WELCOME!
Ostara: We Are Water

Come in, come in! I’m so happy you’re here. The season of Ostara, also known as the Vernal Equinox, marks the first day of spring and the halfway point between the solstices. For those of us in the northern hemisphere, Ostara falls on March 20th. This ancient holiday honors creative flow, deep noticing, resurrection, and renewal.

All Creative Alchemy Cycle bundles are self-guided. I’ve created this landing page as a home base for us as we journey through the season of Ostara. We’ll also meet in person on the fourth Sunday of each month (scroll down for links.) Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

Table of Contents

PART ONE: DIGITAL CONTENT

• Story of the Season: a Homily for Ostara (audio & PDF)

• The Great Wide Open (video)

• In the Studio (video)

• Collaborative Alchemy Podcast: Conversations with Creatives

• Fuel for the Fire: Writing prompts, links, reading lists, Spotify playlists, etc.

• Further Connection: Monthly Community Zoom Call / Recording (links)

PART TWO: FOR FULL SUBSCRIBERS

• CAC Network: Online communication platform

• Altar Box: Description of your seasonal care package

NOTE of ENGAGEMENT:
Please do not share the link to this page with others. This content was created just for you. Thank you for your respect and understanding.

PART ONE: Digital Content

Seaonal Focus — Sketchbook Practice

This season we’re going to start a sketchbook. A sketchbook is a place where we can explore and expand the boundaries of what we see and how we see it. At it’s core, a sketchbook practice is a tool for deep noticing. If you are new to sketchbook practice, breathe into the excitement of being a beginner and remember that it’s all about process. And if you are already a keeper of doodles and drawings, then allow your practice to deepen your relationship with the physical world around you. Your sketchbook is a creative laboratory for creating your own visual and imagistic vocabulary. It’s a place to play and explore.

Calling You Home — A Homily

This is a great place to begin. For each of the eight bundles that make up the Creative Alchemy Cycle, I write a seasonal story to set the container for the bundle. These homilies are my way of practicing alongside you and using the creative alchemy tools to create my own work. You can download a copy using the button below and/or listen to the audio.

The Great Wide Open

My creative process always begins outside. This is where I weave the outer landscape with the inner one. Eastern Oregon is in a rapid state of thaw and animals that have been hibernating are returning to the valley. We’ll begin our journey creekside with our sketchbook and talk about the legend of Cailleach Buí, an Irish Witch. Then we’ll go searching for eagles and visit a flock of swans taking a momentary rest at a local bird sanctuary.

In the Studio

After viewing The Great Wide Open, let’s head into my studio. This is where I metabolize, incubate, and process all the elements which make up my current state of creative alchemy. This season, we’ll discuss the why and how of a sketchbook practice. We’ll also explore the dynamic themes of this watery season through sacred natural objects and enjoy the art of deep noticing by sketching feathers, leaves, botanicals, and more.

Collaborative Alchemy Podcast

Collaborative Alchemy is a series of conversations with artists, thought leaders, activists, farmers, educators, creatives, and other polymaths where we tell our stories, expand our histories, and hold space for new ways of being. The podcast is on pause this season and will resume in early summer. In the meantime, please enjoy the rich catalogue of conversations below!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Invitations for Further Connection

We meet once a month for a Community Connection Call. This is a come-as-you-are gathering. If you’re unable to attend in person, Sarah will send you a recording soon after.

RECORDING of CREATIVE ALCHEMY COMMUNITY CONNECTION CALL
Sunday, April 2nd @ 10am Pacific Standard Time

PART TWO: For Full Subscribers

The Ostara Community Network & Gallery

The community network & gallery is a communication platform just for us! It’s like Facebook but WAY better: no advertisements, completely private, and built collectively. As a member of the Cycle you received an invitation to join our Creative Alchemy Cycle (CAC) online network via Mighty Networks. The button below will take you to the network.

Gratitude.

“Action on behalf of life transforms. Because the relationship between self and the world is reciprocal, it is not a question of first getting enlightened or saved and then acting. As we work to heal the earth, the earth heals us.” 

— Robin Wall Kimmerer