Dear Creative Friends,

I'm recently back from teaching a Book of Hours retreat with Jan Phillips at Mercy by the Sea in Connecticut. Jan was one of my first teachers after I discovered her book God is at Eye Level: Photography as a Healing Art. I went on to train with her as a Creativity Facilitator and her book Marry Your Muse: Making a Lasting Commitment to Your Creativity underpins much of my creative practice. I so enjoyed leading participants through the process of making their own Book of Hours based on Jan's latest book, Stop Seeking, Start Finding. If you have ever done a workshop with me, the chances are that you've heard me read The Artist's Creed, written by Jan. If you haven't, take a moment and read The Artist's Creed here on Jan's website. It will feed your Inner Artist.

Travel is one of the ways I grow my creative edges. By opening to different ways of seeing and experiencing I question and often adjust the way I approach life. For example, after my trip to Nepal in January this year, I became aware that most people started their days giving thanks by lighting a candle, ringing a bell, chanting a mantra, or with an offering. This made me more aware of how I start my day, and was a reminder that starting my day with a short invocation and a sense of gratitude, can bring me to presence, and awaken the sense of wonder that I am on this beautiful earth.

I recently read that when we travel, we take three trips. The first is in our imagination as we daydream and plan, anticipate and pack for our trip. The second is the physical journey itself, and the third is the trip that lives in your memory. In essence, travel feeds and inspires our lives both before and long after we are home from our travels.

I believe travel changes us. We see how other cultures live and approach their daily lives, and our way of seeing and understanding is expanded and enlarged.

Creative Pilgrimages at the Intersection of Spirituality and Creativity

I warmly invite you to join me on a creative pilgrimage in the year ahead — a mindful and heart-centered experience that deepens your travel experience through artistic expression. A creative pilgrimage is an inner and outer journey of presence. We listen deeply, make with our hands, and follow the threads of inspiration in the outer world that guide us inward.

September, 2025: Chartres, France

January, 2026: Kathmandu and Pokhara, Nepal

September, 2026: Japan

Chartres, France: Celebrating Divine Radiance in Human Evolution

September 22 to 26, 2025

If you are interested in exploring a more creative and peaceful way of relating to our world, well-known Irish social psychologist, Diarmuid O'Murchu, will be the guest speaker in conversation with Lauren Artress in Chartres for this Veriditas Walking a Sacred Path pilgrimage.

Diarmuid is the author of over twenty books, including Reclaiming Spirituality and Quantum Theology: Spiritual Implications of the New Physics.

Lauren Artress is the author of Walking a Sacred Path: Rediscovering the Labyrinth as a Spiritual Practice and The Path of the Holy Fool: How the Labyrinth Ignites our Visionary Powers and is the founder of Veriditas.

You can find more information here on the Veriditas website.

I will be leading SoulCollage® art integration sessions during this Veriditas pilgrimage to deepen your experiences and integrate your learning.

Included in this experience is a private candlelight walk of the labyrinth in Chartres Cathedral.

"Spirituality is understood to be an innate wisdom of the human heart that enlivens

a zest for life, a search for meaning and purpose, a love for all that is good and beautiful,

a passion to create a better world, a sensitivity to the life-energy (God, if you wish)

that permeates the entire cosmos.”

Diarmuid O'Murchu

Art in the Himalayas: Seeing through the Lens of Your Senses and Your Soul

January 16 to 27, 2026

Have you seen the movie Lost Horizon? There is a 1937 black and white version and a musical color version made in 1973. I remember watching this musical version when I was 13 and being enthralled at the idea of Shangri-La, a place of peace and harmony. The setting of the movie was inspired by the Himalayas, so if you have ever wanted to see the Himalayas, consider joining me in Nepal in January, 2026. We will spend time in both Kathmandu and Pokhara on Lake Phewa. Pokhara is known as the gateway to the Annapurna Mountain Range. While in Nepal in January this year, I was mesmerized by the color, the culture and the art.

If travel makes you a little nervous, no need to worry. You'll be picked up at the airport and be guided by the Essence of Mulranny team until you fly back home. And I'll be happy to help you plan your flights to Kathmandu. We will have daily excursions and art making, and I'll share some of my favorite things made by the people of Nepal and Tibet - mandalas, malas, singing bowls, stupas, and so much more.

This trip includes supporting the local community through Bodhisattvas in Action, a ten hour sound healing course, creating a visual journal with photographs, stitching with gold thread, flying from Kathmandu to Pokhara in the foothills of the Himalayas, and more as you'll see from the Essence of Mulranny website.

Learning how you can use singing bowls to calm your nervous system from a Nepalese sound healer will add to the ways you can care for yourself.

I'm honored that Lora Murphy of Essence of Mulranny invited me to offer the creative experiences for this retreat.

More information here on my website.

Further information and registration with Essence of Mulranny.

Discover Japan: A Textile, Craft and Spiritual Retreat

September 14 to 27, 2026

I worked with Aahilya Holidays to create an itinerary for this trip that offers opportunities to explore the country of Japan while interacting with Japanese craftspeople and having hands-on creative experiences.

Our itinerary includes Tokyo, Kamakura, Fuji, Nagano, Kanazawa, and Kyoto.

More information here on my website.

More information and registration here on the Aahilya Holidays website.

If you are not able to travel, and want to deepen your spiritual and creative life, I highly recommend the book my dear friend, Jennifer Halls, just released. It is called You know: How to Invite & Nourish a Relationship with Your Intuition. Jennifer became my teacher in 1997, the year I moved to the United States. At that time there were very few people offering things like classes on intuition, especially in Charlotte, NC. Jennifer taught me to listen to the voice of my soul, and I'm so happy Jennifer has taken the time to create a book so that people everywhere can now learn from her. If you want to find out more about Jennifer, you can find her website here.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the upcoming pilgrimages, email me by replying to this email. I'm also happy to schedule a call with you to answer your questions.

May your Summer days be gentle.

Warmly,

Catherine

www.creativepilgrimage.com

A video reminder that we co-create this world we live in