Category: Grandmothers

#Magic!ContemplationsGrandmothersMedicine BasketOffering

Of darkness… and light!

Posted on by sue boardman

First, let me apologize to my Southern Hemisphere sisters! I didn’t learn much about Moon Magic in school. Back in those days, we “smart” kids – read that “college-bound” – didn’t have time for such things. (Though I did memorize the entire periodic table of the elements as we knew it in those days!)

Fortunately life is for learning, and that’s just about my favorite part of the journey, so I’m declaring this to be Moon Post Wednesday! Specifically, in this hemisphere, the night before Crone Moon just before the total eclipse due on August 12.

Spiritually, this night could be considered an “ultimate cleansing” opportunity for letting go of toxic patterns or clutter or things that drain us, rather than fill us.

What comes to mind for you as you’re reading along???

The clearing, of course, leaves Owl – or Athena – space for truths that have been hidden. For planning and for winning through wisdom.

In this moment, though, we’re having contextual darkness of a different sort. I’m going to assume that you know as much about the news as you’re choosing to handle and not add any of that here, except to say that I did notice a smidge of hope earlier today!

Fortunately, space for practical creating also goes along with Crone Moons, and I have lots of that to do! The photo at the top is currently directing some major plastic surgery on my #wip painting. And I’m heading back to that, as long as the power holds out in the storm that just began rattling our neighborhood.

First, though, a message from a #wip glimpse at my #RedMadonna 2025 painting, Mother Nature. She – and Athena of the Crone Moons – are so hoping you’ll come check out the adventure with Primordial Waters that’s about to begin. Just click here for all the info… A safe circle of wise women, new perspectives, community, and actual medicine for your basket!!!

#Magic!ContemplationsGrandmothersRed Madonna

A different kind of family reunion…

Posted on by sue boardman

Dear Blog Relative,

We lived in Wheaton, IL for a bit, when I was in 4th and 5th grades. Lots of my dad’s family had deep roots there, and they were big fans of reunions. What I remember most was pie. Also Baptist churches and school playgrounds. And about a zillion cousins!

Today, I spent time at family reunions, too. Different than the ones I grew up with! Today, July 22, is known by many folks as the feast day of Mary Magdalene. (And, no… most of those folks aren’t Baptists! Or Presbyterians, either, for that matter!)

I have another “reunion” meeting coming up shortly so I’ll keep this quick.

Question: What do Mermaids and Mary Magdalene have in common???

Answer: Magic!

Now, this is where things get tricky because there are lots of people with lots of widely differing notions of all those “M” words. And the one thing I know for sure is that we all have to sort issues this big out for ourselves! Images have been very helpful to this word person along the way!

The one we began with was a huge door for me. I painted her during the Red Madonna journey @ 2019. Officially, she is Our Lady of Fierce Compassion. She was one of 5 paintings we did that year and I was really new at all the art stuff. While I was working on her, there was a huge crisis going on at the US/Mexican border. Well, a huge crisis for people who care about people! My Lady materialized sheltering Mexican children, separated from their families, within her embrace of compassion.

About 3 years later, I – in the midst of learning more new things – realized that she is The Magdalene!

You’ve probably met my friend, Destiny Joan, along the way… the Mermaid part of the family!

Then, there’s my current #wip! Officially, #Threshold. The official title, according to my dreams is “I Am Legend” and she says she’s me! (That’s more to sort than we have time for just now… and, as you might be reading this story for the 2nd or 3rd time, recently, you can assume that I, too, am still sorting all this!)

This is, indeed, where we are in this moment and it feels like huge progress even though it doesn’t much look like it, yet. She and I are so hoping you’ll stay tuned. (We are also making big progress on the tweens and teens book-in-progress!)

My next reunion, for this day, begins in about 20 minutes. More stories. More cousins. More magic!

ps… if you’re ready for some magic, too, check this invitation out! And, hurry!!!

#Magic!ContemplationsGrandmothersMedicine Basket

Dear Grammy Sue,

Posted on by sue boardman

It’s me. Your inner Little! Let’s fix a couple cups of tea and chat a bit, please…

I’m worried about you! You spent all last night doing that thing called shoulding on yourself! (You know, the one you’ve tried to help me NOT to do???)

All that stuff that’s not really sleeping. And, yes – I heard those questions you were asking! The ones about, How do I not __________________________________________? You know… that really long list of things that aren’t helpful! And the partner question, too. How do I focus on Peace and Hope?

Fortunately, I’ve actually listened all those times you helped me, when I felt like that! And I’d like to help you for a bit. (I really was listening!)

Let’s start, as you taught me, by changing the question! You know… from “should” to “could”! Like, we could get our journals and favorite pens! And then, we could put our very own hands to work. I’ll go one step at a time for those reading along who haven’t tried this before…

Take your pen or marker in you dominant hand. The one you generally write with. If you happen to be ambidextrous – like using both equally – just pick one to begin with. Write this in your journal…

What could YOU do – in this moment – that would help in your world???

Great! Now wait and listen a bit. Notice and wonder. Have a sip or two of tea. And, when you begin to hear or feel the response, switch hands and write what appears with the non-dominant (other) one. Really! The one you might have gotten in trouble for using when you were really small.

You already know you’ll be able to read it!

Breathe. Listen. Sip. It’ll come!

Get it all out…

Three words. Five minutes. An hour and a half. More if you need it. You – like you always tell me – do you!

And remember how you promised we could do this again and again? We can. You can! For now, though, the special, secret ending you showed me!

I am enough!

ps… thank you, for being my Grammy and yours! All those Grammies in all your stories are happy-dancing with us!

pps… can we paint, now???

#Magic!Art JourneyContemplationsGrandmothersRed Madonna

When a statue goes rogue!

Posted on by sue boardman

She’s one of my favorites. A reproduction of a mother and child statue who followed me home one day, ages ago. After a good bit more learning, I’d guess an intentional Madonna with child. Likely with Italian influence. Very comforting. Usually!

On Saturday, she ventured into the realm of dangerous! I’d gone to get a book off the shelf and the little plastic leveling gizmo under one side of her base had apparently slipped out of place, because she fell off the bench and squarely onto two of my toes!

Owwwwwwwww!!!

Can’t tell yet if either of them are broken. Purple. Skin missing. You know… And what I know is that the plan for broken toes, unless they have exposed bones, is mostly waiting for them to heal.

Think my statue friends will need a new place of honor!

I meant to be painting just now, but feet elevated is wiser, so… writing. This. The next bit of my book, which is making huge progress. And, in just a few minutes, a bowl of soup. The homemade kind. Comfort is absolutely in order!

Here’s the fun part…

I’m doing the foot-up thing surrounded by paintings. Glinda, for the upcoming book cover. Lily Rose, who has a cover of her own in the works. Matilda and Aslan, supervising in their warrior archetype way, from up near the ceiling. And, my current #wip who made it in here before the toe mishap, so that she could tell me what comes next.

It’s kind of odd, painting inner me, when the outer painting looks totally different than I ever have! The cool thing is that she has a lot to teach. A lot of awareness doors to nudge open. Here’s a peek…

Her heart appeared Friday night. A friend inquired about the green color, asking, “Jealous???” Blessedly, no. That’s green, as in heart chakra and Compassion! And, yes, I was thrilled when she insisted!

For now, though, we wait. I’m guessing prayer dot hair. More detail work on her hands. Whatever it takes, actually, to do as I have promised and, “Just tell the story!”

If we’re being real, I never imagined, when Walter Brueggemann was thundering those directions from the front of the classroom, that I’d have to work as hard to stay on the road as this world is requiring, in this moment. And I’m more and more grateful for all that I have learned and am learning, still.

What I do know is this… those of us who try to walk the Way of Love have no time for silence! Blessedly, there are many ways for us to be heard…

What is one of YOUR ways???

Really! Glinda and I would love to hear! Just leave a comment, below, or email me if you’d rather. suesvoice@gmail.com

ps… there is more magic about to begin, and YOU are invited to join us for one of the most transformative journeys I’ve ever experienced… It’s time for Red Madonna to begin again. The newest iteration of a precious Intentional Creativity® adventure! This will be my 8th year and I’m so ready for the deep dive in this moment! Welcoming community. Learning. Creating. Growing. Even now!!! Just click the link to read all about Red Madonna Sisterhood: Womb of Living Waters… a 13 Moon Painting & Initiation Journey into the Primordial Waters of the Divine Feminine. REGISTRATION IS OPEN!!! https://musea.org/red-madonna-womb-of-living-waters  If there is an answer to “What the world needs now” it’s likely to be pretty close to this adventure!

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Blogs and Books and Bears, oh my!

Posted on by sue boardman

If you feel like there’s an awful lot going on in the world just now, I’d agree. Emphatically! So would my dream friends! And I’m so grateful for the “team” that literally helps me sort things and make choices.

Once upon a time, several years ago, I was sitting in a Zoom meeting with some new friends. One of our leaders was an Indigenous woman named Maria. The first thing she said to me was, “You’re Bear Clan!” And a whole new world of perception and legend and story opened within me!

There wasn’t time in that moment, but research was definitely in order. (It’s what I do!) Here’s a bit of what I learned…

Bear Spirit Animals carry energy of physical strength, emotional grounding, and courage to stand up against adversity. Those who relate to Bears as guides often have the energy of protectors and medicine people. And Bears remind us that we need rest!

No wonder they are chatting me up in this moment!

You see, I’m in the midst of a very active creative cycle and am dedicated to staying on that road, even in the midst of all the chaos in the world. I’m starting, today, with some intentional modeling!

I turned off the news. (Gulp!)

I made space in my schedule for a conversation with a guy who knows more than I do about some of the weird neuro stuff going on in my world.

And, I have a new flavor of cacao to experience, probably just after that conversation.

In the meantime, painting. I Am Legend told me about her face!

Mostly, though, I’m consciously partnering with my friends in the photo to remind me, as often as I need to hear it, of who I am and why it matters. (Daphne’s t-shirt helps, too!)

And, I’m inviting you to join me, in your own way!

Turn off what’s not helping. Make some conscious space for something that matters, even if it’s “just” a few minutes of Joan Baez and a cuppa.

Let your fingers do some wandering and explore Spirit Animals, intentionally, if you’re curious. (It’s a #Filters thing!)

BE your work-in-progress on this Wednesday!

ps… Ready for the deep dive? Just click the link to read all about Red Madonna Sisterhood: Womb of Living Waters… a 13 Moon Painting & Initiation Journey into the Primordial Waters of the Divine Feminine. REGISTRATION IS OPEN!!! https://musea.org/red-madonna-womb-of-living-waters If there is an answer to “What the world needs now” it’s likely to be pretty close to this adventure!

#Magic!ContemplationsGrandmothersMedicine Basket

A noisy night in the ‘hood!

Posted on by sue boardman

My ears are quite certain that many of my neighbors were thrilled with the weather which improved enough to make fireworks possible for the actual 4th of July.

I am somewhat less thrilled. It’s an old trauma kind of thing for me.

Instead, I’ve been claiming my Independence – my vision of the future – with paint! (Also, cleaning closets. Meaningful, but decidedly less fun!)

I won’t dump all my disappointments and fears and buckets of fury on you. Instead, I am inspired to share something I wrote several years ago. It’s not all sparkly and full of watermelon. Instead, it’s a promise. A claim of my hopes for the future… preferably starting (again) NOW! And I could really use your help!

You see, my right wrist and thumb hurt more than usual tonight and we’re going to have to go with basics in terms of design here. Imagine, please, all this with with a fun, kid-friendly font and the shadow of a tree behind the words. You can decide! Oh… imagine that every time you see the letter “o” it looks like a heart!

The Grandmothers’ Manifesta

We are the Grandmothers.

We are in charge of Hope. We are not done!

We are becoming dangerous old women.

We hold those we love under our danger like a

Tree of Life with bountiful branches.

We have spent our lives learning many things.

Some of those things were helpful.

Some of them were not.

We will KEEP living the empowering things.

We will say goodbye to the things

that were hurtful, so they are not passed on.

We matter more in this moment

than EVER before.

We are significant. We are capable.

We have influence in the lives

of those we love and in the world.

Using all our hope and wisdom,

we will share these things

with all the generations who come after us.

We are DREAMERS of dreams,

TELLERS of stories,

and MAKERS of images.

We see our littles as souls bright with wonder.

We are the Grandmothers and we welcome all those

who wish to be here.

Today, we choose to matter in the world.

It may be hard,

but we are in charge of Hope!

Sue Boardman ®

ps… if you have dreams, stories, images – even puppies or dance moves – you’re longing to share with the world, let’s talk! 45 min. My gift. I’ll bring my magic medicine basket with some cool new tools. You bring a cuppa, something to write on & with, a Red Thread if it’s handy, and a smidge of courage. We’ll name your next right thing and muse a bit about what it could look like to work together. Just click here and the calendar elves will find us some time. Hurry, though! The calendar is filling up! (In case you’re curious, my book-in-progress is something over 8,000 words in!)

#Magic!ContemplationsGrandmothersOffering

Honor Your Process!

Posted on by sue boardman

Really!!! That was the exact message I received from the elves/universe at 4:44 am. I know that it was 4:44 am because my phone said so when I reached for it to type those word into the message gizmo.

There are a couple things I need to share about that. I like the number 444! The Angel number 444! Depending on one’s beliefs, it might carry different meanings. For me it symbolizes divine protection, stability, and reassurance.

If you’re guessing that this is among my more recent learnings, you are totally correct. We did not cover angel numbers in nursing school or seminary. Fortunately, we did cover always keep learning!

Back in the old days, when I was first serving as a pastor, there used to be a stack of index cards on the table next to the bed. And a pen. That was how I kept track of the messages which appeared in my sleep before cell phones. Notes for Wednesday’s bulletin. Especially an official title for whatever sermon was hatching. (I was the church secretary, too, back then!) On Saturday nights, volunteer key words for the sermon. Things that weren’t ready until they were. Usually 5 words. Then, back to dream-land and time for the connections between those words to become clear. (It worked!)

Here are the rest of the words from early this morning…

Solstice. Rainbow Hair. Cousin Angela (Juneteenth). Mother Nature – CC wall – purple & green.

In case you’re curious, they didn’t appear all at once. More like each thought making space for the next.

And, yes… this whole thing really is about honoring our processes, even now. Especially now!!!

How might you do that???

Really! How might you claim intentionally honoring your process? I’d love to hear!!! (You can leave me a comment, below!)

I even have a possibility for you to consider! A possibility awash with hope and sisterhood and newness! You see, it’s time for the journey known as Red Madonna to begin again! (Well, almost time!)

I spent most of Saturday communing with NASA moon phases, working on our calendar for Red Madonna 2026.

Ready for a deep dive? Just click the link to read all about Red Madonna Sisterhood: Womb of Living Waters… a 13 Moon Painting & Initiation Journey into the Primordial Waters of the Divine Feminine. REGISTRATION IS OPEN!!! https://musea.org/red-madonna-womb-of-living-waters

We even have a free way to dip your toes in – Come Home to the Waters: A Mini-Retreat to Connect With the Living Waters of Your Life. This adventure is offered by the Red Madonna team for each of us to touch into our sacred flow and experience a taste of our year-long Red Madonna 2026. It’s happening Friday July 3, 2026. Enroll in Come Home to the Waters Now!

Red Madonna has been part my of honoring my Sacred Journey since 2018. It’s gentle and welcoming and diverse. It opens new doors into my understanding and practice. I’m honored to be part of this team and so hope you’ll consider joining us. The world needs more of us on this path!!!

ps… the painting, above, is indeed my Red Madonna 2025 work, Mother Nature. She says she’s finished. We’ll see!