About Cynthia

I am a textile artist, embroiderer, wood burner, costumer, painter, and weaver who sees magic and change in the chain stitch and a well done Palestrina knot. I wish I had more control over the ways of the human world but alas, all I can control are my actions and my attitude in life and the consistency of my stitches. And sometimes even that doesn’t pan out as hoped and I must rip rip rip.

Witch Dress

Posted on September 25, 2008 by Cynthia

I’ve been mulling over what kind of black robe/dress/tunic I want to make to wear to public ritual where black is the appropriate color. Samhain comes to mind. Also, since it won’t be consecrated or blessed I want to wear it as my witch dress when I put on my coned hat and go out in public at Halloween. What to do, what to do…

I finally settled on Simplicty #3723.

I find it ironic that the pattern is for a puritan woman who would surely have hung me. *cackle* But I love the basic dress. Remove the hat, apron, and neck collar. Make the cuffs red on the inside and black on the outside so they can be up or down.And not so big, closer to the hand/wrist. I will be making this as a dress made to last not a costume so the bodice and sleeves will be lined. But the main change is this. It will NOT zip up the back but will lace up the front. I am keeping the high round neckline but the lacing will stop at my cleavage and the two flaps of extra fabric will form a kind of collar of their own, also red on the inside, will be embroidered and lay back flat against the decoulettage. Gonna be fine. No shapeless sack for me. I’ve been putting it off as I finalize the design changes and decide finally on the fabric. I thought about velvet and maybe one day I will make this out of velvet. But I decided on black linen with red linen lining. Who knows what I’ll be getting on it, candle wax, blessing oil, ashes, needs to be easily cleaned. Gotta cut it out and fit it today and get moving on this project as the lacing eyelets will be hand sewn and the embroidery will take time.

Cancer for the week

Posted on September 25, 2008 by Cynthia

The tabloids report that Cancerian Tom Cruise has plans to build a $10 million bunker designed to save him and his family when the evil alien overlord Xenu attacks Earth, fulfilling a prophecy of his religion, Scientology. If the reports do have a grain of truth, and Cruise has in fact been considering the project, now would be an excellent time for him to begin construction. I’m not saying that I believe Xenu’s on his way. My point is that you Crabs will place yourself in harmony with cosmic rhythms if you attend to matters that will bolster your security, help you feel safe and peaceful, and foster domestic bliss.

I’m working on it…

Don’t Give Up Five Minutes Before the Miracle

Posted on September 23, 2008 by Cynthia

That is a saying that is used a lot in my recovery program and I’m sure in other places as well. But it came to me in early sobriety and I used it all the time to get through the day without drinking or, in my case, without simply totally freaking out. Kept things to a dull roar and my Mercury in Leo, that’s no small feat. Rooowrrrrrrrr.

So I’ve been trying to use that mantra again. It’s been a long time since I had to use it. Not to get through the day without drinking, not an option and it didn’t occurr to me, but certainly to keep from freaking out. The key to manifesting what you want in this life is to keep your intent focussed there and to remain in gratitude. And because of that lost contract I’ve been worried about money and have lived off the savings. And it’s gone. And I was this close this morning to having to ask someone for a loan. Which I so very much did NOT want to do. I wanted to trust that this would all work out. That the new proposal would be accepted, that more work would come in, that the right part time gig would show itself.

And this morning the tables turned. Thank God. Because I’ve been tossing and turning since 5:30am trying to figure out how to ask. And after my email was open 15 minutes I received two emails accepting my proposal for a new project. It’s a big proposal, double what I usually do. 50% due up on signing which should happen this week. Oh, Thank you Great Goddess, Source of All. I can breath now…

And pay the phone bill. Man.

Meeting two more potential clients this morning, feast or famine.

Taking it Back with Barack Jack

Posted on September 22, 2008 by Cynthia

The Druid Plant Oracle

Posted on September 22, 2008 by Cynthia

One day many years ago now I discovered the Druid Animal Oracle and fell in love. In love with Will Worthington’s work. OMG. Not to mention the work of the amazing writer of the oracles, Philip Carr-Gomm and his wife, Stephanie. Their DruidCraft Tarot is my favorite deck of all time. It is also the first place I go for artistic inspiration. God/dess is in the details indeed. My only complaint, and it is very minor, is the size of the cards. They are too big for my hands. BUT. I wouldn’t change a thing since the bigger the cards, the bigger the image. And the images are incredible.

You can find out more about their spiritual group at the Order of Bards Ovates and Druids website.

Will paints on wood using ancient tempura methods of pigment and egg. The work is incredibly stunning and lush. I used to have a youtube video of an interview with Will describing how he paints and what with but I can’t find it. Darn. Visit Will’s Website.

The Druid Plant Oracle is now available. You can get it at amazon.com, amazon.co.uk and through the OBOD website.