If you’ve been reading along, you’ve already learned lots about your Grandmother Archetype. Now, I’m guessing that you’re curious about the rest of the tribe.
Which brings me to an old camp story…
I grew up in an ecologically focused summer camp program. From my first summer as a camper, through all the levels of counselor, and on to program staff, a huge focus of our journey was around the reality and metaphor of the eco-system.
From the Longleaf Pines and Turkey Oaks to the owls and ‘possums, and onward to each of us as humans making decisions about energy and trash, we were an ecosystem. An eco-system connected not simply by location and timing but, as we learned from our Grand-Elder, Jean, connected by a web of red thread, as well.
And, yes – what we have here is our own eco-system of Intentional Grandmothers. All miraculous individuals with helpful things in common and some fascinating quirks. All vital to the community.
We’ll get back to the red thread.
For now, borrowing again from Camp, here’s your Field Guide to the Intentional Grandmother Archetypes. Curiosity is the ideal state for learning and making new friends. Plus, there’s a special invitation to come!
The Advocate Grandmothers
Reflections is a small mixed-media piece inspired by a life-long fondness for buttons and some pondering about what we reflect to our littles and how those reflections may relate to what we learned from our own grandmothers. And all of that, within the context of our own journeys!
I chose this image for Advocate Grand-Elders like us because of the quote in the background which so inspired it. The brilliant writer and Advocate Grandmother, Anne Lamott, says this:
So… I decided that the most subversive, revolutionary thing I could do was to show up for my life and not be ashamed.
The Artisan Grandmothers
Express Your Life! is a glimpse of my second Intentional Creativity® Legend mixed media piece. In the midst of calling a circle of women, the focal figure (who is mostly me!) has a be-dazzled boot peeking out from beneath her gown of a cosmic aboriginal pattern, covered in prayer dots for empowering Grandmothers.
In Tea with the Midnight Muse, my Intentional Creativity mama, Maestra Shiloh Sophia McCloud calls us this way:
You look inside the cave of self. Haven’t you heard? Brushes [and stock pots and scraps of quilt fabric] are magic wands, giving language and form to the unspoken… Through this creation, lives are opened.
The Contemplative Grandmothers
Taking Her Place Among the Matriarchs is the centerpiece of a recent mixed media adventure known as Insight. Like us, she is tuned to her heart, in communion with nature and her sense of calling. She sees a path to the future she is called to create.
The mystical poet, Rumi, called us to:
Let yourself be silently drawn in by the stronger pull of what you really love.
The Guide Grandmothers
The Eyes of the Muse is a glimpse of my Color of Woman Muse painting, who insisted on meeting you! She hangs, to this day, in my room, and creates space for the next pieces of my inner puzzles to fall into place while I sleep–or try to! The Greek words she bears are for the two ways of seeing,…optically and intuitively, which – together – lead to knowing. And helping others to know, too!
The Thirteenth Dr. Who said it this way:
I do think there’s always a way to put things right. If I didn’t believe that I wouldn’t get out of bed in the morning. I wouldn’t eat breakfast, I wouldn’t leave the Tardis, ever. I would never have left home. There is always something WE can do!
The Protector Grandmothers
Grandmother Moon is my favorite part of a year-long painting journey known as Codex. She watches over us and guides us gently when we are lost…. Simultaneously a trustworthy pattern from the beginning of time and, in her cycles and her triangular crown, a gentle reminder of change as a part of Creation.
These words, from the empowered and wise Audre Lorde, are both encouragement and comfort for me. I hope they are for you, as well!
When I dare to be powerful – to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.