Greetings, and welcome to Soul Songs, the official KaleidoSoul Newsletter, focusing on SoulCollage® ideas, resources and cards. Our intention is to fill each issue (and your life) with inspiration, soul-solace and delight.
Please feel free to forward this newsletter to any friends, colleagues, or family members who will enjoy it.
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Hi! I'm Anne Marie, the creator of KaleidoSoul.com, and a SoulCollage® Facilitator in Massachusetts and worldwide online. |
And I would give you the gift of music that you might know your own soul.
~ Betty Kingley Hawkins
You may be familiar with several goddesses of music. For example: Saraswati (Hindu), Hathor (Egyptian), and Terpishore (Greek), to name a few. I haven’t studied any of these goddesses, but I am becoming more and more aware of Music as an archetypal energy that has had a profound effect on my life. This card is one I made intuitively but as I work with her she informs me of the universal power of Music to heal, to empower, to soothe. In my deck, she is the Goddess of Music.
From a very young age, music filled our home. I remember my parents playing records (yes, we had actual vinyl records, back in the day!). Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gourme, Frank Sinatra and Peggy Lee, to name a few. We watched Leonard Bernstein’s Young People’s Concerts on television, and my love for classical music was born. The Lawrence Welk Show was my grandmother’s favorite which introduced me to other kinds of music.
When I was twelve, my brother Joe started taking me to Broadway musicals at the University of Connecticut, and music entered my life in a new and captivating way. Soon I was buying soundtrack albums and singing the songs (over and over and over) in my room. Okay, I confess—I still sing along to Broadway showtunes while driving in the car!
In my teens I was drawn to the soul-full music of John Denver, Joni Mitchell, Jim Croce, Gordon Lightfoot, Judy Collins, The Carpenters, and Jim Croce. I began to write songs and play my guitar for family, friends, our Girl Scout outings, and later on for my second grade classes.
As I look back on my life, it amazes me to see how big a part music played on my journey, and how important it is to me today. You can’t step in to one of my workshops or retreats (in-person or on Zoom) without hearing a specially chosen song to fit the theme. My Spotify playlists runneth over with songs that stir my soul, Broadway favorites, soothing music, uplifting music, classical music . . . Well, you get the picture!
My husband and I are big fans of American Idol and The Voice. We enjoy discovering new artists as much as the judges and coaches, but a big part of why we love these shows is hearing the backstory of some of the singers, many of whom have gone through challenges and setbacks in their young lives. In just about every episode, at least one contestant says a variation on this theme, “Music saved my life.”
Think about it. Music saved this teen’s life after her parents died in a car accident. Music gave this young man a purpose after he was severely injured in the NFL. In these instances, and in many more, as well as in my own life, I can see the power that the archetypal energy of Music has to give us, if only we listen. If only we sing. If only we pay attention.
Take some time this week to think back on your life. When on your journey did you turn to music to soothe your soul, to inspire you to get out of bed on a dark day, to just open up to life and love and the pure bliss of being alive? Whose music did that for you? What music gets you excited and feeling joyful now? Consider adding music to your SoulCollage® deck in some way—either for the archetypal Council suit showing how Music touches all our lives, for the inner Committee part of you who loves to sing or play an instrument, or for a Community member who inspires you through their music.
Resources:
If you love music, and if you are a KaleidoSoul Kindred Spirits member, be sure to check out the audio class and comprehensive handout from Facilitator Tamara Brody. It’s called “Tuned in to the Soundtrack of Your Life” and it’s in your Members Only Audio Video Library, Section 8.
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Anne Marie Bennett is a SoulCollage® Facilitator / Trainer, published author, website goddess, and two-time cancer survivor who was mentored directly by Seena Frost.Anne Marie lives in eastern Massachusetts with her middle-aged husband, one adolescent feline, and a treasury of birds, squirrels and chipmunks who keep them hopping. Her books about SoulCollage® are available here.
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Honoring Our Female Ancestors
90-minute SoulCollage® Zoom with Facilitator
Tameka Jackson from California
Date: Friday, February 9
Time: 1pm Eastern
FR*EE for our
Only $10 for non-members
Easily Accessible from Anywhere in the World!
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I'm Kat Kirby, Art Therapist and SoulCollage® Facilitator from Prescott, Arizona. I love to share my passion for SoulCollage® wherever and whenever I can. I hope you find that my words inspire you to create a new card or two! |
Music Makes Things Better
The influence of music in our lives is huge. When we hear a few bars of an old familiar tune, we are immediately brought back to those times: what clothes we wore, how we styled our hair, what perfume was popular, who we had a crush on . . . etc. A while ago, I sent out a newsletter at the end of summer and attached the tune "See You in September." Many readers sent me emails with their own memories of what was happening for them when that song was popular.
My mother played the ukulele, and every Sunday when we traveled to our grandparents’ house, she would sit in the front seat, strumming her uke and singing such classics as "Red River Valley" and "Billy Boy." Even though sometimes she was doing this for her own self-soothing (she had a difficult relationship with her parents), we four kids in the back seat just enjoyed the fun. We'd sing along and the trip went so much faster. Music just made things better.
Music has always been important in my life. I remember the day in 1963, when my older brother Kenny came into my room early one morning all excited and told me to come to his room and listen to a new group that was playing on his clock radio—The Beatles. I had never heard anything like those voices, that harmony, the beat. I realized something brand new was happening in the music world. It was one of those defining moments when you are awed by something you might not really understand just yet.
Joni Mitchell was one of the first of many musicians who influenced me. The combination of her originality, beauty, creative talent, and of course long string of famous musician lovers had me intrigued. Her musical style of "open tunings" led me to try new things as I played my guitar, and when I wanted to relax or find peace within myself, my Joni Mitchell albums were always my first choice. Her angelic voice and incredible range never stopped me from singing along!
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I Am One Who plays guitar and sings, who creates beautiful music for you to enjoy. My songs seem strangely familiar to many people from all walks of life, although my story is my own. I Am One Who follows my heart and mind, and I encourage you to do the same.
There are several artists and musicians I admire, yet as I write this column I realize I have yet to actually create them. I will soon be making Community suit cards for Eric Clapton, The Beatles, Bonnie Raitt, Simon & Garfunkel, and probably a few more.
The challenge with these cards is the concept of intentional vs. intuitive. Creating Community cards in general involves thought and planning, finding the perfect image of the person, and putting the image on the “right” background. I know it can be hard to make time to search for the right images . . . and I also know it's important to continue to develop my SoulCollage® deck, and therefore myself. I get such joy out of my Community cards. Once they start speaking to me in my readings, I am reminded that we always need to "trust the process."
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Kat Kirby is a retired Registered Art Therapist and SoulCollage® Facilitator. She leads creative workshops and retreats throughout the US and abroad. Kat has been working with SoulCollage® since 2006 when she was trained as a Facilitator by Seena Frost, and believes strongly in the healing power of the arts. For more information about Kat's workshops and retreats, please visit her website.
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SoulCollage® Spark Challenge
With Facilitator/Trainer Lucy Schaaphok
Starts April 4, 2024
Do the conflicting thoughts in your head sometimes drive you crazy? Is your inner critic often too loud? Join this fun Online SoulCollage® Spark Challenge and uncover the hidden treasures within. Learn a lot about yourself in a short time, bring more balance into your life and enjoy a fun challenge. Savor this together with friends. Bring a friend for free. $27 USD
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Here are some of our readers' Music cards: |
Harry Belafonte
Community
Michele
California
Day-O! I infused your early life with rhythm, song, and grace. I am with you each Christmas season, singing together as we have for more than six decades. I am honored to give you hope.
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Music Man
Committee Suit
Donale
California
I am one who loves the feeling of music coming out of my fingers. I am one who shares my joy with the world around me. I am one who is joyfully content bringing music to life.
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Music and My Five Senses - In Memory of Johnny Mathis
Community Suit
Chigoke
Georgia
I am one who provides sound to your memories. I am one who moves you to dance to the universe’s beat. I am one who bestows sun-sight to your melodies. I am one who grants taste to your preferred music. I am one who provides space for the aroma of a tune to touch your heart.
You have only one song to play in this moment. Which SONG will you choose?
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Seeds of Love
Council Suit
Catherine
South Korea
I Am One Who reminds you of the seeds of love, the capacity of your voice. I am one who listens to the music of the universe. I am one who offers you the possibility of connecting to a higher vibratory frequency.
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Hauser, the Cellist
Community Suit
Toni
Oregon
I am one who orchestrates joy, peace and passion in your life. I am one who creates the music that deeply moves you at a cellular level that connects you with your ancient and eternal oneness with all that was and is. I am the one who creates music that tickles your muse to bring out your own unique creativity. I am one who curates with the angels to bring music that nurtures your soul.
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Musician
Council Suit
Edie
New Mexico
I am one who creates joy with my music. I am joyous, and I bring joy to all who hear me.
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Queen Bee
Committee Suit
Lisa
Alabama
I sing the songs of the Cathars, of the Mary’s, buzzing with sacred sounds that heal our spirits and souls. For those who have died for their beliefs and for those who honor them. I tone the alchemy of grief and joy as I walk in their footsteps on the paths to the fires. To death. And freedom. I set them free with the buzz of the bees.
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John Denver
Community Suit
Anne Marie
Massachusetts
I am the one who filled your teen years with heart-full music. I am the one who changed your perception of life and love and music. I am the one whose music made a difference in your life and whose music is still making a difference in the lives of many.
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Please feel free to submit one of your cards for a future issue by sending a reply email to this newsletter.
Future themes include:
April: Crone
May: Imagination
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Infusing Grace Into Your Grief Journey
with SoulCollage®
Saturday, March 30, 2024
2 pm Eastern
with Facilitator Patti Lockenbach
In this class, we’ll explore adding Grace and Kindness to your grief journey through the SoulCollage© process. Also covered will be the potential benefits of this, plus common mistakes we may unintentionally make on our journeys with grief. Each person will be guided to create a personalized "Statement of Grace." You will also receive access to the written class which allows you to go at your own pace, along with a 90-minute zoom class (recorded).
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ENGLAND- 2 Spaces Left!
Return to Avalon Goddess Retreat and Pilgrimage
Glastonbury, England
May 9-17, 2024
Facilitator: Cat Caracelo
Travel to the place of myth and memories, where the landscape is a mirror of the Soul. Glastonbury, the ancient isle of Avalon is rich with sacred and ancient sites. Explore the earth-based, mystic energies; honor the Goddess in the bounty of Spring. Make inspired art with SoulCollage® and more as you deepen your story in this all-inclusive women's retreat! We will celebrate the lingering Spring with Beltane Energies still influencing our hearts. This is a special season that evokes soul growth and beauty.
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MASSACHUSETTS- Limited Spaces Available
In-Person SoulCollage® Facilitator Training
May 22-26, 2024
Westfield, Massachusetts
Trainer: Isabel Phillips
This is a four-night, four-day, in-person SoulCollage® Facilitator Training held in a beautiful retreat setting in western Massachusetts. Participants in this Training will develop the skills needed to share the powerful SoulCollage® process in the world: how to prepare and offer a variety of workshops, how to create brave space to empower participants, and how to adapt workshops to match the needs of different audiences. The Training covers business and ethical considerations, and new Facilitators will leave with the clarity, competence, and inspiration to become part of a global community of over 5,000 Facilitators serving the world! More information here.
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Just look for whatever SoulCollage® topic you are interested in,
and read to your heart's content!
SoulCollage® is a trademarked process created by Seena B. Frost.
For more information about Seena and the origins of SoulCollage®,
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.
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All articles in SOUL SONGS are copyrighted 2024,
by Anne Marie Bennett, Cat Caracelo, Linda Woolfson,
Michaela Daystar, or Michele Manos.
Articles may be reprinted by permission only.
Image of singing birds Copyright: Kudryashka from Deposit Photos.
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