Venetia Nevill – Multi-sensory and experiential art work

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‘Even after all this time the sun never says to

‘Even after all this time the sun never says to the earth ‘you owe me’ look what happens with a love like that, it lights the whole sky’ (Hafir) Even if we can’t see the sun we can light a candle and connect to the spiritual energy of the sun which is at its most powerful during the summer solstice tomorrow. Time to be still, honour precious nature and deeply connect with the heartbeat of the earth. Am loving this solstice energy after a roller coaster week with my other half in hospital waiting for a critical operation. I have kept a candle burning all week and got the call at midnight on Friday from his amazing NHS surgeon that the op was successful. I made a mandala at the blackthorn to say thank you for all nature’s blessings which have carried me through this week. The roses have been calming my nervous system and allowed my heart to soften when I have wanted to contract. The tulip tree lost a branch this week but it has gifted me flowers which symbolize freedom and determination. And of course the darling blackthorn . It has offered precious protection and reminded me where I need to use boundaries to keep centred and focused. Its reputation for being about darkness, and challenges was alarming. But a dear seer has revealed that it is also the keeper of sacred secret things - It is a holder of the great mysteries beyond our knowing . It really is the Tree of Hope being first to bloom after the long winter and its thorns are like rods of energy, holding and directing the light. Am looking forward to doing lots of ritual blessings this week for nature, friends and family, and hopefully some at ‘Redemption’ at “Coming up for Air’ at Waterloo before collecting my other half from hospital when he is out if intensive care. I am so incredibly grateful for all the support from dear friends this week, many on insta who have held and inspired me. We are all bringing each other home in so many ways. Keep shining your beautiful lights! #summersolstice #blessing #stillness #lightinmyheart #lovenature #devotion #blackthorn #ogham #sacred #mysteries #spirit #alchemy #love

I am thrilled to be in the group show ‘Coming up

I am thrilled to be in the group show ‘Coming up for Air’ curated by @clive_burton and Bill Watson from the London Group at St Johns Church In Waterloo. My installation had to be about the trees I love so much of course! The trees breathe us ! They provide us with precious oxygen. I used wood from trees that have been unnecessarily cut down, and suffered trauma, to create a healing Mandala. The blue rope symbolises loss but also hope. Visitors are invited to follow the spiral tracks and make a blessing to honour all trees. At the centre is the Blackthorn, the 14th Ogham tree which is associated with darkness, the unconscious and transformation, reminding us of the cycles of life and death. It offers spiritual support to those in overwhelm and shines a light on truth. Redemption becomes possible with awareness, amends and the power of love and forgiveness. I am taking my other half back to hospital on Monday for the second part of his operation and then I will do a blessing at the mandala for all those who are struggling. If anyone would like to join me this Monday late afternoon or on the 25th for the artist talks and a picnic please DM me. Swipe for Exhibition details - am honoured to be showing with some amazing artists in such a magical setting! Big thank you to nature lawyer Paul Powersland and earth protector Lindsay Spinks for collecting some of the wood in tricky circumstances from the HS2 rail sites. I can’t wait to see the installation - being in isolation I wasn’t able to set it up which was tough for a perfectionist like me, but some wonderful friends helped and others have kindly taken some great photos! #redemption #mandala #healing #ogham #blackthorn #forgiveness #lovetrees #sacredbreath #art #interactive #exhibition #transformation #consciousness #spirit #blessing

‘Oh, God, make me a hollow reed, from which the

‘Oh, God, make me a hollow reed, from which the pith of self hath been blown so that I may become as a clear channel through which Thy Love may flow to others.’
George Townshend Some honour the reed instead of the broom as the 13th ogham ‘tree’ .
I have been following the heron and dragonfly searching for reeds and it has led to many discoveries including an enchanting hornbeam glade fed by a spring. Luckily the Reed includes grasses, bamboo and all plants with long hollow shoots. The reed asks us to focus on re-energising our goals, asking for help and support from friends and spirit, and most of all believing in ourselves. Mercury retrograde has brought up old doubts and defences but the New Moon Solar Eclipse In Gemini on June 10 offers a big clearing to allow change. Gemini represents the twins and the duality in us, and the invitation is to accept our very natural humanness (human mess!) and allow it to be integrated with our pure innocent spirit. We can ask the reed spirit and its animals, the pike and the owl to remove any blocks or old ego patterns of grasping or keeping small that stand in the way.. The spiritual gift of the Reed is the ability to rise above sticky emotions to see another perspective. It invites us to be a hollow reed for spirit to work through us and align our passions with life’s dreams for us. Often the miracle is we get to give not get! The reed offers protection, and often act as guardians.Moses was hidden in the Bullrushes and in ancient Egypt, the reed was a symbol of power - pharaohs were depicted with a reed sceptre. In Greek mythology, the God Pan played the melancholy ‘Pan-pipes’ made from reed stems known as Syrinx. Reed beds whisper their ancient stories into the wind and remind us to listen to the ancestors The reed grows from the earth through water to touch the sky and release its seeds into the air, and so relates to the sacred power of three. The seeds can wait ages to germinate - I love the reed’s qualities of patience, adaptability and positive action - so inspiring! #reed #ogham #sacred #guardian #elemental #heron #gemini #duality #eclipse #spirit #healing #alignment #source #miracles

Broom is a plant of wounding and healing. I took

Broom is a plant of wounding and healing. I took a storm damaged branch to dip in the healing St Helens spring and then used it to paint on the eve of mercury going retrograde, a time when the dust storms can stir things up. The energies are already amplified by being in a portal between two lunar eclipses, and mercury retrograde reminds us to slow down.and look with new eyes at challenges that we think we have felt and dealt with before. Apparently wings are symbols of mercurial thought taking flight as well as messaging good news. So happy to collect my other half from hospital yesterday! I love listening to the primordial sound of the herons chattering above the broom. Herons symbolise stillness, balance and determination and coming to a surrendered place. In Wales it is believed that the snake can magically develop wings. The mayfly is extraordinary, transforming as it moves. Its wisdom is to live in the moment ( it only lives for one day) and resolve childhood issues. I am often mesmerised by the animals and plants that appear around each ogham tree (both the seen and the unseen elementals), and discovering their spiritual meanings and messages. Mythical creatures emerge in the paintings - my husband always sees dragons or sometimes frogs. All wild animals are sacred to Hecate but the creatures of darkness and the earth are most sacred to her; the dragon, snake, frog and raven (and of course the dog). The dandelion is associated with the Broom, grounding and rooting us, bringing confidence and courage . It is also linked to Mercury and the sparking of bright ideas, as well as Jupiter and its expansive abundance. The dandelion is sacred to the Celtic fertility and hearth goddess Brigid and her Roman equivalent Hecate. I made a dandelion essence to thank her for the precious protection and healing she gave my other half in hospital. And am so grateful for dear friends who supported me through an uncertain week. #broom #ogham #hecate #healing #openheart #lovenature #dandelion #elementals #sacred #alchemy #arttransforms #essence #mythical #blessings

Broom the 12th Ogham tree (ng - Ngetal) is associa

Broom the 12th Ogham tree (ng - Ngetal) is associated with water, the moon and restoring harmony. Its bright yellow flowers have been a beacon in these stormy times reminding me of the sun’s golden healing and warmth. Broom’s wisdom is to make a clean sweep by clearing the mind of clutter, old habits and beliefs. For many, including my family of origin, worry is just a misguided way of showing love. By letting go of worry, judgement and negativity, space can be cleared, allowing true self care that still includes nurturing for others. Using white sage can energetically clear our homes and auric fields. Even though it is a resilient, determined plant, the frost and recent storms have killed many branches. They will make a great broom to sweep away the old and any unwanted dark influences - sprinkling an infusion was used to exorcise poltergeist activity. Broom also has narcotic qualities which is why it is associated with astral travel and witches broomsticks. Broom is associated with Hecate, the Goddess of boundaries, liminal places and witchcraft, so I made an offering on the last new moon. I had forgotten she is also a goddess of the underworld and feel I am only just resurfacing after a big internal cleanse. Lying under the broom and overhanging beech tree, through rain, sun and storm, listening to the two streams converge has been so restorative . Having knowledge of herbs and poisonous plants, Hercates was sometimes known as the pharmacist and the curer who could crucially balance the poison and the remedy. Hecate is a guardian of entrances offering protection for people who pass through dangerous liminal places. My other half is having micro surgery for an aortic aneurysm this week so I am praying the broom works it’s magic and gives him protection! Rather wonderfully it is sometimes known as the “Robe of Physicians” and so relates to the healing of battle wounds. #broom #ogham #healing #hecates #liminal #protection #balance #alchemy #stillness #witch #magic #goddess #moon #natureheals #blessings

I am the ivy I will hold you tightly Wrapping my t

I am the ivy
I will hold you tightly
Wrapping my tendrils tenderly around you
As you unravel and awaken
Are you ready to let go
I am the eternal spiral of creation
We will ascend into the light
Your spirit soaring as you
drop the weight of uncertainty
Finding treasure descending into the darkness
Your shadow is my light
Your light is a beacon for others
Have I told you how much you are loved My deepest prayer this month has been to see life through the eyes of love not fear. The ivy encourages us to look at recurring patterns and wounds from a new perspective and to keep growing towards the light. But also to recognise our idea of light, dark and ‘pain’ can be limited. When things look stuck or seem hopeless, we are often processing and unravelling at a soul level. The invitation is to spiral into ourselves to receive new guidance from spirit. I created a healing Spiral to say goodbye to the ivy on this dark moon, and used the stems and roots that remained after the deer had eaten most of the cedar mandala. There is beauty in all sorts of surprising places and when I zoom in on something, like these precious wind blown, baby buds from the ivy clad apple tree, everything opens up in a magical way. Ivy is associated with the Weaver aspect of the Goddess and she invites us to create and weave new stories. Where there is self criticism, impatience or doubt to chose to weave in gratitude, faith and love. We honour ourselves by feeling all our feelings. The pathway for me is through play and Art. I used the ivy sea wreath to paint with and I am beginning to explore the Steiner form drawing that reveals the light through the darkness. Ivy can bind us or break things apart and the guidance is to call on help and be open to receive it. The new moon in Taurus is full of potential, teaching us to trust life, hug trees and walk barefoot to ground ourselves and connect to the supportive life force. We are the medicine! #ivy #mandala #ogham #spiral #soulwork #weaving #creative #darkmoon #taurus #wearethemedicine #miracles #blessing #gaia #natureheals #surrender #awareness

Beltane blessings to you from under the ivy clad c

Beltane blessings to you from under the ivy clad cherry tree and the beautiful waters of Hastings! The Cherry tree is ruled by the Sun God, Apollo, and Venus. Beltane is associated with the quickening energies of fire and air but Cherry is aligned with the earth which helps ground these sometimes volatile elements. It represents the fragility and transience of life and its wisdom is to value each precious, fleeting moment. I love the japanese custom of “hanami” simply watching the blossoms. The blossoms are also tied to “bushido,” or “the way of the warrior.” And we need to be spiritual warriors to overcome our doubts, follow our dreams and inspire others. The sun provides the vital energy to grow, motivating us to change. Cherries have pain relieving qualities which can soften any resistance; the bark can be used for insomnia and stress and the flower essence Cherry plum for anxiety and fear. With its five lobed leaves, the Ivy is sacred to the Goddess and is honoured at all the pagan festivals celebrating the wheel of the year. It represents the shift in consciousness that is initiated at each new phase, and often seems to call for a surrender before the rebirth. Ivy represents the feminine energy and loves water so I went to the gorgeous St. Helens spring to make a blessing and bumped into a wonderful sound healer friend. We bathed in the sacred waters and honored our desires and dreams with a sweet ground ivy ritual. And the sea was the perfect place to end the day weaving ivy dream wreaths with a fellow earth spirit and letting the ocean carry our wishes. #ivy #ogham #cherrytree #beltane #ritual #alchemy #sacredwater #gratitude #healing #transcience #warrior #sensory #consciousness #desire #cocreate

Am resurfacing after being in a bit of a dark plac

Am resurfacing after being in a bit of a dark place and was apprehensive about fully engaging with the Ivy, the 12th ogham tree, because of its reputation for bringing challenges, blocking out the light and revealing the shadow side. But some dear earth healer friends have revealed a few of its secrets . Apparently where wild ivy grows it signals geopathic stress in the land and the ivy happily feeds off it, so protecting the tree. Rather like the holly, Ivy holds the light during the darkest times, bringing it down to stabilise us and other beings. Ivy represented peace to the Druids and its ability to bind different kinds of plants also relates to the cyclical nature of friendships and life. It has offered a wonderful opportunity to sit with other non ogham trees that it uses as a support. I created a healing ivy mandala for all those who are struggling right now, under the giant cedar, with a willow dish at its centre containing sacred water and sweet violets. Ivy relates to the weaving aspect of the goddess and her guidance is to use all of the lessons from the previous trees during difficult times. The willow holds us while allowing us to feel our emotional pain, in order for her to transmute and heal it and the cedar offers healing, protection and abundance. The ivy relates to the moon and water, and this coming Scorpio Super Moon is all about transformation, shining light on our shadows, and seeing the truth of what we need to release. The ivy’s gifts of protection and perseverance are precious, reminding us to be adaptable to get the best from life. Like the human spirit, even if Ivy is cut down it grows stronger again. Its message is that we can not only survive, but grow and flourish under extraordinary circumstances. Be the light shining through the darkness! #ivy #ogham #determination #healing #support #protection #spirit #cedar #sacred #transformation #lightbody #mandala #openheart #consciousness #bethelight

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