​The Blue Lotus was very much revered in Ancient Egypt for it's beauty, potency and symbolism. In the ancient Temples of Egypt, there is hardly a monument to be found that doesn’t prominently display the Blue Lotus flower. It’s seen everywhere on pillars, thrones, stone altars, papyrus scrolls, and on the ceremonial headdresses of pharaohs. When they opened Tutankhamun’s tomb, even King Tut’s mummy was covered in what has become known as the Sacred Lily of the Nile. The Lotus Flower, known as Nymphaea Caerulea or the Blue Water Lily, symbolized creation and rebirth as it emerged from its primordial waters to bloom once a year for only 3 days. The plant was associated with the sun-god Ra as the bringer of light and the embodiment of the “perfection of wisdom.”  (Source - Secrets of the Ancient Sacred Blue Lotus, by Kathy J. Forti)
The flower also plays a role in Buddhism, where it represents the victory of the soul over the senses, intelligence, wisdom, and knowledge. We also see the Lotus Flower used as a symbol for the 7th Chakra also known as the Crown Chakra. This is tied back to the metaphor of the Lotus rising from darkness to Light, as in becoming Enlightened which is the ultimate goal of the spiritual seeker.
I was very much driven to paint the Blue Lotus for all the reasons above, for it's symbolic nature and it's beauty. The Art of painting Mandala's is very meditative and cathartic in itself. You can sit with any completed Mandala in open eyed meditation and become very calm and peaceful which helps relieve stress and anxiety.
I am intrigued that I was called to paint this Mandala just prior to this time of global uncertainty with the spreading of a virus named the "Corona" Virus. Corona translates as Crown. It truly does feel like our lives are being turned upside down and dare I say outside in.  We are all being asked to go "inside" to stay "Home".  This just may be the catalyst for many to discover their inside world and may pose many questions about the meaning of life. We tend to ask these questions in times of great crisis and being faced with the impermanence of life itself.  
Could the "Corona" virus be our Awakening? 
This year of 2020 - (think 2020 vision) has certainly been an intense eye opener! We started the year with terrible bush fires that decimated our lands, many animals and many homes. Another symbolic meanings of the Lotus is that of "Purification".
Fires, while terrifying are also used in many traditions and cultures to purify and cleanse. Illness too is a source of purification. It is a way for the body to rid itself of built up toxins. Death of the physical body is the ultimate cleanse as we surrender to the will of the Divine and leave this earthly plane and return to spirit via the Light. Many who have had near death experiences describe this light as the brightest blinding light they have ever witnessed. 
The Lotus is also a symbol of death and rebirth....out of the darkness and into the light.
We may feel we are in dark times now and no-one really knows what is up ahead. But, I have a feeling we could be experiencing a deep Awakening on a global scale. If the Lotus is any sign for us, then perhaps we can feel comforted in knowing that there is most definitely light at the end of the tunnel. Keep looking toward the Sun. Out of the muddy waters we rise just like the Lotus, cleansed and purified and ready for a brand new life.
Namaste (we are one)

These are revealing and healing times!
I've been getting quiet and feeling into it, contemplating...a lot. Waking up at all hours, meditating, healing myself with Reiki as I often do. 
My Grandmothers have re-entered my awareness of late. In meditation, we walked and talked about how these times are very similar to the great depression of the 1930's. These were very dark times indeed. Especially for my maternal grandmother. She lost her husband to illness, and was left alone to rear 6 children, the youngest, my mother. Then, she too succumbed to illness and passed away at the ripe young age of 34, leaving behind all her children to be orphaned. This is one story, imagine how many other stories are out there and in here. Our remembrance is triggered at these times. Even the Astrologers are likening these times to the depression era. These are karmic energies that are being revealed to be healed. Why do you think we became so materialistic? Have we been trying to fill the gaping hole of not enoughness, scarcity and feelings of less than by buying our way out of depression? 
I see these times as a wonderful opportunity to heal the wounds of the great depression era, and the karma and the drama that came with it. I am reminded that when our mother was in their mothers womb, we were a seed in our mothers womb also.  So, yes...I/we carry this seed of depression, scarcity and loss. 
We are here now to face and feel the fear of losing it all. We are encouraged not to turn away, but to turn inward. Be with all of what is rising within. I have been observing myself sail through feelings of equanimity, fear, uncertainty, anger, confusion, playfulness, denial, empathy, compassion, sadness, courage, and on and on it goes.  These are choppy waters, but we can hoist the sails and cut our way through the waves....without judgement.  Let it all rise...set sail!
How present are we right now? I mean, we really are living moment to moment. We can't plan anything, because we have no idea where we are going. This too creates much fear within. We thought we had it all worked out didn't we? But the truth is, we never did have it worked out, we never did have any control over tomorrow. It was never, has never and will never be a given. Life does not come with guarantees, we just took it all for granted...same old, same old. Now we are faced with our uncertainty and the unknown which means facing the Truth that life is transient. What an incredible awakening! 
The Truth is being unveiled for us all to see. I love the Greek meaning of Apocalypse don't you? We are literally seeing through the veils of illusion! 
So, while we are being isolated in our homes, we now have the time to sift through our stuff and de-clutter that which no longer serves us. Not just on a materialistic level but most importantly, the crap that we have accumulated within that has kept us from the truth of what really "matters". 
The spotlight has really been put on our Health. How can we make changes to support our wellness and the wellness of our loved ones and our planet?
If we just look at creating a vaccine to solve this global dis-ease then we are really just going to shoot ourselves in the foot! This is only a short term answer with short term results. Because there will be another virus and another and another until we truly get it. The Health of our planet is at stake, make no mistake. If she is ill, then we are ill. We rely on her for our health and wealth. Health is Wealth. Period! 
The Revelation, the Truth being unveiled right now is, we have to change! For life to go on, we must take care of the health of our planet, she is the provider and source of our sustenance, of life itself. 
So, while we are literally being "grounded", we may as well get down and dirty. I'm talking soil health. Life begins here and ends here. We have been killing our soils with antibiotics for years, just as we are killing our guts with antibiotics, which is why our defense to viruses is so low. From Farmer to Pharma, we, us, our planet included is being slowly poisoned. (Did you know that the pharmaceutical company Bayer also manufacture the very poisons that are killing our soils?) That's right, the company that creates the poison also creates the cure? Weird huh?
How can we help? Start small, look into soil (soul) health. Find out what you can. Stop using poisons around your home. I'm talking Round Up and Glyphosate which are water-based chemicals that end up in our food, air, water, lungs etc. It's almost impossible to get away from, but awareness is everything. Check out talks by Dr Zach Bush M.D. He is doing amazing work. https://zachbushmd.com/
If you feel called to start your own garden, go organic! Buy Organic food if and when you can. We are what we eat!
Now is the time to be the change we have been looking for! 
​Namaste (we are one)

​“A Beautiful Life”.  (Artpiece by Chez Healing Arts)
SHE is all about the cycles of life. And yes, that is a real Crow skull! I was gifted a Crow that had passed over the threshold some time ago. I was able to use the wings and I felt to save its skull too.
Death is part of life, not the opposite of. It is part of the big cycle ~ Life, Death and Rebirth. As I am in the last trimester of my life, I think about death a little more these days. Not in a morbid way, but as part of the beauty of life.
The wreath is made of Jasmine Vine that used to decorate our fence and fill the air with its sweet aroma when in flower. There are 7 Dried Red Roses around the wreath. It is said that our life moves in 7 Year Cycles. I believe this to be true. For sure there are big changes that take place in our body-minds at each 7 year gateway. 7 is such a significant number and holds great power.
Symbology of 7
7 major chakras in our body.
7 Colours in a Rainbow.
7 Seas.
7 Continents.
7 Wonders of the Ancient World.
It is said the world was created in 6 days and God rested on the 7th.
In Judaism, there are 7 heavens.
7 Planets visible to the naked eye.
7 days in a week.
7 Directions.
7 notes in the diatonic scale.
The Luna Cycle is 28 days, (4x7).
Symbology of the Rose🌹
For me, the Rose is one of the most significant symbols for the Divine Feminine. The Rose is captivatingly beautiful. Her scent is magnificent and said to hold the highest frequency of all the flowers. She represents purity, beauty, passion, love and romance. SHE is associated with the Goddess in many forms, especially Greek Aphrodite and Roman Venus, the Goddess of Love and Beauty. The Rose is also closely associated with the Virgin Mary & Mary Magdalene and lead to the creation of the Rosary in Churchianity. Mary was the Christian personification of the Divine Feminine, the Rosa Mystica.
Symbology of 9 and Baby’s Breath Flower.
There are 9 posies of dried Baby’s Breath. Baby’s Breath Flowers are a symbol of everlasting love, purity and innocence.
9 is also very symbolic and is associated with endings, death and new beginnings.
Pregnancy is a 9 month cycle.
A circle is 360degrees. When you add these numbers together, they equal 9.
A cat is said to have 9 lives.
9 has the qualities of all the numbers before it. It is the last number before the next harmony.
It is said that the number 9 is the symbol for Wisdom & Initiation.
I associate Jesus With the number 9...not sure why?
Symbology of Pearls
I love how pearls are created by agitation. So something beautiful is created by a foreign matter entering the shell and the oyster reacts by covering it over to protect itself. Kind of like how the Rose is protected by thorns. There is so much that can be written about pearls, this is just a brief outline. Pearls symbolise wisdom gained through experience. They represent, loyalty, generosity, integrity and purity. They offer protection and attract good luck and wealth. They can balance Karma.
Symbology of 13
The darker Strand of Pearls represent Dark Moons. The longer lighter strand of pearls represent Full Moons. After each 13th Pearl in the lighter strand, I placed a Crystal Bead. This was to represent the 13 Moon Cycle. For me, 13 represents The Feminine, mostly because of the association with the 13 Moons in a calendar cycle or Menstrual Cycle. 13 is often thought of as bad luck or death. This associated in many myths and most knowingly in Christianity where the last supper was formed by 12 disciples and the Christ forming the 13. Friday 13th in 1307 was the date of the assembly of the Knights Templar where they were systematically assassinated. In the Egyptian myth of Osiris being killed and dismembered by his brother, he was cut into 14 pieces. Isis went on a journey and retrieved 13 of those pieces but could not find the last piece, which was said to be Osiris’s penis.
Symbology of 3
I placed 3 clear quartz crystal in the wreath. This represents the cycles of the Maiden, Mother and Crone. In churchianity, 3 represents, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. When you add 1 & 2 together you get 3. So, 3 is the third principle, representing birth. Like the cycle of life, Life, death, rebirth. In the Major Arcana in the Tarot, 3 represents The Empress, astrologically attuned to Venus. The Empress symbolizes Mother Nature, fullness, fertility, growth, prosperity, peace and beauty. SHE is the sustaining and nurturing Mother of all creation.
Symbology of Crow
I love Crows! They are such intelligent birds. It is actually very difficult to find a dead crow. I put the word out that I would like to be gifted one and it pretty much took 2 years for this to line up. Then, I was gifted 2...for being patient. 🙏🏻 Again, the Crow is often associated with death or bad luck. (As I write this, I can hear them calling in the background.) in Greek mythology, the opposite is true, they are considered a symbol of prophesy and good luck. I think Crows are magical, smart, spiritual beings. I have had them join me when I was in ceremony in my back yard. I have witnessed them gather in ceremony with their own tribes quite a few times. They are very interesting birds, associated with the archetype of the Trickster. I would definitely agree with that! They are opportunistic, Magic and yes, can be noisy too. Bold and beautiful I say.
Well, that’s the whole enchilada on the symbology. I created this beauty back in February and finished it on my Dearly Departed Mothers 88th Birthday. The pearls you see are hers. She had a thing for pearls. I have more strands in my box of treasures that belonged to her. When I open the box, I can smell her, so I love taking deep breaths when I open it. I could smell her the whole time I was creating this peace. I was smiling, because I don’t think Mum would be too excited about having a Crow Skull among an art piece that she is part of. But, you never know. She was used to me being a bit out there. Anyhow, for this reason, I feel rather attached to this beauty and can not part with her. She now hangs in my Temple. I truly enjoyed creating her. I especially loved painting the Crow Skull. I was very moved to paint the Rose on the 3rd eye and paint the inside of the skull in Gold. Perhaps this was a female crow and head of a clan, I don’t know. She just feels very special to me. I do hope She had a beautiful life. SHE certainly is having a beautiful life now in our Priestess Temple.
Namaste and Blessed Be,
​Chez xx

Vulnerability, can you feel it?
Where does it sit in your body?
What thoughts do you attach to this word and feeling? 
I have been feeling into Vulnerability a lot lately and changing my perspective on it. Why? Because I'm being asked by The Great Mother to be o.k. with it. In fact, I'm being asked to be more than o.k. with it, but to embrace it and to use it as a guide that I am committing to myself and being of service to my heart.
It feels to me like Vulnerability come from my heart. And of course it is a natural reflex that I want to protect it. My logical mind doesn't like following my "fragile" heart, which really isn't that fragile by the way. (That thing takes a beating, literally!)
Ego sure doesn't want to feel vulnerable or in danger, so it rushes right in with a healthy dose of fear to protect me. So, then I pause, what do I have to fear?
What am I choosing in this moment?
Head or heart?
There's much resistance to this practice which also invites in procrastination.
And so...I'm just being with all of it. Fun Times!! ;) 
The only way out is in. <3
Namaste and Blessed Be
​Chez x

Blessings to all as we cross over the threshold into a brand New Year. I love a New Year, don't you? So many possibilities, dreams and opportunities just waiting for our open embrace.
Are you a new year resolutions type of girl or perhaps you like to feel into a quote, phrase or word to keep you company during the year? For the last few years, I have felt into just one word and woven with this thread during the year as a reminder to stay centred and walk my talk.  This year, I have chosen the word, "Devotion". This word feels so beautiful and feminine to me.  It also feels like it will keep me on track and help me stay focused to what is important for my Souls' growth. This word truly comes from my heart and not my head. It holds a very high vibration and resonates so deeply within my soul. Please let me know your word, or resolution if you have chosen one, I'd love to hear from you.  
​
Exciting News ~ Just before the New Year, I was presented with an offering to join a year long Priestess Initiation Training.  It all happened with so much synchronization that I just knew I had to say Yes! This will really support my soul growth and help me to surrender any fears I have of holding circle space with women. I know deep down I was born to do this and am so excited by the thought of women gathering here in circle and ceremony.  The call for me to step up and stand firmly in my truth is very powerful and I know for sure that I will be supported by amazing women as I let go and embrace the priestess calling of sacred service. 

More Exciting News ~ I am opening the doors of our beautiful Virgin's Parlour to offerings from other sisters in the way of Women's Circles, Ceremonies and celebrations of Seasonal Vortexes like Solstices and Equinox's too. I dream of women gathering and sharing their gifts and skills so that we can all benefit and hold sacred our very own feminine art of creativity in what ever way that shows up.  If you know of anyone who has artful skills or ceremonial experience that you feel we could all benefit from, please let me know. I truly want to open this space to all women to share and care in all ways that feed our creativity and growth!

​Our first Feminine Flow Restorative Yoga Class for the year is this Saturday, 12th January 2019 at the usual time of 8am. To celebrate the new year and help create the high vibration of sisterhood, I thought it would be nice to start the year with a gift! If you bring along a sister/friend, you will both get the class for half price. That's right, the class will be only $10.00 each. All you need to do is message me to receive the secret code before you book, then type the code in where it asks you for a coupon code as you check out. This will change the price from $20.00 to $10.00. You will need to book 2 tickets, obviously.  Here is the LINK to take you through the door to the bookings page, contact me when you are ready to book and I will give you the code. Don't delay as there are only 8 spaces available. See you all on the Mat!

Please feel free to contact me with any questions, feedback or food for thought and I will be delighted to reply in kind.

Namaste,
​Chez xx