Raccoon Medicine

This morning during my morning meditation time I had the usual brother and sister birds that add to my time with Creator bringing different messages for the day. But today I noticed in the neighbors tree a new visitor, Brother raccoon, a relative of the bear. He came over the fence moved directly toward me as I sat on my perch and without hesitation he made his way over to me face to face. We made eye contact several times as I spoke to him and then I stopped to listened to what he had come to say. Thank you Brother Raccoon for this message today. Ttlazocamati

Excerpts taken from my Animal Medicine cards.

Raccoon: Generous Protector and Provider, the Robin Hood of the Animal Kingdom.

Raccoon is keeper of what goes around comes around. What you give out is what you receive. You give back to the source of your strength. This medicine is also about speaking up in defense when others are silent. An important point to keep in mind is that we have to honor our own needs and the needs of others equally. Being self full is not the same as being selfish.

Raccoon also warns to keep an eye out for what I call energy vampires, those who take and rarely or never give back. Your generosity can be wasted on those who refuse to help themselves.

Whatever raccoon needs, he is going to try to get it in a variety of ways, instead of insisting it come from one direction in exactly a certain way. When you practice flexibility and resourcefulness, there are less limitations in life.

The mask that raccoon wears is sometimes associated with thievery, but it actually is powerful mystical symbolism. Around the world for centuries masks are and have been used to achieve altered states, ceremony, celebration, magical practices, and in healing work. By wearing a mask we are longer whom we thought ourselves to be but become one with other forces. We create a doorway in the mind and in the physical world, a threshold that we can cross into new dimensions and transformation takes place. It teaches us that none of us are quite what we seem, even to ourselves, that in our lives we can experience the freedom of many identities. This medicine helps us to assume and release the many roles we play.

If raccoon speaks to you today ask yourself Are you hiding your true self? Are others hiding their true self? Do you need to present a different face in life for greater success? Are you giving more to others instead of yourself?

Walk with beauty on Good Red Road with a knowing that all is available to you. You need only slow down to listen and to see with clear eyes. Take care of yourself today and be one with all of who you are and always have been. Yocoxcayotl, Paz, Peace

Connecting

Donaghy Building Gallery, Downtown Little Rock, AR

My work with the conference is complete for another year. It was a powerful event with many groups represented, authentic voices from diverse communities each telling their story for the greater good. People from all over the state and some from surrounding states came together to learn, share, ask questions and participate in connecting conversations with one another. In this way we can continue to build allies, coalitions, and heal generational wounds as we strengthen the work we do for children and famines in the State. Thanks to all and especially to my friends Bill Sparks and Louise Derman Sparks for their loving support of the sometimes difficult work we are doing.

In the midst of the conference work I was invited to share my work at the Donaghy Building Gallery where it was well received. Its a small space 10 works on exhibit and I am happy to share that I have sold two. The show is up until the end of the month.

The community work I do and the art is a natural for me, I cant do one without the other. They compliment each other like a couple that have been together for a long time. When one is challenged in conveying the message the other gently facilitates the dialogue. Art brings people together and I hope that mine poses questions and provokes thoughts that can lead to connecting respectfully with one another at a basic level. My community work feeds my art so now its time to get some rest. And then get back into the studio to let the images flow from the stories that were shared and the relationships I am building. Gracias,thanks, tlazocamati to all for being a part.

Spring is a busy time

Well its finally stopped raining for awhile and the trees and flowers are in beautiful color and the birds are everywhere. I started working on my home alter for spring but haven't had much time. Also haven't had time in the studio but have been cleaning out, shedding. Its time to build a new nest!

I have been working on a conference, Celebrating Cultural Harmony http://www.uams.edu/welcomethechildren/conference/general_information.asp
If you are in the area I invite you to join us. I am finally finished with the presenters and they are posted on the website. We are covering lots of diversity not just racial and ethnic.

I have a show of various work up in downtown Little Rock in the Donaghy State building. It is a great opportunity to share about Latino culture and art quilts. I'll get and post pictures from that later.

Rain images

This week we were surprised by the intensity of the storms that hit Little Rock and the State. I was on the road but made it to the training site and found the tornado safe room then back home through more storms. That evening we heard the alarms sound and spent most of the night in the bathroom for safety. The rains came down and the wind roared outside. Most of my loved ones had only slight damage but I am not sure it works to say damage and slight in the same sentence. The important thing is that everyone is safe now. It was intense and with this rage of emotions and anxiety about personal safety, the safety of loved ones, and property safety it made for a roller coaster evening into mornings light.

When something like this happens you begin to reevaluate what your purpose is, what things are left undone and what is really important. I thought about many people and things on my Good Red Road and what I have yet to do. My home suffered only some roof damage to the front porch which created a waterfall thus rivers of water in the house. When I arrived home I moved the towels I had laid out in anticipation of the waters arrival. As I began to clean I was surprised to see images on the floor. They tell me my home was protected in some way and that I still have work to do. I know some of the things that I see in the rain images. So take a deep breath, clear your mind, and tell me, what do you see?

new year medicine

Today is my new year, my birthday and with it comes new beginnings and new responsibilities. The medicine and Spiritual paths I follow brought me signs and lessons to follow. Last year I received a gift of red tail hawk medicine and this year it is time to use what I have been given. As a healer I have responsibilities to see the bigger picture and to deliver the messages that pass through me. To share and learn from others and most of all to listen and see. Not to see from my eyes but from the bigger picture. The knowledge of the Creator,ancestors, animal totems and Spirit guides help to me on this path. I am thankful for this time in my life and I pray that I will continue on this Good Red Road in a way that honors those that came before me, celebrate those that cross my path and walk with me, and those who will follow. Tlazocamati

Esperanza part of Art Quilt Cultures Exhibit

April 25 - June 25, 2008 The Professional Art Quilt Alliance-South with the Page Walker Arts & History Center, Cary, North Carolina announced juried selections for the exhibit and I am pleased to say that Esperanza was selected.

Maria's gift

This is a gift for the Garcia family for their new home. My dear comadre Maria has been a true sister to me since I moved here. Her family as opened their home and hearts to me and have shown me much love. I consider her a gift in my life both professionally and personally. When she asked that I create a Guadalupe piece for her home I was pleased to do so. The images are dear to her and tell a story of family, perseverance, strength, and love. I am honored that her four beautiful daughters call me tia Sabrina; they are the angels in this work. Paz y amor con mucho carino.