One of my favorite practices is to create collages using images from magazines. By recombining the images new worlds appear. I am intrigued by the soul journey we take when we reflect on these collages. SoulCollage® is a process for personal exploration and transformation.
I looked to the Kaleidosoul website for a description of SoulCollage®,
SoulCollage® is a creative, fun tool for easy, artful self-expression. It was developed by Seena B. Frost, M. Div., M.A. Using intuition and imagination, you create your own deck of collaged cards, where each card reflects a different aspect of who you are.
The cards are made from simple materials: magazine images, scissors, glue, and mat board.
This soul-tending practice honors one’s personal journey, while promoting personal growth and self-acceptance. Best of all, it is a creative process that is truly accessible to everyone, even people who believe they have no artistic ability.
SoulCollage® is unique because once an individual card has been created, there is still much to be discovered.
Through journaling, visualization and other activities, you are invited to step deeper into each card and discover how it relates to your inner and outer world. And through readings, you can use your deck to answer questions that can help you to navigate more smoothly through your daily life.
You can read Seena Frost’s book, SoulCollage: An Intuitive Collage Process for Individuals and Groups
. Teachers, therapists, and people all over the world use this powerful process in workshops and psychotherapy, classrooms, retreats, and coaching sessions (to name a few). There are more than 800 trained SoulCollage® Facilitators worldwide.
Host a SoulCollage® Tea Party
Two years ago I wanted to learn more about SoulCollage®. I turned to the Web and read through the SoulCollage® and Kaleidosoul websites. I found a list of facilitators on Seena Frost's SoulCollage site and located one in my area. Rather than taking a workshop I contacted Laura Hegfield about hosting a SoulCollage® tea party for me and my friends in honor of my 40th birthday.
Pictured above is the colorful invitation that I designed. As you can see I was into collage before I took the workshop.
Here are the cards that I had made on that day:
I am the one on a journey of personal growth and transformation.
I am the one whose work adds color to this world.
As I shave down the surface, I uncurl the truths that help us
to see our true selves and to connect with the true selves of others.
The day was magical from beginning to end and a wonderful way to usher in my 40th year. Whether you are new to SoulCollage® or have experience with it, I highly recommend gathering your dear friends for a special collage making tea party. To find a facilitator near you visit http://www.soulcollage.com/facilitator-finder/
Creating a SoulCollage® Card
The cards are really quite simple to make. All you need are, scissors, a glue stick, and a stack of magazines, old calendars, catalogs, and the like. The popular size for the cards is 5" x 8". Using matt board is recommended for backing the cards.
I usually start by flipping through magazines and tearing out images that interest me. I work quickly and intuitively giving very little thought to what the images might mean. Once I have a good stack I then look through them again and again pulling out different backgrounds and images that I have the strongest reaction too. I then start cutting images out from their backgrounds and avoid including any words. I save the words for my vision boards which is a very different practice. With SoulCollage® the focus is on creating a visual that is more symbolic. I keep moving around different images, overlapping, interlocking, much like putting together a puzzle.
To help me preview the collage, I created this viewfinder
by taping together two 12"x12" pieces of paper.
The top piece has a 5"x8" rectangle cut out.
Once you've finished cutting and gluing your collage, the next step is to read the cards. As you look at your cards notice imagery, symbols, and expressions on the faces of people. Identify the archetypes, that is the roles of the people and animals. Do you see teachers, workers, wives, mothers, children, counselors, critics, or dreamers? There are an infinite number of possibilities.
Seena Frost offers a helpful exercise called, "I am the one who..."
As you look at your card picture yourself inside the card and looking through the eyes of one of the characters in the card. Ask the card, "Who are you?"
In your journal respond, "I am the one who..."
Keep asking and answering this question until you feel ready to stop.
Then ask, "What message do you have for me?"
Continue the dialogue back and forth with your card.
End with, "What do you want from me?"
It can be awkward at first to find the voice of the cards. I'm still working on this. I can't stress enough how helpful and rewarding it is to meet up with other SoulCollage® enthusiasts in your area.
Here are a few of my recent cards.
I am the one who is over-scheduled.
I have so many ideas and projects that it is hard to find time for everything.
I seek direction and look for the key that unlocks
my golden future.
I am the one who finds time to retreat.
I enjoy my coffee and reading time.
I am Aphrodite in hiding.
Underneath my shy exterior is a passionate woman.
I love beauty in all things and I see beauty in all people.
I am the one who guides and connects you to the Source, a divine place where all knowledge, understanding, and life springs forth. I offer you the fruits of knowledge and self awareness. Don't be afraid of my sensuality as it is natural and untainted.
I am here to help you to understand and see yourself as you are.
SoulCollage® Decks
You can create many cards to form a deck. Seena Frost presents four suits to help you organize your cards. At first I didn't worry about understanding the suits, it really is only recently that I've turned my attention to this topic. If this is your first time making a card, I suggest focusing on making your card and later after you've made a few, take your practice to the next level.
For a complete explanation read Seena's book, SoulCollage: An Intuitive Collage Process for Individuals and Groups.
I also talk about the different suits in my
interview with Anne Marie Bennett. Be sure to swing by the interview. Anne Marie has an offer for you! Get a discount on a couple of her products that can get you started making cards, now!
CLICK here for the interview and great offers.Explore the use SoulCollage®
Anne Marie Bennett has done an amazing job of building a community around SoulCollage®. Her site Kaledosoul offers so many resources for learning creative ways to use SoulCollage®. As a Kindred Spirits member, you have free access to monthly tele-classes. Just last week I participated in a class about SoulCollage® & Eating Disorders presented by Nicky Ruxton, SoulCollage® Facilitator in California. While Nicky was explaining the topic and her background I made the following SoulCollage® card.
I am the one who grabs food that lacks color when my energy is low.
I am the one feels sad and lonely.
I am the one who overeats bread, pasta, and all white flour and sugary foods.
Nicky asked us to find a positive card from our deck and
to have this card dialogue with the food related card.
This card says,
Listen to your body and notice how the food you eat affects your energy.
The more colorful your food is, the healthier it is.
You have vibrant colorful dreams for life, it is important to fuel your body in colors that match your dreams.
The white food will only serve to slow you down and drain the color from your dreams.
You will feel free as I do when you take good care of your body.
I have to say I found this exercise to be so profound! It was a delight to learn from Nicky and the other participants. I am looking forward to exploring my own relationship with food using SoulCollage®.
The line up of topics for the next few months looks so fascinating. The Kindred Spirits members section has links to audio recordings of previous sessions so joining now will give you a wealth of information and resources. Intrigued? Learn more about Kindred Spirits, HERE.
Important Do's and Don'ts about SoulCollage®
Please read the following:
SoulCollage® is a trademarked process created by Seena Frost. For more information on Seena, the process, or Facilitator Training please visit her website.
SoulCollage® cards are made either from one's own art or from images found in materials which have been bought by or given to the SoulCollage card maker.
These collaged cards are used only for the cardmaker's own inner exploration. SoulCollage cards are not sold, traded, bartered, or copied (except as a back-up for the cardmakers own use) as is stated in the Principles of SoulCollage®. Where SoulCollage cards are available to be seen by others, it is for the purposes either of demonstrating the SoulCollage process or of sharing the cardmakers' inner process in the context of community. SoulCollage® is grateful to the artists and photographers who make this deep awakening process possible and in all ways SoulCollage® seeks to be respectful of their rights.
Join me and other SoulCollage® enthusiasts for an online party!
CLICK HERE to get the details.
