First there was this, early this morning,
Then there is this cloth. This cloth that started from a comment my grandson made. About how cool it would be to have a zipline to/from the moon. He wrote it down for me so I would remember. I started the cloth during our vacation. Initially I thought it was just going to be a light-hearted piece. Putting his comment to cloth. It became something else all together.
We have been home now for one week and this is the story of how the cloth changed, and how I evolved with it. This was a peek through the hole in an oyster shell.
Her journey had taken her many place and the cosmic thread that held her in place–well, it was red and had sustained her for a long time. She was connected to the moon yet able to fly. But she couldn’t see. Her vision was obscured. And she knew she needed to see things clearly. Very clearly. Cosmic flight can be a tricky thing.
But I ignored what she was saying. I thought, “She’ll get over it. It will be o.k. in the long run.” And in the meanwhile, the base below her feet started changing. And it became very complex and jumbled.
and it didn’t take long until the currents of the underworld were so unpleasant that she could hardly bear to stand there. At one point the red puppy grew fangs. It changed from a companion to a threatening creature. Drops of blood dripped from its mouth. I was beginning to listen now. Didn’t like what I was seeing and She didn’t like it either. And she talked for awhile.
Talked about transcending seemingly impossible challenges. Talked about soaring even when her tether appeared attached to powerful, limiting forces. What do we do in those instances? What do we do? She felt she had choices. That we always, in all ways, have choices. In fact, she insisted on taking responsibility for her life–for making her own choice. It wasn’t an easy one. There were many factors involved. Many things to consider–but in the end, it was clear. And so–heeding her surety of intention– with one quick motion the ties that were holding her down were severed. The cloth was separated. And suddenly the cloth was permeated with an amazing “lightness of being.”
Still, there was work to do. She wanted a real face– she had a need to be seen for who and what she was. A face that showed the map of her life. It’s trials and joys and work and weather. A crone’s face. And it took hours. There was a lot to think about. A Lot. And the eyes were next. Of course she needed eyes. To SEE things. Not just to LOOK–but to SEE. To see AND be seen. And to understand what it was she was seeing.
I even heard her say that it’s never an easy process to really see deeply into the reality of existence–and all its wonders. And even though she’s still a bit shocked over the changes of the past week, and yes–a bit sad– her eyes ARE open. Her heart is open as well–open and intact. The earth may still be her grounding reference, but she knows in her heart that her wings were meant for soaring. And she gives thanks for the gift of sight.
This particular style of story telling was inspired by Saskia’s postings at tales from the bird hut. Scroll down to “Little Bird has Left.” The crone’s style–well, you’ll have to ask her about that. And as you may have guessed by now, my story and her story cannot be separated.
following thread 
Wow! Wow! And again i say, “Wow!”
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wow back atcha
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i could look into her eyes Forever. i could look through that shell hole window forever too.
maybe it’s your “tool”….
this is such a beginning of something so Important….everything about it, Everything.
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her eyes. if you only knew how many eyes are under the ones you see. three at least. and yes, i like the shell as a hole tool. i gave this particular one away but think i have another one. came home w/about 5 pounds of broken shells. the whole/perfect ones held no interest for me.
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So beautiful to see the evolution of this piece Patricia. And you listened well it seems. (Love that owl-ish crone face.)
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hey beth. the owl-ish face. i didn’t know she was an owl until the very end. maybe that explains some things!
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what a wonderful story …what a beautiful and evocative cloth… it/she is so strong..she told your story but she certainly made echoes inside of me..the personal and the universal…a lot for a small crone to contain and she does it so well …you are obviously a very good listner cynthia
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you just said something very important for me. the personal/universal echoes of story. the similarities. we are not alone in this earth job, are we.
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this is very inspiring, makes me think about trying it. What happened to the little red fang guy?
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which part of you thinking about trying? hope it’s the storytelling and not the story itself. little red fang guy. well, first i pulled his teeth out. then i cut him out all together. should have saved the teeth.
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love your crone, the stars, the red cord & in particular that white line across the moons but I’m with Julie I ned to see more of that red beastie!
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red beastie is gone. well, not gone gone. just sitting in a basket trying to get a grip on his demeanor. maybe he will show up later? too much tied up in him for our comfort.
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Thanks Patricia your cloth and story touch me deeply. It was the gentle reminder I needed in this moment and will come back when I need remembering.
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if any thing i’ve said is helpful to you, then you’ve reflected back blessings onto me as well. and for that i thank thee!
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Wings meant for soaring yet grounded in the earth… wings, earth. I have sat and looked at this for a long time and what has crept into my heart is that bit of cloth, on the left side that has moved over into the border edge. I say moved because there is movement here, her wise eyes, her wings outstretched, that bit of cloth that is itching to; to what? Perhaps to dance in appreciation for having the courage to stand and face. She is a crone, she is beautiful and she reminds me of one of my favorite women, aside from La Loba, found in Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Women Who Run With the Wolves. She is La Mariposa- Butterfly Woman who comes at the end of a ceremony, wide of hip, gray hair down to the ground,, strong yet small in stature; dancing, moving, she is not what many think; she is not some young ethereal being. She is the fertilizing force. To quote Estes: “Butterfly Woman mends the erroneous idea that transformation is only for the tortured, the saintly, or only for the fabulously strong. The Self need not carry mountains to transform. A little is enough. A little goes a long way. A little changes much. The fertilizing force replaces the moving of mountains.”.
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are you referencing the lighter blue cloth near the bottom or the piece above it? the light blue was from Grace. and i do love–LOVE–the quote re La Mariposa. “a little is enough…goes a long way…changes much.” the drop in the bucket imagergy–that each drop is so important. that every deed/act gesture cannot be minimized. thank you again for the reference to WWRWW. Our library didn’t have it–going to order it i guess. much love to you.
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The cloth reference is the red half moon shaped piece down at the bottom, touching the border. A little blue orb is at the top and at the bottom some irregular shapes. That little piece just got to me and made me think of taking a step, that first dance step, that first step into the unknown, a little step but one that can lead to a whole other experience…
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yes yes yes. i love that little red piece. why did i think yeou had said blue. and it does indeed portend movement–and in this case surely “a whole other experience”
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Story cloth in action… Just cut that part away that isn’t supporting the story/character . Gemini moving into Cancer. Letting go. It’s imperative for us all. Good work, Patricia!
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so much happening on so many levels. yet always the letting go, the continual simplifying, lightening up…cleansing. yes. it’s imperative for us all. and i do so much appreciate hearing from you
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Hi Patricia! I could feel the Saskia influence before you named it… the inspiration to tell stories is so good, and you did a beautiful job. Such an inspiring story. What will become of the lower half? Which ALSO, while NOT light, had much to recommend it…
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well, the lower half is still in one piece, back in a basket where it will hang out until needed. it’s obviously full of information and that information is beginning to reveal itself. love
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this is great…that that part of the cloth taken away is
“full of information”….love this thought…
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yes. and the great thing is i can pull it out when i want to. or not.
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oh Patricia, thank you for being inspired by my storytelling, I feel truly honoured; I love your way of storytelling, for you have your own voice, of course.
I sense the combination of cloth and storytelling is very powerful and for me at least, (hidden/unknown) thoughts, dreams, emotions can come out into the open, without being overly personal
letting her have eyes after all makes a lot of sense as she will probably be flying all over and it helps when you know what exactly you’re bumping into;-)
I like the red dog too, am relieved he’s still lurking somewhere……
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Saskia–thank YOU–for inspiration on so many levels. i agree. the combination of cloth and storytelling is amazing–i never quite know what’s going to arise. no wonder it’s so addicting. red dog is doing well. i just checked on him and he’s looking fat and sassy–and very self-satisfied. love
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