained regular horses… they’re whole different creatures!

I feel that way about Melusine! Especially the Grammy-kind! We’re not well-trained. We’re whole new possibilities! And we’re open to whole new possibilities!!!

After all… that’s what Muses do!

(slb, ® 7/30/25)

ps… #Filters class was wild today! Here’s a peek… complete with the beginnings of fingerprint prayer dot hair! It’s what’s new! She’s all about walking the path to the place where we are called and, now, she has a name, too! Darah Pearl which is pretty close to Pearl of Wisdom!

She’s been one of my heart favorites since she appeared early in the Covid crisis when the Mexican border became a hotbed of family separation.

I stayed home and sobbed through the news and painted.

She, who was a Red Madonna adventure, has about 40 coats of paint. Once, in her Elvira phase, she was, indeed, bright purple. Let’s just say it didn’t quite fit! Then, one day, my mask and I were wandering around my favorite collectible shop – it’s exercise! – and I spotted a garden statue. And I knew.

So, home to aged clay colors which, I’ll admit, felt better than the purple. Lots of practice shading and glazing. And then, I dreamed them.

She was sheltering all those weeping children from the news under her protection. And they appeared as prayer dots!

And then, I heard the voice. Walter Brueggemann…

Our job is believing for others on days when they can’t quite believe for themselves.

And, yes… I made more dots. Then, about two years ago, I looked at her one day and realized who she is! Mary Magdalene!!!

Yesterday, as you may know, was the Feast Day of Mary Magdalene. A time, for those of us who feel her leading us still, to celebrate. To light candles and pray. And, for me, to re-commit myself to believing for others when they can’t quite believe for themselves. That means more dots, for sure.

It also means a contribution to a local food bank on a day when a kind soul offered to quadruple all donations!

Today is going to be a bit more hectic than usual. An important Zoom call – about the Magdalene – with my Red Madonna friends. #Filters to lead. (It’s one-line being day!!! Trust me. It helps our brains be more creative!)

So, I fixed myself a cuppa and sat down to begin this while paint dried on the lion. (For real!)

She, our painting, hangs where she can watch over me as I write. I turned and looked up at her, as I’ve done millions of times and I saw something new!

Do you see it? The baby, inside her halo, watching over her… and me… and you, if you’d care to be included.

The obvious first question was… How could I not have seen it before???

The next question was… Why now?

And, as you may have guessed, I heard the answer in Walter’s voice... more help believing on those days we can’t quite believe for ourselves!

I’ll take it! And, gladly, share it!!!

For now, though… as I head back to Aslan and Matilda, my very challenging works-in-progress, here’s a tiny peek:

ps… the Legendary Husband, btw, said he’d never seen the baby before, either.

pps… a dear friend just gave me a panda drum. (Me, the one who’s still getting over a life-time of being told I was the most non-musical one in the family, ever!) Looking for summer camp music. You know, Joan Baez, James Taylor… Any hints???