Lenten Journey - Making Crosses: An Act of Grace

 

Today is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the 40 days of Lent. This blog post on cross making was originally posted last year. My online friend, Grace Bower from New Zealand encouraged me to repost it. She writes, "Just reread your cross making post - are you thinking of updating it and redoing the competition? Everything you said seems to me worth repeating as we are all in a new space one year on. Feb 22 is the one year anniversary of the deaths of 185 people in the huge Christchurch quake. So many people have had their lives changed forever that this will really be a day of reflection for many. For NZ it is poignant that it is also Ash Wednesday in preparation for Lent."

Revisiting a post, book, theme, prompt always brings new insights for we are never the same person from one moment in time to the next. When I prepared the Journey of the Heart Journal post on crossroads, I was thinking of reposting this cross making project. Grace's question affirmed what I had already been thinking.

So I've dusted off this post, added some new reflections, and picked up another copy of the book, Making Crosses: A Creative Connection to God by Ellen Morris Prewitt to giveaway to one person who participates in a little contest. Details can be found further down on this post. 

Will you join me on a Lenten Journey?

Making time for reflection during the 40 days of Lent is a very powerful experience, regardless of your religious background. I've found the process of making crosses to be very transformative and insightful. Whenever we tap into the creative process, we touch the divine. It is experienced as GRACE, that feeling of ease where we enter the creative zone where images seem to emerge and words flow from the pen. This Lenten Journey that I'm inviting you to take with me is an invitation to enter into that creative space and to open up to GRACE. 

A project for everyone.

Making crosses doesn't require any background or training as an artist. All you need is a desire to collect stuff and put it together. There are no rules, guidelines, or expectations. You can make the crosses from magazine images and collage them together in your journal. Broken dishes, dried flowers, seashells, old jewelry - really anything you can imagine can be worked into a cross. Allow yourself the creative freedom to select what piques your interest. You may need to experiment with different adhesives, wire, or nails to assemble your cross. The process of selecting materials and pulling it together is part of the journey - I hope you'll have fun with it.

If you are not of a Christian background this symbol can be seen as a CROSSROADS. It is a great visual for representing the paths in your life, a point of intersection, and a place to check in before moving on in a journey. I write more about the crossroads theme in the most recent Journey of the Heart Journal post. In the post, I share a cross made out of paper that represents my word for the year, "embrace." I offer several questions in that post that may help you as you reflect upon and interpret your own crosses.

I was first inspired by the book, Making Crosses: A Creative Connection to God by Ellen Morris Prewitt. The book offers steps, reflections, and journal exercises to guide you in making crosses.

 
Each cross has a story to tell.

Each cross is a unique reflection of the person making it and holds within it a very personal story. Clues of the story emerge from the materials that were selected. Whatever is burning in our hearts becomes the story our crosses tell. Like all of my art making, I work intuitively to make the crosses. I pay little attention to "why" I'm selecting materials. I grab what grabs me. Making time for quiet reflection is an important part of the process. Storytelling has the power to heal - when we share our stories we learn that we are not alone in our struggles. Often we make peace with what has been stirring inside and our stories offer comfort and resolution. As you tell your story, consider how you will tell it. You have the opportunity to tell it anew and in a way that is empowering.

My first crosses and the story they tell.

To get started on my first crosses, I was drawn to natural materials and pulled out a large hat box stuffed with dried materials left over from my Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) practice. What follows are five crosses and my reflections on each one.

Cross 1: Believe
bleached kiwi branch, eucalyptus pods, and seashell

As I looked at this cross I thought, "What are you struggling with?" A torrent of emotions welled up and shook my body like a violent storm. I was watching myself and silently asked, "What is behind this strong reaction?" Looking at this sweet little cross I heard the question, "What do you believe?"

After thinking a bit I replied, "I still don't know." For most of my life and even today I have difficulty speaking the name God. For me it is rife with a history of man's ego acting out so violently throughout the centuries in the name of God. In my own life I've been saddened to witness (albeit far lesser) trespasses on the name by mean and petty "Christians." From a young age and even today I struggle separating man from religion. How much of traditional religions are divinely inspired and how much is designed by man to serve man? I mean no blaspheme here and wish to add that in my work of the last 7 years, I have come to know so many dear, honest, and faith-filled people who inspire me to look closer with an open heart. What I do know is that we are part of something bigger. I have been blessed to witness miracles every day, yes every single day. With each miraculous coincidence, kismet seems to be dancing in front of me and asking, "When will you get it?"

"But what exactly am I to get?"

I turn to my next cross.

Cross 2: Spiritual Growth
safari sunset for cross bars and decorated with grevallia
both materials are from South Africa 

With the branches full of leaves and an unusual flower at the center, my second cross speaks to me of growth. This cross reminds me just how important it is to make time for contemplative practices. As I prepare to take up a Lenten Journey, this cross is a signal to dedicate more time for journal writing, daily walks, and yoga.

Cross 3: Harvesting Humility
corn broom 

This cross, made of broom corn reminds me of the autumn harvest. It also reminds me of the simple lifestyle of the Peche Indians I met when traveling in Honduras. The homes were so simple. They used branches as brooms to sweep their dirt floored homes with the leaves. When I look at this cross I am humbled and reminded that we do not need as much as we think we do. The cross speaks to me, "Live a simple life and you will reap a harvest that will nourish you and those whom you serve."

This cross asks me to look around at all that I have collected. "Do you need all of this stuff? What can you give away that will help another less fortunate?"

Cross 4: Bound Together
pussy willow branches, leaves, starfish 

As I tied together three pussy willow branches, I imagined the leaf as a bandage holding together three parts of myself: the child, the mother, and the artist. The starfish was attached with another leaf at the center of the cross. Doesn't the starfish look playful? It is as if it has outstretched arms and it is dancing. As I seek to balance the different archetypes and roles, the dualities of my mind and body, I see how important it is to approach life as a dance for when I resist, I feel the struggle.

This cross says, "Lighten up! Get playful." On this Lenten Journey I will seek to be like a child - full of wonder and curiosity; like a mother - nurturing and gentle; and like the artist - creative and contemplative.

Cross 5: Forgiveness
Japanese foxtail pussywillow, seed pod, red dogwood branch 

This last cross is perhaps the most intriguing to me.

At the center is a prickly seed pod that is empty of all seeds and a branch of red dogwood, twisted and turned to form a loop.

The top bears several branches reaching out. I sat for quite a time looking up on my wall of crosses thinking, "What is the story behind this cross?" I sat still in silence. I sat and sat. My mind seemed empty. On a small table next to the crosses I pulled out my box of Zen cards and randomly choose a card. FORGIVENESS came up. "Ah-ha! Yes, forgiveness is the name of this cross." I've been exploring forgiveness in the last seven years and more recently the focus has been turned inward on forgiving myself. As I look back on that first cross and my struggle, perhaps it is time to open my heart and forgive those who have been so very human, broken, and misguided?

The back of the Zen card reads:

FORGIVE

yourself and everyone

around you. When you

judge others, YOU

are the one who feels

pain. Through

forgiveness, all pain

disappears.

Now it is your turn!

I invite you to take up your own journey during the 40 days of Lent. Try making a cross of your own. Consider getting together with your friends to share this creative practice - and be sure to leave time for telling the stories of the crosses. The crosses also make a thoughtful gift for a friend, loved one, or colleague.

Enter to Win

I'm interested in posting a gallery of crosses in time for Easter. Wouldn't it be cool to see crosses designed by people from all over the world? I hope you'll be inspired by this post to create one. As a little incentive I picked up a copy of the book, Making Crosses: A Creative Connection to God by Ellen Morris Prewitt for one lucky participant.

1. Design a cross using any materials of your choosing. Maybe you'll take a week to collect materials before you sit down to work. One suggestion from the book is to select items to honor your past. To get organized, consider setting up a table just for this practice so you don't have to complete your project in one sitting. When I work I allow myself to slow down and observe the process. Feeling resistance? Breath into it and let go of any expectations. Turn to your journal to empty yourself of any frustration. Remind yourself that you have everything you need to make your cross.

2. Post a photo of your cross on your blog. (If you don't have a blog, e-mail me at kathrynantyr@mac.com)

3. Include a link back to www.truenortharts.com on your blog post.

4. Include a description. In your blog post share the materials used, the name of your cross, and if you feel comfortable, the story of your cross. (I know this can get personal and I want you to feel safe sharing your stories.)

5. Come back to this post and leave a comment. Be sure to let me know what country you are in. If you are in the US please add what state you are in. You may also write to me directly at kathrynantyr@mac.com

6. Submit your entry by Friday, April 1, 2012 at midnight EST.

7. I'll post the CROSS GALLERY and announce the winner on Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012.

Go! Collect some materials and fashion yourself a cross. In this creative time, look inward. Listen to your heart. May you find a deeper connection to the divine. I look forward to seeing your beautiful crosses!

{soul hugs}

Kathryn, Collage Diva

 

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Comments

[Jen Clark]

What a beautiful post, Kathryn! Thank you for sharing your beautiful crosses and the meaning behind each of them. As a Christian, I feel the need to offer an apology to you for all of the Christians who have been hurtful to you in the past. I've never understood why people who have been set free, who have been shown unfailing love and grace by God, can be so judgmental and hurtful to others. And I agree with you - there has been more harm and even killing done in the name of religion, in this world, than for any other cause. I love your idea for the Lenten journey and the cross making. It is always good to take time to reflect. :)

[Lila]

I like the idea of crossroads as a possible association with these crosses.
Thank-you for an inspiring post!

[brandi]

~crossroads is what spoke to me as well...a delicate journey to be taken...i look forward to joining along...thank you for your beautiful words you shared and inspiring us to partake on these 40 days with you...be well and much love light and blessings~

[morningdove]

i love this idea, probably just what i need at this time in my life. thank you for reposting this. oh i wish i had kept some beautiful branch whips of maple tree i cleared out of my yard today. and your last cross with dog wood branches - beautiful example of crown of thorns. now i will leave a blog post back to True North.

[morningdove]

here is my blog post about True North's Lent Making Crosses.
http://morningdew15morningdove.blogspot.com/2012/02/true-north-making-crosses.html

[morningdove]

well not sure why my blog post won't work, maybe i'll try this
http://morningdew15morningdove.blogspot.com/

[Wendy Fedan]

I love this!!!!!! Oh, what a marvelous post! I will definitely participate in this (project for March). Thank you so much for the inspiring idea. Oh, this is fun.
And I LOVE your beautiful crosses!!!!

[morningdove]

my second day cross creation is my dream vision board. oh how you inspired me this morning. i awoke to finishing it with ease. hurray!
http://morningdew15-morningdove.blogspot.com/2012/02/you-me-give-shelter.html

[morningdove]

day 3 a folding pocket cross http://morningdew15-morningdove.blogspot.com/2012/02/day-3-lent-making-crosses.html

[morningdove]

day 4 strong wind of delight http://morningdew15-morningdove.blogspot.com/2012/02/kathryns-challenge-still-has-me.html
thank you kathryn for reminding me who i am.

[Dottie]

Kathryn, I joined your cross making project and linked it back to your blog. Thanks for the inspiration and challenge. It was a very healing process.

[morningdove]

you have captured my heart in crosses
http://morningdew15-morningdove.blogspot.com/2012/02/pocket-cross-sons-24th-bday.html

[morningdove]

every day is a new beginning, thank you for the reminder. my camilla cross
http://morningdew15-morningdove.blogspot.com/2012/03/camilla-cross.html

[morningdove]

here's another one. so grateful to yourfor getting me going to make crosses for soldiers. i loved your declutter blog bc i am right there with you and joined 21 secrets months ago. looking forward to your class.
http://morningdew15morningdove.blogspot.com/2012/03/right-on-time.html

[Edith]

I loved this post. I loved your creativity and your honesty. I too have spent so many years upon years struggling with what I 'believe' in; what 'faith'means to me. Increasingly it seems that the deeper I delve into the Mystery, the more mysterious it becomes, the less I know. In my present Lenten journey I exploring the connection between the Christian symbol of the Sacred Heart and the Buddhist heart-centered practice of compassion and tonglen.